Planning for Disasters - Should we be stockpiling stuff?

[elcheapo]

nope just have a savings account

[baselle]

Right now I'm down to five cans of tuna and I'm feeling a bit light. Of course I think you should stockpile a bit for a general emergency situation where one has to hole up.

But the biggest stockpile you have should be of information, expertise, and common sense. Stockpiling the basics won't help you if you don't know how to cook for instance, or know what to eat first when the power goes out. A first aid kit is great, but you should know a little bit of first aid. You should have at least thought-out mental plan - what you would do if "X" occurs. What would you do if "X" occurs, and when "Y" people are unavailable, and the power's out?

Remember that there are some emergencies where you have to stay in place, some where you have to bug out quickly to either get home or get away from home. A stockpile of food wouldn't be much help, but a USB drive of account numbers and scanned documents that you could put in your pocket and run with would be a lot of help.

[SuzeOFan]

But the biggest stockpile you have should be of information, expertise, and common sense. Stockpiling the basics won't help you if you don't know how to cook for instance, or know what to eat first when the power goes out. A first aid kit is great, but you should know a little bit of first aid. You should have at least thought-out mental plan - what you would do if "X" occurs. What would you do if "X" occurs, and when "Y" people are unavailable, and the power's out?

Some good points baselle.

Preparing for emergencies should also include some basic *self-preparedness* and a well-thought out plan. Such things might include knowing how to use the food you have stored. (Did you include a can-opener? Do you have a supply of, and know how to use cans of sterno?
How many of you know basic first-aid? If you don't you should! It could save a life.

An escape plan in case of fire, a hurricane room, a tornado cellar, a flood plan, etc. etc. a pile of food wont' help you without a good plan.

[debtfreeme]

I was raised to be prepared in case of anything. I lived in San Francisco for college and my mom made me know two routes to get out of the city with out going or an over pass or under an overpass. It is important to me to be prepared in case something was to occur whether it was a disaster, emergency or personal situation like quitting my job as I spoke about in another post. I have a grab and go kit at home, a simple back pack with food staples and water, couple changes of clothes, some money in various definitions, an emergency “debit” card, a first aid kit, flash light, my solar battery charger and good radio, and anything else that might be necessary depending upon the weather (winter small kit of hat and gloves etc, summer extra shorts and t shirts).

I cannot imagine not being prepared for something and my whole family was raised this way. I always have a small kit in my car, depending on the season, with food and water and rotate it each season. I always have extra food at the house when something goes on special and I try to be prepared for any thing tat might happen.

I know how to get out of my current city and get to family either 15 miles or 45 miles away, oh and I always keep my running/walking shoes in the car. Nothing like a comfy pair of shoes to have on hand at any time.

I work in preparedness for a state agency and I know that sometimes people might be a little put off by my being prepared but I can tell you that I have gotten into my kit in my car more often than I should to take care of their child’s cut hand or broken finger or what ever. Some simple skills can take care of you and your family and often it is the little things that matter anyway.

If anyone wants some suggestions of things to think about, let me know. I have a ton of resources and information.

Best,
K-

[Tree0164]

I don't have a plan per say. I don't necessarily like thinking about these things.

I do have well stocked pantry and enough water to last us for several weeks if we couldn't leave our homes.

[debtfreeme]

just a question for those of you who are not prepared: what do you do when you can't get money from your bank because banking systems are down?

[boefixepa]

This can be a really debatable issue, but I will share my two cents worth. Because of my religious background (LDS, Mormon or whatever you want to call it) we are encouraged to have a bacis food storage on hand for all kinds of different reasons. -- There is plenty of info out there if you want to look it up.

The basics---
I have a 72 hour kit, stored in an inexpensice hiking pack that I can wear if I need to leave my home. Disasters have shown time and time again that it takes about that long for goverment and relief agencies to get help set up. This include a few 5 gallon jugs of water that I can move, but hope I never have to. And a simple sanitation kit for cleaning and bathroom issues...really don't want to do what the dogs do. To me anyone who doesn't have this is asking to depend on someone else. You can make one of these from what you have in your house, but who says you will have the time. IF YOU ARE DEPENDENT FOR LIFE ON MEDICATION AND DON"T HAVE ONE OF THESE WITH YOUR MEDS......you are asking for it. Make sure you rotate food and have a change of all season clothes. Any search with 72 hour kit can get you going here. Small back packs for each kid with snacks, a few simple games and water would have made this much better in the wake of Katrina.


The bigger picture--

We are recommend to have a years supply of basic food nessities. This is a hard goal and requires planning and use to rotate many items. (Not to mention storage space.....grr... I have to use my crawl space...) If you do cook at home it is doable with time and planning. Personally in my experience this storage has come in handy in times of FINANCIAL difficulties NOT terrorism or Y2K like issues. I remeber once as a kid, when my father lost his job, we lived off this basic supply for a few months, (yes you have to know how to cook!). This helped my parents regain their footing and as kids we didn't see a big difference. My mom later told us she was saving a few hundred dollars a month by not having to buy food at the time. A REAL LIFE SAVER! Once things were better we slowly rebuilt the supply. Even single I still do this to this day. There have been times when cash gets tight I'm grateful I don't have to go shopping, just cook. When I have a little extra, I stock up.

A rainy day fund is also a must in my book. The stress of not having money for an unexpected car repair or medical expense can be the straw that brakes the camel's back. A little planning and things like that can be avioded. A little cash on hand for those winter storms/rain events that knock out power for a few days can help too.

If you don't plan ahead be ready to humbly go to those who are. Time and time again I have watched siblings make unwise choice and come to others for help. I still can not figure out why they still have not learned, but there is little I can do to change their perspective or wasteful ways. --- How did I miss the "entitlement'' generation I don't know, but I'm greateful.

You cannot plan for everything, but hey I love to camp. So I have plenty of charcole and propane for my camp stove. If the power goes out I'm having a bar-be-cue and I don't have to go to the store for anything.

Be wise, know what you can and can not do and remember that is not your extended families, your parents, your governments, your churches etc...job to take care of you. You can do it in most all cases if you simply live in a manner that allows for it. This web site is a great help in accomplishing that.

I'll think I'll stop know, but I hope you can see the principles under the actions here.

Have fun,

Boefixepa