52 Weeks Of Prepping

[woodyz]

Week 21 of 52: Emergency Fuel Supply

readynutrition.com/resources/week-21-of-52-emergency-fuel-supply_23092011/

When a disaster threatens a given area, fuel is one of the first emergency prep items people begin stocking up on. Fuel helps power you through an emergency by providing means to keep warm, cook, and supply emergency power for generators, appliances and electrical tools. When choosing which types of emergency fuel to store, consider the following issues:

Any dangers the fuel may pose by being stored.
How much fuel needs to be stored for the given emergency.
What appliances or tools the fuel needs to provide power for.
How long the fuel will stay viable for.
How it needs to be stored for safety reasons.
Because storing fuel for short or long-term use presents its own set of unique challenges, ensure that you safely store your fuel supply by following these safety regulations.

When storing certain fuels, you will need to use a stabilizer to prevent the fuel from separating. Some of the most popular fuel stabilizers are Sta-bil and Pri-G or Pri-D. Both are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased online or at most super centers. Most preppers like to have enough fuel on hand for at least a 72-hour period. To be on the safe side, plan on storing enough fuel to last under your predicted worst case scenario. Put some thought into which type of fuel you can store for this minimum period of time.

If fuels are to be stored for emergencies, then it will need to be stored in containers that prevent evaporation and prevent the signs of fuel phase separation. If the storage container is made of plastic, ensure that the container is made of durable HDPE with barrier materials to eliminate hydrocarbon emissions, has an airtight seal to reduce spills when not in use and has a pour spout that controls variable flow, has automatic venting and automatic locking when lever is released. Plastic is permeable and the fuel can seep through, however; some preppers have found that metal fuel cans are best. Some preppers suggest using auto grade silicone to coat their metal cans in order to preserve them longer.

The six most popular fuel sources to store are listed below. To learn more about these popular fuel types, how long they last and how to appropriately store them, click here.

Firewood
Gasoline
Diesel fuel
Kerosene
Propane
Solar power
You are probably wondering how much fuel you should store for a disaster. The answer is largely dependent on what you plan to use the fuel on during an emergency and how long the disaster will last. If you wanted to only run a generator with gasoline to power your home and appliances during the day, plan on using 1-2 gallons of fuel per hour. In a 72-hour emergency where you are reliant on yourself to provide power, plan on needing at a minimum 48-gallons of fuel.

Those who live in apartments or duplexes will probably not be allowed to store any types of fuel in or around the buildings due to the close proximity of living. Fuel dealers in your local area can tell you about the EPA and regulatory issues associated with storing fuel in a tank on your property. Contact them for this information as well as a host of other useful information about fuel storage.

Preps To Buy:

Multiple amounts of plastic or metal fuel storage containers
Seasoned fire wood (ample supply)
Fuel of choice to run generators, appliances, provide electricity for 1-3 month duration (if legally allowed to do so)
Fuel for cooking (ample supply)
Alternative cooking source (a solar oven, Korean cook stove, volcano stove, dutch oven, rocket stove, propane grill or stove)
Propane (one weeks worth)
Long burning jarred candles (unlimited amount)
Extra wicks for candles (can be purchased at Amazon or Ebay)
Matches
Action Items:

1. Read about the different types of fuel and decide which fuel choice(s) is best for your family.

2. Find an appropriate area outside of the home where the fuel can be stored.

3. Ensure that you rotate your fuel regularly and check to make sure there are no signs on leaking.

[woodyz]

Week 22 of 52: Hardware Tools (List 2)

Keeping essential tools in your preparedness supplies will help you operate in a non-technological environment. As we are moving into preparing for longer-term disasters, we have to think about what our life will be like during an extended disaster. Generally speaking, those that go through disasters typically are without power for a given amount of time. So the cooking, laundry, sanitation and a host of other daily activities will have to be done without the convenience of electricity. We will also need tools to build, repair and maintain our homes and gardens in the face of damage or breakdown. Keeping traditional tools on hand can help in this department.

Tools would make great bartering items and are one of the top ten items needed to create a survival homestead. During times of grid-down disasters, tools can be used to help chop firewood, build a shelter and provide a host of other important duties. The tools you invest in should be of the “traditional sense”, and of good quality. A word of advice is that if you buy cheap tools, you will get what you paid for. In the end, you will end up paying more for another tool because the cheap tool was not well constructed. If you have a good eye for quality tools, look at yard sales in your area, or you can find good tools at your hardware stores or local home and garden centers. Some preppers who are looking for Amish crafted tools can look at websites such as Lehman’s, or Cottage Craftworks to find what they need.

There are a lot of tools that will be needed for a survival retreat and we will continue to add to our existing tool supply. Right now, we are focusing on starting simple and building our skills, and confidence. Click here to view the basic tool kit one would need for their retreat. Many of you will already have some of these tools in your tool kit, so take this time to purchase some extra blades or parts for your tool set. Keep the prepper’s rule of multiples in mind when making these tool investments: “Two is one, and one is none.” Instead of purchasing two tools, consider investing in spare parts for the tools such as extra blades, sharpening tools and lubricants such as WD-40 or Vaseline to keep these solid investment items up to par.

We will all have to make certain sacrifices during a grid-down scenario. The best way to understand what those sacrifices will be is to give them up periodically. Take a weekend or even one day and practice a grid-down situation to experience what your life would be like during those times. This exercise will help you understand how dependent you may be to certain conveniences and being without them can help you find ways around them. Further, get acquainted with your tool investment and practice using, cleaning and sharpening these tools.

The following tools can add convenience to your life, but are not the only tools you should have on hand. In the coming weeks, we will revisit this topic and add to our already existing tool supplies. Click here to learn more about the basic retreat tool set.

Preps To Buy:

Work gloves for all members of the family
Protective eye wear for all members of the family
Paracord Rope
Hammers (a claw hammer for hitting nails, and a ball peen hammer used for striking metal)
Saws (Hand saws and hack saws with extra blades)
Screwdrivers (4-in-1 screwdrivers, Phillips, Robertsen)
Wrench sets (Allen wrenches, pipe wrenches, combination wrenches)
Adjustable wrench set
Ax with a sharpening device
Wedge to help in cutting firewood
Pliers (an assortment of sizes)
Socket set
Vise grips
Squares (roofing squares and framing squares)
Levels (short square and a 4-foot level)
Bit and brace
Measuring tape
Action Items:

1. If you are not handy with tools, purchase a how-to guide and begin practicing this essential skill. Remember, you only have to be 10% smarter than the tool to get it to work.

2. Simulate a grid-down scenario in your home and practice what life will be like without the modern conveniences we are dependent on today.

[woodyz]

Week 23 of 52: External Security Preparedness

Shortly after Hurricane Katrina struck the Louisiana coast, reports out of New Orleans on September 1st stated that victims of the disaster were being raped and beaten and that fights and fires were out of control, leaving corpses laying in the open as the city descended into anarchy. Emergency responders in the New Orleans area were overwhelmed, and as a result their response time was lapsed.

A “bug in” scenario may be our only choice after a disaster strikes and we must prepare not only for our basic needs, but also for our safety. Since the grid may go down during a disaster, each household should prepare for crime. Looting and home invasions will more than likely be at the forefront of these crime waves and a defensible home will help your family stay safe.

Many of us easily relate to the idea that our home security needs to be beefed up. In fact, some of the homes we live in are defensive nightmares given the location, structural design, neighborhood or city we may live in. Because the home will be more vulnerable when the grid goes down (due to electrical alarm systems not working, lapsed emergency response time, etc), consider having some alternative security features for inside the home. A barking dog would be a great detection system for anyone trying to break in. And, if the pet is trained properly, could assist in protecting the family.

In an emergency where civil unrest can be a problematic issue, criminals look for accessible targets. They will concentrate on vulnerable “easy-pickings” and bypass the more secured areas. This was seen during the Rodney King Trial Verdict riots in Los Angeles and it’s suburbs, the only structures that were spared from active looting by large gangs were some stores owned by armed Korean Americans.

Security is an important preparedness measure to keep in mind when investing in your emergency supplies. Bulking up your home security features for the outside can be your first line of defense in preventing any criminals from trying to enter your home.

Given that our financial situations are each unique, I am not suggesting that you go out and purchase every item on this list. However, if you are able to invest in some security items for the home, I suggest you invest in as much as you can.

Preps To Buy:

Reinforced doors and locks. (There is only 1 ” of wood protecting you in normal door locks.)
Barred windows or European-style security/storm shutters.
Place thorny bushes or plants around windows or near vulnerable areas of the home.
If possible, create a barrier from approaching vehicles.
Put a peep hole in the door.
Add a bolt and chain to the door.
Infrared (IR) floodlights to illuminate the property (These can be motion-sensor activated).
Solar garden lighting can also be an inexpensive way to illuminate areas outside the home.
Fence the entire property, if it is not done so already.
A gate at the front of the driveway that has spikes at the top to prevent someone from jumping over the fence.
Cameras placed strategically around the home and near the entry points of the home can also deflect an intruder.
Create a safe room or vault to where a family can go to evade their attackers.
Buy a gun and know how to use it.
Action Items:

Walk around the perimeter of your home and see where the vulnerable areas are.
Make necessary changes to the outside of the home by bulking up on security layers.
Contact a security expert or friend in the police department and see if they can provide you with additional advice.
If it is a good fit with your family, look into purchasing a firearm or going to a concealed handgun course.
Create a neighborhood watch program.

[Deleted]

got me a pocket charger with flashlight for my smart phone yesterday..and it seems to be worth having..and because of that.i plan on getting a 2nd pocket charger.and a solar charging station for recharging them.one pocket charger will be getting recharged,while im using the other one,with my phone.but yet,that'll be during camping trips,road trips to town.and of course.during power outages that last 2 or more days..