t's been a busy week and I have been doing most of my communicating on facebook. For those of us not dealing with the aftermath of Irene or for those who experienced Irene and are now more determined than ever to get ready, we need to go forward and keep working on our General Store. Let's talk about that first…This week add 2 pounds of cheese per person to your store. Now I know it's a challenge to store cheese bu there are options. You can store canned cheese, processed cheese spreads like Velveeta, waxed cheese or freezing cheese. Cheese which is unopened can also be stored for a long period of time, months, in the fridge. Another option is freeze dried cheese. For those who have been around for a while you know I am not a big supporter of dehydrated or freeze dried products EXCEPT as ingredients. Those now facing a lack of drinkable water understand why. Ask anyone in an area now underwater…..Freeze dried cheese is wonderful and a great way to store. If you are storing freeze dried cheese store one number 10 can for every four pounds of cheese. Check out Healthy Harvest if you are in the market for freeze dried cheese. 

Since we are now more than aware of the need for clean water after a disaster, this week add more water to the non food shelves in your General Store. You may want to consider purchasing a water container. These are available from 5 gallons in size to 55 gallon drums. Larger drums are great for the storage of water to be used around the home. Five gallon are the largest containers you should consider for water you will be taking with you should you have to evacuate. Water is very heavy. 

Now, for those not on facebook here are the tips for the past day. 

Aftermath Tip #8 Do not rely on salty foods for your nutrition when you have limited

water. While jerky may have a lot of protein it will also increase your thirst. Also opt for unsalted nuts

and stay away from pretzels.

Aftermath tip # 9 When cleaning up after a flood always wear work boots, hiking boots or rubber

boots over tennisshoes. There will be debris in the water which can cut through running shoes and

even leather shoes and there will also be snakes and other kritters in the water who have been displaced

from their home and they are hungry and scared.

Aftermath tip # 10 NEVER use your barbecue, a fire pit or hibachi inside your home. If it doesn't start

a fire the fumes will kill you.

Tip # 11 Generators can be such a blessing but they can also be deadly. If you don't know what you

are doing hire aprofessional to hook up your generator. Place generators at least 10 feet from your

home. Be sure you have both gas and oil on hand to replace when they run out. Never add gas or oil

when the generator is hot so plan ahead so it can cool down over night or during hours when you do

not need to prepare meals or work.

Tip # 12 Raid that Emergency kit. Keep more of the heat out and preserve light, line windows with mylar

blankets from your survival kits. You will be amazed how it reduces the heat. During a power outage the

temperature soared to 114 degrees.Mylar blankets were placed on two sliding doors and the temp. went

down ten degrees in minutes. Next day the sun never had a chance to heat things up & it stayed cool.

Tip #13 I just heard people are taking back supplies purchased for Irene but never used. ARE YOU

CRAZY? Do not return those lanterns and Emergency kits. You just had an earthquake. Do you

not understand earthquakes give no warning, when they come you will need supplies NOW

and they may not be available? You live in the area of the US most lively to be targeted by

terrorists and rogue nations like Iran who would love to detonate an EMP and leave you without

power for months. Wake up!

Aftermath Tip #14 Before entering a flooded structure, make sure that all electric, gas and

oil valves are turned off.Damaged electrical can mean electrocution, leaking gas can cause an

explosion and fire with as little as a spark from turning on a flashlight.

Aftermath tip #15 When returning to a damaged home open exterior doors slowly, sticking may

indicate that the ceiling is ready to fall. Wait 10 minutes before entering to be sure it is

safe. Be careful as steps and floors will be slippery if you are returning to a flooded home.

Aftermath tip #16 Have you called your insurance company? Don't wait until you get home,

do it now. The sooner you get your claim in line the better. Your agent can advise you what you

need to be doing now to expedite your claim and to document your losses. Should you wake up

to find flooding or have a tree fall in the middle of the night

call immediately. Leave a message and your claim will be handled before those who have  

waited to report.

Aftermath tip # 17 Before you begin the cleaning up take pictures of everything. You want to

be able to prove the damage was caused by flooding or wind. Take more pictures than you think

you will need.

Aftermath tip # 18 While cleaning up take pictures of all items recovered which are damaged.

You can claim all these when you fill out insurance forms but you will want proof that you owned them

and proof they were damaged and/or destroyed. You will also want to keep a written record of all items

 to put with the pictures. If you have volunteers helping assign one of them to this task so you can

remain focused on other things. Have helpers take all damaged items to this person for inventory.

Aftermath tip # 19 It's important to dry out a flooded home ASAP to prevent mold. Release water

from ceiling by using a nail on the end of a stick to poke a small hole at the edge of the sag.

Poking a hole at the center could cause a collapse. Repeat the process working toward the center.

Test for water trapped in walls by removing the baseboard and poking small holes in the wallboard

about two inches above the floor. If water appears, cut holes to allow water to drain.

Aftermath tip # 20 I'm still looking for those who were victims of Irene for my radio show.

Please let me know if you are interested or know someone who can call and talk to about the gig.

Remove floor coverings from flooded areas. Take pictures and save a small sample of any

carpet/upholstery for your insurance adjuster. Take wet floor covering and upholstered furniture

outside to dry. Mold grows quickly and can be life-threatening.

Aftermath tip#21  When cleaning up after a flood be very careful to get everything

or mold will grow in places you may not have thought about. Wash and disinfect air ducts,

outlets, wall switches, light sockets, furniture, walls,  clothing, bedding, everything. 

Aftermath tip #22 If the basement is flooded, begin pumping the water in stages —

about 1/3 of the water per day. Do not pump the basement all at once because the

saturated soil could cause the basement walls to collapse.

Mark your calendars for the return of READY OR NOT next Tuesday night

6:00pm Pacific~9:00pm Eastern

My guests will be disaster survivors who will share with us what they have learned

and what they are now doing differently.

Begin Your Personal Preparedness Binder Today By Purchasing the

Totally Ready Newsletter.

Purchase Back Issues From Year One.

"China's military is developing electromagnetic pulse weapons that Beijing plans to use against U.S. aircraft carriers in any future conflict over Taiwan according to an intelligence report made public on Thursday.

The report from the Nation Ground Intelligence Centerstudy on the lethal effects of electromagnetic pulse (EMP) and high-powered microwave (HPM) weapons revealed that the arms are part of China's so-called “assassin’s mace” arsenal – weapons that allow a technologically inferior China to defeat America's military forces.

EMP weapons mimic the gamma-ray pulse caused by a nuclear blast that knocks out all electronics, including computers and automobiles, over wide areas. The phenomenon was discovered in 1962 after an above ground nuclear test in the Pacific disabled electronics in Hawaii."

For use against Taiwan China could detonate an EMP at a much lower altitude (30-40 kilometers). This would confine damage to Taiwan and cripple the country knocking out everything dependent on electrical power. Imagine the effect when the day comes the Chinese are ready to damage our economy and they make the decision to detonate these bombs over San Fransisco or Los Angeles to close our ports and limit our ability to clothe and feed our country. Imagine the disaster should they combine their efforts with a Middle Eastern country that can simultaneously attack New York and Washington DC. This may seem an unlikely alliance but everyone thought the alliances of World War II were impossible also. 

Here is a partial checklist to get you started with your preparations:

Cooking: 

Dutch oven, camp stove, solar oven, barbecue grill, fire pit. AND to make them all usable; propane tanks of the appropriate size, wood, charcoal, aluminum foil, matches and lighters, appropriate pots and pans, high temperature cooking mitts, and long handled utensils such as tongs, spatulas and spoons.

Lighting:

Glow sticks, flashlights, outdoor solar lighting, unscented candles, oil lamps, generator AND to make them usable; batteries, matches or lighters, lamp oil, gasoline for generator, glass containers for candles.

Tomorrow Sanitation

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jul/21/beijing-develops-radiation-weapons/

 Listen to my radio show READY OR NOT…every Tuesday night 9:00pm Eastern, 6:00pm Pacific…if you missed some listen now.

Current show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper

Past shows: http://www.bepreparedradio.com/category/prepper-podcasts-preparedness/ready-or-not/

Subscribe to our Newsletter: http://blog.totallyready.com/announcing-the-totally-ready-newsletter/

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1. Make a list of replacements for items that use electricity. Get out the binder you are creating. 

Fold a piece of paper in half length wise. At the top of the left column write Uses Electricity, at the

top of the right column write Replacements. Now write in all the items in your home that you listed

as needing electricity (skip a line between each item -you will need the room).

Across from each item list what you will need to replace that service. My list includes: lights,

refrigerator, freezer, oven, stove, dishwasher, well, washer, dryer, shower, furnace, air conditioner,

radio, TV, telephone, clock, and can opener. I didn’t list things like a hair dryer because I can live

without that. We have a well so when that goes out we are also without water, including for the shower.

We have a gas range but it has an electric ignition so it won’t light without matches. So across from

stove I wrote matches. Across from lights I wrote: glow sticks, flashlights, candles, and outdoor

lighting (You know those solar landscape lights? You can bring those in at night and recharge them

during the day.) Anything I forgot? Share your list with us. 

2. Purchase or collect the items you will need to replace the loss of lighting and news access during

a power outage. Make sure you have batteries if you are relying on flashlights for lighting needs, or

portable radios, or your lap top to stay in touch. Store your batteries with your flashlights etc. but

not in them. I like glow sticks because they are inexpensive, don’t need batteries, will provide light

all night long without the dangers of a candle, and they can be worn by children to keep them safe as

they wander around the house. I keep glow sticks in every room within easy reach so no matter where

I am it is easy to have light quickly. During a recent storm we hung them on all the doorknobs so everyone

knew exactly where to go if the power failed.

3. Practice cooking off the grid. We cooked on the grill two weeks ago so this weekend practice cooking

in a Dutch oven or make foil dinners. Info o Dutch oven cooking can be found in the April 2010 issue of

the Totally Ready newsletter and foil dinner recipes and instructions can be found in the March 2010 issue.

Listen to my radio show READY OR NOT…every Tuesday night 9:00pm Eastern, 6:00pm Pacific…if you missed some listen now.

Current show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper

Past shows: http://www.bepreparedradio.com/category/prepper-podcasts-preparedness/ready-or-not/

Subscribe to our Newsletter: http://blog.totallyready.com/announcing-the-totally-ready-newsletter/

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What May Cause the Grid to Fail and What We Should Be Doing Now to Prepare 

I could not believe it when I saw an ad today for a dehydrated food company with the headline: Store It and Ignore It. Good Grief!! Why, why would you do this? Storing long term foods that are dehydrated and freeze dried as PART of a complete plan is not a bad idea but ignoring what you have stored or storing only dehydrated and freeze dried foods is not only foolish it is outright stupid! There, I said it and that may offend some but really…if you are not accustomed to using your foods do you think they will jump out of the #10 can and create yummy meals all by themselves? Do you really believe during a power outage or natural disaster that it will be raining so you can run outside and collect the water you need to prepare those foods. Oh, you believe that you will be the exception and even though most, disasters bring the same crisis, no drinkable water, you will have all the water you need. Do you realize how much water it takes to reconstitute these foods? LOTS!

Saturday was a typical hectic day here and truthfully one of those days when I was ready to close my computer and forget I ever heard anything about self reliance. This has truly been a labor of love but it pays nothing and I have bills to pay just like you. When you sell ebooks, a book for the glove box of a vehicle and a newsletter that cost a dollar a month, you stay broke, trust me on that! So, as I was lamenting I changed the wash and placed the clean clothes into the dryer. It had died…Great, one more expense. My husband quickly hung a wash line on the patio and asked if I had any clothes pins. Are you kidding? Of course I do, we added them to Our General Store last year! Yes, I hung out the wash and was amazed how quickly it dried. I had forgotten that. I folded the sheets and they smelled so…good. Today I have towels and the cleaning rags from our Saturday chores hanging on the line. You know what? I love it. It's 105 here today so the air is on but I haven't added to the electric bill drying clothes, the sun is doing it. By the way, don't you find it odd that some people are screaming about us destroying the ozone layer but those same people have campaigned to make hanging out your laundry illegal? Yes, we have those communities here. You can't hang out the laundry, too unsightly. I actually like the look of clothes blowing in the breeze. Guess I'm just getting old and sentimental. 

This week we are again putting aside $20.00 or more, or less to purchase a major item for our self reliance supplies. I made waffles last week for some friends who are 20 something and just got married. They were so excited about my waffle iron. They got one as a wedding gift, a cool one that your turn like the ones in hotel breakfast bars. They loved mine. It's not electric. You simply place it over the heat and when one side is done you flip the whole waffle iron. I have used mine for more than 20 years and it still works just as well as it did on day one AND if the power is out I can still make waffles! This may seem an extravagant items to add to prep items but I use it all the time so it's not just for emergencies. Every bride is getting one of these from me from now on! If all heck is breaking loose around me I will have waffles with butter from Healthy Harvest slathered on them!  Don't forget you have a coupon in your June Newsletter for real canned, not powdered, butter. Use the coupon and the money you save will pay for your 2 year subscription to the newsletter!

This week  add 5 cans of fruit per family member to your food shelves. If you are planning to can this summer you may want to add sugar to your shelves now for use in that fruit.

My Favorite Things:

Waffle Iron

Some of my favorite canning tools:

Pressure canner

Home canning kit

Water bath canner

Canning discovery kit A great gift for a beginner.

Victorio Strainer and Sauce Maker My absolute favorite item in my canning supplies! Accessories kit You will be son happy you added this!

Steam Juicer Never waste anything! Juice it and use the juice for drinking or making jelly and syrups.

Steam Canner some people prefer the water bath some the steam bath. I have both. If using a steam canner be sure to add five minutes to all processing times.

1/2 Gallon canning jars Since there has been so much interest in these in our Yahoo group…a link!

Listen to my radio show READY OR NOT…every Tuesday night 9:00pm Eastern, 6:00pm Pacific…if you missed some listen now.

Current show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper

Past shows: http://www.bepreparedradio.com/category/prepper-podcasts-preparedness/ready-or-not/

Subscribe to our Newsletter: http://blog.totallyready.com/announcing-the-totally-ready-newsletter/

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"Jefferson County resident Jonathan Stewart said he laughed in shock after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) claimed the house his family lost in the deadly April 27 twister was ‘not unsafe to live in’.

Displaced families in tornado-ravaged Alabama are outraged after being denied federal aide to rebuild their flattened homes – due to ‘insufficient damage’.

The devastating reality is the house is now a concrete slab surrounded by rubble.

Mr Stewart told AL.com a FEMA inspector saw first-hand the Pleasant Grove residence he shared with his wife, Lisa, and their two children was ripped from the ground.
Three days after the visit, however, he received a letter reading: ‘Based on your FEMA inspection, we have determined that the disaster has not caused your home to be unsafe to live in.

‘Although the disaster may have caused some minor damage it is reasonable to expect you or your landlord to make these repairs. At this time you are not eligible for FEMA housing assistance.’

Mr Stewart told the website: ‘Lisa and I looked at the letter and laughed.’
While he has since found out his insurance coverage will replace his house, the family is not alone.

Lashunta Tabb’s home 15 miles away in North Smithfield Manor was stripped of its siding, and more than half of her roof blew off with tornado-force winds.

It is not yet known how many Alabama tornado victims received the letter.

She too, received a letter claiming there was ‘insufficient damage’ – the number one reason in Alabama the people are determined ineligible for FEMA grants, worth up to $30,200.

It is not yet known how many Alabama tornado victims received the letter.

FEMA deputy branch director for individual assistance Lynda Lowe said finding of insifficient damage are often correct, and many of those who filed for assistance did not have damage.

FEMA officials encourage whose who believe they were wrongly declared ineligible to file for an appeal through local disaster recovery centres.

Spokesman Renee Bafalis said: ‘If you have a question why you received a determination of ineligibility, go in there and let them look it up and help you file an appeal.’

A report issued on Wednesday, however, revealed few disaster victims follow through.

It showed less than one percent of the 25,081 applicants initially declared ineligible for any reason had appealed, leaving the potential for millions of dollars in federal aide to go unclaimed.

An applicant has 60 days from the date of the determination letter to appeal.

It was not known at press time how many applicants were declared ineligible in Alabama due to insufficient damage. However, similar findings have occurred after nearly every recent disaster.

THE BUREAUCRACY BEHIND APPLYING FOR FEMA AIDE:

When a disaster victim applies for a FEMA grant, an inspector is dispatched to the applicant’s property.

Inspectors carry laptops connected to a database called NEMIS (National Emergency Management Information System), which guides them through measuring rooms and assessing damage.

Items marked for repair or replacement are priced depending on the geographic region.

Letters are issued based on the computerised report, telling an applicant whether he qualifies for FEMA assistance.

An applicant has 60 days from the date of the determination letter to appeal.

What qualifies as ‘insufficient damage’ remains unclear.

A pending lawsuit accusing FEMA of improperly denying thousands of farm workers in Texas money to repair their homes after Hurricane Dolly struck in 2008 based on the insufficient damage finding claims that FEMA used a concept called ‘deferred maintenance’ to back the rejections.

Deferred maintenance is not referenced in any regulation, Jerry Wesevich, an attorney with Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid who represents the plaintiffs, told AL.com.

Mr Wesevich described deferred maintenance as a ‘shorthand term that FEMA uses when it determines somehow that a condition of a home prior to the disaster caused the damage after the storm’.

An Alabama inspectors’ coordinator for FEMA said deferred maintenance is no longer used in assessing damage, although there is a place for inspectors to note ‘pre-existing’ conditions."

1. Accept help. You cannot do this alone. Sit down with volunteers and let them know of your expectations. ie. Assign a team leader to give direction, designate a place of ALL recovered items to be placed (even the broken ones), give everyone a list of items that when found should be brought to you immediately. You may also ask someone to see to it that everyone gets food and water or that everyone has gloves or a hat. Assess the situation and determine what may be needed to make your life less stressful.

2. Notify your insurance agent no matter what time of the day. You want to be first in line for assistance. Do not be afraid to call in the middle of the night. Leave a message and when your agent returns in the morning you will get the first call.

3. Register for disaster assistance. Staying in touch with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after you register is important too, you know the squeaky wheel…. Register by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585, or by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov. Normal FEMA Helpline hours are from 7 AM to 10 PM EDT. This may change, hours may be extended, after a wide spread disaster.

4. Prepare for disaster relief. A FEMA inspector and insurance adjuster will make an appointment to meet with you. At the appointment, you will need to provide a photo ID and verify your name, address, the FEMA registration number you received when you registered or for your insurance company, your insurance policy number.

If you have a third party home inventory bring that to the meeting and you will go to the “head of the line” when checks are written. You should have sent a copy to your inventory to your out of area contact person. If your inventory was destroyed during the disaster retrieve your inventory or have it brought to you.

FEMA inspectors are independent contractors with FEMA identification. Ask to see the inspector’s identification. There is no charge for the inspection so never pay anyone. An insurance adjuster should also have identification. Don't hesitate to ask for it.

5. Document damage as thoroughly as possible, including taking photographs, lots and lots of photos. You know all those volunteers you have accepted help from? One of them can be assigned to take photos and all of them can be witnesses in case you have to battle for payment from insurance or government agencies.

6. Clean up – carefully. There is no need to wait for a visit from FEMA inspectors to clean storm-damaged property but you may need permission from the insurance company so be sure to get permission in writing, even if it is written on a scrap of paper.

For help knowing how to clean up and how to salvage items join my radio show tonight: Ready Or Not

9:00pm eastern ~ 6:00pm Pacific

Get those canning supplies this month! 

Some of my favorites:

Pressure canner

Home canning kit

Water bath canner

Canning discovery kit A great gift for a beginner.

Victorio Strainer and Sauce Maker My absolute favorite item in my canning supplies! Accessories kit You will be son happy you added this!

Steam Juicer Never waste anything! Juice it and use the juice for drinking or making jelly and syrups.

Steam Canner some people prefer the water bath some the steam bath. I have both. If using a steam canner be sure to add five minutes to all processing times.

Listen to my radio show READY OR NOT…every Tuesday night 9:00pm Eastern, 6:00pm Pacific…if you missed some listen now.

Current show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper

Past shows: http://www.bepreparedradio.com/category/prepper-podcasts/ready-or-not/

Subscribe to our Newsletter: http://blog.totallyready.com/announcing-the-totally-ready-newsletter/

Join Our Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TotallyReady/

Food prices are also about to take another jump. General Foods just raised prices for the second time this year and now we have seen flooding and tornadoes. Much of the farmland in the center of the country has been under water, or will soon be, during the critical planting season. The tornadoes this week in Alabama have killed 5 million chicken. Ranchers there provide 30% of all the poultry in the United States. The governor of Missouri has just allowed a hole to be blown in a levy flooding farm land but reducing flooding in other areas and saving homes. Corn prices were up 110% last year, wheat 53%, cotton 112% and coffee 122%. Where do you think chicken prices will now go as there will be less chickens and the corn to fed those left will soar again as many corn fields were not planted or flooded. Corn is in everything. Texas is experiencing massive wildfires and no help from the federal government. Why is the Obama administration ignoring requests from Texas for help as they are also dealing with a severe drought? Combine the two and where are beef prices going to go? Florida lost crops this winter due to freeze and now they are dealing with a drought. Got your General Store stocked?

If you are in a position to go help with clean up after the tornadoes and flooding there are a few things you should know.

1. Take your own food  and water and some extra to share. Water is the best liquid to bring to drink. Soda and coffee will increase your thirst. Bring your water iced. Ice will be in short supply and is not only good to cool your drinks but also to cool your body as you can get a bandanna, hat, or even your shirt  wet to help cooling. Ice is also useful for injuries. 

2. Bring your own supplies and some to share: face masks, shovels, large-heavy duty trash bags, gloves, rakes, wheel barrow, wet wipes, etc. As I watch those families cleaning up today I notice again that those who live in the area do not have gloves and face masks. How would they? In the heat can you imagine how welcome a hat would be. Bring a few. 

3. Bring a camera. Often those who are devastated forget to take pictures. When you arrive ask if that is being done and offer to provide that service. Pictures should be taken of everything! Pictures should be taken of the rubble from every angle and then all items which are found and identifiable. Destroyed landscaping, cars, cracks in chimneys, everything you see the camera should see…everything! These are essential for proof when filing claims.

4. Bring items to leave.

• Bring screens to shift through the rubble. If you can't make a framed screen take the screening and use pliers to fold down he edges to avoid cuts.
• Also consider bringing folding chairs. These are like gold to those who spend hours and hours on their feet, going through piles of rubble.
• Take a small tent. These can be used to store items out of the sun and also salvaged items in case of rain.
• Take a port-a-potty and the liners and chemicals needed. This is a huge problem for survivors trying to clean up, no bathroom facilities. A port-a-potty may seem a strange thing and even a "yucky" alternative but when there is no other alternative it is heaven! Take a tarp or small tent to create privacy and of course remember several rolls of TP.
• Tarps and rope or bungee cords. These can be used for shelter from the sun or rain, to cover salvaged items, to haul items to the "dumping area", to construct a lean-to for napping or a child's play area.

Thanks you to all who will be going to help. Be careful and please share what you learn.

 Huge Totally Ready Give Away Happening Now!

April is the month for Totally Ready to take it to the next level.

Grand Prize: Self Reliance Library

Totally Ready for the Road

Mother Hubbard: What She's Doing Now

Prep Not Panic

Totally Ready Newsletters: July 2009- June 2010

Making the Best of Basics: by James Talmage Stevens

2012 Survival Guide: by Crystal Abrahams

All They'll Need to Know: by Joyce Mosely Pierce

Jan's Fabulous Food Storage Recipes: by Jan LeBaron

100-Day Pantry: by Jan Jackson

Dinner is in the Jar: by Kathy Clark

DVD~Food Production Systems-For a Backyard or Small Farm: By Marjory Wildcraft

$180.00 value

Second Prize: One Case of Red Feather Butter

$140.00 value

Third Prize: Totally Ready Auto Kit and a copy of Totally Ready for the Road

$52.00 value

WE WILL ALSO BE DRAWING FOR ADDITIONAL BOOKS AND PREPAREDNESS ITEMS

EVERY DAY ALL MONTH

TO ENTER DO THE FOLLOWING

1. "Like" the Totally Ready facebook page. It's that simple. We will keep track.

2. Join the yahoo group. Again, that simple. We will know who you are.

3. Place a link to a post on blog.TotallyReady.com or the Totally Ready facebook page on your facebook page. You'll need to let us know about this one by making a comment on the blog or facebook.

4. Tweet about and link to a post or the Totally Ready facebook page. Again, just let us know.

5. Place a link in an article on your blog. Give us a heads up so we can read your post. This is a great way for us to discover great new blogs.

6. Place a permanent link on your blog or website. Let us know after you have done that and you will not only be entered in the drawing but…

Everyone who places a permanent link on their blog or website will be invited to a webinar designed to answer your preparedness questions. This is by invitation only to all who place a permanent link and is a $100.00 value. More on that in the coming days. Watch for more details on the blog.

THE MORE YOU DO THE MORE CHANCES YOU HAVE TO WIN!

Listen to my radio show READY OR NOT…every Tuesday night 9:00pm Eastern, 6:00pm Pacific…if you missed some listen now.

Current show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper

Past shows: http://www.bepreparedradio.com/category/prepper-podcasts/ready-or-not/

Subscribe to our Newsletter: http://blog.totallyready.com/announcing-the-totally-ready-newsletter/

Join Our Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TotallyReady/

Back issues: Totally Ready Newsletters July 2009- June 2010

"We at the American Red Cross have studied the research on the topic of earthquake safety for many years. We have benefited from extensive research done by the California Office of Emergency Services, California Seismic Safety Commission, professional and academic research organizations, and emergency management agencies, who have also studied the recommendation to "drop, cover, and hold on!" during the shaking of an earthquake. Personally, I have also benefited from those who preceded me in doing earthquake education in California since the Field Act was passed in 1933.

What the claims made by Mr. Copp of ARTI, Inc., does not seem to distinguish is that the recommendation to "drop, cover, and hold on!" is a U.S.-based recommendation based on U.S. Building Codes and construction standards. Much research in the United States has confirmed that "Drop, Cover, and Hold On!" has saved lives in the United States. Engineering researchers have demonstrated that very few buildings collapse or "pancake" in the U.S. as they might do in other countries. Using a web site to show one picture of one U.S. building that had a partial collapse after a major quake in an area with thousands of buildings that did not collapse during the same quake is inappropriate and misleading.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which collects data on injuries and deaths from all reportable causes in the U.S., as well as data from three University-based studies performed after the Loma Prieta (September, 1989) and Northridge (January, 1994) earthquakes in California, the following data are indicated: Loma Prieta: 63 deaths, approximately 3,700 people were injured. Most injuries happened as a result of the collapse of the Cypress Street section of I-880 in Oakland. Northridge: 57 deaths, 1,500 serious injuries. Most injuries were from falls caused by people trying to get out of their homes, or serious cuts and broken bones when people ran, barefooted, over broken glass (the earthquake happened in the early morning on a federal holiday when many people were still in bed.) There were millions of people in each of these earthquake-affected areas, and of those millions, many of them reported to have "dropped, covered, and held on" during the shaking of the earthquake."

http://www.bpaonline.org/Emergencyprep/arc-on-doug-copp.html

Marla Petal, Ph.D. is Director of Bogaziçi University, Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute's Disaster Preparedness Education Program. Her doctoral research is on the causes of deaths in the 1999 Kocaeli Earthquake and implications of these findings for public education. September, 2004

….In an investigation of more than 15,000 words, a 4 day series of 7 articles July 11-14th, 2004 theAlbuquerque Journal more than atones for being briefly taken in by Copp's claim to be "the most experienced rescuer in the world, equipped with the only device that could detect the scent of decaying flesh" (http://www.abqjournal.com/terror/196540nm07-11-04.htm) The Journal flew Copp to New York on the corporate plane immediately after 9/11. It wasn't until in the air that publisher Lang recognized Copp to be "bogus" and "unprofessional" and later on the ground that he discovered that Copp's "rescue crew" consisted of a video producer, camera operator, filmmaker and archeologist (also taken in by his claims). According to Albuquerque Journal reporter Leslie Linthicum, in New York Copp promoted an offthe- shelf gas detector with his own sticker slapped on, blackened his face for the camera, freeloaded and lounged in a donated hotel room, failed to check in with the command center, ignored instructions of authorities, and was a shameless self-promoter hawking video to Inside Edition and making claims to having been in 2,000 seriously life-threatening situations and 892 collapsed buildings. He claimed to have rescued 40 people at ground zero. He claims to be been written up in 50,000 newspapers. Later he managed to collect $649,885 in victim compensation based on claims now being investigated by the Justice Department.

http://www.earthquakecountry.info/dropcoverholdon/Petal_on_Copp.pdf

"We would like to note that the 10 tips you shared from Doug Copp are not corroborated by the ODPEM, the International Red Cross, Federal State and local emergency management experts and other official preparedness organisations," Ronald Jackson, director general of the ODPEM, said in a statement yesterday.

"As a matter of fact, his (Copp's) assertions that he has seen people who died from not using his method are not supported as his supposed experiment was a rescue exercise and did not simulate the lateral movement of earthquakes, making his results highly misleading," said Jackson.

Flooding is expected in many areas of the US today. With the awful earthquake in Japan and the tsunami following all over Asia, Hawaii and the west coast of the United States flooding is possible and will happen in many places today. I was asked this question a few months ago and answered it on Ready or Not and also in the January Newsletter but here is the answer once again.

Flood waters covered our food stored on shelves and in cabinets. What can I keep and what should I throw out?

1. Do not eat any food that may have come into contact with flood water.

2. Discard any food that is not in a waterproof container if there is any chance that it has come into contact with flood water. Food containers that are not waterproof include those with screw-caps, snap lids, pull tops, and crimped caps. Also, discard cardboard juice/milk/baby formula boxes and home canned foods if they have come in contact with flood water, because they cannot be effectively cleaned and sanitized

3. Inspect canned foods and discard any food in damaged cans. Can damage is shown by swelling, leakage, punctures, holes, fractures, extensive deep rusting, or crushing/denting severe enough to prevent normal stacking or opening with a manual, wheel-type can opener.

Steps to Salvage Metal Cans and Mylar and Retort Pouches
Undamaged, commercially prepared foods in metal cans, mylar pouches and retort pouches (for example, flexible, shelf-stable juice or seafood pouches) can be saved if you do the following:

• Remove the labels, if they are the removable kind, since they can harbor dirt and bacteria.

• Thoroughly wash the cans or retort pouches with soap and water, using hot water if it is available.

• Brush or wipe away any dirt or silt.

• Rinse the cans or retort pouches with water that is safe for drinking, if available, since dirt or residual soap will reduce the effectiveness of chlorine sanitation.

• Then, sanitize them by immersion in one of the two following ways:

1. Place in water and allow the water to come to a boil and continue boiling for 2 minutes, or

2. Place in a freshly made solution consisting of 1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of drinking water (or the cleanest, clearest water available) for 15 minutes.

• Air-dry cans or retort pouches for a minimum of 1 hour before opening or storing.

• If the labels were removable, then re-label your cans or retort pouches, including the expiration date (if available), with a marker.

• Food in reconditioned cans or retort pouches should be used as soon as possible, thereafter.

• Any concentrated baby formula in reconditioned, all-metal containers must be diluted with clean, drinking water.

• Listen to my radio show READY OR NOT…every Tuesday night 9:00pm Eastern, 6:00pm Pacific…if you missed some listen now.

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"Before an audience at the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington, Professor Sir John Beddington, the U.K’s chief scientific adviser, warned that the “growth in the use of complex electronic machinery over the past ten years has made society far more susceptible to catastrophic disruption than a decade ago when the last solar activity cycle reached its peak.” His concern comes after a massive solar flare last month sent billions of tons of matter hurtling towards the Earth at millions of miles per hour. The flare was the biggest eruption in the past four years and it generated magnetic storms and power surges that disrupted communications and grounded flights.

According to Jane Lubchenco, the head of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the “event was the strongest solar flare in four years and as a consequence airlines re-routed flights away from polar regions in anticipation of the possibility that their radio communications would not be operable.”…….

Currently the only early warning system in place is a fourteen year old satellite that can detect the potential magnitude of the solar storm that is heading towards the Earth.

Due to the speed at which these particles travel, the satellite can only provide a warning twenty minutes in advance of the storm hitting the Earth.

“If it takes twenty hours to go from the Sun to Earth, it’s going to take about twenty minutes to go from that spacecraft to Earth. So our last warning is a twenty minute warning, which will tell us how big, how strong, how nasty that storm might be,” said Dr. Bogdan.

“The trouble is, it’s fourteen years old and what keeps me awake at night is worrying about whether that satellite would be running next morning when I get up,” he said."

http://homelandsecuritynewswire.com/scientists-warn-solar-storms-could-be-global-hurricane-katrina?page=0,0

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I had a comment today on another post asking about chocolate storage and since I keep telling you I think every good storage plan included chocolate I thought it was time to give you some facts about that terrific food!

Storage And Care of Chocolate

Chocolate should be wrapped tightly and kept in a cool, dry place with a temperature ranging from 60–75°F.

If the storage temperature exceeds 75°F, some of the cocoa butter may appear on the surface, causing the chocolate to develop a whitish cast, known as "bloom." The chocolate will still be fine to eat.

In hot climates or during the summer, chocolate can be stored in the refrigerator, although this isn't ideal as the chocolate may absorb odors from other foods. Dark chocolate actually improves with age, like a fine wine, if stored in an airtight container at 60–65°F.

Blooming of chocolate products is the most common problem you will encounter in the world of chocolate. There are two forms of "bloom": fat bloom and sugar bloom.

• Fat bloom is the visible accumulation of large cocoa butter crystals on the chocolate surface. It is often accompanied by numerous minute cracks that dull the appearance of the chocolate.

• Sugar bloom is a crystallization of sugar that is often caused by high humidity and the formation of condensate ("sweating") when cold product is brought into a warm area.

To differentiate between fat and sugar blooms, fat bloom will feel oily and melt when touched, while sugar bloom will feel grainy to the touch.

Poor storage conditions cause fat bloom. To prevent bloom, it is important not to expose chocolate to wide fluctuations in temperature; instead, make all temperature changes gradually. Although it may look unpleasant, bloomed chocolate is fine to eat.

http://www.ghirardelli.com/chocopedia/tips.aspx

Chocolate contains oils so if it smells "funny" toss it but you should be able to store it for years. I love to store M&Ms because the coating helps to preserve the quality and flavor even longer. The time to add chocolate to your food storage is after a holiday when candy is on sale. Right now I am enjoying red and green M&Ms I bought for 70% off and I really don't care that they are Christmas colors.

This week add 3 (60 oz.) bottles of 100% juice per family member to your storage. Only 100% juice counts as a food source so don't settle for less. Remember this is also part of your "water" storage and tastes much better to the kids after a few days of crisis eating. Juices are on sale this week so check the grocery and pharmacy store fliers. Also, add the phone numbers for poison control and pet poison control to your list of emergency numbers. Be sure to post both of these near all of your phones.

Did you get a corded phone? Remember February was the month to add a corded phone to your emergency items. Cell phones are often taken over by emergency responders after a disaster and portable phones never work during a power outage. Be sure you have a phone that plugs directly into the wall and is not just placed on a charger.

Listen to my radio show READY OR NOT…every Tuesday night 9:00pm Eastern, 6:00pm Pacific…if you missed some listen now.

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When I saw this I thought what a great idea! You could cook several meals worth of beans and/or rice or pasta…. at the same time. You use the same water for seven items, saving water and fuel. You would not need to use your drinking water during a crisis as no water would ever touch the food. If you are not using drinkable water simply cover each bottle with a lid before cooking and then wipe with soap and water or a disinfectant wipe before opening.

You could use this same method and cook over a fire or on a grill if your power were out or you did not have access to your kitchen. You know, if you were camping in the yard after a hurricane or earthquake because your home is unsafe.

I loved her tip about wrapping the pot in sleeping bags to cook, sound familiar? Do you think she read the newsletter article on making a haybox?

If you had limited fuel or water this would also be a great way to make several courses for a meal. You could cook pasta in one, heat the spaghetti sauce in another and heat the veggies in another. You could even heat your hot cocoa or tea in another and still have extra bottles to make a dessert or start a meal for breakfast.

One of the comments after the video mentioned using the bean soaking water to cook and then using the water to wash your dishes and after that for flushing. Now that is truly a prepper's way of thinking!

Listen to my radio show READY OR NOT…every Tuesday night 9:00pm Eastern, 6:00pm Pacific…if you missed some listen now.

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With cold weather conditions in place where they have been unheard of in the past, frostbit can become a real problem and one we should all know how to recognize and how to treat. Let's take a look.

Frostbite: Common warning signs include a progressive numbness and a loss of sensitivity to touch. The affected area may also tingle or feel as if it is burning. As the damage increases the pain begins to fade or eventually disappear. The skin changes color, it blanches, and may then appear red, and finally white-purple if allowed to freeze.

Frostbite can affect any part of the body, but the tip of the nose, ears, fingertips, and toes are the most likely areas to be affected.

In mild cases, full recovery can be expected with early treatment. Severe cases of frostbite can result in infection, or gangrene – the death of some body tissue due to the lack of blood supply.

Treatment of Frostbite

When you first notice signs of frostbite get out of the cold immediately when possible, and rewarm the affected area. Advanced frostbite can result in amputation or even death. Take it seriously.

Do not rub the skin in an effort to get blood flowing back to the area. This causes friction and can destroy already damaged skin and tissue, as well as increase the risk of infection.

To thaw frostbitten skin, immerse the affected part in a bath kept at a constant temperature of 104 to 105 degrees F for an hour or more, about the temperature of a baby bottle. This will cause the blood vessels to dilate and circulation to return to the area.

Rapid rewarming is painful. Take two ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen to dull the pain.

Do not smoke or chew tobacco. Nicotine constricts the blood vessels, reduces blood flow to chilled areas, and delays healing. If you do not have access to warm water, stick the frozen body part under an armpit or between your legs.

When the skin has thawed and rewarming is complete, cover the damaged skin with bandages and warm clothing. As soon as possible contact your doctor or go to an emergency room.

If there is any chance of refreezing a thawed body part, do not rewarm. Freezing, rewarming and freezing the skin again causes much more tissue damage.

Prevention of Frostbite

Before going outside in extremely cold temperature, apply skin moisturizer to the face, hands, and any other body part that may be exposed to the cold. Dress warmly, wear dry clothing, and stay out of the wind. Wear a face mask for extra protection. Wear heavy mittens instead of gloves in cold weather. When the fingers are together in a mitten they will stay warmer.

Children playing outside should be watched carefully to make sure that they do not lose or remove mittens or hat. Remember that wool clothing and synthetic fibers will keep you warm even when wet so always have wool items in your car kits.

Be extremely careful when pumping gas into your car if the temperature is below freezing. Gasoline on exposed skin evaporates very quickly, lowers the temperature of the skin, and makes it more susceptible to frostbite.

Avoid smoking or drinking before venturing out into extreme cold. Tobacco decreases circulation by constricting blood vessels, and alcohol interferes with the body's ability to regulate temperature.

Be ware and especially careful when children are involved. Frostbite is very dangerous. Take it seriously.

Listen to my radio show READY OR NOT…every Tuesday night 9:00pm Eastern, 6:00pm Pacific…if you missed some listen now.

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Join me tonight on READY OR NOT for a discussion about

Surviving a Winter Power Outage.

6:00pm Pacific…9:00pm Eastern

Call in 347-326-9604

There is so much happening I am having a hard time deciding what to post today. I think gas prices and debt can wait as there are some serious weather threat today. First, let talk about our General Store. I have not forgotten our food storage 101 classes but again that can wait until tomorrow as I think helping those in the path of weather  disaster is more crucial today. I don't want you to get behind on your General Store however, so…this week add six cans of fruit/person to your store. For those working on non food storage add batteries this week. Pull out your flashlights, HAM radios, radios, clocks and other items that use batteries and purchase the appropriate sizes. Purchase as much as you can afford now. We will be adding to these again. Remember batteries should NEVER be stored in the item needing them. Store batteries next to the flashlight, not in them. Be sure to check the radios and flashlights in your car and 72 hour kits.

Today there is flooding in the northwestern part of the United States. This is expected to continue and the wet weather has caused flooding in many, many area. If you are in one of these areas there are a few things you can do today to be Totally Ready should the worst happen. If you are in the path of the expected ice storms tomorrow you will also want to take some of these steps today.

1. Do your laundry. During a flooding crisis or an ice storm you do not want to be caught without clean clothing. In both cases there is a good chance, a very good chance the power will be out so get caught up today.

2. Store water. Be sure everything that will hold water in your home is filled, pitchers, camping coolers, bathtub, stock pots, canning pots, etc. . Once flooding occurs the water treatment facilities will be overloaded or down completely and there will be no water appropriate for drinking and cooking.  Again, a good tip for prepping for both floods and ice storms.

3. If you are dealing with the prospect of flooding move all your values to the highest level in your home, second story or attic. You should be preparing now to evacuate. Pack up your heirlooms, photos, journals and back up your computer records of site or to a thumb drive. If you live in a one story home move as much as you can onto counters and fill those plant shelves about the cupboards with as much as possible.

4. Practice an evacuation. Measure the items you are planning to take with you to be sure you can fit them all into the car and still get the kids and pets in. If not, you still have time to purchase or "create"  a car top carrier.

5. Cook. Today is the day to make stews, soups, chili or other items that can easily be reheated over a barbecue or camp stove or in a Dutch oven if you are left without power for a few days, or more. Now is the time to get out your preparedness binders and look through the section about cooking without power. There are several options in the newsletters so if you are behind in making copies do that today.

6. Make a run to the store now. Be sure your have batteries, milk, bread, produce, and TP. They will be the first items to go.

7. If floods are the outlook move everything you can carry into the garage or house. The flooding may still get them wet but at least they won't float away and if they are destroyed they will still be there to take photos of as proof when you are making insurance claims.

8. If ice storms are on the horizon gather all your sleeping bags and warm blankets. Choose a room you can most easily keep warm and prepare to use that room as your place of refuge should the power fail. This room should ideally have a heat source like a fireplace and should be able to be isolated from the rest of the rooms in your home. This can be done by closing doors or hanging blankets or drapes to block off adjoining hallways. If you still have power be sure to tune into READY OR NOT tomorrow night for more tips for surviving without power.

9. Gas up the car. If you need to get out quickly you will not want to take time to gas up the car. Do that now. Should the power go out gas pumps will not work so even after the ice has melted a little and travel is possible, there will be no gas available. Don't be caught without.

10. Consider your pets. Do you have plenty of pet food if stores are closed? Do you have plenty of water for your pets if the tap is dry? If you are expecting flooding you should consider taking your pets to a friend or family member now. Pets will only take up valuable space in your car later, which could have been devoted to family photos and clothing, should you have to evacuate.

Take time tonight to prepare.