Emergency Preparedness Task #10- Get Yourself in Shape for the Emergencies of Life

Lately I've been working on cardiovascular work, weight-training, stretching and knee rehabilitation exercises to strengthen my legs, shoulders, back and abdominals.  I wanted to begin walking and hiking treks with my best friend (who's already in great shape) and I knew that I couldn't do this with her unless I got in much better shape.  It's made me realize that what I'm training for would equally apply to preparatory training for emergencies.  In emergencies, you may be required to walk considerable distances.  You will have to be able to carry armfuls of items around, stretch, crouch, squat, work with tools, wash lots of items by hand...it requires fitness to survive and thrive in times of emergencies.

Having a strong immune system is utterly imperative for making it through a crisis, too.  Look seriously at whether or not you are eating and taking the dietary supplements that you know you need for optimum health.  Think about it.  Who is going to take care of you or your family if you're out of shape and unable to keep up with the requirements of an emergency?  Are you doing yourself any favors by eating low-quality food, not taking dietary supplements to boost our body's performance and not exercising.  I'm writing this as much to myself as I am to you!  Yes, life should be lived in balance.  But it is necessary to get some exercise every day.

Times of emergency require endurance, flexibility, strength and adaptability.  Some people are better-equipped naturally to handle this, but almost anyone can train to get better at handling these types of situations. 

Here are some questions that you must ask yourself and answer honestly, to see if you're fit enough to handle an emergency situation with sufficient bodily ability:

* Can you lift up several grocery bags in one hand, a heavy suitcase, a large (full) Rubbermaid container, small children, pets and laundry baskets full of clothes easily and without getting very out of breath?

* Can you climb stairs easily?  If you're in pain and that's the cause of not being able to climb steps, have you been to a doctor, physical therapist, etc., to try and resolve the issues?

* Are you able to balance on one leg?  Can you squat, lunge, kneel and sit on the floor if needed?  Can you easily pull up your own weight onto stairs, platforms, step stools and ladders?

* Can you walk for more than fifteen minutes at a time?  Could you also walk with a backpack on your back for more than ten minutes and still be comfortable enough?

* Do you constantly feel tired?  Do you often wish that you had more energy?  Have you read and studied what you could be doing to improve your energy levels?  Have you had a recent physical and blood work done to rule out any easily-treatable causes of fatigue (such as iron deficiency anemia)?

* Is your sleep hygiene what it should be to induce a good night's sleep?  Sleep is the foundation of a healthy life.  It's not a luxury to sleep well- it is a must to live at your peak when you are awake.  Do whatever you have to do in order to get abundant, high-quality sleep each night. 

* Are you eating healthy and taking a multi-vitamin/mineral supplement each day?  It's not nearly as important to focus on what you shouldn't eat as it is to focus on what you can and should eat for optimum health.  When you fill your diet with clean water, whole grains, lean protein, lots of vegetables, fresh fruit, herbs, spices, healthy fats (coconut oil, extra-virgin olive oil, avocado oil, etc.), nuts and seeds, I can promise that your cravings for sweets or salty foods will automatically go down.  When your dietary needs are being met through whole, fresh food, your energy levels and brain chemistry will thank you.  People who have incessant urges to eat sweets or salty snacks aren't lacking in willpower or strength; they are undernourished and are not eating enough calories in good food first.  People who eat old-fashioned oats, green or black tea, healthy fats, two to three servings of fruit, three to five servings of vegetables (including a big salad full of dark leafy greens), an ounce of seeds or nuts, 70-150 grams of protein  and a whole grain like brown rice or quinoa every single day simply don't have much appetite left for junk!  Add a multi-vitamin/mineral supplement to cover your bases and I can guarantee you that you'll feel neither deprived nor lacking in energy!  Eat the good stuff first and then if you still crave a treat, you'll be able to keep it at a reasonable portion size because you haven't been starving yourself.  That said, look for healthier versions of sweeteners and favorite desserts to indulge in.  Good nutrition aids in having a clear mind, and few things are more important in an emergency than having all your wits about you!  

If you don't already have a program in place, I strongly urge you to slowly but surely get into a regular exercise program.  Weight-training exercises, abdominal training, cardiovascular work and athletic stretching or yoga should all be a part of your program.  Walking, hiking, running, swimming and biking are all excellent cardio choices which would help anyone who wants to become a more serious prepper get in shape.  You don't have to go to a gym to lift weights, either.  There are lots of good workout DVDs out there for cardio, weight-training and stretching or yoga.  My favorites are from The FIRM and by Cathe Friedrich.  Yoga helps not only with flexibility and developing good balance but also de-stresses and energizes (something seriously needed in any time of emergency).  Taking one to two rest days a week from exercise is a good idea, so that your muscles have a chance to recover and so that your joints don't get overused.  Cardio done three times a week for thirty to sixty minutes at a time, a total-body weight-training with abdominal work completed twice a week and stretches done after all of those workouts will ensure a high level of fitness- especially when combined with a good diet.

Here's to being a prepared organized minimalist,
Liz

Emergency Preparedness Task #9- Purchase or Set Up Emergency Communication Supplies

Purchase a solar- and/or hand crank-powered cell phone charger which works for your type of phone.  There are a variety of options to fit all different budgets and needs.  Remember that if you have a SmartPhone, you'll need the type of cell phone charger that can handle that.  If it runs on batteries and/or AC power, too, that's great.  But being able to run the charger on solar or hand-cranking power is important in case you run out of batteries, the batteries go bad or you end up in a disaster which ends up being even more long-term than what your initial backup battery supply was intended for.  Naturally, in the case of a nationwide extreme disaster, cell phones aren't likely to keep working, but I'm not trying to prepare you for that level of problems.  My main goal is to keep you and your household functioning for three to seven days in the midst of a regional problem or a blackout. 

This cell phone charger/radio/flashlight combo also has an AC adapter, which is a nice option to have:

http://www.amazon.com/Ambient-Weather-Emergency-Flashlight-Certified/dp/B0071BTJPI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1375122564&sr=8-3&keywords=NOAA

This will charge SmartPhones and is invaluable in times of trouble:

http://www.amazon.com/American-Turbine-Weather-Smartphone-Charger/dp/B007KFLVTM/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1375122564&sr=8-10&keywords=NOAA

For those residing in the United States- If your cell phone doesn't have an NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) radio on it (all SmartPhones should have this capability or you should at least be able to download a program that does), then you'll need to purchase this type of radio.  They're inexpensive and invaluable in times of disaster.  Yes, a local radio station will have some news in the event of a problematic time, but I really think having NOAA is important, too.  Below are some options for NOAA radios, chargers and similar supplies:

http://www.amazon.com/Midland-Consumer-WR-120B-Certified-Trilingual/dp/B00176T9OY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375122564&sr=8-1&keywords=NOAA

http://www.amazon.com/Ambient-Weather-WR-089-Emergency-Flashlight/dp/B004068AWU/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1375122564&sr=8-8&keywords=NOAA

http://www.amazon.com/Weather-FR182R-Radio-Flashlight-Lantern/dp/B007T13LD6/ref=sr_1_48?ie=UTF8&qid=1375122867&sr=8-48&keywords=NOAA

http://www.amazon.com/Pocket-Digital-NOAA-Weather-Radio/dp/B008N2O2GK/ref=pd_sim_sbs_e_5

Be sure to pack a cell phone charger, NOAA radio and flashlight in your car emergency kit, too.  You don't want to run down your car battery just to charge your phone or listen to a radio.

Here's to being a prepared organized minimalist,
Liz

Emergency Preparedness Task #8- Make Your Environment Comfortable Even During Emergencies

Today I would like you to think about what you and your immediate family will need to stay comfortable during a time of crisis.  Heat, cold, lots of humidity, excess dry air, sleeping accommodation quality...what will influence how comfortable you can be even without power or possibly even running water in your home?  If you're in your own home, then at least you'll be in your own bed when you sleep.  However, if you have to sleep in your car or in someone else's home, would you still be comfortable?  Do you need a sleeping bag, blankets, extra pillows and/or a tent, if you were stuck in these circumstances? 

Assume that it's a very hot summer day and your power has gone out.  Do you have battery-operated fans that can help keep your house manageable to live in?  This is a good time to dunk cooling bandanas in some cold water and pass them out to prevent heat stroke, too.  If you are allowed to do so (I know renters often aren't allowed), do you have curtains up or high-quality blinds at the windows which can be closed fully to block excess hot air and sunshine from warming up the place too much?  If you have shutters on your windows, are they in good working order so that you could use them to further prevent hot air and excess sun from coming in?  Alternately, what if it's super-cold outside?  Do you have a heater that you can use indoors, which doesn't rely on electrical power, in the event of a cold snap during a crisis?  If you have a wood-burning fireplace, do you have plenty of dry firewood at the ready for the cold weather?

If you still have a home telephone line- Do you have at least one corded phone in the house?  Remember that cordless phones don't work (at least in the U.S.) during power outages?  Are you in the habit of keeping your cell phone(s) charged fully?  If not, you need to start doing this.  Pick a schedule to charge your phone and stick to it.  I have a Smartphone and have to charge it once or twice a day.  I charge it while I'm showering and grooming for bedtime each night, then take it off the charger to conserve power.  Depending upon how much I'm using it that day, I often need to charge my phone once again in late morning or early afternoon to keep it perpetually above 50% charged.  I look at my cell phone's charged status like a car's gasoline tank- I never want it less than half-full.

If it's at all possible, a generator is wonderful to have on hand during an emergency.  However, many apartment dwellers, renters and condo owners don't have the option of relying on a generator.  So we must be able to utilize alternate sources of energy, heat, cold, cooking, etc.  Thankfully, in this day and age many preppers have written about this topic and many products are offered to get this done.  Again, know that you don't have to do all of this today.  Just begin to think about it, purchase items as your budget allows and keep them ready for use at all times.  If you spend even five minutes a day on prepping, you'll be in a much better position should an emergency strike.

It should go without saying, but it case there's a need to say it...keep your home de-cluttered and clean.  Clutter and emergencies are like oil and water.  A really dirty house and sudden disasters don't mix.  Period.  Remember the possibility exists in extreme cases that you could be without trash service for several days (or even longer).  Don't keep trash in the house more than a day.  Common sense has to reign here- NO PROCRASTINATION IS ALLOWED. I try not to be hardcore with my readers, but I'm not budging on this rule!

This is all another reason to keep your laundry washed, dried and put away.  Emergencies don't often give us much notice before they come up!  Make sure that your blankets, sheets, towels and more are kept clean and ready to use in the event that you need them now.  Purchase a small drying rack or some hangers with special clips on them that will allow you to air-dry laundry, as well, should your dryer go out.  This is a good idea even if your power is working fine because obviously appliances can and do break down or just die completely without warning all the time.  Keep up your daily and weekly household routines no matter what happens.  Being prepared in advance will help you to continue performing those rituals which maintain your home and life well, even in the midst of a crisis.  Write up a checklist for needed repairs inside and outside your home. When you notice something as you're trolling about that needs work, write it down and get to it ASAP (and as funds allow).

The questions to perpetually keep in mind when doing this kind of planning: Considering the events that frequently or have been known to hit my geographic area with at least some regularity (more than every twenty years), am I ready to protect my home and family to the best of my ability?  Have I stocked up on everything possible and affordable to secure windows and doors in the event of such a disaster?  This includes tarps, duct tape, working locks, etc.  Are all of my doorways and windows free from clutter that makes them inaccessible?  Are any doors, windows or other major parts of my home's structure in need of repairs?  If a fire got started somehow and I was on the second floor, do I have an emergency ladder that I could use to get out should the first floor become impossible to get through and get out of?  Are my gutters clear, bushes and trees trimmed back from my home, leaves raked (as the season warrants)?  Is all of my insurance paid and are my policies up to date?  Have you done your research on what insurance you should have and/or are required to have by law for your home, even if you're a renter?  You cannot be dedicated to emergency preparedness and constantly going on a wing and a prayer with practical issues like this.  If an intruder came along in the midst of such an emergency, do I have any skill or plan or equipment whatsoever to deal with them?  Do I have enough food and water to last me and/or my family at least three days?  If evacuation plans are already in place by my local government in the event of fairly commonplace problems (floods, tornados, etc.), am I aware of what they are and how to follow them?  If I would need to go to the basement in the event of an emergency, is it clean, dry, de-cluttered and does it have an emergency exit to the outdoors?  Are the basement stairs, whether they're indoors or outdoors, safe and not all rickety?  Do all stairways have proper railings to help prevent falls?  If an ice or snowstorm hits, do I have melting fluid, rock salt or kitty (something for tread), a shovel, etc.?

For those who are in any position of leadership (clergy, business owners, politicians, etc.,)- Have I done everything for my business and/or community to help prepare for commonplace disasters that I possibly can?  Have I made use of all local resources and those online to help me prepare mentally and emotionally (not just physically and in supplies) for blackouts, weather-related emergencies, unexpected emergency room visits, etc.?  Are all of my warranties, appliance and electronic handbooks, insurance papers and so on easy-to-find and organized?  Does anyone know the emergency preparedness plans in my head or have I kept them entirely to myself?  It usually takes a whole family, group of friends or community to turn emergency situations around and rebuild, so it pays to keep a strong network of educated-about-preparedness people in your life.

Here are some articles to further help you protect your home from specific weather-related disasters:

http://www.weather.com/activities/homeandgarden/home/hometips/severeweather/hurricane_prepare.html

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/improvement/interior/8-ways-to-protect-your-home-against-tornadoes-and-hurricanes#slide-1

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/improvement/security/7-ways-to-protect-yourself-from-a-home-invasion#slide-1

Being calm, cool and collected in a crisis is a major asset, and rarely do unprepared people feel this way should said crisis come up.  Typically, it is the well-prepared and those with backup plans who are able to maintain their emotional stability in the midst of some sort of trauma.  Emergency preparedness helps build coping skills- it isn't just about having a set of supplies.  This is not a skill set that should be underestimated.  Planning for emergencies doesn't lead to a fearful attitude about life unless it's taken to extremes- planning for them actually reduces the amount of stress that you feel about such events, so long as it's kept in balance mentally.  I don't believe in sacrificing the joys of today for a possible problem tomorrow, to be clear.  We should enjoy what we have today and set aside a little bit extra so that tomorrow will also be as good as it can be no matter what happens.  

Here's to being a prepared organized minimalist,
Liz

Emergency Preparedness Take #7- Protect Yourself, Your Home and Your Car Against the Elements (and Other People)

Okay, we're about halfway through our emergency preparation tasks now.  Protecting yourself, your family, your home and your car against the elements is a pretty broad topic and involves many different areas of prepping.  I don't expect you to accomplish any of these tasks in a day or even a week.  Every person and every item will need different kinds of protection.  And that protection will vary based on climate, geographical region, your health and the likelihood of particular disasters hitting you.  Someone living in San Francisco, CA is going to having much more likelihood of experiencing major damage due to an earthquake than someone living in upstate New York.  Others live in areas where week-long blackouts are par for the course, while others would consider that highly unlikely.  Many regions which have particular disasters that tend to plague them repeatedly (San Francisco is one such place) already have written emergency preparations written up which document how to prepare your home and self to deal with those.  I highly recommend that you look these sources up online.  These sites will advise you on specifics that go beyond the scope of what I can broach here, such as how to turn off water, gas lines, etc.  Everyone should be prepared for a blackout, water getting cut off and other very common mishaps, though.  So I'll be focusing on what to do for preparation in those most common circumstances.  In other words, I'll be covering the basics of seventy-two hour protection against a more "normal" emergency.

Get yourself and your immediate family members some rain and foul weather gear.  A rain hat, poncho, some skid-resistant/waterproof boots are a good start.  You don't want to be traipsing out in the dark of night some during a thunderstorm to cut off the power to your house in flip-flops and short shorts!  If you had to evacuate temporarily, you want to have clothing and footwear that will make the job easier.  Again, you'll need to look at your own health and where you live to determine what will work best for you.  If you deal with harsh winters, then you'll need to have a good warm coat, gloves, a winter scarf, snow pants (especially if you live in areas that get deep snows) and winter boots with good tread to travel in.  If the power goes out in the dead of winter and you had to travel to a relatives house thirty minutes away in order to stay safe and warm, could you do it?  Think about the possible adventures and outcomes here, especially based on your past experience.  I'm not telling you to worry about every little problem that could ever arise, just to be realistically prepared.

For this reason, I recommend that you have an overnight bag packed for yourself and any immediate family members at all times.  This comes in handy not just for weather-related disasters, but in the event that one of you gets sick and has to stay overnight in the hospital.  This isn't a bug-out bag, which is meant for an entirely different purpose.  This is just a bag with the essentials that you'd need for a one- to three-day stay somewhere outside of your home.  Please consult my previous blog on packing an overnight bag if you need some direction in this area.

Protecting your home will also be specific to your climate and the particular disaster that's hitting you, but you can prepare yourself ahead of time with at least some basics that will cover a variety of issues.  Having a tool box with wrenches, pliers, a hammer, a small chain saw (in case you have to cut through a tree limb or something similar that falls on your house or car), etc., is a must.  Keep the directions on how to turn off your major utilities in the tool box or in your emergency supply box in the house.  Print these directions off now, if you need to, so that you're ready for a problem if it were to happen today.  Plastic sheeting, duct tape, good sharp scissors and similar supplies should also be on hand to help protect and insulate windows and doors.  If you have a fireplace, stock up on firewood and waterproof matches, a firestarter or a good lighter and fuel for it.

A tool kit for your car should also be on the list of supplies, too.  Don't forget to carry some extra water, motor oil, a gas can, a seat belt cutter and similar supplies when you go on a long journey away from home, especially during a time of emergency.  Always keep your tank as full of gas as possible (or charged, if you drive an electric-powered car), so that you'd be okay to drive for a good distance in the event of an emergency. 

Personal protection against intruders is such a vast topic that I hesitate to bring it up here in depth.  People have such different feelings about what should and should not be allowed when it comes to protecting their home and loved ones.  I'm not advocating going out and buying a gun unless that works for you, you know how to use it safely and you know how to store it safely.  But there are many ways to help protect yourself without having to use weapons of deadly force.  Pepper spray, mace, alarm systems that will work even if the power goes out...in today's world there are lots of options.  In a relatively minor disaster, it's quite unlikely things like this would be necessary.  But if you live in an area where it takes a long time to get emergency services, if you live in a high-crime area or if you just wouldn't feel peace of mind without preparing to defend your loved ones and property this way, look into these measures of self-defense.

This blog is by no means a full-out explanation on personal and home protection, but I hope it has served as a jumping-off point for you, giving some food for thought. 

Here's to being a prepared organized minimalist,
Liz

Emergency Preparedness Task #6- Stock Up On Over-the-Counter Medicines and First-Aid Supplies

First aid supplies are essential for anyone and in any household.  After gathering water and food, making sure that you have these supplies on hand should be your next goal.  This is my favorite soft-pack first-aid kit.  I've bought it for family members, too, and they've all loved the kit.  They're so inexpensive that I recommend stocking up on one for both your home and then a separate one for your car.  I've purchased them for extended family members and they have all loved this kit, too.

http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=75575&catid=59967

If you already have plenty of OTC medicines in the house, then there's no real need to buy more unless you want to.  But if you tend to be someone who is unprepared for emergencies, then following this step in our prepping plan is crucial.  In a real emergency, running out to the corner store may simply not be an option.  Just like water and food, stock up on these items a little at a time if you're on a tight budget and starting from scratch on this.  Aspirin, ibuprofen (or something kind of similar, like naproxen sodium), stomach medicines like Pepto-Bismol, these are all essentials to have on hand in the event of an emergency.  However, be aware that purchasing a starter first-aid kit usually gives you more bang for the buck with alcohol wipes, bandages and some small portions of OTC meds than buying each of the items piecemeal.

Don't forget to have a couple of Ace bandages, preferably in different sizes, and some high-quality adhesive bandages on hand, too.  I have a four-inch-wide Ace bandage, which is good for smaller sprains like of the ankle, and a larger six-inch-wide band for things like supporting sore or twisted knees.  My favorite brand of adhesive bandages is the Nexcare waterproof line.  They stay on really well, are truly waterproof if they're sealed on correctly and protect cuts and scrapes so well from infection.  Some preppers go all out and get dental kits, surgical supplies and battle dressing- but this is wayyyyyy beyond the scope of a 72-hour emergency kit!  I'm not going to tell you how to prepare for Armageddon in this blog. :) I'm simply asking you to be ready to sit through three days of a power outage or more "normal" emergency where you can still be at home, someone else's home or in your car. 

Some other toiletries are also important to have just in case.  Have plenty of sanitizing hand gel or spray, soap (for yourself and also for dish washing/household cleaning), deodorant, etc., in the house already.  For women and girls who are menstruating, stock up on some extra feminine supplies.  If stores are closed or low on stock because of a local (or national) emergency, you'll want to have a box or two of your favorite products in reserve.  Please don't be caught unprepared because stores are closed or inaccessible for a few days.  Plan in advance for your purchases so that you're not running out of items in the event a disaster strikes. 

Here's to being a prepared organized minimalist,
Liz