Food Storage, Emergency Preparedness Ideas and Weekly Asssignment (Week of February 16th)

Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

 

Why???

Why do I do this every week? Because I care!

I want each of you to be prepared for what ever may come your way. Do not become complacent and think things cannot and will not happen to you. The past few years and so far this year we have watched terrible natural disasters unfold before our eyes all over the world. Many times food storage and emergency supplies are washed or blown away. And, many times they are not. But the important thing is that we are obedient to the scripture, "be prepared". I strongly believe and testify that if we are prepared and it is all washed away or destroyed, Heavenly Father will bless us. If it is not washed away or destroyed then we will be able to take care of our family and neighbors when disaster hits. Do not plan on relying on your local or federal government. You will be on your own for days, weeks, may be even months.

We need to look ahead and prepare for what may come our way in  life.When it is hear, it is too late!

One of the most important things to do, is warn your neighbors to also prepare. Do not tell them how much you have stored and what you have stored, but warn them to be prepared with extra cans of food and water and emergency supplies like a lantern for light and a way to cook outdoors so they can take care of themselves. 

Weekly Assignment: Emergency Family 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) Small sewing kit--you can purchase one or put one together from things you have around the house, thread, sewing needle, safety
pins, extra buttons,small scissors.

2) 1 or 2 Mess Kits--for cooking items in your 72 Hour Individual Emergency Food Kits, example soups, hot chocolate, etc.. I prefer to have two so I can cook everything quickly for the family.  Emergencyessentials.com has them for about $7each plus shipping. Local sporting goods stores and some department stores in their camping section may have them too.



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 and 1-2 mess kits. . See previous blog postings for information regarding these items and where to purchase them.

In the next few weeks we will add the following:  Basic chow set (fork, spoon, knife), 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 4 more items to add.

 

Monthly Assignment for February: Emergency Lighting/Electricity

This month add some type of emergency lighting:
 

                                                                                                                                                                                 

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.  

You should have a flashlight with extra batteries in ever room, especially your bedrooms. A good idea is to put the flashlight in a plastic zip lock bag with batteries and tie it to your bed post under your bed. This way if there is an earthquake you will be able to find it quickly. 

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.

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. 

Electrical: Know where your main circuit breaker or fuse box is and how to check it and replace any needed fuses (if you have that type). Keep a flashlight by it so you can see it if the electricity goes out.

Emergency Preparedness Ideas 

Blessings of a vegetable garden... 

We are so grateful we planted a vegetable garden last year. We are sill enjoying the harvest of our garden with yummy vegetable with still more to go. Each week I make a big pot of vegetable soup using our home grown vegetables we froze or canned last year. What a blessing and savings they have been! Plus it helps with our food storage!

Anyone can have a vegetable garden, either in the ground, a raised bed or in containers, living in house, an apartment or condo. You can do it with some planning. Check with your local nursery to see what you can grow in your area and the seasons to plant them. Check out the posting on the right of this blog under "Postings", click on Vegetable Gardening" for information about vegetable gardens. You can do it!

Spring/Summer Vegetable Garden--
It is not to early to start planning...

Now is the time to start thinking about and preparing for your Spring/Summer vegetable garden.

1) Decide on the best place to plant a vegetable garden in your yard. It needs at least 6-8 hours of good sun each day.
2) Decide on what vegetables you are going to grow this year. Only grow what you family will eat.
3) Start purchasing the seeds from vegetable seed catalogs
or your local nursery.  Look for good deals at your local nursery. Only purchase non-GMO seeds.
4) If you are planting vegetables from plants like tomatoes, wait until they are available and it is time to plant, which in California is the end of March or first part of April depending the temperature at night.
5) Start digging up the area or removing any weeds that have popped up in last years garden bed.
6) Amend the soil by adding a good compost to the garden bed.
7) Sharpen your garden tools.
8) Bare root fruit trees should be planted now. Check with your local nursery for their advise on how to do this.
9) Start sowing your indoor cool weather crops. Great tip: Use your egg shells and their containers as planting containers.Place some potting soil in the egg shell, place 3 seeds in each egg shell. Water often daily. Cover with swan wrap to keep the moisture in. Place in a sun location, on your window cell or counter.
                                                                  

10) Remember, if you do not have lawn or flower bed space you can grow a vegetable garden in containers. 

Comments: All your comments, ideas, suggestions and experiences are welcome! We all learn from each other. Thank you for your comments.