Why Prepare?

This is something that a lot of people may, or may not have the answers to. Some people do it for just peace of mind, Others may do it because like many others, they believe that the economy is going to fail, a major natural disaster is just around the corner, or an attack from another country is imminent. What ever your reason, preparing and stocking up emergency supplies is just a good idea no matter what you believe. No matter what, you have experienced water shortages, power outages, and other crisis's that by the time you realize you need to get it, many others have too, and there are people fighting and arguing over something as simple as water. Stores can anticipate and stock up a little extra water, batteries, food and more if they have enough warning ahead of time but, keep in mind that they can only hold so much. Sometimes, the people that come in at the last minute don't just buy 1 bottle of water, 1 loaf of bread, and 1 pack of batteries. People at the last minute come in, and are panicked. They buy all that they can carry because they have others they are trying to take care of, and want to do what they can to make it through the disaster ahead. If you have a system that can warn you in enough time to go shopping at the local store, some disasters have minimal or no warning at all and after one, you are not only recovering and assessing the damages and loss, which can be very traumatic in itself but, now are confronted with added stress and fatigue of a shortage of basic needs and necessities to make it after the event. By the time you realize all that you need and are without, many others have too, and there you are again fighting the mass crowd for basic things again you could have plenty of at home. Now you could always hang by your feet from the ceiling and swing from shelf to shelf, but you can only carry so much, and I think the stores would appreciate it a lot less than the fighting on the floor. Plus, the risk of falling and serious injury in doing such a thing.  So that option isn't even the beginning of a good idea. You could rely on the government to get around to help you after such a disaster, but even they tell you to prepare as much as you can because they may not ever find you, realize where you are, or get to you in time if there are many others in the same state of emergency as you. I will include some Government and Aid links at the end of this installment, and even they have lists for supplies they recommend you to have.

The safest thing for you, is to have at least a week or two minimum of emergency food, water, batteries, flashlights, First Aid, and more so at least you are covered if you ever need it... Wouldn't you rather have it, and not need it, than not have it, and need it? I know how much more comforting it is for me to know that I have the basics at minimum, to take care of my family. There are so many more options out now than there were 50, 25, or even 5 years ago to guide you if you decide to prepare to learn to make, or buy ready made kits for these types of scenarios. Even if you live in an apartment on the 50th floor, you can still have even a  small, portable garden in the window sill, or on a balcony which I can, and will show you how to take the most basic things and make them useful for you.

.. and now the links I promised you..


These are just a few of what are available

http://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit

http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/kit/disasters/

http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.86f46a12f382290517a8f210b80f78a0/?vgnextoid=92d51a53f1c37110VgnVCM1000003481a10aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default



Until my next installment... Be safe and happy prepping!