No, I am not English, but I do celebrate Guy Fox Day (November 5) to some degree. Every Fourth of July and Guy Fox Day, I read the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution. These are two very important documents that every American should be familiar with. This is a tradition I thought about after 9/11, and started after the US invaded Iraq. I read these two documents, pausing from time to time to think about how certain parts affect Americans as a whole and myself as an individual. When I have kids, this is one tradition that I will pass on to them.
I challenge everyone to read the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution at least once a year.
November 4, 2009
October 16, 2009
Reuse to save on your preps
There are lots of ways you can save money on your preps by reusing items. I clean and reuse 2 liter bottles to store water. I save any kind of sturdy, resealable bags (from dogs or cat treats, individual servings of freeze dried food, etc.) to use place smelling things in while my family and I have to say in the fallout shelter. These bags are great for dog, cat, or chicken poo. I also save old socks. I wear my socks until they have holes too big to be comfortable, then I wash them, and put them in a sterilized bag. Socks can be used to help stop bleeding from gunshot, knife, or other wounds that may bleed a lot. I usually buy my coffee in bags, but from time to time I buy it in a can. The metal cans can be used to store small electronics (to help shield them from an EMP) or screws, nails, pencils, and a number of other things. The plastic cans are great as pots for growing a small vegetable or herb. I have grown tomatoes, peppers, and carrots in these plastic cans (without the lid on). Some of the plastic cans I fill with potting soil, put the lid on, and store it. This way, I can start growing vegetables in the fallout shelter without having to wait for the soil out side to be radiation free before planting the seed.
I'm sure there are many other things around our homes that can be reused for preps. Before throwing something away, ask yourself, "Is there any way I can reuse this?"
I'm sure there are many other things around our homes that can be reused for preps. Before throwing something away, ask yourself, "Is there any way I can reuse this?"
October 5, 2009
How to prepare for the future
I've shared about how to prepare for a nuclear event, and I think everyone who has a job needs to find at least $5 a pay period to use to buy preps. These preps could help you out of a financial bind - if your hours are cut, it's nice not to have to worry about buying as much food for a while. But that's the extent of their ability to help you. Everyone who has a job should also save at least $5 a pay period in some sort of savings account. If you loose your job, your preps will help keep you from starving, etc, but they will not pay your mortgage or rent, electricity, or water bills.
I have a CD that has the interest rolling back into it, and a savings account. I try to put $100 into my savings by my birthday each year. When my CD comes up for renewal, if I have more than $1000 in my savings, I take out the extra money and add it to my CD. My ultimate goal is to earn enough in interest that I can pay all of my bills and only work 1 or 2 days a week. This may not happen for another 20 years, but it is my goal.
I have a CD that has the interest rolling back into it, and a savings account. I try to put $100 into my savings by my birthday each year. When my CD comes up for renewal, if I have more than $1000 in my savings, I take out the extra money and add it to my CD. My ultimate goal is to earn enough in interest that I can pay all of my bills and only work 1 or 2 days a week. This may not happen for another 20 years, but it is my goal.
September 23, 2009
Nuclear Drills
How will you know if you are truly prepared for a nuclear event? Practice. Schools, businesses, and families have fire drills and tornado/hurricane drills, so why not have a nuclear drill?
Once the basics of your fallout shelter are laid out, (who's sleeping where, at least a few weeks worth of supplies are stored, etc.) you are ready for the drill. If you are serious about preparing, then you probably keep tabs on the news. You know when tensions are high between nuclear armed countries. This will give you a heads up: you can double check that supplies are in date, buy a few extra supplies (don't go broke buying supplies in case there is no nuclear event), and you can move some extra things into the fallout shelter. I have a small generator that is portable and solar powered. If a nuclear event seemed likely, I would move this into my fallout shelter in a metal trash can to try to protect it from EMP. I would also put my laptop, all rechargeable batteries and charges, and any other small electrical devices I might need later. I would also move may dogs, cats, and chickens into their cages in the fallout shelter. All of this will make going to the fallout shelter, whether a drill or not, easier and less stressful for everyone.
Everyone should have a bag filled with extra clothes and an extra pair of shoes (if you have kids, make sure the clothes and shoes are a size or two too big, so they won't outgrow the clothes before they can use them). Once a drill is called, everyone should grab their bags and anything else they are responsible for taking to the shelter (older children and adults can take the rest of the guns and ammo, younger children can take a small bag filled with snacks or entertainment, for example). Some drills may only be about getting to the shelter, while others should be about living in the shelter. From time to time, spend a day or two in the shelter doing everything like you would if there had been a nuclear incident. It is important you do everything like you would if you have to stay inside the shelter. Use the bathroom, bathe, cook meals, entertain yourselves, be on guard, everything just like you would have to do during a real event. Also, make sure everyone practices light and noise conservation. During a real event, you wouldn't want the wrong people to know you survived because they heard you laughing or saw some light coming through the window.
Don't scare your kids, but make sure they understand how important it is. Kids are taught how important fire drills and tornado/hurricane drills are, so teach them how important nuke drills are. Have a plan for picking them up from school if it looked like an event was about to happen, and tell them your plan so they won't worry. Make sure you kids know that you will always do your very best to keep them safe.
Once the basics of your fallout shelter are laid out, (who's sleeping where, at least a few weeks worth of supplies are stored, etc.) you are ready for the drill. If you are serious about preparing, then you probably keep tabs on the news. You know when tensions are high between nuclear armed countries. This will give you a heads up: you can double check that supplies are in date, buy a few extra supplies (don't go broke buying supplies in case there is no nuclear event), and you can move some extra things into the fallout shelter. I have a small generator that is portable and solar powered. If a nuclear event seemed likely, I would move this into my fallout shelter in a metal trash can to try to protect it from EMP. I would also put my laptop, all rechargeable batteries and charges, and any other small electrical devices I might need later. I would also move may dogs, cats, and chickens into their cages in the fallout shelter. All of this will make going to the fallout shelter, whether a drill or not, easier and less stressful for everyone.
Everyone should have a bag filled with extra clothes and an extra pair of shoes (if you have kids, make sure the clothes and shoes are a size or two too big, so they won't outgrow the clothes before they can use them). Once a drill is called, everyone should grab their bags and anything else they are responsible for taking to the shelter (older children and adults can take the rest of the guns and ammo, younger children can take a small bag filled with snacks or entertainment, for example). Some drills may only be about getting to the shelter, while others should be about living in the shelter. From time to time, spend a day or two in the shelter doing everything like you would if there had been a nuclear incident. It is important you do everything like you would if you have to stay inside the shelter. Use the bathroom, bathe, cook meals, entertain yourselves, be on guard, everything just like you would have to do during a real event. Also, make sure everyone practices light and noise conservation. During a real event, you wouldn't want the wrong people to know you survived because they heard you laughing or saw some light coming through the window.
Don't scare your kids, but make sure they understand how important it is. Kids are taught how important fire drills and tornado/hurricane drills are, so teach them how important nuke drills are. Have a plan for picking them up from school if it looked like an event was about to happen, and tell them your plan so they won't worry. Make sure you kids know that you will always do your very best to keep them safe.
September 2, 2009
Lunch During Long Emergencies
Lunch can be an important part of the day, especially during long emergencies when you may be working 12-14 hours a day repairing your home, tending a garden, or any number of other things. Taking a 30 minute break to eat lunch will be a welcome relief. But what's the best way to make a healthy, filling lunch when the power may be out and cooking fuel may be limited?
I like to make roman noodles and a vegie for lunch. Take a can of vegetables (I think corn or peas work best), empty into a pot and add 2 or 3 cans of water to the pot. Add noodles and cook for 5-15 minutes (depending on how high the cooking temperature is). Let it cool for a few minutes, then enjoy. Make sure you also eat the liquid because some of the vitamins from the vegetables will be in there.
I like to make roman noodles and a vegie for lunch. Take a can of vegetables (I think corn or peas work best), empty into a pot and add 2 or 3 cans of water to the pot. Add noodles and cook for 5-15 minutes (depending on how high the cooking temperature is). Let it cool for a few minutes, then enjoy. Make sure you also eat the liquid because some of the vitamins from the vegetables will be in there.
August 21, 2009
Physical Fitness
I'm one of millions of Americans who is over weight and out of shape; but those days are numbered. Being in shape can be very important after a nuclear event. Healthy people heal faster, which will be very important when it may be nearly impossible to go to a doctor for serious illness. Many of the physical things you may be required to do are similar to the things many military personnel have to do: carry an injured person to safety, remove rubble, did latrines, be on guard duty, etc. Plus, once the radiation is at a safe level, you will probably have to plant a far sized garden and really care for it.
With these things in mind, maintaining a healthy body and mind is very important. A few extra pounds won't kill ya, but when you're 10 or more pounds over weight, it make things harder on your body. More important than the weight thing, I think, is being in shape. If you can run a 10-minute mile, walk or jog for an hour or two straight, and do some sort of weight lifting (even if it's low weights, but high reps), I think you will much better prepared for a future with a lot of hard work. Plus, you'll probably feel better overall.
With these things in mind, maintaining a healthy body and mind is very important. A few extra pounds won't kill ya, but when you're 10 or more pounds over weight, it make things harder on your body. More important than the weight thing, I think, is being in shape. If you can run a 10-minute mile, walk or jog for an hour or two straight, and do some sort of weight lifting (even if it's low weights, but high reps), I think you will much better prepared for a future with a lot of hard work. Plus, you'll probably feel better overall.
August 15, 2009
Guard Duty
One thing a lot of people probably haven't thought about needing is guard duty. Right now, if someone tries to hurt you or your family, or tries to steal from you, you can call the cops. But what about after a nuclear event? If you live in a highly populated area (that wasn't destroyed) the cops will be there to control mobs, but will be short staffed to handle individual problems. If you live in a rural area, there probably won't be any cops around at all.
So what do you do? Buy a few guns to hunt with (wait a few months before hunting any animals), and a few for protection. I have 4 hand guns and a .22 rifle, and I only use 3 kinds of ammo for these guns. Eventually, I would like to get a 20 gauge shotgun for protection, but that's a few hundred dollars I don't have right now. Try to get guns that take the same ammo. If you only need 4 kinds of ammo, you're less likely to grab the wrong box of ammo when you're in a hurry to reload. And have a lot of ammo. I'm not saying have an entire room full, but have plenty. After a nuclear event, you may not be able to buy ammo for a few years. And hide most of it well. If soldiers move through your area, they may be given permission to search and take ammo for themselves or to help keep the peace. Hide a few guns, too.
My situation isn't perfect, because only 2 adults are capable of guard duty. We would only need 1 at night, but 2 during the day when our mom would be caring for animals and gardening. My brother and I would have to rotate the 12 and 24-hour shifts. And yes, it will be exhausting. The best thing you can do is prepare yourself. Practice being on guard duty. Sit where ever you might sit on guard duty and be vigilant for however many hours you would have to be after a nuclear event.
My best solution is to move out of my small town. There is a house just outside of my town that I know will be for sale in the next 5 years. It has 9 acres (7 of them grass, 2 woods) and a large house with a large basement that sits quite a ways back from the road. Saving money to buy this house is as big of an issue as stocking up on supplies.
So what do you do? Buy a few guns to hunt with (wait a few months before hunting any animals), and a few for protection. I have 4 hand guns and a .22 rifle, and I only use 3 kinds of ammo for these guns. Eventually, I would like to get a 20 gauge shotgun for protection, but that's a few hundred dollars I don't have right now. Try to get guns that take the same ammo. If you only need 4 kinds of ammo, you're less likely to grab the wrong box of ammo when you're in a hurry to reload. And have a lot of ammo. I'm not saying have an entire room full, but have plenty. After a nuclear event, you may not be able to buy ammo for a few years. And hide most of it well. If soldiers move through your area, they may be given permission to search and take ammo for themselves or to help keep the peace. Hide a few guns, too.
My situation isn't perfect, because only 2 adults are capable of guard duty. We would only need 1 at night, but 2 during the day when our mom would be caring for animals and gardening. My brother and I would have to rotate the 12 and 24-hour shifts. And yes, it will be exhausting. The best thing you can do is prepare yourself. Practice being on guard duty. Sit where ever you might sit on guard duty and be vigilant for however many hours you would have to be after a nuclear event.
My best solution is to move out of my small town. There is a house just outside of my town that I know will be for sale in the next 5 years. It has 9 acres (7 of them grass, 2 woods) and a large house with a large basement that sits quite a ways back from the road. Saving money to buy this house is as big of an issue as stocking up on supplies.
August 11, 2009
Who Needs to Prepare?
Some people think, "Why should I prepare? If something happens, I can stock up then." This is not the case. For example, I live in a part of the country that gets snow usually a dozen times or so every winter. Still, every time snow is predicted, most of the people in the area are rushing to the stores to stock up. By evening, there are a lot of empty shelves in the stores. And that's just when 2 or 3 inches are expected! Can you imagine if a blizzard was expected? If a nuclear event was a serious possibility, I can't even imagine what the stores would look like.
I used to make $10.95 an hour as a manager in the food service industry, but I recently left this job because three years was too long at that stressful place. Now, I am an overnight stocker at a Wal-Mart (where I work fewer hours for less pay), and I can tell you, stores don't have a whole lot of stuff on hand. From one night to the next, I see how much of the food has been bought, how much is still on the shelves, and how much is in the backroom. There is probably enough to service normal shopping needs for 3 or 4 days without another truck. Except for water. I cannot believe how much bottled water sells each day, and that's without an emergencies! Unprepared people who panic at the possibility of a nuclear event could completely empty the store (which is a Supercenter) in a 24 hour period.
So, please, heed my warning. Even if you don't have much money (like I don't now) you can still prepare. Buy 1 extra can of something you buy each week. If you drink soda, buy 2-liters and reuse them to store water. Buy 1 extra of non-perishables: when you buy soap, toothpaste, shampoo, etc. buy an extra. It may take a long time, but any step toward being prepared is a step in the right direction.
I used to make $10.95 an hour as a manager in the food service industry, but I recently left this job because three years was too long at that stressful place. Now, I am an overnight stocker at a Wal-Mart (where I work fewer hours for less pay), and I can tell you, stores don't have a whole lot of stuff on hand. From one night to the next, I see how much of the food has been bought, how much is still on the shelves, and how much is in the backroom. There is probably enough to service normal shopping needs for 3 or 4 days without another truck. Except for water. I cannot believe how much bottled water sells each day, and that's without an emergencies! Unprepared people who panic at the possibility of a nuclear event could completely empty the store (which is a Supercenter) in a 24 hour period.
So, please, heed my warning. Even if you don't have much money (like I don't now) you can still prepare. Buy 1 extra can of something you buy each week. If you drink soda, buy 2-liters and reuse them to store water. Buy 1 extra of non-perishables: when you buy soap, toothpaste, shampoo, etc. buy an extra. It may take a long time, but any step toward being prepared is a step in the right direction.
July 30, 2009
Book Review
On the first of each month, I am planning on having a book review covering books that could be needed for survival during and after a nuclear event, as well as fiction books about surviving a nuclear event.
This month, the book that I read was The Survivalist by Jerry Ahern. Overall, I give this book 7 out of 10 for entertainment, and a 6 out of 10 for information and ideas.
The main character, John Rourke, is a little unbelievable. He is an expert in weapons, and different kinds of survival (which is believable), but the things he does are not very believable. Toward the beginning of the book, there is a gun fight that is several pages long; Rourke never gets hurt, and every shot he takes hits its mark no matter how many dives, flips, spins, or whatever he does.
John Rourke's wife, Sarah, is more down to earth and believable. She doesn't believe his end of the world predictions, and is often frustrated by his preps (which I'm sure most of us can relate to). Ahern also writes Sarah as the sterotypical "weak" woman, who at one point cries into her young son's shoulder, letting him comfort her instead of her comforting him.
Overall, I like the book. It says 80% of the American population doesn't survive a large scale nuclear event, which is probably close to the truth. There are a few things in the book that are good advice. The book does have good story line, but overall is way too Bondish for my tastes.
I think every prepper should read this book, because it will make you think about a lot of things that could happen or that you will need that you may not have thought about.
This month, the book that I read was The Survivalist by Jerry Ahern. Overall, I give this book 7 out of 10 for entertainment, and a 6 out of 10 for information and ideas.
The main character, John Rourke, is a little unbelievable. He is an expert in weapons, and different kinds of survival (which is believable), but the things he does are not very believable. Toward the beginning of the book, there is a gun fight that is several pages long; Rourke never gets hurt, and every shot he takes hits its mark no matter how many dives, flips, spins, or whatever he does.
John Rourke's wife, Sarah, is more down to earth and believable. She doesn't believe his end of the world predictions, and is often frustrated by his preps (which I'm sure most of us can relate to). Ahern also writes Sarah as the sterotypical "weak" woman, who at one point cries into her young son's shoulder, letting him comfort her instead of her comforting him.
Overall, I like the book. It says 80% of the American population doesn't survive a large scale nuclear event, which is probably close to the truth. There are a few things in the book that are good advice. The book does have good story line, but overall is way too Bondish for my tastes.
I think every prepper should read this book, because it will make you think about a lot of things that could happen or that you will need that you may not have thought about.
July 18, 2009
Literature after a Nuclear Event
I've talked before about entertainment, and books were one of the options mentioned. But books can be so much more than entertainment. I remember reading To Kill A Mockingbird when I was in grade 10. It was a powerful book, and had I read it when I was Scout's age, it would have had an even deeper impact on my life. I didn't read Lord of the Flies until after I graduated college, but had I read it in junior high, I would have been deeply impacted.
My point is, if you are a reader, like my family and I are, then that is something you can contribute to a post nuclear event world. Okay, so the chances of every copy of Huck Finn in the US being destroyed except yours in unlikely. But what if your copy is the only copy to have survived within 50 miles? You may not want to lend the book out, but if you stocked piled paper and pencils or pens, you could copy the book and it could be used in a small classroom. Schools and libraries will be at the bottom of the governments list of things to do (which is understandable), but after a few months, kids will need to have the routine of school back in their lives. Once everyday isn't a struggle to survive, a lot of adults will appreciate being able to relax for an hour and read a good book.
You shouldn't collect just any books for this. Collect the classics that people can enjoy reading (the Greek classics are not relaxing when you've spent most of the day farming, sowing, hunting, etc). Also try collecting some good mysteries, science fiction (although you may want to stay away from "end of the world" plots), and maybe some romance and westerns. You may want to have a collection a children's books for different ages (reading to a child does wonders to calm them down).
I also collect different military manuels. Books about training, survival, and defence could also be very important. One of the things I plan on doing is collecting science books that explain how to make wind and water turbines, solar panels, and other things that may need to be made after an Event.
You may want to buy math, history, and general science books to keep in case you need to home school your children, or the locals form a small school for their kids. It is important that kids keep learning; it will make their life seem more normal and they won't be as far behind once the schools are running again.
Even if you choose not to interact with people outside your family circle, having your junior high and high school age kids copy the books you've put in your collection can be a good learning exercise. Have them copy so many pages each day, then once they've copied the whole book, have them give an oral book report. If you have a chalk board or painted a wall with chalk paint, you can have your kids practice math problems.
My point is, if you are a reader, like my family and I are, then that is something you can contribute to a post nuclear event world. Okay, so the chances of every copy of Huck Finn in the US being destroyed except yours in unlikely. But what if your copy is the only copy to have survived within 50 miles? You may not want to lend the book out, but if you stocked piled paper and pencils or pens, you could copy the book and it could be used in a small classroom. Schools and libraries will be at the bottom of the governments list of things to do (which is understandable), but after a few months, kids will need to have the routine of school back in their lives. Once everyday isn't a struggle to survive, a lot of adults will appreciate being able to relax for an hour and read a good book.
You shouldn't collect just any books for this. Collect the classics that people can enjoy reading (the Greek classics are not relaxing when you've spent most of the day farming, sowing, hunting, etc). Also try collecting some good mysteries, science fiction (although you may want to stay away from "end of the world" plots), and maybe some romance and westerns. You may want to have a collection a children's books for different ages (reading to a child does wonders to calm them down).
I also collect different military manuels. Books about training, survival, and defence could also be very important. One of the things I plan on doing is collecting science books that explain how to make wind and water turbines, solar panels, and other things that may need to be made after an Event.
You may want to buy math, history, and general science books to keep in case you need to home school your children, or the locals form a small school for their kids. It is important that kids keep learning; it will make their life seem more normal and they won't be as far behind once the schools are running again.
Even if you choose not to interact with people outside your family circle, having your junior high and high school age kids copy the books you've put in your collection can be a good learning exercise. Have them copy so many pages each day, then once they've copied the whole book, have them give an oral book report. If you have a chalk board or painted a wall with chalk paint, you can have your kids practice math problems.
July 3, 2009
Making ends meet after a nuclear event
Stockpiling water, food, weapons, and ammo are all great things to help you survive the first few months or even the first year, but what about later? Depending on what kind of shape our country, or what's left of it, is in, and where you live, it might be a long time before any real aid comes along. What if it's two years before any aid gets to you and your family?
Did you choose to store seeds in your supplies? Great! Do you have enough seed, space, and knowledge to grow enough food to sustain your family and animals? This is my first year putting out a garden, and I chose to do it without machines. I did not spade a very big area, and only planted a little corn, tomatoes, and carrots. All of my plants are doing all right, but it made me realize how much work would be required to raise most of the food my family eats. And then there are the dogs, cats, chickens, and ducks.
And what about other skills? My current job brings in the money I need to pay my bills and buy supplies, but it won't help me in times of disasters. I will need a lot of skills to survive. To this end, I have bought several military, medical, and veternarian books. If I study these books every day, I will eventually have the skills and knowledge needed to protect and care for my family. I think this is something everyone should consider doing.
Another thing I've begun putting into practice is physical exercise, eating right, and getting enough sleep. I know, I know, I sound like your mother. But if you are in military shape, get proper nutrition and sleep, you will be much better prepared to handle emergencies of any kind. Plus, you'll live a longer, healthier life. I once read a study that side for every hour of moderate cardio, you will add 2 healthy hours to your life. To me, the trade off is worth it.
Did you choose to store seeds in your supplies? Great! Do you have enough seed, space, and knowledge to grow enough food to sustain your family and animals? This is my first year putting out a garden, and I chose to do it without machines. I did not spade a very big area, and only planted a little corn, tomatoes, and carrots. All of my plants are doing all right, but it made me realize how much work would be required to raise most of the food my family eats. And then there are the dogs, cats, chickens, and ducks.
And what about other skills? My current job brings in the money I need to pay my bills and buy supplies, but it won't help me in times of disasters. I will need a lot of skills to survive. To this end, I have bought several military, medical, and veternarian books. If I study these books every day, I will eventually have the skills and knowledge needed to protect and care for my family. I think this is something everyone should consider doing.
Another thing I've begun putting into practice is physical exercise, eating right, and getting enough sleep. I know, I know, I sound like your mother. But if you are in military shape, get proper nutrition and sleep, you will be much better prepared to handle emergencies of any kind. Plus, you'll live a longer, healthier life. I once read a study that side for every hour of moderate cardio, you will add 2 healthy hours to your life. To me, the trade off is worth it.
June 20, 2009
Surviving the heat after a nuclear event
If you are stuck in a fallout shelter for two weeks, waiting out the fallout, it's propably going to get hot in the shelter. Most people have small shelters, and with people living in them for a couple of weeks, it will get hot and humid. Your shelter should have some sort of ventalation to let some fresh air inside and let CO2 out, but that may not be enough to keep from overheating. I advice everyone to keep one person on guard duty near the entrance of your fallout shelter. The guard should have a gun nearby (in case anyone should try to force their way into your shelter) and a hand fan of some sort. It can be something as simple as a heavy peice of cardboard about two feet square. Most of the time, the gun (hopefully) will not be needed, and when it starts to get hot in the shelter, the guard can use the fan to get some cool air flowing.
What about once you come out of your shelter? I have a powerpack 200 plus, a small generator that does not run on gas, and a small foldable solar panel that plugs into the emergency generator. Once the radiation is gone, you can use the sun to charge the generator (you will once again need a guard because any who hasn't prepared and has survived the fallout won't mind stealing from you), and at night you can plug a small rechargable camping fan into the generator. If you have a solar powered battery charger, you can charge two AAs by day, and use them to run a small handheld fan that you can buy at Wal-Mart or Target.
Not only does the powerpack plus 200 have a regular outlet, it also has a built in light. It won't light up an entire room, but it will give enough light to read or cook by. This model is not strong enough to use a hotplate to cook with (I tried it when our power was out for days). It weighs about 20 pounds, and I think it was $90. The powerpack plus 400 is supposed to have twice the power. I am going to get one of those, but since it costs around $120, it may be a while before I get it. The solar panel I use to charge my generator was around $20.
What about once you come out of your shelter? I have a powerpack 200 plus, a small generator that does not run on gas, and a small foldable solar panel that plugs into the emergency generator. Once the radiation is gone, you can use the sun to charge the generator (you will once again need a guard because any who hasn't prepared and has survived the fallout won't mind stealing from you), and at night you can plug a small rechargable camping fan into the generator. If you have a solar powered battery charger, you can charge two AAs by day, and use them to run a small handheld fan that you can buy at Wal-Mart or Target.
Not only does the powerpack plus 200 have a regular outlet, it also has a built in light. It won't light up an entire room, but it will give enough light to read or cook by. This model is not strong enough to use a hotplate to cook with (I tried it when our power was out for days). It weighs about 20 pounds, and I think it was $90. The powerpack plus 400 is supposed to have twice the power. I am going to get one of those, but since it costs around $120, it may be a while before I get it. The solar panel I use to charge my generator was around $20.
June 12, 2009
Entertainment
During a nuclear event, our entertainment choices will be limited. There will be no electricity or cable or satalite. Even if you have the solar panels to generate electricity, which may not work unless it is protected from any EMP, it will be wiser to use this electricity for cooking, running small heaters or fans, or recharging batteries.
So, what do you do without electric entertainment? My family likes several board and card games. I keep a regular deck of playing cards in the fallout shelter so we can play rummy or poker. Within a few days it should be safe to come out of the shelter for short periods of time (provided we keep fallout out of the shelter), and we could bring a few board games as well as any needed supplies into the shelter. Most of my family like to read, so I also keep a few magazines, novels, and books with short stories in the shelter. I also have sudoku books, pencils, and paper (we can copy the puzzle onto the paper so everyone can do the puzzle, if they want).
My fallout shelter is my basement, which has nothing over the concrete floor. I keep chalk in the shelter so we can play tic-tac-toe, hop scotch, or just keep score for some other game.
In all honesty, between cleaning, preparing meals, raising a garden, caring for animals, and guard duty, there probably won't be much time for games of any kind. But it's nice to be prepared.
So, what do you do without electric entertainment? My family likes several board and card games. I keep a regular deck of playing cards in the fallout shelter so we can play rummy or poker. Within a few days it should be safe to come out of the shelter for short periods of time (provided we keep fallout out of the shelter), and we could bring a few board games as well as any needed supplies into the shelter. Most of my family like to read, so I also keep a few magazines, novels, and books with short stories in the shelter. I also have sudoku books, pencils, and paper (we can copy the puzzle onto the paper so everyone can do the puzzle, if they want).
My fallout shelter is my basement, which has nothing over the concrete floor. I keep chalk in the shelter so we can play tic-tac-toe, hop scotch, or just keep score for some other game.
In all honesty, between cleaning, preparing meals, raising a garden, caring for animals, and guard duty, there probably won't be much time for games of any kind. But it's nice to be prepared.
June 5, 2009
Pets
I am an animal lover. I have a few dogs and cats, and one chicken. My mom (who lives nearby) also has a few dogs and cats, and about thirty chickens. The rest of my family doesn't see the need to stockpile and prepare for a nuclear event - yet. We were part of Southern Illinois who lost power after strong winds a month or two back. We didn't have power for five days, and in the nearby town that did have power, the stores were packed because people from 30 miles away were coming to get supplies. My mom already stocked up on a few extra things in case the winter weather got too bad to go to town, but not enough for anything long term.
Five days in the dark opened her eyes a bit. While she personally doesn't think anyone will survive a nuclear war, she has decided to prepare for other long term emergencies. She is keeping more layer feed and dog and cat food, but not much more.
I store the dog and cat food I am using in 5 gallon buckets with Gamma seal lids, one color for dog and another color for cat food. Since dry pet food begins to loose nutrition the longer it is opened, I only store 4 buckets of dog food and 3 of cat food. But I also have one 55 gallon trash can (never used for trash) for dog and cat food. In these trash cans, I can store 3 big, unopened bags of dog or cat food. I also have a trash can for layer feed for my chicken. Dry dog and cat food won't store forever, so I also store can food. I buy the Kroger brand canned cat food in the 5.5 ounce cans. My cats only like the fish flavors, so I store the non-fish flavors for my dogs.
Each of our family's cats eats about 1 can of food a day, and the dogs eat anywhere from 5-9 a day. That's about 35 cans a day. So, for a years' supply, I need 12,000 cans. At $.27-$.31 a can, this is not cheap, but it is a comfort knowing that they will be cared for. Pets also add to the water need. On a hot day, the dogs go through a gallon a day (2 2-liters) each, the cats about a gallon combined, and all of the chickens 3-5 gallons a day combined.
Our animals are important to us for more than just emotional reasons. Chickens lay eggs, which would become our main source of protein after an event. Dogs alert you if someone is near your house. Cats (well, half of ours) will be able to chatch any mice that come into your shelter. I hate the thought of people abandoning a pet for any reason, but especially when the pet won't survive. Please, prepare for your pet.
Five days in the dark opened her eyes a bit. While she personally doesn't think anyone will survive a nuclear war, she has decided to prepare for other long term emergencies. She is keeping more layer feed and dog and cat food, but not much more.
I store the dog and cat food I am using in 5 gallon buckets with Gamma seal lids, one color for dog and another color for cat food. Since dry pet food begins to loose nutrition the longer it is opened, I only store 4 buckets of dog food and 3 of cat food. But I also have one 55 gallon trash can (never used for trash) for dog and cat food. In these trash cans, I can store 3 big, unopened bags of dog or cat food. I also have a trash can for layer feed for my chicken. Dry dog and cat food won't store forever, so I also store can food. I buy the Kroger brand canned cat food in the 5.5 ounce cans. My cats only like the fish flavors, so I store the non-fish flavors for my dogs.
Each of our family's cats eats about 1 can of food a day, and the dogs eat anywhere from 5-9 a day. That's about 35 cans a day. So, for a years' supply, I need 12,000 cans. At $.27-$.31 a can, this is not cheap, but it is a comfort knowing that they will be cared for. Pets also add to the water need. On a hot day, the dogs go through a gallon a day (2 2-liters) each, the cats about a gallon combined, and all of the chickens 3-5 gallons a day combined.
Our animals are important to us for more than just emotional reasons. Chickens lay eggs, which would become our main source of protein after an event. Dogs alert you if someone is near your house. Cats (well, half of ours) will be able to chatch any mice that come into your shelter. I hate the thought of people abandoning a pet for any reason, but especially when the pet won't survive. Please, prepare for your pet.
June 2, 2009
Supplies: food
Food is very important when stockpiling for a nuclear event. The question is, what should you stock? Buying enough feeze dried food to last a year (which I think is a good amount to store) would be very expensive. Instead, most of your stored food should be things that you already eat. Do you like mashed potatoes? Try some of the instant potatoes. There are different brands and flavors. If you find some you like, buy a box from time to time for your storage.
I store instant potatoes, instant rice, instant cream of wheat, instant oatmeal, powder milk, pancake mix, and ramen noodles. I store cans of fruit, vegietables, and baked beans. I also keep a few cans of freeze dried items that might be hard to come by for a while after a nuclear event: powder eggs (Even though my mom lives nearby and has chickens, after a tramatic event they do not lay well for several days. I also don't know how many would survive.), cheese, butter, and bananas. I also store non-hybrid seeds so that I can plant a garden by the next growing season (if the radiation levels are low enough).
It will take some thought as to how much food you will need to store, but having it will be a comfort. Plus, if for some reason you loose your job, your stored food can help you get through the crunch - without the government handouts. Once you get another job, you can start rebuilding your food stores.
One thing to keep in mind about storage: ROTATE. Twice a year I look through all of my stored food, bring what will get outdated before the next rotation out of my basement and into my pantry. I also make a point to gradually use my stored water to make sure it stays fresh.
I store instant potatoes, instant rice, instant cream of wheat, instant oatmeal, powder milk, pancake mix, and ramen noodles. I store cans of fruit, vegietables, and baked beans. I also keep a few cans of freeze dried items that might be hard to come by for a while after a nuclear event: powder eggs (Even though my mom lives nearby and has chickens, after a tramatic event they do not lay well for several days. I also don't know how many would survive.), cheese, butter, and bananas. I also store non-hybrid seeds so that I can plant a garden by the next growing season (if the radiation levels are low enough).
It will take some thought as to how much food you will need to store, but having it will be a comfort. Plus, if for some reason you loose your job, your stored food can help you get through the crunch - without the government handouts. Once you get another job, you can start rebuilding your food stores.
One thing to keep in mind about storage: ROTATE. Twice a year I look through all of my stored food, bring what will get outdated before the next rotation out of my basement and into my pantry. I also make a point to gradually use my stored water to make sure it stays fresh.
May 29, 2009
Get Ready
Tension with N. Korea is on the rise. N. K. is doing nuclear tests and missile tests - a bad combination. They act like they are getting ready for war. I don't know how far N.K. could reach the US with a nuke, but now is the time to get ready. STOCKPILE and LISTEN to the news. It is important that everyone be prepared.
That being said, I want to give you a word of warning: BE CAREFUL WHO KNOWS THAT YOU ARE STOCKPILING. I live within a few blocks of people that I know would try to take supplies from me during a longterm emergency - if they knew I had them. That is one reason I have guns and extra ammo hidden throughout my house. Most of the people in my small town seem like decent people, but even decent people can sometimes be pushed into doing desperate things.
There no way I could provide shelter or food or water for my entire town of about 400, but I can store other things that they may need after major disasters. I can store extra tarps, blankets, clothes, hand tools, and non-hybrid seeds. All of these things could mean the difference between most of my town surviving, or most of them dying after a massive nuclear or other disaster. I am currently using any extra money I have to finish buying supplies for my family. Once that is done, I can begin buying for my town. I just hope I have the time.
That being said, I want to give you a word of warning: BE CAREFUL WHO KNOWS THAT YOU ARE STOCKPILING. I live within a few blocks of people that I know would try to take supplies from me during a longterm emergency - if they knew I had them. That is one reason I have guns and extra ammo hidden throughout my house. Most of the people in my small town seem like decent people, but even decent people can sometimes be pushed into doing desperate things.
There no way I could provide shelter or food or water for my entire town of about 400, but I can store other things that they may need after major disasters. I can store extra tarps, blankets, clothes, hand tools, and non-hybrid seeds. All of these things could mean the difference between most of my town surviving, or most of them dying after a massive nuclear or other disaster. I am currently using any extra money I have to finish buying supplies for my family. Once that is done, I can begin buying for my town. I just hope I have the time.
May 27, 2009
Supplies: water
If you are just starting to prepare for a nuclear event, you are probably asking yourself the same question I asked when I started: Where do I start? The first think that concerned me, was radiation and fallout. As I researched these, I learned that what I needed was mass between the radioactive world outside and my fallout shelter - aka my basement. My basement is not the perfect fallout shelter (one of the long walls leads directly out to the open instead of being underground). So, without major modifications to the house, how would I get the mass I needed to protect my family? While doing more research, I found that you can use your supplies to shield you against radiation, and they are safe to use after a little time has passed.
I decided to keep a two week supply of water and food in the basement kitchen, and store the rest of my supplies along the exposed wall. Knowing how much to store required some calculating. I actually measured how much of each food I ate at a given meal. Knowing that I at x amount of a certain food, that I would be eating it y times each week for a year let me calculate how much to stock (I try to stock a few weeks extra in case there are circumstances that cause us to eat more). I also measured how much water I drank in both summer and winter, how much my dogs and cats drink in both summer and winter, how much water I use for cooking, cleaning, washing clothes and dishes.
I know, buying water and food can be expensive. The only way I can afford it is to buy an extra food item every time I am at the store. Maybe an extra box of instant potatoes, or a can of beans or vegies. I drink about a 2 liter bottle of soda a week, so I wash these out and store drinking and cooking water in them. I store them in plasic rubbermaid-like boxes that are stacked along the exposed wall. This makes storage easier, since I can stack them, and if one of the 2 liters leak, the water will be saved in the box and can be used for cleaning later.
Ideally, I need a year's supply of water, but that's a lot of 2 liters. For now, my goal is a 90 day supply. While I could use rain water a few months after a nuclear event, it would be a lot of trouble if I needed to use it for drinking or cooking. First, I would have to filter the water to take out particles, then boil it for 3-5 minutes (which uses a lot of fuel), then treat it with bleach or chemical tablets. This may seem like a long, unneeded process, but I would rather be safe than risk getting sick from improperly treated water. If I used this water for washing clothes, I would only need to filter out any particles.
I save the bottles my dish soap comes in and store water for washing dishes in them. It took some figuring, but a good soap to water ratio for me is 1 squirt of antibacterial soap for each 1/2 liter of water the bottle will hold. I also use rinsed out detergent bottles to store dish water. One thing to keep in mind: during a nuclear event there will be no refrigeration to store left overs. All food must be eaten, and all dishes must be promptly washed. This will keep the fallout shelter from smelling, and it will help keep incests and other vermin from wanting to enter your shelter. If you get into the habbit of washing all dishes immediately after each meal now, it won't seem like such a chore later. To limit the amount of water used for washing dishes in emergencies, buy a refillable squirt bottle to use to rise the soap off of dishes. Buy a small plastic tub - a wash tub- that will fit into your sink. You would need to wash and rinse dishes into this tub. Since the sewers may not be working right, the more water that goes down the drain means the chances of sewage backing into homes is higher. Unless there is danger of radiation outside, all used water should be pored outside. (Once a month I practice washing dishes just as I would during a nuclear event.)
Washing clothes with no electricity or running water can be a pain. It will not be practical to wash clothes after one day's wear. I have two 5-gallon bucket for washing clothes. I fill one about 1/3 full with water, add a little detergent or liquid antibacterial soap (not much since I will have to rinse it out), and repeatedly dunk one article of clothing until I think it is clean. I then dunk it several times into the other bucket that is half full of water. I continue this until my rinsing bucket is too full of soapy water to rinse the clothes out properly. I then use the water in the buckets (unless it is too dirty) to mop my basement floor and clean the walls or other surfaces that are dirty. If it won't bother your skin, you can use the "rinse" bucket to bathe with -just remember to rinse off with clean water.
I decided to keep a two week supply of water and food in the basement kitchen, and store the rest of my supplies along the exposed wall. Knowing how much to store required some calculating. I actually measured how much of each food I ate at a given meal. Knowing that I at x amount of a certain food, that I would be eating it y times each week for a year let me calculate how much to stock (I try to stock a few weeks extra in case there are circumstances that cause us to eat more). I also measured how much water I drank in both summer and winter, how much my dogs and cats drink in both summer and winter, how much water I use for cooking, cleaning, washing clothes and dishes.
I know, buying water and food can be expensive. The only way I can afford it is to buy an extra food item every time I am at the store. Maybe an extra box of instant potatoes, or a can of beans or vegies. I drink about a 2 liter bottle of soda a week, so I wash these out and store drinking and cooking water in them. I store them in plasic rubbermaid-like boxes that are stacked along the exposed wall. This makes storage easier, since I can stack them, and if one of the 2 liters leak, the water will be saved in the box and can be used for cleaning later.
Ideally, I need a year's supply of water, but that's a lot of 2 liters. For now, my goal is a 90 day supply. While I could use rain water a few months after a nuclear event, it would be a lot of trouble if I needed to use it for drinking or cooking. First, I would have to filter the water to take out particles, then boil it for 3-5 minutes (which uses a lot of fuel), then treat it with bleach or chemical tablets. This may seem like a long, unneeded process, but I would rather be safe than risk getting sick from improperly treated water. If I used this water for washing clothes, I would only need to filter out any particles.
I save the bottles my dish soap comes in and store water for washing dishes in them. It took some figuring, but a good soap to water ratio for me is 1 squirt of antibacterial soap for each 1/2 liter of water the bottle will hold. I also use rinsed out detergent bottles to store dish water. One thing to keep in mind: during a nuclear event there will be no refrigeration to store left overs. All food must be eaten, and all dishes must be promptly washed. This will keep the fallout shelter from smelling, and it will help keep incests and other vermin from wanting to enter your shelter. If you get into the habbit of washing all dishes immediately after each meal now, it won't seem like such a chore later. To limit the amount of water used for washing dishes in emergencies, buy a refillable squirt bottle to use to rise the soap off of dishes. Buy a small plastic tub - a wash tub- that will fit into your sink. You would need to wash and rinse dishes into this tub. Since the sewers may not be working right, the more water that goes down the drain means the chances of sewage backing into homes is higher. Unless there is danger of radiation outside, all used water should be pored outside. (Once a month I practice washing dishes just as I would during a nuclear event.)
Washing clothes with no electricity or running water can be a pain. It will not be practical to wash clothes after one day's wear. I have two 5-gallon bucket for washing clothes. I fill one about 1/3 full with water, add a little detergent or liquid antibacterial soap (not much since I will have to rinse it out), and repeatedly dunk one article of clothing until I think it is clean. I then dunk it several times into the other bucket that is half full of water. I continue this until my rinsing bucket is too full of soapy water to rinse the clothes out properly. I then use the water in the buckets (unless it is too dirty) to mop my basement floor and clean the walls or other surfaces that are dirty. If it won't bother your skin, you can use the "rinse" bucket to bathe with -just remember to rinse off with clean water.
May 26, 2009
Why write this blog
As you might imagine from the title, this blog is about preparing for a nuclear disaster (namely a nuclear attack from another country). First, let me explain why I am blogging about nuclear preparedness. When I was a young teenager, I saw the first two Terminator movies. When they talked about Skynet nuking us, it made me wonder how many people in the world would survive if something like that did happen. I knew my family wasn't prepared, they were living paycheck to paycheck at the time. The closest thing we had to a fallout shelter was the crawl space under our house, 1/4 of which you could sit up straight, and the rest got smaller and smaller until you had to crawl on your belly. My grandparents (who lived less than a block away) had a basement, but only under about half of the house, and it leaked when it rained. And my grandparents never prepared for anything in their whole lives.
So, when I went house hunting as an adult, I looked for two things: a fair sized basement, and a house within a few blocks of my parents and grandparents. I found a house with plenty of room on the main floor for me to live in and plenty of room in the basement for storage and living (should it need to be used as a fallout shelter). It is also close to the rest of my family.
In this blog, I will pass along information I have found that might help those of you intereted in preparing for a nuclear disaster. I will also share different plans and storage ideas that I am using.
I should also explain my name in this first blog. I love the Terminator movies and The Sarah Connor Chronicles. My favorite line from them is "There is no fate but what we make for ourselves." This line has kept me from feeling like my life is out of control. And whenever I feel overwhelmed trying to prepare for the survival of myself, my brother, parents, grandma, our dogs, cats, chickens, and ducks, I think about that line. I want to decide my family's fate.
In the next blog, I will begin sharing information and ideas. For now, start thinking about what your life would be like without the convinence of electricity, water, and stores.
So, when I went house hunting as an adult, I looked for two things: a fair sized basement, and a house within a few blocks of my parents and grandparents. I found a house with plenty of room on the main floor for me to live in and plenty of room in the basement for storage and living (should it need to be used as a fallout shelter). It is also close to the rest of my family.
In this blog, I will pass along information I have found that might help those of you intereted in preparing for a nuclear disaster. I will also share different plans and storage ideas that I am using.
I should also explain my name in this first blog. I love the Terminator movies and The Sarah Connor Chronicles. My favorite line from them is "There is no fate but what we make for ourselves." This line has kept me from feeling like my life is out of control. And whenever I feel overwhelmed trying to prepare for the survival of myself, my brother, parents, grandma, our dogs, cats, chickens, and ducks, I think about that line. I want to decide my family's fate.
In the next blog, I will begin sharing information and ideas. For now, start thinking about what your life would be like without the convinence of electricity, water, and stores.
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