I have been thinking lately about emergency preparedness and survival. I live in California so an earthquake is a distinct possibility and I've been through a few of them. I live alone and if I'm cut off from power, water and other services, what would I do?

I'm searching the internet and looking at survival lists, air-tight food storage, water storage, what foods to get, etc., and I ordered a couple of books at Amazon to learn basic survival techniques.

One of the most basic things is a 3 day survival kit in a backpack that you can grab and go, at home and in the car. I think I'll order a couple of the already put together kits.

We keep gear in all our trucks, a full set of camping cookware in the attic and 3 big coolers to keep food in if needed. The pantry has canned goods, soups and the basic staples. Oil lamps and candles in every room. Flashlights and first aid things too.

No earthquakes here - although I did feel the shock from a quake miles away.

We prepare for winter ice and snow storms by having a supply of shovels, wood, gas, and food and milk.

Here is what I have:

Emergency Cooler Kit

Choose a cooler as storage as this seems to work well. You want to fill it with nonperishable items as well as supplies like flashlights and batteries. The idea here is you just grab it and go. Make sure you choose non-perishables you LIKE. There would be nothing worse than being stuck inside during a huge storm, no electricity, and nothing to eat but Vienna Sausages. That is unless you like Vienna Sausages. Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, and little or no water.

Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables
Energy or Snack Bars
Staples (salt, sugar, pepper, spices, etc.)
Canned Juices
High energy foods (nuts and dried fruits)
Cereal
Paper plates, Utensils and Cups
Matches
Comfort/stress foods (cookies, snack cakes etc)
First Aid Kit
TONS of bottled water (1 gallon per person X 4 days) Vitamins
Hand operated can opener
Candles
Couple Blankets (one per person)
Pet food and water
Radio - battery or crank operated - with batteries that fit Change of clothes
Battery operated or Wind up Clock
Food for infants
Flashlights X 2 with batteries that fit both

Carol B

Since I've never lived on a farm and don't know much about it other than growing a few vegis and herbs, I ordered a book on gardening for survival.

I think if there is a major disaster one of the most valuable things to have is knowledge.

We are scout leaders... we have a whole Coleman store in our garage, tents, equipment, stoves, lanturns, both propane and white gas. Sleeping bags and everything else are in the storage space under the stairs.

The boy's dad bought me a whole big set of candles which I never used, plus I have tons I've bought over time... So I'm not short on anything.

We have wood under the back deck if we got desperate we also have bricks that we could make a fire pit in our backyard.

What I don't have is water put away, which I should get a few bottles and a case or 2.

I always have a good supply of canned goods and pre packaged food, but I should get list and see what else I might be missing "just in case".

I do try to keep some of the boy's dad's medications in a safe place so that he would have a few days worth. I might just up that to a weeks worth.

I guess I've taken the Scouting "Be Prepared" seriously!!!

Theresa

This is something we might all think about. Ya just never know, regardless of where you live. If I am in my home & a disaster hits so that I need to stay put, I can survive well. I need to put together a survival bag for my car. Thank You for bringing this up. Need to put together that car bag.

Here is also an EMERGENCY CAR KIT

Choose a small cooler or a box or crate as storage. That way you can remove it if you need trunk space, and everything will stay together. To be kept in car year round. Change batteries in your pack when you change the time on your clocks.

Bags of sand, road salt, or non-clumping cat litter. The bags extra weight means better traction, and the contents can be spread under slipping tires.
Ice Scraper
Jumper Cables
Small shovel (to dig snow away from wheels or scatter sand on roadway.
Tire chains (each driver should practice putting them on)
Flares or reflective triangle to warn other motorists if you break down.
Blanket
Flashlight and batteries
Gallon jug of drinking water
First aid kit.

I have a pantry, another closet next to it, and storage under the stairs. Would be nice to use the garage but without temperature control that's not the best for food items that heat could effect.

I will be getting some storage tubs for the garage for non-food items.

And one more: EMERGENCY BACKPACK FOR TRAVELERS

When traveling by car, each passenger should have an emergency backpack in addition to their regular luggage. If you have to abandon your car, each person can grab their own backpack.

Jacket, hat, gloves and sturdy, snow-proof boots for each traveler.
Non-perishable food
Cell phone (the kind with a card so you don't pay unless you use) (each person does not have to have)
Money (each person does not have to have large amount)

Items in backpack can change with the seasons and according to what area you live in.

Carol B