Happy Fall Y'all

Whew, the hottest of weather is behind us ~ and while the OFFICIAL first day of WINTER isn't until December 22 this year, we all know the temperature will fall long before then.  We'll need FALL to get ready for winter, just like all God's creatures great and small. This is end of harvests, start of fall crops and just around the corner is Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas!

I've spent September going through the topics of what should be in your Family Survival Notebook.  Each post from September can be added with a tab.  Add in all your own research along with your lists for your family.  Be sure to document:

• What you currently have already
• What you feel the need to add to your preps for each topic
• Your family plan for how to fill in those needs.

You'll find that if you use the topics from September as a guideline it will help you think.  This isn't about who has the most or best it's about being prepared in case the whole world goes sideways.... whatever that means for you and your family. Think of it as a guide to your family's  "Strategic Supplies"

Op Sec Reminder:
Never confirm nor deny what your Strategic Supplies may or may not be lacking.

Fuel ~ What's on your list?

You need to have a section in your notebook on fuel.  Not just gas either.  You need to be thinking about all the fuels you might need in an emergency both short term and a long term situation.  What fuels do your appliances require?  Are you attached to a natural gas service? Do you know how to turn it off in an emergency situation?  How do you heat your home? How will you heat your home if the whole world goes sideways? When making fuel storage preparations, think about what types of fuels your emergency equipment will need, and prepare accordingly. The six most popular fuel sources to store are listed below.

1. Firewood – This is the most basic of fuel sources, needs to be seasoned at least six months and is kept dry. Firewood is also the only fuel that has re-usable bi-products. Firewood can be make into charcoal, and its ashes used in the garden or compost pile.
2. Gasoline –  will more than likely need a stabilizer
3. Diesel fuel – This fuel lasts longer than gasoline and is more safe to store Two grades are available: #1 diesel which is old-fashioned yellow kerosene, and #2 diesel which is the same thing as #2 home heating oil.  Stored diesel fuel should be treated  Diesel should be filtered before use. ESPECIALLY BIO-DIESEL
4. Kerosene – No special treatment is needed.
5. Propane – Propane is widely available, easy to use, versatile and because it will last indefinitely. Propane is widely used in “off-grid” areas as an alternative to natural gas and electricity,
6. Solar power – Harnessing the sun’s power ~ passive and active solar energy look it up.

 What would you do if the grid went down ~ for an extended period of time? Forever?  Think about it. Now make a plan and write it down.   

 

10 years ago our hearts broke, but together we rose above.

First Aid Complement

What are your preps for First Aid? 
What Skills do you have?
What do still need to get?

These are the things you need to think about.  More importantly you need take a physical inventory of your current supplies.  How many first aid kits do you own? Where are they? Are any contents out of date?  If the whole world goes sideways who else will you be responsible for? Do they have special medical needs?

This is the type of info to be in you Strategic Supplies/Family Survival 101 Notebook refer back to blog posting July 22nd 2011

Firefighting in a world without 911

Remember in September we're building our Notebook of family preps otherwise known as our Strategic Supply List, or Family Survival 101 Notebook.

If 911 wasn't available how would you fight a fire?  Do you currently have fire extinguishers in your home? Are they around "hot zones" like the utility room, kitchen, grill area, garage? The single best way to fight a fire, is PREVENTION.

•Class A extinguishers are for ordinary combustible materials such as paper, wood, cardboard, and most plastics. The numerical rating on these types of extinguishers indicates the amount of water it holds and the amount of fire it can extinguish. Geometric symbol (green triangle)
•Class B fires involve flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, grease and oil. The numerical rating for class B extinguishers indicates the approximate number of square feet of fire it can extinguish. Geometric symbol (red square)
•Class C fires involve electrical equipment, such as appliances, wiring, circuit breakers and outlets. Never use water to extinguish class C fires - the risk of electrical shock is far too great! Class C extinguishers do not have a numerical rating. The C classification means the extinguishing agent is non-conductive. Geometric symbol (blue circle)
•Class D fire extinguishers are commonly found in a chemical laboratory. They are for fires that involve combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, potassium and sodium. These types of extinguishers also have no numerical rating, nor are they given a multi-purpose rating - they are designed for class D fires only. Geometric symbol (Yellow Decagon)
•Class K fire extinguishers are for fires that involve cooking oils, trans-fats, or fats in cooking appliances and are typically found in restaurant and cafeteria kitchens. Geometric symbol (black hexagon)

You need to know other ways to put out fires than extinguishers and calling 911...Take the time to look up different fire types and be sure you know how to keep yourself safe and your family. Get a plan together as a family what to do if a fire starts.  Write it down. Practice your plan. Know what you'd do if a fire broke out.  Fear, panic and the unknown are your worst enemies. Remember the single best way to fight a fire is prevention!

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Communications & Monitoring

This is a very important component in survival 101 If the whole world goes sideways and phones can't be used what will you use to communicate? To get news?  Before cable TV, folks listened to the radio.  Do you have a way to get the news that doesn't require a computer, then Internet, a TV, cable, digital tuner?  That fancy digital stereo will it work without power?

Use this section of your notebook to list all your radios, capabilities, CB radios, Consider getting a HAM license or joining a HAM club. You need a reliable way to get news and updates. You need a way to connect with others.

I suggest a couple of FRS or MURs handheld radio.  List what you have, what you need and the time frame and budget to get it.

Pandemic Defenses

If there really and truly is a pandemic outbreak of the flu, there are a few things you need to have on hand.

~ disposable gloves
~ N95 masks
~ disinfectant
~ cold/flu meds
~ quality tissue
~ fever reducer (never give children with a fever aspirin)
~ water, vitamin C drink
~ duct tape
~ clear plastic
~ garbage bags

I think you should see a few movies to understand pandemics better.  I Am Legend, Outbreak, 28 days, Contagion

There are  always going to be folks who get the flu.  What's up with FLU shots?  I'll be honest originally I was on the fence about flu shots. After some research I discovered the flu vaccine (shot/nasal mist) is engineered every year based on some very intelligent doctors predictions of what the top 3 flus will be for the season.  One vaccine to cover three different strains of the flu I like those odds.  So all of us are getting our flu vaccines and there's a bunch of us. I think you should too. If it can keep us from getting sick, or make it easier to deal with if we do come down with it then I think it's important to hedge our bets and get the flu shot/nasal mist.

While. the flu is typically associated with cold weather,  this has nothing to do with the outside temp but everything to do with more folks being indoors, in closer quarters.  Likewise we see a spike in the flu September/October through March/April.. However, this doesn't mean you can't get the flu in June.

You are contagious to others a day before you are showing symptoms and five to seven days after you have the flu. Let's think about that, it means you don't know who may or may not be contagious at any given time.  SO wouldn't it make sense to always take precautions?  Wash you hands, cough into the crook of your arm, if you have a fever stay home, don't share pens/pencils, don't put things in you mouth! There's lots of ways to keep the germs at bay but hand washing is the number one thing!  Good ol' soap and water!

Because we have a houseful of folks, I find myself wiping down light switches during cold season.  Anyone that is using tissues, they are responsible for getting them into a trash can or flushed!  Washing dishes? Put on gloves before you pickup the dirty dishes and wash your hands with soap and water afterwards.

A can or two of disinfectant spray might not be such a bad thing.  What's really important, CDC says "social distance"  meaning if you're sick stay home, if you're in a social setting and others are sick , go home.  No need to expose yourself or others.  Stay healthy, eat well, exercise, and get plenty of rest this will help keep your immune system bolstered, especially during the flu season.
Clean up behind yourself and others.  Caretakers need to be more careful than others to keep themselves healthy.

Seasonal Flu

1. Outbreaks follow predictable seasonal patterns; occurs annually, usually in winter, in temperate climates.
2. Usually some immunity built up from previous exposure.
3. Healthy adults usually not at risk for serious complications; the very young, the elderly, and those with certain underlying health conditions at increased risk for serious complications.
4. Health systems can usually meet public and patient needs.
5. Vaccine developed based on known flu strains and available for annual flu season.
6. Adequate supplies of antivirals are usually available.
7. Average US deaths=approximately 23,600 per year.
8. Symptoms: fever, cough, runny nose, muscle pain. Deaths often caused by complications, such as pneumonia.
9. Generally causes modest impact on society (eg, some school closings, people who are sick advised to stay home).
10. Manageable impact on domestic and world economy.

 Pandemic Flu ~ it really is different and here's some hallmarks of a pandemic FLU

1. Occurs rarely (three times in the 20th century).
2. No previous exposure; little or no preexisting immunity.
3. Healthy people may be at increased risk for serious complications.
4. Health systems may be overwhelmed.
5. Vaccine probably would not be available in the early stages of a pandemic.
6. Effective antivirals may be in limited supply.
7. Number of deaths could be quite high (eg, US 1918 death toll was approximately 675,000).
8. Symptoms may be more severe and complications more frequent.
9. May cause major impact on society (eg, widespread restrictions on travel, closing of schools and businesses, cancellation of large public gatherings).
10. Potential for severe impact on domestic and world economy. 

Barter & Charity Inventory

Keep track of your inventory ~ You'll need to know what you have so you'll know what you can spare. 

Barter: to trade by exchange of commodities rather than by the use of money. Charity: generous actions or donations to aid the poor, ill, or helpless ~ something given to a person or persons in need

If you are prepping for a sideways world  you aren't going to ever feel good about turning folks away when they come for help.  Giving to others in need when time are tough can happen, if you've planned for it.  Charity and love is important to keep our humanity.  During the Great Depression everyday folks were so much more civil than they are today.  If our economic system collapses it will get ugly quick.  Now some folks won't knock, and they won't ask nice so be able to defend yourself and your family.  I don't believe gold and silver are going to be the currency. You can't eat gold and it won't keep you warm at night. In my humble opinion the new currency will be things that are useful ...drinking water, food, seeds, spices, fabrics, weapons, tools, medicines, toilet paper these are the things that will be valuable.  The number one book of all time will continue to be the number one book of all times The Holy Bible.  It is important that as you ready yourself for any emergency that you also ready yourself to be able to lend a hand to help others at whatever level you can.  You will most likely need to barter.  Your neighbor may need water while you need tp. 

Did you know: Prepping for famine was done in biblical times? See Genesis 37-50  THE DOLLAR TREE has Holy Bibles get a dozen.  Some folks will need hope more than charity.

Happy Birthday Dad, I love you.

More than just food

Other concerns to consider if the whole world goes sideways:

1. Barter & Charity Inventory
2. Biological Warfare~Pandemic Defenses
3. Communications & Monitoring
4. Firefighting
5. First Aid Complement
6. Fuels
7. Gardening Needs
8. Hunting ~Fishing ~Trapping Lists
9. Hygiene ~Sanitation List
10. Little Livestock List
11. Power~Lighting~Alt Power~ Battery lists
12. Security ~ General
13. Security~ Firearms
14. Sundries (paper products etc)
15. Survival Bookshelf
16. Tactical Living
17. Tools 

It's 9-11 All Month Long

Are you ready?  What are you ready for? For starters September is National Preparedness Month  and this year is a little special.  Not only is it the 10th anniversary of the largest terrorist attack on US soil, numerically it will 9-11 all month long.  Let's think about that.  First we need to take a moment of silence and remember the folks, all the folks that were involved at the ACTIVE sites, the towers, the pentagon, and on flight 93.  We also need to remember all of us, Americans every shape size color and religion we're united again by  3 colors ~ red white and blue.

September 2011 will be the eighth annual National Preparedness Month, sponsored by the US Department of Homeland Security. One goal of Homeland Security is to educate the public about how to prepare for emergencies, including natural disasters, mass casualties, biological and chemical threats, radiation emergencies, and terrorist attacks.

During September, emergency preparedness forums, blogs, and websites will focus on:

Home and family preparedness, including pets, older Americans, and individuals with disabilities and special needs (Ready America)
Back-to-school (Ready Kids)
Business preparedness (Ready Business)

In collaboration with the American Red Cross, CDC's Web site, Emergency Preparedness  Ready.gov  identifies and answers common questions about preparing for unexpected events, including:

•Developing a family disaster plan
•Gathering emergency supplies
•Learning how to shelter in place
•Understanding quarantine and isolation
•Learning how to maintain a healthy state of mind

Additional information and resources are available from Emergency Preparedness and Response under topics such as hurricane preparedness, extreme heat, and bioterrorism. CDC continually updates information on recent outbreaks and incidents and lists emergency resources for the general public as well as for clinicians and public health professionals.

During September, focus on being ready – at home, at work, and in your neighborhood – and prepare for a natural disaster or other emergencies  In the last 2 weeks we personally have dealt with an earthquake, a potential hurricane, illness and more. Just be prepared, it really could do your family well..

Dwelling on the past doesn't do any good, but remembering does wonders. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone touched by 9/11 and from where I sit, that was all of us.

BTW: Happy Birthday D. We love you.