Weekly Assignment, Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness (Week of March 10th)

Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

It is to late to prepare when...

the earthquake has happened

the hurricane is upon us

the tornado has caused its destruction             

the tsunami has hit
the storm has flooded our home 
the pandemic is here
the civil unrest has started

The time to prepare is now!
 

Quote:

"Are these perilous times? They are. But there is no need to fear. We can have peace in our hearts and peace in our homes."   President Gorden B. Hinckley (October 2001 General Conference, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

How can we have peace in our hearts and peace in our homes? It comes from when we are prepared both temporally and spiritually. I know I say this many times in this blog, but it is true, "If ye are prepared ye shall not fear." (Doctrine and Covenants 38:30). I also know that if we are striving to be prepared the best we can, Heavenly Father will bless us and our family, but we have to do our part!

Weekly Assignment: 72 Hour Individual Emergency Food Snack Kit

Last week we finished our 72 Hour Individual Emergency Food Kit for each family member and placed the Food Kit and Water in each family members 72 Hour Individual Emergency Backpack. Now we will start the Snack Kit (which is a part of the Food Kit). I keep the Snack Kit separate because some of the odors from the snacks can get into the food in the Food Kit. As we add them, place each item in a separate large plastic zip lock bag and write the family member's name and Snack Kit on the bag. There are only 4 items in this kit. This will only take 3 weeks to complete.

This week add the following:

1) Hard candy, individually wrapped, about 3-4 pieces a day x 3 days  per person's Snack Kit     

2) Gum, about 3 sticks a day x 3 days  per person's Snack Kit  

Note: If you buy butterscotch or mint hard candy, place the candy in a separate smaller plastic zip lock bag, the flavor will be absorbed into the other food. The best place to purchase the hard candy and gum is at a discount center like The 99 Cent Store, The Dollar Tree, The Dollar General, etc. If you have small children who cannot eat hard candy or chew gum, substitute with some type of sugary snack food they can eat. Sugary foods help clam us down in a disaster or crises situation. Use them wisely so they last the 3 days. Only two more items to add to the Snack Kit.

Emergency Preparedness:

If there is a disaster or emergency situation, do the following:

1. Your Priorities---Take care of your family, neighbors and home first using your personal disaster plan and supplies. It may be days before help from anyone arrives. Once your family's safety and basic needs are met, proceed with the next step. Click here to go directly to the "Positing" "What To Do and Not Do During a Disaster Situation".
2. Gather Information---Use email, text messaging, radio, face-to-face contact, and written messages to assess the needs of others (family in other areas, neighbors, church friends, work friends who live near by). Avoid placing voice calls unless you need to call 911 for someone with significant injures or illness. If power is unavailable save your batteries by turning your cell phone or radio off when not in use.
3. Your dwelling/home is uninhabitable---Check the radio for nearby shelters. Remember to leave a note on your door where you went and who is with you. If you can stay, the best place for you and your family is your home.
4. Verify Your Information---Make sure your home number, cell phone numbers and email addresses are correct at your children's schools, your place of employment, church records and with family and friends. Update your Out of State Contact Card person's number as needed.

Disaster Information Sources in California, USA

Tune to AM  1070, 980, or 640 or satellite emergency radio at SIRIUS XM channel 184 or 247 to received disaster emergency broadcast communications. DO EXACTLY WHAT YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT TELLS YOU DO. DO NOT HESITATE IF THEY TELL YOU TO EVACUATE.

Know the radio or satellite emergency radio stations for your area. Keep them with your 72 Hour Emergency Kits.

Information may also be available at:

http://newsroom.redcross.org

https://safeandwell.communityos.org

http:// www.fema.gov/disaster-survivor-assistance

http://www.google.org/crisesresonse/

https://www.facebook.com/DisasterRelief

http://local.nixie.com/zipcode/(put in your zip code)/

Note: The above sources are listed for informational purposes only!

Good video to watch: Click on this link to watch a good video regarding what do to if there is civil unrest. Listen carefully, there is some good information here that may help you and your family. Skip the commercial and start at the 2:22 minute mark.

Comments: Your comments are appreciated. We can all learn from each others experiences and ideas. Thank you to all those who leave comments on the blog postings.