1) Family Emergency Plan (Fire, earthquake and other natural disaster drills, evacuation and out of state contact person)
2) Emergency Kits: 72 Hour Individual Emergency Backpack (or Bug Out Bag), Family Bag, Medical Kit, Cleaning Bucket, Pet Emergency Kit, and a Family Emergency Notebook.
3) Emergency Food and Water: Most local city and governments say to store enough extra food and water for two weeks. I say you should store enough for 1-3 months. Two weeks is nothing when there is a major emergency. You should store 1 gallon of water per person per day in your house hold. That does not include bathing.
4) Emergency Supplies: Some way to have shelter, a way to cook, lighting and sanitation.
I know this is a lot to think about but if you make a plan and continue on your path of emergency preparedness you will be surprised how quickly you will be prepared and have peace of mind. This blog and many others will help you accomplish your plan and goals. See under "Postings" on the right for help with these goals.
The important thing is to just start now.
New August Monthly Assignments
Food Storage: Spices and Herbs
Spices and herbs are an important part of cooking, even in a disaster or emergency situation.
Where to purchase: I like to purchase my spices, herbs and seasonings from big box stores like Costco or Sam's Club, shops that sell India seasonings in bulk (less expensive) and long term food storage companies like emergencyessentials.com. Emergency Essentials has them in 2.5 cans and some in #10 cans. They store for 20 years. I prefer the 2.5 cans. Sprouts also sells spices and herbs in bulk. Buying in bulk is less expensive than purchasing the small bottles and containers from regular grocery stores. Watch the expiration dates at discount stores. If you purchase them from bulk item stores or an India store purchase airtight containers to transfer their packaged herbs and spices into.
How much do I need? Determine what spices, herbs and seasonngs your family uses in cooking. Determine how much you will need for your food storage goals.
How to store: Like all food storage, in a cool, dry, dark place.
Emergency Preparedness:
72 Hour Individual Emergency Backpacks
(or Grab and Go Bag or Bug-Out-Bag)
Each family member in your house hold should have a 72 Hour Individual Emergency Backpack/Kit. Click here to see what items should be in each backpack/kit. There are 3 kits within the backpack plus other items that will help with your survival---
1) Food Kit (Adjust according to each family members age and medical needs) 2) Hygiene Kit (Provides items that will help you feel better) 3) Stressor Kit (Help family members deal with the stress of a disaster or emergency situation)
Note: We also have strapped to each backpack a water filtering sports bottle from store.lds.org (Seychelle Water Filtration). If you need extra water it will filter out 99.9999% of all bacteria and contamination.
New Postings (On the right under "Postings") :
Emergency Cleaning Bucket
Family Emergency Medical Kit/Bag
72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Family Bag
72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpack (updated)
Emergency Pet Care, Before, During and After a Disaster
Preparedness Test
Under the Bed Earthquake Kit
Shelter-In-Place
More to come in the coming weeks.
Emergency Preparedness Ideas
Make your own solar oven--easy!
Great in an emergency situation when you cannot use your conventional oven. Yes, it takes longer to cook things, but it really does work and a lot less expensive than the more popular solar oven that can cost from $250-$400.
Supplies needed:
A reflective accordion-folding car sunshade
A cake rack (or wire frame or grill)
12 cm. (4 1/2 inches) of Velcro
Black pot
Bucket or plastic wastebasket
A plastic baking bag
For instructions of how to make your own solar oven and how to use it click here.
Comments and Questions: Please share your comments below. We all learn from each others experiences and knowledge. If you have any questions please leave them below or email me at theark.carsonward@gmail.com. I will answer them on my next week's weekly blog posting. Thank you for your comments and questions.
"Shelter-In-Place" means to take immediate shelter where you are, at home, at work, at school or wherever you are. It may also mean to "seal the room". Taking steps to keep outside air from coming into where you are. Local authorities may instruct you to shelter-in-place due to a chemical spill, an explosion that brings about a chemical cloud or radiological contaminants into the environment. It is important to listed to the radio and the television to see if you need to remain inside or take additional steps to seal a room within your house.
What supplies will you need to keep on hand if this happens:
1) Extra large heavy black plastic (like the 55 gallon trash bags or a roll of plastic). You need the heavy black plastic to block out light from those outside so they do not think you are home to possible protect your family. You will also need to seal the door, do not forget the bottom.
2) Duck tape to tape the plastic to all the windows in the room you are shelter in.
3) If it is cold and for some reason you have no heat or advised to not use your gas you can line the room with your bed mattresses. It is amazing how this will keep the room warm.
4) You should have a "shelter-in-place" kit that can easily be accessed quickly. It should contain bottled water, snacks, food (granola bars, peanut butter, Ritz crackers, trail mix, etc.) just in case you need to stay there for awhile. It should also contain some card and board games to entertain the family, scriptures and favorite reading books.
5) Flashlight with extra batteries, and maybe an LED lantern, in case you loose electricity.
6) A radio to get updated news. If you are in a room with the TV then you can watch the news.
7) Do not forget your pets and their needs. Have small kit put together for them.
What to do:
1) Plan ahead of time which room you will shelter-in-place in, one with the least amount of windows and doors. The master bedroom with an adjacent bathroom would be idea.
2) Gather the family together quickly.
3) Cover all window and doors with the heavy black plastic and seal with the duck tape.
4) Listen to the radio or TV for further instructions. If you do not have a phone in the room you are sheltering in, take your cell phone with you and the charger.
5) Pull out your "Shelter-in-Place" kit and keep everyone calm and ingaged in activities, especially the children, to keep their minds off what is happening.
6) Bring your pets in from outside.
7) Listen for the all clear sound or announcements on the radio or TV.
8) DO NOT leave the room until you know it is safe.
Resources:
The CDC, Center for Disease Control and Prevention has some other great advise. Click here to read more about this subject to help you plan. Everyone should have this plan in place in their home, at work, at their children's schools and elsewhere. If you have family members in a nursing home or assisted living facility make sure they have a plan in place for this type of event.
There are other websites and local governments that may have more information on this subject.
Each family member should have one attached to the bed head post of their bed.
You will need the following:
1) One extra large plastic zip lock bag to place the items in.
2) Sturdy rope/cord to tie the bag to the bed head post.
Place these items in the bag:
1) Sturdy shoes with a park of socks (If you have children check this often as change as they grow)
2) Small flashlight (LED type, non-batteries)
3) Whistle (The rescuers will here the whistle better than your voice, which may die out.)
4) Bottle of water.
5) Extra pair of prescription eye glasses in case you cannot find yours. (In an earthquake they can fly off the side lamp table.)
6) Crowbar (Only need one in one of the bags if more than one person sleeping in the room. Helps to open the door if it is jammed and break the window glass if you need escape by the window.
Note: If you have a medical condition like diabetes you may want to include a couple of granola bars or sugar packets in the bad just in case you are trapped for awhile.
Instructions: Place all the items above in the extra large plastic zip lock bag, punch a small hole in the top corner of the bag, run the rope or cord through the hole and tie it to the bed head post and tuck just under the bed. This helps the bag from moving around in the earthquake making it easy to locate.
Get the whole family involved in your preparation.
1. Does you family practice fire drills and escape routes from your home? Yes/No
2. Does each family member know what to do before, during and after an earthquake
or any natural disaster? Yes/No
3. Do you have heavy objects hanging over your beds that could fall on someone during
an earthquake? Yes/No
4. Are bookcases and heavy furniture, like televisions, secured to avoid injuries? Yes/No
5. Do you keep an under bed earthquake kit under the bed for each house hold
member? Yes/No
6. Do you have an operational flashlight with extra batteries in each bedroom? Yes/No
7. If your water line ruptured during an earthquake do you know how to turn off
the main water valve and where it is located? Do all family members know? Yes/No
8. If you smell gas after an earthquake do you how to turn off the main gas
shut-off valve and where it is located? Do all family members know? Yes/No
9. Do you have the correct tool taped or strapped to the mail gas line so you can
shut-off the valve? Yes/No
10. Do you know how to safely turn back on the gas at the furnace and hot water
heater (light the pilots) once it is available? Yes/No
11. Do you know not to turn on the lights or light a candle if you smell gas? Yes/No
12. Do you have a working smoke alarms in the proper places to warn of fire? Yes/No
13. In case of a minor fire, do you have a working fire extinguisher that you know
how to use? Yes/No
14. Do you have important documents together in a secure place and easy to
access? Yes/No
15. Do you have a functional emergency radio to receive emergency information,
with extra batteries? Yes/No
16. Does your family have a plan if you need to evacuate immediately and where to
meet if all are not at home? Yes/No
17. Do you have an out of state contact person all family members know and keep
on them? Yes/No
18. Do you have family members with special needs and will need special
help during and after a disaster? Yes/No
19. Do you have a "shelter in place" plan if you had to stay in your home due to a
pandemic or chemical spill? Yes/No
If an emergency lasted for 72 hours (3 days) before help was available to you and your family
20. Would you have sufficient food? Yes/No
21. Would you have sufficient water for drinking, cooking and bathing? Yes/No
22. Would you have a way to cook without gas or electricity? Yes/No
23. Would you have a way to have light without electricity? Yes/No
24. Does each family member have a 72 Hour Individual Emergency Backpack? Yes/No
25. Do you have a first-aid kit in your home and in each car? Yes/No
26. Do you have a family emergency medical kit? Yes/No
27. Do you have emergency cash on hand, small bills (Ones and Fives) and change? Yes/No
28. Do you have work gloves and tools for rescues and clean up? Yes/No
29. Without electricity or gas would you have a way to heat your house? Yes/No
30. If you take prescription medications or other over the counter medications do yo have
a month's supply? Yes/No
31. Do you have a sanitation plan if you cannot use your conventional toilet? Yes/No
32. Do you have food storage, water storage, clothing and fuel were appropriate:
1 month 3 months 6 months 1 year? Yes/No
Make a plan and post it on your refrigerator or bulletin board
to make sure you stay on track for your goals.
This blog and others will help you be prepared. Click on the posting subjects on the right under "Postings"and stroll through the week posting for more help and ideas.
The ASPCA has a wonderful website where they give great information on how to take care of your pets before during and after a disaster or emergency situation.
Click here to see their instructions on their website.
The 5 Step Process:
Step 1: Get a Rescue Albert Sticker
Step 2: Arrange a Safe Haven
Step 3: Emergency Supplies and Traveling Kits
Step 4: Choose "Designated Caregivers"
Step 5: Evacuation Preparation
Step 6: Georgraphic and Climate Considerations
Besides having your family 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpack(s) you should also have a 72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Family Bag containing other items you might need. All these items can be kept in a large sports bag or large backpack. You should keep one in your car and/or at home with your 72 Hour Individual Emergency Backpacks.
Add the following items to your 72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Family Bag:
Large duffel or sports bag
First-aid kit with First-aid book
Solar and regular radio with extra batters.
Hand can opener (If you have cans that will need opening in your 72 Hour Individual Emergency Backpack you will need one.)
Large plastic waterproof tarp to build extra shelter
Dutch tape
50 feet of nylon rope or cord
Heat cell fuel ($3.50 at emergencyessentials.com)
Flat fuel folding stove ($7.95 at emergencyessentials.com)
Water proof matches
2 Mess Kits for cooking and heating food (about $6 each at emergencyessenitals.com. You can also purchase them at sporting goods stores and online.)
Basic chow set (You should have one for each family. Can keep them in your 72 Hour Individual Emergency Backpack. You can purchase these at sporting goods stores and other camping supply stores.)
Small tool set wrapped in a towel (Flat head and Philips screw drivers, pliers and hammer)
Old cell phone. It is amazing how this can help you in an emergency. Click here to see how an old cell phone can help in a disaster or emergency situation.
Crow bar. You may need to move a heavy object or help rescue someone under debris.
Fold up shovel
Multi hatchet tool (a hammer, crowbar and hatchet)
Wrap it in a small towel, the blade is very sharp.
Utility knife or Leatherman (12 function Army/Survival knife with scissors)
Wet stone to sharpen blades
Emergency flares in a case for protection
Compass
Small hand mirror for signaling
Street maps of your local areas in case you need to evacuate by car or foot.
Small sewing kit
Good set of Walkie Talkies (In case your family needs to separate or becomes separated, each parent should have one on them.) Watch for sales at sporting goods stores, emergency supply stores and online.
Small bills ($1 and $5) and change in a plastic zip lock bag. You may need to purchase some needed items and the person selling the item will say they cannot make change.
Sun screen. You may be walking or outside a lot. Need to protect your skin from sun burns.
Insect repellant. You may be outside and need protection from insect bites.
Every house hold should have an emergency cleaning bucket for when a disaster strikes. It is easy to put together and most items can be purchased at a 99 Cent Store, Dollar Tree, Dollar General or discount store.
You will need the following:
1) 5 gallon bucket with a lid (Home Depot, WalMart, etc. carry these)
2) Bottle of dish soap
3) Laundry soap (small-medium size)
4) Bottle of disinfectant cleaner
5) 2 clothes lines/rope (100 feet)
6) Clothes pens
7) 7 dry sponges
8) 24 large sturdy 30 gallon plastic black trash bags (all rolled up together)
9) 18 clean reusable towels/wipes (blue ones)
10) Can of spray air fresher
11) Insect repellent spray
12) One pair of heavy work gloves
13) 5 scrubber pads
14) Cleaning brush
15) 5 dust masks
16) 2 pair of latex rubber gloves
Optional:
1) Old fashioned clothes wash board (I have seen them at ACE Hardware. Other hardware stores may carry them.)
2) Old fashioned round metal tub or heavy plastic bin or tub (I have found the round metal tubs at estate and garage sales. You can also find them online and at some hardware stores.)
3) Mobile Washer (emergencyessentials.com for $14.95)--helps agitate the clothes in the metal or plastic tub.)
To watch how this emergency cleaning bucket is put together watch the video below . . .
Hi Torrance Stake Family, Carson Ward Family, family and Friends,
Lots to say this week since I did not post last week due to
several unforeseen issues.
Do not forget to check out this months assignments below.
This is the last week for the July assignments.
Random New Things . . .
Subscribe to my blog by email: To receive an email each time I post a new post just put in your email and hit submit (see on the right of this blog at the top). You will receive an email you need to open and respond to.
New Posts: Last week I added 3 new posting under "Postings". Check them out . . . "Canning Your Fruits and Tomatoes/Vegetables", "Dehydrated Fruits and Vegetables", and "Family Emergency Preparedness Notebook". Read a comment from one of our viewer how he feels this notebook will help. Watch for more new post in the coming weeks.
Eggs Update: I contacted "thejimbakkershow.com" regarding how their website says the freeze-dried powdered whole eggs are out of stock. They informed me they are not and will correct their website. If the website is still showing out of stock, call them to place your order.
Once Again We Are Reminded Why We Need To Be Prepared . . .
You never know what or when it will happen! Two events last week were a reminder of how little we are prepared.
In Long Beach, California USA, not far from us, sections of the city were without electricity for several days due to underground electrical fires causing about 6,000 customers to loose their electricity. This also happened during a week of high temperatures and high humidity, no fans or air conditioning. This included residences, high rise apartments and condo and many businesses in the downtown area of Long Beach, California USA. We needed to visit with a relative in an assisted living place and found trying to get there was a challenge. There were street closings and obstacles to work around. We saw people on small park grassy areas with small tents, blankets and supplies and porta potties lined up. CERT was delivering buckets of water to senior residence in high rise apartment buildings, no elevators. It was eerie seeing business, mini markets and restaurants blacked out. Street lights were not working. Cars and trucks were backed up. My husband's brother lives in the area hit. There was no electricity, no refrigeration and all his food spoiled. They were told to stay in their homes due to debris flying around from the fire and street manholes being blown off.
Last weekend Southern California received some much needed rain from a storm coming up from Mexico. With that rain came some problems. In some areas they had mud slides. The biggest issue was that Interstate I-10 going from California to Phoenix, Arizona east of Coachella Valley near Desert Center collapsed due to flashing flooding under the overpass bridge.Cars and cargo trucks were lined up. It took several days to repair the interstate so cars and trucks could proceed. Imagine if this went on for weeks, months and other interstate roadways were closed. We are so dependent on trucks bring supplies of food, water, medical supplies and other much needed products across this country (USA). The I-10 and I-40 are major roadways from the docks in California to the Midwest and East Coast USA. Would we have enough supplies of food and other items on hand to help through this disaster? I would say most of us do not!
Things like major power outages and interstate road closures would change our lives in an instant! Be prepared for what may come your way! Procrastination and Distractions
Procrastination and distractions are two of the things that keep us from accomplishing our goals in life. How many times do we put off the difficult task ahead? How many times are we easily distracted by the things in our life or the world? I know I procrastinate and get distracted sometimes. We all do!
I find a way to handle these issues is to set goals and write them down. Do the hardest ones first. It seems if we do the easiest first we dread the hard ones. Once they are done check them off or cross them off. It feels great doing it this way knowing we have accomplished our goal.
Emergency Preparedness and Food Storage is one of the things we seem to procrastinate and get distracted from doing, even when we know it is important to provide for and protect our family, we let other things get in the way. We say tomorrow I will start! I have plenty of time to prepare! But do we really? It only takes a second for our lives to change drastically like in the examples above. If we wait until things happen it is to late to prepare, we suffer and our family suffers. Satan uses distractions to keep us from accomplishing our goals. Let us all strive to work hard on accomplishing our goals and not let procrastination and distraction keep us from accomplishing them.
Physical Preparation
I talk a lot about temporal preparation and spiritual preparation, but physical preparation is important too! If we strive to eat right, exercise and strive to stay physically fit as possible when a disaster or stress comes into our lives we will be able to survive and handle the situation better.
A few weeks ago I mentioned how the Jewish people were told to leave Jerusalem and go to the mountains for protection. We too may be asked to leave and go somewhere for protection. Would you be able to walk several miles?
Last Week for the July Monthly Assignments
Food Storage: Dairy
This coming month we will be working on
adding dairy to our food storage. Dairy includes milks
(dehydrated/freeze-dried, instant, fresh milk, buttermilk, evaporated,
sweeten condensed, almond, rice, etc.), cheeses (Cheddar, Monterrey
Jack, Mozzarella, Colby, Parmesan, cottage cheese, cream cheese, etc.),
sour cream, yogurts, butter/margarine, ice cream, frozen yogurt, etc.
Store a variety of dairy products.
Milk:
You should store a verity of milks, some canned, boxed
non-refrigerated, dehydrated/freeze dried and instant. You can also
freeze fresh milk by taking some of the milk out of the container to
allow for expansion and placing the container in the freezer to freeze.
It will last for up to one year. Canned milks can be stored up to their
expiration dates. Dehydrated/freeze-dried and instant milk in #10 sealed
cans can be stored for up to 10-20 years depending on the temperature
(cool 70 degrees or less, dry and dark). The boxed instant milk you
purchase in grocery stores will only store for up to 6 months in a
cool,dry, dark place.
Cheese:
Most hard and soft cheeses can be shredded and frozen for up to one
year in a zip lock freezer bag. You can also purchase cheeses
dehydrated/freeze dried in 2.5 cans or #10 cans for up to 20 years
depending on the temperature (cool 70 degrees or less, dry and dark).
This also includes sour cream and other cheeses.
Butter/margarine: You can freeze
butter/margarine up to one year. You can also purchase dehydrated/freeze
dried butter/margarine in 2.5 cans and #10 cans. You can purchase it
from local grocery stores, box stores and food emergency supply
companies.
Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt: Yes,
you can purchase dehydrated/freeze dried ice cream and frozen yogurt.
No need for extra water to rehydrate them. You just put them in your
mouth and let them melt. Yummy! A special treat during a disaster
situation!
Eggs: Some people say eggs are
part of diary, but for me they belong in the protein (meat, etc.)
section. You can include them if you want. You can purchase
dehydrated/freeze dried eggs. I use them just like regular eggs, just
add water, scramble, use in baking. They come in #10 cans, they last for
20 years in a cool, dry, dark place. You can take fresh eggs and freeze
them by taking a cupcake pan, lining each cupcake space with saran
wrap, cracking the egg and dropping the egg into the cupcake space,
cover with the saran wrap and freeze. Once frozen take them out and
place the wrapped eggs into a freezer zip lock bag and freeze for up to
one year. When needed, let them thaw and use as needed.
Note: Just remember, if you store dehydrated/freeze dried diary products it take extra water to rehydrate them.
Where to purchase: Of
course, your local grocery store and box stores are great for canned
milks, boxed milks, fresh milks, cheeses, butter/margarine and other
dairy products. I find emergencyessentials.com is the best economical place to purchase the dehydrated/freeze dried diary products. store.lds.org
also sells non-fat instant milk. Go to their websites and search for
their diary products. And of course, there are other emergency food
supply companies, just do the research. You can also request a catalog
from emergencyessentials.com be sent to you. Watch for sales. I like
their fortified instant milk, cheeses and other diary products.
How much to purchase: Determine
how much dairy, include all dairies, your family uses in a month,
multiply that by the number of months you have set your food storage
goal
Emergency Preparedness:
Shelter and Sanitation
Shelter: You never know when you
may not be able to stay in your home due to severe damage and you will
need shelter. Every family should have a tent large enough to fit their
family or several small ones. You should also learn how to build a
shelter from surrounding sources if away from home. We carry a small 3
man tent in the trunk of our car just in case we are away from home and
might need it. Click here to check out the Posting "Shelter" on this blog. Click here to check out a website showing great ways to build a shelter if away from home.
Sanitation is a very important part of emergency preparedness. What would you do if you could not use your home toilet? Click here to learn about how to handle sanitation and what you will need in an emergency situation.
Emergency Cleaning Bucket:During a disaster you may not be able to use yourconventional
washing machine and dryer. Put together an emergency cleaning bucket.
All the items will fit into a 5 gallon bucket except the scrub board,
large tub and mobile washer (emergencyessentials.com)
Watch this video on how to put the bucket together.
Emergency Preparedness Ideas
New product for canning vegetables . . .
I recently purchased a Power Pressure Cooker XL which I love. It is not only for cooking food but you can can vegetables, fruits and meats. I purchased mine at Bed, Bath and Beyond for $99 and used my 20% off coupon You can also purchase them online and you see them advertised on television. You can only use the pressure cooking method with this product if you live at an elevation lower the 2,000 feet. It above that call the company.
This week I canned 20 pint jars of carrots from my vegetable garden.You can can 4 pint jars at one time and it takes about 25 minutes. Other vegetables and food items can at different time, see the in closed chart. Carrots and most vegetables are low acid cannot be canned in the water bath canning method. The picture below are the carrots from my vegetable garden before canning them. You can also peel, slice and blanch them and then freeze them for up to a year.
I also canned tomatoes from my vegetable garden using the water bath canning method. For instructions see under "Postings" on the right,
"Canning Your Fruits and Tomatoes/Vegetables". It is not hard, it just takes time. This is economical and adds vegetable to our food storage.
Comments and Questions:
Please
share your comments below. We all learn from each others experiences
and knowledge. If you have any questions you can leave them below or
email me at theark.carsonward@gmail.com. I will research your questions
and answer it on the blog next time. Thank you for your comments. Need
help posting a comment or asking a question, go back to last week's
posting for instructions.
