If you missed the show last night check it out. We talked shelter: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2012/02/01/ready-or-not-with-carolyn-nicolaysen

There will be lots more shelter info in the February Newsletter so watch for that and if you want more consider subscribing. Let's talk tents.

I'll leave the buying guide and care for the newsletter but just lets talk about what we can use a tent for. Does that sound strange to you? Just like we have had discussions about dental floss and coffee filters and all their uses, sleeping is not the only use for a tent.

A shady place to supervise clean up after a disaster. After a disaster there will be hours and hours of cleaning up. Tents and dining canopies can be used as a shady place from which to coordinate those who are helping.

A fort, castle or playhouse for kids. A small tent is a great way to entertain children after a disaster without them taking up room in your living tent with their toys. Having another area to play outside of the tent in which you are living 24/7 also helps to cut down on the sense of confinement and boredom.

A small tent is a great place for infants and toddlers to take a nap while you are working. Children will be safe from insects, animals, the sun and the heat or cold.

Pet shelter. Often after a disaster the fence will be down, landmarks changes and debris everywhere. All of these are dangerous to pets. A small tent will provide shelter and protection as well as confinement for pets.

Changing room. Often after a disaster the family will all be sharing a tent for living and sleeping. With children and adults of both sexes a small tent is a great place for a little privacy while changing clothes.

Protection from UVA and UVB rays. Many times older family and friends refuse to leave their homes while clean up is taking place. A tent or sun shade will protect them from sunburn and the other dangers from sun and heat. Remember on a sunny winter day snow blindness and hypothermia are possible while watching others work. In winter weather a small tent will make it possible to watch the work taking place as well as providing warmth and protection from sun related damage.

Protection for salvaged items. A small tent or sun shade is a perfect place to dry out water soaked items, especially photos and important papers. This is also a way to preserve salvaged items. Placing items to be saved makes it easy for those helping to know what is important and what can be taken to the trash.

A tent is a great place for an emergency kitchen. When you are living in a tent it is a good idea to have a separate area for cooing. Crumbs, cooking smells and food all attract insects and critters. Keeping your cooking and eating separate form your living area is a good idea. During warm weather a dining shade may be used for this same purpose. It is always best to have an area that can be closed off using mesh screen on a dining shade or to use an enclosed tent that can be closed off.

Storage rooms. Creating a compound of small tents around you large living tent is a great way to mimic the comforts of a home. One tent may be eds as a clothes closet, another to store toys and games, another extra bedding, still another food and another cleaning supplies.

Bathroom. If it is cold or if you live in a neighborhood where many will be camping out on their lawns designating a tent as a bathroom is a great idea. Place your pot-a-potty, some TP, hand wipes and water, soap and a basin inside the tent. This is also a great place to designate as the diaper changing room. Now you have privacy and shelter when nature calls.

Next time tents and dining shades go on sale or you spot one at a garage sale think about your tent city during an emergency and buy a few for use for other than sleeping. 

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Listen to Carolyn's 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/

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Tornadoes in January are not unheard of but they are very rare. Tornado season doesn't normally begin until May. Heavy snow storms in Seattle and other parts of Washington are also rare but this  year they happened and people were not ready. the cities and counties were not ready either. We must take our family's safety and security into our own hands. Please don't think this can't happen to yo. Try telling that to those in Washington and Alabama today, and what about those in Utah who were without power for more than a week last month? They didn't live in the mountains and there was no snow, just wind and more wind.

Tomorrow on Ready Or Not we will continue the discussion for preparing your home for winter emergencies.

Please join us and share you experiences. 

Check each room for water leaks: You may not even notice the small things that are in need of repair in your home. We become so accustomed to living in our homes that we sometimes ignore small things that can make a big difference. Repair any leaky pipes or roof leaks. Even a small leak can create a huge mold problem.

Check each room for wiring problems: Repair frayed wires on lamps and appliances. If you don’t know how to do this check with a handyman or lighting fixture store. Fixes can be made for a nominal cost.

Secure unstable furniture in every room: Many large pieces of furniture such as bookcases and hutches are top-heavy. They could easily kill someone if they fall during a storm or earthquake. Hold the furniture and carefully rock it back and forth. If it moves at all it should be secured to the wall by adding straps, bolts, or braces. In earthquake country all large furniture should be secured to walls.

Look around: Remove or bolt down heavy items from over sofas and beds as they could seriously injure someone if the item were to fall.

Heads up: Are your ceiling fixtures bolted or secured to a wall stud?

Check shelves and ledges: In Mark Twain's “Letters from Hawaii” he wrote about the humorous art of dining on a ship as it tosses in the waves. Your home in an earthquake will be very much like that. Consequently, items displayed or stored on open shelves or ledges should be secured. You may need to add a molding or wood strip to the front of a shelving unit to act as a restraint for shifting items. Items on plant ledges should be very lightweight, or they should be secured making it impossible for them to fall.

Secure propane tanks: If you have small propane tanks stored for emergency cooking on a camp stove or barbecue, make sure they are properly stored. Always store tanks upright in a well ventilated cupboard with a door that closes securely to prevent the tank from falling during a storm or earthquake. The door should be ventilated – chicken wire works well. Tanks should be stored in areas that will not exceed 125º F. This may seem like an extreme temperature but it is possible for garages, sheds and car trunks to reach those temperatures in many areas of the world. Never store tanks inside your home. Always check tanks to make sure the valves are off before storing and never store an extra tank under a barbecue grill. Using soapy water you can check the tank and valve for leaks. The soapy water will bubble if there is a leak.

Check your mobile home tie downs: If you live in a mobile home or have one on your property check the tie-downs often. Even if no one is living in it, a mobile home can become life threatening as it may be torn apart by a storm and generate debris if it is not in good repair.

Check appliances: Install flexible pipe fittings and hoses, as they are less likely to break.

Stock up: Store extra water, food, toiletries, medicines, pet foods, and cleaning supplies now in case you are unable to travel to the store after a storm. In some cases there may not be a store left to travel to.

Take cover: Plan now how you will board up windows and doors if you have warning a hurricane or powerful windstorm is approaching. Store sheets of plywood that are pre-drilled to make installation faster. Store extra duct tape to help prevent glass from breaking and becoming flying debris. Store nails and screws to secure window coverings. At the very least, prepare to cover windows with blankets and sheets to help stop airborne glass from entering your home.

“Home is a shelter from storms – all sorts of storms.” ~William J. Bennett

Please go "like" our facebook page now! 

http://www.facebook.com/TotallyReady

Listen to Carolyn's 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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Tonight we have an hour of radio news full of great information and several big announcements which will help to explain just why my posting has been a little spotty lately. Please be on hand to hear tips from a survivor of the 2010 blizzard in Baltimore. Nicole will share her insights and lessons learned. With winter rapidly approaching now is the time to prepare in case this winter breaks records in your area.  Listen to READY OR NOT tonight 6:00pm Pacific time.

We really never know just what is in store around the corner. This was predicted to be a  very bad hurricane season and with just a few weeks left it has been very mild. This has been predicted to be a very bad fire season in California and we are still very worried about what is really going to happen the next month. Yesterday there were wind driven fires around Sacramento. That is very unusual but since everything in California is tinder dry this year, not really surprising. Let’s face it we are not in charge and we really don’t know what is heading our way. You will hear from Nicole tonight about how she heeded warning to prepare years ago and it is now part of her family’s every day routine. When the warning came she had to do very little to turn a frightening scenario into an adventure. Yes, fire season is expected to be bad this year but even if it is not what have we lost by preparing? The real question is what have we gained? A sense of security for our children? Peace of mind for the adults? Added money in our pockets as we need to shop only when food and supplies are on  sale?

This week add to those store shelves and as you do so remind yourself that no amount of money or gold can purchase food for you family when store shelves are bare.Food the foodies in the group we are adding 6 pounds of grain per family member this week. Grains may include, wheat, rice, rye, popcorn to grind into cornmeal, oats, pasta, flours and more. Store those you use and learn to use others that are less familiar. Store a variety. Even if you now have oatmeal every morning for breakfast during a crisis you will be frustrated if that is your only option. We all want to feel in control during a challenge and having  options, even if you choose oatmeal every day, creates a feeling on empowerment.

With the cold and flu season approaching now is the time to add medications to our General Store. This week add over the counter medications for treating the symptoms of  coughs and sinus congestion.

Dont’ forget tonight at 6:00pm Pacific time! Tune in!

To Listen to past broadcasts of READY OR NOT visit:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/search/carolyn-nicolaysen/

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

Last night we had a fabulous show. If you missed it you will want to listen today. We barely scratched the surface of all there is to know about preparing now to deal with insurance issues later. We hardly talked at all about after the disaster. Jim will be returning on October 19th so we can continue our discussion. Listen to the show now and have your questions ready for him on the 19th. If you are currently dealing with the aftermath of a disaster and going the rounds with the insurance company DO NOT sign anything until you have listened to both shows. Last night show:

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

This morning the power went out so I decided to use the time to inventory my office. It took 20 minutes. I took some shots from a distance and then close ups of the books so you could read the titles. I opened every drawer and every cupboard. I have one set of art books published in 1888 so I opened the books and shot a picture of the publication date, author info and publisher info. If you have not been keeping up with our tips this month, and do none of the others, begin today to inventory your home. It is crucial to being able to rebuild later should the need arise.

Today I am very happy to welcome Makana as a regular contributor to the Totally Ready Blog. She will be sharing great deals as she finds them and also posting every other Wednesday. I have had several people tell me they have to begin using coupons and taking advantage of special offer because of the crummy economy so Makana has agreed to help. Here is her first post:

Halloween is quickly upon us and with that means a great opportunity to decorate and eat sweets This is one of my favorite websites. I am able to subscribe and get daily emails with ways to create cute decor without spending a lot of money

http://www.howdoesshe.com/free-exclusive-halloween-printables

You will have to sign up on the email list to get it. But if you are crafty or want to be or just like to get free printables for  every occasion, then this is worth it.

If you don’t know what Zazzle.com is, it is a place where you can make customized shirts, bags etc. I thought it was a silly thing until I was surprised my McKay with my very own “Mommy of 1 shirt”. I have seen them in Boutiques and online    and they are generally $40 at least.

Today you can get your $50 worth of things for $25. I know I am using mine for a birthday present and for a Christmas present.

http://www.groupon.com/r/uu8200556

And lastly, you can get a 16 page hardcover photo book for $10 from Pixable. That is a 67% savings. This is another great gift or something for you to have. I used to scrapbook but have found that these are just as nice and a lot easier. http://livingsocial.com/deals/8895?ref=addthis-share5

Be sure to sign up to get your own daily deals. This is a one day deal only!

And for all you couponers out there, be sure to load your ecoupons onto your shopper card by using cellfire and shortcuts.  And if you got the paper on Sunday with the P&G coupons, you can get an Oral-B Vitality toothbrush from CVS for free   (after Extra Care Bucks). It is on sale for $23.

You get $13 back in ECB, and with the coupon from this Sundays P&G insert of $10, you just got a free toothbrush!

Thanks Makana!

Tips # 28 and 29:

# 28: Inventory laundry room

#29 Inventory basement and/ or attic. If you don’t have either but have a shed be sure to inventory the shed.

Review Tips…For more specifics about each tip please visit the former posts.

#1:  Find an out of area contact.

#2: Gather maps.  Get several different colors of highlighters and mark at least three different routes out of the city and  ending at the home of your out of area contact.

#3: Collect all your flashlights. Check  to make sure they are all working properly. Make note of any batteries you need to purchase.

#4  Post important phone numbers and your own address by each phone.

#5  Place a pair of good shoes under each bed where they can be reached in the middle of the night.

#6  Place a glow stick next to each bed.

# 7:  Listen to READY OR NOT. If you can’t listen tonight the show will be available for download at the same link as the live show. Hope to hear from you tonight!

# 8: Stash some cash, about $100.00, for each adult kit.

# 9 Inventory your kitchen, everything.

#10 Inventory your Family room/living room.

#11 Inventory your bedrooms.

#12 Inventory Office and formal dining room.

# 13 Inventory and update 72 hour kits. If you are just beginning collect back packs for every family member.

#14 Sort through medicine cabinet. Replace expired medications.

# 15  Copy your driver’s license, auto insurance policy and birth certificates for your important documents file. We had a great show Tuesday night with tips and info about collecting important documents and just why it is so vital. If you missed the show download it and listen today.

#16 Inventory bathrooms and hall closets

#17 Inventory garage

#18 Make copies of your home owners or renters insurance.

#19 Make copies of the front and back of all credit cards and record the contact phone numbers for all cards on these copies.

#20  Place a flashlight and whistle next to or slightly under each bed in the house.

#21 Teach all family members to text.

#22 Make copies of your home owners insurance and medical insurance papers

# 23- Create a list of 10 meals your family loves. List all the ingredients in those recipes

#24 Create a list of items you would like to add to your preparedness inventory and give this list to everyone who gives you birthday or holiday gifts.

# 25  Add water to your water storage.  For more help with water storage check out  your copy of Mother Hubbard: What She’s Doing Now.

#26 Teach each family member how and where to turn off the gas, electricity and water into your home.

# 27 Do a little research and find out which TV and radio stations will broadcast emergency information in your area during a disaster

To Listen to past broadcasts of READY OR NOT visit:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/search/carolyn-nicolaysen/

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

Tonight’s radio show and a presentation I am making tonight to our County Emergency Responders have me pulling my hair out today so I’ll get right to our tips.

First tip…listen to the show tonight! We are discussing saving money will shopping with Makana Hansen. It will be fun. She has some amazing stories to share! READY OR NOT
6:00pm Pacific time. Call in phone number: 347-326-9604

I have a real love hate relationship with texting. I hate, hate, hate texting at church, in school ,while driving, when out to dinner with friends and family, oh so much texting is just rude! Texting however can be great during a crisis. When cell phones are not working after a hurricane, earthquake, fire, terrorist attack, etc. a text can often get through. So it is with apprehension that I say tip number 21…” teach all family members to text”.

If you would like a copy of Joyce’s Moseley Pierce’s ebook All They’ll Need to Know to help you prepare your important documents get it at the special price for Ready or Not listeners at:

http://emersonpublications.com/?page_id=197

Review…Tips

For more specifics about each tip please visit the former posts.

#1:  Find an out of area contact.

#2: Gather maps.  Get several different colors of highlighters and mark at least three different routes out of the city and  ending at the home of your out of area contact.

#3: Collect all your flashlights. Check  to make sure they are all working properly. Make note of any batteries you need to purchase.

#4  Post important phone numbers and your own address by each phone.

#5  Place a pair of good shoes under each bed where they can be reached in the middle of the night.

#6  Place a glow stick next to each bed.

# 7:  Listen to READY OR NOT. If you can’t listen tonight the show will be available for download at the same link as the live show. Hope to hear from you tonight!

# 8: Stash some cash, about $100.00, for each adult kit.

# 9 Inventory your kitchen, everything.

#10 Inventory your Family room/living room.

#11 Inventory your bedrooms.

#12 Inventory Office and formal dining room.

# 13 Inventory and update 72 hour kits. If you are just beginning collect back packs for every family member.

#14 Sort through medicine cabinet. Replace expired medications.

# 15  Copy your driver’s license, car insurance policy and birth certificates for your important documents file. We had a great show Tuesday night with tips and info about collecting important documents and just why it is so vital. If you missed the show download it and listen today.

#16 Inventory bathrooms and hall closets

#17 Inventory garage

#18 Make copies of your home owners or renters insurance.

#19 Make copies of the front and back of all credit cards and record the contact phone numbers for all cards on these copies.

#20  Place a flashlight and whistle next to or slightly under each bed in the house.

To Listen to past broadcasts of READY OR NOT visit:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/search/carolyn-nicolaysen/

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

September Newsletter:

Let’s Play…a look at things to do during a power outage to keep sane.

Food Safety…keeping foods safe during a power outage.

Frozen Food During a Power Outage, when to save and when to throw away.

Dutch Oven Cooking…How to Control the Temperature

Haybox Cooking…one more way to cook when the grid goes down.

Recipes: This month all the recipes are from 1850. They are fun and easy to make and perfect during power emergencies, after all our great grandparents didn’t have electricity!

TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO WIN AN EMERGENCY KIT FROM HEALTHY HARVEST.

LISTEN TO THE READY OR NOT with Joyce Moseley Pierce  FOR DETAILS !!!

Tomorrow I will host Makana Hansen as my guest on READY OR NOT . Makana is an expert on saving money when shopping. She will discuss coupon shopping, not only for groceries but also other items we purchase often, and even those we buy just for fun. Be sure to have your questions ready so you can call in or join us in the chat room. Join us tomorrow, Tuesday September 21st at 6:00pm pacific time.

Food prices are set to rise again. We have been hearing for some time about the disastrous wheat crops in Russia and Pakistan this year. Exports have been eliminated which has dramatically but world supply and increased demand. As a result of these crop failures prices are increasing on wheat in every other region of the world, including in the United States. Australian bee colonies are being destroyed by an African beetle which mean increased prices not only on honey but also on all the crops bees pollinate.  None of this is good news for the pocketbook. We will just keep taking those small steps each week to prepare and the store our personal General Stores so we can weather the increases in price with little affect on our bottom line.

This week add insect spray to your shelves. The best time to reduce the wasp population is in early spring when you see your first wasp. I realize that is a long way in the future right now but if you have that spray on hand you can quickly kill those first wasps and save lots of headaches later. Wasp spray is also a great defensive weapon. You can remain 15 feet away from an attacker  while spraying them and slowing them down. It may sound harsh but it’s better than becoming a victim. After a disaster you will have lots and lots of unwelcome creeping and crawling “visitor” so be prepared now to deal with them when they arrive.

For our store shelves we are adding 2 pounds of cheese per person to our store. Waxing cheese is easy to do and will preserve your cheese for years while it sits on a shelf in a cool, dark place. There are complete instructions in the September 2009 Newsletter.

Today’s Tip # 20: Place a flashlight and whistle next to or slightly under each bed in the house. It is a good idea, especially if you are in earthquake country, to place these in a plastic bag or other container which can be secured to the leg of the bed where it can be reached without getting out of bed.

If you would like a copy of Joyce’s Moseley Pierce’s ebook All They’ll Need to Know to help you prepare your important documents get it at the special price for Ready or Not listeners at:

http://emersonpublications.com/?page_id=197

Review…Tips

For more specifics about each tip please visit the former posts.

#1:  Find an out of area contact.

#2: Gather maps.  Get several different colors of highlighters and mark at least three different routes out of the city and  ending at the home of your out of area contact.

#3: Collect all your flashlights. Check  to make sure they are all working properly. Make note of any batteries you need to purchase.

#4  Post important phone numbers and your own address by each phone.

#5  Place a pair of good shoes under each bed where they can be reached in the middle of the night.

#6  Place a glow stick next to each bed.

# 7:  Listen to READY OR NOT. If you can’t listen tonight the show will be available for download at the same link as the live show. Hope to hear from you tonight!

# 8: Stash some cash, about $100.00, for each adult kit.

# 9 Inventory your kitchen, everything.

#10 Inventory your Family room/living room.

#11 Inventory your bedrooms.

#12 Inventory Office and formal dining room.

# 13 Inventory and update 72 hour kits. If you are just beginning collect back packs for every family member.

#14 Sort through medicine cabinet. Replace expired medications.

# 15  Copy your driver’s license, car insurance policy and birth certificates for your important documents file. We had a great show Tuesday night with tips and info about collecting important documents and just why it is so vital. If you missed the show download it and listen today.

#16 Inventory bathrooms and hall closets

#17 Inventory garage

#18 Make copies of your home owners or renters insurance.

#19 Make copies of the front and back of all credit cards and record the contact phone numbers for all cards on these copies.

To Listen to past broadcasts of READY OR NOT visit:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/search/carolyn-nicolaysen/

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

September Newsletter:

Let’s Play…a look at things to do during a power outage to keep sane.

Food Safety…keeping foods safe during a power outage.

Frozen Food During a Power Outage, when to save and when to throw away.

Dutch Oven Cooking…How to Control the Temperature

Haybox Cooking…one more way to cook when the grid goes down.

Recipes: This month all the recipes are from 1850. They are fun and easy to make and perfect during power emergencies, after all our great grandparents didn’t have electricity!

TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO WIN AN EMERGENCY KIT FROM HEALTHY HARVEST. LISTEN TO THE READY OR NOT with Joyce Moseley Pierce  FOR DETAILS !!!

Last month’s Foreclosure numbers are staggering. Nationwide there were 95,000 home foreclosures, up 25% from the numbers last year! The economy can not rebound until these numbers change dramatically. Food prices are still on the rise and no one really knows the implications of the wheat crisis in Russia. Please continue to stock up on food and learn to use and rotate the foods you store.

For those who may be new to Totally Ready I need to take a second to let you know we are not about fear here. We are about information so you can make decisions for your family which will enable you to be safe and to thrive no matter what challenges are thrown your way. As those who have been around for some time know, I have been concerned about a pandemic for several years. Then, it happened! However, the pandemic we experienced was not the dreaded H5N1 or bird flu, but rather the H1N1, swine flu. It was mild, which is actually a concern for me. I am worried everyone will now look at medical emergencies, such as super bugs and a pandemic flu as not a big deal. This is not the case. These can, in fact, be very deadly and we are still at risk for this emergency, historically, it is overdue. We still need to be gaining knowledge and preparing. If you are in need of great (ok I’m prejudice) information on how to prep for and treat medical emergencies, especially a flu, check out my ebook Prep Not Panic

“The drug-resistant bacteria are already a widespread problem in India, and all of the cases reported in the U.S. and Canada cases of this bug have been linked to people who recently received medical care in Indian facilities. Dozens of cases were also seen in Britain in people who had recently returned from India where they had undergone medical procedures. Because of it’s origins, scientists have named the gene NDM-1 after New Delhi.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. cases that occurred this year were seen in patients from California, Massachusetts and Illinois. And so far, the gene has mostly been found in bacteria that cause gut or urinary infections.

The CDC is urging doctors to look for the NDM-1 gene in people recently returning from India or Pakistan — countries that according to officials — have the right conditions for widespread transmission.”

It’s obvious we’re losing the war against these “superbugs,” even here in the U.S., and here are five reasons why…

1. Over utilization of antibiotics.

2. Using antibiotics as a “cure-all.”

3. Medical tourism.

4. Massive legal and illegal immigration.

5. Lack of research and development.

http://health.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/09/14/new-superbug-on-the-rise/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogs%2Fhealthblog+%28Internal+-+Health+-+Blog%29

Tips 16-19: Again we are going to work on things that will take a little time, thus a weekend task.

#16 Inventory bathrooms and hall closets

#17 Inventory garage

#18 Make copies of your home owners or renters insurance.

#19 Make copies of the front and back of all credit cards and record the contact phone numbers for all cards on these copies.

If you would like a copy of Joyce’s Moseley Pierce’s ebook All They’ll Need to Know to help you prepare your important documents get it at the special price for Ready or Not listeners at:

http://emersonpublications.com/?page_id=197

Review…Tips

For more specifics about each tip please visit the former posts.

#1:  Find an out of area contact.

#2: Gather maps.  Get several different colors of highlighters and mark at least three different routes out of the city and  ending at the home of your out of area contact.

#3: Collect all your flashlights. Check  to make sure they are all working properly. Make note of any batteries you need to purchase.

#4  Post important phone numbers and your own address by each phone.

#5  Place a pair of good shoes under each bed where they can be reached in the middle of the night.

#6  Place a glow stick next to each bed.

# 7:  Listen to READY OR NOT. If you can’t listen tonight the show will be available for download at the same link as the live show. Hope to hear from you tonight!

# 8: Stash some cash, about $100.00, for each adult kit.

# 9 Inventory your kitchen, everything.

#10 Inventory your Family room/living room.

#11 Inventory your bedrooms.

#12 Inventory Office and formal dining room.

# 13 Inventory and update 72 hour kits. If you are just beginning collect back packs for every family member.

#14 Sort through medicine cabinet. Replace expired medications.

# 15  Copy your driver’s license, car insurance policy and birth certificates for your important documents file. We had a great show Tuesday night with tips and info about collecting important documents and just why it is so vital. If you missed the show download it and listen today.

To Listen to past broadcasts of READY OR NOT visit:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/search/carolyn-nicolaysen/

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

September Newsletter:

Let’s Play…a look at things to do during a power outage to keep sane.

Food Safety…keeping foods safe during a power outage.

Frozen Food During a Power Outage, when to save and when to throw away.

Dutch Oven Cooking…How to Control the Temperature

Haybox Cooking…one more way to cook when the grid goes down.

Recipes: This month all the recipes are from 1850. They are fun and easy to make and perfect during power emergencies, after all our great grandparents didn’t have electricity!

I am busily trying to wrap up the loose ends for my new book. With that and the radio show it seems there are fewer hours in a day then there were a few weeks ago. Anyone else notice the days are getting shorter?

Let’s just jump right into our General Store preparations. This week we are adding dish washing detergent. If you use a dish washer purchase a three month supply of the detergent you use. You will however, want to also store a three month supply of liquid detergent. If you are called upon to live off the grid due to a solar flare or EMP there will be no dishwashers to use. Winter is also approaching and that means an increase in power outages so, again, get ready and add both forms of dish washing detergent to the cleaning supplies section of your General Store.

For those working of food storage in your General Store this is a week to store veggies. Stock up on 10 cans per family member. If you like frozen foods a 16oz. bag equals 2 cans. Be sure to store canned along with frozen just in case your emergency includes a power outage which spoils your frozen foods.

It’s also a great time to ask friends and family if they have extra vegetables in their gardens. By this time in the gardening season most gardeners have canned all they want for the year and they are more than happy to supply you.

Tip # 13 We are not done with our inventory but we will wait and do more later giving you time to catch up if you have gotten a little behind. Today let’s check out our 72 hour kits. Today gather your kits and empty the contents. Throw away any expired food and medications. Check clothing to make sure it is the correct size. Check flashlights and radios to make sure batteries have not leaked and are still good. Replace anything that needs replacing. If you don’t already have a 72 hour kit begin one today by gathering all the extra backpacks you have laying around. Your goal is one per person.

Tomorrow’s radio show will be a great one as I speak with author Joyce Moseley Pierce about the important documents we should all have gathered and recorded.  Joyce is allowing me to give away copies of her ebook All They’ll Need to Know to everyone who calls in with a question. We also have an office/auto kit from Healthy Harvest to give away to a lucky listener. Plan now to join us every Tuesday night at 6:00pm Pacific time for READY OR NOT

Review…Tips

For more specifics about each tip please visit the former posts.

#1:  Find an out of area contact.

#2: Gather maps.  Get several different colors of highlighters and mark at least three different routes out of the city and  ending at the home of your out of area contact.

#3: Collect all your flashlights. Check  to make sure they are all working properly. Make note of any batteries you need to purchase.

#4  Post important phone numbers and your own address by each phone.

#5  Place a pair of good shoes under each bed where they can be reached in the middle of the night.

#6  Place a glow stick next to each bed.

# 7:  Listen to READY OR NOT. If you can’t listen tonight the show will be available for download at the same link as the live show. Hope to hear from you tonight!

# 8: Stash some cash, about $100.00, for each adult kit.

# 9 Inventory your kitchen, everything.

#10 Inventory your Family room/living room.

#11 Inventory your bedrooms.

#12 Inventory Office and formal dining room.

To Listen to past broadcasts of READY OR NOT visit:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/09/08/ready-or-not–carolyn-nicolaysen

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

September Newsletter:

Let’s Play…a look at things to do during a power outage to keep sane.

Food Safety…keeping foods safe during a power outage.

Frozen Food During a Power Outage, when to save and when to throw away.

Dutch Oven Cooking…How to Control the Temperature

Haybox Cooking…one more way to cook when the grid goes down.

Recipes: This month all the recipes are from 1850. They are fun and easy to make and perfect during power emergencies, after all our great grandparents didn’t have electricity!

Tuesday night on READY OR NOT we talked a little about fires and the fact that they can happen to any of us at any time. This week we have seen proof.

Firefighters were called to the blaze in Great Kills Park, in Staten Island, where two brush fires erupted yesterday. Today’s fire went to four alarms but no major injuries or damage to property was reported. No evacuations were necessary, according to the fire department.

In Boulder Colorado, residents evacuated from the Boulder Heights, Pine Brook Hills and Carriage Hills neighborhoods were being let back into their homes. But at 12:30 p.m., the Sheriff’s Office reinstated the mandatory evacuation order after an updated weather forecast predicted wind gusts of up to 50 mph.

Tuesday’s fires in Detroit swept though several neighborhoods, including some that were well-tended and others filled with deteriorating vacant houses and weed-filled lots. Detroit Fire Commissioner James Mack said it was the worst spate of fires since the 1980s, when firefighters regularly battled hundreds of arsons on the night before Halloween. No injuries were reported, but people in some charred areas complained that firefighters took as much as 90 minutes to respond. funding has been cut for firefighters and the effects were evident. Eight five structures were lost.

Fire can and do happen everywhere. If you were forced to evacuate your home what would you take? I have thought about this quite a bit and of course the usual come to mind, photos, journals, and 72 hour kits so I would have my important docs and a few other vital supplies. But what else? My grandma’s engagement ring and one of a kind family photos on the wall.

I was speaking with a reader yesterday and she said she would take her recipes. It reminded me of another friend whose home burned three years ago. When I called to lend my support one of the first things she said was, I lost all my recipes. Friends got together and made a recipe book but we had no idea what she had in her’s. We could only share our favorites.

If you had to evacuate quickly have you thought about what you would take? Please share with us what that would be.

Tip # 9 Since we are talking about fire today let’s take a step in preparing for a fire, just in case. Today take digital pictures of everything in your kitchen, everything. Open every door, every drawer, the oven, anywhere you have anything stored. Be sure to take a shot of each wall so you get anything hung on the wall. In the event of a fire or any other disaster which damages or destroys your home, the insurance company will ask for proof of the items you are claiming and wanting replaced.

Review…Tips

For more specifics about each tip please visit the former posts.

#1:  Find an out of area contact.

#2: Gather maps.  Get several different colors of highlighters and mark at least three different routes out of the city and  ending at the home of your out of area contact.

#3: Collect all your flashlights. Check  to make sure they are all working properly. Make note of any batteries you need to purchase.

#4  Post important phone numbers and your own address by each phone.

#5  Place a pair of good shoes under each bed where they can be reached in the middle of the night.

#6  Place a glow stick next to each bed.

# 7:  Listen to READY OR NOT. If you can’t listen tonight the show will be available for download at the same link as the live show. Hope to hear from you tonight!

# 8: Stash some cash, about $100.00, for each adult kit.

To Listen to READY OR NOT visit:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/09/08/ready-or-not–carolyn-nicolaysen

Back tomorrow with numbers 10- through 12!

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

September Newsletter:

Let’s Play…a look at things to do during a power outage to keep sane.

Food Safety…keeping foods safe during a power outage.

Frozen Food During a Power Outage, when to save and when to throw away.

Dutch Oven Cooking…How to Control the Temperature

Haybox Cooking…one more way to cook when the grid goes down.

Recipes: This month all the recipes are from 1850. They are fun and easy to make and perfect during power emergencies, after all our great grandparents didn’t have electricity!

If you missed my radio show last night it is now ready to download so please go and listen and please let me know what you think and what you would like to hear next.

For our money saving tip this week I have been thinking food. I have posted many tips for saving money on food and specifically food storage. On September 21st I will be visiting with a couponing expert on my show READY OR NOT. Please tune in to that show as I am a self confessed non couponer and I have given her the challenge of converting me. Even if you have never considered using coupons I am sure there will be tips you can use.

The tip for today for saving money is to learn to cook from scratch. Now by that I mean make things on your own but not necessarily by dragging out the flour and sugar and baking powder. If your store has regular sales on brownie mix for 99 cents that is cheaper than buying the individual ingredients and far…cheaper then buying a tray of brownies and even cheaper than those that come in that little box for $1.29. With an inexpensive brownie mix you have the makings for many many desserts. If, however, you’re making a casserole it is cheaper to purchase the ingredients and make them from scratch. Bread is much, much, cheaper to make than to purchase. In the April 2010 issue of the newsletter there is a recipe for the Easiest Ever Bread. That bread, which require no previous experience and no kneading, costs 30 cents to make. Yep, that’s right only 30 cents, when was the last time you paid 30 cents for a loaf of bread? If you use a loaf of bread a week you could save over $100.00 a year, just on bread! The bread looks just like the picture above and tastes great! I will devote the October Newsletter to easy, yummy and inexpensive recipes and tips for those wanting to gain more skills. This week try making something from scratch that you have never made before. Questions? Please ask!

Tip # 8: Stash some cash. To this point our tips have been free so now is the day for a little investment. Put away a few dollars each week until you have a small stash for your emergency evacuation kit. You should have about $100.00 in each adult kit. This should be in small denomination bills, nothing larger than a 10. This money will then be available for small purchases when there are no ATMs and credit card services available. If you have $100.00 to invest right now go to the bank and get a variety of small bills and place them in your kits. If you need time add to your stash each month until you have enough.

Review…Tips

#1:  Find an out of area contact.

#2: Gather maps.  Get several different colors of highlighters and mark at least three different routes out of the city and  ending at the home of your out of area contact.

#3: Collect all your flashlights. Check  to make sure they are all working properly. Make note of any batteries you need to purchase.

#4  Post important phone numbers and your own address by each phone.

#5  Place a pair of good shoes under each bed where they can be reached in the middle of the night.

#6  Place a glow stick next to each bed.

# 7:  Listen to READY OR NOT. If you can’t listen tonight the show will be available for download at the same link as the live show. Hope to hear from you tonight!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/09/08/ready-or-not–carolyn-nicolaysen

Back tomorrow with number nine!

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

September Newsletter:

Let’s Play…a look at things to do during a power outage to keep sane.

Food Safety…keeping foods safe during a power outage.

Frozen Food During a Power Outage, when to save and when to throw away.

Dutch Oven Cooking…How to Control the Temperature

Haybox Cooking…one more way to cook when the grid goes down.

Recipes: This month all the recipes are from 1850. They are fun and easy to make and perfect during power emergencies, after all our great grandparents didn’t have electricity!

Tip # 7: Since a crucial part of self reliance is information your tip for today is the listen to READY OR NOT. If you can’t listen tonight the show will be available for download at the same link as the live show. Hope to hear from you tonight!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/09/08/ready-or-not–carolyn-nicolaysen

Review…Tips

#1:  Find an out of area contact.

#2: Gather maps.  Get several different colors of highlighters and mark at least three different routes out of the city and  ending at the home of your out of area contact.

#3: Collect all your flashlights. Check  to make sure they are all working properly. Make note of any batteries you need to purchase.

#4 Post important phone numbers and your own address by each phone.

#5 Place a pair of good shoes under each bed where they can be reached in the middle of the night.

#6 Place a glow stick next to each bed.

Back tomorrow with number eight!

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

September Newsletter:

Let’s Play…a look at things to do during a power outage to keep sane.

Food Safety…keeping foods safe during a power outage.

Frozen Food During a Power Outage, when to save and when to throw away.

Dutch Oven Cooking…How to Control the Temperature

Haybox Cooking…one more way to cook when the grid goes down.

Recipes: This month all the recipes are from 1850. They are fun and easy to make and perfect during power emergencies, after all our great grandparents didn’t have electricity!

**ONE** day until my new radio show!! Don’t forget to let me know what you’d like to hear! Would you like to be a guest on the show?

*****I am looking for callers who would like to participate in an online consultation.*****

Get all your questions answered for the needs of your family, not generalities, specific to your family size, needs, budget, and space.

Send me a note and we’ll make it happen! carolyn@TotallyReady.com

To call in the number is: 347-326-9604

Listen 6:00pm Pacific time every Tuesday at Preparednessradionetwork

Saturday I spent the morning gleaning tomatoes and the afternoon making salsa out for about 1/5 of them. That leaves the rest for today! Yikes! I decided I didn’t want to post over the weekend as it was a holiday and I know people never check their email on those days. Then I asked why post on the weekend at all? Since I promised you thirty things to do to prepare this month I will post three things to do each Friday and then you can do them all on Friday  or Saturday and still have Sunday for church and family. So..new plan. I have been far too distracted trying to get everything organized for the new radio show TOMORROW night. I can’t believe it! Please be sure to turn in and call and say hello or ask a question.

We are not going to ignore our General Store this week. As I picked up items for my salsa I noticed again, as usual all the picnic supplies are on sale this week. Ketchup was 40% off! We will take advantage of that be adding ketchup, mayo, and mustard to our General Store this week. You should know how much to store if you have marked your bottles with the date so you would know how much you actually use during the course of a month. Use that as a guide as to how much to purchase. If you have not done this yet purchase at least one of each for now.

For those working on year two we are adding non food items this year. This week add deodorant enough for three months. Add enough for each person in your home. Again, this is an item you should have dated so you know how much you actually use during the month. Now multiply that by three and you will have a three month supply. now, for out tips.

Review…

Tip

#1:  Find an out of area contact.

#2: Gather maps.  Get several different colors of highlighters and mark at least three different routes out of the city and  ending at the home of your out of area contact.

#3: Collect all your flashlights. Check  to make sure they are all working properly. Make note of any batteries you need to purchase.

New tips:

#4 Post important phone numbers by each phone. Numbers should include: Doctor, dentist, optometrist, poison control, animal poison control, hospital, police, fire department, clergy, trusted neighbor, and out of area contact. Be sure to include your address as in an emergency you may not be placing the call and a visitor to your home or babysitter, won’t know your address.

#5 Place a pair of good shoes under each bed where they can be reached in the middle of the night. Whether it be an earthquake, tornado, sudden flood or wildfire, or a home fire you will not want to be walking around in bare feet.

#6 Place a glow stick next to each bed. Glow sticks are perfect for seeing your way around should there be a power outage or other crisis during the night. You will need to teach the kids only to use it in case of emergency but you can make a deal with them and have others available, just in case. Flashlights batteries may run down if the kids decide to play with them or read after lights out but you will be able to tell if a glow stick has been used. You can often find these at the dollar store and online.

Back tomorrow with number seven!

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

September Newsletter:

Let’s Play…a look at things to do during a power outage to keep sane.

Food Safety…keeping foods safe during a power outage.

Frozen Food During a Power Outage, when to save and when to throw away.

Dutch Oven Cooking…How to Control the Temperature

Haybox Cooking…one more way to cook when the grid goes down.

Recipes: This month all the recipes are from 1850. They are fun and easy to make and perfect during power emergencies, after all our great grandparents didn’t have electricity!

Many have fallen into the trap of thinking they can’t when it comes to self reliance and emergency preparedness. That is just not true. Anyone, and everyone, can and should be setting goals and becoming better prepared to handle life’s challenges. When we fail to prepare and an emergency hits that challenge is magnified by the fact that we just don’t know what to do. Some give up and let the government or family worry about the problem. Some sink into deep depressions and make very poor choices. The truly wise call a friend and ask for help in pulling themselves out and preparing so a crisis can never catch them off guard again.

I am often told by people that they don’t have the money to prepare. Many preparations don’t take money, just a little time. I have been told they don’t have room to store food or supplies. Sure you do. I have discussed this at length here and in our newsletters and it is always a huge part of the discussion when I do a personal consultation. You just need to learn to think like those designers on TV who redo small apartments. I have seen them do wonders with 400 square feet. You can do the same and we can help.

Yesterday was a very upsetting day for me. My computer was giving me all sorts of trouble and my newsletter was lost. I apologize to all our subscribers for being a day late and also to you that I did not get our second of 30 tips posted. I do not want to get behind so today you get two!

Review…

Tip #1:  Find an out of area contact.

Today’s Tips

#2: Since we are still worried about hurricane Earl hitting the east coast today we are going to gather maps. Take time today to go through the glove box, file cabinet or other hidden places and pull out all the maps you have lying around. Get several different colors of highlighters and mark at least three different routes out of the city in which you live and end at the home of your out of area contact. If you can’t find maps call your city Chamber of Commerce or check your state’s government website and see if they can mail you free maps. You can also go on line and print maps there.

#3: Collect all the flashlights in your home, car and and hidden recesses. Check  to make sure they are all working properly. Make note of any batteries you need to purchase. Remove the batteries from all except the one you use often and store them with the flashlight but not in it. In the car your batteries should be in a plastic bag inside your auto kit along with the flashlight but never inside it. Batteries can explode or leak ruining your flashlight. I always keep two sets of batteries just in case one set has a leaker. I have had this happen twice within the past year and one of the batteries was in a flashlight I used often and it was ruined.

There you go, three tips, all free and all easily accomplished.

Our September Newsletter is out and I think it’s a great one! In this edition:

Let’s Play…a look at things to do during a power outage to keep sane.

Food Safety…keeping foods safe during a power outage.

Frozen Food During a Power Outage, when to save and when to throw away.

Dutch Oven Cooking…How to Control the Temperature

Haybox Cooking…one more way to cook when the grid goes down.

Recipes: This month all the recipes are from 1850. They are fun and easy to make and perfect during power emergencies, after all our great grandparents didn’t have electricity!

If you are on the east coast of the United States be sure to check out the preparing for Hurricane Earl post!

**Five Days** until my new radio show!! Don’t forget to let me know what you’d like to hear! Would you like to be a guest on the show?

*****I am looking for callers who would like to participate in an online consultation.*****

Get all your questions answered for the needs of your family, not generalities, specific to your family size, needs, budget, and space.

Send me a note and we’ll make it happen! carolyn@TotallyReady.com

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

I’m changing all the recommendation for our General Store today  aware that the east coast should be preparing for hurricane Earl to make landfall, just in case. Right now Earl is a CAT 3 hurricane and by the time most of you read this I am sure it will be a 4. I remember living through a hurricane as a child in New Jersey.  Hurricanes are not as frequent in that area but I remember hunkering down in the basement for hours as the storm passed and then going out to see trees down and a huge mess of branches, debris and neighbors’ belongings in our yard. At present weather forecasters are still concerned that all east coast residents, especially those further north than North Carolina review their evacuation and other emergency plans. The storm may turn east and the worst may go out to sea but even a nor’easter will leave plenty of damage. What should you be doing right now to prepare?

1. Review your evacuation plan. If you are near the coast and the storm does pass over you evacuation will be necessary to avoid the tidal waves and damage from flooding as well as winds. You may also be ordered to leave if the eye will pass over your area. Prepare to leave.Get out those maps now and mark several routes out of town so when the order comes to evacuate you are ready to pack up and go. Your GPS should not be counted on for guidance.

2. Remove everything from your yard that may blow away. A category 3 hurricane can lift heavy tables, flower pots, swing sets, out door lighting, just about everything, be aggressive and remove anything that may become air-born and fly through a window. Outdoor solar lightning is a great light source during a power outage. Gather them into one place and leave them in the sun to charge as long as possible, just don’t forget to  bring them in before the blowing begins.

3. If you have trees with limbs that could potentially reach a window if blown hard, trim them now.

4. Move your cars into the garage.

5. Collect flashlights, glow sticks, and candles. Get out your solar, crank or battery radio. Be sure you have enough fresh batteries to last several days.

6. Gather your important papers (mortgage, insurance, birth certificates, pink slips, etc.), family photos, heirlooms, 72 hour kits, clothing and hygiene supplies so they can be quickly moved to your car.

7. Backup your computer files to a disk or off site.

8. Fill your gas tank.

9. Wash all the laundry so you start out with clean clothing and bedding in case the power is out for an extended period of time.

10. Cook. Make a few meals such as soups and stews that will be easy to reheat on an improvised cooker or camp stove. Freeze them so they will last longer. A well stocked freezer will keep foods frozen for up to three days. If you have room in the freezer add plastic containers of water to keep the temperature colder longer. These can then be used for drinking or cooking as they defrost. There are directions in past newsletters and on the blog for making paint can cookers and tuna can heaters. If you have not done that and do not have a camp stove with plenty of propane look up those directions and get busy.

11. Get some cash in small denominations. When the power is out so are ATM and credit card machines.

12. Discuss your plans with your family and prepare them. Be sure they understand what to do if they are at school or work when an evacuation is ordered.

13. Notify your out of state contact and inform them of your plans to evacuate to their home. This will give them time to stock up on a few extra supplies.

14. Renew any prescriptions that may run out in the next two weeks.

15. Gather your cleaning supplies and fill in any gaps. We will add a few to our General Store this week but you will need more so check your supplies carefully.

16. Fill everything in your home that will hold water with water. Wait until just before the storm hits to fill your bath tub. You can use this water to clean and bathe but not drink. Purchase bottled water if your water storage is low.

17. Check your pantry and make sure you have plenty of easily prepared canned foods. Remember dehydrated and freeze dried foods need water to be reconstituted and you may not have water. You will also not want foods that don’t need to be cooked but rather store those that just need heating. You will want to conserve your fuel sources. Sandwiches, canned soups and stews are good. Don’t forget snack foods, especially if your have children. They will help keep the peace. Never, Never use your barbecue inside your home! If you must use a barbecue only use it in the garage with the door open and the cars pulled out.

18. Plan for sanitation. How will you handle bathroom needs if you have no water to flush. If you have a camping port-a-potty or a potty seat and a bucket get them out and set up an area in the garage. If you are in an apartment then set it up in a bathroom but the garage will keep the odors at bay.

19. Pull out that old plug in telephone. Portable phones will not work when the power is out. Cell phones will be jammed and are often taken over for emergency purposes.

20. Check with elderly and disabled neighbors and friends and make sure they have a plan.

If you have never thought about some of these things don’t you wish you had? You still have a few days to prepare so take that time to ask questions and learn. Ask friends. Ask our yahoo group. Ask me (carolyn@TotallyReady.com). As the storm gets closer store shelves will empty very quickly so please don’t wait.

This week we will be adding work gloves, at least one pair per family member, and disinfectant cleaners to our General Store. After a storm water will be contaminated and everything that has been touched by storm water will need to be disinfected before use.

For those working on the food shelves of their General Store we were going to add condiments this week since they are on sale for Labor Day picnics but I noticed we have not added gains yet and those who may get caught in this storm will need those more than condiments.  This week add six pounds of grains per family member. If you are on the east coast make some of them bread and crackers that can be eaten without cooking. For others add oats, rice, wheat, barley, pasta, any grain your family likes to eat. Variety is important to avoid appetite fatigue so don’t purchase just one variety.

Please tweet, facebook, email or share this post in any way possible with your family and friends on the east coast. They may think you are a little nuts but they will be grateful later or they will be ready to listen next time! We will hope and pray the storm turns out to sea, but just in case…

Eight Days until my new radio show!! Don’t forget to let me know what you’d like to hear! Would you like to be a guest on the show?

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

Heat waves are dangerous and they are deadly. Rolling blackouts and power outages are a real possibility and make matters even worse. There are things you can do to make the time safer for your friends and family. Don’t wait to take action. Do it now.

Following are a few steps you can take to help make heat waves a little more bearable:

1. It’s O.K. to raid your 72 hour kit… That’s right, 72 hour kits are not just for earthquakes and hurricanes but for any emergency. Your kit should include Instant Cold Packs. Place them on the neck or forehead for the best results. Mylar Blankets placed in the sunniest windows will cut down on the heat entering your home. Move the blankets as the sun moves or just leave them in place. These blankets are also large enough to cover a sliding door without piecing. You will be amazed at how quickly the temperature in a room will drop when you cover your windows with these blankets. Mylar blankets are also great to use outdoors to create shade as they reflect the sun’s rays. do this now and if the power fails you will be able to keep your home cool longer.
2. Get wet. Take a shower and don’t dry your hair, take a dip in the pool and don’t dry off (if the pool is in the sun don’t stay in too long), run through a sprinkler, keep a spray bottle nearby and mist your face (also great for your complexion), use wet compresses on your neck or head, keep a wet washcloth by your bed to cool yourself through the night, wrap your head in a wet bandanna, or soak your feet.
3. Drink lots of water, lemonade or juices, but never anything with caffeine or alcohol as these will raise your body temperature. Sodas will only increase your thirst. Popsicles are also a great way to stay hydrated. If you are thirsty, you have waited too long to drink.
4. Eat cold foods. This is the time to eat sandwiches, salads and other foods that are not heated. Avoid large portions of protein foods as they will increase body temperature. Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
5. Cook outdoors if you feel you must have a hot meal. Crock pot cooking is also a great way to keep the heat outside. If you don’t have outside spaces, plug in your crock pot in a room you are not using such as the laundry room.
6. Keep blinds and curtains closed.
7. Move activities, including eating and sleeping, to the coolest room in the house. This will normally be on the lowest level of your home and in a room with an exposure that does not receive direct sunlight.
8. This is one time when you shouldn’t be concerned with how much television the family watches. Play board games or read, but don’t be too active.
9. Use your outdoor umbrellas outside the windows receiving direct sun. Outdoor canopies, tarps, and dining flies also work well.
10. Wear loose, light colored clothing.
11. Sit next to a fan. Remember fans do not cool the air, they only move it. You become cooler as the moisture on your skin evaporates. This is the reason you want to stay wet!
12. Skip the exercise routine and working outside.
13. Go Shopping! No kidding. Go to the grocery store or mall and window shop. Taking in a movie or going bowling are also “cool” pastimes.
14. The elderly, young children, pregnant women and those taking diuretics are most vulnerable to heat related emergencies. If a member of your family is taking any medications, check with your doctor or pharmacist to determine if they are more susceptible to the affects of the heat.
15. Check on housebound and elderly – neighbors and friends – and get them to a cooling center. Be sure there is a plan for their care when the cooling center closes. Many centers close for the night. Nighttime can be the most dangerous time of the day. We assume the temperature will be lower at night, but this is not always the case – especially in the city. All those roads and sidewalks retain heat during the day and as they release it at night the temperature remains high. Same thing for suburban congestion – several homes on an acre of land with homes just a few feet from each other is a bad idea.
16. Visit a friend or relative out of town. The temperature in the city is usually several degrees higher then the temperature in a country setting.
17. Watch for heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. (see yesterday’s post)
18. Turn off lights and the computer in the rooms you are trying to cool down.
19. When it cools down at night, if it cools down, open all the windows. Close them again mid morning as it starts to heat up.
20. Never leave children or pets in a parked car, even with the windows open. The temperature in a car, with the windows open, can reach 120º F within a few minutes.
21. If you are stranded in your car, place mylar blankets on the roof and over the windshield and rear window, on the outside of the car. Weight them down with rocks or anything you have on hand. You can also secure them by closing them into the door. Keep the windows open. The mylar blankets will reflect the sun, greatly reducing the heat.
22. Remember your pets. (see yesterday’s post)
23. If you need to go outside, wear a wide brimmed hat and sunscreen.
24. Find a cooling center by calling the police department or fire department.

Heat-related emergencies are very serious. Add a power outage and the results are deadly. Protect yourself now by accumulating items which will help through the emergency and learn how to use them. Teach your family members the dangers and warning signs now.

Check out today’s show with Halli!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/idahotalk/2010/08/06/guest-carolyn-nicolaysen-preparedness-expert (solar activity, power outages and stocking a General Store)

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Back issues: Totally Ready Newsletters July 2009- June 2010

My discussion with Doctor Prepper all about food storage part 1. .http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/07/08/doctor-prepper-show

Doctor Prepper show all about food storage part 2. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/doctorprepper/2010/07/20/doctor-prepper-show

Talk with Halli: food storage and current financial outlook. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/idahotalk/2010/07/16/hfalli-friends