Family Disaster Prevention
Is your family ready for a disaster? In our experience, fewer than 1 in 50 families is prepared to respond to a major incident. We use the term "respond" because the other 49 families tend to react. OSRT provides community awareness briefings to help families develop a proactive plan and supply list for use if/when disasters strike.
Got Water?
Sorry but, no, you most likely don't. One of the absolutely critical items in any disaster response kit is an adequate supply of water.
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Our friends at FEMA and other resources suggest a gallon per person per day for how long you expect the incident to last. Problem? You have no idea how long that'll be.
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Start, now, collecting water to store for your family. It can be in bottle packs or larger containers, but get it and stick it under the bed or in a closet somewhere. Cycle older bottles out and replace with new at whatever period you feel comfortable following.
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You may also consider acquiring a "LifeStraw" filter for each family member. These filters can remove the nasty things from water for as many as 1,000 gallons.
Disaster Food
Well, yuck! Not sure if anyone actually likes these Meals Ready to Eat. Instead, start today collecting canned goods that your family typically likes to eat. Look for foods with plenty of protein but also good carbs.
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Stock up a supply that you believe will last the family for at least a week, probably more. Cycle old cans out and replace with new. If you cycle them out before the "Best By" date, then simply use them for regular meals.
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And, consider acquiring a small non-electric and non-propane stove to use for cooking. Be sure to scale the stove size and your pans for the size of your family. Nothing is more difficult than making a meal for a family of four using an old Boy Scout cook set on a candle.
Light - Fire
Light, fire, and things that'll burn your house down so be VERY careful. If possible, only use open flame cooking systems outdoors. Teach your children to understand and respect fire.
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Light is one of the absolute necessities for families. It cooks your food, lights up that dark and creepy hallway and, if used correctly, will at least partially heat your living space. Never leave open flames while you sleep. Monitor carefully. Now is a good time to also purchase a good fire extinguisher. Keep it near any fire you're burning.
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As well, acquire several good quality flashlights and plenty of batteries. Get in the habit of only using one or two flashlights at any given time. It'll help your stock last longer.
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Another option is those solar powered yard lights with an on/off switch. They'll provide enough light and will recharge during the day.