Be Prepared: Part 3

Week 3 and your emergency kit is taking form. If you've clicked on this link and haven't read the previous posts, please do. It's a weekly guide to putting together your 72 hour Emergency Kit and being prepared.

In Week 1, we covered water supply and a container. Week 2 was all about food and a plan. This week, we'll go over a first aid kit and providing for your pets.

Step 1: First Aid- You can pick up a ready made kit at Walmart/Target/Costco, or you can put one together yourself. If you are putting it together yourself, here are some items that should go in it:

- 2 pairs of disposable gloves

- sterile dressings to stop bleeding

- cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes to disenfect

- antibiotic ointment to prevent infection

- burn ointment

- adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes

- eye wash solution to wash eyes out or as general decontaminant

- scissors

- over-the-counter medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, antacids, laxative, anti-diarrhea medicine

- prescription medicines you take every day, such as insulin, heart medicine or asthma inhaler

- prescribed medical supplies such as glucose monitoring equipment or blood pressure cuffs

I also reccommend adding in the following

- sanitary napkins ( they act as a gauze/pad for wounds)

- super glue (to seal cuts that aren't deep)

- ace bandage

- medical tape

- q-tips

- tongue depressors (can be used as finger splints)

Step 2: Pets- Don't forget about your furry family members when it comes to emergencies. Make sure to always keep a collar with ID tag on it at all times. If they get loose or you aren't able to take them with you, there will be a way to possibly get them back home to you. Also, consider getting your pets microchipped.

Each pet should have a "go-bag" and a plan in case of evacuation. This should include:

- a sturdy leashes and pet carriers. A pillowcase is a good option for transporting cats and other small animals who cannot be leashed.

- Food, water and any medications for at least one week

-non-spill bowls, can opener and plastic lids if they will be eating canned food

- plastic bags, litter box and litter

- recent photo of each pet

- names and phone numbers of emergency veterinarian hospitals and local animal shelters

If you must leave your pet behind:

- On your front door or in a highly visable window, use chalk, paint or marker to write the number and types of pets in your residence. Include their location in your home and the date you evacuated.

- Leave plenty of water in a large, open container that cannot be tipped over.

- Leave plenty of food. If possible, leave it in timed feeders so they don't overeat.

- Do not tie up your pet in your home.

Be Prepared: Part 2

If you started to read this post and wonder what it's all about, you can read the first post in this series HERE .

So, last week you picked up the container to hold your emergency kit and your water supply. This week we will start filling that emergency kit!

Step 1: Food- Remember that you are stocking up on supplies that will last a MINIMUM of 72 hours. This is the recommended time from Red Cross, etc. I suggest stocking up for longer "just in case".

- Store food items that are familiar to your family rather than special emergency foods. Don't forget to take into account special dietary restrictions. Your body is already going through a stressful time and you dont' want to further upset it with foods that you haven't tried.

- Ideal foods are shelf-stable, low in salt and do not require cooking (ex: peanut butter, canned fruit & vegetables, canned soup or meat, jam, low salt crackers, dry cereal, etc.)

- If containers do not have an expiration date, make sure to mark them for rotation. Canned food usually has a shelf life of 18 months to 2 years. Dry products like cereal, crackers, cookies will last 6 months.

- Another great option is purchasing cases of MRE's. The same kind that are used by our troops. They have a shelf life of years. We have them and have tried one. It's not that bad.

Step 2: Make A Plan

- Designate an out of area contact person. Long Distance service is often restored before local service. Provide this person with the names and numbers of people you want to keep informed of your situation. Instruct family members to phone this person and tell them where they are if you become separated.

- Documents binder. Make copies of important documents that you might not have time to grab. These can include birth certificates, social security cards, driver's licenses, wills, deeds, insurance information (health, car and home), prescriptions, etc. Make sure to include photos of all family members and pets, as well.

- Make sure every family member knows where the emergency kit is and where each go-bag is (We'll discuss go-bags next week).

- Designate a meeting place outside of the home in case it becomes unsafe. Designate two areas. One just outside of the house, and one outside of the neighborhood in case of an evacuation.

- Teach each family member how to use a fire extinguisher. If you don't have one in your home, purchase one.

- Locate the gas main and other utilities and make sure each family member knows how and when to turn it off.

Be Prepared: Part 1

There's been a lot of talk recently on "Being Prepared"... for the big one, for the downfall of society, for 12-21-12 or for any other catastrophe.

Wes and I are prepared. Not crazy "Doomsday Prepper" style, but I'd like to think that if all power and communications were cut for a few weeks, we'd be comfortable.

Now, we've talked to a lot of family and friends who would like to be prepared, but are a little bit overwhelmed with where to start. So, I've decided to come up with a plan for all of you. (And in the process, I'll be able to double check my supplies.) Each week, I'll post a few steps in getting your kit together. That way, there will be time to get it done and time to ask questions or post your own ideas. So, here we go.

After a major disaster, the services we take for granted may not be available. (Running water, electricity, phone, etc.) These are basics to get your emergency kit started for 72 hours of survival. Please feel free to add to it.

Step 1: Get a container for your emergency kit. It should be kept in an easily accessible location and would ideally be watertight. A great example is a large plastic trashcan with lid and wheels.

Step 2: Water- a minimum of 3 gallons per person, per day ( If you have 2 people in your household, you will need 18 gallons). This is enough to allow for drinking, hygiene and cooking.

Tap water can be stored in clean 2-liter bottles. Label and store in a cool, dark place. Tap water should be replaced every 6 months. Commercially bottled water should be replaced by date on bottle or every 12 months.

There you have it. The first 2 steps. Don't procrastinate on this one. Get started on your supplies and be prepared.

Going Wild

It happened. My little turned 5 and he's not so little anymore.
We celebrated his day with a Safari themed party at home. The weather couldn't make up it's mind and kept saying rain/no rain all the way up until the day of the party. Naturally, I panicked because I had a guest list of 65-70 people and our house just isn't big enough to fit everyone comfortably inside. But, with the exception of a little sprinkle, the weather was great!
Our party foods included Pizza, Hot Dogs and PB&J for main entrees. Veggies & ranch, berries & grapes, apple slices, bags of chips, fruit snacks, cheese & crackers and rice krispy treats as sides/snacks. For dessert, of course we had birthday cake, but because we had such a big crowd, we also had double chocolate gluten free cupcakes, "Dirt" cups (chocolate pudding topped with oreo crumbs and a gummy worm) and banana pudding cups (bananas, monkeys, animal safari- stretching the theme a little there).
I made signs for "The Watering Hole" where the drinks were located, a sign that said "please don't feed the animals" with a photo of Landon yelling and crossed out, an entrance sign, and a banner that said "Go Wild".
His goodie bags were brown paper sacks with a green stamped "thanks" and tied with animal print ribbon. Inside was a toy snake, animal stickers, an animal finger puppet and assorted candies.
I bought him a brown polo with a black lion on it and we were ready to party!
Yes, we went a little crazy with the theme, but it was totally worth it. He LOVED it and had such a great day!

Here's to 2012...

2011 was full of blessings. The greatest was being able to quit my job and stay at home with Landon. I have prayed for this opportunity with every fiber of my being- even before I became a Mom. Yes, he drives me crazy and tests my patience to it's furthest limits every single day... but I feel like I was designed for this job. I love being able to wake up to his sweet voice, tuck him in every night with prayers and witness every tiny moment in between. I thought staying at home would be my chance to teach him, but really it's him who has been teaching me all along. I've learned to slow down and take time to enjoy life. A simple picnic at the park, laying on the grass and watching the clouds go by. That's a perfect day to us.



So, what's in store for 2012? Only God knows, I suppose. But I hope it's filled with many days of sunshine, laughter, memories, good health and lots of love. I'll take a few rough days too. Because without them, I wouldn't be able to fully appreciate the good ones.

I'm hoping for more quiet moments with God, romantic moments with my husband and silly moments with Landon.

This year I hope to be a better wife, a better mom, a better friend and a better person in general. 2012, I have big plans for us.