Are You Prepared for a Disaster?

Do you continue to think it won’t happen to you?

Have you continued to not heed the warnings after seeing disaster after disaster all over the world?  People make fun of those known as ‘preppers’ and yet they don’t prepare for disasters and then when they come and they are in a situation where they have no food or water and can’t get out of their homes they say ‘why me?’.

When there is some lead time warning folks will rush home from work and head to the grocery stores and service stations and try to load up on food and water and gasoline and other emergency supplies and find that many of the store’s shelves are already empty.

Watching the move ‘How It Ends’ (see our review) prompted me to get serious about getting this message out!

 

 

It makes no sense to continue to be unprepared for some form of disaster.   As adults we should be prepared to provide shelter, food and water and so forth for ourselves and our families.  Don’t ignore this folks!  There may be no warning!  Stock up and be prepared!  Prepare Now!

The picture above was from a hurricane.  But there are many types of natural disasters which can occur which we should be prepared for:  Wildfire, Brushfires, Tornadoes, Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Floods, Volcanic Eruptions, Cyclones, Avalanches, Blizzards, Famines, Landslides. Meteorite events, Heat waves, Epidemics, Pandemics. Drought, Water Shortage, Hail.

 

 

What about non-Natural Disasters?

In this volatile world we live in today, there are other disasters that could occur at any time.   Have you considered the possibility of a Civil war/unrest, Riots, Terrorist attacks, Cyber attacks, nuclear power plant blast, explosions, chemical and biological attacks, hazardous materials, and Power outages.

There are many, many ways that we could be in a situation where we cannot get to food, water, shelter, automobiles, communication, clothing, etc.

Other not so devastating, but just as frightening for some, could include loss of job or  loss of ability to get to your job with very little or no funds and literally you and your family could be starving.

 

There is no reason to be unprepared for these situations.  If you have any income today, get prepared!

Start today, first build a kit with your basic disaster needs. This type of kit would be geared to be grabbable to take with you as you abandon your home or car (also known as a ‘go bag’ or ‘bug out bag’) with all you need to survive for at least 72 hours (3 days).  The basic kit is a collection of what any household would need.  The additional items are those which might be specific to your household’s special needs.

 

 

 

Recommended items for your kit(s):

• Water – One gallon of water per person (for drinking and sanitation)
• Food – at least a three day supply of non-perishable food
• Flashlight with Extra Batteries
• Prescription medications
• First Aid Kit
• Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea meds, antacids or laxatives
• Cell phone with chargers and battery backup
• Garbage Bags and plastic ties
• Wrench or pliers
• Matches in a waterproof container or a lighter
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask
• Plastic sheeting or tent for sheltering in place
• Moist towelettes
• Manual can opener for opening canned food (if you are taking canned)
• Local Maps

Other items depending on your needs:

• Cash
• Infant formula, bottles, wipes, diapers, etc.
• Pet food and water
• Glasses and contact lens solution
• Change of clothing
• Sturdy shoes (not flipflops)
• Warm blanket for each person
• Important family documents (ins. policies, ID’s, others saved electronically in a waterproof container)
• Feminine supplies
• Chlorine bleach and dropper to disinfect water
• Paper and pencil

Maintain your kits

Check the condition of the items in your kits each year so they are always ready:

• Replace items which have expired
• Re-evaluate your needs each year, as your family situation may change annually

Where to Store your kits

You do not know when you may need the kits and where you may be when the emergency occurs.  Prepare kits for home, work and your vehicles.

• At home – have the kits in a location where all family members know where they are and can get to them quickly
• At work – be prepared to shelter at work for at least 24 hours.  Work kit should be the same except perhaps not as much food and water
• Vehicle – store where you can get to it in your car but is out of sight so not to attract thieves

Other not mentioned above

Some items not mentioned above but which are desirable are:

• Hand-cranked charger
• NOAA Weather Radio
• Swiss Knife or Multi-tool
• Life Jackets
• Self Defense Weapons  (Only if you are trained to use them)
• Mess kit (Pot/pan/bowl combo)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are many already prepared bags you can purchase at many specialty sites online and even at non-specialty sites such as Amazon and Walmart.   Below are links to sites which have bags already created which are available for purchase.  Also there are many books, like the one featured above which explain in more details what your selections might be to go in your bag.  ( See our Affiliate Disclosure here.)

These are just kits for a 3 day emergency situation.  Please come back to our site for our upcoming blogs and reviews on survival products for short and long term emergency situations.  Fill out our contact us form and request to be emailed when new blogs are published.

Sites with ‘bug-out-bags’ prepackaged … Don’t wait, Buy Now!

Day One Gear  – Click on 72 hour Survival Kits

Interesting Book About Survival  called Dark Ages

Amazon – This link takes you to 72 hour Survival Kits (preselected search)

Survival Frog – Takes you to their Kits page

American Family Safety  Click here and go to their main page.  Menu on left has kits.

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