I'm excited to share with you a trick I have been using for years to store my bulk food safely and inexpensively. Who else is gearing up for all the Christmas baking coming just around the corner in December? It seems like I am always cooking or baking something extra in the weeks leading up to Christmas. As someone who cooks a lot anyway, I like to have all of my dry ingredients on hand.
For those of us who cook a lot and like to save money, buying in bulk is a necessity. But when you buy food in bulk, it usually comes bagged in plastic or thick paper packages. Those are nightmare to scoop out of without making a mess. They tip over easily and pests can quickly chew through the thin layers to the food beneath. Not to mention issues with humidity and food going rancid.
Luckily there is an easy way to prevent that from happening. Food. Grade. Buckets.
The good news is that food grade buckets are really easy to get. You can buy them for about 4 dollars a piece. Buying 1 or 2 like that isn't a big deal. But if you want to stock up it can quickly make a pretty big dent in your budget. Some people try to get around this by buying the buckets at like Home Depot because they are less expensive, but you shouldn't do that.
You might be asking yourself if just any plastic bucket will work as long as it is clean. The answer is no. The plastic used for food grade buckets must be free of dyes, additives and recycled plastic products shown to be harmful to humans. The reason for this is that some foods will leach additives and chemicals from their containers which can poison your food. Most food grade plastic is in the HDPE category or high density polyethylene with the plastic code 2. You can find it buy turning the product over and looking for the number in the triangle.
I don't love the thought of spending $100 on buckets just to store my food. I'd rather spend it on yummy food! So one thing I found out many years ago is that you can go to your local grocery store bakery and ask they if they have any left-over buckets. They are usually happy to wash them out and give them to you for FREE. I just call ahead and ask and they will put some aside for me until they have as much as I need.
What I love most though is that they come in a range of sizes from 5 gallons down to 1 gallon. My favorite size is actually the 3.5 gallon. It seems the perfect size for most packages of grain I get from Costco. And, they fit the same kind of lid as a 5 gallon bucket so I can use my favorite Gamma Seal Lids. Guys, if you haven't tried these, you are missing out. There is a ring that goes around the bucket then an inner lid screws on top making it so easy to get to your food without having to pry off the whole lid. It keeps it totally airtight and they come in a range of colors so you can color code your food easily. Love them.
These are the sizes of buckets I use
- wheat in 6 gallon buckets (which also can fit the gamma seal lids)
- sugar, flour and long term storage grains and other food in 5 gallon buckets
- rices, oats, quinoa, lentils, long term storage beans in 3.5 gallon buckets
- beans and specialty rice like basmati or jasmine in 1.5 gallons buckets
I have saved a ton over the years by storing my bulk foods in these buckets I've gotten for free. If for some reason you don't have a grocery bakery by you that has these buckets, I have 1 more tip. Pickles usually come in a 5 gallon buckets so those would be easy to grab from a fast food restaurant, or other restaurant that uses pickles. Just make sure you wash them VERY well to make sure you get the pickle smell out.
Have any of you tried this? What is your favorite size of bucket?
XOXO,
Provident Princess
Liquid Formula for my Baby's Disaster Supplies Kit
Disasters and emergencies can be stressful to anyone but more so when you have people besides yourself to look after, especially young children.
When planning your disaster supplies kit, it is wise to consider what will make your life easier having children if such an event were to occur.
My baby is exclusively breastfed. So when I was putting together our kits, I initially was going to just put all of her stuff in mine since I figured I would have her with me. I wasn't worried about food since I figured I would just feed her.
But then I remembered that under extreme stress it is very possible for your body to stop supplying milk. I can't really think of a more stressful situation then trying to deal with the aftermath of a disaster. Adding to that the possibility I wouldn't be able to feed her is more than I would want to handle.
Or, what if I was separated from my baby or something happened to me? I would want someone to be able to look after her. So I decided to make her her own kit that could be kept with her. I then saw
these boxes of prepared formula for an amazing deal on amazon so I picked up a few.
I love them! I'm super frugal so I wouldn't ever use these everyday. But they are perfect for emergencies. The formula comes in 8 2oz bottles where you just have to take off the lid and pop on the nipple that comes included in the box.
Before I bought the liquid formula, I had cans of powdered formula in her kit. They were a great option too. They were the sample cans the formula companies send you after you have a baby so I didn't have to pay for them. The only downside was that besides the formula, I had to pack water to mix it with and a bottle so it took up a lot more room in her pack.
Some other things that you may want to include in a disaster supplies kit for your infant include:
- Diapers and Wipes (these can be used for washing hands and bottles)
- Baby Food and Snacks, bibs and spoons
- Water
- Clothes
- Favorite Blanket (It's a good idea to buy 2 of something that your child loves just incase something happens to the 1st one)
- Bottles with disposable liners (if you don't have prepared liquid) or dish soap and bottle brush
- Antibacterial Wipes
- Medication
- Bath towel
- Pacifier
- Immunization Records
- Toys
Hopefully these tips are useful in planning for you infant in case disaster strikes. Do whatever you can, something is better than nothing.
The probability of a disaster happening while you are away from home is very high. So an important component of any emergency preparedness plan would include having a well-stocked car.
There are also times when you may need to evacuate or be stranded in your car. Having your car stocked to help you survive will give you a lot more peace of mind and help you stay calm and focus on the important things in these situations.
Prepare your car now by always keeping your gas tank above half-full, always check the weather and road conditions before a trip and keep up on your car's maintenance.
Since you may not be at home and may not have the chance to go back and get your disaster supplies kits (72 hour kits or grab bags), you will want to keep a smaller version in the trunks of each of your cars.
Car Kits might include:
- First aid kit and manual
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Cell phone, charger
- Roadside assistance card
- Portable radio and extra batteries
- Fire extinguisher (5 lb ABC type)
- Extra fuses
- List of important phone numbers (local and out-of-town)
- Detailed maps
- Waterproof matches and candles
- Whistle and small mirror
- Pen, pencils, paper
- Cash (bills and coins)
- Flares or hazard reflectors
- Jumper cables
- Properly inflated spare tire
- Jack, lug wrench, tire gauge
- Basic tool kit
- Windshield scraper and brush
- Small folding shovel
- Duct tape
- Sand for traction
- Rags, paper towels, wet wipes, and diapers if you have small kids
- Drinking water
- Bleach
- Nonperishable food (focus on high energy) also you may want a bottle and formula if you have a baby
- Hand can opener
- Medications
- Toiletries
- Emergency blankets, hand warmers
- Extra clothes, gloves, hats, sturdy shoes
I hope some of these ideas get you thinking about what you might need to prepare your car for emergencies and disasters that could happen. I would love to hear about any ideas you might have in addition to what I have listed.
Happy Prepping!
My 55 gallon drum and bottled water storage
The crisis in Japan has been making me think about emergency preparedness a lot. Now, on top of everything else, the Japanese government has warned its citizens that there are high levels of radiation in the drinking water.
The radiation levels in the water aren't dangerous to adults but infants and pregnant women are being told not to drink tap water. Of course, after that anouncement there wasn't a water bottle left in a store and there were many people who needed clean water to make formula for their babies.
It made me think about how nice it would be if some of those families had their own supply of clean water stored. Imagine the peace they would feel not to have to rely on the government to bring them enough water to keep their kids alive or to not have to wait in long lines at a store with only a small hope that there would be some left.
One gallon of water per person per day for two weeks is the minimum reccomendation to store. Pregnant and nursing women, children and ill people will need more.
Storing Water
You can buy commercially filled bottles but they should be used before the "best used by" date because the plastic bottles will start breaking down.
Water does not need to be disinfected before it's stored if it comes from a good, pretreated source. If you decide to fill your own containers follow these guidelines:
- Use only food-grade containers (There are special gallon drums that come in a range of sizes. I use a 55 gallon drum but there are some in 33, 15 and 5 gallons too.
- Avoid plastic containers that are not embossed with the "PETE" symbol
- Do not use plastic milk jugs. the do not have a good seal and can become brittle
- Plastic soda bottles (like 2 liter soda pop bottles) are safe to use
- Never use containers that were previously used to store non-food products
- Wash containers with warm soapy water and rinse. Before rinsing, sanitize the container by adding water and then 1 tablespoon bleach for each gallon of water. Shake well, turn bottle upside down and let stand for 1 minute, then pour out the bleach water and let the container air-dry.
- Rotate your water by periodically emptying and refilling containers
- Store containers in a dry clean place, away form direct sunlight and heat sources
- Do not store water near gasoline, pesticides, or similar products, or anything that emits odors
- If there is a concrete floor, place containers on top of a peice of wood/plywood that has been placed on the floor. (A wooden pallet is a great option- as you can see above that's what I use)
If for some reason you haven't stored water or you find yourself away from your supply and in an emergency situation there are a few ways to disinfect unclean water sources. (Not if it has radiation though)
How to Purify Water
If the water is cloudy, filter it through clean cloths or allow it to settle, and draw off the clear water before using ONE of the following methods to disinfect the water:
- Boil at a rolling boil for 10 minutes
- Add 8 drops of liquid chlorine bleach (regular, unscented and unexpired) per gallon of water. Let sit 30 minutes.
- Add 20 drops of 2% iodine per gallon of clear water or 40 drops pergallon of cloudy water. Let sit 30 minutes
- Add water purification tablets according to directions on the package
- Alwys use clean or purified water to wash any parts of the body that have come in contact with surfaces contaminated by flood waters.
Additionally, you may want to consider having a water filter in your disaster supplies grab bag. My husband and I are considering one these. It can filter 13,000 gallons of water and has a 20 year warranty. You can read more about it here.
I hope that we can all be inspired to prepare for the emergencies we will face before they happen so that we can keep our families healthy and help those around us as well.
My prayers go out to all those suffering from the Pacific tsunami and related events in Japan. If you feel you want to contribute to the efforts of the Red Cross in Japan you can do so here.
It seems like there has been one disaster after the other lately: wildfires, an earthquake in virginia and now a hurricane along the East Coast.
As I was following the coverage of Hurricane Irene, Mayor Michael Bloomberg ordered more than 270,000 people to evacuate their homes before the storm was to came.
270,000 people!
That is a lot of people to tell to just up and move. I wonder how many of them are prepared for such an event? Do they have somewhere to go? Some way to keep in contact with their families? Or a plan to take their valuable things with them?
These are all very important things to think about. Fortunately they have a couple of days to prepare, but what would happen if you were only given a few hours, or less?
One thing that could dramatically lower your stress level is if every member of your family had an evacuation kit they could each grab in case of an emergency. That way you wouldn't be running around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to find everything that was running through your head and worrying about what you might be forgetting.
This is called a grab bag. It is actually a smaller part of your disasters supply kit. But it is the part that can be "grabbed" quickly in case of evacuation.
It doesn't have to be a bag. It could be a large, covered trash container, a five-gallon bucket, or a suitcase on wheels. I think it makes more sense for it to be a camping backpack. They have more space, are made for carrying long distances and have waterproof fabric or layers that could be useful if you had to be outdoors.
Some basic supplies that should be included in your grab bag are:
- ID tags on the bags-containing emergency contact information and numbers, medical info, current medications and reasons why they are being used and any allergies, especially to antibiotics. (For example: I am allergic to penicillin which is an antibiotic so in case someone found me unconscious and I had an infection, they would know that I would need a different kind of antibiotic)
- Copies of important documents- will, deed, marriage license, birth certificate, health insurance ect
- Extra keys to your house and cars
- Change of warm clothes, sturdy shoes, rain gear and a warm hat like a beanie
- Food- ready to eat or requiring minimal preparation and water
- Manual can opener and other cooking supplies (I've heard at shelters that sometimes they will hand out canned food that don't have the pop-top lids or utensils and plates. So you want to make sure that you can make use of what you are given.
- Water- 1 gallon per person per day (this gets kind of heavy, I put in probably a gallon and 1/2 and then pack our cars with extra.) Water purification tablets are lightweight and a good thing to have but you aren't guaranteed to have water accessible.
- First Aid Kit and manual- I went to an healthy woman event put on by a local hospital and at one of the display booths they were handing out these nifty little first aid kits that are the perfect size for our grab bags and car kits. I even keep one in my diaper bag.
- Prescription medications
- Personal hygiene items- ie. toilet paper, feminine supplies, hand sanitizer or soap, toothbrush/paste
- Tools- Flashlight, batteries, pocket knife, heavy work gloves, dusk mask, whistle, map of the area, battery operated radio (obviously some of these don't need to be in everyone's bag but definately if they are old enough to operate or use them, they should have them. This would be a good reason to teach your kids how to read a map and also for you to have a designated meeting place that they will know where to go to.)
- Permanent marker, paper, duct tape and current photos of family members and pets for re-identification purposes
- Disposable camera
- Sleeping Bag or blanket
- Money- cash in small denominations and quarters for phone calls (if you can find a pay phone anymore)
- Extra prescription eye glasses, contacts, hearing aids or other personal items
- Special needs items- for children, seniors, disabled people or pets
In addition to your grab bags, you should make a 'grab list'. These are all the things you would want to take with you if you had time and room to bring them with you. What are the things you would want to have with you if you were never able to come back?
For me that would be my scrapbooks, family histories and genealogy, family keepsakes and jewelry, ect. These are also the first things I would grab out of my house if it was on fire after I made sure my family was safe.
One last thing.
The last thing you would want to worry about was having to stop in a huge line of other unprepared people filling up their cars on their way out of town. Always keep your car's gas take half full.
I am horrible at this, but I have a new goal to be better.
I would love to hear of any ideas you may have or of items I have missed that would be a great addition to my grab bags.
My First Aid Kit
If there is an emergency/ disaster in your area, chances are high that your emergency response resources are going to be overwhelmed and you will have to fend for yourself. Preparing for that likelihood is a great idea.
Take a First Aid and CPR class-I think this would be the most helpful thing you could do in your first aid preparedness. Not only will you be able to preform under pressure with confidence but you will be able to handle your family's everyday emergencies too. I just found out that my city offers free CPR and First Aid Certification to its residents. I am definitely going to take advantage of this resource. Contact your local fire department and ask if they have anything similar.
Knowing how to care for injuries is one thing but you need to have the supplies on hand to do so as well.
Here are some ideas that you might want to include.
First Aid Kit
Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
2-inch and 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6 each)
Hypo-allergenic adhesive tape
40-inch triangular bandages (3 rolls)
2-inch and 3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
Scissors and tweezers
Epi pen- if allergic to bee stings
Sewing needles or sewing kit
Moistened towelettes/wet wipes
Antiseptic soap
Antiseptic solution- iodine compounds
Antibiotic ointment (neosporin)
Thermometer
Tongue depressors (2)
Tube of vaseline or lubricant
Safety pins in assorted sizes
Cleaning agent/soap
Latex gloves (2 pairs)- non latex too in case of allergies- it will be extremely important to create a fluid barrier between you and any victims you might help treat especially if they are outside of your family.
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Caladryl or generic equivalent
First Aid manual
Rubbing alcohol
Cotton balls
Heavy string
Splinting material
Prescription medications- with a schedule of names, dosage amounts and frequency. (one of the problems facing aid workers in Japan right now is that the tsunami victims don't remember the names or dosage amounts of their prescription drugs)
Non-prescription drugs
Aspirin and non-aspirin pain reliever
Anti-diarrhea medication
Antacid (for stomach upset)
Laxative
Iodine pills- taking iodine pills can help prevent the absorption of radiation so in the event of a nuclear disaster (terrorism, war or like Japan's nuclear power plants) you can take those to help keep your family safe
Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)
The biggest first aid injury you will probably face will be bleeding. Knowing how to stop or slow major bleeding is probably the most beneficial thing you could learn.
On a very basic level, if someone is bleeding profusely you can try to control it using these methods:
- bandage the injury very tightly (not tourniquet tight though).
- if they bleed through that bandage, wrap around another one
- if still bleeding, elevate injury above the heart
- if elevation doesn't help, put pressure on the nearest pressure point. (There are pressure pints located under the knee, inside thigh/groin area, right above the bicep in the arm pit, ect)
- If none of these work then use a tourniquet. A tourniquet is your last option. Once you put it on you can't take it off and they will most likely end up losing that limb. At this point though it would be preferable to lose the limb because if you don't stop the bleeding they will have lost so much blood that they will end up dying without the tourniquet.
Well on that happy note, I'd love to hear of some things you think are essentials to have if your first aid kit.
And, remember to make smaller versions of this kit to go in every car and each family member's disaster supplies grab bag if they need to evacuate.
I picked up these bags of Charcoal BOGO for $7.50
Charcoal is a perfect emergency preparedness fuel to store. It will keep for a very long time and is one of the least expensive options that a family can store per BTU. (British Thermal Unit- a way of measuring thermal energy.) My family has a gas grill that we plan on using in an emergency situation. But if we run out of gas or something happens to the grill during the disaster, charcoal will be a nice backup fuel.
When storing charcoal you will want to dump
it out of the paper bags it comes in and store it in an airtight container
because it has a tendency of absorbing moisture. I've seen a lot of people use
metal garbage cans. The metal lid on the garbage can could come in handy too as
a place to start your charcoals if you didn't have a grill. (You would then
place them into whatever you were going to use to bake in. More on that in another post.)
The nice thing about charcoal is that there
isn't too much estimating when it comes to cooking temperatures and times from
your normal recipes. Each charcoal briquette supplies about 40 degrees of
temperature. So if you needed to back something at 400 degrees you would use 10
briquettes. If you needed 325 degrees you would use about 8.
Charcoal is great because the coals stay hot
for a long time and if you bury them you could always have a starter so you
wouldn't need to waste your matches.
Although charcoal emits almost no smoke do
not be led into thinking that you could use them for indoor heating. When
charcoal burns it requires a ton of oxygen which helping it produce huge
amounts of carbon monoxide which can be deadly in an enclosed area.
Tips:
*You can make your own charcoal from wood
*Charcoal can be used to purify water
*You may want to store lighter fluid or newspaper to help in ignite it later.
* Don't place charcoal on cement to cook, it will make your concrete crack
* Stock up for great prices at the end of summer sales
Water = Life
If you were only able to store one thing for emergency preparedness it should be water.
The human body can only survive a little while without water. It could be only a few hours to a few days depending on the conditions and physical activity of the person. With just water but no food a person can last weeks.
The general rule of thumb is one gallon of water per person per day. Pregnant and nursing women, children and ill people require more. So take the amount of days you want to be prepared for times by the number of people you are planing for. Keep in mind that this is the bare minimum. That means there will just be water for drinking and cooking, none for cleaning and washing or sanitation.
I think you should aim for at least 1 week but strongly recommend 2 weeks. Storing water beyond that become unpractical so you should have a plan for obtaining and purifying water from your home an surroundings.
Although you shouldn't rely on these exclusively as your water storage there are actually quite a few hidden sources of water in and around your house you could tap into if you found during a disaster that you went through your water supply too quickly or that help wasn't coming after 2 weeks.
Melted ice cubes or juice from cans of fruit and vegetable
Pipes: If water has been interrpted to your house, turn off the main water valve. Turn on a faucet from the highest level of the house to let in air and save the water that comes out from the lowest faucet.
Water heaters: These should be drained periodically to release any accumulated sediment so the full capacity of water is available. Turn off the electricity and gas to the water heater. Open the drain at the bottom, turn off the water intake valve and turn on a hot water faucet.
Waterbeds: This water is good for washing, not drinking (the plastic is treated with pesticides to inhibit algae). Do not use bleach to purify this water
Back of toilet: (unless cleaners are used in the back) This water needs to be purified before use. Do not use water from the bowl of the toilet.
Streams, rivers, running water, ponds and lakes: These need to be purified before use
Groundwater: Dig a hole ina damp or muddy area. soak a cloth in the mud and wring out the water into a container. purify before use
Natural springs
Rainwater: purfiy befoe use.
I went to an Emergency Preparedness Fair over the weekend. It has really had me thinking about what I need to do to get my family more prepared. Disasters can happen anytime. Just look at Japan and the crisis the people are in because of the earthquake and tsunami and now the nuclear disaster threat that is keeping people shut in their homes(sheltering in place) until the radiation scare is gone.
I'm really excited to share the things I learned with you all over the next few weeks, especially ideas for alternate cooking methods. But first things first. If a disaster happens, you need a disaster supplies kit.
For years we've been told to have a 72 hr kit but after Hurricane Katrina happened, some people didn't see relief in over a week. So now FEMA recommends having a disaster supply kit that can provide for your family's needs and not really get hung up on just the 3 days part. They say it would be wise to plan for at least 3 days but more likely 5-7 days.
I think the best idea would be to make 2 types of kits. 1)Disaster Supplies Kit- that has everything you need if you can stay in your home with your family after a disaster and 2)a Grab Bag- a smaller, lightweight version for each family member that they can grab quickly if you are required to evacuate.
Here is a list of some things that would be good to include in your Disaster Supplies Kit. I will cover the grab bag in a later post.
Water-
Store one gallon of water per person, per day. 2 qts for drinking and 2 qts for food preparation and sanitation.
Food-
Non-perishable food that requires no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little to no water since you may be without utilities.
Some ideas include- ready to eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables, canned juices, milk, soup.
High energy foods- peanut butter, jelly crackers, granola bars, trail mix
Vitamins
Food for infants/ elderly persons or those with special diets
Comfort/stress foods (especially good for kids)- cookies, sweetened cereals
Disposable utensils and plates and a hand can opener.
Note-If we are staying at home, I plan on being able to tap into our 3 month supply of food but a lot of that still needs to be cooked so it is still wise to have ready to eat food available too.
Tools and Supplies
Emergency Preparedness manual- like a boy scout manual
Battery-operated radio and extra batteries (or solar powered/hand crank radio)
Flashlight and extra batteries
Cash- in small denominations
Fire Extinguisher
Tent
Pliers
Tape/Duct Tape
Matches in a waterproof container
Paper, pencil
Needles, thread
Shut-off wrench (to turn off household water and gas-only if you can smell or hear a leak or see a broken pipe)
Whistle
Plastic Sheeting
Extra set of car and house keys
Alternative cooking methods and fuel
Sanitation
Toilet paper
Soap, liguid detergent
Feminine supplies
Personal hygiene items
Plastic garbage bags and ties (for personal sanitation uses)
Plastic bucket with tight lid (make-shift port-a-potty)
Disinfectant and household chlorine bleach
Clothing and Bedding
Sturdy shoes or work boots
Blankets or sleeping bags
Hat, gloves and thermal underwear
Special Items
Remember family members with special requirements:
- Baby- Formula (even if you breastfeed, what if you were separated or something happened to you? I just keep the free samples the formula companies send in the mail in our disaster supplies kit). Diapers and wipes, bottles, powdered milk, medications
- Adults-Heart and high blood pressure medication, insulin, prescription drugs, denture need, contacts and supplies, extra eye glasses, batteries for hearing aids
- Pets-Medications, letter and littler pan, food and drinkable water for 3+ days,
Entertainment-
Chances are good that you and especially your children will have a lot of down time if you are staying at home after/during a disaster. Games and books along with other toys will really help to pass the time and ease tension.
Important Family Documents
Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container just in case you need to take them with you if you evacuate
Will, insurance policies, contracts deeds, stocks and bonds, passports, social security cards, immunization records, bank account information, credit card account numbers, companies and phone numbers. Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers, family records(birth, marriage, death certificates), recent family photos for identification.
First Aid Kit- One for your home and a smaller one in each car. I will cover those in more depth in a later post as well.
Remember to change your stored water at least every year and replace your stored food every six months. I do mine in April and October. That seems to be a good time to change out seasonal clothing. Make sure to test/ replace your batteries too.
If there are any other things you have included in your Disaster Supplies Kit I would love to hear it.
The best way to start on your disaster preparedness plan is to identify the disasters that are most likely to happen in your area.
It would do me absolutely no good to prepare for a hurricane when I am landlocked in the middle of the Rocky Mountains. The disasters that are predicted to happen in my area are severe winter storms and earthquakes.
I've heard my whole life that we're due for a massive earthquake but it just never really seemed realistic. We've never had a big earthquake here. It's not like California where earthquakes are a common occurrence and the distruction earthquakes cause is a visible reminder to the public to get ready for the next one.
Imagine my surprise when the week we moved into our new house we also experienced 3 earthquakes in 3 days!
Luckily, they were just small and no one reported any damage. It got me thinking though. "What can I do to protect my family and house from a bigger earthquake?"
Before an Earthquake
Prepare Your Home-
- Repair defective electrical wiring, leaky gas lines, and inflexible utility connections. Get appropriate professional help. Do not work with gas or electrical lines yourself.
- Bolt down and secure to the wall studs your water heater, refrigerator, furnace, and gas appliances. (most new houses in my area come with the water heater already secured. Your water heater can be a part of your emergency water supply if you find yourself without any during a disaster.)
- Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves. Anchor bookcases, shelves, mirrors, and large picture frames to walls. Brace high and top-heavy objects. Just like baby-proofing!
- Store bottled foods, glass, china, and other breakables on low shelves or in cabinets that fasten shut.
- Anchor overhead lighting fixtures.
Prepare Your Family-
- Hold earthquake drills with your family members. Teach your children that just like Stop, Drop and Roll for a fire, you should Duck, Cover and Hold On during an earthquake.
- Locate safe spots in each room under a sturdy table or against an inside wall. Reinforce this information by moving to these places during each drill.
- Teach all adults and teenagers where the gas, electric and water main shutoff controls are and how to turn them off. Make sure you only shut them off if you are sure there is a leak. Otherwise you will be without those utilities until the power and water companies can come turn them back on. This sometimes can take 2 weeks or more.
- Identify escape routes from your home and neighborhood. Most likely not everyone is going to be at home when a disaster strikes so you need to have a preplanned meeting place for everyone to reunite. We decided to have one right outside our house and also outside our neighborhood in case we aren't allowed to go back in. (These can be the same ones used for your fire drills too.)
- Have an evacuation kit for each member of the family that is easily transportable by that member.
- Designate an out of state contact. Something interesting I have learned is that during an emergency it is easier to make long-distance phone calls than local ones because the local lines are all jammed with everyone around trying to call everyone they know. You should set up one out-of-state contact that everyone in your immediate and extended family knows about because that way everyone can just check in with one person who can then relay any information needed and concerned relatives from other places can get updates without stressing out the people who are actually in the disaster.
During an Earthquake
If you are indoors-
- Take cover under a sturdy desk, table, or bench or against an inside wall, and hold on. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
- Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
- Stay in bed - if you are there when the earthquake strikes - hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
- Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, loadbearing doorway.
- Stay inside until shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Most injuries during earthquakes occur when people are hit by falling objects when entering into or exiting from buildings.
- Do NOT use the elevators.
If you are Outdoors
- Move into the open, away from electrical lines, trees and buildings. Drop to the ground and wait for the shaking to stop.
If you are in a Moving Vehicle
- Pull over slowly and away from traffic but as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, utility wires and near roadway signs that might fall.
- Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped, watching for road and bridge damage.
If you are Trapped Under Debris
- Do not light a match.· Do not move about or kick up dust.
- Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
- Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort - shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.
After an Earthquake
- Check for gas or water leaks and electrical shorts and turn off damaged utilities. If they do need to be turned off don't try to turn them back on yourself. Have the fire department or gas and electric companies turn them back on when it is safe.
- Be prepared for aftershocks. These secondary shockwaves are usually less violent than the main quake but can be strong enough to do additional damage to weakened structures.
- Open cabinets cautiously. Beware of objects that can fall off shelves.
- Stay away from damaged areas unless your assistance has been specifically requested by police, fire, or relief organizations.
- Obey evacuation orders- I get so sick of hearing about people who refuse to evacuate and thereby place themselves and others in danger needlessly. Do what you are told. It is for your own safety.
Resources
http://www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/- you can find your earthquake risk, ideas and support for preparing for earthquakes and additional information to print off and share with your friends and family.
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