Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,
I apologize for the delay this week, I have been ill with a very bad cold.
Story/Scriptures:
We all know the story of the Pharaoh's dream and Joseph's interpretation of it. If you do not remember it then read Genesis Chapter 41, share it with your family, friends and neighbors. I have been thinking about this story for the past few days and a warning I personal received from the Holy Ghost a couple of years ago. Let me share them by paraphrasing Joseph's interpretation of the Pharaoh's dream and my warning.
Joseph's interpretation of the dream was a warming to the Pharaoh and his people to store up grains while in the seven years of plenty to prepare for the seven years of famine. "And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, ..., and laid up the food in the cities:... And the seven years of dearth (famine) began to come, according to Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all the lands,...." (Genesis 41:48, 54) Many laughed at Joseph and did not heed his warning. When they were without food they came to Joseph to purchase his grains. What if there was not money to purchase the food? What would they have done?
A couple of years ago I had a dream and woke up startiled and set up in my bed. I was told time was short, something great was going to happen and I needed to be ready and warn my family. I needed to build up our year's food storage and emergency supplies, which had diminished some, to take care of our family. The feeling was so strong I could not get it out of my mind. I knew I need to warn others, but not sure how to go about it. I made a plan and started to build up our year's supply of food and emergency supplies. I also knew I needed to warn others. Then a year later I was called to be the Emergency Preparedness Leader for our Ward. The Lord had provided a way for me to warn others. Then I was inspired to set up this blog, another way to warn others and reach more than just our Ward.
Brothers and Sisters, I do not know what is coming, when it will come, but I know it is coming. We need to be doing all we can to prepare for very difficult times ahead. We need to change our priorities and use our money wisely. We already see the unrest in the world, strange weather and stronger storms, we hear about shortages of food and water, and how our own Consititution is struggling. We are in the "last days". What are we waiting for, when will we start preparing? Someday it is going to be too late! You may have the money to purchase the food, but there may be no food to purchase. There may be food to purchase, but you do not have enough money. What will it take for you start preparing? Just one can or package at a time is better than doing nothing. Make a plan and goals to accomplish your plan.
You may think I am crazy, and sometimes a little over the top, but I know the time will come when you will have wished you had listened to our Church Leaders and prepared!
American Red Cross CPR & First-aid Class: Just a reminder, this Saturday, February 25th, is our Ceritified CPR & First-aid class from 9am-3:30pm in the cultural hall. There will be a Pot-luck lunch, please bring a salad or dessert to serve 10 people. Sandwiches will be provided. We will have fruit and muffins at the morning 15 minute break. Please be prompt! See you there.
Weekly Temporal Assignment--Emergency Family Medical Supplies:
Please add the follwing this week:
1) 2 bottles of Hand sanitizer
2) Antifungal ointment/cream (tube)
3) Pain relievers (non-asprin type, acetaminophen, ibuprofen for both adults and children, if in your family)
4) Asprin
# 1,2, & 3 you can purchase at the 99 Cent Store or Dollar Tree, but watch the expiration dates.
You should have the following items now:
1. Different sizes of bandages, regular to extra large
2. Package of Sanitary Pads
3. Antibiotic cream
4. 2 Ace bandages
5. Sharp Scissors
6. 2 bottles of Peroxide
7. 2 bottles of Alcohol
8. Petroleum Jelly (1 large or 2 small)
9. Eye wash solutions 10. Two tweezers (1 regular, 1 small)
10. 2 bottles of Hand sanitizer
11. Antifungal ointment/cream
12. Pain relievers (non-asprin tyupe, acetaminophen, ibuprofen for both adults and children)
13. Asprin
***Place all these items in a large plastic container marked Family Emergency Medical Supplies. Keep in a convenient place, like a closet. Make sure your family knows where it is and it is only used for emergencies.
Food Storage Ideas:
EmergencyEssentials.com website has a list of "14 great tips for Food Storage shopping". Cut and paste the link below on Google and read them. Print out for future use.
http://beprepared.com/article.asp?ai=1256&sid=ppblog
Costco is having a great online sale for Food Storage items. You have to belong to Costco to purchase the items. They are offering items from Shelf-Reliance-Thrive and Food for Health.
Here is the link to cut and paste on Google: http://us.mg5.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.rand=2u1v2shetrbg8
1) Food For Health Emergency Garden Seeds: $42.99, save $7. 5 year shelf life. Enough seeds to plant an acre of vegetables. These are great to have in your Food Storage. You never know when you may not be able to purchase seeds.
2) Food For Health 275 serivings of Vegetarian Meals: $99.99. 20 year shelf life. Come in mylar pouches in a bucket. At the Food For Health International website it is over $150.
3) Shelf-Reliance-Thrive 270 servings of Vegetable Variety Pack Emergency Food Kit: $79.99. 20 year shelf life. One of each #10 can-Corn, Chopped Onions, Broccoli Pieces, Carrots Diced, and Potato Chunks.
4) Shelf-Reliance-Thrive Premium Cheese Pack: $169.99. Save $30. 6 #10 cans of different types of cheese. 20 year shelf life.
5) Shelf-Reliance-Thrive Premium Meat Variety Pack: $159.99, save $40. 6 #10 cans fo different types of meat. 20 year shelf life.
Remember: Post you name and comment for our February 26th Monthly FREE Giveway Drawing to be held next week.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Weekly Assignment and Food Storage Ideas (Week of February 12th)
Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,
Quote
"For if ye are not equal in earthly things ye cannot be equal in obtaining heavenly things; For if you will that I give unto you a place in the celestial world, you must prepare yourselves by doing the things which I have commanded you and required of you." Doctrine and Covenants 78:6-7
What powerful scriptures! How can we expect to obtain celestial blessings if we are not striving to live a celestial life in this life? Are we following our Prophet, apostles and church leaders? Are we striving to be prepared both spiritually and temporally? Are we expecting others to take care of us when times get tough, or will we be able to take care of ourselves and help others? We are commanded to be prepared both spiritually and temporally. That is what this blog is all about, helping our Ward members, family and friends become as prepared as they possibly can.
February is our month to work on our medical emergency preparations. We are working on putting together a Family Emergency Medical Supply Kit, learning and becoming certified in CPR and First-aid, and setting up an emergency escape plan for our home and family for fires, tsunamis, earthquakes and emergency evacuations.
Last Sunday, February 12th, to sign up for the American Red Cross CPR & First-aid classes. This month we are having a CPR and First-aid class sponsored by the American Red Cross on Saturday the 25th from 9:00am-3:30pm. We will have a Pot-luck Salads and Deserts Lunch with sandwiches provided. You must sign up for this class by Sunday, February 12th to participate. Please contact Sister Nancy Cuppett by email (theark.carsonward@gmail.com or phone 310-835-0902). Please, only our Ward members can attend the class.
Weekly Assignment: Family Emergency Medical Supply Kit
This week add the following (Most of these you can purchase at the 99 Cent Store or the Dollar Tree):
1) 2 bottles of Hydrogen peroxide
2) 2 bottles of Alcohol (70%+ by volume)
3) Petroleum Jelly (1 large or 2 small)
4) Eye wash solution (CVS, Walgreens, Rite-aid, etc)
5) Two tweezers (1 regular size, 1 small)
You should have the following items now:
1. Different sizes of bandages, regular to extra large
2. Package of Sanitary Pads
3. Antibiotic cream
4. 2 Ace bandages
5. Sharp Scissors
6. 2 bottles of Peroxide
7. 2 bottles of Alcohol
8. Petroleum Jelly (1 large or 2 small)
9. Eye wash solutions
10. Two tweezers (1 regular, 1 small)
***Place all these items in a large plastic container marked Family Emergency Medical Supplies. Keep in a convenient place, like a closet. Make sure your family knows where it is and it is only used for emergencies.
Food Storage: Continue to add items to your 3 Months Food Supply. Keep an inventory of the items you purchase and their expiration dates. Check your inventory list at least every 3 months. Rotate those items that need used before the expiration date and replace with new one.
Food Storage Ideas:
Metal Food Storage Racks: These are expensive ($300-$900), come in different sizes, take up a lot of room, but a great way to store your #10 cans and regular cans of food. They are usually on a slant so when you remove the front item everything rolls forward leaving room in the back for new items, which makes it easy to rotate your cans. You can also purchase flat ones that you can store items on. My daughter has several of these and loves them. She was able to get a good price by purchasing hers from someone that was moving and did not want to take them with them. It is best to Google the item to get the best deals. I know Shelf-reliance sells them. Watch for a good sale!
Rememeber: Post your name and comment for the February FREE Monthly Giveaway Drawing!
Quote
"For if ye are not equal in earthly things ye cannot be equal in obtaining heavenly things; For if you will that I give unto you a place in the celestial world, you must prepare yourselves by doing the things which I have commanded you and required of you." Doctrine and Covenants 78:6-7
What powerful scriptures! How can we expect to obtain celestial blessings if we are not striving to live a celestial life in this life? Are we following our Prophet, apostles and church leaders? Are we striving to be prepared both spiritually and temporally? Are we expecting others to take care of us when times get tough, or will we be able to take care of ourselves and help others? We are commanded to be prepared both spiritually and temporally. That is what this blog is all about, helping our Ward members, family and friends become as prepared as they possibly can.
February is our month to work on our medical emergency preparations. We are working on putting together a Family Emergency Medical Supply Kit, learning and becoming certified in CPR and First-aid, and setting up an emergency escape plan for our home and family for fires, tsunamis, earthquakes and emergency evacuations.
Last Sunday, February 12th, to sign up for the American Red Cross CPR & First-aid classes. This month we are having a CPR and First-aid class sponsored by the American Red Cross on Saturday the 25th from 9:00am-3:30pm. We will have a Pot-luck Salads and Deserts Lunch with sandwiches provided. You must sign up for this class by Sunday, February 12th to participate. Please contact Sister Nancy Cuppett by email (theark.carsonward@gmail.com or phone 310-835-0902). Please, only our Ward members can attend the class.
Weekly Assignment: Family Emergency Medical Supply Kit
This week add the following (Most of these you can purchase at the 99 Cent Store or the Dollar Tree):
1) 2 bottles of Hydrogen peroxide
2) 2 bottles of Alcohol (70%+ by volume)
3) Petroleum Jelly (1 large or 2 small)
4) Eye wash solution (CVS, Walgreens, Rite-aid, etc)
5) Two tweezers (1 regular size, 1 small)
You should have the following items now:
1. Different sizes of bandages, regular to extra large
2. Package of Sanitary Pads
3. Antibiotic cream
4. 2 Ace bandages
5. Sharp Scissors
6. 2 bottles of Peroxide
7. 2 bottles of Alcohol
8. Petroleum Jelly (1 large or 2 small)
9. Eye wash solutions
10. Two tweezers (1 regular, 1 small)
***Place all these items in a large plastic container marked Family Emergency Medical Supplies. Keep in a convenient place, like a closet. Make sure your family knows where it is and it is only used for emergencies.
Food Storage: Continue to add items to your 3 Months Food Supply. Keep an inventory of the items you purchase and their expiration dates. Check your inventory list at least every 3 months. Rotate those items that need used before the expiration date and replace with new one.
Food Storage Ideas:
Metal Food Storage Racks: These are expensive ($300-$900), come in different sizes, take up a lot of room, but a great way to store your #10 cans and regular cans of food. They are usually on a slant so when you remove the front item everything rolls forward leaving room in the back for new items, which makes it easy to rotate your cans. You can also purchase flat ones that you can store items on. My daughter has several of these and loves them. She was able to get a good price by purchasing hers from someone that was moving and did not want to take them with them. It is best to Google the item to get the best deals. I know Shelf-reliance sells them. Watch for a good sale!
Rememeber: Post your name and comment for the February FREE Monthly Giveaway Drawing!
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Weekly Assignment and Food Storage Ideas (Week of February 5th)
Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,
Congratulations to Layne Silva! She won January's "FREE Monthly Giveaway Drawing". She won a Butane One Burner Stove with two cans of Butane fuel. Everyone should have one of these and extra fuel for emergency cooking. You can use them in your home and they work great for cooking in an emergency situation, or even camping. You can purchase them for about $12-$15 and the fuel for about $1.50 per can at Marukai in Gardena or on Sepulveda in Torrance (across the street from Toys R Us).
Wow! February is already here! A new month and new goals to focus on. February is our CPR, First-aid and Emergency Preparedness theme.
This month we are having a CPR and First-aid class sponsored by the American Red Cross on Saturday the 25th from 9:00am-3:30pm. We will have a Pot-luck Salads and Deserts Lunch with sandwiches provided. You must sign up for this class by Sunday, February 12th to participate. Please contact Sister Nancy Cuppett by email (theark.carsonward@gmail.com or phone 310-835-0902). Please, only our Ward members can attend the class.
Weekly Assignment:
1) Please purchase an updated First-aid book if yours is too old or if you do not already have one. Keep the book either with your First-aid kit or with your Family Emergency Medical Supply Kit. You should have one for your home and one for your car. We will be working on the Family Emergency Medical Supply Kit this month too.
2) Family Emergency Medical Supply Kit (this week add the following or replace as needed):
1. Different sizes of bandages, regular to extra large (CVS, Walgreens, WalMart, Target, etc.)
2. Package of Sanitary Pads (great absorbers for a large wound or when there is a lot of blood)
3. Antibiotic cream (99 Cent Store, Dollar Tree, drug stores, what the expiration date)
4. 2 Ace bandages (99 Cent Store, Dollar Tree, CVS, Walgreens, WalMart, Target, etc.)
5. Sharp Scissors
Place all these items in a large plastic container marked Family Emergency Medical Supplies. Keep in a convenient place, like a closet. Make sure your family knows where it is and it is only used for emergencies.
Food Storage:
The week purchase items for your 3 Months Food Storage. Replace any items that need rotated.
Food Storage Idea:
When you store prescription drugs, vitamins and supplements they need to be keep in a dark bottle and stored in a dark dry cool place.
Remember: Put your name and comment for our February FREE Monthly Giveaway Drawing.
Congratulations to Layne Silva! She won January's "FREE Monthly Giveaway Drawing". She won a Butane One Burner Stove with two cans of Butane fuel. Everyone should have one of these and extra fuel for emergency cooking. You can use them in your home and they work great for cooking in an emergency situation, or even camping. You can purchase them for about $12-$15 and the fuel for about $1.50 per can at Marukai in Gardena or on Sepulveda in Torrance (across the street from Toys R Us).
Wow! February is already here! A new month and new goals to focus on. February is our CPR, First-aid and Emergency Preparedness theme.
This month we are having a CPR and First-aid class sponsored by the American Red Cross on Saturday the 25th from 9:00am-3:30pm. We will have a Pot-luck Salads and Deserts Lunch with sandwiches provided. You must sign up for this class by Sunday, February 12th to participate. Please contact Sister Nancy Cuppett by email (theark.carsonward@gmail.com or phone 310-835-0902). Please, only our Ward members can attend the class.
Weekly Assignment:
1) Please purchase an updated First-aid book if yours is too old or if you do not already have one. Keep the book either with your First-aid kit or with your Family Emergency Medical Supply Kit. You should have one for your home and one for your car. We will be working on the Family Emergency Medical Supply Kit this month too.
2) Family Emergency Medical Supply Kit (this week add the following or replace as needed):
1. Different sizes of bandages, regular to extra large (CVS, Walgreens, WalMart, Target, etc.)
2. Package of Sanitary Pads (great absorbers for a large wound or when there is a lot of blood)
3. Antibiotic cream (99 Cent Store, Dollar Tree, drug stores, what the expiration date)
4. 2 Ace bandages (99 Cent Store, Dollar Tree, CVS, Walgreens, WalMart, Target, etc.)
5. Sharp Scissors
Place all these items in a large plastic container marked Family Emergency Medical Supplies. Keep in a convenient place, like a closet. Make sure your family knows where it is and it is only used for emergencies.
Food Storage:
The week purchase items for your 3 Months Food Storage. Replace any items that need rotated.
Food Storage Idea:
When you store prescription drugs, vitamins and supplements they need to be keep in a dark bottle and stored in a dark dry cool place.
Remember: Put your name and comment for our February FREE Monthly Giveaway Drawing.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Weekly Assignment and Food Storage Ideas (Week of January 29th)
Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,
Wow! Wasn't last week's Stake Conference broadcast great! Each talk was filled with so much information to help us in these challenging times. Their talks encouraged us, strengthened our faith and testimony and brought peace, reminding us we have a loving Heavenly Father and Savior who are here for us each day.
Brother Snow of the General Seventy's Presidency spoke about being prepared and shared the parable of the 10 Virgins, about being in holy places and service to others. Sister Johnson of the General Relief Society Presidency spoke about the importance of our faith and developing it. Brother Johnson spoke about that through our faith and good works we can strive to know the Lords will and accomplish that which we are to do. Elder L. Tom Perry of the Twelve Apostles spoke about we need to be organized, about the organization of the Priesthood and how the Savior organized his church here upon the earth, about the keys of the Priesthood restored and the Restoration of the Gospel through Joseph Smith. What wonderful words of advice and guidance from our church leaders.
How to apply this to our Emergency Preparedness and Food Storage:
1. We need to be prepared, both spiritually and temporally. We need to be reading our scriptures, studying the words written there, and praying daily for guidance. We need to be in tune with the Spirit at all times. We never know when we will need our emergency supplies and food storage. It may not be a natural disaster, or it may be, or it could be the loss of income or illness. If we are prepared, we have no need to fear.
2. We need to develop a strong faith in our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. When we have a strong faith, difficult times will not seem as difficult. We will know that we have a loving Heavenly Father and Savior who truly loves us and they are there guiding every foot step we make. With faith in Jesus Christ we can do all things.
3. We need to be organized in our emergency preparedness, our food storage and in our lives, just as our Savior organized his Church and the Priesthood. Without organization there is chaos. We need organization to know how much food storage our family requires for a month, 3 months, 6 months, a year. We need organization to keep track of what we have and when to rotate what we store. With organization comes peace of mind.
Weekly Temporal Assignment--72 Hour Individual Emergency Stessor Kit (add each item below to the Stressor Kit for each family member):
1) Activity book (crosswork or word serach for adults and those appropriate for children)
2) Copy of family member's favorite reading book (soft cover if possible)
3) Card game (put a different one in each child's Stressor Kit for variety to play, Old Maid, Go Fish, Uno, etc.)
Congratulations! You have just completed the 72 Hour Individual Emergency Stressor Kit.
You should have the following items in your Stressor Kits:
1. Photo of the family
2. Small paper back copy of the Book of Mormon
3. Important contact numbers, preferable out of state
4. Copies of all insurances (parents only, except child's health insurance card)
5. Pad of paper with a pencil with a sharpener and a pen
6. Plastic poncho
7. Activity book
8. Copy of favorite reading book
9. Card game
10. $5 in change, you may add if you desire (just in case they need to purchase something or make phone calls)
Food Storage--January's Beverage Assignments (Add the follow, enough for one month for your entire family. You can choose which every week you want.)
Purchase Chart (per person per adult for a month):
Week 1: Milk Non-fat Dry, one #10 can**
Week 2: Cocoa Mix, 1/2 lb. or 1/4 #10 can
Week 3: Fruit Drink Mix, 1/2 lb. or 1/4 #10 can
Week 4: Evaporated Milk, 1x12 oz can
Week 5: Jucie, 3x64 oz bottles/cans
**You can also store Almond Milk, Rice Milk and Soy Milk in cartons that do not need refrigerated from Trade Joes, Whole Foods and other grocery stores. Watch the expiration dates, rotate and replace as needed. Remember, Milk Non-fat Dry does not store as long, depending on the tempature, how and where it is stored, 6 months if in grocery store bought container. In #10 cans it will store up to 10-20 years if stored properly.
Water Chart per person:
2 weeks--14 gallons or 4x24 count cases of 16.9 oz. bottles
1 month--55 gallon water barrel, one per person (only for drinking and cooking, does not include bathing, will need extra for bathing)
Water: See last week's posting for more information about storing water for the "Water Storage" posting under "Postings" on the right side of the Blog.
Remember: Post your name and comment for Sunday, tomorrow's, FREE Monthly Giveaway Drawing by 8:am, Sunday, January 29th.
Wow! Wasn't last week's Stake Conference broadcast great! Each talk was filled with so much information to help us in these challenging times. Their talks encouraged us, strengthened our faith and testimony and brought peace, reminding us we have a loving Heavenly Father and Savior who are here for us each day.
Brother Snow of the General Seventy's Presidency spoke about being prepared and shared the parable of the 10 Virgins, about being in holy places and service to others. Sister Johnson of the General Relief Society Presidency spoke about the importance of our faith and developing it. Brother Johnson spoke about that through our faith and good works we can strive to know the Lords will and accomplish that which we are to do. Elder L. Tom Perry of the Twelve Apostles spoke about we need to be organized, about the organization of the Priesthood and how the Savior organized his church here upon the earth, about the keys of the Priesthood restored and the Restoration of the Gospel through Joseph Smith. What wonderful words of advice and guidance from our church leaders.
How to apply this to our Emergency Preparedness and Food Storage:
1. We need to be prepared, both spiritually and temporally. We need to be reading our scriptures, studying the words written there, and praying daily for guidance. We need to be in tune with the Spirit at all times. We never know when we will need our emergency supplies and food storage. It may not be a natural disaster, or it may be, or it could be the loss of income or illness. If we are prepared, we have no need to fear.
2. We need to develop a strong faith in our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. When we have a strong faith, difficult times will not seem as difficult. We will know that we have a loving Heavenly Father and Savior who truly loves us and they are there guiding every foot step we make. With faith in Jesus Christ we can do all things.
3. We need to be organized in our emergency preparedness, our food storage and in our lives, just as our Savior organized his Church and the Priesthood. Without organization there is chaos. We need organization to know how much food storage our family requires for a month, 3 months, 6 months, a year. We need organization to keep track of what we have and when to rotate what we store. With organization comes peace of mind.
Weekly Temporal Assignment--72 Hour Individual Emergency Stessor Kit (add each item below to the Stressor Kit for each family member):
1) Activity book (crosswork or word serach for adults and those appropriate for children)
2) Copy of family member's favorite reading book (soft cover if possible)
3) Card game (put a different one in each child's Stressor Kit for variety to play, Old Maid, Go Fish, Uno, etc.)
Congratulations! You have just completed the 72 Hour Individual Emergency Stressor Kit.
You should have the following items in your Stressor Kits:
1. Photo of the family
2. Small paper back copy of the Book of Mormon
3. Important contact numbers, preferable out of state
4. Copies of all insurances (parents only, except child's health insurance card)
5. Pad of paper with a pencil with a sharpener and a pen
6. Plastic poncho
7. Activity book
8. Copy of favorite reading book
9. Card game
10. $5 in change, you may add if you desire (just in case they need to purchase something or make phone calls)
Food Storage--January's Beverage Assignments (Add the follow, enough for one month for your entire family. You can choose which every week you want.)
Purchase Chart (per person per adult for a month):
Week 1: Milk Non-fat Dry, one #10 can**
Week 2: Cocoa Mix, 1/2 lb. or 1/4 #10 can
Week 3: Fruit Drink Mix, 1/2 lb. or 1/4 #10 can
Week 4: Evaporated Milk, 1x12 oz can
Week 5: Jucie, 3x64 oz bottles/cans
**You can also store Almond Milk, Rice Milk and Soy Milk in cartons that do not need refrigerated from Trade Joes, Whole Foods and other grocery stores. Watch the expiration dates, rotate and replace as needed. Remember, Milk Non-fat Dry does not store as long, depending on the tempature, how and where it is stored, 6 months if in grocery store bought container. In #10 cans it will store up to 10-20 years if stored properly.
Water Chart per person:
2 weeks--14 gallons or 4x24 count cases of 16.9 oz. bottles
1 month--55 gallon water barrel, one per person (only for drinking and cooking, does not include bathing, will need extra for bathing)
Water: See last week's posting for more information about storing water for the "Water Storage" posting under "Postings" on the right side of the Blog.
Remember: Post your name and comment for Sunday, tomorrow's, FREE Monthly Giveaway Drawing by 8:am, Sunday, January 29th.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Weekly Assignment and Food Storage Ideas (Week of January 22nd)
Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,
Quote:
"Remember that without faith, you can do nothing;..." Doctrine and Covenants 8:10
Water Chart per person:
2 weeks--14 gallons or 4x24 count cases of 16.9 oz. bottles
1 month--55 gallon water barrel, one per person (only for drinking and cooking, does not include bathing, will need extra for bathing)
You can live without food for 40 days, but you can only live without water for 2-3 days.
Check out the "Postings" on the right side under "Water" for lots of ideas, great products for storing and filtering water and where you can purchase the 55 gallon water barrels.
2. This month, purchase fruit juice mixes, milk non-fat dry, cocoa mix, evaporated milk and bottled juice. Only purchase the items your family will drink. Since we are getting a late start this month, you may need to extent this into February. Try to purchase enough for your entire family for 1 month, 3 months, 6 months or a year if possible. Watch the expiration dates, rotate and replace as needed. I like to mark on the bottle or package with a permanent marker the expiration date so it is easier to see. Place newer items behind the older ones, making it easier to rotate. Remember, you will need to store extra water for those berverages that require wated added.
Purchase Chart (per person per adult for a month):
Week 1: Milk Non-fat Dry, one #10 can**
Week 2: Cocoa Mix, 1/2 lb. or 1/4 #10 can
Week 3: Fruit Drink Mix, 1/2 lb. or 1/4 #10 can
Week 4: Evaporated Milk, 1x12 oz can
Week 5: Jucie, 3x64 oz bottles/cans
**You can also store Almond Milk, Rice Milk and Soy Milk in cartons that do not need refrigerated from Trade Joes, Whole Foods and other grocery stores. Watch the expiration dates, rotate and replace as needed. Remember, Milk Non-fat Dry does not store as long, depending on the tempature, how and where it is stored, 6 months if in grocery store bought container. In #10 cans it will store up to 10-20 years if stored properly.
Challenge: I would like each Ward Family to acquire 1 month's supply of food for your family. This includes the basics, wheat, oatmeal, beans, rice, milk non-fat dry and other items your family eats on a regular bases. This is so important to me, once you accomplish this, I will give you a special reward.
Remember: Post your name and comment for our FREE Monthly Giveaway Drawing. Drawing to be held, Sunday, January 29th.
Quote:
"Remember that without faith, you can do nothing;..." Doctrine and Covenants 8:10
What a powderful scripture! If we have faith we can acquire our year's supply of food and emergency supplies, but faith does take "works". It is our responsibility to make a plan and work on accomplishing that plan. With faith we will accomplish our goal!
After some serious though I have decided to simplify ways for us to obtain our Food Storage and Emergency Supplies. I have set up a monthly goal chart for us to follow in 2012. There will be two areas we will work on, first we will discuss and make assignments for emergency preparedness items, and second we will add items to our Food Storage and/or Emergency Preparedness Supplies. Each month we will concentrate on that assignment and food storage/emergency supplies.
January---Finish 72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Stressor Kits, Beverages (water, juices, milk, mixes, etc.)
February---CPR & First-aid Class, Family Medical Emergency Supply Kit/First-Aid Kit
March---Gardening & Fruit Trees, Beans and Legumes
April---Sanitation, Grains and Rice
May---Emergency Cooking, Oils and Fats
June---Shelter, Pastas and Tomatoes (sauces, canned diced & stewed, etc.)
July---Non-Food Items, Condiments (katsup, mustard, mayonnaise, etc.)
August---Canning Basics, Fruits and Vegetables
September---Emergency Equipment, Breakfast Foods
October---72 Hour Emergency Kits, Meats, including poultry and fish (canned)
November---Disaster Situations/What to do, Seasonings
December---New Goals and Getting Organized, Honey & Sugar
CPR, First-aid, and Disaster Preparedness Classes: This event will be held Saturday, February 25th, 9:00am-3:30pm at the Carson Building, with a 30 minute pot-luck lunch and 1-2 breaks. A Volunteer from the American Red Cross will be coming to teach the class. You must sign-up ahead of time for the class. Please see the sign-up sheet at Church or speak with Nancy Cuppett (310-835-0902 or email, theark.carsonward@gmail.com) if you want to attend the class. Last day to sign-up is Sunday, February 12th. The American Red Cross wants everyone to be as prepared as possible in case of a disaster or emergency type situation. With these classes you should be able to take care of your family and assist your neighbors. It will take a long time if there is a major disaster, sometimes even days or weeks, before medical assistance or emergency response teams can get to you. The better prepared we are individually, the more likely we will survive. This is a great opportunity for us to be prepared with CPR and First-aid skills and have some training in Disaster Preparedness.
January goals:
1) Finish the 72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Kits for your backpacks.
2) Replace water in your water barrels if a year old, add cases of small bottled water as needed, purchase beverages listed below.
1) 72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Stressor Kits:
This week add the following (one for each family member). Place the items below in the large zip lock bag with the items we have already added, mark the bag "Stressor Kit":
1. Insurance information---list all insurances, Homeowners, Renters, Homeowner Condo, Auto, Life, Medical/Health insurance policy numbers, named insured, coverages and contact phone numbers. It is best to make a copy of the them and put them in a zip lock bag marked insurance. If coping your insurance cards, make a copy of both the front and back.
2. Pad of paper and pencil with sharpener and a pen (not a large spiral notebook, need to conserve space)
3. Plastic poncho (you can purchase these at most sporting/camping stores or at EmergencyEssentials.com online for less than $2-$3 each)
You should have the following items:
1. Photo of the family
2. Small paper back copy of the Book of Mormon
3. Important contact numbers, preferable out of state
4. Copies of all insurances
5. Pad of paper with a pencil with a sharpener and a pen
6. Plastic poncho
2) Beverages:
1. Water--If you have not replaced the water in your 55 gallon (or smaller) water barrels in the past year, empty them, rinse them out, replace with clear clean water, added 1/4 cup of household bleach and seal the lid tightly. Or, use Activate Stabilized Oxygen (ASO, 10% strength formula). I purchased a 2 fluid oz bottle at Major Surplus and Survival Discount Warehouse on 435 W. Alondra Blvd in Gardena for $12.95. This bottle will protect two 55 gallon water barrels of water for 5 years. Personal I think this is a great deal, not having to rotate the water every year. Make sure you put the date when it will expire on the barrels with a permanent marker.
Also, replace the water in your 72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Kits every year.
It is also a good idea to have cases of small bottles of water on hand too.
Water Chart per person:
2 weeks--14 gallons or 4x24 count cases of 16.9 oz. bottles
1 month--55 gallon water barrel, one per person (only for drinking and cooking, does not include bathing, will need extra for bathing)
You can live without food for 40 days, but you can only live without water for 2-3 days.
Check out the "Postings" on the right side under "Water" for lots of ideas, great products for storing and filtering water and where you can purchase the 55 gallon water barrels.
2. This month, purchase fruit juice mixes, milk non-fat dry, cocoa mix, evaporated milk and bottled juice. Only purchase the items your family will drink. Since we are getting a late start this month, you may need to extent this into February. Try to purchase enough for your entire family for 1 month, 3 months, 6 months or a year if possible. Watch the expiration dates, rotate and replace as needed. I like to mark on the bottle or package with a permanent marker the expiration date so it is easier to see. Place newer items behind the older ones, making it easier to rotate. Remember, you will need to store extra water for those berverages that require wated added.
Purchase Chart (per person per adult for a month):
Week 1: Milk Non-fat Dry, one #10 can**
Week 2: Cocoa Mix, 1/2 lb. or 1/4 #10 can
Week 3: Fruit Drink Mix, 1/2 lb. or 1/4 #10 can
Week 4: Evaporated Milk, 1x12 oz can
Week 5: Jucie, 3x64 oz bottles/cans
**You can also store Almond Milk, Rice Milk and Soy Milk in cartons that do not need refrigerated from Trade Joes, Whole Foods and other grocery stores. Watch the expiration dates, rotate and replace as needed. Remember, Milk Non-fat Dry does not store as long, depending on the tempature, how and where it is stored, 6 months if in grocery store bought container. In #10 cans it will store up to 10-20 years if stored properly.
Challenge: I would like each Ward Family to acquire 1 month's supply of food for your family. This includes the basics, wheat, oatmeal, beans, rice, milk non-fat dry and other items your family eats on a regular bases. This is so important to me, once you accomplish this, I will give you a special reward.
Remember: Post your name and comment for our FREE Monthly Giveaway Drawing. Drawing to be held, Sunday, January 29th.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Weekly Assignment and Food Storage Ideas (Week of January 8th)
Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,
Last week I admonished you to make some goals for the coming year regarding your Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness. I hope you have added some to your New Year's Goals and set up a plan to accomplish them.
Why do we need Food Storage and emergency supplies?
There are many scriptures which speak about being temporally and spiritually prepared and the blessings that come from being prepared. Our Church Leaders teach us and advise us to be self-reliant and set up our Food Storage and emergency supplies, to read our scriptures and pray daily, and to attend the Temple often to stay close to the spirit and receive revelation for ourselves and our family. We are taught to liken the scriptures unto us. Hear are a few scriptures regarding preparedness:
1. Doctrine and Covenants 38:30--"..., if ye are prepared ye shall not fear." How many times have we heard this and believe it? Great blessings come from being prepared!
2. Doctrine and Covenants 78:7---"For if you will that I give unto you a place in the celestial world, you must prepare yourselves by doing the things I have commanded you and required of you." How many times have we been taught and admonished by our Church General, Stake and Ward Leaders to have Food Storage and emergency supplies on hand? How long will it take us to follow their wise council and not fear the future?
3. Doctrine and Covenants 88:119---"Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God." Are we prepared for the things to come our way? Are we following the teachings of our Savior, Jesus Christ and leaders? Are we striving to prepare a way to protect ourselves and our families by following this scripture?
4. Doctrine and Covenants 133:57-58---"..., the Lord sent forth the fulness of his gospel, his everlasting covenant, reasoning in plainness and simplicity----To prepare the weak for those things which are coming on the earth,..." How prepared are we? Are we weak or strong when it comes to preparing our Food Storage and emergency supplies?
5. 1 Nephi 3:7---"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father; I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." Are we striving to follow the commandments and be self-reliant?
6. 1 Nehpi 22:20---"And the Lord will surely prepare a way for his people,..." Are we striving for this? If we are making goals and following a plan to accomplish the goals, and striving to follow our leaders and the commandments in the scriptures, the Lord will provide a way for us to be prepared both temporally and spiritually. We have a vegetable garden, but just recently the Lord admonished me to plant some fruit trees, which I am following.
Great blessings will come our way if we are striving to be become prepared!
1. Doctrine and Covenants 104:2---"With promise immutable and unchangeable, that inasmuch as those whom I commanded were faithful they should be blessed with a multiplicity of blessings;"
2. Doctrine and Covenants 124:90---"And if he shall do this I will bless him with a multiplicity of blessings,...."
3. Mosiah 2:41---"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual;...."
Great News! I have finally set up a CPR, First-aid and disaster preparedness class with the American Red Cross. I have requested Saturday February 25th or Saturday, March 10th. The class will start at 9:00am and is 6 1/2 hours long. We will hold it in the Cultural Hall, have donuts, milk and juice in the morning and a pot-luck lunch. We need at least 10 Ward members to attend to have the class. Please save these dates on your calendar. I may not know which date we will get until about two weeks before the class. I will have a sign up sheet at church this Sunday. What a great opportunity this is for each of us to become more prepared!
Temporal Assignment:
We will completing the 72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Backpacks we were working on at the end of last year. We will be working on the Stressor Kit for each family member. Why do you need this? To help each family member through a stressful time. These items will help with that.
Please add the following items for each family member's Stressor Kit this week and put the items into a large zip lock plastic bag and write on it Stressor Kit:
1) Book of Mormon (blue paper back type) or small set of 4-1 scriptures
2) Photo of the family
3) Important contact, especially out of state contact numbers, numbers
Spiritual Assignment:
This year we are reading the Book of Mormon in Sunday School, this includes those in Primary, Young Men and Young Women. Follow along with the lesson guide, read the weekly assigned scriptures and discuss the weekly scriptures with your family. We are taught to liken the scriptures unto us. This will be our assignment for the year. If you do not have a lesson study guide contact a member of the Bishopric for one.
Please post your comments and ideas, they are greatly appreciated!
Last week I admonished you to make some goals for the coming year regarding your Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness. I hope you have added some to your New Year's Goals and set up a plan to accomplish them.
Why do we need Food Storage and emergency supplies?
There are many scriptures which speak about being temporally and spiritually prepared and the blessings that come from being prepared. Our Church Leaders teach us and advise us to be self-reliant and set up our Food Storage and emergency supplies, to read our scriptures and pray daily, and to attend the Temple often to stay close to the spirit and receive revelation for ourselves and our family. We are taught to liken the scriptures unto us. Hear are a few scriptures regarding preparedness:
1. Doctrine and Covenants 38:30--"..., if ye are prepared ye shall not fear." How many times have we heard this and believe it? Great blessings come from being prepared!
2. Doctrine and Covenants 78:7---"For if you will that I give unto you a place in the celestial world, you must prepare yourselves by doing the things I have commanded you and required of you." How many times have we been taught and admonished by our Church General, Stake and Ward Leaders to have Food Storage and emergency supplies on hand? How long will it take us to follow their wise council and not fear the future?
3. Doctrine and Covenants 88:119---"Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God." Are we prepared for the things to come our way? Are we following the teachings of our Savior, Jesus Christ and leaders? Are we striving to prepare a way to protect ourselves and our families by following this scripture?
4. Doctrine and Covenants 133:57-58---"..., the Lord sent forth the fulness of his gospel, his everlasting covenant, reasoning in plainness and simplicity----To prepare the weak for those things which are coming on the earth,..." How prepared are we? Are we weak or strong when it comes to preparing our Food Storage and emergency supplies?
5. 1 Nephi 3:7---"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father; I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." Are we striving to follow the commandments and be self-reliant?
6. 1 Nehpi 22:20---"And the Lord will surely prepare a way for his people,..." Are we striving for this? If we are making goals and following a plan to accomplish the goals, and striving to follow our leaders and the commandments in the scriptures, the Lord will provide a way for us to be prepared both temporally and spiritually. We have a vegetable garden, but just recently the Lord admonished me to plant some fruit trees, which I am following.
Great blessings will come our way if we are striving to be become prepared!
1. Doctrine and Covenants 104:2---"With promise immutable and unchangeable, that inasmuch as those whom I commanded were faithful they should be blessed with a multiplicity of blessings;"
2. Doctrine and Covenants 124:90---"And if he shall do this I will bless him with a multiplicity of blessings,...."
3. Mosiah 2:41---"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual;...."
Great News! I have finally set up a CPR, First-aid and disaster preparedness class with the American Red Cross. I have requested Saturday February 25th or Saturday, March 10th. The class will start at 9:00am and is 6 1/2 hours long. We will hold it in the Cultural Hall, have donuts, milk and juice in the morning and a pot-luck lunch. We need at least 10 Ward members to attend to have the class. Please save these dates on your calendar. I may not know which date we will get until about two weeks before the class. I will have a sign up sheet at church this Sunday. What a great opportunity this is for each of us to become more prepared!
Temporal Assignment:
We will completing the 72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Backpacks we were working on at the end of last year. We will be working on the Stressor Kit for each family member. Why do you need this? To help each family member through a stressful time. These items will help with that.
Please add the following items for each family member's Stressor Kit this week and put the items into a large zip lock plastic bag and write on it Stressor Kit:
1) Book of Mormon (blue paper back type) or small set of 4-1 scriptures
2) Photo of the family
3) Important contact, especially out of state contact numbers, numbers
Spiritual Assignment:
This year we are reading the Book of Mormon in Sunday School, this includes those in Primary, Young Men and Young Women. Follow along with the lesson guide, read the weekly assigned scriptures and discuss the weekly scriptures with your family. We are taught to liken the scriptures unto us. This will be our assignment for the year. If you do not have a lesson study guide contact a member of the Bishopric for one.
Please post your comments and ideas, they are greatly appreciated!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Weekly Assignments and Food Storage Ideas (Week of January 1st)
Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! A time for new hopes, dreams and GOALS!
We are back and with all sorts of new ideas and helps in helping you and your family become more self-reliant and prepared both temporally and spiritually for what may come your way. I want our Ward members to be the most prepared Ward in our Stake.
Over and over I am surprised, with all the warnings and daily news, how little we are prepared as a community, as a family and as an individual for disasters and things that can happen in our lives. We have had hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires, wind storms, blackouts, and many other things happen this past year. I fear they are only to get worse. They are predicting an even worse tornado season this spring. And of course, we are always being warned of the "Big One" in California. But for some reason we never get prepared and then complain when the local or federal government is not there to help us. We need to self-reliant and be able to take care of ourselves!
This year I would like us as a Ward, as a family and as individuals to set some Emergency Preparedness Goals along with our other Goals. I know, you say "Emergency Preparedness, I do not have time nor the money for it. I will take care of it some day." Some day may be too late!
Remember, you do not have to do them all at once. Goals usually take time. Break the main goal down into smaller goals until the main goal is accomplished. Much easier and manageable that way and not so overswhelming. Set up a chart with the categories below in each column. Determine which areas you need work on. Then set up some small goals within each column to help you accomplish the main goal. I have given you some ideas below. Do this as a family for Family Home Evening or with a friend. Put the goal chart on your refrigerator, or in a place you will see it daily, to remind you of your goals and accomplishments.
Here are some ideas for Personal and Family Goals and our Ward Emergency Preparedness Goals for 2012:
Personal and Family Goals:
1. 72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Backpack Kit (including the Food Kit, Personal Hygiene Kit and Stressor Kit, with a change of clothing)-- Put together a Kit for each family member. For home and/or in the car, and one at your work place.
2. 3 Months Food Storage-- Keep track for two weeks of what your family eats, most people eat the same thing within a two week. Include everything, meals and snacks, what it takes to make them. Multiply that by six and you will have what your family eats for three months. Each week make a goal to buy something extra for your 3 Months Food Storage. Set a goal to first get one week's supply, then two weeks and so on until you have a 3 months food supply. Then continue on to 6 months, until you have a year's supply. Remember to take inventory every few months and rotate what you store and eat.
3. Water Storage-- You should have one 55 gallon water barrel for each family member for drinking and cooking, not bathing. Either purchase the 55 gallon water barrels or smaller bottles if you do not have room for the barrels. Change the water barrels every year if there is bleach in the water, every 6 months if not (every General Conference). Purchase water barrels if you do not have them and fill them with water. See the Posting under Water Storage on the right side for where to purchase them in Long Beach. Set a goal to purchase the needed barrels and/or bottles of water. You should have enough for drinking and cooking for at least a month, or more if possible. You will need extra for bathing.
4. Emergency Preparedness Supplies--purchased needed items for you and your family. Example: Sleeping bags, a tent(s), a way to cook, lighting, heating and sanitation. Check out the blog Postings on the right under Shelter, Heating, Lighting , Cooking and Sanitation for ideas. You will also need paper supplies since you will probably not want to use your valuable water for washing the dishes. Big 5 has great sales on sleeping bags and tents throughout the year.
5. First-Aid Supplies--Have emergency medical supplies and perscriptions on hand.
6. Fire and Earthquake Drills--Just recently there was the story of a fire on the news which was divesting to hear. Two grandparents and children's lives were lost due to a fire in their home. The mother and a friend's lives were spared. How tragic! Many, many times I have given you the challenge of setting up fire escapes and fire drills in your home. Please, do this for your family's safety! Here are some ideas:
1. Make sure all smoke detectors are working properly. Replace worn out batteries. Check them twice a year, at each General Conference time, and replace the batteries if needed.
2. Have a fire escape plan for your home. Set up fire escape routes, several different routes in case the fire is blocking a different escape area, and put a drawing of these escape plans on the back of each bedroom door low enough for children to see them. If they cannot open the window, teach your children it is OK to break a window if there is a real fire and how to put a blanket over the window and climb out.
3. Purchase a second story fire latter if you do not have one. Teach your children and practice with them how to use it. You should have one in each bedroom and each person in that room should know where it is.
4. Assign older children to younger children. If you have a large family it will be hard for one person to help everyone.
5. Have a place to meet outside, either a corner or a neighbors yard, away from the house.
6. Call 911 as soon as possible, but make sure your family is OK and secure first.
7. Never, never go back into a burning building, you may not make it out. If you decide there is time, stay low to the ground, but it better if you do not go back in.
8. Have a Family Home Evening on fires, fire drills and how to protect themselves. Teach them to never hide in a closet or under a bed. Look online for things to know and teach your family about fires in your home. Have a fire inspection of your home to make sure it is safe.
9. Have a fire drill in your home every few months so each family member knows what to do and where to go. When we did this with our children, we would say fire drill, fire in the kitchen and what areas are blocked. That way they get use to different fire escape routes. If there is a real fire then yell "real fire in the ________".
8. Strive to be more Spiritual and closer to the Spirit and set goals to help you do this. Attend the temple more often, read scriptures individually and as a family, say family daily prayers, youth attend seminary and their Sunday School and youth meetings, children attend Primary, and adults attend Sunday School, Relief Society and Priesthood weekly.
Our Ward Emergency Preparedness Goals:
1. Complete setting up our Ward Emergency Preparedness Plan
2. Complete setting up the Emergency Response Teams and instruct them on their responsibilities.
3. Make sure each family member has a 72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Backpack Kit.
4. Have a CPR class sometime on a Saturday in February or March. We are working with the American Red Cross to set up this class. We will be passing around a sign-up sheet for this soon.
5. Have First-aid classes members can attend to teach them first-aid skills. We hope to set some of these up for January. We will be passing around a sign-up sheet for this soon.
6. Work with the Bishopric in setting up Ward activities on Emergency Preparedness throughout the year.
My goal this year is to help each family become more prepared. We can do this if we all work together as a Ward team.
Remember--"If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear."
FREE Monthly Giveaway Drawing--to be held the last Sunday in January.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! A time for new hopes, dreams and GOALS!
We are back and with all sorts of new ideas and helps in helping you and your family become more self-reliant and prepared both temporally and spiritually for what may come your way. I want our Ward members to be the most prepared Ward in our Stake.
Over and over I am surprised, with all the warnings and daily news, how little we are prepared as a community, as a family and as an individual for disasters and things that can happen in our lives. We have had hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires, wind storms, blackouts, and many other things happen this past year. I fear they are only to get worse. They are predicting an even worse tornado season this spring. And of course, we are always being warned of the "Big One" in California. But for some reason we never get prepared and then complain when the local or federal government is not there to help us. We need to self-reliant and be able to take care of ourselves!
This year I would like us as a Ward, as a family and as individuals to set some Emergency Preparedness Goals along with our other Goals. I know, you say "Emergency Preparedness, I do not have time nor the money for it. I will take care of it some day." Some day may be too late!
Remember, you do not have to do them all at once. Goals usually take time. Break the main goal down into smaller goals until the main goal is accomplished. Much easier and manageable that way and not so overswhelming. Set up a chart with the categories below in each column. Determine which areas you need work on. Then set up some small goals within each column to help you accomplish the main goal. I have given you some ideas below. Do this as a family for Family Home Evening or with a friend. Put the goal chart on your refrigerator, or in a place you will see it daily, to remind you of your goals and accomplishments.
Here are some ideas for Personal and Family Goals and our Ward Emergency Preparedness Goals for 2012:
Personal and Family Goals:
1. 72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Backpack Kit (including the Food Kit, Personal Hygiene Kit and Stressor Kit, with a change of clothing)-- Put together a Kit for each family member. For home and/or in the car, and one at your work place.
2. 3 Months Food Storage-- Keep track for two weeks of what your family eats, most people eat the same thing within a two week. Include everything, meals and snacks, what it takes to make them. Multiply that by six and you will have what your family eats for three months. Each week make a goal to buy something extra for your 3 Months Food Storage. Set a goal to first get one week's supply, then two weeks and so on until you have a 3 months food supply. Then continue on to 6 months, until you have a year's supply. Remember to take inventory every few months and rotate what you store and eat.
3. Water Storage-- You should have one 55 gallon water barrel for each family member for drinking and cooking, not bathing. Either purchase the 55 gallon water barrels or smaller bottles if you do not have room for the barrels. Change the water barrels every year if there is bleach in the water, every 6 months if not (every General Conference). Purchase water barrels if you do not have them and fill them with water. See the Posting under Water Storage on the right side for where to purchase them in Long Beach. Set a goal to purchase the needed barrels and/or bottles of water. You should have enough for drinking and cooking for at least a month, or more if possible. You will need extra for bathing.
4. Emergency Preparedness Supplies--purchased needed items for you and your family. Example: Sleeping bags, a tent(s), a way to cook, lighting, heating and sanitation. Check out the blog Postings on the right under Shelter, Heating, Lighting , Cooking and Sanitation for ideas. You will also need paper supplies since you will probably not want to use your valuable water for washing the dishes. Big 5 has great sales on sleeping bags and tents throughout the year.
5. First-Aid Supplies--Have emergency medical supplies and perscriptions on hand.
6. Fire and Earthquake Drills--Just recently there was the story of a fire on the news which was divesting to hear. Two grandparents and children's lives were lost due to a fire in their home. The mother and a friend's lives were spared. How tragic! Many, many times I have given you the challenge of setting up fire escapes and fire drills in your home. Please, do this for your family's safety! Here are some ideas:
1. Make sure all smoke detectors are working properly. Replace worn out batteries. Check them twice a year, at each General Conference time, and replace the batteries if needed.
2. Have a fire escape plan for your home. Set up fire escape routes, several different routes in case the fire is blocking a different escape area, and put a drawing of these escape plans on the back of each bedroom door low enough for children to see them. If they cannot open the window, teach your children it is OK to break a window if there is a real fire and how to put a blanket over the window and climb out.
3. Purchase a second story fire latter if you do not have one. Teach your children and practice with them how to use it. You should have one in each bedroom and each person in that room should know where it is.
4. Assign older children to younger children. If you have a large family it will be hard for one person to help everyone.
5. Have a place to meet outside, either a corner or a neighbors yard, away from the house.
6. Call 911 as soon as possible, but make sure your family is OK and secure first.
7. Never, never go back into a burning building, you may not make it out. If you decide there is time, stay low to the ground, but it better if you do not go back in.
8. Have a Family Home Evening on fires, fire drills and how to protect themselves. Teach them to never hide in a closet or under a bed. Look online for things to know and teach your family about fires in your home. Have a fire inspection of your home to make sure it is safe.
9. Have a fire drill in your home every few months so each family member knows what to do and where to go. When we did this with our children, we would say fire drill, fire in the kitchen and what areas are blocked. That way they get use to different fire escape routes. If there is a real fire then yell "real fire in the ________".
8. Strive to be more Spiritual and closer to the Spirit and set goals to help you do this. Attend the temple more often, read scriptures individually and as a family, say family daily prayers, youth attend seminary and their Sunday School and youth meetings, children attend Primary, and adults attend Sunday School, Relief Society and Priesthood weekly.
Our Ward Emergency Preparedness Goals:
1. Complete setting up our Ward Emergency Preparedness Plan
2. Complete setting up the Emergency Response Teams and instruct them on their responsibilities.
3. Make sure each family member has a 72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Backpack Kit.
4. Have a CPR class sometime on a Saturday in February or March. We are working with the American Red Cross to set up this class. We will be passing around a sign-up sheet for this soon.
5. Have First-aid classes members can attend to teach them first-aid skills. We hope to set some of these up for January. We will be passing around a sign-up sheet for this soon.
6. Work with the Bishopric in setting up Ward activities on Emergency Preparedness throughout the year.
My goal this year is to help each family become more prepared. We can do this if we all work together as a Ward team.
Remember--"If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear."
FREE Monthly Giveaway Drawing--to be held the last Sunday in January.
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