September 09, 2008 4 Comments

Can you believe the turmoil in global economies right now? We are not alone in this mess. No one is to blame and everyone is toblame, but blame gets us nowhere. Right now the only question we should be asking is what we can do to make sure our families are protected as much as possible. We have talked about 72 hour kits, auto kits, disaster preparations for our home, food storage and so much more.

This past week my son had the opportunity to help a family in Texas as they began recovery from hurricane Ike. He traveled with a group of men from Church and they cut down and cut up trees which had fallen on a home. They cut it into small pieces so FEMA would pick it up. They had a challenge getting home as the gas stations were still without power, as was the whole town. Do you think those people would be laughing at our stash of glow sticks? How do you think they feel about a home inventory? What about food storage? They still have a home, at least part of a home that is habitable, but the stores are empty or closed. I’ll be food storage would not seem foolish to them. Yes, this can happen to any of us, and we will be ready! This week:

1. Add anti bacterial ointment to your first aid kits. These do expire so check the ones you already have to make sure they are still current. During the cleanup process after a disaster you will want to make sure you have this available as there will be plenty of rusty nails and other dangers which may cause injury.

2. Purchase or set aside a container for your Grab and Go Kit. A large duffel bag or a 5 gallon bucket both work well. The bucket can be used as the bottom of a port-a-potty. These buckets do not have to be new.

3. Copy your mortgage and homeowners insurance policies and add them to your 72 hour kits. Be sure to add a copy of each to the envelope you are preparing to mail to your out of state contact. I can not stress enough how important these papers are. Please be sure you copy your important documents. You will never be sorry you took the time.

4. Prepare now to wash clothes without electricity. I have a friend who loves to hang her wash on a wash line in the backyard. She loves the way they smell. I remember hanging clothes, and then I got spoiled. I am prepared to wash clothing and dry it just in case there is a prolonged power outage. There are still over a million people without electricity in Ohio and Texas today, as well as other areas, a week after hurricane Ike passed through. You will need a method for washing. I purchased a good old wash board. You will also need liquid laundry detergent or a bar of laundry soap. Once your clothes are washed they will need to be dried. I remember when we were young my sister and I would each grab an end of a piece of laundry and we would both turn it to the right and ring it out before hanging. You will need a rope and clothes pins and the hardware to secure the rope to your home, a pole or a tree.

5. Add work gloves to all your kits, 72 hour, car and Grab and Go. When cleaning after a disaster they will wear out so don’t skimp and decide you don’t need them in a 72 hour kit as long as you have a pair in the car. If you are ever stranded in your car during the winter they will keep your hands warm as well as being a great asset when changing a tire or digging out from a snow bank. Check out the Blog Readers Special this week.

6. Meet with your family and discuss what you will do if you are separated from each other, both during a disaster or just on a visit to Disneyland.. Where will you meet? Who should a child go to for help? Do they know their full name and address and mom and dad’s names? Are all the family phone numbers memorized?

7. Add one can of protein per family member to your food storage. If you want some suggestions for protein sources check your inventory list in your Mother Hubbard:What She’s Doing Now ebook.

Good Luck!

Before the Disaster, E books, Food storage, Natural Disasters, Seven Steps, where to begin food storage

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