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

Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

 

Becoming self-reliant...

"As people become self-reliant, they are better prepared to endure adversities" and are "better able to care for others in need."     (Church Handbook of Instructions, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

"We become self-reliant through obtaining sufficient knowledge, education, and literacy; by managing money and resources wisely, being spiritually strong, preparing for emergencies and eventualities; and by having physical health and social and emotional well-being." (Julie B. Beck, General Relief Society President)

Last Sunday in our Sacrament Meeting our High Council speaker spoke on self-reliance. We all need to become self-reliant! It does not happen overnight, it takes time. But as long as we are striving for self-reliance we will be blessed and have peace of mind. Emergency preparedness is a part of self-reliance. If we seek the Lord's help He will guide us. Self-reliance cannot be given to us, we each need to earn it and work towards it daily. As we search the scriptures, pray and pond and follow our living prophet we will be guided as to what each of us needs to do to become self-reliant. We need to be an agent unto ourselves!

As I watch natural disasters and devastation unfold around the world, I see how it effects those who are self-reliant and those who are not. Those who are self-reliant are spiritually at peace even those things around them are not. Those who are self-reliant can take care of themselves and others around them before help can arrive, which can take days and weeks.

When our son was serving a mission for our church in Honduras I remember reading his mission president had felt for sometime before Hurricane Mitch hit the area that he needed to prepare for his missionaries by having food, water and medical supplies on hand. He stocked the mission home with needed supplies. When Hurricane Mitch hit he was able to take care of his missionaries and others around them.

Before Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippians, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 21 mission presidents distributed 72 Hour-Kits to each missionary. (See Deseret News)

We are very blessed as members of the church to have the guidance of our church leaders to warn us, and the world, to be prepared both spiritually and temporally. Are we in a position to care for our family and our neighbors? What steps are we taking on a daily basis? How do we deal with spiritual and temporal matters?

Our thoughts, hearts and prayers go out to the people of the Philippians and what they are enduring. If you would like to donate to the Humanitarian Aid Fund , go to this link.

Weekly Assignment: Family Emergency Bag

A few weeks ago we started working on our Family Emergency Bag. This bag, either a sports bag or backpack, is kept in your car(s).  If  you need to evacuate it needs to be taken along with your family's 72
Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks we worked on this year. If you have not completed one for each family member go back to the December 30, 2012 posting and follow through until you have complete a backpack for each family member in your household. You only need one Family Emergency Bag, possibly one for each family car in case you are not together when an emergency situation arises.


This week add the following:

1) A good First-aid Kit with a First-aid book. You can purchase one or putting one together yourself. Discount stores like the Dollar General or the 99 Cent Store will have some items.      





So far you should have the following in your Family Emergency Bag: Portable regular or solar radio with extra batteries, street maps of local areas/cities, emergency flares and candles, water proof matches, 2 heat cells, flat fuel folding stove, and a first-aid kit with a first-aid book. See previous blog postings for information regarding these items and where to purchase them. 

Great Home PDF Inventory Sheet: 

Go to www.iinc.org. We should all have inventory of our personal things in case of a fire, disaster, theft or other situations. Keep a copy at home and with another family member out of state, at work. You should take photos and videos too. Open all drawers and closets and take photos. Do not forget your garage, storage sheds and storage units.

Emergency Preparedness Ideas:

What I have observed on CNN and other news cast shows this week regarding the devastation in the Philippians:

1) 800,000+ displaced
2) 2 million without food and water
3) No medical supplies
4) No electricity
5) No shelter, except those that they have built from scraps
6) Roads blocked due to devastation
7) No emergency aid, cannot get through
8) Emergency personal, search and rescue are victims too
9) Dead bodies lying around
10) So overwhelmed the government cannot handle the effects of the typhoon
11) Despair
12) People wondering around, not knowing what to do or where to go
13) No infrastructure
14) Armed gangs and others looting
15) Government cannot guarantee food and water
16) It will take days, maybe even weeks before help can arrive to all areas

What can we learn from this?

1) You will probably be on your own
2) Need to keep food and water stored
3) Need to keep medical supplies stored
4) Need to keep emergency supplies stored
5) Need to have 72 Hour Individual Emergency Backpacks/Kits for each family member
6) Need to be spiritually strong
7) Need to be self-reliant
8) Need to be aware and what to do in an emergency situation

WHAT WOULD IT HURT TO BE PREPARED? It could save your life and others!
 
Comments: All your comments, ideas, suggestions and experiences are welcome! We all learn from each other. Thank you for your comments. 

Weekly Assingment, Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness Ideas (Week of November 3rd)

Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

Small and Simple Things....
                         Food Storage and Emergency Preparedness

Last week in Sunday School we discussed two things, we each need a spiritual reservoir and out of small and simple things great things come.

Small and Simple Things...

In Doctrine and Covenants 64:33 we read, "..., out of small things proceedeth that which is great." And in Alma 37:6-8 we read, "..., that by small things great things are brought to pass;...." 

So many people are overwhelmed by even the thought of starting their food storage and emergency supplies. It is as simple as taking the first step, just start by adding a few extra cans and packages of food your family eats every time you go grocery shopping, or you see something on sale your family eats. 

A few years ago the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days Saints realized it was overwhelming for members and non-members to think about putting aside a years supply of food. So now they advise us to work towards a 3-Month Supply of the regular canned and packaged foods our family will eat, then continue until we have 6 months, 9 months and then a year. Add long-term food items such as dehydrated and freeze-dried once you have your 3-Months Supply of Food. But remember, those types of food require water to rehydrate them. Add food items slowly, do not go into debt. The important thing to remember about short term food storage, like canned and packaged foods, they need to be rotated. Letting food items expire is expensive! Once you use a stored item replace it immediately! Set goals and make a plan!

Many ask what should I store? Store only what your family will eat, canned, jarred and packaged foods. Also, store water. If you store items your family will not eat, they will probably not eat them, even in time of a disaster or need.

Once you start the small and simple things by starting to add food items slowly, before you know it, it will become great because you have stored up a 3-Month Supply of Food or more.

PreparedLDSFamily is another great emergency preparedness blog I like to read. She has some great ideas. This week we are both in tune with the same idea, of not being afraid to start your food store plan and just get started now! Her October 29, 2013 has some great ideas about starting and setting goals for your food storage. 

Let me quote a quote she quotes from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Isn’t it wonderful to know that we don’t have to be perfect to experience the blessings and gifts of our Heavenly Father? We don’t have to wait to cross the finish line to receive God’s blessings. In fact, the heavens begin to part and the blessings of heaven begin to distill upon us with the very first steps we take toward the light. The perfect place to begin is exactly where you are right now. It doesn't matter how unqualified you may think you are or how far behind others you may feel. The very moment you begin to seek your Heavenly Father, in that moment, the hope of His light will begin to awaken, enliven, and ennoble your soul. The darkness may not dissipate all at once, but as surely as night always gives way to dawn, the light will come."

Spiritual Reservoir...  

Not only is storing food and water important, but having a spiritual reservoir is as well important. Many times when I hear interviews on television and the radio from people who experienced a devastating disaster they often speak about how their faith in Heavenly Father and their Savior Jesus Christ helped them get through the horrible experience, devastation and loss. The quote above from President Uchtdorf can also apply to our spiritual strength. 

In Doctrine and Covenants 46:13-14 we read, "To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world. To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful." These gifts are also mentioned in the Bible in 1 Corinthians 12. 

How do we gain a spiritual reservoir? By reading the scriptures daily, by praying daily and by striving to keep the commandment of God. We all need the Spirit of the Holy Ghost with us constantly to be guided and protected. The strength we receive from doing these things will fill our spiritual reservoir and help us in times of despair. 

Weekly Assignment: 72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Family Bag

The 72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Family Bag is not only for a 72 hour emergency but should be kept in your car at all times. It will provide items that will help you get through an emergency situation. If you need to evacuate your home and you cannot take your car, then make sure you take it along with the family's 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks. Try to keep this emergency family bag in each vehicle.

This week add the following:

 

1)  Street map of local areas. I took our Thomas Guide and made copies of our local area and cities so if
we had to evacuate we would know our way around areas were were not familiar with and alternate routes to take.


 
 


2) Water proof matches. Your can purchase these at most camping, sports and emergency supply places.





 

 


3) Emergency flares and candles.






So far you should have the following: A sports bag or backpack to place the items we will be adding each week, a portable regular radio (with extra batteries) or a solar radio, and the items listed above.

Emergency Preparedness Ideas:

Have you ever thought about how you would store produce without refrigeration? How did the pioneers do it? Some of us who plant vegetable gardens usually either can, freeze or dehydrate our produce at harvest. Fresh produce needs to be stored in a cool, dry environment. In modern times we store our produce in our refrigerator. But what if you had no refrigeration? The pioneers used cellars or a hole in the ground to accomplish this issue.

"When using a cellar it is important to remember that only certain types of root vegetables and fruits are ideal for storing in a root cellar; potatoes, yams, turnips, beets, radish, carrots, leaks and onions. If you use this method do not wash the produce before storing it but gently remove the excess dirt. Place the produce carefully in boxes and bins. Make sure the vegetables and fruits are not bruised before storing.


Another method for storing produce without a refrigerator is to dig a large hole in the ground and place the vegetables and fruits in some kind of a container. Plastic drums or chest freezers are standard containers. The ground acts as an ideal environment because healthy soils provide the same sort of conditions the vegetables are grown in. The ground provides cool, consistent temperatures, high humidity, darkness, and ventilation. Some people add sand or sawdust to act as insulation." (SurvivalBased.com)

 Mother Earth News has some great ideas on storing fresh produce.

Christmas is just around the corner!

What to give them this year? What about 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks or individual kits (Food, Personal Hygiene, Stressor Kits) to place in their Backpack, dehydrated or freeze-dries food, emergency equipment like a Butane Stove with fuel or a tent. Why waste money on things they will throw away or give away later on? Why not give them something that might protect and help them in a disaster? Be creative!

LDS Dry Pack Canneries

Just a reminder, effective November 1, 2013 most LDS Dry Pack Canneries will no longer allow members and non-members to come to their canneries to can. You can still purchase some items there. Check with your local LDS Dry Pack Cannery to see what is available.

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 Prepapredness (Week of October 27th)

Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

Storm Homes...

 

Recently at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 183rd Semi-Annual General Conference and our Stake Conference I have heard the terms "fiery dogs of the world" (storms) and "Storm Homes" mentioned.  Each of us needs to prepare our homes from storms that may arise temporally and spiritually. 

In General Conference Robert D. Hales, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, stated "the world is moving away from the Lord.... We need to stand strong against the "fiery dogs of the world". Boyd K. Packer, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, stated "we live in very precarious times".

At our Stake Conference last week, Elder Allen D. Haynie, of the Seventy, spoke. He spoke about "Storm Homes". Let me share a story he told...

In Michigan USA there was a town where many of the children took a school bus home. Some times the storms were so bad the bus driver had to pull over the bus and wait out the storm. This left the children stranded, scared and in danger. The school board wanted to resolve this problem. They came up with an idea that each child who lived out of town would be assigned a "Storm Home" in which to go, be safe and wait out the storm. One young man had been assigned to a home with an older couple with no children at home. That particular winter was not as bad and none of the children had to stay at their assigned "Storm Home". Each day the young man would get on the bus and think about his "Storm Home". One day the young man decided to stop by to meet his storm family. The couple anxiously hoped he would stop by someday. They welcomed him in and gave him some hot chocolate. As they talked they offered some great advise to the young man. They told him their home was always open to him no matter what the situation. They became great friends and their home became his "Storm Home" against the storms in his life. 

  

Being Spiritually Prepared From the Storms..

Elder Hales stated "the only safety we have is to give heed to our church leaders and their inspiration, listen as if it came from the Lord himself....If we listen and obey we will be strengthened....We will receive comfort and guidance...." Elder Packer stated, "We need to have a gospel centered home....Be watchful and be diligent....The scriptures hold keys to spiritual protection, where to go, what to do and give hope....We can find hope and peace for our family during perilous times."

Elder Haynie stated, "our homes need to be like the temple....To build a temple it takes sacrifice, it needs to be beautiful, it needs to be dedicated, it needs to be accepted by the Lord, and we need to make sure no unclean thing can enter....So it is with our homes....We need to sacrifice by taking time to kneel down and have family prayer and scripture reading and Family Home Evening. We need to give up things that do not allow the spirit to enter into our homes (like violent and immoral video games, moves and television programs).... We need to beautiful and clean up our homes. (We do not need to spend a lot of money or go into debt for it.)...We need to have our homes dedicated by a Priesthood holder and dedicated to the Lord....Once our homes are accepted by the Lord we need to not let the adversary in....We need to make our homes a safe place."

Being Temporally Prepared From the Storms...

We need to have a Food Storage plan and work towards our goal of 3 months, 6 months or a year supply of
food. We need to store water. We need to have medical emergency supplies on hand. We need to have our 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks for each family member. We need a way to have shelter and sanitation if we cannot stay in our home. We need to have an evacuation plan. We need to be aware of our surroundings, listen to the spirit and act on the best way to protect our family. (Note: Only store food and water if your country allows it.)

Weekly Assignment: 72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Family Bag

Why a 72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Family Bag? There are some things your family will need in you have to evacuate or are away from home that cannot fit into the 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks.

Last week I assigned you to get a bag, like a sports bag or backpack, ready. You can use one you have around the house, purchase a new one or one at the local thrift store.

This week add the following...

1) A regular portable radio, with extra batteries, or solar radio   

Emergency Preparedness Ideas:

Would you be able to handle a long-term large-scale disaster in your area? How prepared are you? Will you and your family be able to survive on your own for more than two weeks; food, water, medical supplies, emergency supplies, etc.?

I want you to imagine you live in the Los Angeles County in Southern California USA where resides about 3.8+ million people, which does not include Orange County, San Diego County, Riverside County, Santa Barbara County or San Bernardino County. A mega earthquake hits the area, causing devastation up and down the coast of California and inland. Everyone is effected, including the emergency rescue teams. Buildings will be down, infrastructures will be destroyed, roads will be blocked, no electricity, no clean running water, no food, no medical supplies. Would you be able to take care of you and your family? Do you think the local or federal government will be there to help right away? Look what happened with the Katrina and Sandie Hurricanes! How long did it take FEMA to help? Will they be equipped to help 3.8+ million people?

We need to be prepared to take care of our own family in a long-term large-scale disaster! Many are complacent and say it will not happen to me or here. I have lots of time to prepare. In one second, things can change drastically!

If you are not prepared to take care of your family, then you need to make a plan, set goals and work toward being prepared as quickly as you can. Yes, preparing can be inconvenient, it takes our time and money. But I would rather take time to start preparing now, set goals and start working on them now!

Let's all strive to be the "Five Wise Virgins" and not end up like the "Five Foolish Virgins".

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 October 20th)

Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

I am back! We have been in the process of redecorating our house and things have been a little upside down the past few weeks. I was not able to get to my computer.

October--Earthquake Preparedness Month 

Throughout the world some countries face earthquakes, some small, some mega. They cause devastating loss of life and damage. In California USA they continually admonish us to prepare for the "big one", 10.0+. 

Please check out the posting under "Postings" on the right side of this blogs, "What to do before, during and after an earthquake". There are many ideas to help you, your family, your pets and how to protect your home. Each family should have an earthquake survival kit which should included the following: 1) Good walking shoes, 2) 5-7 days of canned food (pop top or with a can opener) and water, 3) Whistle, 4)  First-aid Kit, 5) A breathing mask for each family member, 6) Regular or Solar Flashlight (with batteries) or light stick, 7) Medications, 8) Pocket Knife and Duct Tape, 9) Cash (small bills and change), 10) Pet Supplies, 11) An ax, 12) Toiletries.

October 17th, throughout the world, many countries had a "Shake Out" to help individuals, schools, businesses and rescue teams prepare for a major earthquake. If you would like more information and other great ideas on how to prepared for an earthquake go to GetPreparedCalifornia.org. There is a list of 7 things you need to do to be prepared.

Did you know your Homeowners, Homeowner-Condo, Renters and Business insurance policies do not cover earthquake damage or any land movement? If you live in California the website above will take you to "California Earthquake Authority" where you can get a quote for earthquake insurance, or call your insurance agent. Yes, the premium can be little high, with a 10%-15% deductible of your Coverage A Dwelling Replacement, but I would rather pay the deductible than have to replace my whole house without insurance coverage.

Spiritual Preparedness, Why is it Important and How is it a Part of Emergency Preparedness?

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days Saints this is the time of year when we learn about the importance of spiritual preparedness and how it can bless our lives. October 5th and 6th was our Semi-annual General Conference. You can listen to and read all the talks on lds.org, or in the November 2013 Ensign magazine. Even if you are not a member of the church I encourage you to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to listen to and read the messages and prepare yourselves spiritually. 

As the Latter-days Saints (also known as Mormons) prepared for the trek to the Great Salt Lake Valley in Utah USA, President Brigham Young shared "the word and will of the Lord" regarding this matter. In Doctrine and Covenants Section 136 you can read about the council that was given to the Saints as they prepared for the westward journey. This great advise can be applied to us today. We each need to prepare our households for what may come our way. Let me share a verse from Section 136 that we can apply to our emergency preparedness...

"Let each company provide themselves with all the teams, wagons, provisions, clothing, other necessities for the journey, that they can. (v. 5)

"Each company" can apply to our own household. The items listed are our own food and water storage and emergency supplies. If there is a disaster or emergency situation we will be on our own journey, we need to be prepared!

Also, in Section 42:32 we read, "..., every man shall be made accountable unto me, a steward over his own property, or that which he has received..."

We each receive blessings from Heavenly Father, both temporally and spiritually. We are responsible (accountable ) for those blessings. It is our responsibility to take care of ourselves and our own family. 

(Note: If you are not a member of the church and do not have a copy of the Doctrine and Covenants you can access these scriptures and council given by clicking on Doctrine and Covenants 136.) 

Weekly Assignment: 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks

Assignment: Continue to put together a 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpack for each family member in your household. Please see the last two postings regarding this matter.If you have not been following along this year, go back to the December 30, 2012 posting and follow along until you complete each family members 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpack.

Infant and Toddler 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks: Of course, this will be very different from other household members. You will need to adjust their food for their age. Also, the Hygiene and Stressor Kits will need to be adjusted to their needs. One of the parents or teenage children will need to carry their backpack.

Weekly Assignment: 72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Family Bag

Weekly Assignment: This week acquire some type of bag, a sports bag or backpack in which to carry the family emergency items. Next week we will start adding the items one at a time.Check out your local theft stores to save money. You can keep this Family Bag in the closest at home with each family members 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks or in the car. If you have to evacuate this bag should go with you too.

Emergency Preparedness Ideas and Tips:

 

Stock Up Sales: Some grocery stores this time of year have what they call "Stock Up Sales", like Ablertons, and in Utah, Case Lot Sales. This is a great time to stock up on food storage, both canned and packaged foods. Also, this time of year is baking season, a great time to stock up on baking items that are on sale, like oils and fats, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, chocolate chips, etc. Remember: Oils and fats need to be stored in a cool, dry, dark place.





 

Disaster Cleanup Kit: The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has a great video showing how to put together a disaster cleanup kit, great idea. Everything fits into a 5 gallon plastic bucket. This one you can keep in your garage or storage shed.

 

 

 

 Quote:

 

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." (Isaiah 41:10)

 

I read this the other day and testify it is so very true. Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ are always with us. They will give us the strength to overcome anything if we have faith in them, allow them to guide us  and if we strive to live righteously.  

 

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 Ideas (Week of September 22nd)

Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

Quote:

"You will come to know that what appears today to be a sacrifice will prove instead to be the greatest investment that you will ever make."     (President Gordon B. Hinckley)

Food storage and emergency preparedness is a sacrifice, it takes money and our time, but it will prove to be a great investment when needed.

Once again we hear and see in the news about a natural disaster that has effected many people. Boulder and other outlining communities in Colorado, US have been devastated by pouring rain and massive flooding.

Experts say in some areas this is the 100 year flood, in other areas the 1,000 year flood. Lives have been lost, property has been lost, personal items have been lost and many were trapped for days without any help. It took days for helicopters to get into the areas where people were trapped due to flooding, lost roads and bridges. Emergency personnel, medical help, and rescue teams could not get into those trapped. They had to wait for the rain and winds to stop so they could fly in helicopters to rescue the people.

What would you do if you and your family were trapped for days. Could you survive on your own? Would you have food to eat and fresh water to drink? Would you have medical supplies on hand to treat the injured? Would you have a way to keep  warm, a way to cook, have light and shelter? What would you do? Do you know how to use the emergency equipment (like tents, generators, cooking stoves) you have stored?




This is way I stress so much about being prepared with food and water storage, emergency supplies and medical supplies. This is why we need 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks for each family member. You say it will not happen to me, but do you really know that? Why not be prepared for what could come your way? Why take a chance?




Weekly Assignment: 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks and Food Storage

This week we are continuing to put together each family member's 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks. Last week I gave you some other items to add to the Backpacks. Please review last weeks posting.

While you are gathering those items and adding them to the backpacks please make sure you have put in the Food Kit and Water, the Personal Hygiene Kit and Stressor Kit for each family member's backpack.

Note: Some people do not feel it is necessary to have an extra set of clothes and it takes up to much room. If you do not want this then that is alright. Personally I want to be dry and comfortable in an emergency situation, especially children. If you do not want to add clothing, maybe at least have an extra set of under garments and socks. Having your feet dry is very important if you are walking. 

Once you have completed them, keep the backpacks in an easy access place in your home (like a closet near an exit door), your garage or your car. It is a good idea to have one at work also. You may be at work when a disaster or emergency situation happens. Make sure your children have some type of emergency preparedness kit at school too. Check out the posting dated "Week of August 4th" (2013) for ideas.

The key to any food storage or emergency preparedness supplies is Rotation, Rotation, Rotation! Do not forget to rotate the food, water and medications in your 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks. If kept in the house you should be able to rotate these items once a year. If kept in the car, or garage and if hot, then you should rotate the food, water and medications about every 6 months. Do not throw the food and water away, use if up before the expiration dates and replace as soon as possible. Do not remove the food and water from the backpack until you have purchased the replacement food and water. Some food and water is better than nothing.

Once you have completed each family member's backpack (the whole family) please email me at thearkcarsonward@gmail.com. Why? You will receive a special gift, an items to add to your 72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Family Bag we will start working on the second week of October, after The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints General Conference (October 5th and 6th).

Food Storage Assignment:

Each week, or when you go grocery shopping,  try to add some canned or packaged foods your family will eat. Only store what your family will eat! Watch for sales so you can purchase even more. Before you know it you will have a week's supply, two week's supply, a month's supply, 3 months supply.




 
Emergency Preparedness Ideas:

What will happen when the trucks and freight trains stop moving?

Living near the Los Angeles Harbor where large freight ships come in from China and other countries everyday we see the big semi-trucks loading up and hauling the large containers to different areas locally and around the country. As we travel across the United States on road trips we see the semi-trucks and freight trains loaded with the large containers full of food, water, live stock, medical supplies and other merchandise. Living in California we also see trucks from local farmers hauling their fresh vegetables and fruits to local stores and farmers markets. We see trucks carrying gas for our cars driving down the highways and filling up the underground gas storage tanks at gas stations. Each week the local city sanitation company comes by and picks up our trash. What will happen when they come to a stop?

"Most Americans, and maybe in other countries, take for granted the intricate systems that make it possible for us to engage in seemingly mundane day to day tasks like filling up our gas tanks, loading up our shopping carts at the local grocery store, obtaining necessary medications, and even pouring ourselves a clean glass of water. When we wake up each morning we just expect that all of these things will work today the same way they worked yesterday. Very few have considered the complexity involved in the underlying infrastructure that keeps goods, services and commerce in America flowing. Fewer still have ever spent the time to contemplate the fragility of these systems or the consequences on food, water, health care, the financial system, and the economy if there are interrupted.

A shut down of truck operations as a result of elevated threat levels, terrorist attacks, or pandemics, (or natural disasters) according to the report, have 'a swift and devastating impact on the food, health care, transportation, waste removal, retail, manufacturing, and financial sectors.' (American Trucking Associations)"   (SHTFplan)

If this happened, there would be significant food shortages in as little as 3 days; there would be fear, and panic and looting; water supplies of clean drinking water will run dry in 2-4 weeks; medical care and hospitals will be jeopardized by medical supply shortages and pharmacy stocks of prescriptions will be depleted quickly; service station fuel supplies will start to run out in just 1-2 days; air, rail and maritime transportation will be disrupted; within days of a truck stoppage, Americans will be literally buried in garbage with serious health environmental consequences which cause rich breeding grounds for microorganisms, insects and other vermin; replenishment of goods will be disrupted; just-in-time manufactures will shut down assembly lines within hours; ATM and branch bank cash resources will be exhausted quickly and regular bank functions will cease.   (American Truckers Association Report)

While an event that could disrupt truck transportation may be unlikely, look what happened when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. "Panicked government officials stopped all transportation flow into the region, forcing hundreds of trucks loaded with emergency supplies like food and water to wait for permission before they could enter the area. As a result, thousands of residents of the city were left without items essential for survival. As you know, it took days before truck routes were re-opened and supplies were allowed to flow." (SHTFplan) A natural disaster like a major earthquake, flooding, Tusnami, hurricane, toranado, etc., or a pandemic, could quickly shut down the trucking infrastructure.

What would happened if it was national, not just in your community? What will happen to our truck infrastructure if a major earthquake hit the southern California area, or your area? Will you be prepared to take care of yourself and your family? I sure hope so!!!

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 Ideas (Week of September 15th)

Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month. "We cannot change the past but we can learn from it and prepared for the future. We never know how, when or where a disaster or emergency situation will occur. And there are varying degrees of emergencies from a major natural disaster or terrorist attack to losing a job." (SurvivalBased.com)

We need to be prepared both temporally, mentally and spiritually. Emergency Preparedness and Self-Reliance are a part of living the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Temporally we need to have water and food stored (preferable a 3-months supply), shelter, a way to cook, some source of light and heat, medical supplies and other emergency supplies. Mentally we need to learn basic first-aid skills and survival skills, how to set up a tent or some type of shelter and how to cook in an emergency situation. Spiritually we need to learn how to listen to and follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost for guidance and protection. When we feel we should do something, we need to act on it right away, it may save our life or some else. 

This is a great month to get together as a family and reassess how well we are prepared and what we need to do to be prepared and better prepared. We should do the following...

1) Inventory our food and water storage quarterly. Use those items that will expire soon and replace them as soon as possible. Check to see what we need to add. Change the water in our water barrels if needed.

2) Check over our emergency supplies, like our tent, cooking equipment, lighting, heating, medical supplies, shovel, ax, crowbar, saw, chain saw, paper supplies, extra prescription medications, etc. If they
need repaired, repair them now. If they need replaced, replace them as soon as possible. Know how to use them.

 
3) Have a family evacuation plan. Practice family fire, earthquake, tornado drills and evacuation plans. Do you have a second story fire ladder and fire extinguishers in your home and car?

 

4) Have an out of state emergency contact person that each family member knows and carries with them in a wallet, purse or backpack.
In an emergency situation, call that person, report where you are, how you are and if you are going some place else. 

 
 5) Never let your gas tank get below half a tank. If you have to evacuation you will have enough to get you to a safe place. Most gas station pumps will not work, they use electricity. ATM and credit cards will not work either.

Remember: "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear."

Weekly Assignment: 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks

Once again, congratulations if you have completed the 3 kits in your 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks, the Food Kit with Water, the Personal Hygiene Kit, and the Stressor Kit. If you have not completed the 3 kits, go back to the December 30, 2012 posting and follow the weekly assignments until you have completed all 3 kits for each family member. I know it is a lot and can be expensive if you have a large family. Add the items as you can, when you see them on sales. Many of the items can be purchased at discount stores like the 99 Cent Store and the Dollar Tree, and department store dollar bins, but be careful with the food and their expiration dates.

There a couple of more things to add to your backpack to make them complete...

This week add the following (you should have most of these items around the house, or you can go to a thrift store):

1) Change of comfortable clothing including socks and under clothing. Long pants and long selves shirts are best to protect you from the elements. Remember to check these items twice a year. Children grow and we also change in weight.

2) Strap a baseball cap to the shoulder straps of the backpack.

3) Sunglasses. They do not have to be expensive, just something to keep the sun out of your eyes. Keep in a side pocket of your backpack.

4) A good pair of sturdy shoes. Especially if you keep your 72 Hour Emergency Backpack in your car or at work, and ladies, if you were high heels or sandals to work, they will not be comfortable for walking. I tie mine to my backpack straps so I will be able to grab them quickly and I know where they are.

5) An old sweater, sweater shirt or light jacket like a windbreaker. Kept with my backpack. I can quickly tie it around my waist and be off with my backpack.

6) Small LED flashlight with batteries and your 5-1 Emergency Whistles we added a few weeks ago. I keep these items in a side pocket for easy access.  I have found the small LED flashlights at discount stores like the 99 Cent Store, the Dollar Tree, etc. 

A great Family Home Evening activity would be to get all the kits together with the items above and place them in your backpacks. Check out thrift stores or use last years school backpack to save money on them. With a permanent marker write each family member's name on their backpack.




Note: If you need help with these things click on the appropriated listing under "Postings" on the right of this blog.

Los Angeles LDS Dry Pack Cannery...

Important: The Los Angeles LDS Dry Pack Cannery and others in  California will only be open for your personal canning until November. This is a great opportunity to take your family, or go with another family or group, and can for your long term food storage. Children need to be at least 12-14 years old to help and 16 year old to run the equipment. Most items you will can will last for 25-30 years. See the attached link here for the list of items you can can and a printable order form. You need to call them ahead of time to make an appointment and make sure they have what you want can in sock. 

After November you will only be able to purchase pre-canned items. Not all items will we available. If you want to purchase them, call the LDS Dry Pack Cannery ahead of time so they will have what you want to purchase in sock.

Click here to find a list of LDS Dry Pack Canneries in your area.

 

Next week we will start on the 72 Hour Family Emergency Preparedness Bag. This bag is kept with the family's 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Backpacks, either in a nearby closet by the front or back door or in your car(s). 

Emergency Preparedness Warning...

A little over 4 years ago I woke up one morning startled with an overwhelming feeling that I needed to make sure our family was prepared. That things were going to get really ruff and we needed to be prepared. I did not know when or how, I just knew it was going to happen.  I also knew I needed to warn others. I prayed for a way to following the strong prompting from the Holy Ghost and how I could accomplish this task. A few weeks later I was called to be the Emergency Preparedness Specialist in our Ward. My prayers were answered. I also felt a strong feeling that one way I could get the word out to many was to set up an emergency preparedness blog. With the help of my daughter this blog as been accomplished. I feel so passionate about this and helping others to be prepared.  Please use this blog, and share it with others, so you can become better prepared.

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 Ideas (Week of September 8th)

Hi Carson Ward Family, Family and Friends,

It only takes a second... 

It only takes a second for your life and your loved ones lives to be changed. If you are involved in a disaster, emergency situation, loss of a job, or even a serious car, airplane or train accident your life will change. It can happen to anybody, anytime, anywhere. Look what happened to the people of Alabama with the major oil spill, with Louisiana, US with Katrina, the East Coast (US) and other cities with hurricanes, with the Midwestern States (US) with tornadoes and droughts, and all over the world with major earthquakes. Many of these places and people are still suffering. It only takes a second!

Why am I so over the top about telling others about emergency preparedness, food and water storage, spiritual preparedness and being prepared? Because I would feel horrible if I did not warn people to be prepared for what may come their way and then something happened to them and their loved ones. They might come back and say, "Why didn't you tell me?". I know and have experienced the blessings of being prepared with emergency supplies, water and food storage and spiritual preparedness.

This emergency preparedness blog was created to help the members of my church, Carson Ward, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons).  Then I realized as it started to go around the world, it is helping many of you and your loved to be prepared, better prepared than you already are. It is to help you, and make it as easy as possible to follow a plan and set goals. Use it, share it with others and let it help you become prepared. The information comes from my 35+ years of experience and the experience of others they have shared with me.

So, take a few seconds with your family, make a plan, set small goals to accomplish your main goal and start working towards it a little at a time. No one can do this all at once. Use this blog to help you reach your goals. You can do it, just set some goals and start!

New Report shows future Tsunami Warning for Southern California!




Most of us remember when the major earthquake hit Japan causing a large Tsunami.

Up and down the coast of California, US were damages. The damages were not as severe as they could have been, but there was some major damage to boats and harbors in Northern and Central California, US. 




This week I heard on several radio and television news programs a report with a warning from the United States Geological Survey, that if a major earthquake was to hit Alaska (9.1), which caused a large Tsunami, seven hundred fifty thousand to one million people would be effected along the Southern coast of California, from Marina Del Rey to New Port Beach, possibly San Diego, US. Northern and Central California could be effected too. Those of you in California, US need to be aware of your surroundings.

Look for the Tsunami warning signs if you live near the coast and which way to evacuate. It is amazing how many people along the Los Angeles Harbor area say they have not noticed them. They are there, watch for them and be aware where you need to evacuate. Most of the signs in the Los Angeles Harbor point to getting on the Harbor 110 Freeway. This gives me some concerns. If everyone does that it will quickly become a parking lot of cars and the Tsunami waves could go over it, causing major damages and even death. I would also have several surface street routes to take, not major roads, but side streets. Map out several routes you could take for your safety and keep them in the glove compartment of each of your cars.

The U.S. Geological Survey said that if you are at the beach and feel strong shaking, leave immediately for higher ground. I have heard many reports where the people of islands that have experienced Tsunamis teach their children and grandchildren that when they see the ocean waters recede to get to high land as soon as possible, the huge waves are coming very soon.

They also reported that Los Angeles downtown is 600 feet above sea level and would probably not be effected by the Tsunami waters. When the Japan Tsunami hit it went in six miles. We drove from the Los Angeles Harbor down Avalon Boulevard and Main Street towards the San Diego 405 Freeway to see how far inland that would be. It was a little past the 405 Freeway. The report is also saying the Tsunami could effect the many Los Angeles rivers and water by-ways to the ocean. The Tsunami water could reach further inland than we think. 

Click on this link to read more about the story posted in the Los Angeles Times.

Remember: The best thing we can do in any disaster or emergency situation is be aware of our surroundings, following local government instructions and warnings, look for Tsunami warning signs in your area, have an escape plan and evacuate as soon as possible in a calm and orderly manner.


Weekly Assignment: 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Stressor Kit

This week add the following:

1) $3-$5 in change, preferably coins, per family member's Stressor Kit. Why coins? Because during an emergency or disaster situation when you need to purchase something like water people might tell you they cannot make change and you might be forced to give them a $5, $10 or $20 bill because it is all you have and you need water. It has happened many times during a disaster.


So far you should have the following in each family member's Stressor Kit--paper pad and pen or pencil with sharpener, 5-in-1 survival whistle, copies of insurance (adults only), family photo, activity book (age appropriate), list of family contact names and phone numbers, small travel size board game or card game (age appropriate), a small soft cover Book of Mormon or Bible, and a favorite reading book (soft cover, age appropriate, or small child's favorite book. 

Congratulations! Once you add this last item you have completed each family member's 72 Hour Individual Emergency Preparedness Stressor Kit. Place all the above items in a large plastic zip lock bag and write Stressor Kit and the family member's name on the front with a permanent marker. Place the kit in each family members 72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Backpack. 

Next week we will discuss some other items you should have in each family member's 72 Hour Emergency Preparedness Backpack besides the Food Kit, Personal Hygiene Kit and Stressor Kit. 

Emergency Preparedness Ideas:

Why do you need vegetable seeds in your food storage? 

Vegetable seeds should be an important of your food storage because there may come a time when you can no longer purchase them. If there is a disaster where for many months there is no access to food in the grocery stores you will have seeds to plant and grow your own vegetables. Many emergency preparedness companies like Emergency Essentials,  Thrive Life and others offer buckets or #10 cans of a variety of vegetable seeds that keep for up to 5 years. They are great, but a problem I have with them is that there may be vegetable seeds you would not grow because your family would not eat some of the vegetables. But, they would be a great source of bartering if you needed something. You could purchase individual packages of vegetable seeds your family would eat, but there shelf life may not be for 5 years. If you have a yearly vegetable garden then you can rotate your seeds, which is the secret to any food storage.

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