Weekly Assignment, Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness (Week of March 17th)

Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

It's not complicated...

Many people feel overwhelmed when it comes to Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness. It's really not complicated! You just need to make a plan and start with one step at a time. Having parents and grandparents that came from The Great Depression and WWII, my mother and grandmother always had extra food stored, and they always grew a vegetable garden. When difficult times come, you will be glad you have food storage and emergency supplies. As I have mentioned before, food is not going to get cheaper, but more expensive. Let me try and simply things for you...

1) First---The most important thing to start with is water. You can live without food for a month or so, but you can only live without water for about 3 days.You should have at least 14 days of emergency water supply for each person in your household. The rule is 3 gallons a day per person. Then you might ask, "How do I store it?", "Where do I store it?", and "How long will it store?". The answers to all your questions regarding water storage is under the "Postings" on the right of this blog under "Water Storage...".

2) Second---If you have no Food Storage or Emergency Preparedness supplies, then start with a 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpack for each family member in your household. At the beginning of this year we started preparing a 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpack. We started with the 72 Hour Food Kit. We added one item at a time. Go back here to start at the beginning. Each week add the assigned food item to your 72 Hour Food Kit. Before you know it you will have it completed. We are currently working on the 72 Hour Snack Kit (only 4 items). Then we will move onto the 72 Hour Hygiene Kit and then the 72 Hour Stressor Kit.

3) Next---Start an Emergency Cash Fund. This fund is used only for emergencies. Put aside a little each week, each month, or each pay check. Try $1.00-$2.00, or what ever you can afford, for each family member in your household. Keep the cash in a safe place. The best place is a fire proof safe. Make sure the cash is in small bills ($1, $5) and change. If there is a disaster and things are not available, most stores, even though it is against the law in the United States, will start price gouging and they may not be able to make change if the electricity is out. And those with items for sale will tell you they cannot make change because they want to charge high prices. There is a great pamphlet put out by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called "All is Safely Gathered In: Family Finances" that has some suggestions. I have been told we should have at least one month's income in cash in our home. But some cash on hand is better than nothing. If there is no electricity, bank cards will not work, the ATM machine, banks and stores will not be able to issue money.

4) Next---Start working on a 3-Month Supply of Food and paper products. If that seems overwhelming, then start with a 1-Month Supply of Food and then work up to a 3-Month Supply of Food. Here is a great 

"3-Month Food Storage Supply" chart from "preparedldsfamily.blogspot.com" that may help you. Of course, you will need to adjust according to what you and your family eat. The best way to start is keep track of everything your family eats in one month and then multiply it by the number of months you want store. Once you have the 1-3-Months Supply of Food, then work on a 1-3-Months Supply of paper products (paper plates, plastic silverware, etc.).

5) Medical Supplies---Have on had a least one month or more of emergency medical supplies and medications.

6) While working on your Food Storage think about things you would need to survive if there was a disaster; electricity, a way to cook, shelter, a way to stay warm if winter, etc.). Survey what you already have, then add items as needed. So you do not become overwhelmed, add one source for emergency light, one source of a way to cook and type of fuel needed, enough shelter for your family, a sleeping bag or warm blankets for each family member, etc.. Then add more as you go along. See the "Postings" on the right regarding

lighting, cooking and heating.

7) After you have accomplished the things above, then work toward a years supply of food and emergency supplies as your country allows. Use all the "Postings on the right side to help you accomplish your goals.

8) Remember to inventory and rotate your food storage and medical supplies as needed. Learn how to use your 20 year shelf life dehydrated food storage before you need it.

I ran across a good article, "How To Prepare For The Difficult Years Ahead", that has some good ideas and common sense. He stresses getting out of debt, saving money, becoming independent, building up food storage and emergency supplies, and being prepared both mentally and spiritually. Take some time to read this article. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also had a good pamphlet, "One for the Money, Guide to Family Finances", that shows how to get out of debt and save money.

The best thing to remember, take one step at a time by making a plan and following it.

You can do it!

Weekly Assignment...72 Hour Individual Emergency Snack Kit:

This week add the following...

1) Beef or Turkey Jerky---You can add a package or one long stick. Add to each family member's Snack Kit. I found the stick jerky at the 99 Cent Store. The stick jerky will bend to put in the large plastic zip lock bag. I found in most grocery stores the packaged beef or turkey jerky is about $5 for a 3.25oz package. Remember, do not eat it all at once, it needs to last for 3 days. Add the beef or turkey jerky with the hardy candy and gum. Note: You can substitute for another snack item for young children, it will be hard for them to chew.

Note: Only one more item to add to our Snack Kit.

Emergency Preparedness:

Home Safety during an emergency situation...

It is so important to teach your family about home safety during an emergency situation like a house fire, an earthquake, tornado, hurricane, tsunami and other natural disasters. Click here to learn and teach your family what to do in an earthquake and here to know what to do during a disaster situation. Sit down with your family and review this information often and practice what to do often. Mark a date on the calender as a reminder to review and practice this information with your family regularly. It could save a life!

When our children were younger we had a monthly fire drill. First we instructed them what do if there was a fire. To make sure they new and remembered, we had a monthly fire drill. It could be during the day, at night, the middle of the night (that one we did on the weekend). We would yell "FIRE" and say where the fire was located and what was blocked. The back of each bedroom door had two evacuation plans on it. A flashlight should be keep in each bedroom so if dark they can follow the evacuation plan. Since we had 3 children in each bedroom, the older two were in charge of the younger one.

What we taught them:

1) STAY CALM!
2) If the door is shut, feel the door to see if it is hot, if hot, do not open it, the fire may be just on the other side. Follow the evacuation plan on the back of the bedroom door, which usually meant they went out the window.
3) If you can go out the door drop to the ground and crawl out following each other and holding onto the younger child since smoke rises.
4) If the door is blocked, go out the window. First open the window and remove the widow screen. If you cannot open the window, break it with a shoe or some other object. Knock out the glass around the window edge with the shoe. Place a blanket over the bottom of the window. First one of the older ones crawls out, the other older still  inside hands the younger child to the one outside, then they crawl out.
Note: Of course, we teach them to not break the widow in a practice fire drill, we will open it for them.
5) If they can escape through the house, stay low, follow each other and hold onto the younger child, get out of the house either through the front door or the back door following the evacuation plan, or a window if the door is blocked.
6) Once outside, go to the neighbors house on the left and wait there. DO NOT GO BACK INTO THE HOUSE TO GET SOMEONE! Ask the neighbor to call 911 if we have not already called them.

How to protect your family from a fire:

1) Have working smoke detectors in each bedroom, hallways, and if a two story house, at the bottom of the stairs and other locations. Replace the batteries once a year, mark on your calendar as a reminder.
2) Have a crowbar in each bedroom. Tie it to the bed leg in case of an earthquake and push it underneath the bed along the wall if possible. Make sure the children know this is only for emergencies.
3) Have a working fire extinguisher. Make sure everyone knows how to use it and where it is kept.
4) Have a working flashlight in each bedroom. Duck tape it to the inside of the closet wall. Make sure your children know were it is and it is only used for emergencies. Tape low enough so the children can reach it. Check quarterly and change the batteries if needed.
5) If you have a second story home, there should be a fire ladder in each bedroom. Make sure the children know where it is, they can reach it, know how to use it, and it is only used in an emergency. Practice with it.
6) Teach your children how to drop and roll if they are on fire.
7) Practice the family fire drill (and other emergency situation drills) and your escape plan on a regular bases.

Comments: All your comments, ideas, suggestions and experiences are welcome! We all learn from each other. Thank you for your comments.

Weekly Assignment, Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness (Week of March 10th)

Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

It is to late to prepare when...

the earthquake has happened

the hurricane is upon us

the tornado has caused its destruction             

the tsunami has hit
the storm has flooded our home 
the pandemic is here
the civil unrest has started

The time to prepare is now!
 

Quote:

"Are these perilous times? They are. But there is no need to fear. We can have peace in our hearts and peace in our homes."   President Gorden B. Hinckley (October 2001 General Conference, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

How can we have peace in our hearts and peace in our homes? It comes from when we are prepared both temporally and spiritually. I know I say this many times in this blog, but it is true, "If ye are prepared ye shall not fear." (Doctrine and Covenants 38:30). I also know that if we are striving to be prepared the best we can, Heavenly Father will bless us and our family, but we have to do our part!

Weekly Assignment: 72 Hour Individual Emergency Food Snack Kit

Last week we finished our 72 Hour Individual Emergency Food Kit for each family member and placed the Food Kit and Water in each family members 72 Hour Individual Emergency Backpack. Now we will start the Snack Kit (which is a part of the Food Kit). I keep the Snack Kit separate because some of the odors from the snacks can get into the food in the Food Kit. As we add them, place each item in a separate large plastic zip lock bag and write the family member's name and Snack Kit on the bag. There are only 4 items in this kit. This will only take 3 weeks to complete.

This week add the following:

1) Hard candy, individually wrapped, about 3-4 pieces a day x 3 days  per person's Snack Kit     

2) Gum, about 3 sticks a day x 3 days  per person's Snack Kit  

Note: If you buy butterscotch or mint hard candy, place the candy in a separate smaller plastic zip lock bag, the flavor will be absorbed into the other food. The best place to purchase the hard candy and gum is at a discount center like The 99 Cent Store, The Dollar Tree, The Dollar General, etc. If you have small children who cannot eat hard candy or chew gum, substitute with some type of sugary snack food they can eat. Sugary foods help clam us down in a disaster or crises situation. Use them wisely so they last the 3 days. Only two more items to add to the Snack Kit.

Emergency Preparedness:

If there is a disaster or emergency situation, do the following:

1. Your Priorities---Take care of your family, neighbors and home first using your personal disaster plan and supplies. It may be days before help from anyone arrives. Once your family's safety and basic needs are met, proceed with the next step. Click here to go directly to the "Positing" "What To Do and Not Do During a Disaster Situation".
2. Gather Information---Use email, text messaging, radio, face-to-face contact, and written messages to assess the needs of others (family in other areas, neighbors, church friends, work friends who live near by). Avoid placing voice calls unless you need to call 911 for someone with significant injures or illness. If power is unavailable save your batteries by turning your cell phone or radio off when not in use.
3. Your dwelling/home is uninhabitable---Check the radio for nearby shelters. Remember to leave a note on your door where you went and who is with you. If you can stay, the best place for you and your family is your home.
4. Verify Your Information---Make sure your home number, cell phone numbers and email addresses are correct at your children's schools, your place of employment, church records and with family and friends. Update your Out of State Contact Card person's number as needed.

Disaster Information Sources in California, USA

Tune to AM  1070, 980, or 640 or satellite emergency radio at SIRIUS XM channel 184 or 247 to received disaster emergency broadcast communications. DO EXACTLY WHAT YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT TELLS YOU DO. DO NOT HESITATE IF THEY TELL YOU TO EVACUATE.

Know the radio or satellite emergency radio stations for your area. Keep them with your 72 Hour Emergency Kits.

Information may also be available at:

http://newsroom.redcross.org

https://safeandwell.communityos.org

http:// www.fema.gov/disaster-survivor-assistance

http://www.google.org/crisesresonse/

https://www.facebook.com/DisasterRelief

http://local.nixie.com/zipcode/(put in your zip code)/

Note: The above sources are listed for informational purposes only!

Good video to watch: Click on this link to watch a good video regarding what do to if there is civil unrest. Listen carefully, there is some good information here that may help you and your family. Skip the commercial and start at the 2:22 minute mark.

Comments: Your comments are appreciated. We can all learn from each others experiences and ideas. Thank you to all those who leave comments on the blog postings.

Weekly Assignment, Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness (Week of March 3rd)

Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

Congratulations to the Gracia Family. They won the February Carson Ward FREE Monthly Giveaway Drawing last Sunday. They won two 72 Hour Emergency Individual Personal Hygiene Kits for their 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks. In January the Adrianna Compos
Family won 4 hand squeeze LED flashlights for their 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks.

Setting Goals to become Self-Reliant...

Heavenly Father wants each of us to become self-reliant.  Self-reliant means "taking responsibility for our own spiritual and temporal welfare and for those whom Heavenly Father has entrusted to our care." (Robert D. Hales, "A Gospel Vision of Welfare: Faith in Action", 2009). When we set goals to become spiritually and temporally prepared (self-reliant), Heavenly Father will provide a way for us to accomplish our goals. First make a list of items that will help you and your family become self-reliant. Then set small goals, daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, annually, that will help you accomplish them. One goal might be to have a one month supply of food, and then expand to three months.

Temporal self-reliance is working hard, teaching your children how to work, gaining a good education, taking care of our own welfare needs, and food (and water) storage.

Spiritual self-reliance is having a firm spiritual foundation of the gospel/scriptures and faith in our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ, which will bring us peace, comfort, reassurance and greater faith when trails come.

If we are self-reliant we will be able to take care of ourselves and our family when a natural disaster hits, we are faced with unemployment, or financial turmoil. It is each of our responsibility to be self-reliant, not our extended family, not our neighbors, not our church, not our community, not our government. We need to set goals as an individual and as a family on what we need to do to become self-reliant: get a better education, work harder, teach our children the value of hard work, build up our food storage and emergency supplies, and build a stronger spiritual foundation. If you follow this blog it will help you become more self-reliant. If we set goals to become self-reliant we will have peace of mind.

There is a great article and story in this month's Ensign, March 2013, page 64-65, "Living the Principles of Self-Reliance".  Click the link to read this insightful article.

Weekly Assignment...72 Hour Emergency Individual Food Kit:

This week add the following...this is the last item to add...

1 two liter bottle of drinking water per each individual family member's food kit. This water is for drinking only, and preparing any foods that require water. Add this item to each family member's 72 Hour Individual Emergency Food Kit.

The rule is we need at least 1 gallon of water per person a day. But in this instance, that would be 3 gallons of water, which no one could carry. Water is heavy. How I get around this is I have a Seychelle Water Filtration Water bottle strapped to the outside of each family member's backpack. You may only need 1-2 Seychelle Water Filtration Water bottles per family. If you are at work you should have one strapped to your 72 Hour Emergency Backpack Kit. The Seychelle Water Filtration system filters out the dirtiest water 99.9999% of all bacteria and contaminates. See the blog "Posting" on the right under "Water Storage" for information on this great product and links where you can purchase them, or click here  to go directly to the posting.

Congratulations! If you have been following along on adding one food item each week to your 72 Hour Emergency Individual Food Kit, you have just completed the Food Kit. If you have not completed your Food Kit, you have missed some weeks, or never started, go back to the first week, click here and scroll through the weeks to this blog posting (March 3rd) to see what to add each week.

You should have the following in each individual Food Kit.

3 granola bars
3 juice/fruit box drinks
3 small boxes of raisins
3 packages of instant hot chocolate
3 packages of instant oatmeal, 3 small fruit cups or apple sauce
3 packages of peanut butter or cheese crackers
3 packages of instant dry soup mix
3 small bags or 1 large (1#) bag of trail mix
1 two liter of bottled water

IMPORTANT: If you add 1 large package of trail mix, also add 2 small zip lock baggies. Once you open the large package, divide into thirds, eat the first third per the menu, and then put the other 2 into the 2 small zip lock baggies for the next 2 days.

Where and how to place the food kit items: Place all the above items in a large plastic zip lock bag. I double mine for safety from water damage. It will all fit, you just have to work with it. If you get too frustrated with it, then place all the food in an extra large plastic zip lock bag. Do not place the 2 liter water bottle in with the food, it may leak. I place it in a extra large plastic zip lock bag and then put it in my 72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Backpack. Important: If you store your 72 Hour Individual Emergency Backpack in your house or work place the food should be good until the expiration date, usually one year. If you store it in your car trunk, which can get hot in the summer months, you may need to rotate the food and water sooner. I usually rotate ours every 6 months, and put the non expired food and water in our pantry to eat now.

3 Day 72 Hour Emergency Food Kit Menu

Make a copy of the menu below and place inside each Food Kit. It is the same menu for each day. I found that trying to do a different menu for each day was to complicated and cost more money.

Breakfast: Oatmeal, Raisins, Hot cocoa
Lunch: Peanut Butter or Cheese Crackers, Fruit Cup, Trail mix (1/3 of the large package)
Dinner: Soup, Granola Bar, Fruit Drink

Remember: If you have a special diet due to allergies, diabetes or other health/medication issues, consult with your doctor first regarding the menu. This is a high calorie and high fiber diet because this is all you will probably eat for 3 days.

Next week: We will start on the Snack Kit, only 4 items.

Emergency Preparedness:

Great News! We found out that Costco has a Costco Business Center near us (12530 Prairie Ave, Hawthorne, California).  If you have Costco in your area, you may have a Business Center near by too. It is open to public, you just need a Costco card. The lines are not crowded. This Costco is meant to serve businesses, so most of their items are in large containers, example: canned vegetables like green beans come in #10 cans. Great if you are having a large party and you do want to open 20 small cans. Go there and check it out to see what is available. They also have fresh vegetables, fruit, dairy and meats. It is worth a trip to check it out. You might find great things to add to your Food Storage.

Example of Savings: We love popcorn, in fact, we have had popcorn almost every night since 1971!. One day while at our regular Costco we found Orville Redenbacher popcorn in an 8 pound container for $11.99 (Item # 48551). At the regular grocery store you pay almost $7 for a 1 pound 14 ounce container. What a savings! The only bad thing, after that we could not find it again. My husband called around to see if other Costcos had it. This is when we discovered the Costco Business Center. We were able to purchase several for our Food Storage.

Comments: All your comments, ideas, suggestions and experiences are welcome! We all learn from each other.

Weekly Assignment, Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness (Week of February 24th)

Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

PERSEVERANCE...Never, Never Give Up!

Some get discouraged

Some feel overwhelmed

Some think I'll never catch up                                     

Some think they can't do it

Some do not know where to start

Some do not know how much to store

Some say where will I put it all

Some think it is expensive

Some don't even try

Some just give up

Some make a plan

Some take a step at a time

Some add a little at a time                                              

Some keep trying

Never, never give up! Food and water storage, emergency supplies and preparedness take a life time, step by step. I have been working on our food storage and emergency preparedness for 40 years. It is an on going process that requires rotation of food and water storage, and constantly adding more and newer emergency preparedness supplies. No one can do it overnight or even in a week or two, or a month. Do not get discouraged. Just take it a step at a time. Each week add 1 or 2 extra cans or packages of food.

If you have no food or water storage, the best thing you can start with is the 72 Hour Individual Emergency Backpack Kit which has a food kit, a hygiene kit and a stressor kit enclosed, along with some other items. Since the beginning of this year we have been working on this by adding one food item each week. Scroll through the past several weeks to see what we have been adding each week. Once we are done with the food kit, (one more week) we will be working on the hygiene and stressor kits. While your are working on this, you can still add 1 to 2 cans or packages of food items each time you go grocery shopping, purchase items that are on sale to save money.

Regarding food and water storage, the best thing you can do is keep track of what you and your family eat for a month. Then multiply it by 3 months, 6 months, or 12 months, what ever is your goal. Then work towards your goal, adding a little each time you go grocery shopping. Before you know it, you will meet your goal. Let's say you set a goal for 3 months of food and water storage. Once you meet your goal, then increase it to 6 months and then 12 months.

Here is a great 3-Month Food Storage chart that may help you. Click on the link below, then scroll down to the PDF file you can print, "3-Month Food Storage Plan for one adult, pdf"

http://preparedldsfamily.blogspot.com/2011/03/3-month-food-storage-calculator-and.html

Also check out our blogs 3 Month Food Storage posting on the link below or under "Postings" on the right side of this blog.

http://www.thearkcarsonward.blogspot.com/search/label/3%20Month%20Food%20Supply

Note: Some countries limit how much you can store. Store what you can.

Emergency supplies are a little more expensive and usually take a little longer. Watch for sales. I only purchase emergency supply items when they are on sale. Add at least one way to cook, a way to have light, a way to have heat, a way for sanitation, a way for shelter and blankets or a sleeping bag. etc.. Set goals for bigger items. I am currently saving for a solar oven. See all the blog postings on the right under "Postings" for ideas. I am currently revising them with updates and adding video clips/links and more photos. I just completed "Disaster Situations and what to do".

  

Be creative in where you store your food storage and emergency supplies. I have things stored all over our house. If possible, try to not store food and water in the garage, too hot. Example: Purchase end and bedside tables and coffee tables with storage underneath them. Clear out things you do not need and organize closets, cupboards and under beds for more storage space. See the blog posting "3 Months Food Supply" and Food Storage Rotation" under "Postings on the right side.

Perseverance and rotation are the keys to food and water storage and emergency supplies. Never, never give up! Keep trying and before you know it, you will have reached your goals.

More ideas: As you scroll through the last 3+ years of weekly blog postings you will find more great ideas to help you with your food storage, emergency supplies and emergency preparedness. Also, check out all the postings on the ride side for more ideas.

Weekly Assignment: 72 Hour Individual Emergency Food Kit...

This week add the following...

3 small packages, or 1 large package (1 pound bag), of trail mix per each individual family member's food kit. IMPORTANT: If you add 1 large package of trail mix, also add 2 small zip lock baggies. Once you open the large package, divide into thirds, eat the first third per the menu, and then put the other 2 into the 2 small zip lock baggies for the next 2 days. Add this item to each family member's 72 Hour Individual Emergency Food Kit. Place in a large zip lock bag along with the items we have already added: 3 granola bars, 3 juice/fruit box drinks, 3 small boxes of raisins, 3 packages of instant hot chocolate, 3 packages of instant oatmeal, 3 small fruit cups or apple sauce, 3 packages of peanut butter or cheese crackers and 3 packages of instant dry soup mix for each family member's Food Kit.

Note: We only have 1 more item (water) to add to the 72 Hour Individual Emergency Food Kit. Then we will work on the snack items, there are only 4 items.

IMPORTANT:  If you have diabetes or any other health issues, consult with your doctor regarding the food menu. This is a high calorie, high fiber menu since this is all you will probably be eating in an emergency situation.

Emergency Preparedness:

Emergency Out of State Contact Person...Each family needs a family member or friend who lives out of state to contact in case of an emergency situation, like an earthquake or other disaster. Each family member should carry that person's name and phone number in their purse, wallet or backpack. Your child's school should have the information on their emergency card in case there is a disaster and they cannot get hold of you.

When you call the contact person, each person calling needs to let the family member or friend know if they are alright, if they have any injures and what they are, where they are or will be going, and how to contact them if necessary. When each person in your family calls they can find out where and how other families members and where to meet. Remember, in an emergency situation, do not tie up the phone lines with unnecessary calls. They need to be kept open for emergency personnel. Try texting before calling, it is usually easier to get through.

If you click on here you can download and print out a copy of the Emergency Out of State Contact Person cards I created. It is best to laminate the cards to protect them from moisture.

Comments: All your comments, ideas, suggestions and experiences are welcome! We all learn from each other.

Weekly Assignment, Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness (Week of February 17th)

Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

Quote:

"Our people for three-quarters of a century have been counseled and encouraged to make such preparation as will assure survival should a calamity come."         President Gordon B. Hinckley

How long does it take us to prepare? Will it take a calamity for us to realize we should have prepared?

We need to be prepared for what ever may come our way, both temporally and spiritually! I have created this emergency preparedness blog to help you become better prepared both temporally and spiritually. Scroll through the last three years of postings and the postings on the ride side of this blog under "Postings". Read it, use it, apply it and share it with others!

Weekly Assignment---72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Food Kit:

This week add the following...

3 packages of instant dry soup mix (like chicken noodle, french onion, etc.) per each individual family member's food kit. The box comes with 2 packages inside. Take the soup packages out of the box before adding to the other food items, takes up less room. You can also find instant dry soup mixes from other companies. Note: Do not use the cup of noodle soups, takes up too much room in your food kit and backpack. Add this item to each family member's 72 Hour Individual Emergency Food Kit. Place in a large zip lock bag along with the items we have already added: 3 granola bars, 3 juice/fruit box drinks, 3 small boxes of raisins, 3 packages of instant hot chocolate, 3 packages of instant oatmeal, 3 small fruit cups or apple sauce and 3 packages of peanut butter or cheese crackers for each family member's Food Kit.

Note: We only have 2 more items to add to the 72 Hour Individual Emergency Food Kit. Then we will work on the snack items, there are only 4 items.

Emergency Preparedness:

Disasters, What to do and not do during a disaster...

The last few weeks I have posted ideas regarding emergency preparedness (see previous weekly postings). Due to so many natural disasters lately and your concerns about what to do in a disaster I have recently updated the posting on the ride side under "Postings", "Disaster Situations and What to Do". I have added photos and video links. There is great information here that may save your life, the life of others and help you be better prepared. Please check out the link below so you are informed as what to do and not do during and after a disaster.

http://www.thearkcarsonward.blogspot.com/search/label/Disaster%20Situations%20and%20what%20to%20do

Comments: All your comments, ideas, suggestions and experiences are welcome! We all learn from each other. 

Weekly Assignment, Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness (Week of February 10th)

Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

Blessings that come from having Food Storage...

Makes life easier...There have often been times when I needed a can or package of something to complete a recipe I was working on for dinner, or to take to someone, and I had no time to run to the store for what I needed. Having Food Storage makes life easier in that when you are in this situation you can just go to your Food Storage, pull out what you need, and then replace it the next time you go to the grocery store.

Cannot leave your home...If for any reason you were not able to leave your home (server weather conditions, disaster, pandemic, civil unrest, etc.), you will have food to eat, water to drink, medical supplies and other emergency supplies as needed.

Help with finances...Some times emergency bills come up we are not expecting, like medical/hospital charges, major car repairs, an expensive repair to your home, etc, causing not enough money to pay the regular bills and purchase food. Your Food Storage will help you get through those difficult financial times because you will not need to use your money to purchase food, or at least, not as much.

Loss of income due to lay off or injury. Mr. Cuppett was seriously injured in a car accident when someone side swiped him while on the job. He was unable to work for 3 month. Disability does not pay all the bills.

This month in the Ensign there is a great article about when a young couple used their Food Storage to help get through a difficult financial situation. Read the link below...

http://www.lds.org/ensign/2013/02/latter-day-saint-voices/our-food-storage-blessing?lang=eng&query=*+(publication%3a"Ensign")

Peace of mind...Most of all, the greatest blessing, is having peace of mind!

Weekly Assignment...72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Food Kit:

This week add the following...

 

3 packages of Peanut Butter or Cheese Filled Crackers(6 crackers in a package) per individual family member's food kit. I have found these at grocery stores, the 99 Cent Store (be careful of the expiration date), Costco, and Sam's Club). Plan according to your family's diet. If someone is allergic to peanut butter, purchase the cheese ones. Add this item to each family member's 72 Hour Individual Emergency Food Kit. Place in a large zip lock bag along with the items we have already added: 3 granola bars, 3 juice/fruit box drinks, 3 small boxes of raisins, 3 packages of instant hot chocolate, 3 packages of instant oatmeal and 3 small fruit cups or apple sauce for each family member's   Food Kit.

Note: We only have 3 more items to add to the 72 Hour Individual Emergency Food Kit. Then we will work on the snack items, there are only 4 items.

Emergency Preparedness:

Last week I spoke about the importance of insurance and how it can help you when there is a disaster or loss. A part of that is keeping an inventory of all your personal belongs. You need to inventory all your personal items, take photos, and video tape if possible, of the inside of your home (each room: walls, doors, ceiling, flooring, windows, etc.), furniture, appliances, open closets and drawers and take photos, jewelry, sports equipment, antiques, everything. Take photos of architectural designs, specialty windows, moldings, any custom cabinets, counter tops, etc. Take photos of  the outside of your house, all around it. Also take photos in the garage and your cars (inside and out). Keep a copy of the inventory, photos and video at home in a safe place (with other important papers) and with a family member or friend out of state, or the area. Having this inventory will make filing an insurance claim so much easier and faster.

I found a great article that talks about the importance of having a home personal inventory. Please click on the link below and read the article.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765570993/Total-recall-New-free-ways-to-make-home-inventories-pay-off.html?pg=all

Another thing I found that is really great is a "Home Inventory Checklist" from State Farm Insurance that is very detailed. Please click on the link below and review the checklist. You can print out this 25 page inventory checklist and complete it. It may take awhile, but well worth it! Also, keep photos as mentioned above with it. Make this your goal for February.

http://www.statefarm.com/_pdf/home_inventory_checklist.pdf

Comments: All your comments, ideas, suggestions and experiences are welcome! We all learn from each other. 

Weekly Assignment, Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness (Week of February 3rd)

Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

Is your house built on the sand or a rock?

"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it." (Matthew 7:24-27 & 3 Nephi 14: 24-27)

In California we are usually worried about the "Big One", the 10.+ earthquake we continually here about. Along the coast in some areas we need to be concerned about Tsunamis. In forest areas, we have fires. In some areas we have landslides and flooding. In other areas of the county there are tornadoes, hurricanes and ice and snow storms. How prepared are you if one of these natural disasters hits you? How prepared are you if there was a civil unrest or pandemic and you could not leave your home? How prepared are you?

This blog will help you become prepared, or at least better prepared. Scroll through its blog postings and "Postings" on the right for information that will help you be prepared for what may come your way.  There is great information here that will help you, your loved ones, friends and neighbors.

Weekly Assignment---72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Food Kits:

This week add the following...

1) 3 Small Fruit Cups and/or Apple Sauce per family Food Kit. Not Fruit Rollups or Fruit Snacks.You can usually purchasing these with 4-6 per container. I like to have a variety in my individual food kit, example: 2 fruit cups and 1 apple sauce. Plan according to your family's diet, likes and dislikes. Add these items to each family member's 72 Hour Individual Food Kit. Place in a large zip lock bag along with the items we have already added: 3 granola bars, 3 juice/fruit box drinks, 3 small boxes of raisins, 3 packages of instant hot chocolate and 3 packages of instant oatmeal for each family member's Food Kit.

Note: Never purchase food your family will not eat/like. It has been proven, especially with
children, a person will not eat something they do not like, they would rather go hungry.

Emergency Preparedness:

What do we need? Why is insurance an important part of emergency preparedness?

So far the past few weeks I have talked about electricity, lighting, emergency medical supplies, shelter and cooking. This week I would like to discuss something most people do not think about as "Emergency Preparedness", insurance.  

Why insurance? Many times I find when there is a disaster most people do not know what their Auto, Homeowners (including Homeowner-Condo, Renters), Personal Articles, and Business insurance covers, and they do not have as much coverage, or the right kind of coverage, as they think.  Each of us needs to look over our policies and make sure we understand our insurance coverages. If we do not know, then we need to discuss the coverages with our insurance agent. I was a fully licensed insurance agent for a major insurance company for 10 years. Many people think their Homeowners, Homeowner-Condo and Renters policy covers flooding and earthquakes, it does not. Those are separate policies. There are also limits on personal items like jewelry, silverware/goldware, collections, art work, antiques, and other items. If you have items over the coverage limits, they also require a separate policy. Plus, you have a deductible you will be responsible for, what is yours?. For more details about what an insurance policy covers and does not cover check out the blog posting "Insurance" under "Postings" on the right. Each insurance company is different. You will need to check with your insurance company to see what is covered, what is not covered, and the amount of coverage you currently have. Knowing will bring you peace of mind and help you prepare for what ever comes your way!

Comments: All your comments, ideas, suggestions and experiences are welcome! We all learn from each other.