Water, Water, Water!!!
Water contamination in Virginia USA and droughts in California USA are reminders of the importance of storing water. According to news reports there are still contaminates showing in the drinking water in Virginia USA. The water levels in the reservoirs, dams and rivers in California USA are extremely low. Click here "Beyond a Reasonable Drought" to read the Daily Breeze Newspaper story about the California USA drought.In the top right picture you can see the rings on the dam and how low the water is. The bottom right picture shows how
low the San Gabriel River is in California USA. There are 14 reservoirs in California USA that are showing record
lows.
At the moment California USA does not have mandatory water rationing. What can we do to help out?
1) Conserve as much water as you can by not letting the water run in the sink while brushing your teeth or doing the dishes, watering down your sidewalks and porches (use a broom instead), do not let the water run while washing your car, only water your lawns and gardens 2-3 times a week for 15 minutes in each section at a time, flushing the toilet unnecessarily, take shorter showers, wash full loads of laundry, and teach your children and other family members to conserve water. The California USA Governor has requested we cut back 20% if possible.These are good rules to follow anytime!
2) Store water for future needs or disasters. See the posting "Water Storage" on the right under Postings for information and ideas on storing water.
3) Pray for rain. Continue to pray and ask others to also pray.
Remember: You can live without food for several days, but you can only live without water for 2-3 days.
Power Outage Effects...Personal Story
A member in our Ward forwarded an email from a friend regarding how a power outage effected him. This could happen to all of us!
"We had a power outage at our house this week and my PC, laptop, TV, DVD and iPad and my new surround sound music system were all shut down. Then I discovered that my iPhone battery was flat. I went into the kitchen to make coffee and then I remembered that this also needs power."
How many things do we depend on that require electricity? Would we be able to live without them and function daily? Do we have emergency backup electricity and lighting in our homes? Check out this month's Monthly Assignment below. Think about things you could do and items you should have in your home if you did have a power outage, especially medically devices. It could last for hours, may be even days, or may be even months if there was a total grid failure!
Weekly Assignment: Family Emergency Bag
Why do you need an Emergency Family Bag? You cannot get everything you might need into your 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks. This bag should be kept in your car(s) or with your family's 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks. We prefer our car since there are items we might need. You can use a sports bag or a backpack. Use one you already have, check out a thrift store or purchase a new one.
This week add
the following:1) Basic Chow Set (fork, spoon, knife)..one for each family member. Or, this item can also be put into each family members 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpack. emergencyessentials.com has them for $3.50 each. Sporting goods stores like Big 5 and other department stores in their camping section may have them too. You can also put together an old fork, spoon and knife for each family member. Wrap them in a small towel before placing them in your Emergency Family Bag or 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpack. .
So far you should have the following in your Family Emergency Bag: Portable regular or solar radio with extra batteries, street maps of local areas/cities, emergency flares and candles, water proof matches, 2 heat cells, flat fuel folding stove, a first-aid kit with a first-aid book, sun block, insect repellent, small tool kit (regular and Philips screw drivers, wrench, pliers, small hammer), Venture 6 Tool, an extra large water proof tarp, roll of duct tape, hand can opener, crowbar, a small wet stone, a travel size board games or card games, small sewing kit, 1-2 mess kits and basic chow set for each family member. See previous blog postings for information regarding these items and where to purchase them.
In
the next few weeks we will add the following: Small hand mirror, compass, good set of Walkie Talkies. Note: You may
already have the small hand mirror and compass if you ordered the 5 in 1 Whistle
when we did this in Carson Ward, on emergencyessentials.com.
As you can see we are almost done with our Emergency Family Bag. Only 3 more
items to add.
Monthly
Assignment for February: Emergency Lighting/Electricity
This month add some type of emergency
lighting and a source for power:
It could be a Coleman or propane lantern, a LED
lantern that requires batteries (store extra
batteries). Store extra of
what ever you need to run these types of lanterns. You may even want to consider
purchasing a gas or solar generator, a more expensive
item.
If you already
have emergency lighting equipment then check to make sure it is working
properly, purchase extra batteries. Store all emergency lighting equipment
together. You could also think about purchasing another type of lighting or a source for power.
Check out the postings on the right or click on the on the link, "Cooking, Heating and Lighting", for different types of lighting equipment and ideas.
DO NOT BE CAUGHT WITHOUT SOME SOURCE OF LIGHT OR ELECTRICITY!
Check out the postings on the right or click on the on the link, "Cooking, Heating and Lighting", for different types of lighting equipment and ideas.
DO NOT BE CAUGHT WITHOUT SOME SOURCE OF LIGHT OR ELECTRICITY!
Note: For more information on adding lighting to your emergency preparedness supplies read all the previous postings for this month on lighting.
Emergency Preparedness Idea
I Love This Idea! So Important!
"FEMA's National Preparedness Community recently published a Community Emergency Plan that you can download and print. They suggest the purpose of this plan is to help you come up with alternate routes for 'traveling between your work and home, or other commonly visited locations in case of an emergency.'During an emergency, your regular routes home from work or school may be blocked by traffic or debris.
The purpose of the FEMA's Commuter Emergency Plan is to help you think about that possibility and how you can get to safe destinations (like your home) using alternative routes.
The Commuter Emergency Plan is a well-thought-out document-- it takes into consideration the different types of transportation you could use to get from point A to B. It also asks you to think about two alternative routes you can use and gives you links to public transportation systems so you can find updates on the transit systems that are still working." (EmergencyPreapredness.com)
I would print out a form and fill it out for each car in your family and one to keep in your purse or wallet. May be even one to keep at work. I would also keep copies ofstreet maps in your area, or print pages from your Thomas Guide for you area. These maps and the Community Emergency Plan form should be in your Family Emergency Bag and/or your 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpack (in the Stressor Kit) too!
Simple Household Emergency Medical Help...
1) Smart splinter remover: Just pour a drop of Elmer's Glue-All (or similar type) over the splinter, let dry, and peel the dried glue off the skin. The splinter sticks to the dried glue.
2) Did you know that Colgate toothpaste makes an excellent salve for burns?
3) Bug bite sting..Did you know if you take an aspirin, mash it and add a little water to the aspirin making a paste and apply it to the bug bit it takes the sting out of a bug bite?
More ideas to come next week!
Comments: All your comments, ideas, suggestions and experiences are welcome! We all learn from each other. Thank you for your comments.
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