I found a couple more web sites you might want to check out for preparedness bargains. The Volcano Stove was mentioned as a good possibility for times when fuel was scarce. It also compacts to a size that is easy to toss in the car if you must evacuate. The Berkey Guy is running a special for $134.99 with free delivery. This is the lowest price I've seen. You can get more information at theberkeyguy@directive21.com. There is also a sale on black Berkey 2-pack filters for $89.99. Use the code BB89 to get the price. He is connected to LPC Survival.

For those who might want something in their backpack, the Solo Stove is a good choice. It is light weight and uses twigs as fuel. All the reviews are good. This is a small unit that quickly heats water to boiling and can cook a simple meal for one. Check it out at www.solostove.com.

There is a good sale on dehydrated and freeze dried foods at Emergency Essentials. Their site is www.beprepared.com. The savings are significant. This company also gives a good price break for group buyers.

I have been checking out preparedness books and manuals. I haven't narrowed down my top 3 yet, but Barnes & Noble has a 15% coupon this week. I think I'll make a trip to the bigger town and check out what is available. If you have a recommendation, please share it.

One good tip came in today that I will pass along. It was highly suggested that families purchase the Hoyle Rule Book for hundreds of card games that would pass the time away if the electronics and TV were unavailable.

I bought a couple of cases of Sterno at Sam's. You can create a stove from a #10 can, slip a can into a small table top grill, set it between some bricks or rocks or even use a chafing dish. The nice thing about Sterno is it stores forever and you can cap it when you are finished cooking to conserve fuel.

Let me know if you have found some bargains.

This information just came in from a reader. Black Friday often has incredible deals -- many of which we need for prudent preparing.

There is a website that provides information for all sales and you can get emails. The emails are being sent out daily as the stores black Friday ads are being released. Website is www.bfads.net. It is very thorough.

Radio Shack has the American Red Cross Solar Link Emergency Radio for $35 (regular price is $70). Store opens at 6am. Check with local stores regarding online sales times and availability etc. This is an item that was very important. This item has all the recommended features and will be 50% off! This might make a great Christmas gift for loved ones that haven’t started on any preparedness kit. Here is the information on the product:

American Red Cross Solar Link Emergency Radio

Model #ARCFR370WXR

Catalog # 20-579

Have the information you need on-hand when you need it most with the FR370 from Eton. This Solarlink radio features all seven channels of NOAA weather alerts, AM/FM radio, LED flashlight and a red flashing beacon. Plus, it can be powered from four different sources, including "AAA" batteries and solar power.

• AM/FM/NOAA radio stations keep you alerted during emergencies
• Self-powered hand-crank generator means there is no need to worry about losing power
• LED flashlight and red flashing beacon
• Power source: solar, hand crank, DC input via mini-USB drive or 3 "AAA" batteries
•  USB wireless phone charger

This is the type radio I am recommending we buy for family use. A simple battery operated radio would be a good addition for individucal backpacks. You can also buy rechargable batteries and get a solar operated recharger. I will post about a few models you might be interested in later. There is a good possibility this item will be available the following Monday when on-line sales are available. We need to check both.

 

Jot down the possibilities in your Preparedness Notebook and note the ones your family prefers in the planner so you won't forget. It is definitely list making time.

Greetings this post election day. Regardless of the outcome of votes, God remains our supreme Ruler and King. As we look to Him, we'll receive instructions on OUR next steps. It may appear as if our lives will continue as always. Unfortunately, I believe we have set in place the ingredients that have the potential of changing our lives in dramatic and heartbreaking ways. So what do we do -- we stay alert to the voice of the Lord and be quick to do His bidding and follow precisely His instructions. We maintain our places on the wall of intercession and be ready with His Words to those who will listen. All across America the saints prayed, repented for our nation's past and present sins, interceded for those with hardened hearts and stopped ears, and believed for revival to come to our land. Well, we just CONTINUE! Our job isn't over, it has but begun.

It is time to get serious about preparing for disasters and emergencies that will surely come. I'll be posting many articles about preparedness. I hope you will add your comments and contribute articles about your preparedness experiences. Together we can walk this new way in excellence.

Yesterday I bought a lock-tight Sterlite 15 gallon container for my winter emergency supplies. Yes, even in the deep South, we get storms that can bring travel to a standstill. This container is small enough that I still have plenty of cargo space, but will hold the essentials. This isn't an emergency Go-Kit, it just contains what I might need if I am stranded on the highway.

ITEMS:

Contact list
5 16 ounce bottles of water with about an inch removed in case of freezing
5 protein bars about 400 calories each
5 snack bars about 200 calories each
5 bags of peanuts
1 package of hard candy
Chap Stick
Lidded 1 pound coffee can with toilet paper (instant potty)
2 gallon baggies
Wet Wipes
State and county map
Knit hat
Ear muffs
Long scarf
Warm gloves
Wool socks
Slip-on boots
Rain Poncho
A can of De-icer

Reflective emergency blankets (5) one for each seat belt
Flash light
Extra batteries
Ice scraper
Hand towel
Red bandana to use to signal help (hang on the outside of the car)
Whistle
Utility knife (Swiss Army Knife)
3 packages of hand warmers
Candle stubs or 2-4 in. pillars  (you don't want tall tapers)
Lidded container filled with rice to secure candle
3 Glow Sticks
Matches or lighter
Plastic drop cloth
Duct tape
5 black trash bags

In the South we rarely wear heavy coats to run errands. I keep my winter coat in the car. Last year it got rumpled and a bit dirty. This year I'm going to slip it into a kitchen trash bag and lay it on top of the supply container.  I am also putting a wool army blanket in a plastic bag and tucking it under everything.

When I get a folding shovel, I'm putting it my tire well along with a small bag of kitty litter. These items could get me out of a ditch or an icy patch where I have no traction. I already have jumper cables and jacks, a can of Tire Fix, emergency signal and flares, etc.

If you have a station wagon like me, or a van, the plastic drop cloth can create a nook for warmth. Just use the duct tape to adhere it to the ceiling and doors of your vehicle. The plastic can also cover a window if it gets broken by a flying limb or debris. If you don't have duct tape in your tire well, you can wind some on a small plastic cylinder (even a straw) to make it compact enough to fit in your container. Just slip it in a sandwich bag to keep the sticky from getting on other things.

I hope you won't put off getting this in your cars. We in the South tend not to think about frigid weather until late December, but this year we might be wise to prepare a little earlier.

Have a blessed day. Let me know what Father has laid on your hearts about those first steps of Prudent Preparedness.

Greetings,

I had a wonderful time on the west coast with all the great folks from the Seattle area. Seattle has challenges, but everyone at the meeting was ready to step up to the plate and get their families preparedfor crisis. One never knows just how a disaster will compound. In fact that was not a term I have ever heard in disaster preparedness classes, but it was one Father dropped into my spirit so I went ahead and used it in the presentation. Wow, does it say it all.

The New Jersey and New York areas are expecting heavy rain and strong winds along the coast and snow inland. This will set back cleanup and recovery because the predicted flooding will undo everything that has been accomplished. In addition there was a 2.0 earthquake Monday.

People are very upset that response teams were not right in place immediately. I watched the news as FEMA and local officials painted very realistic pictures of what to expect and projected reasonable timetables for utility restoration. BUT.... the warnings just were not strong enough.

We need to learn from Sandy's intrusion onto our land. PEOPLE WILL BE ON THEIR OWN FOR A MINIMUM OF 3 DAYS AND UPWARDS TO 5 - 7. If people elect to stay in the area that has been declared ground zero for destruction, they better be expert Preppers. It isn't that agencies don't care or are preferring others, the set-up logistics just take time. No group is sent in until the area is absolutely secure and equipment and stores arrive. People come from far distances to minister aid.

That said, may I urge you to go ahead and get started on that Go-Kit. We may just have to drop forever the 72-hour moniker. From this time forward, it may not ever be appropriate again.

Please get the battery radio and at least 5 gallons of water this week. That is a start!  Hubby bought a few gallons of distilled water for his breathing machine and another 24-pack case. Tomorrow I will be writing the "best by" dates on a dozen bags of canned fruit and veggies. Hope I can get them shelved too, but will probably have to rearrange to accommodate everything.

I will be creating an inventory system thanks to a friend's spread sheet. Just as soon as I get it organized I'll post it on the blog. This is a wonderful time saver! As we are building our store, we need to keep good records from the start.

Remember to dig around your house for a 2 or 3 inch three-ring binder. You probably have one stuffed on a closet shelf. We need to start organizing our preparedness materials.

I'll post more information on water tomorrow. Add a comment about how you are preparing this week.

Linda

The list below contains some suggestions that will help you gather the food necessary for your family to survive at least three days if you must leave your home to escape a disaster situation. Please remember that 3 days is a bare minimum that the government suggest you prepare for. In a serious, unexpected and widespread situation, it will take at least that long for response agencies to get in place to begin providing relief. If time permits and you don't have to grab and run, expand the amount of food you take to a week. This could take the form of quickly gathering from your pantry shelves enough supplies to keep your family safe. The food for the initial first 3 days should be already in your Go-Kit or backpacks.

FOOD FOR 72-HOUR EMERGENCY KITS

If your family is sheltering in a building or evacuating out of a danger zone, you won’t be able to cook anything. Food must be ready to eat. If you are sheltering outside in tents or under tarps, cooking possibilities increase. Camp stoves or camp fires will allow you to prepare hot family-style meals. Consider food preferences or allergies and pick items that are familiar and will provide adequate calorie counts. If you are able, increase food to cover 5 – 7 days.

SUGGESTIONS:

Meal replacement bars, protein bars, breakfast bars, powdered protein mixes & jar with lid
Meat: Vienna sausage, potted meat, tuna fish, canned sandwich spreads, dried beef in a jar, cheese in a jar, chili, canned stews or barbeque meat, Spam, canned ham and chicken, Beanie Weenies, Spaghetti-O’s, jerky. Look for pop-top lids.

Soups: ready-to-eat and condensed, dried soup packets, cup of soup varieties, Ramen Noodles (There are many products designed for lunch box meals – pasta, rice, etc.)

Fruit and Vegetables:  dried fruit, trail mixes, nuts, lunchbox packs of fruit or pudding, instant potato packs, canned or dehydrated fruit and vegetables

Drinks: juice boxes, 2-liter bottles of 100% fruit juice, boxes of shelf-life milk, dried milk, canned milk,  jar or packet of stir-in milk flavoring, hot chocolate or apple cider packets, water bottle add-ins, tea, coffee (powdered cream and sweeteners if you use them), bouillon cubes

Peanut butter or Nutella, jelly, crackers (at least a sleeve per person)

Snacks: hard candy, gum, graham or animal crackers, etc.

Infant and toddler: ready-to-use formula, food, juice, biscuits (Because of fast-changing requirements, add this before departing along with their diapers and clothes.)

MRE’s and dehydrated meals: These are good add-ins. They are more costly than items off the grocery store shelf, but are worth considering.

 
Remember you are planning for 3 meals per day per person plus snacks and comfort food. Prowl the grocery store shelves looking for items you can try. Depending on what you include, a can opener may also be necessary per backpack.  Save plastic bottles, you may need to refill them with water. A funnel and coffee filter will collect any debris. Then treat using a filtration system, Clorox, purification tablets. If you have a source of fire, boil rapidly for one minute

Hopefully, you have read the first post and decided maybe getting prepared for the unexpected would be a good idea. Every family needs to put together a 72-hour Go-Kit. This kit will provide the basic necessities if you must evacuate your home.

72-hour Emergency Kits

Store your kit close to the front door if possible. You can use sturdy backpacks (mark with each person’s name) or a lock-tight plastic bin (one with wheels would be great) or both. Lay all supplies out, divide among backpacks if those are your containers, type up inventories, print out, put in plastic clear baggies, and tape to the lid or put in backpack pockets. On the outside with a marker, write the date you packed the kit. On your calendar write a check and recycle date 6 months in the future that coincides with a season change.

Clothing: 1 change of clothes, shoes, extra socks, appropriate outerwear, sturdy rain poncho

Hygiene: hand towel, wet-wipes, hand sanitizer, tooth brush and paste, comb or brush, insect repellant, sun screen, feminine supplies, diapers for toddlers and infants, extra underwear for pre-schoolers, 1 roll of toilet paper

Water: 3 gallons each (more is better), some should be individual bottles, water purification tablets, Clorox, or filtration equipment.

Food: 3 to 5 days ready-to-eat food with pop-tops. Mess kit or disposable bowls, cups, utensils

Light: flashlight (2 sets of batteries kept separate), 2 light sticks, water-proof matches or lighter

Warmth and Shelter: a silver foil emergency blanket, 2 hand warmers, a heavy plastic drop cloth, several black trash bags, a few gallon and quart Zip-lock bags

First Aid: small kits for each backpack, well-stocked family kit, medicines, assorted safety pins

Contact list: Identification and contact lists for each person (put in baggie, pin inside a pocket)

Documents and cash: $100 in small bills per person, copies of important documents like birth certificates, SS cards, wills, insurance cards, vehicle information (color, make, license), flash drive with important business, personal, medical information, household inventories or photos

Communication: solar, hand-crank, or battery radio (extra batteries), phone charger

Tools: Swiss army knife or multi-tool, hatchet or ax, mattock, folding shovel,  2 pairs leather-palmed work gloves, good duct tape, utility knife. In winter add a bag of sand, de-Icer

Cooking: camp stove and fuel, nesting pots, metal cooking utensils, good folding knife, can opener, heavy-duty aluminum foil, bucket, lantern, dish soap, steel wool soap pads, fire starter

Shelter: Tarp, ground cover, rope, tent if you have it, bedrolls or blankets

Pet supplies: food and water, bowls, harnesses and leashes, vet records

Greetings,

This is my first official post on The Way of Prudence. It will be a bare bones attempt to get the Preparedness Lists up for those who have listened to World for Jesus live stream November 2 from Seattle Washington.

The first step of the preparedness journey is to start working on your Family Disaster Plan.

Every family should have a Disaster Plan

1.      Register with your Emergency Management Agency to receive weather and emergency alerts on your various phones. Know your community’s warning signals: what they sound like and what they mean. Some communities have a registry for people with illnesses, disabilities or who have equipment for life support. Make sure every family member knows how to contact emergency services. Keep a list of numbers by the phone or on the refrigerator door. Post a list of family member’s phone numbers.

2.      Make sure you have a battery-operated radio so you can receive official information and instruction.

3.      Home Safety: Your EMA should have a brochure that will provide a checklist of activities. You want to clear your home of known hazards. Learn how and where to shut off water, gas, electricity, and sewage - (keep needed tools attached to the valves.)

4.      Fire Safety: Diagram your house and mark escape routes. Determine two avenues of escape on every floor. Have smoke alarms and fire extinguishers on each floor and in garage and shop areas. Have a rope ladder installed or available for upper floors. Practice evacuations.

5.      Establish out-of-state and local contacts to call in a disaster. List all contact information for each family member: daytime location (work, school, gym, most frequented businesses) include friends or classmates and all phone numbers and addresses. List health issues and medicines currently taking. Include the pertinent information of at least two of your neighbors and the local and out-of-state contacts.

Print and distribute to everyone. Be sure a copy is in the children’s book bag. 

6.      Put together a 72-hour Emergency Go-Bag. Make sure every vehicle has a Car Kit.

7.      Discuss what to do in an emergency situation. Perform drills so everyone knows what to do, what their responsibilities are, and how to adapt if things suddenly change.

8.      Designate meet-up places outside your house and another away from your neighborhood. Talk about what to do if everyone isn’t at home at the time of the emergency. Develop at least two possible responses.

9.      Make provision for your pets.

10.  Create a Disaster Preparedness Notebook and update every 6 months