PREPARE AT HOME
WELL HOW DO I GET STARTED THEN ???????
İDeborah Evans 2001
When you first decide to
have a survival store cupboard it can seem a daunting task......where do you
begin? What should you forget? How many weeks supply should I have in?
This is just a few ideas to get you started........you don't need to use them
but they will I hope get you thinking of what you should stock up on.
First decide how much you would need for 7 days - start with this, you can build
up more later.
Now this 7 days....think of it as I time when you have no gas, electric, water
and the shops are closed so all you will have to survive on is what is in the
house. Also remember you could be hit by sickness ( not able to get out or
income takes a dive because of it), Unemployment you will be surprised how being
prepared for a disaster can help you through such time I know my store cupboard
and other stocks helped us through some very rocky times while social decided
what should be paid and no money coming in for a couple of weeks and of course
helped eek out the benefit we received. I dread to think how things would be if
we hadn't had this.
So you need to think of food, water, light, cooking facilities heat and sanitary
arrangements.....
First food.......forget perishables, remember the food has to last for a while
till you need it or are able to use it and buy more (rotation is the key to
keeping an up to date stock cupboard). So cream cakes and donuts are out I am
afraid. Don't think frozen food either remember if the power is out your freezer
will go down and food will go off, unless you have your own generator and it
will work come what may - remember disasters come in all shapes and sizes....
So food should be in tins, foil packs, plastic bags etc. Items that come in
boxes may not be so good unless the food inside is enclosed in plastic - what is
the disaster is a flood?
So think of what you would need to survive for a week with food packaged as
above AND MAKE THE MENU INTERESTING - there is nothing worse for morale than
living off the same food day in and day out so 7 days of tuna for lunch and
corned beef, beans and potatoes for supper is not a good idea.
Tinned food might not be as healthy as fresh but it will keep you alive and
there is great Varity......remember what I am talking about is surviving at home
so you won't need to take the food anywhere - if you had to leave your home then
obviously weight would be a problem, but that will be discussed later.
Remember when you plan the menu INCLUDE EVERYTHING -and also take into account
you won't have your normal cooking facilities available...
Breakfast - every item
Lunch - every item
Supper - every item
some basics - tea/coffee; dried milk/long life milk; sugar/sweeteners; now you
continue...........
Water - to start fairly quickly but some sealed bottles of water from the
supermarket they have a long shelf life and you don't have to treat them before
you drink the water.
Tap water can be stored in plastic bottles - not the ones for milk, must be ones
for water or they leak - and kept in a cool place these will do for washing
yourself (but not for brushing teeth), clothes, dishes etc.
It varies how much you need to plan for to be used in a day......I worked out my
needs by filling up 2 litre water bottles and using them and after a few weeks
of average usage could see for drinks and food cooking we go through 12 - 14
litres a day. We use a lot of rice and pasta so that takes more water you maybe
less - but don't skimp.
Light - No power remember so how do you light your home?
Battery operated lamps - if so make sure you find out how long the batteries
last to ensure you stock up enough for a week for each lamp - if disaster
strikes in the winter they will be on a lot as sitting in the dark or gloom will
have a demoralising effect.
Candles - well these come in all shapes and sizes but for light the best and
cheapest are the normal white ones plus of course you need something to put them
in......wall sconces or candle lanterns (these usually take tee lights) are the
safest - they can be expensive but if you have places near you like
super pound you will find there candle lanterns on a stand, with full glass at
£1 each, you can use them inside or out- even if its raining. Other good places
are charity shops......its amazing how many people give candlesticks, wall
scones and lanterns away and you can pick them up cheap..........take
it from one who knows - over the years I have an amazing collection of these and
Oil lamps mainly bought from charity shops (people who know nothing about my
storage plans think its my hobby and now buy me them as presents!).
Remember you need to work out how many candles you need to light your rooms for
a day and make sure you have stocked up enough.
Oil Lamps - already mentioned where you can pick these up and most run on lamp
oil, some on paraffin.....so if you choose these make sure you have enough oil
paraffin to hand to last the weeks - but be very careful where you store these
fuels.....never in a basement or attic best is outside in a cool shed. I
wouldn't really rely on just paraffin lamps as the fuel storage could be a
problem if you live in a city, a real fire hazard, you would have to check with
your local council to see how much you can store.
Cooking - Well you have thought about your food but how are you going to cook
it.....a week of cold beans won't make you very happy and as you have no power
all your lovely electric items are useless.....
Camping gas stoves are the best option - but again remember to be careful about
storing the spare canisters (somewhere cool and dry and again not cellar or
attic). These come in various shapes and sizes....have a look in the FAS they do
single ones for £15, but many other places sell them like Argos so look around
and decide what you can afford but don't forget the extra gas...working out how
much you need isn't easy unless you cook on them for week - not really likely
unless you are the camping type so best advice use the stove to boil kettles
until the gas is empty and see how many
kettles the gas can be used for - I mean only boil kettle when you need boiled
water. Most tinned food will heat quicker than a kettle full of water so
hopefully you will get some idea of how many pans of food you will get out of
one canisters of gas......but add a few extra canisters anyway....
Other options are fondue sets.......these have pan holders and special little
pans that you put mentholated spirits into and light...the heat is fierce and
will cook fairly fast but it burns away just as fast.
I haven't seen any battery-operated cookers on the market......maybe there
are...
Another option is if you have an open fire work out a way that you could cook on
it.....you will need some kind of holder (cast iron?) to place your pans/
kettles on......this is something I haven't worked out yet I am afraid, my fire
place downstairs having a gas fire in front of it......
Heat......now this is indeed a more awkward one.......
Calor gas heaters are one option but storing extra canisters is a major problem
for most people but if you had one in each room and only used one at a time is
an option....prices start at around £80.......but if you don't have a fireplace
you have fewer options...
If like me you have a fire place but it is covered by a gas/electric fire then
consider it as a possibility for heating....get the chimney swept and make sure
you have a grate, so if need be you can remove the gas/electric fire and use the
fireplace. You need to stock up on fuel for the fire....coal/wood. For an idea
of how much ....about 16 years ago we lived in a house with an open fire and to
use it and heat up the water - we had a back boiler - we used two sacks of coal
per week. Don't forget a companion set, as you will need the tools for the
fire....again look in charity shops.
Another option is paraffin stove, but again storing the paraffin will be a
problem...
These are the only options for heating I have come up with.......I am sure
others will have far better ideas than me....
Sanitary arrangements........not something we like to discuss but in a survival
situation very, very important.
If you live in the country or have plenty of land round your home then you may
consider a cess pit.......but for most of us here in the UK we live in cities,
towns and villages with not so much land and if you are in a flat maybe none at
all.....
A basic idea is a bucket with a lid, put in a bin liner and have plenty of cat
litter to hand to put in after use. When you want to change it just take out bin
liner and seal, place in another bag and put out. If you don't like the idea of
not cleaning it after every use the invest in some disposable latex gloves (I
use them for cleaning up the back garden after my 4 dogs - I buy (have to order
special) Glovco latex, surgical non-sterile disposable gloves, box of 100 has
now gone up to just over £8. There are different brands but these are quite
thick, don't tears easily but definitely much better than rubber gloves.....I
use them for cleaning as well. I use Nappy sacks for collecting up after dogs
and these I buy from Home and Bargain 89p for 200 which is the cheapest I have
found so far. So you can use the bucket, sprinkle with cat litter - great for
absorbing odours and then put on the gloves and place contents into a nappy
sack.......(I
even use the nappy sacks with my pooper scooper when dogs are out all day with
us).
Sorry about that but it is a subject that must be addressed........and remember
hygiene is paramount so don't be lazy and use bucket till it full...germs will
breed and no amount of cat litter will stop them or the
smell.
You can by a Portapotty from a camping store.
An important item to have is a good first aid book.......
If a disaster strikes and for some reason you cannot get help for week it may
come in handy.....
Obviously it will not replace a doctor or hospital but you might just find you
can at least make a patient comfortable until you get help.
Also make sure you have a good first aid kit - bandages, plasters, burns
dressings, parocetomal, aspirin, thermometer, cough medicine, diorlyte that is
just a very few items think about what you would need.
There is so much you can buy and if you can take a first aid course to learn how
to deal with shock, bleeding, using CPR - all could be very useful in a survival
situation.
Well I am sure many of you will have far better ideas than me for all the things
I have mentioned in the four emails but these are just to get you started
thinking not a full in-depth survival guide, and only advice if you are staying
at home. If you have to take to the road then what you will need to take and
know is different.
So have a good think of what you would need - don't try and buy everything at
once......just buy a few things each week as your budget allows, you have to
live now as well.
There is so much more info available but best to start small plan for 7 days and
then you can plan for longer...always remembering you have to store all the
items....its amazing how you can find room for things around your home....but
remember when you put them, keep a list of what is where. Its not much use
having a store of candles and some thing I forgot to mention earlier Matches - a
good stock of these - if disaster strikes and you have to search round the house
in the pitch black trying to find them. Always
keep some handy.
Remember your pets........take into account their water usage in your
calculations of amount of water to store. Make sure you have a good stock of
their food and treats, plus any medications they may need.
Also learn how to deal with cuts etc.....make sure your first aid kit contains
bandages etc for them. Ask you vet for advice...if they won't give it there are
some good sites on the web that can give advice on what to have in and how to
deal with certain things......or buy a good book relative to your pet.....
Remember your kids will need some treats during any survival times so include
them in your store cupboard. Also with no power available there will be no TV
and some of their toys won't work so think how you can keep them amused during
this time.
Some thing else I would like to addit's a good idea to make sure you carry at
least one extra set of bedding - linen - new and unused for each bed, also new
towels, and other items like that, why well if you suddenly find your income
takes a nose dive then if your sheets wear out, and take if for me the money
will go just as these need replacing, at least you can replace them without
haven't to sleep in holey sheets while you save up. you can still save for your
next emergency set.
Try to keep on top with your clothes also. your coat is falling to bits but you
can afford to buy an new one well do so, even if you don't wear it yet, buy it
and put it away them so again you have it..
Obviously you can't have spare everything also we all do change size over the
years (cough) and taste, but do keep extras of undies in at the very least.
So when considering what to stock up on look round your home what is totally
worn out, what can you replace or have a spare of in.
Remember though you still have to live in the now so don't spend every penny
filling your home with stock. as you want to enjoy life now and have room to
move around your home.
yes one other thing for now check the medicines you have in your home and
through out all the ones out of date and replace them if they are needed as soon
as possible its no use having everything else sorted and you are in a 'survival'
situation and you have a bad cough and find you cough medicine is 6 months out
of date and you either can't afford to buy more at that time or are unable to.
Light - No power remember so how do you light your home?
Battery operated lamps - if so make sure you find out how long the batteries
last to ensure you stock up enough for a week for each lamp - if disaster
strikes in the winter they will be on a lot as sitting in the dark or gloom will
have a demoralising effect.
Candles - well these come in all shapes and sizes but for light the best and
cheapest are the normal white ones plus of course you need something to put them
in....wall sconces or candle lanterns (these usually take tee lights) are the
safest - they can be expensive but if you have places near you like Super pound
you will find there candle lanterns on a stand, with full glass at £1 each, you
can use them inside or out- even if its raining.
Other good places are charity shops...its amazing how many people give
candlesticks, wall scones and lanterns away and you can pick them up
cheap..........take it from one who knows - over the years I have an amazing
collection of these and Oil lamps mainly bought from charity shops (people who
know nothing about my storage plans think its my hobby and now buy me them as
presents!).
Remember you need to work out how many candles you need to light your rooms for
a day and make sure you have stocked up enough.
Oil Lamps - already mentioned where you can pick these up and most run on lamp
oil, some on paraffin...so if you choose these make sure you have enough oil,
paraffin to hand to last the weeks - but be very careful where you store these
fuels...never in a basement or attic best is outside in a cool shed.
I wouldn't really rely on just paraffin lamps as the fuel storage could be a
problem if you live in a city, a real fire hazard, you would have to check with
your local council to see how much you can store and how you should store it.
Cooking -Well you have thought about your food but how are you going to cook
it...a week of cold beans won't make you very happy and as you have no power all
your lovely electric items are useless...
Camping gas stoves are the best option - but again remember to be careful about
storing the spare canisters (somewhere cool and dry and again not cellar or
attic).
These come in various shapes and sizes.... have a look in the FAS they do single
ones for £15, but many other places sell them like Argos so look around and
decide what you can afford but don't forget the extra gas.
Working out how much you need isn't easy unless you cook on them for week - not
really likely unless you are the camping type so best advice use the stove to
boil kettles until the gas is empty and see how many kettles the gas can be used
for - I mean only boil kettle when you need boiled water. Most tinned food will
heat quicker than a kettle full of water so hopefully you will get some idea of
how many pans of food you willet out of one canisters of gas...but add a few
extra canisters anyway....
Other options are fondue sets...these have pan holders and special little pans
that you put mentholated spirits into and light...the heat is fierce and will
cook fairly fast but it burns away just as fast. I haven't seen any
battery-operated cookers on the market...maybe there are...
Another option is if you have an open fire work out a way that you could cook on
it...you will need some kind of holder (cast iron?) to place your pans/ kettles
on...this is something I haven't worked out yet I am afraid, my fire place
downstairs having a gas fire in front of it...
Heat...now this is indeed a more awkward one...
Calor gas heaters are one option but storing extra canisters is a major problem
for most people but if you had one in each room and only used one at a time is
an option.... prices start at around £80...
If you don't have a fireplace you have fewer options...If like me you have a
fire place but it is covered by a gas/electric fire then consider it as a
possibility for heating.... get the chimney swept and make sure you have a
grate, so if need be you can remove the gas/electric fire and use the fireplace.
You need to stock up on fuel for the fire.... coal/wood.
For an idea of how much.... about 16 years ago we lived n a house with an open
fire and to use it and heat up the water - we had a back boiler - we used two
sacks of coal per week.
Don't forget a companion set; as you will need the tools for the fire.... again
look in charity shops.
Another option is paraffin stove, but again storing the paraffin will be a
problem...
These are the only options for heating I have come up with...I am sure others
will have far better ideas than me....options like wood burning stoves are also
an option but not for you ordinary house in town.....so is an Aga if you have
the space....well I can dream can't I.
Sanitary arrangements...not something we like to discuss but in a survival
situation very, very important.
If you live in the country or have plenty of land round your home then you may
consider a cess pit...but for most of us here in the UK we live in cities, towns
and villages with not so much land and if you are in a flat maybe none at all...
A basic idea is a bucket with a lid, put in a bin liner and have plenty of cat
litter to hand to put in after use. When you want to change it just take out bin
liner and seal, place in another bag and put out.
If you don't like the idea of not cleaning it after every use the invest in some
disposable latex gloves (I use them for cleaning up the back garden after my 4
dogs - I buy (have to order special) Glovco latex, surgical non-sterile
disposable gloves, box of 100 has now gone up to just over £8. There are
different brands but these are quite thick, don't tear easily but definitely
much better than rubber gloves...I use them for cleaning as well.
I use Nappy sacks for collecting up after dogs and these I buy from Home and
Bargain 89p for 200 which is the cheapest I have found so far.
So you can use the bucket, sprinkle with cat litter - great for absorbing odours
and then put on the gloves and place contents into a nappy sack...(I even use
the nappy sacks with my pooper scooper when dogs are out all day with us). Sorry
about that but it is a subject that must be addressed... and remember hygiene is
paramount so don't be lazy and use bucket till it's full...germs will breed and
no amount of cat litter will stop them or the smell. You can also by a
Portapotty from a camping store.
An important item to have is a good first aid book...
If a disaster strikes and for some reason you cannot get help for week it may
come in handy...
Obviously it will not replace a doctor or hospital but you might just find you
can at least make a patient comfortable until you get help.
Also make sure you have a good first aid kit - bandages, plasters, burns,
dressings, parocetomal, aspirin, thermometer, cough medicine, diorlyte.
That is just a very few items think about what you would need.
There is so much you can buy and if you can take a first aid course to learn how
to deal with shock, bleeding, using CPR - all could be very useful in an
emergency situation.
Well I am sure many of you will have far better ideas than me for all the things
I have mentioned here but these are just to get you started thinking not a full
in-depth survival guide, and only advice if you are staying at home.
If you have to take to the road then what you will need to take and know is
different.
So have a good think of what you would need - don't try and buy everything at
once...just buy a few things each week as your budget allows, you have to live
now as well.
There is so much more info available but best to start small plan for 7 days and
then you can plan for longer...always remembering you have to store all the
items.... its amazing how you can find room for things around your home.... but
remember when you put them, keep a list of what is where. Its not much use
having a store of candles and some thing I forgot to mention earlier Matches - a
good stock of these - if disaster strikes and you have to search round the house
in the pitch black trying to find them.
Always keep some candles, matches and a tin opener handy.
DON'T FORGET THE KIDS
Remember your kids will need some treats during any survival times so include
them in your store cupboard. Also with no power available there will be no TV
and some of their toys won't work so think how you can keep them amused during
this time.
Don't forget your pets
Remember your pets........take into account their water usage in your
calculations of amount of water to store. Make sure you have a good stock of
their food and treats, plus any medications they may need. Also learn how to
deal with cuts etc.....make sure your first aid kit contains bandages etc for
them. Ask you vet for advice...if they won't give it there are some good sites
on the web that can give advice on what to haven and how to deal with certain
things......or buy a good book relative to your pet.....
Updated December 11th 2002