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Building your 72 Hour Kit

Q: What is it?
A: a disaster supplies pack that you and your family WILL need in the event of evacuation.
Q: Why is it called a 72 hour kit?
A: because it should contain a minimum of three days supplies.

Okay, I’ll start by confessing the truth – I’d rather not leave my house for anything. In most emergencies, people would prefer to ‘shelter-in-place’ at home, where they’re more in control. With or without power, sheltering in place is still where one would rather ride out just about anything. However, there are times when that simply isn’t possible. And while I’m ‘truthing‘, if I had to evacuate my house, I’d really rather NOT do it in the winter. But since emergencies rarely make appointments, and we likely wouldn’t get our choice, its something we have to strongly consider since (at least for me) winter takes up close to half my year. One last truth: MY evacuation plan may not be the same as yours.

I live in a city, so I won’t be heading out to the great outdoors if I have to evacuate my house, and I don’t have any little kids or pets in my house. There was a time we lived in the country, and a time we had little kids at home, and we did have pets, which made my 72 hour kit then, look a lot different than it does now. Though the basic essentials may be the same, everyone’s kit will be unique to them.
Do you have dental appliances?
Do you have dentures?
Do you have allergies? Or special medications?
Do you wear glasses?
You get the picture. We’re all different, and so our kits and our plans are going to look different too, but there are some things that are pretty basic.

So what is magic about 72 HOURS anyway?  Why choose that length of time?  

Three days (72 hours) has long been a minimum guideline to be self sufficient, and its recognized as a standard worldwide.   Whatever the disaster, no matter what help might be coming – it is unlikely to arrive inside of 72 hours.   Three days is also a manageable time frame that is easy for people to wrap their minds around, and fairly reasonable to plan for.   Experts recognize that the first 72 hours are often the most critical, so having an emergency kit ensures that individuals and families are adequately equipped to manage the initial chaos and uncertainty that lie in the aftermath of a disaster.   Bottom line – YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN for at least three days.

A supply of food, water, medication and other essential items for three days may be intimidating, but it is entirely manageable in terms of storage space, portability and cost.   It is just the beginning though; you should consider it a foundation upon which to build a more comprehensive preparedness plan, as the situation that causes the emergency is not likely to magically end in three days.   You should add to your plan – evacuation routes and destinations, communication strategies and community resources as well as how you can lend a hand to your neighbours.  These are proactive preparedness steps that when followed will mitigate your family’s risks, enhance your resilience and increase the level of your comfort and security.   

For me, our first option after evacuation would be to go to our son’s house – four blocks away. In the likely event that it won’t be far enough away, we’d all head to our other son’s house about 20 minutes away. If that is not far enough, we have another destination 40 minutes away. And so it goes.
Worst case scenario – we’d end up sitting on some gym floor somewhere with a hundred other people.

What are YOUR destination options? First choice, second choice, and so forth . . .

Terms to be familiar with:
SHELTER IN PLACE – means to remain indoors, or if outside to go indoors immediately. You should follow all instructions and watch your news source for updates. These situations can last hours or days. It is suggested to have enough supplies on hand to last a minimum of 14 days without needing to go to a store.

EVACUATION – evacuating a place – leaving it. Could be temporary, or long term, and can sometimes get quite stressful.

Looking at our Rule of 3’s:

1. AIR
– not likely to be a problem UNLESS our need to evacuate is related to air quality – which happened to us many years ago. In an oil town about three hours west of us – Lodgepole (close to Drayton Valley) was a tragedy that ultimately caused some significant future changes to sour gas safety regulations in Alberta. The well blew out of control for 68 days, spewing toxic hydrogen sulphide across west-central Alberta, making thousands of people ill. It caught fire and killed two workers who tried to cap it. Many people with breathing issues or other health concerns chose to leave the area.

2. SHELTER
– This always gives me pause to consider the circumstances of the many people without houses right now. Every winter day it seems, I hear about another death or two in the ‘tent cities’ in Edmonton. People just trying to stay warm in the most difficult situations.

Generally, if we need to evacuate our homes there will be temporary shelters set up. Its up to us to provide our own comfort within that temporary shelter though – blankets, food, water, things to occupy our time, etc.

3. WATER
– Bottled water should be on the top of your list of important items to include in your 72 hour kit. Whether you’re in a temporary shelter or driving to a distant destination you’ll want to have a supply of drinking water. In the winter time, melting snow may be an option if you have a way to clean it. But for most of THIS winter in my home city – good luck finding snow.

4. FOOD
– We have more flexibility with food than anything else. Instant freeze dried meals in a pouch provide tasty and nutritious hearty meals with nothing more than added water. Excellent option to have in your 72 kits. If you have the ability to heat the water, then all the better (a nice HOT meal), and with a 20 year shelf life you don’t have to be constantly switching it out. Other meals that require little preparation are of benefit too.
*pro tip: TRY THEM OUT AT HOME FIRST. Don’t ever pack a food that you have not first sampled. While you’re sitting on some gymnasium floor is NOT the time you want to find out you don’t like it. And don’t give me that “we won’t care what it tastes like, we’ll eat it anyway”, because that totally depends on how bad it really is! And even if you could choke it down – you’re not gonna be happy about it. Trust me, you’ll have enough things to worry about without hating your food.

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The RULE OF 3 is a good measure when coming up with a game plan for any emergency. Remember, you may be left to your own devises for several days before help can get to you. Being prepared means having enough food, water and other necessities to last for as long as you need them. Three days is the MINIMUM to plan for.

Below is a sample supply list. You’ll want to customize it to your own circumstances – but it’s a good place to start. Compile your own list and take it shopping with you to make sure you pick up things you want. Keep it handy as sometimes its a matter of being in the right place at the right time. Consider the unique needs of your family – children, disabled persons, elderly, pets etc.

ESSENTIALS

*pro tip: when assembling your kit, store items in airtight plastic bags inside an easy-to-carry (or pull) container.
Container suggestions: back packs, rolling bags for elderly, duffel bag, plastic bins (in the car).

* FULL GAS TANK. I’m just putting this at the top of my list right off the bat. Nobody’s going very far without gas in the tank.
*battery-powered or hand crank radio
*flashlight for each adult and older child
*lighters or matches in sealed zip lock bags; I prefer lighters
*small candles with something for them to sit in while burning
*pocket knife
*nylon cord to use as a clothes line, and clothes pins
*First aid kit
*hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes to disinfect surfaces
*extra batteries
*whistle (to signal for help)
*paper and pencil or pen to leave messages for people
*note paper and pen for your own personal writing
*dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
*plastic sheeting and duct tape (to prepare some kind of shelter)
*moist wipes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
*small ax – may come in handy for more than just chopping wood
*bungee cords of various sizes
*duct tape

**Local maps (and don’t say ‘google maps‘)
**List of your emergency contacts (don’t say they’re on your phone)
**Cell phone with chargers and a battery power bank for back up
**Cash. Yes $$$.

BASIC PERSONAL SUPPLIES

* Water – 2 liters per person per day for drinking. Another liter for cooking, another liter for basic sanitation. I know, it’s heavy. Plan accordingly.

* Food – non perishable. Instant meals, preferably freeze dried for long term storage and ease of preparation. Plan for no less than three days. Consider the high probability that you will be near someone else who doesn’t have food. Are you really gonna eat in front of them without offering to share?
*Favourite snacks: dried fruit, individual packages of nuts.
*cooking pot and spoon, dishes and utensils for each person
*ideally – a small portable stove to heat water
*manual can opener (even if you aren’t bringing canned food – trust me)
*dish soap and cloth

* Personal hygiene supplies: toothbrush and tooth paste, mouthwash, deodorant, comb or brush, shampoo & conditioner, chapstick, nail clippers, emery board, razor if you need it, hand soap, face cloth and hand towel, toilet paper flattened and in a plastic bag, baby wipes, and feminine supplies. Pack these items together in a ziplock plastic bag or other sealed bag.

*Laundry soap. I am not suggesting that we’ll be doing laundry, but lets face it, we may be wearing the same clothes for a few days. It’s nice to be able to spot clean as needed. I recommend Tru Earth Laundry strips. They are easy to store and transport, and fit into a sandwich bag. There is zero waste, no measuring, no mess and they dissolve in hot or cold water. And they are biodegradable. I have used these terrific laundry strips in my every day laundry for over three years, and have a year’s supply of laundry soap in a box the size of tissue box. I am NEVER going back to the way I used to do laundry.
Click here to find out more https://bit.ly/backyardcityhomestead

* 2 pairs of socks and 2 pairs of underwear for each person
*optional: a change of clothes can take a lot of room, and it doesn’t do any good if it doesn’t fit – so particular care must be given here. For these reasons I say “optional”. You simply may not have the ability to pack additional clothing – but at least you have underwear and extra socks – right?
If you have children, clothes are more important, but they’ll have to be switched out every year – perhaps more often at different stages. For my husband, its a piece of cake – throw in a pair of jeans and a t shirt. For me – not so easy; I’m a little more complicated lol.
Regardless of who its for, you’ll need to pick something that isn’t bulky; fold or roll it tightly and put in a plastic bag.
* A light jacket. Something that can be rolled up tightly and crammed into a corner hopefully. If you have to evacuate in the winter, you’ll likely be grabbing your winter coat, footwear, hat, scarf and mitts on your way out – especially if you’re also grabbing your 72 hour kit. But in other seasons it best to have a jacket or hoodie packed into your backpack.
* A light fleece blanket. Don’t underestimate the value of something warm and soft. It does more than take the chill off, its comforting. Fleece blankets can be rolled tightly, packed into a plastic bag and if necessary strapped onto the outside of your backpack.

Additional Emergency Supplies – consider adding based on your individual needs:
*Prescription and non prescription (pain relievers, anti-diarrhea, antacids) medications. An emergency can make it difficult to refill prescription or to find an open pharmacy. *Prescription eyeglasses and contact lens solution
*way to boil water and a small pot
*Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream
*Pet food and extra water for your pet – see below
*RED FILE: Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification, bank info saved electronically or in a waterproof container
*warm blanket for each person
*change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes
*Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
*books, games, puzzles to spend the time + activities for children (even if you don’t have children – there WILL be children)
*small pocket calendar (don’t say you’ve got one on your phone)

PETS

Knowing how to keep your pets safe and comfortable during and after an emergency is part of being a responsible pet owner.
My cousin has two golden labs who are important members of her family.
She surprised me one day by telling me she had 72 hour bags for each of them – which I thought was brilliant!

Having a plan for your pets can reduce the stress for both them and you during an emergency. Where will you go? How will you transport them? Is your destination pet friendly? Are your pets friendly with other people and/or other pets?
What kinds of things will you bring for them?
What stressors trigger your pet? and what calms him down?
Having a go-bag ready for your pet ready to grab on the way out will save you a lot of potential agony.

SANDIE ZOBELL’s Dog Pack:
in small backpack
individual small bags of dog food (about a cup of food in each)
jug of water
spare collars (put additional ID tags on them)
spare leashes
poop bags
bowl (collapsible bowls take up less room and are water proof)
treats
towel, brush/comb – depending on the type of pet
handy wipes or hand sanitizer
toy or ball

Sandie has a 5 gallon pail with a gamma lid (screw top) so that it won’t pop off. It is always by back door and always has food in it. If the top portion is empty then you can stash the go-bags in it if you’re going to be in a vehicle.
Original papers for her dogs are in her ‘red book’. Copies are in the go-bags.
Dogs are micro chipped in case they get separated.

Here is an excellent emergency checklist to print off for pet owners.

Personal – Personal Stuff

These are the things that are very specific to your comfort. The things that you know you’ll be unhappy without. Maybe its your face cream, or a type of soap, or a little bit of make up, or something you use in your hair, or something else that another might not find particular value in, but YOU do.

Don’t underestimate the psychological value of ‘comfort’, especially when your life has been turned upside down. If you feel that you need that little bit of make up to help you feel good about things – then you don’t owe anyone an apology or an explanation. Plan it in.
In the same way, allow your family members the same favour. Scriptures, a favourite paperback book, a favourite toy, a favourite game, a favourite . . . (fill in the blank). Obviously it has to fit into your backpack, so that’s your firm criteria. But don’t deny something you may at first convince yourself is frivolous, it may make all the difference to your (or their) state of mind. If you ever get to a situation that you actually have to grab your bag and leave your house, you’ve got enough to worry about, and enough to be scared of, and not feel comfortable with – you don’t need to have created some of that yourself by neglecting things you consider important. Cut yourself a break and give yourself a little bit of grace.

That’s just my way of looking at it, you can do whatever you want with it. No one has a right to judge what you decide is important.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this list.
What would you add?
What would you not bother with?

Warmly,

Cindy Suelzle

resources:
basics list pdf to print off if desired. Copy the link below and paste it into a new tab file:///C:/Users/danan/Documents/72%20hour%20kit%20suggested%20list%20from%20Backyard%20City%20Homestead.pdf

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Rule of THREE

When considering any emergency, I find it helpful to consider the RULE OF THREE to prioritize my means and my energies. 
*We can live up to 3 minutes without air.
*In extreme weather, we’ll be in trouble within 3 hours without shelter.
*We can go up to 3 days without water.
*Our bodies will start shutting down long before 3 weeks without food.
Variables include age, weight, health, activity level, environmental conditions and type of food of course. 

So with these priorities in mind – whether considering emergency scenarios – especially without POWER or fresh running WATER (both of which could go on several days), do you have plan in place? . . . .
I live in Edmonton, Alberta and in the winter we can experience some pretty severe cold weather from time to time.  To be without power during those times can be deadly, and yet it is precisely those times that we may have problems with our furnaces. Furnaces are not going to quit in the summer when they’re not being used, they’re going to quit in the winter when they’re being used daily, especially when it’s bitter cold outside. (sigh . . . . I know right?)

And if you don’t have heat in the winter, you will soon have a water problem as well. Regardless of the time of year, our water supply is precious yet volatile, always susceptible to restriction or contamination. It is worth protecting and having a clean supply on hand.

Rule of 3

AIR
– not likely to be a problem UNLESS we need to provide an alternate source of heat, at which time improper ventilation becomes a concern.  Carbon Monoxide is produced any time you burn fuel: in vehicles, stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, gas ranges and furnaces.  It is a very real, very scary thing – which can kill. 
*NEVER bring in an outdoor heat source or cooking stove. NEVER EVER.  Those are not meant for indoors. 
link to my post THE NIGHT WE NEARLY WENT TO SLEEP FOREVER
https://backyardcityhomestead.com/2018/12/13/the-night-we-nearly-went-to-sleep-forever/

SHELTER
– This should give us pause to consider the circumstances of the many people without houses right now.  Every day I hear about another death or two in the ‘tent cities’ in Edmonton. People just trying to stay warm in the most difficult situation.
But if we’re sheltering in place during an extended power outage, there are things we need to take care of.  With no heat, it will take only hours for the inside of your house to be the same temperature as the outside.  If we don’t have an alternate source (fireplace or wood stove), we’ll need to leave the house in a short amount of time.  Hopefully we’ve got a place in mind that we can go.  We do – Right? And of course dressing for the weather is imperative.

Assuming we have a wood stove, lighting it when its really cold is not so easy.  The low temperature in our chimney will force the cold air down creating a blockage – that prevents the smoke from escaping.  Time to figure out how to light the fire and have it draw properly. 
Assuming that we’ve mastered that, we may find it a good idea to have everyone sleep in the room with the heat source.  We have a Carbon Monoxide detector right? One that is battery run and fully charged.  Right?
Dressing for the weather is important IN the house too – sweaters, slippers, blankets . . .

WATER

– If we have to leave our home because of no heat, we must ensure the water is turned off and the lines are drained.  Water will freeze in only hours and burst water pipes will cause terrible destruction.  (don’t ask me how I know this)
But even if we’re sheltering in place, there may be parts of our home that are at risk of freezing.  It may be advisable to shut the water off anyway.  We have another source of water in the house – Right? 

If we only have one area that is warm, bring containers of water into that area to prevent them from freezing. 

FOOD

We have more flexibility with this than anything else.  For the short term, open up a can of pork and beans or make yourself a sandwich.  (You have a hand operated can opener – Right?)  Eat up some leftovers in the fridge – it could be lost within a day or two.

If the power outage goes on for more than a few days – your frozen food is in jeopardy.  When its bitter cold, setting it all outside is an option – but that’s a terrible job!  If the weather isn’t cold enough, we better be able to cook – or we’ll lose a lot!  But that sounds like an arduous job too, and not very practical. I strongly advise AGAINST having your freezer contain the bulk of your food storage.  Not a good idea at all, and this is exactly why.  Having said that – I too have a freezer, and I use it. But depending on it alone for your food storage is a terrible idea.

Having some Meals in a Jar (MIJ) on hand will be a life saver if we have the ability to cook a one pot meal.  They are nutritious, delicious, easy to prepare, and provide variety to meals that we’ll be glad to have.  All we need is a pot, some water and a heat source.  15-20 minutes for most meals. 

Instant freeze dried meals-in-a-pouch provide tasty and nutritious hearty meals with nothing more than added water.  Excellent resource to have in your pantry or food storage.  If you have the ability to heat the water, then all the better.

Always consider the RULE OF THREE and use it to measure every emergency when coming up with a game plan. 

Warmly,

Cindy Suelzle

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When the Power Goes Out: hacks for beginners, those with experience, and the pros (what did you learn from day 5?)

Today’s challenge (which was Day 5) started with an unexpected twist: A drunk driver struck a power line near our house, and the entire neighborhood is without power for the entire day.

We were tasked with cooking a nice meal for our family and keeping them entertained without the convenience of electricity. It was a reminder that emergencies can happen at any time, and preparedness is about adaptability and resourcefulness. The Goal was to: Practice powerless cooking techniques, using appropriate lighting, and to find meaningful ways to spend our time without the use of power.

Our tasks were to:

  1. Cook all three meals without electricity
  2. Make a NICE dinner from scratch. No opening a can of soup, eating cereal or a peanut butter sandwich. Yes, I know those are viable meals now and again, but for today, that’s a cheat. Remember, you might have water, but you don’t have hot water – that requires power for your hot water tank.
  3. How do you entertain your kids all day without their usual pattern?
  4. How do you tell time? Get up in the morning? Get your kids off to school?
  5. How do you keep your phone charged?
  6. What is your source of light all morning, afternoon and evening?
  7. Do something fun with the people who live in yourself that does not involve power. Tell me about it.
  8. Do up an inventory of your fuel storage. What kind of fuel do you have? How many days of meals could you expect to cook with the fuel you have stored?

A power outage will disrupt communications – your ability to reach out as well as your ability to be aware of what is happening around you. It will close retail businesses including grocery stores, gas stations, banks and other services. It will cause food spoilage dependent on fridges and freezers, and prevent the use of many medical devices.

How did you do?
Have you been in a situation in the last several years when power really was cut off for a period of time? If so, how did you do then? And did that help you prepare for this scenario?

What kind of items do you have in your house to assist you to
prepare a meal without electricity
have light without electricity
in the winter – have heat without electricity
What would you do about the food you currently have in your fridge? or freezer?

what to do?

1. Check whether the power outage is limited to your home. If your neighbours’ power is still on, check your own circuit breaker panel or fuse box. If the problem is not a breaker or a fuse, notify your electric supply authority. Do you have the phone number along with other emergency numbers handy?

2. If your neighbours’ power is also out, find out how far reached the outage is. Make a couple of calls to other neighbours or nearby friends. Can you access a local radio station on your phone? From your car?

3. Turn off or better yet, disconnect all tools, appliances and electronic equipment, and turn the thermostat down to a minimum to prevent damage from a power surge when power is restored. Also, power can be restored more easily when there is not a heavy load on the electrical system.

4. Turn off all lights, except one inside and one outside, so that both you and hydro crews outside know that power has been restored.

5. Don’t open your freezer or fridge unless it is absolutely necessary. A full freezer will keep food frozen for 24 to 36 hours if the door remains closed.

6. NEVER use charcoal or gas barbecues, camping heating equipment, or home generators indoors. They give off carbon monoxide. Just because you can’t smell or see it doesn’t mean its not there. Carbon monoxide can cause health problems and is life-threatening.

7. Never leave lit candles unattended and keep out of reach of children. Always extinguish candles before going to bed. Always have proper candle holders.

8. Assuming you planned ahead, and have a battery-powered or crank radio, listen for information on the outage and advice from authorities.

9. Make sure your home has a working carbon monoxide detector. If it is hard-wired to the house’s electrical supply, ensure it has a battery-powered back-up.

10. Protect sensitive electrical appliances such as TVs, computer, and DVD players with a surge-protecting power bar.

Thinking ahead: BEFORE a power outage, make sure you have these basic items on hand

– a flashlight or two
– batteries
– candles and/or kerosene lamps with extra kerosene
– battery powered or windup radio
– fully charged phone with fully charged power banks
– water and non-perishable food
– an analog clock (battery powered or wind up)
– a means of cooking if power is out for very long
– consider your dependence on the fridge and freezer. Do you have easy to eat food in your pantry, not just the fridge?
In my world, if the power goes out in the winter, there must be another source of heat, or you need to get outta there. Have a plan. In different climates, I assume you’ve gotta come up with a way to get out of the heat

let’s talk about light

In my world in the summer, its light till very late, so a light source isn’t as important, but in the winter it will be dark from 5 PM to 6 or 7 AM. That means that a light source is critical.

In our case, we have flashlights that we use in the trailer, but rarely in the home. We prefer kerosene lamps as they light up a room for hours. We have small inexpensive flashlights in the house that come in handy when the kids want to sleep in the tree house in the summer, or if we need to check on something outside, or if (heaven forbid) the power goes out and we need to see the lamps to light them. They’re always on a shelf by the back door, where the matches and the barbeque lighter are.

For the most part, its gonna be lamps for us.
The first house we bought in our early years of marriage was an old one. Very old. Older than my dad (which at the time seemed exceptionally old). It had only one electrical outlet in the kitchen (other than for the fridge), so electrical kitchen appliances weren’t an option for me. And for some reason, nothing to do with our house – but a lot to do with our small little town, our power went out frequently. Having a gas stove was super handy – we just had to light it with a match. And we came to rely on kerosene lamps, which we had in every room. Those were good lessons for us, and it created a bonding relationship with lamps.

The thing I like most of all about having kerosene lamps is that they are hidden in plain sight so we never have to go looking for them. These two are in our living room, and there is a third one in the same room but out of this picture. It’s an easy thing to light them and set them when needed, and there is spare oil on hand.

We have other lamps in the kitchen/dining area, in the family room, in the hallway and in the master bedroom. Each have their resting place on a shelf or table and are part of the decor so never really stand out. We also have assorted candles with holders, and a few 24 hour lamps.

let’s talk about entertainment

One can see why our pioneer ancestors retired early for the night, keeping the house lit and warm for long hours at night is not practical. So we can assume that with no electricity, we’ll be going to bed much sooner. Our prior sources of entertainment will now become emergency only resources. But still – what do you do from 5:00 till bedtime?

Actually, as inconvenient as it sounds, it also sound like heaven to me. No distractions. Time to bond with those you share a living space with. Back in the day, when we were without power from time to time, our kids were toddlers. I recall sitting together under a blanket in the living room and reading aloud by the light of a lamp. I recall having Dan’s mom and brother and sister over on a Christmas Eve, playing cards at the table by the light of a lamp. These are pleasant memories.

Young children? Have some quiet table games on hand to play with a single light source, or read a book together.
Older children? Same things, just different games and different book.
Adults? Same things. Life just got simpler.

How are you going to tell time? We’re so dependent on our phones, computers and other devices for telling time that many kids cannot even read an analog clock. Not a good idea. You should have a battery or wind up analog clock that you can depend on for accurate time.

Follow the examples of people of yesteryears when it came to heat and light. Sleeping when its dark saves on fuel. Plain and simple. Learn how to conserve.

lets talk about heat

This is very important in the world I live in. And ensuring your heat source is properly vented is a matter of life and death. Carbon Monoxide is still a killer; a silent, odourless, invisible killer. It has no conscience and no preference – it will kill indiscriminately.
We had a very close call with Carbon Monoxide when we lived in that old house. Click HERE to read about it. Suffice it to say that our respect for this silent killer is high. So what are you going to do? What is your plan for heat?

For us, we settled on a wood stove. The advantages are maximum heating potential with minimum heat loss compared to a fireplace. We chose one that had a flat surface suitable for cooking, should we need that in the winter time. We had it professionally installed to eliminate or reduce our chance of inadequate exhausting (back to that carbon monoxide problem). A few Novembers ago, we came home one late Saturday night to a very cold house. We weren’t alerted because it was late and we went straight to bed, but by morning it became evident we had a problem. Our furnace was not working and we guessed it had quit some time the previous day. The first thing we did Sunday morning was light the woodstove downstairs. Our plan had previously been to close off the upstairs if needed and live primarily downstairs with the heat source, but we were surprised at how sufficiently that wood stove heated the whole house. It’s possible had we been in January or February, pulling off some of the brutal temperatures that can happen in our area, that we may very well have had to close off the upstairs as planned. As it happened, we needed a part for our furnace that had to be ordered, and we were without it till Tuesday early evening. That was a tremendous test-case scenario. One never really knows how effective your heat source is going to be, so best to come up with a few options about implementing it.

Evacuation is more likely going to happen during winter months, when plummeting temperatures can make a house uninhabitable. Although a house may be damaged by freezing temperatures, the major threat is to the plumbing system. If a standby heating system is used, check to ensure that pipes are warmed sufficiently.

If the house must be evacuated in cold temperatures, you can protect it by taking the following precautions:

1. Turn off the main breaker or switch of the circuit-breaker panel or power-supply box.
2. Turn off the water main where it enters the house.
3. Drain the water from your pipes. Starting at the top of the house, open all taps, and flush toilets several times. Go to the basement and open the drain valve. Drain your hot water tank by attaching a hose to the tank drain valve and running it to the basement floor drain. *Note: If you drain a gas-fired water tank, the pilot light should be turned out – call the local gas supplier to re-light it.
4. Unhook washing machine hoses and drain.
5. Do not worry about small amounts of water trapped in horizontal pipes. Add a small amount of alcohol or anti­freeze to water left in the toilet bowl, and the sink and bathtub traps.
6. If your house is protected from groundwater by a sump pump, clear valuables from the basement floor in case of flooding.

lets talk about cooking

#1 – keep your fridge and freezers closed as much as possible. Every time you open them, you lose time that they will be able to stay cold. If we’re only talking about a few hours or a day or two, it’s relatively easy to deal with, but if it goes on for days, you’re going to have a big problem keeping your freezer frozen. Yes, there are some with a generator, and if you’ve got one, then awesome. We don’t.

You’ll want to use up your perishable food in the fridge right outta the gate. At least you know what you’ll be eating that first day. Does it need cooking? If so, what’s your plan?

In our case, if its in the summer time – its the barbeque outside. In the dead of winter, while the woodstove is burning all day, we’ll use the stove top. In the in between times, it will be a little more challenging because we won’t want the heat of the woodstove in the house. It may be that the best we can do with the barbeque OUTSIDE is to heat water. In that case, you’d be glad to have some freeze dried meals on hand. All they require is water to ‘refresh’, not even hot – although hot is soothing and a lot more pleasant. I highly recommend getting some to have on hand for just such an emergency. With a 20 year shelf life, you don’t have to worry about them timing out on you anytime soon.

Having said that however, it is a very good idea to be familiar with the meals ahead of time by sampling them. Also, they are great resources to have when you need a quick meal on a busy night. Hot water + 10 minutes is all they take. They’re also perfect for camping, hiking or in your 72 hour kits.

BEGINNER level – starting from scratch!

7 tips for Beginners

  1. Buy a good flashlight or alternative light sources. Make sure you have spare batteries or extra oil. Matches and/or lighters are a must.
  2. Buy some nourishing good quality meals that just need water. Hot water makes hot meals, but we can live without HOT for a few days if necessary.
  3. Be prepared to not rely on your fridge for everything. Consider using “instant milk” from time to time so you can make it up in small amounts when needed, rather than having a large container of milk in your fridge.
  4. Think about how will you spend your evening hours without electricity. You need more than light. You need something to DO. What will you do for a couple hours every evening?
  5. Do you have a power bank to recharge your phone? Is it fully charged? Do you know where it is?
  6. Do you have a non-electric clock? If not, get one.
  7. Have a PLAN for “in-case-of”. What will you do if the power is expected to be out for more than two days? Depending on what your living circumstances are: apartment? townhouse? single family house? your plan will be unique to you. Will you have to leave your home? Where will you go?

INTERMEDIATE level – incorporate the basics and begin filling in the blanks

5 Tips for Intermediates

  1. Plan to have some Instant Meals in your pantry for quick nourishing ‘just-add-water’ breakfasts, lunches and dinners.
  2. Plan ahead to prepare a good variety of Meals in a Jar (MIJ) to have on hand in your pantry for nourishing meals that take minimum time to cook.
  3. What is your planned light source? Flashlight: Buy a good one or two or three. Coal oil lamps: Buy a good one or two or three.
  4. Create a plan to acquire a non electric source of heat.
  5. Learn how to turn your water off so that you can do it if needed.
  6. Do you have a battery or wind-up radio? Get one.

ADVANCED level

Tips for those who are more Advanced

If you have a generator, be SMART and implement these basic safety rules. They very well could save your lives.
– Yes they are helpful when the power goes out, but generators go hand in hand with carbon monoxide. They should always be used OUTDOORS and at least 20 feet away from windows, doors and attached garages. Don’t cut corners here.
– Install working carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home. 
– Keep the generator dry and protected from rain or flooding. Touching a wet generator or devices connected to one can cause electrical shock.
– Always connect the generator to appliances with heavy-duty extension cords.
– Let the generator cool before refueling. Fuel spilled on hot engine parts can ignite.
– Follow manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

Preparedness is a Journey, and the journey is always more pleasant when you have a good support system. As always, I highly recommend you find a friend to share this journey with. Help each other, Encourage each other, Share resources and great finds with each other. Find classes that are offered in your community, designed to assist you in your preparedness – take them together if possible. Teach each other.

Find groups on social media that are dedicated to preparedness and helping one another. JOIN THEM. Especially if they’re local.

I’d love to hear where you are on your Water Storage Journey and I want to hear your tips. We learn so much better when we’re sharing. Mark your calendar for the 2nd week in January. Join the Challenge. Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/676439330803075/
If you’re not on facebook, but would like to join the next challenge, let me know. I’ll send you the daily test alert in an email.

Warmly,

Cindy Suelzle