See these cans above. I have no problem with them. I have used them in the past. I am just sharing with you an easy way to replace 22 of the cans above.
Sanitation can be one of the most important parts of being prepared. If things aren't properly sanitized people can become sick. It is one of the major ways that you can prevent disease.
So....again there are 3 levels of preparation.
Level 1 (Short-term)
Do you have...
Plastic bags and ties to dispose of sewage waste?
Personal hygiene supplies, including toothbrush/paste, toilet paper (one per person), soap?
Non-breakable containers of disinfectant?
Level 2 (Short-term but better prepared)
Do you have...
All of the above?
Ammonia?
Deodorant?
Paper cups & plates?
Plastic utensils, plastic gloves?
Aluminum foil?
Paper towels?
Feminine hygiene products?
Shampoo and conditioner?
Diapers, wipes and other baby supplies?
Water purification means?
Insect repellent?
Newspaper (absorption, insulation, wrapping)?
Dish soap?
Level 3 (Long-term)
Do you have...
Image taken from pgward.org/
All of the above?
Improvised toilet seat?
Portable camp toilet?
Small trash can or sturdy bucket with tightly fitted lid?
10 gallon garbage can/waterproof container with tight lid?
Storage of large amounts of water?
Basic hygiene supplies in a handy to-go pack, in your vehicle, or at work?
This washer can be found at www.beprepared.com for $46.95. I also previously shared a way you come make your own washer. Damaged water lines
Don't flush the toilet. Avoid digging holes.
Toilet is NOT Flushable
Remove all bowl water, line with heavy-duty plastic bag.
Homemade soil bags
Put one large grocery bag inside another, and a layer of shredded newspaper or other absorbent material between.
Ok, confession time.
Does anyone watch the show Revolution. Seriously?! That show has made me FREAK out about emergency preparedness.
If you have no clue what I am talking about it's a show that depicts a world that lost all electricity one day. They lost cars, phones, water, computers, EVERYTHING that had to deal with electricity. Basically they had to learn how to hunt, wash, clean, etc. all over again.
So...I have to admit that keeping up with the challenges needs to be done by the one sharing the information, me.
I have enough water for 72 hours, however, I need to get the water taken care of for 2 weeks.
Challenge # 2 I need to get a list of numbers put together of who we need to call. I purposely bought a home phone for my little kids. I know kids are all technologically more advanced than I am, but there is no way my little ones are going to know how to pick up my cell phone, find the screen to put in a phone number and dial 911 or anything else. So...we went back to the 80s in our house. Plus, we have HORRIBLE cell reception in my area. All that is very important.
So on to the next challenge.
Challenge # 3.
Level 1
Do you have:
A basic first aid kit?
Small, basic first aid kit for the car?
A list of all of your prescriptions on hand (wallet/purse or 72 hour kit)?
A weeks supply of critical medications on hand at all times?
Level 2
Not all first aid kits are right for everyone. But, you should have 3 basic kits:
A small, basic kit for the car.
An intermediate kit for home or traveling.
An extensive kit. This is for if you need a doctor or hospital but it's not an option.
Note: Check with your doctor for any recommendations. Your doctor would know best for what your family would need.
Decide what items your family needs.
Make a list of what goes in each kit.
Take inventory of what you have and what you will need to go and buy.
Chance are there will be LOTS of items that you might need to purchase, just buy one or two items each month and slowly get everything you need. This way you won't get so overwhelmed.
*Check your kits every 6 months.
*Use the items in your kit so that you know that they are fresh and not expired. But, make sure that you replace them.
Label and organize all first aid supplies. Use tubes, plastic bottles, or Ziplock baggies to help prevent contamination if items leak or break.
*Tape a list of all contents to the inside of each container.
Take a first aid or CPR class.
Level 3
It's all about an Intermediate Kit
The list is extensive and I will post it in a following post.
A way of communicating with others in an emergency?
A list of important phone numbers at hand (by the phone, purse, or wallet)?
A plan of whom to call in an emergency?
A battery-powered radio with extra batteries to tune into news about an area-wide emergency?
A small notebook & pen, whistle on a neck cord, small shatter resistant mirror in your 72 hour kit?
Level 2
* Do all the above and the following.
Teach children how to get help from neighbors and 911 and how to place long distance calls.
Post emergency telephone numbers near the phone.
Pick 2 meeting places: one near your home and one outside your neighborhood.
Develop an escape plan using a floor plan of your home in case of fire, and from your neighborhood/city in case of disaster. Practice emergency evacuation drills at least annually.
Install fire/smoke detectors in your home and check the batteries twice a year.
It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.
Make sure everyone in your family knows the phone number and has coins or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact.
Equipment for Level 2
Hand cranked or solar radio.
Know who, of your neighbors, has medical experience.
Make sure everyone in your family has a current family photo.
Make sure every family member has the same emergency contact number, that is out-of-state.
Have a whistle in each bedroom to awaken everyone if there happens to be a fire or emergency.
Each member has cash, a phone card, or a prepaid phone to call, in their 72 hour kit.
Level 3
* Do all of the above plus:
Talk to your neighbors about emergency preparedness.
Find out what your work emergency plans are.
Compile an Emergency Preparedness handbook with important information and have it in your 72 hour kit. (can be found at www.ready.gov or at www.redcross.org)
Have walkie-talkies for family use in an emergency. You will want NOAA capabilities and GPS.
Are you up for it? Can you do it? I think you can and so can I.
Here is the challenge, prepare yourself for the zombie invasion, natural disaster, economical disaster, or what have you type of disaster.
Each day I will post, except Sunday, a new challenge for you to take on. There will be a Level 1, Level 2, and a Level 3 challenge. Level 1 & 2 being a short term emergency preparedness. Level 3 being the BIG, MAJOR preparedness challenge.
More and more we need to be prepared for anything that might come our way. Now I hope, God willing, that I will never or you will never have to use any of these things because of a disaster or an emergency.
So....are you ready for your 1st challenge?
Water
Are you prepared for: water turnoff, earthquake, terrorist event, or contamination?
Level 1
To fulfill this level you must...
Have a minimum of 3 gallons of water per person, for 3 days. (6-2 liter bottles)
Have some stored in your car.
Store some for your pets.
Level 2
* do all of the above plus the following.
Purchase commercially bottled water in PETE plastic containers.
Fill the bottles with water.
Store them off the ground. Don't store them directly on concrete. If you need to do so put cardboard or something down as a barrier.
Have enough water for 2 weeks. Again, a gallon of water per person per day.
Hidden Sources of Water:
Hot water heater
Water pipes
Toilet tanks
Ice
Preparation:
Clean, sanitize, and thoroughly rinse all containers prior to use. A sanitizing solution can be prepared with household chlorine bleach. (1 teaspoon bleach to 1 quart water)
Do NOT use plastic milk jugs.
Do NOT use containers previously used to store non-food products.
Containers should be emptied and refilled every 6 months, if it's tap water. Bottled water is annually.
Store the water where leakage will not pose a problem.
You may need to protect the water from light, heat or freezing temperatures. This is because of the container.
Supplies to purify water:
Liquid bleach (Don't use bleach with thickeners or scents or any other additives)
Water purification tablets.
Level 3
* Do all of the above.
Store enough water for 2 weeks and consider having extra for those around you that may need help.
Another cool idea is called the Water Bob. It can be filled up in your tub and you can pump the water out and use it.
I also found some great information at The National Terror Alert about water storage.
Good luck on your challenge!
All this information was gained through The Quest for Preparedness from the Desert Sage Ward.
I found this post on Pinterest yesterday and thought I would share some if the great items they came up with to barter with. I will also add some of my own ideas.
Here are some of the items I would add to the list:
Baby Formula- I am sure there are tons of mothers out there who would give anything to be able to feed their baby, especially if they are unable to breastfeed. Also, under extreme stress a mother's milk supply can dry up and if that happens there is no other way to feed that little guy or gal.
Diapers- This would be one less stress that you would have to deal with. I wouldn't want to have to learn how to wash, clean and diaper a baby using cloth. I know there are people out there who do cloth diapering, good for you. However, there are tons of people who don't. Plus, I have had people come up to me at the mall and ask to buy a diaper off of me because they left theirs at home. Yep! For one diaper they were willing to give me $5!
Pain Killers- (Advil, Tylenol, etc.) How many times do we ask for an Advil when we are at work or at someone's house. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to get something in return for the 3 Advils that we give someone?
Toothbrushes- That is a little luxury that I would like to have. Plus, my church does hygiene packs for natural disasters and we always pack 2 toothbrushes, soap, small towel, comb, and toothpaste.
Small towels- So that you can give yourself a quick bath or wash that sweat baby.
What are some items that you would like to have if you needed to trade?
