Steps

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August OTA: Clothing and Hygiene

Our August Opportunity to act is: Clothing and Hygiene

This is a great time to get deals on clothing with the back to school sales and tax breaks.

Ideas for clothing:

Scrubs: light, comfortable, adjustable (if you get thinner or fatter)

Next year’s size: For kids, if you buy the next size, when they suddenly outgrow something, you look in their kit first. This has been a life saver for a last minute pair of socks or underwear, too. Put a few extra of each package away in the kit. *Remember to buy the next size and replace it in the kit.

Sweats: Although a better idea for up North, Sweats could still work here. If it is hot, you can cut off the sleeves and the legs. You can sleep in them. They stretch, etc.

Shoes: You want a sturdy pair especially if you are walking out in after-hurricane debris. Start with your sturdiest old pair instead of throwing them out. Eventually buy ahead or get some metal soled work boots as a permanent addition.

No room in your pack for shoes? Tie them with the laces to the outside. You will probably wear them anyway.

Extra socks and Underwear: It is very hard to stay dry in the heat (sweating) and rain. Pack extra socks and underwear in waterproof bags.

Long sleeves: Although long sleeves seem counter-intuitive, if you burn easily, you might prefer a long sleeve shirt with a collar. An old Sunday shirt might work well for men. Think beach or boating–what would you like to have out in the wet, sun, and heat all day?

Hats and Ponchos: Sun and Rain: Find ones that pack well and are reuseable. Big trashbags can be your first ponchos, then save up for something better (if you want).

Hygiene: Think what you would need for 3 days. A wash rag might be a useful edition as you may have to sponge shower for quite a while. You can live without deodorant, but you’ll be glad if you don’t have to.

One often neglected item is some type of petroleum jelly for rashes. Choose clothes that do not rub when wet especially between the legs and along the calves. Use the jelly as soon as a problem begins to help prevent it from getting worse.

Toothbrushes: You can get them prepasted or the tiny wisp brushes to save space or just a regular dollar store version. This is another great thing to have an extra of around for company or when you just found your toddler scrubbing the toilet with yours. 🙂 lol

Other ideas you might want to include: anti-itch cream, diapers, depends, pullups, fem hygiene, wet wipes or paper towels, toilet paper, etc.

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June OTA (step 6)

Although Supplies and Equipment are listed as the 6th and final step to building your 72 hour emergency kit, I’m listing it here 4th or in June rather than August because of the Florida Tax holiday.

Greenies: Be sure you have tarps, flashlights and/or candles or oil lamps, plus the batteries and matches or lighters and oil to keep them going. Of course, flashlights would travel well in kits, oil lamps/candles might last well in an extended power outage at home. A good first aid kit is a must.

Experienced/maintaining: Add weather band radios, rotate batteries so they are all fresh, Start eating up the expensive items in your freezer and replacing it with ice or blue ice blocks, check and update your first aid kit. Make sure you have large enough tarps with plenty of ropes to tie them up in trees for shelters or homemade tents. These can also be tacked over leaky roofs or placed on the ground to protect sleeping areas. Keeping things dry will most likely be difficult. Extra rope can also be used to rig up laundry lines, etc. to dry wet items, etc.

Advanced: Take the opportunity to see if you want to purchase items like a generator and/or perhaps a chain saw (learn how to run one, buy protective equipment, I know you also need bar oil for this). Stock up on a reasonable amount of gas, oil, and bar oil. Learn precautions for any of this big equipment. Generators, for instance, should not be running indoors. If you have a generator or want to buy one, research what you would need. Does it have a refrigerator type plug? Could it charge your cell phone? Do you have enough heavy-duty, long extension cords (it has to be running outside and reach to your appliance, etc.). Gas cans need stabilizer added to them so that they are less flammable and less likely to explode, etc. in the heat. Take the time to study the safe use and storage of these items.

Gift your friends or neighbors with candles, oil lamps, flashlights or other emergency equipment to let them know you care.

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MARCH OTA #1

March 2014:  Opportunity to Act

  • Trust yourself.  These are suggestions.  Do what you know is best for you and your family.   

Group Goal:  All group members will have enough water appropriately stored for 72 hrs (at least 3 gallons per person) by the end of April.  72 hr kits for all members will be complete by the end of August. 

Beginners (Greenies):  Set aside a regular time each week to think about preparedness.  Consider how you will store water and begin to gather and fill water containers.  Get at least 1 gallon of water appropriately stored for each member of your family by the end of March. 

Maintainers:  Evaluate your water supply.  If the containers are adequate, empty and refill them.  If not, make the adjustments needed.  Set a time once or twice a year that you will evaluate, rotate, or empty and refill your water supply.  Many people choose Spring and Fall as reminders for 72 hr kit evaluation and maintenance.

EXTRA MILERS: 

When you are finished getting or updating your water supply for 72 hrs, help others do the same.

 Ideas:  THESE ARE JUST IDEAS

1-Give a bottle or gallon of water to someone else along with the challenge of the month. 

2-Give extra water to a group leader who can gather them to distribute to those who confide a need for assistance. 

3—Give water to your neighbors for their hurricane preparedness

4—store more water than 72 hrs.  Get 1 weeks worth or more

5– buy a high quality filter, a large water barrel, or a rain barrel

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Prepping 101: On a budget!

Here is another blog you may find useful

bassgod14's avatarPrepping, Pop Culture & Politics

I recently had a close friend respond to one of my posts and ask a very good question related to getting into prepping on a small budget.  I think this is an issue for many folks who are interested in disaster preparedness but have no idea where to start and might be experiencing financial stress.  The irony here is that the financial stress might even be the issue that showed a person the need to be prepared for disasters yet they feel they are unable to implement any basic preparedness principles based on a lack of money.  I intend to show in this post that basic entry level disaster preparedness does not require much cash.

So lets review the ABC’s of preparedness.  A stands for ALWAYS by informed!  B stands for BUILD an emergency kit.  C stands of CREATE a plan.  You can do two of these things with literally…

View original post 3,194 more words

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Step 2: Water

We can survive on a lot less than we think we can.  Water, though, is a necessity.  Begin by thinking about your water situation:  I’ve read that a gallon a person per day is enough.  That might be enough for drinking and surviving, but it isn’t enough for flushing toilets, washing dishes, and hygiene needs.  So, start with a gallon per person per day, but keep in mind, you will eventually want other sources as well. 

So, for a 72 hr emergency kit, you would need at least 3 gallons per person of safe, dependable drinking water.  Start with getting enough for your family for ONE day and work up to 3 or more.

Container Tips:  Thick, clear plastic water jugs work well and do not deteriorate like the milk jug type.  Milk-jug type water containers break down over time and may leak out and ruin things.  Smaller quart size water bottles might work better for putting in back packs, etc. 

Walmart and hardware stores will often sell water jugs in camping sections or near the same area where gas cans are displayed.  Gas cans are red.  Water cans are usually blue or white and usually are 2, 3, or 5 gallon size.  The larger cans are great for storing more water for longer than 72 hrs or for washing and hygiene uses. 

Two problems we’ve had with these blue and/or white large water containers:  We had no problem with them leaking when stored indoors or in the garage.  But, stored outdoors, the sun and weather broke them down over a year or so and they ended up cracking, and being useless.  So, they will need protection from the elements to stay secure.

A certain type of square water jug has a spigot that when stored in it leaves an open back end of the spout exposed on the top of the jug.  This just collects dirt and may compromise the integrity of the water.  Take care to experiment a little with the jug before you buy it and make sure it will actually be airtight. 

Bleach containers:  To use or not to use:  Bleach gallon jugs are actually made of very strong material and will last well.  BUT, we don’t want our children getting confused and accidentally drinking or using bleach like water.  My solution:  After ALL THE BLEACH IS GONE and it just smells like bleach but the bleach is gone, I fill it with water.  The left over chlorine will not be enough to harm and can keep nasty things from growing in it.  Then I TAKE OFF THE LABEL and I write H2O on it with a permanent marker.  So my water storage in these containers says H2O FOR CLEANING ONLY on it.  I wouldn’t trust drinking this water, but it will store long and well for other uses.  Also, children who are not old enough to understand the symbol will not know it means water.  I have had no incident that caused me to worry with this system. 

Water and rain barrels:  These can be purchased online or around here you can pick them up at the local green market.  The ones we have are thick, blue plastic, hold 50 gallons I believe and we have had no problem with them even out in the weather for years. 

In general, water must be rotated every year to stay tasting good.  But, I understand even old water can be boiled or aerated to make it safe and drinkable.  So, having water is by far preferable to not having it.

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Step 1: Schedule a Time

Like anything, preparing takes some time and thought.  Start today by looking at your schedule and deciding on a time you will be able to prioritize your emergency preparedness.  If you have no preference, choose Monday morning or Monday evening.  (I’ve found that if you want something done, Monday is a winner).  Do not become overwhelmed.  It does not even require an hour.  Plan at least 20 minutes to do SOMETHING each week on your preparedness.  Even if you only think about it, those thoughts will eventually lead to action. 

If you are too busy one week, just come back to it.  Don’t let an immediate need go neglected because of your plan, but don’t let your plan always be neglected, either.   Just keep coming back to it.  If you do your plan even 80% of the time you will move mountains a teaspoon at a time.  But, if you find it is almost never happening, reschedule:  pick a different day or decide on which activities you can and will sacrifice to make this path of peace a priority.