Prepare for emergencies before they strike

[disneysteve]

10-15 flashlights? Really? We have maybe 3 or 4.

I'm counting all forms of flashlights. Most are tiny little things - think something that might go on your keychain that was a giveaway somewhere. A couple are multifunction devices. For example, our travel clock also has a built in LED flashlight. I'm not talking about big clunky things that use 8 D-cell batteries.

We each have a flashlight on our bedside tables, so that's 3 right there.
We keep a flashlight in each car, so that's 2 more.
There's one in my toolbox, so that's another.
Last year at Chanukah, my SIL and BIL gave us each a little flashlight on a mini tripod. It is only about 3-4 inches tall but is kind of neat when you want a light you don't have to hold, so that's 3 more.
DD has one that she takes on retreats that clips onto her backpack or belt loop.

So just that list totals 10 and there are others. My wife has a mag lite that she's had for years. I have a mini mag that a rep gave me at work once. Etc. Actually, if we really scrounged around, 15 is probably an underestimate.

[Like2Plan]

I'm counting all forms of flashlights. Most are tiny little things - think something that might go on your keychain that was a giveaway somewhere. A couple are multifunction devices. For example, our travel clock also has a built in LED flashlight. I'm not talking about big clunky things that use 8 D-cell batteries.

We each have a flashlight on our bedside tables, so that's 3 right there.
We keep a flashlight in each car, so that's 2 more.
There's one in my toolbox, so that's another.
Last year at Chanukah, my SIL and BIL gave us each a little flashlight on a mini tripod. It is only about 3-4 inches tall but is kind of neat when you want a light you don't have to hold, so that's 3 more.
DD has one that she takes on retreats that clips onto her backpack or belt loop.

So just that list totals 10 and there are others. My wife has a mag lite that she's had for years. I have a mini mag that a rep gave me at work once. Etc. Actually, if we really scrounged around, 15 is probably an underestimate.

Don't forget your iPhone flashlight AP.

[elessar78]

My take as to why people are like this is because as a whole, we're out of touch with nature. When we were closer to it preparing for the seasons was a necessity. Now everything is an after thought, seasons are pretty homogenous because at a moment's notice we can go to Lowe's and stock up. We don't think much about it.

Drinking water is basic and simply having some bleach around the house you can purify inordinate amounts of water. A half teaspoon will make 5 gallons of water potable.

Another poster mentioned going into survival mode: having that emergency back pack is critical. Three ways to start a fire (waterproof matches, flint and steel and kindling (dryer lint is wonderfully combustible), and/or a lighter). A mode of transportation like a bicycle, skateboard, or scooter or skis.

Every year our hunter friends give us deer meat. I detest the stuff but we keep it in our freezer. It'll be handy if we're down to that.

Most households can't survive more than a few days with what they have in their house. I've been building up a stock pile of non-perishable food so we can go longer than a few days.

I'm not one of "those" types, I'm a normal suburban guy. But we go camping and hiking regularly so preparedness is at the forefront.

[breathemusic]

My roommates and I did end up making a dash in the rain to the local grocery store the day the hurricane hit, but that was only because after finding out we'd be off work for 2 days, everyone in the house grossly underestimated the amount of wine and beer we wanted to have around since we were going to have friends who live within walking distance come hunker down with some music and board games! Watching the mad rush in the store was a bit crazy though!

[esb3357]

I understand where you are coming from but I will offer another side. My husband is military and we have moved 5 times in 3 years. We are facing orders in Feb. and have no idea if we are heading to California from Virginia or staying. Every place we have lived has had different kinds of weather conditions and requirements. Gulf Coast, we were told we would evaluate here we stayed. Since we have moved alot we purge and don't take on alot of clutter. I also try to keep the cubbers cleaned out I shop once a month. We get last minute orders and it is a pain to clean evverything out. Alot of wasted money when the movers won't move stuff. Therefore yes I was join the madness because it was the end of our month. We don't keep extra tupperweare or other stuff around because its more to clean when little notice is given.

Honestly while we are responsible with items, movers break and lose things. So yes, we have been know to go out and rebuy things before an even because we just realized it didn't make the move. Honestly I see where you are coming from.

[community]

Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighborhood, workplace or school or can confine you to your home. What would you do if basic services – water, gas, electricity or telephones – were cut off?

[SnoopyCool]

Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighborhood, workplace or school or can confine you to your home. What would you do if basic services – water, gas, electricity or telephones – were cut off?

At that time, there's little that can be done. I think you have to be prepared before basic services are cut off.

[disneysteve]

I understand where you are coming from but I will offer another side. My husband is military and we have moved 5 times in 3 years. We are facing orders in Feb. and have no idea if we are heading to California from Virginia or staying. Every place we have lived has had different kinds of weather conditions and requirements. Gulf Coast, we were told we would evaluate here we stayed. Since we have moved alot we purge and don't take on alot of clutter. I also try to keep the cubbers cleaned out I shop once a month. We get last minute orders and it is a pain to clean evverything out. Alot of wasted money when the movers won't move stuff. Therefore yes I was join the madness because it was the end of our month. We don't keep extra tupperweare or other stuff around because its more to clean when little notice is given.

Honestly while we are responsible with items, movers break and lose things. So yes, we have been know to go out and rebuy things before an even because we just realized it didn't make the move. Honestly I see where you are coming from.

I think this makes perfect sense for you and your husband. I also think, however, that this describes a tiny percentage of the population. Good point, though.

[bjl584]

Looking at some of the images and stories from the aftermath of Sandy it looks like most people were completely unprepared. Long lines of cars and people waiting for fuel, people dumpster diving in NYC, and violence being reported in areas.

[Like2Plan]

Looking at some of the images and stories from the aftermath of Sandy it looks like most people were completely unprepared. Long lines of cars and people waiting for fuel, people dumpster diving in NYC, and violence being reported in areas.

That is another thing they recommend you do before a storm hits--fill up your tank with gas. In places that commonly get hurricanes there are sometimes spot shortages before the weather event because everyone is filling up. I think the problem is that the electricity is still out at many stations so they can't pump the gas.

[FrugalTexan75]

Yesterday I experienced a mini-emergency (although emergency isn't quite the right word ... too dramatic.) Some well meaning idiots dug up and cut into the main fiber optic line heading out of Albuquerque towards the AZ border in an effort to find copper wiring to steal. Thanks to their efforts, they found no copper wiring, but two entire counties in NM were without cell, internet and cable service. I live in a very small town, 30+ miles to another larger town in any direction. So having those services all GONE with no way of finding out what happened, or how large of an area it was affecting, was very disconcerting.

I did try to find out news from the one local radio station - but their news is broadcast in Navajo ... so that didn't help much. Landlines did still work - only for local calls though. So I'm not really sure what would have helped to prepare for something like this. Having the internet out is one thing, but to also have cell service out ... that felt extremely isolating.

(Service was restored after about 7 hours.)

One way to be prepared for something like this -- have cash in small bills. All of the gas stations and other stores only could take cash. The ATMs were not working, credit card machines weren't working ... I wonder what the truck drivers did who needed gas???

[rennigade]

My take as to why people are like this is because as a whole, we're out of touch with nature. When we were closer to it preparing for the seasons was a necessity. Now everything is an after thought, seasons are pretty homogenous because at a moment's notice we can go to Lowe's and stock up. We don't think much about it.

Drinking water is basic and simply having some bleach around the house you can purify inordinate amounts of water. A half teaspoon will make 5 gallons of water potable.

Another poster mentioned going into survival mode: having that emergency back pack is critical. Three ways to start a fire (waterproof matches, flint and steel and kindling (dryer lint is wonderfully combustible), and/or a lighter). A mode of transportation like a bicycle, skateboard, or scooter or skis.

Every year our hunter friends give us deer meat. I detest the stuff but we keep it in our freezer. It'll be handy if we're down to that.

Most households can't survive more than a few days with what they have in their house. I've been building up a stock pile of non-perishable food so we can go longer than a few days.

I'm not one of "those" types, I'm a normal suburban guy. But we go camping and hiking regularly so preparedness is at the forefront.

Yep...those thousands of people affected in NYC and Jersey sure could benefit from firesteel and maybe even a rifle so they can hunt deer in central park.

[dawnwes]

We lived through the Northridge Earthquake of '94 and my husband still sleeps with his slippers right next to the bed, a flashlight within reach, and fresh water in storage. And we now live in North Carolina!

We have some food supply and fresh batteries and such as well. NC does get ice storms and we have lost power for a few days.

[asmom]

I think for most people, it's the fear of the unknown. I believe a lot of people are thinking, yes we have supplies but how bad will this be? How long will it last? As for flashlights, for the life of me, we cannot keep working flashlights in this house. We have 3 or 4 and at any given time, only one works despite my best efforts. *weird*

[disneysteve]

As for flashlights, for the life of me, we cannot keep working flashlights in this house. We have 3 or 4 and at any given time, only one works despite my best efforts. *weird*

Are any of them LED flashlights? I've found that those things last forever. They use very little power so the batteries don't run down. In fact, I have a few little ones that don't even have a replaceable battery (unless you bust the thing open).