| Natural disasters and man-made disasters still | | | | basement. |
| happen even in the US. Hurricanes, snow storms, | | | | Water is also essential. Have 7 days worth of |
| freezing rain and even a terrorist attack can | | | | water, to drink, cook and wash. I know that |
| cause the machine of the Western world to | | | | seems like a lot of water, but what are you going |
| come to a halt. Every home should have an | | | | to do during a disaster for water? Just have it |
| emergency preparedness plan and they should all | | | | stored in your basement. |
| have some basic supplies to get them through. | | | | You also need a way to cook. Even if you have a |
| Although the government is charged to protect | | | | gas stove, it may not work if there is a major |
| us and provide for our basic needs in the event | | | | disaster. I have a portable butane stove with |
| that any of these disasters happen, it doesn't | | | | about 6 cans of butane. That should hold me over |
| always happen. Look at Katrina for example. And | | | | for several weeks without power or gas. And it |
| remember the last time you were in a snow | | | | only cost about $25. |
| storm or freezing rain and your power went out | | | | Emergency light. In your emergency preparedness |
| for days. I live in a very cosmopolitan city, and | | | | plan, you need to have enough light to get you |
| yet our power went out for 4 days during a | | | | through. That means you have several flash lights |
| freak snow storm. It's not uncommon. So here | | | | in your house with plenty of batteries. It's also |
| are some guidelines to think through when you're | | | | good to have a batter powered lantern as well. |
| coming up with your emergency preparedness | | | | One thing that I have that you don't absolutely |
| plan for your home. | | | | need but is really nice to have is a portable car |
| Every household should have a plan and enough | | | | jump starter. Yes, I have it to jump my car |
| supplies for at least 7 days. To be more secure, | | | | battery in case it dies. But most car jump |
| 2 weeks. That means you have enough | | | | starters these days also come with a AC and DC |
| non-perishable foods like canned vegetables, | | | | power source. It's also rechargeable by hooking it |
| canned meats, dehydrated foods like instant | | | | up to your car's DC powersource. These things |
| noodles, and canned soups. These are all good | | | | can run and charge small electronic devices like cell |
| food products for an emergency or disaster. | | | | phones and laptops. |
| For many homes it may be too expensive to buy | | | | You also want to have a communications plan. |
| 7 days worth of food all at once. In my household | | | | That means you need to have a cell phone or a |
| we just buy a few extra cans of food whenever | | | | land line that will work without power. You also |
| we go shopping and put it in the basement so we | | | | need a battery powered radio to listen for news |
| don't eat it. If you do a couple of cans of food | | | | and government responses to the disaster. |
| each time, it eventually adds up to a lot. Also, | | | | Everyone should have an emergency |
| whenever there is a sale on canned goods we | | | | preparedness plan for their home. It's essential |
| buy a whole case of it. We take half and put it in | | | | because disasters and power outages are |
| our pantry and take the other half to our | | | | inevitable, even in the developed world. |