1. If you live in a two story home purchase a fire escape ladder, and then practice using it with your children.
2. Purchase enough biscuit or muffin mix or mixes (variety is good) for six meals. Naturally the amount you need to purchase will depend on the size of your family.
3. Purchase 1 can of fruit per family member. If you can preserve 3 or 4 cans per person you can it the next time this blog asks you to add fruit.
4. Record the serial numbers of major appliances and electronics. These should be stored in a safe deposit box, your 72 hour kit and your contact person. Everyone is vulnerable to a burglary and these will be invaluable when trying to claim your possessions.
5. Stage a power outage in your home. Throw the breaker and see how your family deals with 24 hours without power. This is absolutely the best way to discover which items you need to add to your preparedness plans to really be ready for that emergency.
6. Add sleeping bags or blankets to your grab and go kits. Obviously you won’t be able to gather all of these into one container but place them all together so they are easy to access.
7. Collect change from the sofa cushions, everyone’s pockets, car, and the bottom of purses and place the coins in your 72 hour kit.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
Protect your Home
Protect your Home
Identify your security weaknesses. Begin by walking around your home and making note of areas where access to a window or door may go unnoticed by neighbors. Look in the windows. Are there valuables that are easily seen and tempting to a thief? Look for easy access points such as sliding doors. Do you have ladders stored outside, making it easy for a second-story man? Look at your home through a burglar’s eyes, as if you wanted to break in. Find the weaknesses, and fix them as well as you can.
Purchase timers. Place timers in several locations in your home and do it now. Have them turn on lights as well as a radio or TV. Purchase timers that can be set to go on and off more than once during a 24-hour period.
Clean out the garage. You may need to purchase some storage bins and build a shelf or two. The goal is to be able to park your cars in the garage. When you are away it won’t seem obvious that you are gone if your driveway is empty, as usual.
You hate to believe it, but a lot of local crime can come from people in your own neighborhood, or their kids, or their friends.
Make copies of all your important papers and send them to your emergency out-of-state contact. Thieves sometimes cover their tracks by setting fire to what they can’t carry. Home fires can happen from accidental causes while we are away, too.
Get a safe deposit box to store your jewelry or family heirlooms.
Invest in outdoor lighting. Any amount of light around your home will make your home less desirable to a thief. These can even be solar floodlights that won’t add any cost to your utilities.
Get window coverings and use them. Don’t give a would-be thief a preview of what you have in your home. When it gets dark and the inside lights come on, close all window coverings.
Check the locks on all entry doors. Purchase locks that have locking bolts and tongues. Test this by holding the door open and turning the latch. Then press the tongue into the door with your finger. Better locks will have a secondary tongue that doesn’t move. The best locks will have entire tongues that don’t move.
Although we like to have the best on our front doors, the back doors are the ones most likely to be used by an intruder. Multiple locks on a door are even better. If you can’t afford to purchase new locks, add a less expensive floor lock as a back up.
Check the screws in strike plates. Short screws make it easy to pry the plate off and the door open.
Floor locks. If you have a door with a window in it, add a floor lock or second lock that a thief can’t reach after breaking out the window.
Deadbolts. If you can afford it, a double-keyed deadbolt is the best solution for a door with a glass pane.
Strengthen garage security. Garages are an easy entrance to your home. Too many people leave their garage doors open during the day when they are home and even if they are running a short errand. Once someone has entered your garage it is easy to close the door, giving them the privacy and time they need to break down the inside door to the house.
Solid core doors in a garage are a must. Builders sometimes put cheaper doors in the garage. Check to make sure yours are not hollow core. If they are, replacing them is a good idea.
Sliders. An estimated one-fourth of all sliding glass doors and windows are installed backwards (so the sliding part is on the outside track). This gives a criminal easy access. They simply lift out the panel and enter. Purchase a good lock for your door if you have this situation. If the door is installed correctly, purchase a secondary lock or place a dowel in the track. The dowel should be within a ¼ - inch of the track’s length so the door can’t be opened wide enough to fit fingers in to lift the door off the track.
Window locks. Put window stops on all first floor frames. The best ones are those that go through the movable frame and lock it into place. A simple alternative is to drill a hole through both frames when the window is closed and place a nail in the hole. You may also want to add a second stop by opening the window slightly, not wide enough for someone to reach through, and drill a second hole. This will enable you to have the window open slightly at night and still provide some safety.
Install motion detectors in areas that are blind spots.
Lock your gates. A latch on a gate just isn’t good enough. An intruder can easily reach over and open the latch. Get a padlock that actually locks and requires a key or combination to open. On days when the kids are in and out of the yard, leave it off, but replace it at night and always when you leave for a day or two.
Make a household inventory now, and send a copy to the person you established as your emergency contact in case you are ever forced to evacuate during an emergency. (This is something we have completed if you are following our Seven Steps program)
Etch your name on all your high priced items like electronics, cameras, computers, sports gear. This will make them more difficult to fence and sell to a pawn shop. Never use a social security number to etch on property, for obvious reasons. Thieves love identity theft, too.
Security systems are a good addition to your home, but they can be expensive.
Don’t advertise to thieves. Have you ever driven down the street and seen a box for a computer or TV on the sidewalk waiting for garbage pick up? That’s like shouting, “I have a new TV — come and get it!”
Don’t leave anyone alone in your home. If you have a repairman, realtor, or anyone else come into your home, don’t let them wander around alone.
Never put your name or address on your keys. This should be a no-brainer. If your car is hot-wired and stolen and your garage door opener is in the car, change the code on your garage door opener immediately, or disconnect the opener until it is changed. If your other keys were in the car, change all the locks immediately. Remember, the thief has your registration and insurance info, and knows where you live.
Lock your home when you leave . Every time.
Neighborhood Watch. Now may be the time to get involved in your neighborhood watch group. Don’t have one? Then, now is the time to call the police department, ask for their suggestions, and invite the neighbors over. Neighborhood watch groups do work. They have prevented many burglaries and caught many who would have caused harm if they had not been stopped.
Identify your security weaknesses. Begin by walking around your home and making note of areas where access to a window or door may go unnoticed by neighbors. Look in the windows. Are there valuables that are easily seen and tempting to a thief? Look for easy access points such as sliding doors. Do you have ladders stored outside, making it easy for a second-story man? Look at your home through a burglar’s eyes, as if you wanted to break in. Find the weaknesses, and fix them as well as you can.
Purchase timers. Place timers in several locations in your home and do it now. Have them turn on lights as well as a radio or TV. Purchase timers that can be set to go on and off more than once during a 24-hour period.
Clean out the garage. You may need to purchase some storage bins and build a shelf or two. The goal is to be able to park your cars in the garage. When you are away it won’t seem obvious that you are gone if your driveway is empty, as usual.
You hate to believe it, but a lot of local crime can come from people in your own neighborhood, or their kids, or their friends.
Make copies of all your important papers and send them to your emergency out-of-state contact. Thieves sometimes cover their tracks by setting fire to what they can’t carry. Home fires can happen from accidental causes while we are away, too.
Get a safe deposit box to store your jewelry or family heirlooms.
Invest in outdoor lighting. Any amount of light around your home will make your home less desirable to a thief. These can even be solar floodlights that won’t add any cost to your utilities.
Get window coverings and use them. Don’t give a would-be thief a preview of what you have in your home. When it gets dark and the inside lights come on, close all window coverings.
Check the locks on all entry doors. Purchase locks that have locking bolts and tongues. Test this by holding the door open and turning the latch. Then press the tongue into the door with your finger. Better locks will have a secondary tongue that doesn’t move. The best locks will have entire tongues that don’t move.
Although we like to have the best on our front doors, the back doors are the ones most likely to be used by an intruder. Multiple locks on a door are even better. If you can’t afford to purchase new locks, add a less expensive floor lock as a back up.
Check the screws in strike plates. Short screws make it easy to pry the plate off and the door open.
Floor locks. If you have a door with a window in it, add a floor lock or second lock that a thief can’t reach after breaking out the window.
Deadbolts. If you can afford it, a double-keyed deadbolt is the best solution for a door with a glass pane.
Strengthen garage security. Garages are an easy entrance to your home. Too many people leave their garage doors open during the day when they are home and even if they are running a short errand. Once someone has entered your garage it is easy to close the door, giving them the privacy and time they need to break down the inside door to the house.
Solid core doors in a garage are a must. Builders sometimes put cheaper doors in the garage. Check to make sure yours are not hollow core. If they are, replacing them is a good idea.
Sliders. An estimated one-fourth of all sliding glass doors and windows are installed backwards (so the sliding part is on the outside track). This gives a criminal easy access. They simply lift out the panel and enter. Purchase a good lock for your door if you have this situation. If the door is installed correctly, purchase a secondary lock or place a dowel in the track. The dowel should be within a ¼ - inch of the track’s length so the door can’t be opened wide enough to fit fingers in to lift the door off the track.
Window locks. Put window stops on all first floor frames. The best ones are those that go through the movable frame and lock it into place. A simple alternative is to drill a hole through both frames when the window is closed and place a nail in the hole. You may also want to add a second stop by opening the window slightly, not wide enough for someone to reach through, and drill a second hole. This will enable you to have the window open slightly at night and still provide some safety.
Install motion detectors in areas that are blind spots.
Lock your gates. A latch on a gate just isn’t good enough. An intruder can easily reach over and open the latch. Get a padlock that actually locks and requires a key or combination to open. On days when the kids are in and out of the yard, leave it off, but replace it at night and always when you leave for a day or two.
Make a household inventory now, and send a copy to the person you established as your emergency contact in case you are ever forced to evacuate during an emergency. (This is something we have completed if you are following our Seven Steps program)
Etch your name on all your high priced items like electronics, cameras, computers, sports gear. This will make them more difficult to fence and sell to a pawn shop. Never use a social security number to etch on property, for obvious reasons. Thieves love identity theft, too.
Security systems are a good addition to your home, but they can be expensive.
Don’t advertise to thieves. Have you ever driven down the street and seen a box for a computer or TV on the sidewalk waiting for garbage pick up? That’s like shouting, “I have a new TV — come and get it!”
Don’t leave anyone alone in your home. If you have a repairman, realtor, or anyone else come into your home, don’t let them wander around alone.
Never put your name or address on your keys. This should be a no-brainer. If your car is hot-wired and stolen and your garage door opener is in the car, change the code on your garage door opener immediately, or disconnect the opener until it is changed. If your other keys were in the car, change all the locks immediately. Remember, the thief has your registration and insurance info, and knows where you live.
Lock your home when you leave . Every time.
Neighborhood Watch. Now may be the time to get involved in your neighborhood watch group. Don’t have one? Then, now is the time to call the police department, ask for their suggestions, and invite the neighbors over. Neighborhood watch groups do work. They have prevented many burglaries and caught many who would have caused harm if they had not been stopped.
Week 29
With a worldwide food crisis we are working toward having a three month supply of food, medical supplies, cleaning supplies and hygiene items. This personal storehouse will also enable us to accomplish another goal, to be out of debt and have some cash on hand. When you have a storehouse in your home you only need to shop the sales to replace items you have used.
We are preparing our homes to be safe havens in the event of a weather disaster. We are gathering and copying important documents and completing a household inventory just in case our homes are damaged or destroyed. We are completing 72 hour, auto and Grab bag in the event we need to evacuate or host families who have evacuated. We are becoming ready for a financial crisis, earthquake, wild fire, pandemic, home fire or even the loss of income.
1. If you don’t already have one, purchase a fire extinguisher for your home. If you have an extinguisher make sure it is current or take it to the fire department and have it checked out.
2. Copy: Protect and Secure Your Home From Invaders and add it to your binders
3. Make two changes suggested in the article to help burglar proof your home.
4. Purchase 1 pound of cheese per person to add to your food storage. http://store.firehousepantrystore.com/lbchedpwd.html
5. Purchase the ingredients for 5 desserts.
6. Try a new recipe made with stored foods.
7. Place a pair of good walking shoes in the trunk of your car(s).
We are preparing our homes to be safe havens in the event of a weather disaster. We are gathering and copying important documents and completing a household inventory just in case our homes are damaged or destroyed. We are completing 72 hour, auto and Grab bag in the event we need to evacuate or host families who have evacuated. We are becoming ready for a financial crisis, earthquake, wild fire, pandemic, home fire or even the loss of income.
1. If you don’t already have one, purchase a fire extinguisher for your home. If you have an extinguisher make sure it is current or take it to the fire department and have it checked out.
2. Copy: Protect and Secure Your Home From Invaders and add it to your binders
3. Make two changes suggested in the article to help burglar proof your home.
4. Purchase 1 pound of cheese per person to add to your food storage. http://store.firehousepantrystore.com/lbchedpwd.html
5. Purchase the ingredients for 5 desserts.
6. Try a new recipe made with stored foods.
7. Place a pair of good walking shoes in the trunk of your car(s).
Monday, July 27, 2009
Week 28
The world economy is experiencing a downward spiral and the number of unemployed is up. For all of these reasons I think we need to really focus on food storage. We have made great progress in our preparations but while there is still time to purchase and preserve summer produce we will be taking a hard look at food storage.
1. Load your car as you would if you were told to evacuate. I read an interview of a victim of the San Diego fires and she said how prepared she thought she was. She had photo albums, journals, medical records and treasured possessions all ready to take if there were ever a fire. She is CERT trained and knew the dangers and had prepared. When it came time to evacuate she got everything in the car and went back to get her dogs and …no room. Many of the photos and other treasures were left behind so she could make room for her pets. Her home burned all those treasures were lost. Learn a lesson from her and load your car with your important papers, photos and treasures, then add the kids and pets and see where you stand. Do this with the car that is most often at home. If an evacuation order comes dad and/or mom may be at work so load the car that is most likely to be there. You may need to purchase a car top carrier and now is the time to know that.
2. Copy your computer files and mail them to your out of area contact. You may have room to take your computer but you may be away from home when the call comes to evacuate and there may not be time to rescue your computers.
3. Purchase a fire extinguisher for your auto kit.
4. Make a Dutch oven meal. If you aren’t sure how to do this there are great recipes and instruction on the internet or call a boy scout you know.
5. Add a fuel source to your grab and go kit. A camp stove and fuels for that is nice, but also have fire starters in case the stove can’t be carried.
6. Add 1 package of flavored gelatin per person in your family to your food storage. This will be an absolute necessity in the event of a pandemic and it makes a fun dessert if you are living on your storage.
7. Catch up on a step you have missed.
1. Load your car as you would if you were told to evacuate. I read an interview of a victim of the San Diego fires and she said how prepared she thought she was. She had photo albums, journals, medical records and treasured possessions all ready to take if there were ever a fire. She is CERT trained and knew the dangers and had prepared. When it came time to evacuate she got everything in the car and went back to get her dogs and …no room. Many of the photos and other treasures were left behind so she could make room for her pets. Her home burned all those treasures were lost. Learn a lesson from her and load your car with your important papers, photos and treasures, then add the kids and pets and see where you stand. Do this with the car that is most often at home. If an evacuation order comes dad and/or mom may be at work so load the car that is most likely to be there. You may need to purchase a car top carrier and now is the time to know that.
2. Copy your computer files and mail them to your out of area contact. You may have room to take your computer but you may be away from home when the call comes to evacuate and there may not be time to rescue your computers.
3. Purchase a fire extinguisher for your auto kit.
4. Make a Dutch oven meal. If you aren’t sure how to do this there are great recipes and instruction on the internet or call a boy scout you know.
5. Add a fuel source to your grab and go kit. A camp stove and fuels for that is nice, but also have fire starters in case the stove can’t be carried.
6. Add 1 package of flavored gelatin per person in your family to your food storage. This will be an absolute necessity in the event of a pandemic and it makes a fun dessert if you are living on your storage.
7. Catch up on a step you have missed.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Week 27
I’ve seen people evacuating and know those of us who are preparing would know what to grab and how to evacuate with fewer regrets. If you have not already completed your household inventory make that your goal this week and get it checked off your list. It is one of the most important things you can do. If you were to lose your home an inventory can save you time, money and regrets. In most cases if you fail to list an item as being lost with the insurance company, it is too late later to be reimbursed for the items.
1. This week we are going to begin our Car Kits. For those of you who commute these are essential. It does not take an extreme natural disaster for you to break into your kits. Can you imagine being stuck in the car for many hours do to a road closure or accident?! Wouldn’t it be nice to have something to eat and drink, something to provide a little light, or a whistle to attract help if you should have a health emergency. When traveling long distances, a Car Kit can be a real life saver. If you need to put on tire chains a bright orange vest may save your life as people can see you from a distance. Mylar blankets can protect you from the desert sun and provide warmth during a snow storm. This week find an old back pack or purchase one so you are ready to begin adding items next week. A child’s backpack is the perfect size for a car kit.
2. Add a hammer to your Grab and Go Kit
3. Practice starting a fire with items that you may have on hand if you are stranded on the road. Use a pair of eye glasses to light the fire. Collect some pine needles, dried leaves or small sticks and use them as kindling. Try starting a fire using a battery and steel wool. Get a 9 volt battery and a small piece of steel wool. Wrap the steel wool in a little paper, TP, tissue or other flammable material. Leave a little of the steel wool exposed. Gently rub the steel wool against the battery connection. This will cause sparks so be careful. Blow to increase the flames and drop onto your prepared kindling. Gently blow to keep the fire going until the kindling catches.
4. Learn a new skill. Ask a friend to teach you to can or make freezer jam. Learn to change a tire. Invite a friend to teach your family to build that fire if it is all a mystery to you. Take a CPR class. Learn to sew, or jump your car battery.
5. Add a cooking pot to your Grab bag. A Dutch Oven is nice because they are so versatile, they hold a lot, you can use them directly in a fire and they can take lots of abuse.
6. Purchase milk for your food storage.
7. Practice your new skill.
1. This week we are going to begin our Car Kits. For those of you who commute these are essential. It does not take an extreme natural disaster for you to break into your kits. Can you imagine being stuck in the car for many hours do to a road closure or accident?! Wouldn’t it be nice to have something to eat and drink, something to provide a little light, or a whistle to attract help if you should have a health emergency. When traveling long distances, a Car Kit can be a real life saver. If you need to put on tire chains a bright orange vest may save your life as people can see you from a distance. Mylar blankets can protect you from the desert sun and provide warmth during a snow storm. This week find an old back pack or purchase one so you are ready to begin adding items next week. A child’s backpack is the perfect size for a car kit.
2. Add a hammer to your Grab and Go Kit
3. Practice starting a fire with items that you may have on hand if you are stranded on the road. Use a pair of eye glasses to light the fire. Collect some pine needles, dried leaves or small sticks and use them as kindling. Try starting a fire using a battery and steel wool. Get a 9 volt battery and a small piece of steel wool. Wrap the steel wool in a little paper, TP, tissue or other flammable material. Leave a little of the steel wool exposed. Gently rub the steel wool against the battery connection. This will cause sparks so be careful. Blow to increase the flames and drop onto your prepared kindling. Gently blow to keep the fire going until the kindling catches.
4. Learn a new skill. Ask a friend to teach you to can or make freezer jam. Learn to change a tire. Invite a friend to teach your family to build that fire if it is all a mystery to you. Take a CPR class. Learn to sew, or jump your car battery.
5. Add a cooking pot to your Grab bag. A Dutch Oven is nice because they are so versatile, they hold a lot, you can use them directly in a fire and they can take lots of abuse.
6. Purchase milk for your food storage.
7. Practice your new skill.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Week 26
Can you believe we have been at this for 6 months now. We are at our 1/2 year mark! If you copy the steps each week, add them to your binder and cross off the ones you complete it will be easy for you to see later what still needs to be done. Keep saving your change and don’t be afraid to ask for a case of food or pandemic supplies or a 72 hour kit for your birthday, anniversary or one of the holidays. Tell your sweetie not to buy chocolate but rather a case of brownie mix. Then you can get your fix during a time when there is no money for chocolates. This week:
1. Practice building a shelter. There are many websites which can help you with directions for a lean-to, or tents. If you purchased your tarp(s) last week or if you have an old one around practice using that so you can see what else you may want to add to your Grab bag to make creating a safe shelter easier. This will also help you understand how many tarps and ropes you may need to accommodate your family’s needs. Besides this is a great activity with the kids.
2. Purchase cooking utensils for your Grab bag. This is a great time of the year as the barbecue utensils are on sale. You will want long handled items just in case you end up having to cook over a fire.
3. Purchase a set or two of white sheets. If you remember the Seasonal Bargains sheet you copied, you will know July is a great time for white sales. White sheets are important in preparing for a pandemic. Decide which two rooms you would turn into “hospital” room for those who are ill. Purchase at least one set of white sheets for the beds in those rooms. During a health emergency you will want to wash sheets in hot water, soap and bleach to be sure all the germs are killed, thus white sheets.
4. Add 2 cans of vegetables per person to your food storage. Hopefully you can find them on sale.
5. Make or purchase a holiday gift. We are spreading out our expenses by doing this and thus preparing so the holiday season doesn’t have us incurring large debts. If you know someone who loves to barbecue now is the time to find great buys on everything from aprons to marshmallow roasting forks. Holiday fabrics are on sale now.
6. Make more room for food storage. If you are running out of space now is the time to create some more. We will be adding more food to reach that three month supply so be ready.
7. Take time to catch up on one or more of the Steps you have missed.
1. Practice building a shelter. There are many websites which can help you with directions for a lean-to, or tents. If you purchased your tarp(s) last week or if you have an old one around practice using that so you can see what else you may want to add to your Grab bag to make creating a safe shelter easier. This will also help you understand how many tarps and ropes you may need to accommodate your family’s needs. Besides this is a great activity with the kids.
2. Purchase cooking utensils for your Grab bag. This is a great time of the year as the barbecue utensils are on sale. You will want long handled items just in case you end up having to cook over a fire.
3. Purchase a set or two of white sheets. If you remember the Seasonal Bargains sheet you copied, you will know July is a great time for white sales. White sheets are important in preparing for a pandemic. Decide which two rooms you would turn into “hospital” room for those who are ill. Purchase at least one set of white sheets for the beds in those rooms. During a health emergency you will want to wash sheets in hot water, soap and bleach to be sure all the germs are killed, thus white sheets.
4. Add 2 cans of vegetables per person to your food storage. Hopefully you can find them on sale.
5. Make or purchase a holiday gift. We are spreading out our expenses by doing this and thus preparing so the holiday season doesn’t have us incurring large debts. If you know someone who loves to barbecue now is the time to find great buys on everything from aprons to marshmallow roasting forks. Holiday fabrics are on sale now.
6. Make more room for food storage. If you are running out of space now is the time to create some more. We will be adding more food to reach that three month supply so be ready.
7. Take time to catch up on one or more of the Steps you have missed.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Week 25
We are being proactive and we will be ready to face a challenge as it presents itself. This week:
1. Place a pot in your grab and go pile. Make sure the pot is heavy as you will probably be using in on an open fire, camp stove, or barbecue grill. You will only be adding one pot as during an emergency you won’t want to be carrying more than that. A lid for the pot is also important and with limited water you may need to reuse any water you have used to cook your food and you definitely don’t want water evaporating.
2. It’s time to think shelter. If you have a small 3 man tent they are great and light weight. A tarp will work. We have added rope to our GGK (Grab and Go Kit) and with the addition of a tarp or two you can make a much bigger and sturdier shelter. Tarps can be used as a tent, lean to, dining cover, ground cover, to temporarily repair a leaky roof and even to haul debris. They are much less expensive than a tent and much easier to carry. If you have a large family, add a few tarps and extra rope.
3. Clear a ten foot area around your propane tank and your barbecue grill. We often hear about clearing a defensible space around our homes but most of us think we are safe because we don’t live in a wooded area. Propane tanks and barbecue grills can be very dangerous. Tanks can and will explode during a weather emergency and barbecue grill can easily create a grease fire with dangerous flame. Grills have also been known to tip over and catch lawns and lawn furniture on fire. Give yourself plenty of space away from your house so you have time to put out the fire before it can cause major damage.
4. Purchase one can or container of protein per family member. This may include; tuna and other fish, meats, peanut butter or beans. This is not the only time we will add protein to our food storage so check the sales this week and add items that are on sale.
5. Move heavy items to bottom shelves. This is especially important during a hurricane, tornado or earthquake. You do not want heavy items falling out of shelves on to family members. Anything that is heavy or with sharp edges should be on bottom shelves.
6. Check you garage and area around heaters and water heaters and move any items that are flammable away from heat sources. If you have a shed store propane bottles, cleaners, lawn mowers (yes, they are flammable) in the shed. Also move any weed killers and pesticides away from heat sources. They can become deadly if they are exposed to a fire.
7. Draw a floor plan or your home. Using markers or colored pencils mark at least two escape routes from each room in case of a fire. Spend time this week walking through those options with your family. Practice good fire safety techniques, low to the ground, feel the door before opening and always practice meeting at your designated meeting place.
1. Place a pot in your grab and go pile. Make sure the pot is heavy as you will probably be using in on an open fire, camp stove, or barbecue grill. You will only be adding one pot as during an emergency you won’t want to be carrying more than that. A lid for the pot is also important and with limited water you may need to reuse any water you have used to cook your food and you definitely don’t want water evaporating.
2. It’s time to think shelter. If you have a small 3 man tent they are great and light weight. A tarp will work. We have added rope to our GGK (Grab and Go Kit) and with the addition of a tarp or two you can make a much bigger and sturdier shelter. Tarps can be used as a tent, lean to, dining cover, ground cover, to temporarily repair a leaky roof and even to haul debris. They are much less expensive than a tent and much easier to carry. If you have a large family, add a few tarps and extra rope.
3. Clear a ten foot area around your propane tank and your barbecue grill. We often hear about clearing a defensible space around our homes but most of us think we are safe because we don’t live in a wooded area. Propane tanks and barbecue grills can be very dangerous. Tanks can and will explode during a weather emergency and barbecue grill can easily create a grease fire with dangerous flame. Grills have also been known to tip over and catch lawns and lawn furniture on fire. Give yourself plenty of space away from your house so you have time to put out the fire before it can cause major damage.
4. Purchase one can or container of protein per family member. This may include; tuna and other fish, meats, peanut butter or beans. This is not the only time we will add protein to our food storage so check the sales this week and add items that are on sale.
5. Move heavy items to bottom shelves. This is especially important during a hurricane, tornado or earthquake. You do not want heavy items falling out of shelves on to family members. Anything that is heavy or with sharp edges should be on bottom shelves.
6. Check you garage and area around heaters and water heaters and move any items that are flammable away from heat sources. If you have a shed store propane bottles, cleaners, lawn mowers (yes, they are flammable) in the shed. Also move any weed killers and pesticides away from heat sources. They can become deadly if they are exposed to a fire.
7. Draw a floor plan or your home. Using markers or colored pencils mark at least two escape routes from each room in case of a fire. Spend time this week walking through those options with your family. Practice good fire safety techniques, low to the ground, feel the door before opening and always practice meeting at your designated meeting place.
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