Weekly Assignment, Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness Ideas (Week of January 6th)

Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

Who doesn't want great blessings!

When we are obedient to the commandments and teaching of our Prophets we are richly blessed. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we are taught to follow the prophets. "Wherefore, meaning the church, thou shalt give heed unto all his words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me: For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith." (Doctrine and Covenants 21: 4-5).

Throughout the ages we have been taught and warned by the prophets and our church leaders to be prepared for difficult times ahead. Hopefully, we will never need our 72 Hour Emergency Backpacks, our Food Storage and our Emergency Supplies, but I would rather have them and not need them, than need them and not have them. Remember, "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear" (Doctrine and Covenants 38:30).  Being prepared brings peace of mind, knowing you will be able to provide for and protect yourself and your family.

Weekly Assignment: 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Food Kit...

This week (January 6th-January 12th) add the following to your Food Kit:

1) 3 juice boxes (100% fruit drink like apple juice)---add 3 for each family member's Food Kit. Place in the large zip lock bag with the 3 granola bars we added last week. Remember to write their name on the bag. Watch the expiration dates on the juice boxes. You want them to be good for a year.

Emergency Preparedness Ideas:

Last week I mentioned some areas we need to be prepared in if a natural disaster hit our area. I would like to expound on one of these this week, electricity.

What would you do if the whole nation's power grid infrastructure failed or their was a natural disaster that caused there to be no electricity for several days, weeks, or even months? What would you do? Could you provide electricity, light, heat, ways to cook for you and your family? How prepared are you for something like this.

Imagine if the nation's power grid infrastructure did go down, or there was a natural disaster. Here is what would happen...

1) No electricity anywhere, no light in the evening.
2) Your bank cards would not work at the ATM or stores.
3) Grocery stores only carry enough food (water) for about 3 days. The shelves would empty in hours. No way to resupply their stock.
4) How would you get gas, especially if you needed to evacuate or you needed it for your gas generator, their pumps work on electricity.
4) Stores would probably not be able to give you change for your large bills of money. They would run out of change quickly.
5) No running water since the pumps at the main water station run on electricity.
6) No way for trucks to bring food since all warehouses depend on electricity to check stocks and send out food. Trucks would probably be attacked by people wanting food and water.
7) How long would hospitals be able to keep their generators going?
8) No Internet, TV or radio access to see what is going on, unless you have a solar radio or batteries on hand. But if there is no electricity because the nation's power grid went down, they would not work anyway, they would not be able to transmit.
9) Most land lines use electricity. Would your cell phone work since the main power plant runs on electricity
10) Home emergency medical equipment would not work.
11) Elevators would not run, maybe trapping you for days, weeks, months.
12) Maybe no emergency response teams like the police department, fire department, medical help, ambulances.
13) Street lights would not work, causing chaos.

What else would not work? What would you do?

What you need to do to protect yourself if this happens... 

1) Have at least 2 weeks-3 months supply of food and water on hand. Also keep some food and water at work (72 Hour Emergency Food Kit).
2) Have medical supplies on hand.
3) Keep extra medical prescriptions on hand.
4) Have a way to provide light (lanterns, flashlights with extra batteries, gas or fuel less (solar, see below) generator, etc).
5) Have a way to cook (Charcoal BBQ, Butane stove with fuel, fire pit, solar oven, etc). If you have a propane BBQ you may not be able to get propane.
6) How will you communicate, radios, computers, phones will not work?
7) Have cash in small bills and change in your home, car and at work since your bank card will not work. Small change so you do not have to over spend for a necessity since they will probably say they cannot make change.
8) Always keep at least a half a tank of gas in all your vehicles at all times in case you need to evacuate and gas is not available.
9) Have a meeting place for family members to meet (best place is at home)  if happens while at work, school or away from home
10) If you cannot stay in your home due to damages from a disaster, have some way to provide for shelter, cooking, sanitation, heat

Remember, "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear".

IMPORTANT: Check out the blog postings under "Postings" for ideas and different types of emergency equipment you might need.

Fuel Less (Solar) Generator:

Here are some great links regarding information on Fuel Less (Solar) Generators. We have done a lot of research on this subject and found these to be the best deals.

http://www.offgridsolargenerators.com/product-p/02013.htm

They have 3 options. Uses a deep cell battery with a solar panel. We have spoken with this fellow several times. Very nice fellow and will answer any questions you might have. His name is Silas at 440-840-4856.

http://store.foodforhealthinternational.com/Humless/

They have a few options too. Uses a Lithium battery. More expensive than above.

http://jimbakkershow.com/blog/2012/03/23/introducing-the-new-fuel-less-generator/

They have one option with several accessories. When you order from this site part of the cost goes towards his ministry. They call the price you pay a "love gift".

Comments: Please leave your comments, suggestions or ideas. All are appreciated and may help someone else.