Tip of the Week…Preparing for Emergencies for City Dwellers,Part 3…Civil Unrest
Our April Newsletter is out so if you have subscribed and did not receive one please let me know. April’s issue includes:
General Store: Items stored as of April 1st
Tips of the Week: Expanded for the month of March
Storing Food Safely
Containers Appropriate for food storage
Containers NOT appropriate for food storage
Dutch Oven Cooking: How to Purchase a Dutch Oven; How to Season a Dutch Oven
Recipes: Bread Recipes: Dutch oven cooking from breakfast to dessert
On to our tips…When I was young I experienced the horror of civil unrest. It was during the age of race riots and people were actually sent into the city where I lived to insight unrest. It was very frightening. We could hear gun fire at night and knew no one was safe out on the streets. My parents bought a big dog and endured many sleepless nights with a baseball bat close at hand. For those who live in the city this is a real concern when planning for an emergency. After every disaster we have witnessed some of this lawless behavior.
Many times people who feel entitled loot and burn stores. They threaten those who are trying to escape the area. Occasionally we see these groups invade homes, but usually they focus on stores where there is much greater to collect. When the time comes that there is a major disaster and the store shelves are empty where will these people go? They will be hungry and they will attack anyone they believe may have food and supplies. Obviously, this is of much greater concern in the city than it is in the suburbs. There are things to do now to prepare.
Last week we talked about getting to know your neighbors and making plans with some of them. I would not make a big announcement of my intent and preparations but I would approach people individually. Preparing together serves two purposes, first you don’t have to store everything, you can share, and secondly if your home is invaded or becomes uninhabitable you have a place nearby to seek help and refuge.
After a disaster plan to lay low: Don’t run out to stock up on milk or other perishables. This makes you an obvious target, you are taking home food and you have money. If you don’t have it, do without. Now, if you know a storm is coming everyone will be stocking up so by all means, go stock up.Only if the disaster is sudden and unexpected should you stay put.
Be prepared to be sneaky: If you have a generator and can run a computer or your fridge, do so during the day. Use glow sticks and flashlights at night and if you must use the computer after dark close all the blinds so no one can see that recognizable blue light that it emits.
Whatever your supplies make it look as if you are struggling as much as everyone else. Don’t do anything to single out your family. As your food defrosts, if you are going to use a grill to cook, fill it as full as possible and cook everything at once. Everyone will be cooking up their freezer stash the first few days. You will want to have your food cooked and ready to just reheat after these initial few days. Nothing will cause people to show up on your doorstep like the smell of meat being grilled.
Cover your windows so passers by or those in the apartment opposite yours can’t see what you have. I love mylar blankets for this purpose. Tape them in your window and they will keep out lots of heat during the summer as well as providing privacy any time of the year. No one will be able to see into your home but you will be able to see out.
If you fear roving bands make it look like your home has already been ransacked. Scratch up the door and the lock so it looks like someone has already looted your home. This is the time your HAM radio license will be of great value. You will know the frequencies to monitor and you will hear of dangers in your neighborhood and you will be able to alert the authorities as you observe lawless behaviors.
Have an escape plan. If you are plan to evacuate the city do so immediately. Don’t wait to see what happens. If you have warning of an impending disaster do not wait until authorities say it is time to go, just go. Too often, especially for those leaving a large city, traffic jams can make an hour drive turn into three or four. This uses up gas, makes tempers rise and means potty breaks you could avoid by going early thus being on the road less time. Yes, potty breaks. This may seem silly but every time you have to stop you are in danger of not being able to get back on the road and you risk being hassled by those looking for food or money because they failed to plan. Remember we are focusing on civil unrest today. You are the safest when you are in your car so make every provision you can to remain on the road once you have made the decision to leave.
I’m sure you are wondering about now why I have not mentioned ways in which to defend yourself. First, if you can avoid confrontation that is always safest for you and your family. Second, because I have made it a policy never to advise anyone to purchase a _____ or _____, you get the idea. I do not want the responsibility either moral or legal if an accident should occur. Defending your castle is a matter for your own training, family circumstances and moral compass.
There will be civil unrest after a disaster. Plan on it and plan for it.
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i was just explaining to my 7 & 11 year olds about not letting people know what we have in our house ie. food and water. my eleven year old completely got it because we had just watched an old twilight zone where a family makes a nuclear safe bunker in the basement and all the neighbors laugh until a nuclear blast seems emminent. the neighbors eventually tear down the door to get to the supplies. as it turns out in the show it was a false alarm. but this was a great show letting you know what otherwise law abiding citizens will do in an emergency. if your kids don’t fully get it, this show is a must see as an eye opener. sorry, i don’t have the epidode title.
I found a link to watch that episode on-line (I went looking for it). It gave us a good way to discuss several things on that vein with my children (9 & 11). Thanks for the tip! The episode was called “The Shelter” and here is the link to watch it online at CBS’s website: http://www.cbs.com/classics/the_twilight_zone/video/index.php?pid=OyIU3qCspOMLsEgUj_Eko063w3YZq_AW
That is a great one. I am sure that is exactly what will happen. Everyone who didn’t prepare will want what you have and you will feel guilty but you will want to protect your family first.
Insightful write-up, thanks for sharing. I like your writing style. Have added your weblog. L8rs. Jane
The one thing alot of ppl wont have and cant buy in a shtf situation is common sense..too many dont have that now..they got the 35k SUVs’and flatscreen tv’s..but cant spend a couple extra bucks a week in preps..the only thing I do diff than you is I intentionally let it be known I have some guns and ammo..especially my 12 ga pump and 90 rounds of 00..hopefully that will serve as a deterrent ..at least to those with common sense!, and to those that are lacking in that will most likely have to learn one final lesson..except for the water filtration device Im about as ready as I can be..and since I cant see spending up to 300+ bucks on waterfiltration at the moment..once I run out of bottled water its a trip to the lake and boiling my water..but if there is enough warning..I have 5-5 gal jugs I can fill +6 canteens for drinking..+ my bathtub for bathing and flushing.