Be Prepared in Case of Emergency-Part 2

Be Prepared in Case of Emergency-Part 2

                                                   By Susan Steffem-Kraft

   What if there is no access to money because the electricity is out and computers and ATM's are down; what do you do? 
I hope you are prepared at least with the basic necessities. Light, heat, water and food are some of those basics we are accustomed to and need. 
Our power grid is extremely vulnerable and quite possibly a  likely target for terrorists.  It would take just a handful of the nation's high-voltage transformers to be knocked out and blackouts would occur across the country.

Heat is something in the winter that one needs. Dressing in layers would be the wisest thing to do. In addition to that a lightweight hats for indoors, gloves, and scarves help keep you warm plus, slippers over your socks and long johns under your clothing. Have blankets available also and share body heat if you live with anyone. Burning candles will raise the temperature a few degrees. Wall hangings and blankets can be hung on the walls to help keep the cold out. These are just some of the suggestions that are available. 

Stock up on paper plates, paper towels, and disposable cups and flatware.  Keep some disinfectant wipes around to keep your hands sanitary after using the bathroom and before handling food. There are now flushable wet wipes for the bathroom and those would be wise to have along with regular toilet paper plus there are disinfectant wet wipes. Stock up on trash bags because the sewer might not work if the electricity is out no matter the time of year.
                           
If flushing is not an option or you do not have the wet wipes you may  stock up on extremely heavy duty garbage bags like the kind construction sites use and kitty litter.  First, place a bag either in your drained toilet or in a bucket.  Sprinkle some kitty litter in the bottom of the bag.  Every time someone uses the bathroom put in another small layer of litter. Just don't let the bag get too heavy for you to handle.  Tie it up securely and store it outside until services are restored. If services are not restored in a decent amount of
time figure out a way  to bury or dispose of the waste.

For lighting solutions or have on hand these items

        Garden stake solar lights
        Candles
        Kerosene lamps 
        Flashlights (don't forget batteries)
        Hand crank camping lantern 
        Lighter/waterproof matches
Batteries in various sizes
Manual can opener
Basic tools: Pliers, screwdriver, wrench, hammer
Duct tape
Crazy glue
Sewing supplies
Bungee cords
WD40 or another lubricant

Have a good first aid kit on hand as per example a first responder type one as they are prepacked. You can google up what to buy and how to put one together. In fact, google up any information you may have questions on because my blog is just the tip of the iceberg for all the information out there. I am merely trying to as the old saying goes "wet your whistle"!  In other words get you interested enough to start this journey of prepping.

http://greatnorthernprepper.com/food-prep/food-refrigeration-techniques/

​The above link informs you how to build a root cellar, ice house and most intriguing of all, a flower pot fridge. I loved that idea although I am not sure that one could put many things in the pots. Maybe some cheese and butter; smaller things in other words. Perhaps a dozen eggs layered with cloth so they do not bump and break would work for a few days.  In the heat of the summer, I would even crawl under my house to store some of the hardier vegetables if the electricity was out. As for frozen foods from your freezer well, a bunch of clay or flower pots perhaps. If one can get hold of dry ice then one might have a chance at keeping your freezer cold for awhile. 

​In the summer, your body also has to stay cool so here are some tips for that. By opening your windows at night, you let the cooler night air in. When the day starts, close all the blinds and curtains to keep the heat out. Hand -held fans are helpful; you can practice being a Southern Belle! Cooling your feet in a little water helps or anywhere you can find water of course. Use a spray bottle to mist your body and if you have water to spare, wet your clothes.  Changing one's diet can help. Try cold soups, salads, and fruit because heavy meals make your digestive system work harder. Window tints, or solar window film, on the interior side of your windows. Tints are usually more affordable than sunscreens and can be quite decorative. Like sunscreens, window tints can reflect and absorb up to 70 percent of incoming solar heat. 

My first picture shows how you can build a Faraday cage or box. Let me say that "whether or not your electronics are plugged in, how long of an antenna you’ve got on something, what voltage it is, or whether or not they operate with batteries—all non-protected electronics will be affected by an EMP".  Even batteries will be affected, usually in the form of “shorting” as well as electronic phone systems being damaged. And unfortunately, surge protectors are not of any use when EMP exposure comes along. Your faraday cage also needs to be grounded to disperse the energy. My advice is to protect radios, flashlights, communication devices,  as in a HAM radio, batteries of all sizes and types plus all of their respective tools, thumb drives loaded with all of my vital information and a laptop. Cell phones will not work as the towers would be down, however, the charge on your phone will probably not outlast the damage to your area's communication infrastructure anyhow but though you cannot call out you could play different games or read comics on your phone until the battery runs out.  Keep in mind that a Faraday cage should be your LAST concern in terms of protecting some electronics that you enjoy presently as in a TV. That is not necessary for survival.

A trash can, restaurant style stock pot and or an old microwave can be used to make the Faraday cage. Use a nonfunctional microwave oven as an EMP safe. As long as the oven is intact physically, with no gaps between the door and the body, it will function as an EMP shield.  Buy a broken microwave or two depending on how much you have to put in it and then seal it with additional metal tape on the edges to quickly make a Faraday cage for long-term use.

My thanks to my friend Beau for telling me about Faraday cages. I did not even know they existed until she told me about them. I thought she was talking about Ferret cages and she must have thought I was really dumb which I have to admit if I am honest, I was! You are never to old to learn!

http://www.theorganicprepper.ca/how-to-stay-warm-with-less-heat-2-12042012,  http://freedomoutpost.com/2014/09/grid-jihad-week-prep-end-world/,  http://greatnorthernprepper.com/food-prep/food-refrigeration-techniques/,  http://www.ehow.com/how_7844390_keep-home-cool-window-coverings.html, http://www.theorganicprepper.ca/the-heat-is-on-how-to-stay-cool-without-air-conditioning-07022014, ​​http://foodstorageandsurvival.com/13-ways-to-stay-cool-without-electricity/, ​http://io9.com/5902325/could-a-microwave-save-your-electronics-during-an-emp-attack, https://preparednesspro.wordpress.com/2009/06/18/emp-101-part-iv-faraday-cage/