| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| HollyMaker |
Posted - Mar 18 2011 : 1:01:40 PM
Hi ladies,
I have been looking into building my emergency supplies for some time. I have been checking prices with different companies as well as locally. I have started with beans, quinoa, and that sort of thing. I am curious as to what you ladies do to prepare for emergencies and protecting your families. I would love to hear from others about this.:)
Farmgirl Sister #2699
http://www.chartreuseproducts.com/hlennon.html Natural and organic cleaning products, bath and body, natural mineral makeup, righteous reusables and more! Be sure to put my name (on homepage of website) in the 'How did you hear about us' section. |
| 24 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| queenmushroom |
Posted - Nov 28 2011 : 4:08:53 PM
One other thing...for those of you who have large animals...have your emergency preparedness kit ready for them too. I know Horse Illustrated has printed articles on this before, if you need a reference.
Patience is worth a bushel of brains...from a chinese fortune cookie |
| FarmDream |
Posted - Nov 28 2011 : 2:45:44 PM
There's another thread on preparedness in the Off Grid forum. I am currently stocking canned food, dry goods, first aid, lamp fuel, water, and liquor. I know there's some other stuff. That's just off the top of my head. Another important thing is to find a like-minded friend who is close by. My friend and I are on the same page about preparedness and we both have useable skills and wouldn't be drag on the others' resources. I am reading One Second After, which is about what happens after an EMP attack. It's easy to see the timeline of events to occur if some kind of disaster struck. Today I ordered a book on edible plants. I checked it out from the library first to make sure it was actually useable. Some books don't really help much in the way of identifying the plants for an amateur. So, if all else fails, I know what we can eat out of our own yard.
~FarmDream is Farmgirl Sister #3069
Live Today, Cherish Yesterday, Dream Tomorrow
http://naturaljulie.etsy.com
http://julie-rants.blogspot.com |
| Dusky Beauty |
Posted - Nov 28 2011 : 2:40:53 PM
It really all depends what exactly you are preparing for. Your "disaster preparedness" can range from being comfortable in a storm season if you lose power, to having your needs met in case of fire/flood/quake/tornado, to having an economic apocalypse contingency plan. Some supplies and plans are constant for all those situations, and some measures aren't severe enough for other situations.
We recently watched a show called "The Colony" on netflix. It's a social experiment shown on Discovery channel. They take a team of people and drop them in an apocalypse survival situation in the middle of an abandoned city, tasking them with using only what they can forage or make to provide themselves with the basics of living. It's very eye opening to man's basic needs of survival. I don't think it's likely that there will be quite as many engineers in a surviving colony as the show depicts however.
"The greatness of a nation and it's moral progress can be judged by the way it's animals are treated." ~Gandhi
http://silvermoonfarm.blogspot.com/
"After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.” ~Will Rogers |
| Kwilts |
Posted - Nov 28 2011 : 08:39:12 AM
I am loving this group. Recently have been feeling the urgency of getting prepared. For all those who have posted, thank you. The one thing I can suggest at this point for those who are getting started or restarted in preparing is. Take inventory. Store only what you will eat in the way of food and make sure your date and rotate. It's not going to do you any good if you store something you don't like to eat. With each post I become more enthuisatic (sp). There are those all over who are also feeling the same. Guns, generators, food storage are all fine. However, if you don't know how to use them, they are useless. Know how to prepare the food you are storing. Make sure your water supply is safe to drink. Here in the mountains, the general rule is never let your tank of your car get below 1/2. You never know when you are going to need it and if there will be any gas available. If you store gas, be safe. A few days ago I checked all my oil lamp. Cleaned, refilled, trimmmed the wicks and ordered additional. I really appreciated the comment about the animals. We recently had a horrible fire in this area. The largest in Arizon's history. It was interesting as to how the people in this are reacted to it. There where those who has planned on what to do with their animals and those who got caught unprepared. Fortunatly, there where things in place to take care of most of what needed to be taken care of. When the fire broke out. I made sure I knew where the cat carriers where and the items for the dog. There where those who were in a position to take in animals who had to evacutate, as well as their owners. You need to be aware that most shelters will not take pets.
There is soooo much to being prepared that I look forward to getting all of your ideas and sharing. Thank You.
Til next take care.
From farm girl #3663-Another Lorie |
| sherrye |
Posted - Nov 28 2011 : 07:35:46 AM
wow girls, i am impressed. i must listen to the subtle noises coming to me. first this thread is wonderful. yesterday we went 30 miles up on a rock mass here in bend. it is junipers sage brush etc our friends had bought 220 acres. they are burying railroad cars. setting up the windmill to the ONLY water on the hill there. putting in batteries generators. what a BIG job. they do carry guns. they have 80 head of beef. long horns and dexters. they have wild animals there. they are protecting themselves from wild cougars etc we were amazed to say the least. my hat is off to those above off grid. in with the battery packs will be freezers. these folks are preparing for what ever. for me i need to take this thread to heart. i shall load up on dry goods, batteries flash lights etc. etc. i can see it will be a learn as i go work in progress. thanks for the nudge in the RIGHT direction. gotta love my farmgirl friends happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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| Dusky Beauty |
Posted - Nov 27 2011 : 11:13:46 AM
In my neighborhood we have a nuclear power plant. I think it's important for everyone to be aware of hot spots that could have something go wrong, identify possible natural disasters or any potential terror targets and have an evacuation plan in place for yourself and your animals. I feel naked without a trailer big enough for every large animal I have at the same time.
I've been through wildfire threats and seen my neighbors drop everything and go stay in a hotel but leave dogs chained up outside.
Know ahead of time where you will go if you have to evacuate for any reason, and if you intend to ride out most threats at home build up everything you need and set up your basic needs to be manageable off grid for extended periods of time.
I keep a pantry full of dried and canned food, 10 gallons minimum of potable human-grade water and silly as it may sound, I consider the swimming pool an emergency stock of some water as well and I keep very large stock tanks full for just a couple of animals.
A good monsoon can come out of nowhere and knock our house off the power grid for a few hours to a week with no warning. For creature comfort I keep a large can of chicken breast at all times so I can still put on a decent dinner if I lose the stove for a night.
If things ever really get volatile and we have to contend with famine I keep a good seed bank of non GMO heirloom seeds and rotate them, and I'm thinking of ordering the long term sealed seed bank set online at some point.
We also keep a couple of guns for hunting, livestock euthenasia, home defense; and accouterments. I'm not serious enough to be an ammo stockpiler. Just a case for each weapon is enough.
"The greatness of a nation and it's moral progress can be judged by the way it's animals are treated." ~Gandhi
http://silvermoonfarm.blogspot.com/
"After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.” ~Will Rogers |
| queenmushroom |
Posted - Nov 27 2011 : 10:50:10 AM
Even though I have no kit (yes I should, but...)a couple things I haven't seen on here GASOLINE (what are you going to do if you need gas and the stations are down?). You can put some gas stablizer in it to help, but should probably rotate gas every few months. The other thing is strike anywhere matches (your grandparents wooden matches). I try to buy extra canned food. Milk is also freezable (yes in the jug) but you may want to rotate that out too. Since I have no power at my house (I have a small serval fridge), I generally don't have alot of stuff on hand for fear of it spoiling too quick.
Lorie
Patience is worth a bushel of brains...from a chinese fortune cookie |
| katmom |
Posted - Nov 26 2011 : 7:52:22 PM
What a good thread....
Having lived in SO.Calif... for a long time,,, I took a 1st Aid class at the local Jr. College and refresher courses every 2 years...and I always carried around a backpack w/EarthQuake supplies along with a pair of tennis shoes/extra change of clothes etc...
Now that I live up here in the 'frozen tundra' lol! West of Spokane, WA.. I still carry a backpack w/suppies but unlike the 'EarthQuake' supplies I carry Winter Blizzard supplies as well as a change of clothes/coat & rubber boots....
Better to carry the stuff & never need it then get stranded & wish you had taken steps to be prepared.
>^..^<
Happiness is being a katmom.
"Is it time for my Dirt Manicure yet!"
www.katmom4.blogspot.com & http://www.graciesvictorianrose.blogspot.com
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| Kwilts |
Posted - Nov 26 2011 : 08:06:02 AM
I am glad there is still interest in the subject. Penny, if you google "everything under the sun", that will give you some food for thought and perhaps give you focus. It is really helping me. Am in the process of taking an inventory of what I have and what I need. If you put it down in writing, it might help. Michele, I agree areas are different. Moving from sea level to 6500 feet is sure different. My next project is to can some of the dry beans we have. This way they will be processed and won't take the time it would if they were not to cook. Yesterday my husband and I put up 12 more pints of turkey soup. I also like the idea of using snow to help keep the items in the freezer from spoiling. Our freezer is a very small one, so we are choosing to can a lot of what we have. This way we don't have to worry about the electricity going out. Keep in touch and share more. Thanks. |
| Penny Wise |
Posted - Nov 26 2011 : 07:46:28 AM
i need to take stock and rebuild our supplies- we are now living two miles up a dirt road which is about the last in town to be plowed...and we heat with propane and electric-- we have a dog, cat and two large parrots so we need to watch for them.....
i have the basics- just need to focus!
Farmgirl # 2139
proud member of the Farmgirls of the Southwest Henhouse
~*~ counting my pennies and biding my time; my dreams are adding up!~*~ |
| batznthebelfry |
Posted - Nov 26 2011 : 07:10:49 AM
Don't forget batteries, they have a long shelf life if you put them in good ziplock bags.....thur out my life I have dealt with earthquakes, mild hurricanes, tornados, ice storms, blizzards & a volcano (Mt St. helens).....things I have learned is always know where your purse is, specially with tornados....its easy to run to the basement & then remember your ID, ect is upstairs & you now can't get to it.
Have a blanket, jug of water & snacks always in the trunk of your car.
Have cash somewhere in the house you can get to since most times computers, cash registers may not work for credit/debit cards.
I have a 5 gal bucket with lid for cat food that if not used with in 6 months gets used & replaced for bad times.
I have many oil lamps with extra wicks & oil
have cans of soup, vegs & fruit that can be eaten out of the can as well as crackers & lots of peanut butter.
I also have a tent that can be gotten to if we are without a home...a truck that has only blankets in it. a very good medical kit with syringes & needles, bandages, iodine ect.
have extra meds that I have to take in case I have to leave or house is gone.
Now a days my biggest threat is blizzards so we have a woodstove with wood, lots of matches, candles, oil lamps.....
If electric is off too long we shovel snow into the freezers & eat everything out of the frig first....Soup is the big thing we eat since I can throw everything in a pot on the wood stove & keep it warm for many days...if it has meat in it I will let it cool then put in in the sink with snow covering it til the next day when we eat more of it....
We survive fine but I make sure the chickens have lots more bedding & cracked corn to keep warm.
I also keep alot of rice, beans & pasta that can be cooked with herbs/oil or butter for a meal....
When my son was little I kept an emergency supply of store bought diapers, juices, raisins,cheerios & foods that he could eat for just in case...plus extra baby asprin & cold meds for him.
I have found that each disaster takes a different way to handle it...but I have noticed that having batteries, cash on hand, water jugs & canned food always make my list no matter what....Michele'
Chickens rule!
The Old Batz Farm
Hen #2622 |
| Kwilts |
Posted - Nov 25 2011 : 8:51:39 PM
Recently, I have been building up supplies for prepardness. Have been paying attention to what is happening in the country and world. My husband and I moved from a big city to a rural area in the mountains of Arizona. I feel more relaxed and find myself gravitating towards a farmgirl mentality. With that said. I have learned how to can, we now have (3) chickens, with more to come in the spring. We also have put in a garden. Have bee gathering first aid supplies, both for the home and car.
Recently, I am starting to store food stuffs in complete meals. I personally don't want to have to eat jerky and MRE's all the time. Of course we are also storing water. It all is a challenge and it takes time. I know I am replying to a post that went out in March 2011, but just found this site and have joined the Sisterhood. I feel like everytime I read an article, it is ment for me. |
| goneriding |
Posted - Mar 30 2011 : 7:50:55 PM
On my big rig, I'm prepared for nuclear holocaust. We have water, pop-top food, chips, coffee, canned goods (don't forget the can opener for just in case). Blankets, chap stick, coats, clothes, etc. There have been several times we've been stuck on an Interstate for hours (or overnight in one case) and people were on the CB stating they didn't have anything on their truck.
Carry a two lb metal coffee can with a roll of toilet paper in it. If worse comes to worse, you can light the toilet paper and have a mini-fire to help keep warm. Dont' forget the lighter to start it. No lighter fluid, you'll probably be sorry if you do!!
The outdoor/hunting stores (Cabellas) are great places to get food and supplies in easy to use manner.
Although, this might not be a popular thing to mention here, we are armed and do know how to use our firearms. If things got really bad, people who didn't prepare will see your stuff and think they are entitled to help themselves. I'm a big proponent of taking care of yourself and not leach off anyone else. So, if it did get bad, you might have to defend yourself and family. ***We do not carry any firearms on our big rig!!*** But we are prepared.
Several of my friends have foodstocks hidden away too. Only they know where their food is. IF it were to get bad!!
For some 'venting'-type of entertainment, please read my blog, http://lostadventuresintrucking.blogspot.com . Now with pictures!!
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| Montrose Girl |
Posted - Mar 30 2011 : 06:21:47 AM
They have found viable seeds and beans from Aztec times! Spices are another story, but most of your whole grains and beans, if stored in airtight containers will last a very long time.
http://www.inntheorchardbnb.com/ |
| HollyMaker |
Posted - Mar 29 2011 : 11:25:44 AM
Thank you all for the great idea's! I have a long way to go, lol. We would have enough food at the moment for a few weeks and if necessary we could live off the land. I really like the idea of having seeds as a means of bartering! I'll have to keep checking here as I build my supplies.
I do have one question though. For bulk items like beans, rice, quinoa, spices, flours, dried meats and pickled foods, etc. How long is their shelf life?
Farmgirl Sister #2699
http://www.chartreuseproducts.com/hlennon.html Natural and organic cleaning products, bath and body, natural mineral makeup, righteous reusables and more! Be sure to put my name (on homepage of website) in the 'How did you hear about us' section. |
| Tammyb |
Posted - Mar 29 2011 : 06:15:17 AM
As I am ready the replies to this post I am going ... yes, yes, yes, I do all those things too. Living in Ohio we have all types of weather so we are prepared for just about everything. We have been keeping a stockpile of foods, medicines, wood, blankets, flashlights- batteries, oil lamps - oil, ect. for years. We rotate our supply. But we never really told anyone since most folks think keeping a good supply of something means extra pop and potato chips !!! Which is not part of our food lists. I think it is family wise to keep a good supply of items regularly used on hand. Just do your best to get the best price possible for them.
Tammyb
Live to leave a legacy
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| HollyG |
Posted - Mar 24 2011 : 1:59:01 PM
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/preparing-a-disaster-kit-2467090/
Just found this online. Had some things listed I hadn't thought of yet. It's a place to start anyway!
HollyG
Farmgirl #2513
www.mydeepwoodslife.com |
| Shi-anne |
Posted - Mar 19 2011 : 11:19:52 PM
Since we live in "tornado alley" and during the winter a good ice storm can cause us to loose electricity for 6 to 10 days.....we are always in "prep mode." After awhile it just becomes a state of mind.
Yes, it can be expensive, at least it seems so at first. But you learn to buy on sale and if the sale is good, you stock up on that item, even if it means doing without something else for a week or so. After awhile, it all evens out. My biggest problem is remembering to rotate items.
If your home is total electric, you need to focus on items that are "ready to eat" or require little cooking. Peanut butter and crackers is my choice....dh likes sardines *yuck* but both supply a good portion of protein. Dried fruits, nuts or beef jerky also provide a lot of good nutrition and have a good shelf life. (Prior to Y2K, I contacted *Chicken of the Sea* to find out the shelf life of a can of tuna. They were extremely nice ....the answer was 5 years.) Do not be afraid to contact the different companies and ask questions.
We live in the country and cook with natural gas, so I stock up on beans, rice, pasta, mac & cheese (for the kids...*wink* *wink*), etc. Even if something interrupted the flow of gas (we are in the New Madrid fault area), being rural cooking outside shouldn't be a problem.
I try to keep about a two month supply of groceries on hand. That means keeping the freezer full and the pantry stocked. I have a years worth of laundry soap...Fels Naptha when I find it on sale, 3 months of dish soap and shampoo. I am learning to make homemade goats' milk soap (so there are usually 10 - 40 or so bars of soap at any one time.
One of the first things to consider is WATER.....what are you going to do and how much would you need in an emergency? We bought a Big Berkey and we are on well water. Being on well water, we have to have a way to get the water out of the well if there is no electricity.
I cannot tell you the last time one of us went to the doctor, but we stock up on herbal remedies, especially essential oils. With any catastrophe, there is the possibility of injury. So have something on hand to clean wounds and make bandages - alcohol, peroxide, iodine, anti-biotic cream, aloe(either a plant or the gel), etc. If you are taking meds, have extras. And as we have just seen with the recent trouble in Japan, find out now what you might want to take in case of an incident involving radiation. Potassium iodine has a long shelf life....kelp (some brands are better than others), iodine, etc. When bad things happen, supplies grow short rather quickly.
No electricity means very little entertainment for the kids....it is good to have an adequate supply of reading material, paper, pens or markers, decks of cards, puzzles....etc. The wind up radio is great. We have two and both have a small light that came as an attachment. Things like candles, matches, flashlights, etc. are a given. And you might want to have extra gloves and caps on hand.
Everyone in the family ~ even those of us who had rather go barefoot ~ should have a good pair of shoes or boots. During a disaster, flip-flops won't cut it.
Remember your animals and their needs.
If you don't have much to work with, consider things that might make good bartering items...salt, sugar, coffee etc. (Edited to say....heirloom seeds - to keep or to barter, these could be very valuable.)
I'll check back as I think of more things.
Farmgirls don't have hot flashes ~ They have power surges! |
| cindymac |
Posted - Mar 19 2011 : 4:47:33 PM
My Hubby has been putting together emergency rations in our garage. In our location our most likely event would be an earthquake, so that's what he's preparing for. Lots of dried food beans, rice & that sort of thing along with a camp stove & fuel for it. Water & canned goods. After seeing some of the things the Japanese have been without it makes you think. One American woman in Japan was interviewed & when asked where she was going next she didn't know if she could go anywhere because her passport was washed away. I was thinking copies of our id & medical cards & such in a safety deposit box. I need to be better about this.
Cindy |
| Lady Woodworker |
Posted - Mar 19 2011 : 2:34:31 PM
This is a really good thread for me. I'm learning a lot.
I do not have much in the way of preparation and I should know better.
I have been in a few terrible floods.
I have also been in the downburst of a tornado (when I lived in the Midwest).
I have been at the epicenter of a 6.0 earthquake (when I lived in California).
And more...
I do have a wind up radio, candles, matches, flashlights with fresh batteries and some dried foods as well as pop-top canned foods but none are pulled together in a dedicated place. Nor do I have a go-bag for the house.
It's funny, on our boat, we take every precaution, EPIRB, go-bag, signal flares, and we do practice drills -- but at home? Nothing!
That is going to change.
Thank you ladies, for this excellent and important thread--and maybe for saving my life,
Karen
Farmgirl Sister # 2419 |
| HollyMaker |
Posted - Mar 19 2011 : 1:29:00 PM
Good idea on the extra pet food! I also would like to get some wool blankets and wind up radios and flashlights. And good idea on the 'go bag.'
My BF and I disagree some on what measures should be taken to prepare for an emergency. I feel it is rather important to prepare for the unexpected, than to be caught with my pants down so-to-speak. If I had my way, I would stock up on loads of dry goods, medications, water purification, seeds etc. This can get really expensive really fast and I'm trying to prioritize. I also don't want to stock up on too much or too little and I don't know the shelf life of some of the dry goods. Any more information in this area would be most welcome. Thanks again ladies!
Farmgirl Sister #2699
http://www.chartreuseproducts.com/hlennon.html Natural and organic cleaning products, bath and body, natural mineral makeup, righteous reusables and more! Be sure to put my name (on homepage of website) in the 'How did you hear about us' section. |
| Montrose Girl |
Posted - Mar 19 2011 : 08:47:43 AM
And have a to go bag. Because if you watch any of the disasters that are happening sometimes nothing is left of your home. A to go bag should have several days of dried food and all the other items you need. Another thought is an extra pair of car keys. My friend recently had to evacuated her house because of CO in the neighboring apartment. Luckily they had their keys as they spent hours in the car in below zero temps.
Laurie
http://www.inntheorchardbnb.com/ |
| plantcarazy |
Posted - Mar 18 2011 : 3:32:05 PM
I have a list I keep and modify from time to time but the big permanent 7 on my list are as follows:
1.jug(s) of water- I rotate them out every half year, in a go- fast backpack I keep a water filter along with duplicates of the other things
2.dried foods (like lentils, quinoa, etc.) Rotated
3.matches
4.flashlights (keep batteries fresh if they are not wind-up ones)
5.wool blankets (because even if they get wet they will help keep you warm), and my silk long johns
6.wind up radio
7.tarp
I often find myself wandering down country roads..................... |
| FebruaryViolet |
Posted - Mar 18 2011 : 1:48:56 PM
Depending on the emergency, I always have the following:
canned dog/cat food (with pop tops)
collapsable bowls for dog/cat food
oil lamp
cooler
wind up weather radio
short wave radio (also wind up)
wind up flash lights
blankets
water
I almost look at it like we'll be going camping somewhere WAY out...
Musings from our family in the Bluegrass http://sweetvioletmae.blogspot.com/ |
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