Food Storage, Emergency Preparedness and Weekly/Monthly Assignments (Week of August 17th)

Hi Carson Ward Family, Torrance Stake Family, Family and Friends,

We are back!

3,400 miles later and lessons learned . . .

The past three weeks we made a road trip back to see family near Joplin, Missouri USA and on the way home in Phoenix, Arizona USA. As we traveled by road the 3,400 miles there and back to home we learned some valuable lessons regarding being prepared.

We felt a peace knowing we had our 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks, 72 Hour Emergency Family Bag, a tent, tools just in case, an ice chest with food and other items as we traveled. You never know when you might need them.

Our trip to Missouri USA went without any problems. We spent three weeks enjoying being with family, seeing my birthplace and making great memories. On the way home, we hit a huge accident involving three semi-trucks and one car on the West I-40 in New Mexico USA near the Arizona USA boarder. It took us 2-3 hours to go 10 miles past the terrible accident. Many times we came to a complete stop. Truck drivers and other drivers got out of their vehicles to see if they could see what was going on down the road. Due to curves in the highway it was impossible to see that far down the road. We soon learned of the accident. Truck drivers and others got out and talked with each other. We had one really nice fellow with a motor home, William Jordon, headed home from Florida USA to Arizona USA for his birthday. He offered his bathroom for those in the long line of trucks, motor homes, RVs and cars. Truck drivers also offered assistance for those in need. It was so great to see Americans helping each other in a time of difficulty.


At this point we did not know how long we would be on the I-40. The accident had happened at 9am and we arrived there at 1:30pm with traffic still backed up. Trucks and other vehicles had been waiting for many hours, they were lined up for miles in front of us and behind us. The fire department, police and huge tow trucks had to take care of those injured, put out the fire, clear the road and investigate the accident before letting anyone through. We were grateful we had our emergency supplies and could help others if needed.
 
As we drove we thought about all the big semi-trucks carrying their supplies to us across the country (USA), food, medical supplies, all kinds of things that help us exist. There were hundreds of them on the I-40 going West and East across the country (USA). We have become so depended on our power grid, electronics and computers. If our power grid went down across this nation (USA) it would shut everything down. Trucks would not move, planes would not fly, stores and business could not operate. American ports bring in huge ships daily with supplies from other countries. Supplies across the country (USA) and the world would be difficult if not impossible to get through to us.

What would we do? Could we survive without those supplies for days, weeks, months? 

We all need to be better prepared! 

Coming Soon! 

The Carson Ward Emergency Preparedness Fair

(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

Saturday, September 6th, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm

Carson Building, 22721 Main (Main & 228th), Carson, California

Pancake breakfast (9:00am), Emergency Preparedness Displays, Booths, Demonstrations, Handouts, Finger-Printing, Emergency Cards and Safety class for children (0-18 years), Hot dogs and chips $1.50 (11:30am-12:30pm, sponsored by our Cub Scouts)

 Bring your family, non-member friends and co-workers. 

Let's be better prepared!

Weekly Assignment: Family Emergency Medical Kit

 

Many of us have some sort of medical supplies in our homes like band-aids, alcohol, peroxide, anti-infection creams, pain killers, etc.. Some of us have limited first-aid kits in our cars and home that we probably have not checked in months, years. Medications do expire!

If there was a major disaster or emergency situation would you have the proper emergency medical supplies to take care of you, your family and help your neighbors. I would say most of us do not! Right?

The next few weeks we are going to work on our Family Emergency Medical Kit. We have done this before but I am sure there are some of you who did not do it, never completed it and some things need to be replaced due to expiration dates.  Some of these items can be found at discount stores and drug stores. Make sure you check the expiration dates before purchasing them, you want them to last for at least a year or more.

Note: Make sure you keep this out of the reach of your young children and explain to the family it is your Family Emergency Medical Kit/Supplies. If you need to use an items from it, make sure you replace it right away!

This week add the following:

1) Ace bandages: 2", 3" and 4" (2 each size)   

2) Tweezers (one regular size, one small size) 

August Monthly Assignment: Food Storage . . . Tomatoes

 
Tomatoes, tomatoes, Tomatoes! This is the time of year when those of us who planted tomatoes usually have more than we can eat before they spoil. What do you do with all those tomatoes?

You can share with your family, friends and neighbors and you can put some up by freezing them or canning them. We do both. Frozen or canned tomatoes are great for soups, homemade tomato sauce, homemade spaghetti sauce, homemade catchup and salsas.

It is also a great time to buy tomatoes too since they are so abundant right now at a reasonable price to freeze or can them for later.

This month we are going to add all types of tomatoes to our Food Storage; canned tomatoes (different varieties, diced, whole, etc.), stewed tomatoes, tomato soup, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce.

This week add the following:

1) Either freeze and/or can the tomatoes from your vegetable garden or those purchased at the grocery store or Farmers Market. Click here to learn how to can tomatoes. It really is not hard, just takes time.

To freeze: Wash the tomatoes, place in boiling water until the skin starts to crack. Remove and place in ice water until cool. (This process is like the canning process.) Place the cooled tomatoes into a strainer. Peel the skins and cut into pieces. If you desire you can place the cut up pieces in a strainer to allow some of the extra juice to strain off. I usually place two cups in a quart size plastic freezer zip lock bag. Write on the bag, tomatoes, the date and how many cups. Lay flat and freeze in your freezer. They will last for one year in your freezer. If you can them they will last for two years.


2) And/or, purchase some cans of tomatoes, a variety of canned (diced, whole, etc.), tomato sauce and stewed tomatoes. What ever kind you use in cooking. If you were keeping track last month of how many canned and/or fresh tomatoes you use in a month for your family, it will give you a goal of how much to purchase for the number of months you are working toward for your Food Storage. It is also a good idea to purchase them when on sale.



Remember: All commercially canned and home canned tomatoes need to be stored in a cool, dry, dark place, like a pantry, closet or under the bed. If you purchase your canned tomatoes from a discount store make sure you check the expiration dates, they usually expire earlier than regular grocery store ones. You want them to last for a least 1-2+ years. You can also purchase dehydrated or freeze-dried ones in #10 cans or Mylar pouches from emergencyessentials.com, foodforhealthinternational.com (tomato flakes), honeyville.com  (tomato powder) or other companies that sell dehydrated or freeze-dried products. Watch for sales. If stores right (70 degrees or less) they will store for 20-30 years.

It is a good idea to store tomatoes in a variety of ways, commercially canned, frozen or home canned, and dehydrated or freeze-dried. In an emergency situation use the frozen first, then the home canned, then the commercially canned, then the dehydrated or freeze-dried. Even if they have expired a few months beyond the expiration date you can still use them as long as the cans are not dented or the lids bubbled. They will loose some of their nutritional value.

Fall Vegetable Garden

Did you miss out on planting a Spring/Summer vegetable garden? Did you know there is still time to plant a Fall vegetable garden?

Click here to read about planting a Fall vegetable garden and a list of all the vegetables you can plant between now (August) and September/October. Also see the posting under "Postings" on the right, "Vegetable Gardens" to see how to plant a vegetable garden and the variety of ways you can do it.

Emergency Preparedness Ideas

Items you should always carry in your vehicles? 

Set of tools (hammer, flat head and Philips screwdrivers, pliers, wrench, crowbar, etc.)
Flashlight (solar or battery operated with extra batteries)
Small radio (solar or battery operated radio with extra batteries)
Good First-aid kit
Blanket
Snacks/food (if you do not keep your 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks in your car)
Drinking water
Flares
Battery jumper cables
Antifreeze
Windshield washer (optional)
Oil for you car
72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks (some people like to keep them in their cars, food will need to be rotated every 6 months due to heat in Summer)
72 Hour Emergency Family Bag
Hat for each family member
Sweater or light weight jacket for each family member
Rope (good sturdy one)
Sturdy walking shoes if you wear dress shoes to work (for walking if you have to leave your car)

You should be able to keep most of these items in one large plastic container with a lid.
 

Comments: Please post your comments below. Share your personal experiences with food and water storage and emergency preparedness. We can all learn from each other.