Emergency Preparedness: Week 1, Water and List Making

On June 1st the hurricane season began and we have already had our first tropical storm here in sunny, hot Florida.  In the last two weeks we have seen massive tornados strike in Oklahoma that wiped out entire neighborhoods and almost an entire city.  Global weather change has been causing warmer summers, colder winters and much larger storms.

Every year I go through a gradual checklist to be sure we are ready for storm season.   It is gradual because preparing a little at a time is easier on us both mentally and financially.  To go out and buy everything at once would break the bank and I prefer to avoid going into debt.  I do, however, keep an eye out for great sales and used preparedness items throughout the year.

During Week 1 I am going to go through all of my stores and supplies to see what I am getting low on and I am checking expiration dates.  Also, be aware that some items tend to break down over time, especially plastic items.  That means that tarps, water bottles, etc. can become useless while sitting in their original packaging.  Check everything over and make a detailed list.

Once I have my list I am going to start watching for sales and comparing prices while I am in stores.  I need to keep a mental list also, so when I am out and about I know whether to buy that low priced, unexpected sale item.

"Water, water, everywhere and not a drop to drink."  This saying epitomizes tropical storms in Florida. Water is a must have and should be the first item on your preparedness list.  You need at least three gallons per person a day for drinking and hygiene (1 gallon just for drinking and don't forget your pets).  I go about gathering water in several different ways.

I do watch the sales for inexpensive bottled drinking water.  Store brands can be very inexpensive and they go on sale regularly.  I wouldn't pay more than $3 for 24 small bottles.

Large water storage containers come in many different styles and sizes.  My rule of thumb is:  can we lift the container after it is filled or do we have a small pump that will allow us to access the water in the container?  We purchased several five gallon white plastic water containers at Lowes one year.  We fill these when a storm is coming and empty them when storm season is over.

There are also collapsable containers that take up very little space when not being used.  There is even one that is made to be placed in your bathtub prior to filling.

When storing water the best way to keep it wholesome and potable is to treat each gallon of water with eight drops of unscented, plain clorox.  If treating collected water let it sit for thirty minutes after treating with clorox before drinking.  We also have a small amount of water treatment tablets on hand, which I purchased at Walmart in their camping section.

Sometimes all we think of is drinking water, but being able to wash is necessary for health over a longer period of time.  For washing water I have a 55 gallon drum that I use to collect water off of the roof during rainstorms.  Mine has a brass spigot that I added at the bottom to make it easy to access the water.  In a pinch, this water could also be filtered and sterilized for drinking.  Make sure that your drum was used to store food materials in it's earlier life.  I believe mine was used for apple juice; it definitely had a fermented apple smell when I got it.

Time to get started!

God bless,
Pam

The Pantry: Water and Other Supplies

People can live for days without food, but not without water.  It is essential to maintain life, so water storage should be one of your highest priorities when establishing a pantry.

Plan on at least a gallon a day per person to provide drinking and washing needs.  I am talking about dampening your face and brushing your teeth; not real bathing.

First things first, let's talk about containers.  They must be food grade, preferably opaque and not biodegradable.  Milk jugs and bottled water from the store are in containers that will begin to break down after a few months.  If I do purchase water before storm season I store it in an extra shower that we have, not near my food supplies.  I  found white, opaque, five gallon, food grade water containers at my hardware store.  Considering that a gallon of water weighs about 8 pounds, it would be difficult for me to maneuver anything larger.  There are also specialized containers available online, it depends on your individual needs and your budget.

When storing tap water it is important to treat it with household bleach.  Just plain bleach, not lemon scented or soapy.  Add 1/8 of a teaspoon per gallon of water.  Tap water is not sterile by any means, so be sure not to skip this step.  Your water should last for several years if treated this way.

Water that is stored for a long period of time can go "flat".  This means that it is no longer oxygenated, but it is still safe to drink.

It is always a good idea to stock up on toiletries and other essentials (to your family) that you cannot make for yourself.  Just figure out what your usage is per month, multiply by 12 and start shopping wisely.

When preparing your pantry for an emergency situation (eg. hurricane season)  it is always advisable to keep two extra weeks of medication on hand.  The emergency management departments suggest this every year, but good luck convincing your doctor and insurance company.  I always manage to stockpile a small amount of my medication by ordering two days early each month.  This way I am acquiring two extra pills each month and after seven months I have my emergency supply.

The subject of what to store in your pantry is endless.  Your supplies should be based on your personal preferences and needs.  Keeping your pantry supplies up to date is a constant process and should be a part of your weekly/monthly shopping trips.

God bless,
Pam