Aries
09-27-2009, 12:58 PM
I started off a couple years ago getting "stuff" together for "if something was to happen". Down here in Sussex County I'm not worried to much about Urban Un-Rest as some call it, I'm concerned more about a natural disaster striking the coast. Being part of Lewes VFD First Responders there would have to be a decision made to head further west or stay and ride it out. For such an event I believe I'm "somewhat" prepared?
FIRST: Fire/Shelter/Water
The three most important item you should have on hand, for staying or for travel. Go a day with with out anyone of the 3 and you'll understand.
Fire- Many uses! Water proof matches for the basics (cooking, warmth, signal fire). Keep them dry, I have the striker type matches sealed in Food Saver plastic bag, in groups of twenty. Having a couple multi-purpose butane lighter on hand is also good. Our stove and heating unit is set up with propane which is a good thing, our water heater is electric which is not good! I keep an extra 10 lb Blue Rhino propane tank on hand at all times, with my outside burner I can heat water for cleaning myself up.
Shelter- At all possible stay dry! Rain gear is a must as is warm gear for the fall and winter seasons. Never throw out unused jackets or sweat shirts and pants. Store in a dry place for a quick grab and go. Space Bags work great for this and can fit nicely in a Rubber Maid container or suit case. Suit cases or duffel bag can be had for cheap from your local church thrift store or yard sale and can double as B.O.B. (Bug Out Bag). Cover tarps, I have three of varies sizes, along with tie downs and rope of varies sizes all tucked away in and large Rubber Maid container.
Water- I have eight 5 gal bottles of drinking water that I get from Lowe's. Since we also use it as everyday drinking water I never fall below four bottles on hand at any one time. A water filter system will come in handy if you have to rely on rain water for drinking. Mine is something basic I got from Lowe's there are others out on the market, Target sell a nice one that is used as a water pitcher. "NEVER" drink rain water that comes straight off your roof with out filtering it first and testing it for purity. I even read once that it should be heated and brought to a rapid boil first and then filtered for young children to drink. Drinking stagnated water is a good way to get Hepatitis not to mention Dysentery, Malaria or Dengue. You will be no good to anyone with a bad case of diarrhea!
When I hear that a storm of some type in on it's way I fill everything I have with water, bath tubs, trash cans, barrels and 5 gal buckets. You have to have some way to flush the toilet if there's no electric to run the well pump!
more later
FIRST: Fire/Shelter/Water
The three most important item you should have on hand, for staying or for travel. Go a day with with out anyone of the 3 and you'll understand.
Fire- Many uses! Water proof matches for the basics (cooking, warmth, signal fire). Keep them dry, I have the striker type matches sealed in Food Saver plastic bag, in groups of twenty. Having a couple multi-purpose butane lighter on hand is also good. Our stove and heating unit is set up with propane which is a good thing, our water heater is electric which is not good! I keep an extra 10 lb Blue Rhino propane tank on hand at all times, with my outside burner I can heat water for cleaning myself up.
Shelter- At all possible stay dry! Rain gear is a must as is warm gear for the fall and winter seasons. Never throw out unused jackets or sweat shirts and pants. Store in a dry place for a quick grab and go. Space Bags work great for this and can fit nicely in a Rubber Maid container or suit case. Suit cases or duffel bag can be had for cheap from your local church thrift store or yard sale and can double as B.O.B. (Bug Out Bag). Cover tarps, I have three of varies sizes, along with tie downs and rope of varies sizes all tucked away in and large Rubber Maid container.
Water- I have eight 5 gal bottles of drinking water that I get from Lowe's. Since we also use it as everyday drinking water I never fall below four bottles on hand at any one time. A water filter system will come in handy if you have to rely on rain water for drinking. Mine is something basic I got from Lowe's there are others out on the market, Target sell a nice one that is used as a water pitcher. "NEVER" drink rain water that comes straight off your roof with out filtering it first and testing it for purity. I even read once that it should be heated and brought to a rapid boil first and then filtered for young children to drink. Drinking stagnated water is a good way to get Hepatitis not to mention Dysentery, Malaria or Dengue. You will be no good to anyone with a bad case of diarrhea!
When I hear that a storm of some type in on it's way I fill everything I have with water, bath tubs, trash cans, barrels and 5 gal buckets. You have to have some way to flush the toilet if there's no electric to run the well pump!
more later