You have your Grab-N-Go bags ready for the entire family – but are you ready to shelter-in-place? In case of a short-term emergency such as a winter storm or power outage, you and your family should be prepared to survive on your own for no less than two weeks. Ideally you have a couple of generators. If not, do not worry, you and your family can survive in relative comfort in your own home. A three-day supply of emergency essentials will simply not carry you through in a real emergency. A two-week supply of essentials is a minimum. It is highly recommended that you begin to stockpile emergency goods and, after you have a two-week supply, that you continually add to your emergency supplies until you have a minimum three-month-supply.
LIGHTING
If power is out, you will need alternate lighting supplies. Oil lamps and flameless candles are good choices. Each adult should have an oil lamp. A flameless pillar candle should be in every room – especially where children and the elderly are present. Another good source of light in the evening is the solar lights that are in most gardens or landscape these days. Pull the solar lights from the home landscape at dusk and take them into the house. In the morning, return the solar lights to the outdoors to recharge. Good-quality white solar lights can double as emergency lighting in a power outage.
SANITATION
Your sanitation arsenal should include apple cider vinegar, unscented bleach, Garbage Bags, Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels, a portable toilet system, two five-gallon buckets, liquid laundry detergent, waterless antibacterial soaps and wipes and an alternate bathing/shower system.
“The Go Anywhere Toilet” by PETT is a portable, seven pound dry toilet with 3 locking legs for safety and stability even on uneven terrain. The PETT folds down to a briefcase size of 19” x 14” x 5”. The PETT sets-up to the same height & capacity as standard toilet and holds up to 600 pounds. Features include a carrying handle, removable top cover, and optional bottom cover to completely enclose the folded legs. The PETT uses the WAG double-bag disposal system for liquid and solid waste. Each WAG bag contains a catalyzing powder that will gel 60 ounces of waste. The PETT is manufactured in the USA by Phillips Environmental, whose products are in use by the Military, National Park Service, National Forest Service and FEMA. You may purchase the PETT online from many sources. The PETT is currently on sale at Sierra Expeditions for $75. In the alternative, a five-gallon bucket with a toilet seat can serve basic needs.
Poo Powder® . Cleanwaste distributes a kit which includes a waste bag, Poo Powder® gelling/deodorizing agent, a secure puncture-resistant zip-close disposal bag, individual toilet paper and a hand wipe. By using Poo Powder®, waste can be simply thrown in the trash.
Deodorant Essential Bath® Cleansing Washcloths. Posted on September 1, 2011 by homereadiness
Bathing without water or with water rationing is difficult. For years, Sage Industries manufactured no-rinse bathing products for hospitals and nursing care facilities. These products became available online and at local stores at a cost of $5.00 per unit (and up). A unit is one package of 8 deodorant washcloths which will complete a bath for one person. Paying $5.00 for a “bath” will seem like a small price to pay when water is scarce. I have seen “executive” kits which include one or two units. Considering the cost of the pre-made so-called executive emergency preparedness kits, you should consider simply purchasing the few products and add them into your own emergency kit. Consider adding a minimum of four units per person. Sage offers the products for sale online at a cost of only $2.68 per unit. Wow, what a savings. A case of 30 units is only $73.50 (compared to $150 locally). Even with shipping costs of $11.68, the cost of purchasing online directly from Sage is $85.18 – or just $2.84 each. Of course, the more you purchase, the more you save.
Deodorant Essential Bath® Cleansing Washcloths feature:
• Powerful deodorizing action with Exopheryl™ Odor Eliminator
• Rinse-free cleansing and moisturizing solution
• Warms easily in microwave
• Latex-free, pH balanced, hypoallergenic
• 8 cloths per package (8″x8″)
The Mobile Washer. Posted on July 28, 2011 by homereadiness
The MOBILE WASHER looks like a toilet plunger. However, it is a useful and inexpensive manual tool which pushes and pulls water through clothing. Minimal water is required and, because of the agitation motion, less soap is used. We suggest using a 5-gallon bucket. Wear and tear on clothing is minimal because there is no excess friction.
COMMUNICATION
A reliable radio is a must. Posted on August 14, 2011 by homereadiness
The Kaito KA500 Dynamo & Solar Powered Radio is a seven band weather alert radio. The radio operates as an AM, FM, SW1, SW2 and a 7-standard weather band radio. The radio’s weather alert is activated by weather alert signals. Cell phones may be charge with this radio. Cell phone tips come with the radio. The radio has a built with a multi-function LED flashlight. The LED on the side can be used as a flashlight or can be a red flashing emergency signal. The radio retails for around $45.95. An optional AC/DC adapter may be purchased for $4.95. The radio operates and/or may be charged six different ways:
(1) Dynamo Cranking Power. 120 turns per minute of cranking will power the built in Ni-MH battery pack.
(2) Solar Panel Power. Under the direct sunlight, the solar panel will power the radio.
(3) Batteries. 3 regular AA batteries to run the radio for maximum reception.
(4) A built-in Rechargeable battery pack.
(5) AC adaptor charge from the 3.5 mm jack.
(6) USB port. Charge from a computer via a USB port.
You might also consider a shortwave radio such as the Kaito KA1103 Dual Conversion Entry Shortwave Radio with SSB which retails for around $106.95.
TOOLS
Duct tape, one tarp per person, twine, bunge cords, work gloves, scissors, flashlights, batteries, one dynamo hand-cranking-powered flashlight per person, a hand-saw, an axe, a shovel, WD-40, a knife, a small tool kit and fire and carbon monoxide detectors and batteries.
KITCHEN
A manual can opener; a whisk; kitchen shears; cast iron cookware; aluminum foil; paper towels; matches; paper plates, cups and dishes; plastic eating utensils; zip-lock storage bags; a manual grain grinder; and pantry staples which include, at a minimum, a two-week food supply. Pantry staples should include sugar, flour, rice, wheat, dried beans, powdered milk, canned soups, canned meats, canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, jellies, crackers, trail mix, powdered drinks containing electrolytes, coffees and teas. Building your pantry staples is simple and inexpensive. Each time you go to the grocery store, purchase one or two extra pantry staples to add to your stockpile. In a relatively short time you will have the minimum two-week supply – then a three-month supply. Be sure to rotate your stockpile –FIFO. Using disposable eating utensils and paper plates will cut down on water usage. In case of a power outage, stove alternatives include outdoor grills, solar ovens and camping stoves (and your stockpiled MREs complete with heaters).
FIRST AID KIT
You should be prepared for medical emergencies. More that a basic medicine cabinet is necessary. In addition to a three-month supply of prescription and over-the-counter medications, medical supplies should include, liquid and/or chewable vitamins, eyeglasses, reading glasses, basic first aid supplies, Israeli bandages, Quik-Clot, scalpels, braces, splits, a burn kit or burn supplies, a fire blanket, duct tape, vinegar, Vick’s vapor rub, an ax and shovel, blankets and a cot. If you have pets, keep Quik Clot for Pets on-hand.
WATER. See Water Storage Posted on August 29, 2011 by homereadiness.
Personal Hygiene
and Convenience Items
Disposable Panties. To save water, consider adding to your stockpile disposable panties – for everyone in your household.
Cots and/or inflatable mattresses.
Sleeping Bags. One sleeping bag per person. If you live in the north, purchase sleeping bags with a -30 or lower temperature rating. If there is a power outage in the winter months, you can use the sleeping bags right on top of your mattress.
Personal hygiene items, including feminine hygiene products.
BOOKS and GUIDES
A survival guide, a first-aid guide, a home-remedy or medical book and a home repair book are essentials.
OTHER
Sewing Supplies including thread, needles, patches, scissors and basic sewing supplies.
Comfort Items including board games, a deck of cards, stuffed animals or a favorite toy for children, pen, paper and journals.
Hand Pumps & Siphons for water and for fuels.
Season-Appropriate Clothing including rain jackets, pants and boots.
Garden seeds.
