Planning for a Disaster
With all the bombings, threats, nuclear accidents, pandemic scares, crazy weather etc., I think it is wise to have a disaster plan in place.
You will need enough potable water (for drinking and making food) to last at least 72 hours, but you will also want enough water to flush the toilet, wash dishes, wash yourselves etc. (If you live near a lake or river, you might be able to get water there – but not in the case of flooding! When there is flooding, there is the chance of raw sewage going where it normally wouldn’t)
You will also need light. Candles are dangerous, especially around children or pets, so go with battery powered light. You can buy flashlights that wind up to charge them and lanterns that run on battery power. Be sure to have plenty of batteries on hand too. Also, stock up on things like toilet tissue and feminine products.
You should also have a first aid kit on hand. Plenty of gauze pads, tape, bandages, cloth to make a sling, rubbing alcohol, a splint or two, Polysporin, an eye patch, scissors, baby aspirin (in case of chest pains), and pain relievers such as Tylenol.
If you have the space to keep one, a generator could keep your furnace running for warmth in winter months or your refrigerator in hot weather.Don’t forget to safely store some fuel for the generator.
Food is probably the most important thing you will need.
My friend Teri of Teri’s Gluten Free can help with this.
Simply go to http://www.glutenfreeemergencykits.com/
Teri’s Gluten Free offers several emergency kits;
24 hour – for 6 people
72 hour – for 6 people
30 day – for 6 people and
1 year – for 6 people.
The shelf life on these items is 10 years!
Each item is vacuum sealed and the kits don’t take up a lot of space.
What about taste you ask? I was lucky enough to sample several items. The soups are just like home-made. I took the banana bread and one of the soups to the fire hall I work at and they loved them! There are even scrumptious desserts! Teri is gluten free herself, so you know that all of the foods in these kits is safe and delicious. Aunt Jayne’s Favourite? The Gluten Free South Western Soup.
Teri’s Gluten Free also has mixes you can purchase for everyday use. They are wonderful! This is a great way to see how good the emergency kit foods are.
You might also want to keep some canned meats on hand. Although, if your freezer stops working you may have plenty of meat that will need to be cooked.
Now you might be asking yourself, how will I cook these things if there is no electricity? Do you own a BBQ? Even if you don’t have a lot of space for a BBQ, you can get a propane camp stove. Don’t forget to keep extra bottles of propane on hand too. Never use your BBQ or camp stove indoors!! The carbon monoxide will kill you.
Last and least, you will want to have things to do as a family to help pass the long hours with no electricity. I suggest playing cards, books and board games. You can also make up your own games. tossing balled up paper into a waste basket etc.
Let me know if you think of any other ideas and stay safe.
Love Aunt Jayne
