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Be Prepared in Case of Emergency-Part 2

10/26/2015

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/

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Be Prepared in Case of Emergency-Part 1

10/15/2015

1 Comment

Be Prepared in Case of Emergency--Part 1

By Susan Steffen-Kraft

With the price of gas skyrocketing
which has caused the price of food to soar; this is among several reasons tons and tons of survival food have sailed off warehouse shelves across this country.

Some people out there think folks like me are a bit "strange" for stocking up on food. They think having a food stockpile ready for a natural disaster is something they can put off for "someday" or "never". But those people are just hiding their heads in the sand because they are ignorant and do not see what is happening right in front of their face.

Modern day Preppers will focus much more on being prepared for things that will more likely be an issue – such as the family breadwinner losing their job or passing away and even becoming incapacitated. Other primary concerns for Preppers are death or serious illness/injury to a family member, all-consuming house fire, flooding or other natural and man-made disasters. Our current economic situation makes the possibility of this impacting you and your family. They look ahead to how the economic stability of their country and what it would mean for, not just themselves, but the rest of their country if a severe economic crisis were to occur.

Many of us have seen evidence and situations and realize that it is way too serious not to do something about it. When a crisis hits, we will be ready. We will make sure our families won't go hungry and if you were wise you would be prepared also.
My mother always said, "Better to be safe than sorry!" I adhere to her common sense statement.

If the grid goes down, or a situation with snowstorms hitting for days and you are stuck at home, etc. and this is just short term. What about long term? What if there is no drinking water for several days or longer and stores shelves are wiped clean or there are acts of terrorism which could change our way of life.

Needed are food preservation supplies such as dehydrators, canners, smokers, fermenting/pickling supplies.
Bulk food – Canned, freeze-dried, dehydrated or dry goods.
Something to filter water and to catch rain in, plus stored water.Here are some tips to successfully storing drinking water for long-term storage...

1. Start with good pure clean water
2. Have a good clean safe sealed container
3. Last have a good storage location

BPA-free plastic containers that have been manufactured specifically for water storage are the best and these containers are often colored blue and labeled as safe for drinking water. You can use any food-grade storage container, or you even choose to use your own two-liter plastic soft drink bottles. But always be sure to thoroughly clean the storage container first.
Store your long-term drinking water storage containers in a dark cool place so as to avoid heat which will promote the growth of algae. Replace the water once a year if possible and remember it is still drinkable but will taste flat.
In researching this, I found out that 50 gallons is enough for 2 people for a month. Of course, that is only for drinking, not for bathing, washing clothes, etc.

Also invaluable to you would be some kind of an Emergency stove – solar oven, rocket stove, camping stoves, etc.
Any of the above will be helpful in heating, cooking and preparing food along with other things.

We are going to discuss canning which is a reward in itself. You know exactly what ingredients are included and there are no artificial preservatives. Add the nutrition of fruits and vegetables into your food storage diet plus home-canned foods taste significantly better than store-bought canned goods. If you are lucky enough to have your own garden and or local farm stands you can buy from this is a great way to preserve the food you grew or bought.

If you have your water bath canner and jars then each year you may can more and eat up the last years supplies. This is a short term storage technically. It is something to redo each year and saves you money also. But should a disaster of some kind strike, you do have your canned goods to fall back on. You have fresh stuff canned each year and should some stay over a year despite what is said that is alright. I myself have eaten canned goods that are 2 to 3 years old. Jellies, jams, pickles will last a few years as long as they are sealed the way they should be and stored in a cool dry place.

Other things to stock up and that will keep quite awhile are Peanut Butter, Crackers which you could vacuum pack to keep fresh longer. Trail mixes and nuts are also good additions to your stash of food for the hard times ahead and particularly if they are vacuum packed. Granola bars and whole grain cereals are also wonderful additions to your stock of food. Investing in a vacuum pack machine is a great idea in order to make these things last longer. After a certain amount of time, you can always replace the items with new ones and eat the oldest food.

Dried fruits in particular apricots, raisins, and bananas are yummy and healthy as they are loaded with potassium plus fiber. Dried apples are also a great addition and all of the above are even better if you own your own dehydrator and can dry your own.

Of course, the addition of canned meats such as tuna, salmon, chicken turkey and soup plus canned veggies are always a welcome addition. The meats giving you protein and the soup and veggies can be eaten straight out of the can giving you variety and nutrients.

If you have a camping stove, rocket stove, or solar oven you should, of course, store away rice and beans and powdered potatoes. They can be cooked in the water you have stored water and or if the beans are dehydrated soaked in boiling water you heat on whatever kind of little stove you have. Always keep powdered milk on hand along with the little touches of salt, pepper and sugar and other dried spices. Water and juice along with sports drinks are other things to have in time of need.

Storing food in buckets is a smart move because the heavy duty plastic helps to keep out pests, light, moisture, and oxygen which are four of the enemies of food. Buckets should be made from food safe plastic.
A bag made of mylar can be used as a liner in any bucket and provides a double layer of protection for the food. This is probably one of the best ways to store over the long term rice, beans, sugar and flour and even pasta. Always label the buckets with a black marker and date them. There are so many ideas out there that one can google up to help you get started.

Freezing veggies and fruits will give you another option. I freeze many foods and am aware that that is most definitely short term. But it helps each winter with the grocery bill. You, of course, must be aware that if the electricity goes out there could be the problem of losing food. Keeping the freezer door shut can at least keep the stuff in there for a few days. In the winter if you are in a cold part of the country and particularly with snow in your area, you could move some of the food outside. At the end of this article is a video on freezing foods properly.

Here is a link to help you avoid some common mistakes in storing food.
http://isurvivalskills.blogspot.com/2012/11/7-preppers-food-storage-mistakes.html

The above slideshow has pictures of things I have canned. From Tomato Juice and Tomatoes, Relish, Pickles, Jams and Jellies, Peaches and Pears, Applesauce. Grape Juice, Strawberry Nectar and even Maraschino Cherries, I try and have a variety of things.

http://americanpreppersnetwork.com/what-is-a-prepper, Tea Party Politics, Does Martial Law=Food Shortage, Off the Grid News: Backlash: Jihad on Your Food Supply?, http://readynutrition.com/resources/when-the-grid-goes-down-you-better-be-ready_28102013/, http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net/self-reliance/canning/, American Spotlight e-mail with Food 4 Patriots, http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/emergency-foods, http://thesurvivalmom.com/how-to-storing-food-in-buckets/ , http://readynutrition.com/resources/2-week-food-supply-list-2_18072011/, http://modernsurvivalblog.com/preps/long-term-drinking-water-storage/

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Be Prepared in Case of Emergency-Part 2

Be Prepared in Case of Emergency-Part 2

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!

Be Prepared in Case of Emergency-Part 1

Be Prepared in Case of Emergency--Part 1

By Susan Steffen-Kraft

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Be Prepared in Case of Emergency-Part 2

Be Prepared in Case of Emergency-Part 2

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!

Be Prepared in Case of Emergency-Part 1

Be Prepared in Case of Emergency--Part 1

By Susan Steffen-Kraft

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