First, our hearts and prayers go out to the many Midwest, Southern and Southeast USA states that are experiencing tornadoes and flooding. Some have lost loved ones, many have lost property. Please pray for these people.
Haste Makes Waste!
Several years ago our family knew an elderly couple by the name of Phillipe (Frenchie) and Nora Moran. As a family we loved visiting with him and his wife. He had so many practical and wonderful sayings. One of them was, "Haste Makes Waste." Over the years through experiences we have come to realize how true this statement is.
When we rush or do not think things through we make mistakes, waste valuable time, energy and money. We need to take time to think things through before we purchase things and make important decisions. We need to make a plan first, research it out, pray about it and listen to the prompting of the Holy Ghost and then set a goal to accomplish our plan. We also need to decide if is it a want or a need. Needs are priority! This can also work with emergency preparedness, food and water storage. Food storage, water storage and emergency preparedness supplies are a need and a priority!
We often say we do not have enough money to purchase extra food and purchase emergency drinking water and emergency supplies. The other day while we were out to dinner almost everyone I saw being served were served beverages, mostly sodas and lemonade. This also happens at fast food places. These items are expensive, they add up. What if you replaced the beverages with water and took that money and put it aside for your emergency supplies and food and water storage. Same thing for appetizers. Before you know it you would have money to purchase extra food for your food storage, water storage and emergency supplies. To me purchasingbeverages while eating out is a waste, sodas and sugary drinks are not good for us and only adds empty calories to our diet.
There are so many ways we can save money so we can purchase extra food, water and emergency supplies...
1) First decide if it is a want or a need, if a want, do without
2) Do not make hasty decisions, think them through
3) Only purchase items when on sale
4) Do not go into debt for things (save until you have enough money to purchase them with cash)
5) Use cash instead of debt or credit cards (you will be less likely to purchase that item)
6) Save your money until you have enough, many times you will change your mind before purchasing it
It amazes me how many storage facilities there are now, they did not exist when we were married in 1972. Why, because people today have too many things, things they could do without. Today our children are spoiled with too many things and after awhile start to expect them. Our house was built in 1925, it has very small bedroom closets. Why? Because in the early 1900's people did not have a lot of things, they had what they needed. As the economy got better, we started purchasing more "things" and going into debt for them. President Gordon B. Hinckley has warned us about debt, to pay cash for things, the things we need. Click here to read a great article by President Gordon B. Hinckley, "Climbing Out of Debt". We can all afford food storage, water storage and emergency supplies if we would set our priority and save our money. Be practical, remember, "Haste Makes Waste"!
New Weekly Assignments
Weekly Assignment: Water Storage
This week do the following...
The Water Challenge
First, I would like each of you to take "The Water Challenge". Try this on a Saturday or a day when the whole family is home. This test will show you how much water each family member needs per day (24 hours). Purchase a one gallon bottle of water for each family member, write their name on the bottle. That is all the water they will be able to use for 24 hours, including drinking, sanitation (washing hands, brushing teeth), cooking, bathing, laundry, etc.
Next, sit down as a family the night before, maybe at dinner time, and explain "The Water Challenge" and
what it will mean to the family. Show them their one gallon bottle of
water with their name on it. They cannot borrow water from another
family member. Talk about ways to converse their water. They will have to converse and use their water wisely! No cheating! This may be easier for the children. You will be surprised at how fast a gallon of water per person will go within 24 hours. See how creative you can be in your water usage. This is a test to see how much water each family member will need in an emergency situation. Keep notes of how quickly each family member uses up their water and how they used it. Note: If young children and they want more water after having used theirs before the 24 hour period is up let them have more water. Third, if you are not already storing some drinking water, start now. Purchase bottles of water, either the individual bottles, gallon bottles, or 5 gallon bottles.
Important: If you have a medical condition that requires more than 1 gallon of water per day, please do not try this. Babies may only be on formula and may need more water too. Do not put any one's life in danger. Just know that you will need to store more water.
In normal conditions the chart below shows how much non-drinking water one person uses in 24 hours. This does not include drinking, cooking and sanitation. (emergencyessentials.com chart)
After completing this challenge sit down as a family and discuss how much water you will need to store in an emergency situation. Consider all the ways each person in your family uses water daily. Most recommendations are 2-5 gallons per person every 24 hours. If you can, I would say you should have enough water per person for 1-2 weeks, or more if possible.
Email me your experiences at theark.carsonward@gmail.com or put your comments below so everyone can learn from your experience.
The next few weeks I will post information on water storage (how and where), how to siphon water, water filtration, water containers and the best place to purchase 55 gallon water containers, sanitation regarding water usage, and how to conserve water. Also, we will start adding water to our emergency supplies.
New May Monthly Assignment
May Monthly Assignment: Fire Safety
How many of you have a fire escape plan in your home? Are you aware of the fire escape plan at work and how to get out of your building? Do you know how to put out different types of fires out? Do you know how to put out a car fire? This month we will be discussing all of these questions and the things you need to have in your home to protect your family and home.
This coming Monday, or very soon, have a Family Home Evening on fire safety in your home...
1) Set up a family fire escape plan. Where each family member is to meet once out of the house. Example: A neighbors house/porch, by a tree on the curb, at the corner, but to never cross the street if they are young. .
2) Put a drawing of the two escape plans on the back of the bedroom door or closet door on how to get out of bedrooms if the fire is in the kitchen, living room or other rooms in your house. There should be at least two escape plans.
3) Practice the escape plans. Yell fire in the kitchen (or other room) and practice how to get out of the house using the escape plans.
4) Teach your family if they are trapped in their bedroom and they cannot get the window open it is alright to break the window, lay a blanket over the broken glass and crawl/jump out. If on a second story, teach them how to use the emergency fire escape ladder (not a toy!). There should be one in each bedroom on the second floor.
5) Teach your children the rules of a fire and what to do, example drop down and crawl on the floor, check the door nob or door to see if it is hot (hot means a fire on the other side. We will discuss this in more detail later.
6) Teach your family what to do if they catch on fire, "Stop, Drop and Roll".
7) Teach your family to never, never, never go back into the house once they are out to rescue someone else.
8) Teach each family member how to use a fire extinguisher and that it is only used in fire emergencies. Show them were they are kept. Your local fire department will show you this.
9) Teach your children how to call 911 and what to say.
10) Teach your family about different types of fires and how to extinguish them, example, wood, grease, etc.
11) Teach your children about fire safety and to never, never, never place with matches. The stove is not a toy.
12) Teach your children not to hide under a bed or in a closet. The fireman may not be able to find them.
13) Check all fire detectors and make sure they are working. Replace non-working batteries immediately! Every General Conference (April and October) is a great time/reminder to check the smoke detectors and batteries. Batteries should be replaced every year and the smoke detector about every 10 years or as needed. Do not go without these in your home. There should be one in every bedroom, at the top of stairs, 1-2 down stairs and one in the basement.
14) Practice fire drills monthly. Watch the video below monthly too. We had fire drills at all time during the day and night. If you decide to yell fire in the middle of the night try this on the weekend. Practice will protect you family!
The video below is an excellent videos on home fire safety each family member should watch month. Watch it on the first Monday of each month in Family Home Evening as a reminder of fire safety.
Please take the time to review this vedio with your family each month. It could save lives!
Fire equipment that should be in each home...
1) Fire extinguishers. There should be one downstairs, upstairs and in the garage. Know which types to have and how to use them. Important: Each car in your household should have one too. The fire department will be happy to show you.
2) An emergency escape ladder--If you have a two story home, each bedroom should have. Make sure the person in that room knows where it is and how to use. Explain to them it is not a toy and is for fire emergencies only. Keep in a safe reachable place. Practice using it. Emergencyessentials.com has them for about $40 (Fire Alert Life Ladder). Other websites and some department stores may carries them.
3) Good working outside water hose.
4) An and crowbar
5) Keep a flashlight with good batteries and whistle in each room. The flashlight will help you find your way out and the whistle you can blow when you are trapped in a room. It can be heard over your voice.
Keep these two items together in a safe place in each room. Explain to the children these are only used in case of an emergency, like a fire.
5) An emergency burn kit. Available on line, in some department/drug stores and on emergencyessentials.com for $13 (Burnfree Personal Kit). This is good to have in your 72 Hour Emergency Family Bag too.
Emergency Preparedness Ideas
10 Natural Remedies That Work (from emergencyessentials.com)
1) Rice Water
2) Pumpkin
3) Honey and Cinnamon
4) Pineapples/Pineapple Juice
6) Vinegar Vapor
7) Baking Soda Rinse
8) Mud
9) Strawberries and Honey
10) Lavender Foot Bath
There are a lot more. Do some research to see others you can find. Click here to read about how each ones works. Keep a list of these in your first-aid kits and your Family Emergency Medical Kit/Box.
Comments: Please post a comment. All your
comments, ideas, suggestions and experiences are welcome! We all learn from each
other. Thank you for your comments.
