Over the last few years, citizens from all over the world have experienced various forms of disaster - hurricanes, typhoons, earthquakes, strong storms, tsunami's, etc. - proving that disaster can hit just about anywhere, anytime. Even where I live in the mid-Atlantic of the United States, we have had flooding, strong thunderstorms that knocked out power, ice storms where we had no electricity for five plus days, a two-year drought that affected food availability and prices - not to mention a period where gas stations had no gas which scared the wits out of everyone. All of a sudden, many people for the first time felt vulnerable about the reliability of the infrastructure.
When you start factoring in other issues of the day - such as a political environment that is dividing the USA - one must start considering how all of these might play out in the future. In America, there has never been any question that the government would protect its citizens from danger, an be there whenever there were people who needed help. The government's response to hurricane Katrina (or the lack thereof) was an early warning sign that things were changing and that people should start thinking about being better prepared to protect themselves if faced with a disaster. But even with all of that to consider, many Americans today are very concerned with the economic condition of our country and the very real possibility that the recession is in fact becoming much, much worse. Unemployment continues to rise, millions of Americans are having trouble paying their bills and making their mortgage payment, the value of the US Dollar is plummeting and business investment has all but disappeared. The result is a very fragile economic system that some believe is teetering on the brink of crashing.
Today, more and more people are starting to realize that the food system they have relied on for their whole life is in danger. There are any number of things that cause the food supply chain to break - escalating cost of energy, a fragile oil and gas system that is dependent of foreign countries, food-producing companies that could collapse and a host of other potential problem areas.
It is time to accept that you must start making plans to protect your family. Many people start by stocking up on long term supply. Others start smaller by buying or assembling a 72-hour survival kit that will get them through the first few days of a catastrophic even. It is a very good idea (and common sense) to have an emergency kit in your home just in case. As with anything else, it never hurts to be prepared. There are also some other basic ways to begin your emergency preparation, but remember food and water are the first priority.
Water - You need to plan on having at least 16 ounces of water a day - per person. You can purchase gallons of water at Wal-Mart or Costco, and as long as they are unopened, you should be able to get a long shelf life. Another thing you can do to make the bottled water last longer is to get a supply of water purification tablets.
Food - There are many options here, depending on your budget, your storage capabilities and how far in advance you want to plan. The best long term option is freeze dried or dehydrated food. You can also purchase emergency food bars that have a long shelf live. Another option is just to purchase extra canned food and boxes of rice and pasta when you shop at the grocery store. But these products have a much shorter shelf life, so you will have to plan on rotating your stock on a consistent basis.
Communications - If there is a loss of power, you will quickly lose your ability to communicate with the outside world. The best option is a hand crank or solar powered radio such as the Dynamo Solar Radio, which will allow you to stay updated via AM, FM and shortwave radio. You should also consider some two-way radio's to communicate with your neighbors.
Light - When the power is lost, you will need some way to generate. Again, a good option is a crank radio, or one that can be activated by shaking. Battery-powered flashlights will only get you so far, so it's important to have other light sources. You can also consider long-burning candles that provide up to 100 hours of light.
Pets - Don't forget about "man's best friend", including food, water and basic first aid for them as well.
First aid - Don't overlook this important part of your emergency plan. If there is a catastrophe, there is a real good chance that there could be injuries that need to be managed. You can purchase these in an emergency first-aid kit that will include the most important ingredients - a good selection of bandages, disinfectant, sunscreen, burn cream, scissors, safety pins, antibiotic ointment, some mild pain killers, an emergency supply of any critical prescription medications for any family member and some finger splints.
Warmth and shelter - Keep access to blankets, sleeping bags and other heavy clothes within easy reach in case you need to grab them quickly. You should also consider some rainwear.
Personal products - Don't forget about personal products such as toilet paper, tissues, toothpaste and a brush, soap, shampoo, dental floss, lotion, deodorant, a razor, washcloth, comb and women's sanitary products.
Tools - There are any number of tools that you should consider, but the best place to start is a multifunction knife. Another key item to include are dust masks in case there are environment issues to be concerned with.
It is almost impossible to do this all at once. That's why it is very important to start with the basic items and start adding as you can. If you have the budget and the ability to store larger quantities, the best and most economical way is to purchase large quantities up front. Freeze dried food has a very long shelf life (25 years) so making a purchase ensures that your family will be protected for years to come. Think about it is an insurance policy to make sure you and your family are safe.
If you are even remotely observing all the bad economic and political issues of today, you might be wondering how our country can survive. Record job losses, rising energy prices, deficit spending, inflation - and this is just the tip of the iceberg! If these trends continue, many more millions Americans will be out of work, creating a downward economic spiral The result could be civil unrest and chaos. You need to be prepared, so please visit Emergency Supplies and Food. Also, one of our featured products is the solar powered Dynamo disaster radio.
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