WEEK 1 (for 2 people)

Sunday, January 3, 2016

We are starting this New Year off with a BANG! There is a LOT to do this week, but if you can complete it, then next week will seem extremely simple by comparison! This week I want to focus a lot on WATER storage, among other things! (See Family Preparedness at bottom of page.)

Do you know the "Rule of 3's" when it comes to survival? (All text in blue contain links to sources).

"You can live 3 minutes without air, though we don't recommend trying. In a harsh environment — it's snowing, say — you have 3 hours to survive without shelter. After 3 days, you need water or you'll perish. You can make it 3 weeks without food, though we promise you that won't be fun." 

So, basically what is the point of storing a year of food if (without water) you won't be alive on day 4?! 

The recommendations listed for the next 52 weeks are for TWO PEOPLE. Because of the dynamic of our ward, we have great need for this to be broken down by 2's. Please plan accordingly. For a family of 4, double these amounts. For a family of 6, multiply by 3, etc. 

Preparedness to work on this week:

Food Storage:

8 Cans of Tuna

Extra Items:

1 case of rice (Six #10 cans/32.4 lbs) This is on the Items of the Month order form handed out at church - where you write me a check and I go buy it for you and deliver it to your home!
If you can pick it up locally, you'll pay about $25.50. If you buy it online, you'll pay about $33.25 plus shipping. 
Here is the link: Provident Living Case of Rice

AND

Either create or update your First Aid and 72 hour kits:
Were you able to put together your 72 hour kit based on the recommendation from the "Week 9 and Week 12" insert I put in the Sunday Bulletins in December? If not - here is the list again:

Basic First Aid kit:
Amazon.com has good kits - click here for a fairly comprehensive one

-Two pairs of Latex, or other sterile gloves

(if you are allergic to Latex).

-Sterile dressings to stop bleeding.

-Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes to disinfect. -Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.

-Burn ointment to prevent infection.

-Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes.

-Tweezers and needles for splinters, etc.

-Nonstick Sterile Pads for wound healing. (These are recommended for bleeding and draining wounds,

burns, infections.)

-Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general decontaminate.

-Thermometer

-Ice pack

-Tylenol and Ibuprofen (Consider babies and children)

-N95 Masks 

Purchase or create 72 Hour Kit 
Here is a minimal (inexpensive) 72 hour backpack for 2 people. Definitely add more to it though!

Suggested Minimum needs for a 72 Hour Kit 

Water- 1 Gallon (8#) per person per day for 3 days
Food- Minimal or Non-cook, Lightweight, Palatable,

Can opener, Cooking and Eating Utensils.

Clothing - 1 change, Extra Shoes, Raingear, Adequate winter wear,

Bandanna, Hat

Bedding - Sleeping Bag, Blankets(Space Blanket)

Personal Hygiene - Include Feminine Hygiene and Baby Items Sanitation Airtight Bucket or Porta-Potty, Toilet Paper, Newspaper, Soap/Hand Sanitizer, Towel, Disinfectant, Trash Bags, Bleach.

First Aid Kit- Consider Personal Medications

Shelter- Tent or Tarp, Rope 36’

Tools - Pocket Knife, Small tools, Axe, Pointed Shovel

Light - Flashlight, Batteries, Candles, Matches

Communication- Radio, Batteries, 1 whistle per person

Fuel- For Cooking, Light, Heat

Important Papers- Wills, Testaments, Stocks, Securities, Titles, Certificates, Insurance, Current Family Pictures, I.D. Cards and Tags, Inventory of Household Items, Pencil and Paper, Maps, Phone Numbers, Emergency Manual, Car keys, house keys, Books (scriptures, How To’s), other documents.

Activities- Card games, coloring books, crayons, paper, pencil, puzzles, etc. to keep the morale up, during an emergency.

Money- Cash and Change (Small Bills)

Remember- Keep car gas tank at least half full. 

Family Preparedness:

A. Store enough water for 72 hours - 1 gallon a day per person

Do you know how to store it? When to rotate it? How much bleach to add? Should you even add bleach? Here is a link to help: Rotating Your Water Storage.  Also, click on "MINIMUM..." below and you'll find additional information on how to store water. Here is a great link that exposes 5 water myths, as well as explaining why you should NOT STORE YOUR WATER barrels on a cement floor!

B. MINIMUM water storage is for 2 weeks - 14 gallons per person
Also store purifying agents such as Potable Aqua Tablets, chlorine, filters, etc.

NOTE:  My "Item of the Month" (I'll pass sign up sheets around at church) from Home Storage this month is the Seychelle Water Bottle. If you are picking it up locally, then for $14 you get the bottle plus a filter.  Each extra filter is $6 and each one filters 99.99% of contaminants for 100 gallons of water. So, for $20, your bottle can filter 200 gallons of water! The equivalent of 1 gallon (recommended) per day for 200 days. Once the filter is no longer usable, you will not be able to suck water up through the straw. That's when you know it's time to change your filter. 

Want to purchase this online? Link for bottle with filter. 

Link for extra filter. Or for both, bundled to save $3.50.

Water TIP: Did you know that you can find perfectly good, used 55 gallon water barrels on KSL.com for $15-20? Usually they have been used for a food item - like syrup. All you have to do is wash it out, then fill it with water! Follow this link and see what 55 gallon water barrels are currently available! On December 23rd, someone was selling 12 of them for $15 each! 

If you want brand new ones, there are several sources. They are cheapest during a case lot sale, but since I don't know when the next one is coming up, here are a few resources for you.

Walmart, Emergency Essentials, Amazon, Ebay,Google Search

You can also usually find them at Winegar's, Dick's Market or Macy's - especially when they are having their case lot sales. At that time they are usually under $50 each!

Spiritual Preparedness:

Make a commitment to hold family home evening every Monday night this year!