December 12, 2008
As we wake this morning there are still over 100,000 without power after an ice storm in the north eastern United States. There were originally over 1.2 million without power. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. This has contributed to my post today as I wonder as we enter winter in the northern hemisphere and summer in the southern if we really are ready for a power outage. So this week let’s try to find out.
#1. Set aside a time this week to go without electricity. If it is 20 below, even better. Nothing will help us to understand where we still need to work on our preparations than trying it out. Our advantage now, if we really get into trouble and find we are completely unprepared we can flip a switch and get the heat or air conditioner going. When the emergency really arrives we will not have that luxury. Decide today when your drill will occur. It should be at a time when family members are at home. Place tape over the light switches, a note on the TV and microwave and live without for at least a few hours. Make note of any real inconveniences you need to address later. Remember if you are on a well you will be without water and without the use of the toilet, at least you will need to be prepared with water to flush. Keep track of what you discover. If your children have a Christmas break this week or next it is the perfect time to get them involved and to get a real picture of what life would be like with no TV, internet, or game stations to amuse them. Fight the urge to “just use the heat or air conditioner”. You will discover which rooms can be closed off and where you need to think of ways to cut down on the heat (or cool air, for you summer folks) going out or unwanted drafts coming in.
#2. Prepare a hot meal without electricity. You may need to be creative in the way you use your fireplace, outdoor grill or outdoor fire pit. Again a fun thing to do with kids.
#3. Check your smoke and carbon dioxide detectors to be sure they are working and have fresh batteries.
#4. Check your battery supplies. You know someone will get a Christmas of Hanukkah gift that requires them. Now is a good time to make sure you have plenty in case of a power outage.
#5. Add paper products to your emergency supply. You know you will need extra when family and friends visit this holiday season so purchase twice what you think you will really need.
#6. Spend an hour with your kids talking about money. Yuk! I know, but if we want to raise kids who are self reliant and who have their priorities straight we need to take every opportunity to educate them. This season is the perfect time to talk about making sacrifices of what we WANT now, so we are prepared to buy what we NEED later. Help them to understand there may not always be money to purchase all our heart’s desires and we need to work and budget and have a plan. When we complete our Seven Steps in a few weeks I will begin talking about how we can raise self reliant children. Being prepared for emergencies is an important part of the plan if we truly want to be able to care for all our family needs when the going gets tough. My generation raised some very dependent children who have felt entitled. Now the 20 and 30 somethings are discovering that was not good parenting. On behalf of my generation, I’m sorry. Let’s do better going forward. The happiest 20 and 30 somethings I know are the ones who know how to work hard, save what they earn, look for bargains and wait for what they want rather than charging it. So start this week to set the stage for self reliance in our kids, next year.
#7. Copy the Pandemic Patient Form and add it to your pandemic section of your binder.
Click here to download the Pandemic Patient Report Form
Please report back what you discover this week about yourself and your preparations.
I always keep my car 1/2 full of gas. I bought a generic generator to run 3 house hold appliances. A light, radio, refrigerator. I go outside and shut off my mail electrical switch for safety reasons first. I can switch electrical plugs from room to room or refrigerator to freezer as needed. I have 2 BBQ’s, one propane the other coal use also a camping stove and a “jet Boil” for hand held propane use for any liquids,soup,etc. I have 2 hand generated flashlights that don’t use batteries. If your in a Apt complex etc you can get the above but a smaller generator with a safety shut off to put on your patio. I have 3 electrical cords and a splitter to plug all 3 cords into. Of course this is not all for me, my neighbors are welcome to use anything I have to keep them healthy until the crisis is over.