How Prepared Are You?

[Magical2017]

If an emergency hit, my family is completely unprepared. We have no extra water stored, no "prep" bags ready to go. We do have some canned food but I don't think we even have a manual can opener, just an electric one. How prepared are you in the case of a natural disaster/emergency/being on the run/zombie apocalypse, etc?

 

[fla4fun]

Living in Florida, we prepare annually for natural disasters in the form of hurricanes. I pack a couple of suitcases with anything I would not want to lose in a storm so I am prepared to evacuate if necessary. We make sure we have enough food and water for a minimum of two weeks. When hurricane season is over, we use the food and water rations and replenish in the spring with fresh. It’s just a way of life here.

I have a really good manual can opener. It’s Oxo brand. It works better than any electric can opener we ever owned. I got rid of the electric one after I got this one.

 

[White Cat]

Good enough.

 

[firefly_ris]

Not enough... We have a gas generator, but what happens if there is a gas shortage? Been looking at solar generators but not in the budget right now.

We have 2 natural gas fireplaces, but I'm looking at converting the one in the basement into a wood burning stove to help reduce the high winter gas bills here in Western New York. That would also help if there's a lack of natural gas running to the house.

For water, I have a large creek on my property and LifeStraws but if there was a real emergency we would need something larger to store potable water. LifeStraw makes this -- https://lifestraw.com/products/lifestraw-community. There is an existing well on the property from before public water was run here, but it doesn't have a well pump anymore, but I guess there could be a way to set that up again.

We have loads of manual tools, plenty of firewood, I've done some canning but it wouldn't be enough if there was a real problem. Couple of guns and ammo to shoot some food in our woods.

So... like 10% prepared, heh.

 

[Disneylover99]

We have extra water, lots of canned goods and a Manuel can opener.
So averagely prepared, I guess. Lol.

But if it’s a zombie apocalypse, I’ll probably just give up immediately and let them eat my brains. I’ve got a bad back. Not conducive to running.

 

[Magical2017]

I am off the week of Thanksgiving. I will probably need to get it in gear and do some prep work.

 

[mjkacmom]

We lose power at least once a year, 10 days was the longest. I have a landline phone that plugs into the Jack, battery operated tea lights, and a radio phone charger with a crank. We have a long outdoor extension cord which we’ve plugged into our neighbors house before (different power grids). Most of our emergencies come with warnings days in advance, but not always.

 

[Kitty 34]

We have canned goods and rum.

 

[soccerdad72]

Not very - fortunately, in Ohio, we get very few natural disasters, unless you count the occasional snowstorm (which I don't).

 

[Moliphino]

We're good for a few days stranded without power, at least. We have a big jug of water to be able to flush toilets (well water, so no water when the power is out). We usually fill buckets, too, if we know a big storm is coming. Lots of canned and non-perishable foods, lots of TP.
We live in an area that's not very susceptible to a lot of natural disasters, thankfully.

 

[jimmymc]

We don't do much, just basic things like fire extinguishers and alarms. Southeast Michigan doesn't get a lot of natural disasters, but I will stock up on snacks before a big snowstorm.

 

[Micca]

There's stuff here but it's not like we're "prepped" for anything.

 

[tvguy]

Well, we have always had canned food on the shelve. Currently we have 17 cans of soup in the pantry, we have bottled water on hand, We have canned spinach, green beans, tomatoes and refried beans. So we would be okay for a couple of weeks. I guess sales of canned food soared during the pandemic as essentially a generation discovered canned food.
My wife prefers canned peas and green beans. I prefer frozen or fresh veggies, which is interesting since my dad worked in a cannery and I grew up with canned fruits and vegetables.
We got rid of our electric can opener years ago, but we have several hand openings that don't take up counter space.

 

[TippyThomas]

I don't do it on purpose but I think my normal lifestyle makes me well prepared if needed. I only have myself to worry about and much of my camping equipment would be beneficial for sure. I'm sure I could do several months with no problem.

 

[_19disnA]

I think it mostly depends on where you live and what exactly you are 'preparing' for. If live in Florida or along the coast, hurricanes might be something to plan for, but generally you know several days in advance that a storm is heading that way. If you live in Michigan, clearly you won't get hurricanes, but perhaps a snow/ice storm in the winter or maybe a tornado is possible. I don't think you can generically plan without taking into consideration where you live and the probability of various types of major calamities occurring.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

I’m paranoid lol so we’re very well prepared. Every time I go food shopping I buy one food item for my “end of the world” closet as I call it. I have totes filled with food, including MREs. I have a crank radio, lanterns, candles potassium iodide pills and a bunch of other things. I also have 3 large barrels of water and a small generator in my garage. I figure better safe than sorry. If there’s a super large solar flare or something and the electric grid goes down it’ll be down for a very long time and it’ll be bad.

 

[Disneefun]

Eh. We're prepared for hurricanes and ice storms (so good for a few days of inconvenience or for repairs), but my general philosophy is that, whatever happens, I'll just drive toward it. I'd like to get it over with quickly and relatively painlessly. If the nuclear plant blows, I don't want to die slowly from radiation poisoning. I'll just head toward it and get it over with. If civil war breaks out and they come for me, fine. Just shoot me cleanly, please. If the zombies/vampires/whatever come, just go ahead and eat me. Or turn me. Whichever. If an asteroid hits or a world ending volcano blows, I'll just head toward the fallout zone and let it bury me.

 

[Robbie Cottam]

Lots of canned food, here
Water is in the well,
Generator get started monthly,
Stabilized gas. Have access to a few hundred gallons if I really needed it.
500 gallon propane tank for heat and cooking.

Should be able to get couple of weeks of “off grid” living

 

[Disturbia]

I think of preparing for a disaster (stay in place) as something temporary like the electricity goes out for a few days. We usually have some water, juice canned and dry goods in our pantry. We always have candles on hand and a battery powered lantern. After that everyone would be on the move and it wouldn’t be safe to stay put.

I watch doomsday movies like Greenland & Outback (communication is key so you need sticky notes, a sharpie, belt cutter, in addition to a car survival kit) and The Walking Dead.

We could survive a few days staying in one place but any longer you can’t stay where you are and keep food/water to yourself without being heavily armed.

So I prep thinking about being on the move without a car and living off the land so shelter (waterproof tent, warmth (emergency blankets, gloves, fire/portable hiking utensils, dehydrated basics and a book about plants (what you can and cannot eat).

Knowledge is power so watch survival videos: thinking I would need Chlorine tablets (toilet tank and water heater water; pond), portable stoves (we have gas but what if that goes out), basic hygiene (tooth powder, body wipes, washable reusable feminine pads, know how to make your own soap), flashlight and candles; radio, solar powered battery charger. First aid kit with bigger bandaids, emergency wound closure stitches; tourniquets (cuts are more likely to be bigger), anti venom?

In our home I keep a fire escape ladder, small fire extinguishers (kitchen and 2 rooms) and fire blankets:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B087DZ9R86?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

EZ fire spray
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001229JCU?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Survival tool (In car)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08ZD14JHV?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Maps (driving and by foot)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0528024671?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Road atlas
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0528023748?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Car escape tool
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0042VVKD4?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Portable potty (younger kids)

Rations
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0186IV3FI?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
mountain house dehydrated food
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B084J5CMR8?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Coconut oil and Manuka honey (first aid, moisturizing cooking)

Instant coffee packets (Mt Hagen)

Silicone folding cups (filtering water bottles are better but bulky)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B096M3J5MZ/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Emergency backpacks

Emergency Water filtering straws
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006QF3TW4?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Fire starter
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08RWP8WZ7?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Emergency solar powered communication/light/battery
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0895R6BZ5?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Lantern
https://www.amazon.com/Rechargeable...ds=Led+camping+lantern&qid=1699554287&sr=8-12

SAS survival handbook
https://www.amazon.com/SAS-Survival-Handbook-Third-Surviving/dp/0062378074/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=2O3LA546E4ZZM&keywords=sas+survival+handbook&qid=1699553692&sprefix=sas+survival,aps,110&sr=8-1

Edit: forgot coffee (very important to stay alert but hydrated); some good bug spray/sunscreen would be great as well.

 

[CdnCarrie]

Nothing really. Have never ever lost power for more than couple hours in my entire 50 years. Worst case scenario I guess would be a blizzard. We always have bread and peanut butter.