Weekly Assignment, Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness Ideas (Week of January 13th)

Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

Storing up for winter...

I have a close friend who lives in Idaho, close to the Washington border, in a remote forest area, one hour by car to the city. In the late Autumn she watches the squirrels on her property gathering acorn nuts. If there is going to be a mild winter they do not gather and store as much, but if there is going to be hard winter, they gather and store more. Heavenly Father has instilled in the creatures of the earth to prepare for what may lie ahead.

We may not have instilled in us a natural warning system, but Heavenly Father has given us prophets, a living prophet today, the Holy Ghost, church leaders and the scriptures to warn us to prepare for a "hard winter". We have been warned for many years to be prepared with Food Storage, Water and Emergency Supplies. We may never need them, but I would rather be secure in knowing I am prepared for what could come my way. When my husband was in a serious car accident while on the road for work, he spent three months recuperating. Disability checks do not cover all the bills. I am grateful we had followed the prophet and church leaders and prepared by having Food Storage, at the time we had about six months and a little savings. We never had to ask for assistance with bills or food. What a great blessing that was for our family!

Storing spiritually...

As I watch the unfolding of natural disasters around the world, I also watch the people and how they react. Of course, they are scared and many have lost precious family heirlooms, family photos and many special treasures, even loved ones. But as I watch them and their reaction to the situation, I can see who is spiritually prepared. It is important to be temporally prepared, but being spiritually prepared is even more important. Yes, we might loose precious worldly treasures, but if we are spiritually prepared we will be at peace and know blessings are to come. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21) To be spiritually strengthened and prepared we need to be reading our scriptures daily, saying our prayers daily, following our prophet and church leaders, and be very close to the Spirit. We will receive comfort at a very difficult time and be able to overcome the challenges we are facing.

Weekly Assignment: 72 Hour Individual Emergency Food Kits

This week add the following:

1) 3 small boxes of raisins for each family members Food Kit: Place the raisins, along with the 3 granola bars and 3 juice boxes, in a large zip lock bag with the family member's name on the bag.

Emergency Preparedness Ideas:

The last two weeks I have talked about being better prepared for a disaster or other emergency situation. Last week I talked about electricity and lighting, this week we will discuss emergency medical supplies.

Why do we need emergency medical supplies? For the same reason we need a source of electricity and lighting. When there is an impending disaster (like a hurricane warning, etc.), disaster, civil unrest or an emergency situation people usually rush to the stores to stock up. What happens is the stores run out quickly. They only stock enough products for about two weeks. When every one rushes for supplies, they run out in hours, sometimes in minutes. People riot because they cannot get what they need. Why not have emergency medical supplies on hand ahead of time, like we have food and water on hand? Also, if there is an emergency medical situation the fire department and other medical help may not be available and you may not have time to rush to the store, you will need them immediately to attend to the injured. You may be on your own!

Please see the "First-aid Kit" in the "Postings" section on the right of this blog. I have also listed the Kit I am working on below. Of course, you cannot do this all at once. Carry a list of the items in your purse or wallet. Each time you go out to the store check to see what is on sale and purchase the item(s). Set up a large plastic box with a secure lid that says "Emergency Medical Supplies" on it. Keep it in a closet in your house, the garage is to hot for some of the ointments and medications. Of course, keep this out of the reach of children.

Note: A regular First-aid Kit like you keep in your car or home will not be sufficient for a major disaster. There will be minor and major injuries. You may need to take care of your family and neighbors injuries.

Emergency Medical Supply Kit: (Should have the follow items)

1. Band-Aids (many assorted sizes)

2. Antiseptic/alcohol wipes
3. Hand sanitizer (2)
4. Topical antibiotic ointment
5. Hydrogen peroxide
6. Petroleum jelly
7. Sunscreen
8. Thermometer (for adult and infant/child)
9. Latex gloves (several pairs and possibly sizes)
10. Sterile gauze pad (various sizes)
11. Adhesive bandage tape, hypoallergenic, 1 inch
12. Triangular bandages (3) (made your own from left over fabric, hem, 36x36)
13. Bandage scissors (EMT scissors)
14. Maxi sanitary pads (5+) (great for major wounds)
15. Irrigation syringe
16. Eye wash solution
17. Ace Bandages—2”, 3” and 4” (2 each size)
18. Two tweezers (one regular size, one small)
19. Needle (consider including suture material and set—I got this from EmergencyEssentials.com)
20. Scalpel with extra blades
21. Pepto-Bismol ( check with your doctor for children's dosage and write on the bottle)
22. Antacids
23. Pain relievers (non-aspirin type, acetaminophen, ibuprofen for both adults and children)
24. Stool softeners
25. Antifungal ointment/cream
26. Visine eye drops
27. Cough and cold medications (for adults and children)
28. Contact lens wearers—extra pair, solution
29. Dihendyramine (Benadryl) (this an antihistamine used for hives, allergic rhinitis, etc) Check with your doctor for children's dosage
30. Epi Pen for sever allergic reactions (insects, food) (requires a prescription)
31. Ophthalmic antibiotic (requires a prescription)
32. Lighter or matches (to sterilize items like needles if you have no gas burner)
33. Alcohol
34. Any prescription medications family members take (high blood pressure, insulin, extra needles, etc)
35. Old magazines or paint sticks from paint store (2-3) (make good splints for broken arms & legs)
36. Instant ice packs (3-4)
37. Instant hot packs 3-4)
38. Burn kit
39. Aspirin (smash, dissolve in a little water, put on inspect bites, takes out the sting)
40. Potassium Iodine Tablets (found on EmergencyEssentials.com) (if radiation fallout and advised to take, do not take unless advised)
41. First-aid book (review regularly so when a situation comes up you will know what to do)

Most items can be found at the 99 Cent Store, the Dollar Tree, CVS, Rite-aid, Walgreens, Target, WalMart and EmergencyEssentials.com. Watch the expiration dates. I have even found some items at estate and yard sales.

Remember: To rotate the ointments and medications as needed. Check every year and replace as needed.

Comments: Your comments, suggestion and ideas are most welcomed. Please leave them below. We are all hear to help each other.