Have you made preparation for emergencies that may come your way? What kind of emergencies might you possibly encounter? A power outage? A flood? An earthquake? A hurricane? A tornado? A fire? Being snowed in or “iced in”? An air quality lockdown? Contaminated water? A supply chain shortage?

A couple of winters ago our area had some snow, followed by much freezing rain. We were without power for two weeks. No television, no internet, no lights other than by battery, no refrigeration, no driving anywhere or going for a walk, and worst of all—no electricity to turn on the furnace. Thankfully, we had a small generator with which we could turn on the furnace and the stove. We just turned it on now and then, to conserve fuel. Our little battery-operated radio became a welcome friend. We took our food out of the refrigerator and freezer and put it in coolers in the back yard, We couldn’t get out to get ice, but we broke up sheets of ice that had formed on top of the snow and put it in the coolers. After that incident, we acquired a little bigger generator that could also keep our refrigerator and freezer cold.

Strangely enough, as I began working on this article, emergency weather conditions again confronted us. Cold weather, rain, and windy conditions began bringing down trees in our area. A huge, tall evergreen tree across the street from us fell, damaging the front corner of the house, a camper parked in the front of the house, and one side of the home next door. Thankfully, although one person was injured, none were killed. The news told us that about 350 trees had fallen in this region. The windy conditions were followed by several days of snow and freezing rain, making it very difficult to go anywhere, either by vehicle or on foot. Now that I have researched this subject, I can see some things I need to do to improve my preparation. The world seems to be growing more unstable, with officials talking of threats to our electrical grid, water supplies, etc. It appears we should be making emergency preparation much more of a priority.

If you’re not certain you’re as prepared as you should be, or if you’re not prepared at all, I hope you will take time to read through this and consider what you should do. I also hope you might share it with friends and family who may not be prepared. We need the vast majority to be ready for emergencies. If only a few are prepared, they won’t be able to help masses of unprepared people. We will probably never do it perfectly, but that’s okay. This article, though fairly long, isn’t the final word on all emergency preparedness. You may wish to research some aspects in depth on your own. I have tried to do a lot of the research work for you. The information I have gathered is somewhat scattered on the internet.

Have a Plan

The first thing you can do to prepare is to fill out a helpful form made by the American Red Cross. It will help you think through evacuation plans, have contact information for someone you could all contact outside your area if you cannot communicate with each other for some reason, have a meeting place outside your area, etc.

It is a PDF called the “Family Disaster Plan” found on the redcross.org website. Also, the redcross.org website has an article, called “Contact Loved Ones,” to help you get in touch with your loved ones. The disasterassistance.gov website has an article, called “Emergency Shelter,” to help you avoid the last resort of fleeing to the wilderness, if possible,

Our generator has been a lifesaver for us. If you don’t have one, you might want to see if you can fit one into your budget. You might be very glad you did. Be sure you have some fuel on hand. If you have the funds, you can even get a generator that hooks up to automatically kick in when the power goes out.

Go Bags 

The next thing you can do is prepare a “Go Bag” for each member of the family and a “Bug-Out Bag” for the entire family. Go Bags and Bug-Out Bags are designed mainly for evacuation situations. Though some sources may differ, Go Bags generally seem to be for short-term provisions for each individual in the family. Bug-Out Bags seem to be more extensive supplies for about 3 days, to be used by the entire family. Perhaps a child will be evacuated from a school or daycare, or an adult may encounter a 12-hour traffic jam on the freeway. Go Bags could be helpful in these situations and also in conjunction with the Bug-Out Bag. Go Bags and Bug-Out Bags should be left in easily accessible locations. A laundry hamper by the back door may work.

Since schools seem to be getting away from sending books home with the kids and are sending homework sheets instead, perhaps these items could be placed in pouches in their school or daycare backpacks. A diaper bag could accommodate a “Go Bag” for a baby. Go Bags for babies and preschoolers should somehow show that the supplies in the Go Bags are to be saved for emergencies. Each family member’s Go Bag will be needed for the longer emergencies, but they will be supplemented by the Bug-Out Bag.

If you evacuate in a hurry, be sure to grab a coat if it’s cold out.  And be sure you have your purse or wallet and your phone. If you should need to evacuate in icy conditions, falling will be a great hazard. You can order cleat attachments that fit over your shoes, to keep on hand for icy conditions. In the absence of cleats, some say that wearing heavy socks over your shoes can be helpful in gaining traction.

It could be very important to have personal emergency information with you if you must evacuate. To see a printable copy of a convenient form for your emergency information, CLICK HERE. (You may want to write it in pencil, in case some of the information changes. If you use pencil, you will probably need to adjust the darkness if you make a photocopy.)

“Go Bags” for each member of the family might contain the following:

• Personal emergency information in zip-lock bag
• Bottle of water
• Snack
• Foil emergency blanket
• Emergency rain poncho
• Mask for dust or smoke
• Bandana handkerchief
• Gloves
• Small flashlight
• Tissue pack
• Individual hand wipes
• Comb
• Covered toothbrush and dental floss
• Clean underwear, socks, pants, 2 shirts to layer
• Shoes adequate for walking (in case wearing something like flip-flops)
• Extra pair of glasses
• Washcloth in zip-lock bag
• Hand towel
• 3 medium plastic bags
• 3 days medications, including potassium iodide, in child-proof container well marked with meds, doses, and descriptions of appearance
• Feminine Hygiene Products for woman’s Go Bag
• Phone charger

A “Go Bag” inside a Diaper Bag might contain these items:

• Personal emergency information inside zip-lock bag
• Diapers for 3 days, Baby Wipes
• Change of clothes
• Blanket, Burp Cloth
• 3 medium plastic bags
• Formula and water for 3 days
• Bottle, Pacifier, Teething Ring
• Washcloth in a zip-lock bag
• Hand Towel
• Baby Carrier Sling
• Diaper rash medicine.
• Baby pain medicine
• Teething medicine
• Prescription medication and potassium iodide in a well-marked childproof container,

Bug-Out Bags

In my opinion, it’s best to decide what is most crucial for your Bug-Out Bag, to keep your backpack from being too burdensome. It may need to accommodate the personal Go Bag items of the person carrying the Bug-Out Bag, as well as the Bug-Out Bag items. Though some carry food such as canned goods, it seems to me best to think of the food as survival food, rather than imagining eating as you normally would. It is said that having items for shelter and comfort is more important than having lots of food. The strongest person in the family should carry the Bug-Out Bag. Or perhaps the strongest people could take turns, if they have a similar build that will allow the backpack to fit both.  If you are unable to carry a backpack, perhaps you could put your supplies in something like what is called a “shopping trolley,” one with good wheels and a firm handle. That could also work for carrying a diaper bag in addition to your own Go Bag.

It is possible to purchase pre-packed Bug-Out Bags, but you would need to be sure they have the items that suit your needs. I found a very helpful article about choosing a backpack for your Bug-Out Bag in an article called “Best bug out bag survival backpack” on theprepared.com website. It says that in choosing a backpack you should choose one that will suit the person carrying it. Try to visualize the items you will be carrying in it, to make sure it has adequate capacity. Backpack capacities are often described by the number of liters they would hold. A Bug-Out Bag would usually need a capacity of about 40 to 55 liters. The equivalent to that would be 2,450 to 3,350 cubic inches. (To calculate cubic inches, multiply length times width times depth.) If the bag is at least 40 liters (or 2,450 cubic inches), it should have a hip belt as well as padded shoulder straps. Your hips need to help carry the weight. Hip belts also provide stability. It needs to be water-resistant or waterproof. (I suppose if it weren’t, it may be possible to use a spray to make it waterproof.) Mesh backing or padded panels that allow air to circulate between the pack and your back are good. Adjustability of the straps is important for a good fit. The backpack should be stored in a cool, dry, pest-free place. You wouldn’t want it to become moldy or chewed up.

It is said that you should choose a mild technical style or mild tactical style, rather than extremes. A technical backpack is designed to accommodate and protect computer and other electronic devices. Tactical backpacks are inspired by the military, with heavy duty materials, multiple compartments, and webbing to attach other pouches and accessories in a stable way. (You may need carabiners or keyring holders to attach items.) Only one or two large compartments is not convenient. On the other hand, too many small, specialized compartments is not good. Multiple access openings is better than top load that demands taking everything out to get what you need. (It seems to me that it would be good to have a compartment in the Bug-Out Bag that is sufficient to separately carry the Go Bag items of the person carrying the Bug-Out Bag. Or perhaps some weighty Go Bag items could be placed in one of the compartments, and the Go Bag could be attached to webbing. You might want to think that through when packing your Bug-Out Bag.)

The helpful article I read stated that, as of 2023, backpacks with manufacturer prices under $70 may not be good enough quality. Usually a manufacturer price of at least $125 is needed. It also mentioned that companies that stand behind their products will have a website. I went looking for a Bug-Out Bag. My first stop gave me some sticker shock. I actually didn’t see any I was really impressed with. Some seemed to have too many compartments. Some had metal frames that, in themselves, I felt would add too much weight. At my next stop I saw a whole row of packs hanging on a high rack. Only one caught my eye as appearing to be possibly just what I wanted. I asked the clerk if he knew the capacity. He informed me it was a capacity of 50 liters. That would be perfect!

The clerk got a pole and took the backpack down for me. It had padded straps and a padded waist belt, which I thought to be similar enough to a hip belt. (Who knows how far down the hips of different people would be anyway?) It appeared to have the right number and sizes of compartments I felt would be good. It had webbing to attach other items. It had padded panels to allow air between the pack and your back. It had capacity for a 15” laptop (in case I ever decided to get one). That made it seem like a bit of a crossover between a tactical and technical backpack. It was called a “Maxtacs Mission 2.0 Backpack.” I found that Maxtacs did have a website. Another good sign. The price was below that marker of $125 that would probably be a minimum needed, but it was a little above the $70, under which you might be getting inferior quality. Being a bit of a cheapskate sometimes, that price tag had great appeal for me. Hopefully it will turn out to be just what we need. The zippers seemed pretty sturdy to me. If I’m wrong, I guess we will resort to safety pin repairs. I will try not to overstuff it.

Below are some items to consider including in a “Bug-Out Bag”:

• 3-day supply of water for the family
• Water filter straws, preferably ones that filter chemicals as well as bacteria (a wonderful invention)
• Zip-lock bag with protein bars, trail mix, granola bars, instant oatmeal, and coffee bags, tea bags, cocoa packets, drink powder
• Large jar for collecting rain water or spring water (Place food bag inside jar to save space in backpack)
• Small battery-operated lantern
• Small radio, battery-operated or hand crank (Does it need a screwdriver for the battery compartment?)
• Handheld battery-operated water spritzer fan (for very hot weather)
• Zip-lock bag with batteries
• Zip-lock bag with matches in waterproof container, along with cottonballs and petroleum jelly (great fire starters)
• Scissors, Pocket Knife, Pliers (or comparable Swiss Army Knife or Leatherman Multi-Tool), small lightweight axe, work gloves
• Zip-lock bag with small can opener, duct tape, safety pins, carabiners, compass, mirror to signal, whistle (to get attention of rescuers)
• 4 metal hangers to hang wet clothing
• 3 medium plastic bags
• 3 large plastic garbage bags to lay on wet ground
• Blanket
• 10×12 lightweight camping tarp, 250 feet paracord, 6 aluminum tent stakes with hooks, 6 adjustable aluminum tarp poles, OR a lightweight tent (Note: A tarp lean-to shelter close to a fire can provide warmth)
• Zip-lock bag with toilet paper
• Small folding shovel for human waste disposal

AND in a zip-lock bag:

• Duplicates of emergency information forms in Go Bags
• Addresses & phone numbers of close family and friends
• Paper maps of area and region
• Folding Pocket Guide, Edible Wild Plants
• Photocopies of birth certificates (or adoption or naturalization papers), marriage certificates, passports, visas, state department ID,
• Driver’s licenses, auto insurance policies, registrations, titles, powers of attorney, wills, house insurance policy, household inventory
• $100 cash in dollar bills and some quarters
• USB stick with important records and pictures
• Paper, Pencil, Pen
• Envelopes & stamps (in case the phone system isn’t working)
• Sturdy, oven-safe cooling rack for makeshift campfire cooking, aluminum foil, “tin can stove”
• A lightweight metal bowl and silverware for each member of the family in a lightweight saucepan with lid, in zip-lock bag
• Metal camping mugs (stackable, if possible) in zip-lock bag
• Paper napkins in zip-lock bag
• Dishrag in small zip-lock bag
• Medium-size collapsible plastic basin
• 2 bars of Ivory soap in small zip-lock bag
• Sunscreen, bug repellent
• Zip-lock bag with spray bottle containing one cup PLAIN Pine-Sol to one cup water and some rags to spray to repel bears, other pests
• Bear Spray, to spray at bear when attacking (works for mountain lions, too)
• Medications in a zip-lock bag (7 days worth of well-marked prescription medicines and potassium iodide for nuclear exposure, over-the-counter medications routinely taken, allergy medication such as Benadryl, pain reliever, antacid tablets, laxative, diarrhea medicine, guaifenesin to clear lungs or sinuses,)
• First aid supplies in zip-lock bag (Folding pocket guide to first aid, gauze rolls, first aid tape, assorted band-aids, triple antibiotic ointment for small cuts, etc., small scissors, tweezers, small spray bottle to clean open wound with mild soapy water. disinfecting wipes, tourniquet, square cloth for arm sling, masks to protect from smoke)
• Extra diapers (including some cloth?), formula, water for baby
• Zip-lock bag with small Bible, bedtime story, deck of cards, Crazy 8 rules, coloring book, and crayons in a small zip-lock bag
• Food, water, leash, and “poop bags” for pet

Notice that I listed an item called a “tin can stove” for the Bug-Out Bag. It’s a very simple little invention by which you could heat some water (or soup, etc., if you had any). To find out how to make one, you could watch a video by a man named Berlon Burch called “DIY – Tin Can Survival Cook Stove.” It lasts less than three minutes.

Paracord, a recommended kind of rope, will ravel when cut. You can cut it with a hot knife and then melt the ends, or burn it in half with fire. You need to melt the ends to keep them from raveling.

Many tarp lean-to instructions depend on tying rope to trees. It’s not always easy to find trees just the right distance apart. I found a video by a very resourceful guy named Ted Baird, who demonstrates that you can make a tarp lean-to in almost any situation. It’s called “Easy Camping Tarp Shelter – No fancy knots, trees, or pegs.” It’s only 13 minutes and 49 seconds. For someone as ignorant as I on the subject of making shelters, it was very informative. Maybe you would find it helpful, especially if you are as ignorant as I.

Don’t forget to rotate water, snacks, medications, and batteries when needed. To make it easier, you could keep a list of items that need rotation and record their expiration dates in pencil. When you replace something, you can erase the old date and write in the new one. Don’t forget to change your emergency information if anything changes. You might want to use pencil, so you can change information easily, If using pencil, you would probably need to adjust the darkness of photocopies.

You should always try to keep your vehicle’s gas tank at least around half full, rather than driving until it’s almost empty. If you have an electric vehicle, don’t let the charge get down too far. If you need to evacuate, you may have to drive some distance and may be stuck in a traffic jam. And remember that some motor vehicles would be rendered useless in the event of an EMP (electro-magnetic pulse) attack. You may be able to throw your Go Bags and Bug-Out Bags in a vehicle and take off, or you may end up carrying them on foot.

For a printable copy of possible items to keep in your Go Bags and Bug-Out Bag, CLICK HERE.

Emergency Food Supplies

As for food supplies to keep in your home in the event of food shortages or the inability to go out and get food, due to some type of danger, some suggest only a seven-day supply, while others suggest a two-week, 30-day, or three-month supply. You must decide for yourself what you feel is wise. If you had a 30-day supply with an outlook of a longer inability to get a food supply, you might go into more of a survival mode to stretch the food supply for a longer amount of time.

You may want to have a bread recipe on paper available, if you don’t already. We can’t rely on getting recipes online in an emergency. I found a recipe for a “Sandwich Bread Without Yeast” at recipetineats.com. You may want to print it out or copy it. The question is, how will you bake bread if you don’t have power for your oven? See the “Cooking Without Power” section below.

One possibility to consider for storing up foods for emergencies is dehydrating foods. If you don’t have a dehydrator, you may want to check into getting one. You can use an oven instead of a dehydrator, but goodhousekeeping.com states that an oven has to use heat to dry foods, whereas a dehydrator draws moisture out with a lower temperature. In addition, consumer.org.nz warns that running an oven will probably cost notably more. According to webmd.com, dehydrated foods “have a higher calorie count by weight and can be high in sodium and sugar,” which might be good to bear in mind when consuming them. You may find some helpful tips in the article called “What is a Dehydrator, and Do You Really Need One?” at the goodhousekeeping.com website.

Buying commercially dried eggs is quite expensive. It’s possible to get information to dry eggs yourself, but I found mixed opinions online about the safety of the eggs. Might be a good reason to have chickens. You can purchase a powdered egg substitute for baking.

It’s not such a good idea to rely too much on frozen food, unless you have a reliable generator and ample fuel for it, in the event of a long-term power outage. If you do have a power outage, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible and use up your refrigerator and freezer food first.

If you have foods that have been damaged in a flood, you must be very careful of eating contaminated food. Also, you must sanitize all dishes and cookware. They also could be contaminated. There is helpful information about dealing with foods involved in a flood in an article called “Food Safety Before and After a Flood” on the cnr.msu.edu website.

For my own household’s everyday needs, I have a small pantry where I keep one or two of items frequently used. It prevents frequent

trips to the store. Whenever I add new items bought, I mark the “Best by” date with a felt pen where easily seen. This helps me not to go past the “Best by” date. Of course it isn’t suddenly unusable the day after that date, but the quality may begin to go down around that date. If you want to use items when they look and taste their very best, this will enable you to do that. You may have tasted stale crackers, peanuts, or cereal or rancid oil. An article called “What’s the Actual Difference Between ‘Use By’ and ‘Sell By’ Anyway?”  on the foodandwine.com website is helpful in understanding what all these date labels mean. (It warns that it’s probably best to throw out dairy products and fresh fruits and vegetables past their date, since they may have bacteria that could make you sick. It also recommends following the date on infant formula. They say using the “look and smell” test for other foods is always a good idea. I’m always very careful about fresh meats.) Whenever I use an item out of my pantry cupboard, I add it to my grocery list to replace it.

In addition to this little pantry, I have some emergency food set aside. If you are a home canner or dehydrator, you might be a little ahead of the game. If you want to begin to set aside some extra food, find a space in your home that works best for you. Shelves are best, to make it easy to use and replace items before they become too old. I also mark all these foods with a felt pen showing the “Best by” or “Use by” date. Then I have a list of the items, which shows the month and year of the date of each item. The list is in pencil, to easily erase old dates and write in new ones.   If you do this, about once a month you should check your list for items that will soon become outdated. Jot down a “Pull and Replace” list. If you can, put the items you pull somewhere where you can remember to use them up soon. Write the items on your grocery list, to replace the outdated items. (You could put a little code, such as “ES” for emergency supplies, on your grocery list. Then you will know they have to be placed in your emergency supplies after you write the date on them with a felt pen.) Don’t forget to erase the dates of the old items pulled and write the dates of the new items purchased to replace them. Perhaps you can come up with a different system that works well. You might think it’s a good idea to keep track on a computer, but remember you may be dealing with a power outage. I keep my list on a clipboard.

On my list of emergency supply foods, etc., are beverages, dry goods, basic ingredients, fruits and vegetables, soups and broths, meats, medicines, paper products, cleaning products, and grooming products. Grains and legumes (beans and peas) are supposed to be the best survival foods, so you many want to be sure to stock some rice and pasta and dried beans and peas. A few times I have had a few weevils in flour or pasta. It has only seemed to be in pasta packaged in cardboard or in flour, which is packaged in paper. I now only buy pasta packaged in plastic, and I put the bag of flour inside a plastic bag. It is said that weevils can chew through plastic, but I have not had trouble with that as yet. Keeping the flour in the freezer can be a solution, and they say bay leaves repel weevils. I haven’t worried about cycling things like laundry detergent or shampoo, although some sources claim they lose their effectiveness over time. They even claim that outdated shampoo can cause scalp problems. Never heard of that happening, but who knows? An article called “Drug Expiration Dates—Do They Mean Anything?” on the health.harvard.edu website provided some clarification. The expiration date usually only means the date when manufacturers can no longer guarantee full potency. But most drugs will still have 90% of their potency a decade or so later. There are some exceptions that do require following expiration dates carefully. Those exceptions are nitroglycerin, insulin, liquid antibiotics, and possibly tetracycline. Storing medications in a cool place can prolong their life. Heat can speed up their impotence. If you are in doubt, consult a pharmacist.

It takes a little extra thought when buying for emergency supplies. For instance, you must consider the size of your household. If you open a jug of juice, it may ferment before it can be used up if you have no refrigeration. If your household is small, it may be wise to stock up on juice boxes instead. Some items, such as canned fish or pasta, sometimes have a quite distant “Best by” date, which is convenient. (Some sources say you should limit tuna consumption to a couple of times a week, due to possible mercury content. The theory is: The bigger the fish, the higher up the food chain, and the higher the mercury content.) Some items have a relatively short shelf life, such as mayonnaise. If you buy too many items with close “Best by” or “Use by” dates, it may be difficult to use them up before they “expire.” Having more items with a distant “expiration date” will make it easier. If the list seems overwhelming, try to focus on basic necessities for survival.

To help you get started with your supplies, I will link a blank form you could use to help keep track of your supplies, if you like. You could delete or add items to customize the list for your own use. If you trim the pages diagonally just under the diagonal labels at the bottoms of the pages, you will be able to flip through the pages to find what you’re looking for more easily. To see a printable copy of the listing, CLICK HERE.

If all this food storage sounds too overwhelming for you, there is another option. There are companies that offer dehydrated survival food kits. Some are even supposed to last for 25 years. Of course you will need a supply of good water to rehydrate them.

A Supply of Pure Water

Water is an important consideration in the subject of emergency supplies. Impure water can be brought to a rolling boil for threeminutes to make it safe from bacteria. You can improve the flat taste of boiled water by adding a pinch of salt per quart or pouring the water back and forth to aerate it. According to the EPA website, if the water is cloudy you should let it settle and filter it with cloth or a coffee filter before boiling it. Another option is water purification tablets. You could also use household bleach with no additives to purify the water. (Be sure the bleach is still effective. As noted on my supplies list, they claim bleach loses its effectiveness in 6 months to a year, or less if left in heat or direct sunlight or the cap is not tightened. If you read the stamp on the bottle from left to right, you first find the letter and number that stands for the plant where is was produced, After that are two digits for the year it was produced, then three digits for how many days into that year it was produced.) See the epa.gov article called “Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water” for guidance on how many drops of bleach to use. Stir the bleach and water and let it stand for 30 minutes. In addition, there are water purification devices you can purchase. But these purification methods don’t remove chemical contamination.

According to freshwatersystems.com, chemical contamination can be removed by reverse osmosis, activated carbon, or ion exchange. These processes would not be easy for the ordinary person to do. That’s why in the event of a chemical spill, nuclear contamination, or some other means of water contamination, it’s very important to have bottled water on hand. Unfortunately, it has recently been revealed that much of the water we have thought was pure has been contaminated by plastic particles or other contaminants. I have suspected plastic contamination. I noticed that if I leave a little plastic bottle of water in my car on a hot day, the next day it has an odd taste. I end up discarding it.

I was unable to find an expiration date on one of my gallon jugs of water. That led me to research whether all bottled water shows an expiration date. The answer was that the water itself doesn’t really expire. The FDA doesn’t require an expiration date, but a two-year expiration date (two years for still water and one-year for sparkling water) is recommended because the plastic gradually leaches chemicals into the water. Water bottles should be stored in a cool, dark place because heat and light accelerate the leaching of chemicals. Also, you should not store water next to something like paint. The plastic water bottles are somewhat permeable. They say it’s  important to look for water that is bottled in BPA-free plastic, but frankly I had trouble finding any that showed that being the case. If I couldn’t find a “Best by” date, I just marked it with a “Best by” date of about a year-and-a-half from when I bought it, assuming it may have sat in a warehouse or on the shelf for a while. Hopefully the water bottles are sterile when they leave the factory. But if you open a sealed container and drink from it, contaminants you introduce can begin to multiply.

Fortunately, modern invention has come up with what is called “water filtration straws,” sometimes called “life straws,” that can be used over and over. You can find several brands online. The Membrane Solutions brand has a an upgraded 5-stage life straw that not only filters bacteria and parasites, but also pollution, odor, chlorine, organic chemicals, etc. It can be attached to a water bottle or soft water pouch. If you want to filter chemicals as well as bacteria and parasites, be sure you get the upgraded 5-stage type. It sounds like a great invention that I must try to get ahold of very soon.

Barring chemical or nuclear contamination in the air, you could collect rain water in buckets or a barrel. That water might be used for watering or laundry. However, it cannot be used for brushing teeth, doing laundry used in the kitchen, or watering plants you will eat. You would have to boil it for that, to get rid of possible bacteria. It might be used for bathing without boiling, but children might swallow some or get some in their mouths. In our area, you may only collect water that comes from a downspout from your roof. The barrels must follow certain requirements, and sometimes a permit is required.

Cooking Without Power

Then there is the question of how you would cook in the event of a power loss. If you have a barbecue with plenty of fuel for it, you could cook outside on it. If you have no barbecue, you may find a suitable small cooking device online. A cousin of mine tipped me off about a temporary emergency stove you can make using cinder blocks.  I found a version that uses 3 cinder blocks, 2 patio pavers, and 3 bricks. You can watch a brief video called “How to Build a Cinder Block Stove” that demonstrates how to make it.

If you want to bake, you will need an oven. You can find things to purchase, such as a combination oven and grill run on propane or a camping oven you can place on a camp stove or campfire. If you’re a “do-it-youselfer,” there are several videos showing how to make an oven out of a cardboard box. I found a 14-minute video called “Making A Cardboard Box Oven.” wherein May Ann Wilcox of “Mary Ann’s Cupboard” took the idea to a whole different level. The one thing I thought would make hers easier is to support the rack by empty pop cans, as shown in other videos. Getting pieces of 2×4 to wrap in foil might be inconvenient for some.

Preparing to Plant Food

My cousin also recommended keeping seeds on hand to make it possible to grow some food, in case a food shortage persists. During the World War I and World War II, people planted “Victory Gardens.” They planted food to make sure there was food for civilians and food to send to soldiers overseas. If you don’t have a place for a garden, perhaps there is a community garden near you. I’m not certain how well community gardens would work in an intense food shortage. It would remain to be seen whether others might steal produce. If you lack a potential garden space, you could also research container gardening.

Preparing for a Nuclear Attack

We all hope that the risk of retaliation will keep threats of nuclear attacks at bay. But maybe I would be negligent if I didn’t provide a little information as a precaution.

According to an article on the health.ny.gov website, you should take potassium iodide before (and after) a nuclear attack. It prevents your thyroid from absorbing some types of radiation. People with certain health conditions may need to avoid taking potassium iodide, so you should consult your doctor before an emergency occurs. The article states that reactions to it are possible but not common and usually not serious and that the federal government believes that the risks of not taking it outweigh the risks of taking it. The exception is persons with Iodine sensitivities, who may experience more severe problems. Newborns should be watched for temporary hyperthyroidism. The FDA recommends that newborn to one-month-old babies, women who are pregnant or lactating, and persons with iodine sensitivities should prioritize other means of protection. The article is called “Use of Potassium Iodide During Radiological Emergencies: Information for the Public.”

Below is a summary of some information provided on the health.ny.gov  website regarding the use of Potassium Iodide for nuclear exposure (revised April 2017).

Recommended dosages of Potassium Iodide:

• 18 years and over – 130 mg (2 ml if liquid)
• 12 to 18 years and over 150 lbs. – 130 mg (2 ml if liquid)
• 12 to 18 years and less than 150 lbs. – 65 mg (1 ml if liquid)
• 3 to 12 years – 65 mg (1 ml if liquid)
• 1 month to 3 years – 32 mg (0.5 ml if liquid)
• Birth to 1 month – 16 mg (0.25 ml if liquid)

When to take potassium iodide:

Take potassium iodide before an attack. If you were unable to take it beforehand, take it within 3 or 4 hours after the attack. Then take it every 24 hours until officials say it is no longer necessary. (According to the website, the risks of not taking it outweigh the risks of taking it.)

I bought some potassium iodide at a natural food store, Unfortunately, they contained only 150 micrograms, instead of 130 milligrams. Some tablets for radiation protection contain 130 milligrams, and some contain 65 milligrams, If you have the tablet form, you could use a pill splitter to make smaller dosages. For very young children, you can use a pill grinder to grind up part of a tablet and add some liquid to administer it. Very small zip-lock pill bags can be bought. Perhaps you could put a small ground-up dose in one of the small bags and mark it with a felt pen. Bear in mind that if your children are in a day care, workers may be instructed to give potassium iodide to the children when an attack is expected.

According to the redcross.org website, if you are at home when a nuclear attack is predicted, you should turn off fans, air conditioners, and forced air heating in your home. Close fireplace dampers.

If you have a basement, go there. Take your Go Bag and Bug-Out Bag with you.

The portal.ct.gov website states that, if possible, you should seal windows, doors, and air vents in the room where you plan to stay with 2 to 4-mil thick plastic sheeting and duct tape. (You could measure and cut the sheeting ahead of time and label each sheet. The sheeting should be at least 6 inches wider than the openings.) I haven’t seen any mention of having a portable camping toilet available. It seems to me it might be a very good idea, if there won’t be one available to the room in which you plan to stay. There are many kinds available for a reasonable price.

If you are driving or riding a bus when warned of an attack, get inside a building. Vehicles are not good protection.

Just Before a Nuclear Attack

I found some helpful information on the businessinsider.com website. If your area were about to be attacked, you should receive a Wireless Emergency Alert (“WEA”) on your cell phone, warning you to seek shelter. Alerts would also be sent via television and radio. Intercontinental ballistic missiles (“ICBMs”) might allow for about a 30-minute warning. If a weapon were launched from a submarine, targets might only receive a warning of about 10 to 15 minutes. (If you are able to take some potassium iodide and haven’t done so yet, this would be a good time.)

When seeking shelter in a building, avoid doorways and narrow hallways if you’re above ground. They can intensify shock waves. Look for large, open spaces with no windows. Below ground level is good.

Here is how you should protect your body just before the attack:

1. If you have a scarf or handkerchief, tie it over your nose and mouth.
2. Drop to the ground with your face down and your hands tucked under your body.
3. Keep your eyes down. (The light can temporarily blind people miles and miles away.)
4. Be sure to keep your mouth open to avoid having your eardrums burst.

Immediately After the Blast

You have about 10 or 15 minutes before sand-like nuclear particles (fallout) gets to the ground.

If unsheltered, look for shelter the opposite direction of fallen buildings and away from the wind. Schools or offices with few windows are best, but any shelter is better than none. The center of the building is better. Avoid top or ground level floors in multi-story buildings. (A newsweek.com article suggests that brick or concrete buildings are the safest and that standing in a corner of the room can help protect you from high-velocity nuclear winds. Subways can offer some protection.)

During the First 24 Hours After the Blast

If you did not take potassium iodide before the attack, take some within 4 hours after the attack (and then every day until authorities say it is no longer necessary). 

Listen to a battery-operated or hand- crank radio for helpful information. Your cell phone, TV, and internet probably will not operate. Stay inside for at least 24 hours, or until authorities say you can go outside. It takes about a week for all of the nuclear fallout to return to the ground, so it’s best to stay indoors for the first week. If you must go outside during the first week, cover your nose and mouth with a damp cloth and don’t expose any wounds.

If you were outdoors during the blast, shower as soon as possible. Cover cuts or abrasions while rinsing off, to avoid getting contamination inside the cuts and abrasions. Use warm water and apply soap very gently.. Don’t use conditioner, body lotion, or face cream, since they may trap radioactive particles. Blow your nose and wipe your ears and eyelids, where debris could get stuck. Place contaminated clothing and cloth or tissues used to wipe your body or face in a plastic bag.

Food Safety After a Nuclear Blast

You may consume food that is in sealed containers or in cupboards or the refrigerator. Wipe off counters, containers, cookware, and utensils. Foods left uncovered would not be safe to eat, including produce. When you are able to safely go outdoors, avoid open water supplies or produce that has been exposed to open air.

“Dirty Bombs”

An article called “Dirty Bombs” on the health.ny.gov website gives some insight into the nature and potential of dirty bombs. “Dirty bombs” are small bombs containing some radioactive material that are exploded by someone on the ground, with a purpose of terrorizing people. It usually only affects a couple blocks or so, depending on the weather. The biggest danger from a dirty bomb is the blast itself. It isn’t likely it would create enough radiation exposure to cause serious radiation sickness.

If you are close to a bomb blast possibly containing some radiation and you escape serious injury, move several blocks away and go indoors to reduce exposure to radioactive dust. If possible, remove your outer clothing and place it in a sealed plastic bag. Save it for testing. As soon as possible, take a shower with mild soap to remove dust and dirt that may be contaminated. (See “If you were outdoors during the blast. . .” three paragraphs above.)

Listen to radio or TV broadcasts for advice from emergency personnel and health officials.

It would be wise to have a paper copy of all the above information regarding radiation. You may not have access to the internet later, and you may not have time to look it up if an attack is expected. For a printable copy of the precautions for a nuclear attack, CLICK HERE.

One More Piece of Advice

Just one more thing. They say all family members should know how to shut off the utilities—gas, electricity, and water. I found guidance at the hillsdalenewspdx.com website. Disasters such as an earthquake or landslides could cause fires and explosions by broken gas lines or flooding by broken pipes. You may also want to turn off your water if your water supply may be contaminated. Gas line hazards may require shutting off the electricity.

If you think you may have a gas leak, don’t light a match, use a phone or other mobile device, turn on a switch, start a car, or even use a flashlight not approved for use with gas leaks. Know where your gas shut-off is, and have a special aluminum gas shut-off wrench hidden near the meter. The valve is open when it is parallel with the pipe. To turn it off, turn it 90 degrees either way with the wrench. (Don’t practice ahead of time in a non-emergency, because only the gas company can turn it back on.) If you smell a rotten egg smell, leave the house.

To turn off your electricity, go to your breaker box. (Always keep the path to your electrical box clear.) First flip the individual switches to the “off” position, then flip the main switch to “off.” (The main switch is usually a double switch.) An old home that has a fuse box will require pulling the main disconnect or pulling out the fuse block, in order to turn off power to the house. Screw individual fuses counterclockwise, in order to turn off individual circuits. Remember that, if you may have a gas leak, you shouldn’t use a regular flashlight to see inside the breaker box or fuse box. More research revealed that would you need a special “Class 1, Group 11A” flashlight in the presence of a possible gas leak.

To turn off municipal water, turn the lever perpendicular to the pipe. For a ground well, turn both valves clockwise until they won’t turn any more.

If you would like to print a copy of the above information about shutting off utilities, to keep handy somewhere in your house, CLICK HERE.

What Does the Bible Say?

If you are familiar with the Bible, you may be familiar with Proverbs 22:3 and Matthew 6:31-34. Proverbs 22:3 says, “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.” [NIV]

Matthew 6:31-34 says: “ ‘So do not worry, saying “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.’ ” [NIV]

Are these two passages compatible? I believe they are. Oxford Languages says that “worry” is to “give way to anxiety; allow one’s mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles.” We can wisely and calmly prepare for emergencies. In Matthew 6, the passage mentions that God feeds the birds of the air and clothes the lilies of the field. But, unlike birds and flowers, we were made in God’s image. God provides the raw materials and gives us the ability to create what is required to fulfill our needs. We can do what seems prudent to prepare for emergencies and trust God to help us if it turns out that our preparations were not sufficient. Being prepared can help us to focus on other important things, knowing that we have taken steps to be prepared. In Proverbs 31:21 the woman symbolizing wisdom “has no fear for her household” when the snows come because “all of them are clothed in scarlet.” According to the gospelcoalition.com website, the word for scarlet that was used in verse 21 also means “double thickness.” She had wisely made sure her family was prepared for winter.