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BASIC EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST
With the Year 2000 Computer disaster almost upon us, we should consider some basic emergency preparedness. We cannot
hope to cover everything in a one-page handout, so we will touch briefly
on some basic necessities. We will assume a complete power failure, in January 2000, of undetermined duration.
Heat:
Should the power fail, chances are your furnace will, too. A fireplace or wood-burning stove would probably be
the best alternative here, if you can find/stockpile enough wood. Kerosene heaters may work also, but again, you
must have kerosene already on hand. None will be available in the event of a mid-winter power failure. BBQ grills
and camping stoves can help, but THEY MUST BE PROPERLY VENTILATED. You may wish to consider acquiring good, high-quality
cold weather gear, such as cold-weather sleeping bags, for yourself and your family.
Food:
Stockpiling food for emergencies doesn't have to be expensive. A plentiful supply of rice (preferably brown), beans,
noodles, and peanut butter should always be kept on hand. You can still eat this stuff, even if there is never
an emergency. Canned food will last up to a couple of years, so start buying canned vegetables, beef stew, and
canned fruit soon. You can also find military food, and other survival foods at the next gun show, or at camping
stores, and military surplus stores. The time to start buying extra food is now. Rice and beans are cheap. So are
Ramen noodles. Make sure you have a way to cook your food.
Water:
If you have to purify your water, you can always boil it for at least FIVE minutes. To store water, add a few drops
of regular bleach to each gallon. Filters are available at any surplus or camping store, and so are iodine tablets.
Take some time to become familiar with water purification techniques. Save your milk jugs now.
Communications:
You should have a transistor radio with spare batteries. A CB is good to have also. You can run it off of a car
battery, and use a trickle charger to keep it charged. There are also hand-crank radios available; check the gun
show, or electronic stores. It would be a good idea to get your amateur radio license, and get an amateur radio,
to send and
receive in the two-meter, and 440 megahertz range. Radio Shack may have information on this.
Electricity:
A gas powered-generator will only work if you have gas, but they would keep the lights on for a few days, at least.
There are gasoline additives (such as Sta-Bull) that will help keep gas from going bad, if you want. Solar and
steam generators may work, but they are an expensive and time-consuming option. Buy rechargeable batteries for
your radios and flashlights, and get a small solar recharger, at an electronic shop. Keep flashlights, candles,
and kerosene lanterns for emergency light.
First-aid:
It would be best if you took a Red Cross First Responder Course. They are taught at some community colleges, and
private ambulance companies. The commercially available first-aid kits will work, but bear in mind that you may
not be able to replace anything that you use. Stock gauze, bandages, antibiotic ointment, and whatever medications
you normally use. Pain-relievers, anti-diarrhea medicine, and cold and flu medicines should be kept handy, too.
Keep plenty of reference books on hand, and learn some first-aid BEFORE A DISASTER HITS. Avoid buying expensive
surgical kits, unless you are a surgeon.
Protection:
All of your disaster preparedness will be a waste if you can't protect yourself and your family. Buy a gun. To
protect your home, we suggest a good pump action shotgun, like the Mossberg 500. Buy plenty of shells, preferably
00 Buckshot. If you want, buy a good military type rifle, like an AR15, or something similar, and LEARN HOW TO
SHOOT IT. Get plenty of magazines (clips), and plenty of ammunition. If you can, get a handgun, too. LEARN HOW
TO SHOOT. YOUR LIFE MAY DEPEND UPON IT IN AN EMERGENCY.
Fitness:
You will survive any disaster better if you are in good shape. Take some time to evaluate your diet and exercise
routines. Start getting in better shape now, and it may very well pay off if there ever is an emergency.
Other:
Fire-extinguishers, tools (axes, saws, and shovels, too), extra blankets, plastic sheeting, extra plywood, good
boots, extra sets of eyeglasses, plenty of duct tape, rope-string-twine, fishing, camping, and hunting gear, good
heavy cooking pots, plenty of salt, cold-weather socks, rain gear, a sewing kit, a wash tub, and any number of
books on survival and first aid, can all come in handy in the event of a natural or man-made disaster. The best
survival tool you have is your mind. Careful planning and preparation will help you through almost any situation.
The time to prepare is NOW, not when the line are long at the market, and the shelves are empty, and the power
goes off.
If you wish to learn more about the Y2K situation, CLICK HERE
