There’s so much negativity and turmoil in the world today, that sometimes we need to just stop and take a breath. We are so focused on others we forget to look out for ourselves. We need to take better care of ourselves so that we may be in a better position to help others in times of need and disaster. 

I was just browsing and I came across this list of 30 things to start doing for yourself. I really liked some of the items, but all if it is worth a read.... 

Here's a list of 30 things that YOU should start doing for yourself!!....

#1. Start spending time with the right people. – These are the people you enjoy, who love and appreciate you, and who encourage you to improve in healthy and exciting ways. They are the ones who make you feel more alive, and not only embrace who you are now, but also embrace and embody who you want to be, unconditionally.

#2. Start facing your problems head on. – It isn’t your problems that define you, but how you react to them and recover from them. Problems will not disappear unless you take action. Do what you can, when you can, and acknowledge what you’ve done. It’s all about taking baby steps in the right direction, inch by inch. These inches count, they add up to yards and miles in the long run.

#3. Start being honest with yourself about everything. – Be honest about what’s right, as well as what needs to be changed. Be honest about what you want to achieve and who you want to become. Be honest with every aspect of your life, always. Because you are the one person you can forever count on. Search your soul, for the truth, so that you truly know who you are. Once you do, you’ll have a better understanding of where you are now and how you got here, and you’ll be better equipped to identify where you want to go and how to get there. Read The Road Less Traveled.

#4. Start making your own happiness a priority. – Your needs matter. If you don’t value yourself, look out for yourself, and stick up for yourself, you’re sabotaging yourself. Remember, it IS possible to take care of your own needs while simultaneously caring for those around you. And once your needs are met, you will likely be far more capable of helping those who need you most.

#5. Start being yourself, genuinely and proudly. – Trying to be anyone else is a waste of the person you are. Be yourself. Embrace that individualinside you that has ideas, strengths and beauty like no one else. Be the person you know yourself to be – the best version of you – on your terms. Above all, be true to YOU, and if you cannot put your heart in it, take yourself out of it.

#6. Start noticing and living in the present. – Right now is a miracle. Right now is the only moment guaranteed to you. Right now is life. So stop thinking about how great things will be in the future. Stop dwelling on what did or didn’t happen in the past. Learn to be in the ‘here and now’ and experience life as it’s happening. Appreciate the world for the beauty that it holds, right now.

#7. Start valuing the lessons your mistakes teach you. – Mistakes are okay; they’re the stepping stones of progress. If you’re not failing from time to time, you’re not trying hard enough and you’re not learning. Take risks, stumble, fall, and then get up and try again. Appreciate that you are pushing yourself, learning, growing and improving. Significant achievements are almost invariably realized at the end of a long road of failures. One of the ‘mistakes’ you fear might just be the link to your greatest achievement yet.

#8. Start being more polite to yourself. – If you had a friend who spoke to you in the same way that you sometimes speak to yourself, how long would you allow that person to be your friend? The way you treat yourself sets the standard for others. You must love who you are or no one else will.

#9. Start enjoying the things you already have. – The problem with many of us is that we think we’ll be happy when we reach a certain level in life – a level we see others operating at – your boss with her corner office, that friend of a friend who owns a mansion on the beach, etc. Unfortunately, it takes awhile before you get there, and when you get there you’ll likely have a new destination in mind. You’ll end up spending your whole life working toward something new without ever stopping to enjoy the things you have now. So take a quiet moment every morning when you first awake to appreciate where you are and what you already have.

#10. Start creating your own happiness. – If you are waiting for someone else to make you happy, you’re missing out. Smile because you can. Choose happiness. Be the change you want to see in the world. Be happy with who you are now, and let your positivity inspire your journey into tomorrow. Happiness is often found when and where you decide to seek it. If you look for happiness within the opportunities you have, you will eventually find it. But if you constantly look for something else, unfortunately, you’ll find that too. Read Stumbling on Happiness.

#11. Start giving your ideas and dreams a chance. – In life, it’s rarely about getting a chance; it’s about taking a chance. You’ll never be 100% sure it will work, but you can always be 100% sure doing nothing won’t work. Most of the time you just have to go for it! And no matter how it turns out, it always ends up just the way it should be. Either you succeed or you learn something. Win-Win.

#12. Start believing that you’re ready for the next step. – You are ready! Think about it. You have everything you need right now to take the next small, realistic step forward. So embrace the opportunities that come your way, and accept the challenges – they’re gifts that will help you to grow.

#13. Start entering new relationships for the right reasons. – Enter new relationships with dependable, honest people who reflect the person you are and the person you want to be. Choose friends you are proud to know, people you admire, who show you love and respect – people who reciprocate your kindness and commitment. And pay attention to what people do, because a person’s actions are much more important than their words or how others represent them.

#14. Start giving new people you meet a chance. – It sounds harsh, but you cannot keep every friend you’ve ever made. People and priorities change. As some relationships fade others will grow. Appreciate the possibility of new relationships as you naturally let go of old ones that no longer work. Trust your judgment. Embrace new relationships, knowing that you are entering into unfamiliar territory. Be ready to learn, be ready for a challenge, and be ready to meet someone that might just change your life forever.

#15. Start competing against an earlier version of yourself. – Be inspired by others, appreciate others, learn from others, but know that competing against them is a waste of time. You are in competition with one person and one person only – yourself. You are competing to be the best you can be. Aim to break your own personal records.

#16. Start cheering for other people’s victories. – Start noticing what you like about others and tell them. Having an appreciation for how amazing the people around you are leads to good places – productive, fulfilling, peaceful places. So be happy for those who are making progress. Cheer for their victories. Be thankful for their blessings, openly. What goes around comes around, and sooner or later the people you’re cheering for will start cheering for you.

#17. Start looking for the silver lining in tough situations. – When things are hard, and you feel down, take a few deep breaths and look for the silver lining – the small glimmers of hope. Remind yourself that you can and will grow stronger from these hard times. And remain conscious of your blessings and victories – all the things in your life that are right. Focus on what you have, not on what you haven’t.

#18. Start forgiving yourself and others. – We’ve all been hurt by our own decisions and by others. And while the pain of these experiences is normal, sometimes it lingers for too long. We relive the pain over and over and have a hard time letting go. Forgiveness is the remedy. It doesn’t mean you’re erasing the past, or forgetting what happened. It means you’re letting go of the resentment and pain, and instead choosing to learn from the incident and move on with your life.

#19. Start helping those around you. – Care about people. Guide them if you know a better way. The more you help others, the more they will want to help you. Love and kindness begets love and kindness. And so on and so forth.

#20. Start listening to your own inner voice. – If it helps, discuss your ideas with those closest to you, but give yourself enough room to follow your own intuition. Be true to yourself. Say what you need to say. Do what you know in your heart is right.

#21. Start being attentive to your stress level and take short breaks. – Slow down. Breathe. Give yourself permission to pause, regroup and move forward with clarity and purpose. When you’re at your busiest, a brief recess can rejuvenate your mind and increase your productivity. These short breaks will help you regain your sanity and reflect on your recent actions so you can be sure they’re in line with your goals.

#22. Start noticing the beauty of small moments. – Instead of waiting for the big things to happen – marriage, kids, big promotion, winning the lottery – find happiness in the small things that happen every day. Little things like having a quiet cup of coffee in the early morning, or the delicious taste and smell of a homemade meal, or the pleasure of sharing something you enjoy with someone else, or holding hands with your partner. Noticing these small pleasures on a daily basis makes a big difference in the quality of your life.

#23. Start accepting things when they are less than perfect. – Remember, ‘perfect’ is the enemy of ‘good.’ One of the biggest challenges for people who want to improve themselves and improve the world is learning to accept things as they are. Sometimes it’s better to accept and appreciate the world as it is, and people as they are, rather than to trying to make everything and everyone conform to an impossible ideal. No, you shouldn’t accept a life of mediocrity, but learn to love and value things when they are less than perfect.

#24. Start working toward your goals every single day. – Remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Whatever it is you dream about, start taking small, logical steps every day to make it happen. Get out there and DO something! The harder you work the luckier you will become. While many of us decide at some point during the course of our lives that we want to answer our calling, only an astute few of us actually work on it. By ‘working on it,’ I mean consistently devoting oneself to the end result. Read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

#25. Start being more open about how you feel. – If you’re hurting, give yourself the necessary space and time to hurt, but be open about it. Talk to those closest to you. Tell them the truth about how you feel. Let them listen. The simple act of getting things off your chest and into the open is your first step toward feeling good again.

#26. Start taking full accountability for your own life. – Own your choices and mistakes, and be willing to take the necessary steps to improve upon them. Either you take accountability for your life or someone else will. And when they do, you’ll become a slave to their ideas and dreams instead of a pioneer of your own. You are the only one who can directly control the outcome of your life. And no, it won’t always be easy. Every person has a stack of obstacles in front of them. But you must take accountability for your situation and overcome these obstacles. Choosing not to is choosing a lifetime of mere existence.

#27. Start actively nurturing your most important relationships. – Bring real, honest joy into your life and the lives of those you love by simply telling them how much they mean to you on a regular basis. You can’t be everything to everyone, but you can be everything to a few people. Decide who these people are in your life and treat them like royalty. Remember, you don’t need a certain number of friends, just a number of friends you can be certain of.

#28. Start concentrating on the things you can control. – You can’t change everything, but you can always change something. Wasting your time, talent and emotional energy on things that are beyond your control is a recipe for frustration, misery and stagnation. Invest your energy in the things you can control, and act on them now.

#29. Start focusing on the possibility of positive outcomes. – The mind must believe it CAN do something before it is capable of actually doing it. The way to overcome negative thoughts and destructive emotions is to develop opposing, positive emotions that are stronger and more powerful. Listen to your self-talk and replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Regardless of how a situation seems, focus on what you DO WANT to happen, and then take the next positive step forward. No, you can’t control everything that happens to you, but you can control how you react to things. Everyone’s life has positive and negative aspects – whether or not you’re happy and successful in the long run depends greatly on which aspects you focus on. Read The How of Happiness.

#30. Start noticing how wealthy you are right now. – Henry David Thoreau once said, “Wealth is the ability to fully experience life.” Even when times are tough, it’s always important to keep things in perspective. You didn’t go to sleep hungry last night. You didn’t go to sleep outside. You had a choice of what clothes to wear this morning. You hardly broke a sweat today. You didn’t spend a minute in fear. You have access to clean drinking water. You have access to medical care. You have access to the Internet. You can read. Some might say you are incredibly wealthy, so remember to be grateful for all the things you do have.

EMP... ElectroMagnetic Pulse... Attack?

An ElectroMagnetic Pulse (EMP) attack would put us back into the 1800's... Are You Ready?...

I really am not a conspiracy theorist or an alarmist.  I don't spend my time "planning" and "prepping" for the "Big One"... But.. having said that.. I am a firm believer in being prepared for any negative event.. big or small that would disrupt your daily life and routine...

We should always be able to take care of ourselves and our loved ones in the event that we loose our means of income and ability to maintain our basic physical and mental needs.  This means having enough food and water and shelter to last out any such given event.

This could be from a simple lose of job to a major accident that renders you unable to work, all the way to a major natural disaster that interrupts the power and food supply...  from tornados to hurricanes.. Earthquakes.. floods and wild fires.. These things are real.. and happen EVERYDAY... you never know when or where it will happen next...

But, lately I have been reading about another threat that is as real as the next tornado in Kansas or Texas... and it is an Electromagnetic pulse attack (EMP).  

What that is, is this:  


"An electromagnetic pulse (EMP), also sometimes called a transient electromagnetic disturbance, is a short burst of electromagnetic energy. Such a pulse may occur in the form of a radiated electric or magnetic field or conducted electrical current depending on the source, and may be natural or man-made.

EMP interference is generally damaging to electronic equipment, and at higher energy levels a powerful EMP event such as a lightning strike can damage physical objects such as buildings and aircraft structures. The management of EMP effects is an important branch of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) engineering.

The damaging effects of high-energy EMP have been used to create EMP weapons. These are typically divided into nuclear and non-nuclear devices. Such weapons,... have gained traction in popular culture"

This is an excerpt from Wikipedia... 

Lets put this a little bit into perspective.  Watch this video:

"The information comes from Lt. General Daniel Graham and Ambassador Henry Cooper, both experts on missile defense who advised and worked with President Ronald Reagan. It is very concerning that their view on how an EMP might be used as a threat against America matches with the development and rhetoric of both North Korea and Iran. We are not making claim that there will be an EMP attack, but we have spoken with top people in the current Administration as well as the larger defense and intelligence establishment who have validated that this is a serious issue and risk. Fortunately, some have been working to address the risk."  an excerpt from the 'Global Economic Warfare' web site .

This is a real issue that we need to address this at the highest governmental levels... but.. you and I as average citizens should be aware of this threat and be prepared as well.

Being prepared does not make you a "Prepper" or a "Survivalist" per say.. but being prepared is simply being able to take care of yourself and your loved ones in the event of a disaster.  EMP is only one type of disaster that could happen.  The Question is this... "Are You Ready?"  

But, Will It Light????...

I was just surfing a bit looking for more interesting stuff on the internet that could and would enhance your survival capabilities and came across this little tid bit about Zippo Lighters.  I have always carried a Zippo and this is just one more reason to add to the many other reasons to carry one.
Enjoy... 

Yet another example of Zippo usability in wet weather or after getting wet....

TOP 5 OUTDOOR SURVIVAL SKILLS!!!!!

Help Obama KickStart WWIII.... ??

This is closer to real than you think.... and this is one of the reasons why survival preparation is so important.... Our government is on a dangerous path...

Watch and enjoy.. but take heed... it could really happen!!!!...

As I was surfin' the Survival blogs and sites.. I came across this artical... I think it has a lot of value... Food for thought so to speak.pun intended..... for when TSHTF... and it will... you can be sure of that.. big or small.. disasters happen...

Never Hurts To Be Ready...

 

                                                Are You Ready???

The Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami caught many Japanese by surprise and unprepared... 

 

10 Best Survival Foods At Your Local Supermarket

  Activist Post  
Posted Monday, October 1, 2012


As food prices continue to skyrocket, having a bulk supply of food is a great investment. But it also provides security and peace of mind against potential emergencies. By now most people should be aware that grocery stores only have about 3 days of food in stock when crises strike. So if anything was to disrupt the food supply chain for an extended period of time, there would be untold chaos in most communities.
 Any number of events could trigger mass disruption to a fragile food system, many of which are well documented and even predicted. Even NASA has warned its staff to prepare for potential disasters with survival foods and other precautions with their "Family Preparedness Program."

Prepping for disasters can seem overwhelming with so many aspects to be considered. However, for those just beginning to recognize how perilous these times are and are new to prepping, you can find many great survival foods at your local grocery store. There are many fancy freeze-dried food companies offering light-weight storable meals. These are cost effective and great for new preppers. But if you don't have $1000 laying around to buy a large supply, it may be better to pick up a few key items each week at the supermarket to build up your food bank gradually. And by buying base foods at the store, you'll ultimately save money.

It's best to keep your survival food list simple, and concentrate on storing foods with the highest amount of calories and the longest shelf life. This list is geared toward foods that will help you survive a crisis that lasts for extended periods of time.

Here are the ten best and cheapest survival rations available at any store:

Rice: Every time you go to the store you should buy one 10-lb bag of rice. You can find them for around $5 at most supermarkets. Rice will stay in good condition for 10 years or more if stored properly. It offers high carbohydrates which is especially important if you are exerting a lot of physical energy during a crisis.

Beans: Beans are known to be one of the best all-round survival foods. They're high in protein, and if sealed in food-grade buckets with a small amount of dried ice, they'll stay for up to ten years. Make sure to store them in a cool, dry, dark location. Buy a 4-5 lb bags of dried beans every time you go to the store. All dry beans are good to store; black beans, red beans, pinto beans, lentils, etc.

Cornmeal: All-purpose flours are good to store, but cornmeal may be the best overall. Cornmeal is packed with dense carbohydrates and contains oils that helps extend its shelf life. Additionally, if the power grid is down during a mega disaster, it is much easier to make good corn breads and tortillas with cornmeal in a simple skillet or solar oven, where refined flour will need yeast and oil to make decent bread or biscuits. Get a 5-lb bag of cornmeal ($10-$15) at each grocery visit. Seal and store the same way as beans (buckets, salt and dry ice), and it will safely keep 8 months to 2 years.

Lard: If you're a health-conscious reader, hydrogenated lard does not sound very appetizing, but in a survival situation you can't afford to be picky. Animal lard or vegetable shortening both offer much-needed calories during times of crisis, cooking oil for multiple uses, and it will keep longer than cooking oils because of the hydrogenation. Buy a 6-lb can ($12) and store in a cool, dry, and dark place and it will stay good for 2-3 years or longer.

Salt: Salt is one of the most useful survival food items. It's used for storing food, curing beef, and flavoring most meals. Salt will stay forever, so always buy extra when you're shopping.

Canned Fruit & Vegetables: These are another obvious survival food, but not as practical as many would think. They're heavy and somewhat costly for the calories they deliver. Additionally, acidic fruits and any cans with tomatoes will not keep as long as most people think. But most canned food is good for 5+ years. Buy green vegetables and fruits like peaches and pears for long-term storage, but more importantly, buy what you already eat in case you need to rotate them into your diet before they go bad.

Canned Meat: Canned meats like ham, tuna, and chicken are excellent to store. They typically will keep for 6-10 years and they're an excellent source of protein. However, if the grid is down for a long time (apocalyptic), hunting and fishing will likely provide most meats. Therefore, it may be sufficient to buy extra canned meats every other time you go shopping.

Sugar: Brown and white sugar will add much-needed flavor and calories to a survival diet and they'll keep for ten years or more if stored properly.

Honey is also excellent as it will store forever. Make sure to buy extra every other time you go grocery shopping. You won't need too much, but they'll be well worth having if a crisis strikes. Pasta: Pasta is a good light-weight storable food that is also a great source of carbohydrates.

Pasta will not keep as long as rice, but it can stay for around 5 years in good conditions. Pasta is also very inexpensive and extra should be bought at each trip to the store. It will take up more space in your food bank than rice, beans and cornmeal, so plan your space the best you can.

Peanut Butter: Peanut butter is a terrific source of protein, fat, and calories. Plus, it's just a great treat to have on hand. Peanut butter can last up to five years in root cellar conditions. Stock up whenever there are good deals at your grocery store. You'll be happy you did if the SHTF.

Barter Coins: It's also a good idea to have some silver coins for barter in an economic crisis situation. To track the value of silver coins you can use the silver coins calculator at

http://www.coinvalues.com/silver.

If you consistently buy these items 3-4 times per month, you'll quickly acquire a year's supply of survival rations for your whole family.

How to store it? A really basic way to store the rice, beans, cornmeal, sugar and pastas is to buy several 5-gallon seal-able paint buckets or food-grade buckets from your local hardware store. Put a cup or so of salt into a sandwich baggie (opened) at the bottom of the buckets. Then fill it with food stuffs and add a couple of ounces of dried ice (found at large grocery stores) which will remove the oxygen from the bucket after it's sealed. Finally, label each bucket with its contents and the date, and place it in your cellar.
Read more at http://www.activistpost.com/2012/10/10-best-survival-foods-at-your-local.html#817TufZzuxRyqIXh.99

Monday, October 1, 2012 10 Best Survival Foods At Your Local Supermarket Activist Post As food prices continue to skyrocket, having a bulk supply of food is a great investment. But it also provides security and peace of mind against potential emergencies. By now most people should be aware that grocery stores only have about 3 days of food in stock when crises strike. So if anything was to disrupt the food supply chain for an extended period of time, there would be untold chaos in most communities. Any number of events could trigger mass disruption to a fragile food system, many of which are well documented and even predicted. Even NASA has warned its staff to prepare for potential disasters with survival foods and other precautions with their "Family Preparedness Program." Prepping for disasters can seem overwhelming with so many aspects to be considered. However, for those just beginning to recognize how perilous these times are and are new to prepping, you can find many great survival foods at your local grocery store. There are many fancy freeze-dried food companies offering light-weight storable meals. These are cost effective and great for new preppers. But if you don't have $1000 laying around to buy a large supply, it may be better to pick up a few key items each week at the supermarket to build up your food bank gradually. And by buying base foods at the store, you'll ultimately save money. It's best to keep your survival food list simple, and concentrate on storing foods with the highest amount of calories and the longest shelf life. This list is geared toward foods that will help you survive a crisis that lasts for extended periods of time. Here are the ten best and cheapest survival rations available at any store: Rice: Every time you go to the store you should buy one 10-lb bag of rice. You can find them for around $5 at most supermarkets. Rice will stay in good condition for 10 years or more if stored properly. It offers high carbohydrates which is especially important if you are exerting a lot of physical energy during a crisis. Beans: Beans are known to be one of the best all-round survival foods. They're high in protein, and if sealed in food-grade buckets with a small amount of dried ice, they'll stay for up to ten years. Make sure to store them in a cool, dry, dark location. Buy a 4-5 lb bags of dried beans every time you go to the store. All dry beans are good to store; black beans, red beans, pinto beans, lentils, etc. Cornmeal: All-purpose flours are good to store, but cornmeal may be the best overall. Cornmeal is packed with dense carbohydrates and contains oils that helps extend its shelf life. Additionally, if the power grid is down during a mega disaster, it is much easier to make good corn breads and tortillas with cornmeal in a simple skillet or solar oven, where refined flour will need yeast and oil to make decent bread or biscuits. Get a 5-lb bag of cornmeal ($10-$15) at each grocery visit. Seal and store the same way as beans (buckets, salt and dry ice), and it will safely keep 8 months to 2 years. Lard: If you're a health-conscious reader, hydrogenated lard does not sound very appetizing, but in a survival situation you can't afford to be picky. Animal lard or vegetable shortening both offer much-needed calories during times of crisis, cooking oil for multiple uses, and it will keep longer than cooking oils because of the hydrogenation. Buy a 6-lb can ($12) and store in a cool, dry, and dark place and it will stay good for 2-3 years or longer. Salt: Salt is one of the most useful survival food items. It's used for storing food, curing beef, and flavoring most meals. Salt will stay forever, so always buy extra when you're shopping. Canned Fruit & Vegetables: These are another obvious survival food, but not as practical as many would think. They're heavy and somewhat costly for the calories they deliver. Additionally, acidic fruits and any cans with tomatoes will not keep as long as most people think. But most canned food is good for 5+ years. Buy green vegetables and fruits like peaches and pears for long-term storage, but more importantly, buy what you already eat in case you need to rotate them into your diet before they go bad. Canned Meat: Canned meats like ham, tuna, and chicken are excellent to store. They typically will keep for 6-10 years and they're an excellent source of protein. However, if the grid is down for a long time (apocalyptic), hunting and fishing will likely provide most meats. Therefore, it may be sufficient to buy extra canned meats every other time you go shopping. Sugar: Brown and white sugar will add much-needed flavor and calories to a survival diet and they'll keep for ten years or more if stored properly. Honey is also excellent as it will store forever. Make sure to buy extra every other time you go grocery shopping. You won't need too much, but they'll be well worth having if a crisis strikes. Pasta: Pasta is a good light-weight storable food that is also a great source of carbohydrates. Pasta will not keep as long as rice, but it can stay for around 5 years in good conditions. Pasta is also very inexpensive and extra should be bought at each trip to the store. It will take up more space in your food bank than rice, beans and cornmeal, so plan your space the best you can. Peanut Butter: Peanut butter is a terrific source of protein, fat, and calories. Plus, it's just a great treat to have on hand. Peanut butter can last up to five years in root cellar conditions. Stock up whenever there are good deals at your grocery store. You'll be happy you did if the SHTF. Barter Coins: It's also a good idea to have some silver coins for barter in an economic crisis situation. To track the value of silver coins you can use the silver coins calculator at http://www.coinvalues.com/silver. If you consistently buy these items 3-4 times per month, you'll quickly acquire a year's supply of survival rations for your whole family. How to store it? A really basic way to store the rice, beans, cornmeal, sugar and pastas is to buy several 5-gallon seal-able paint buckets or food-grade buckets from your local hardware store. Put a cup or so of salt into a sandwich baggie (opened) at the bottom of the buckets. Then fill it with food stuffs and add a couple of ounces of dried ice (found at large grocery stores) which will remove the oxygen from the bucket after it's sealed. Finally, label each bucket with its contents and the date, and place it in your cellar.
Read more at http://www.activistpost.com/2012/10/10-best-survival-foods-at-your-local.html#817TufZzuxRyqIXh.99

In a major disaster, it might be several days before vital services are restored.

The first thing that anyone who is getting ready to put a Preparedness program together needs one thing first... MAKE A PLAN!!..

A blueprint if you will of how and what you need where to get it and how to use it. I have done a little research and I have found some good ideas in various places..

The first part of your plan should be for you and your family...

Household/Family

Talk with your family about potential disasters and why it’s necessary to prepare for them. Involve each member of your family in the planning process. By showing them simple steps that can increase their safety, you can help reduce their anxiety about emergencies.

· Make sure everyone knows where to find your disaster supply kit and Go-bags.

· Have a flashlight and a pair of shoes under everyone’s bed in case there is an earthquake during the night. Use a plastic bag tied to the leg of the bed to keep these items from moving during an earthquake.

· Plan where to meet after a disaster if your home becomes unsafe. Choose two places, one just outside your home and one outside your neighborhood in case you are told to evacuate. Be sure your gas tank is always at least half full.

· Determine the best escape routes from your home. Try to identify two escape routes.

· Make sure each member knows who your family’s out-of-state contact is and instruct them to call this person and tell him/her where they are.

· Locate the gas main and other utilities and make sure family members know when and how to turn them off.

· Practice your evacuation routes, Drop, Cover & Hold and Stop, Drop & Roll drills.

· Teach each member of your family how to use a fire extinguisher.

· Create emergency response cards for each of your family members.

· Take into account the special needs of children, seniors or people with disabilities, family members that don’t speak English and pets.
Home Safety

During a disaster, ordinary objects in your home can cause injury or damage. However, there are simple steps you can take to make your home safer. Start by viewing each room with a “disaster eye” and identify potential hazards – bookshelves that could tip over in an earthquake and block exits or heavy objects that could fall and cause injury.

· Install smoke detectors on each level of your home and change batteries every 6 months.

· Move beds away from windows.

· Move mirrors and heavy pictures away from couches or places where people sit.

· Clear hallways and exits for easy evacuation.

· Store heavy items on the lowest shelves.

· Keep an ABC type fire extinguishers on each level and know how and when to use them.

· Strap down your water heater and fit all gas appliances with a flexible gas supply line.

· Store flammable or highly reactive chemicals (such as bleach, ammonia, paint thinners) securely and separate from each other.

· Secure pictures and wall hangings and use restraints to secure heavy items such as bookcases and file cabinets.

· Know how and when to switch off your utilities.

· Ensure that all window safety bars have emergency releases.

· Be sure your home number is visible from the street so emergency vehicles can find you.

Children Plan:

· Include your children in family discussions and planning for emergency safety.

· Teach your children their basic personal information so they can identify themselves and get help if they become separated from a parent or guardian.

· Prepare an emergency card with information for each child, including his/her full name, address, phone number, parent’s work number and out of state contact.

· Know the policies of the school or daycare center your children attend. Make plans to have someone pick them up if you are unable to get to them.



· Regularly update your child’s school with current emergency contact information and persons authorized to pick up your child from school.

· Make sure each child knows the family’s alternate meeting sites if you are separated in a disaster and cannot return to your home.

· Make sure each child knows how to reach your family’s out-of-state contact person.

· Teach children to dial their home telephone number and Emergency 9-1-1.

· Teach children what gas smells like and advise them to tell an adult if they smell gas after an emergency.

· Warn children never to touch wires on poles or lying on the ground.

· Role-play with children to help them remain calm in emergencies and to practice basic emergency responses such as evacuation routes, Drop, Cover & Hold and Stop, Drop & Roll.

· Role-play with children as to what they should do if a parent is suddenly sick or injured.

· Role-play with children on what to say when calling Emergency 9-1-1.


Kit:

· Include a family picture and a favorite toy, game or book for each child in his/her Go-bag.

· Include your child’s emergency card and include information on reunification locations and out-of-area contact.

· Provide comfort food and treats for each child in your family disaster supplies kit.

· Keep a recent photo of your children in your Go-bag.


Pets Plan

· Keep a collar, current license and up-to date ID tags on your pet at all times. Consider having your pet micro-chipped.

· Make sure your pet is comfortable being in a crate, box, cage, or carrier for transport.

· Keep an updated list of trusted neighbors who could assist your animals in case of an emergency.

· Tighten and secure latches on birdcages. Fasten down aquariums on low stands or tables.

Kit
Make a Go-bag for each pet. Include:

· Sturdy leashes and pet carriers. A pillowcase is a good option for transporting cats and other small animals. Muzzles for dogs. Food, potable water and medicine for at least one week

· Non-spill bowls, manual can opener and plastic lid

· Plastic bags, litter box and litter

· Recent photo of each pet

· Names and phone numbers of your emergency contact, emergency veterinary hospitals and animal shelters

· Copy of your pet’s vaccination history and any medical problems

· Portable fencing or baby gates


Respond

· Remember that animals react differently under stress. Keep dogs securely leashed and transport cats in carriers or pillowcases.

· If your pet is lost, contact the nearest animal shelter to report your pet missing. When it is safe, return to your neighborhood to search and distribute “Lost Pet” posters; include a current picture of your pet.


Evacuation

Locate all your animals and keep them with you. Be aware that shelters will only allow service animals. In a large-scale disaster, animal shelters will be set up when possible. Animal Care and Control’s (ACC) facility at 15th and Harrison will be an animal sheltering resource.
If you must leave your pets behind:

· Inform animal rescue workers of your pets’ status: On your front door or in a highly visible window, use chalk, paint or marker to write the number and types of pets in your residence. Include their location in your home and the date that you evacuated.

· Leave plenty of water in a large, open container that cannot be tipped over.

· Leave plenty of food in timed feeders to prevent your pet from overeating.

· Do not tie up your pet in your home.


Utilities

Natural Gas | Electricity | Water | Sewer Service

Natural gas leaks can cause an explosive and flammable atmosphere inside a building.
Gas

Natural gas leaks can cause fires and explosions inside a building.

· If you smell gas, hear gas escaping, see a broken gas line, or if you suspect a leak, shut off the main valve and open all windows and doors.

· Never use candles or matches if you suspect a leak. Do not turn on electrical switches or appliances.

· Identify the main shutoff valve, located on the gas line coming into the main gas meter. This is usually on the exterior of your home or building, or in an external closet. Your main valve may look like this:






· To turn gas off, give the valve a quarter turn in either direction. When the lever crosses the direction of the pipe (see above) the gas is off.

· Keep a crescent wrench or gas shut-off tool nearby to turn the lever.

· Never attempt to turn your gas back on. Wait for your utility company to do it. This may take several days.

Electricity

Electrocution can result from direct contact with live wires or anything that has been energized by these wires.

· Locate your main electric switch, which is normally in the garage or outdoors. The panel box may have a flip switch or pull handle on a large circuit breaker.

· Shut off electricity when:

· Arcing or burning occurs in electrical devices.

· There is a fire or significant water leak.

· You smell burning insulation.

· The area around switches or plugs is blackened and/ or hot to the touch.

· A complete power loss is accompanied by the smell of burning material.

Food

When a disaster occurs, you might not have access to food, water and electricity for days, or even weeks. Store enough emergency food to provide for your family for at least 3 days.

· Store food items that are familiar, rather than buying special emergency food. Consider any dietary restrictions and preferences you may have.

· Ideal foods are: Shelf-stable (no refrigeration required), low in salt, and do not require cooking (e.g. canned fruit, vegetables, peanut butter, jam, low-salt crackers, cookies, cereals, nuts, dried fruit, canned soup or meats, juices and non-fat dry milk).

· Mark a rotation date on any food container that does not already have an expiration date on the package.

· Include baby food and formula or other diet items for infants or seniors.

· Store the food in airtight, pest-resistant containers in a cool, dark place.

· Most canned foods can safely be stored for at least 18 months. Low acid foods like meat products, fruits or vegetables will normally last at least 2 years. Use dry products, like boxed cereal, crackers, cookies, dried milk or dried fruit within six months.

· After a power outage, refrigerated food will stay cold longer if you keep the door closed. Food should generally be consumed within 4 hours. Food in the freezer will normally remain safe for 2 days.
Water

In a disaster, water supplies may be cut off or contaminated. Store enough water for everyone in your family to last for at least 3 days.

· Store one gallon of water per person, per day. Three gallons per person per day will give you enough to drink and for limited cooking and personal hygiene. Remember to plan for pets.
If you store tap water:

· Tap water from a municipal water system can be safely stored without additional treatment.

· Store water in food grade plastic containers, such as clean 2-liter soft drink bottles. Heavy duty, reusable plastic water containers are also available at sporting goods stores. Empty milk bottles are not recommended because their lids do not seal well and bottles may develop leaks.

· Label and store in a cool, dark place.

· Replace water at least once every six months.
If you buy commercially bottled “spring” or “drinking” water:

· Keep water in its original container, and don’t re-store a bottle once it’s been opened.

· Store in a cool, dark place.

· If bottles are not marked with the manufacturer’s expiration date, label with the date and replace bottles at least once per year.
Treating Water after Disaster:

If you run out of stored drinking water, strain and treat water from your water heater or the toilet reservoir tank (except if you use toilet tank cleaners). Swimming pool or spa water should not be consumed but you can use it for flushing toilets or washing.
Treatment Process:

Strain any large particles of dirt by pouring the water through layers of paper towels or clean cloth. Next, purify the water one of two ways:

· Boil – bring to a rolling boil and maintain for 3-5 minutes. After the water cools, pour it back and forth between two clean containers to add oxygen back; this will improve its taste.

· Disinfect – If the water is clear, add 8 drops (1/8 teaspoon) of bleach per gallon of water. If it is cloudy, add 16 drops (1/4 teaspoon) per gallon. Make sure you are using regular bleach— 5.25% percent sodium hypochlorite— rather than the “ultra” or “color safe” bleaches. Shake or stir, then let stand 30 minutes. A slight chlorine taste and smell is normal.


First Aid

In any emergency, you or a family member may be cut, burned or suffer other injuries. Keep the following basic first aid supplies so you are prepared to help when someone is hurt.

· Two pairs of disposable gloves

· Sterile dressings to stop bleeding

· Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes to disinfect

· Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection

· Burn ointment

· Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes

· Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general decontaminant

· Scissors

· Over-the-counter medicines such as Aspirin or other pain reliever, laxative, anti-diarrhea medication

· Prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart medicine, or asthma inhaler

· Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose monitoring equipment or blood pressure monitors

Go-bag

A component of your disaster kit is your Go-bag. Put the following items together in a backpack or another easy to carry container in case you must evacuate quickly. Prepare one Go-bag for each family member and make sure each has an I.D. tag. You may not be at home when an emergency strikes so keep some additional supplies in your car and at work, considering what you would need for your immediate safety.

· Flashlight

· Radio – battery operated

· Batteries

· Whistle

· Dust mask

· Pocket knife

· Emergency cash in small denominations and quarters for phone calls

· Sturdy shoes, a change of clothes, and a warm hat

· Local map

· Some water and food

· Permanent marker, paper and tape

· Photos of family members and pets for re-identification purposes

· List of emergency point-of -contact phone numbers

· List of allergies to any drug (especially antibiotics) or food

· Copy of health insurance and identification cards

· Extra prescription eye glasses, hearing aid or other vital personal items

· Prescription medications and first aid supplies

· Toothbrush and toothpaste

· Extra keys to your house and vehicle

· Any special-needs items for children, seniors or people with disabilities. Don’t forget to make a Go-bag for your pets.

· And one item left of of all other lists I have seen is a hand gun. It is better to have one and not need it.. than to need one and not have it. Be Prepared for every eventuality.