Emergency Preparedness, Food Storage and Monthly Assignments (Week of August 2nd)

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

Why aren't you prepared for a 
                                 major emergency?  

So many of us are not prepared for a major emergency, let alone a minor one. 

Why aren't you prepared?

Procrastination?
Distractions?
Laziness?
Busy life?

There are 4 areas you should be prepared in . . .

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.