Are you prepared????

[mommaU4]

I was just wondering how many of us are really prepared for an emergency.

When we lived in CA we were always told how we were supposed to have emergency kits in case of a big earthquake and all the effects of the aftermath like no water, no power, etc.


Last night I had the lights go out and went right for the cabinet where I knew the flashlights were. All 3 of them were there. 2 with no batteries and one that had batteries but still didn't work. Luckily I had a lighter in there too and some decorative candles that I grabbed and lit real quick so I would have light to see to put the batteries in the flashlights!

I think we have 2 gallons of water but that's for 6 people.

I am just really not prepared for an emergency and there is no excuse for that especially when we have 4 kids to think about in addition to ourselves. So as soon as I can get to a store I am going to stock up on batteries, flashlights and water. It's the least I can do.

 

[mtblujeans]

Yes, but nothing has happened in a long time so I am a little lax in the process. Have gallons of water, candles/matches, and seasoned fire wood in case the power goes out. Tow rope, kitty litter, and jumper cables in the vehicle for the upcoming snow.... Guess I better throw a blanket in the Suburban in case I come across someone who needs one this winter!

 

[MoniqueU]

Everytime I buy flashlights my kids decide to play dora the explorer with them. I do have some water on hand and a pantry full of sorta ok food. Mostly we would be forced to eat our own here.

 

[Blondy876]

Nope, in fact, last night we lost power due to a transformer blowing and we left. We packed up the kids and went to my in-laws. We had no flashlight (my dd also likes to use it for "adventures") only a couple of candles. I hadn't made any dinner yet either. Plus, it's really tough to change a poopy diaper by candle light. So no, in our case, in case of emergency for us would mean run to Mom and Dads house. I really should be better prepared, at least have a flashlight.

 

[hydster]

Living in Utah with the chance of an earthquake you bet your bippy I'm prepared! I switch clothing out at the end of every season, have a plastic box filled with clothes, shoes, emergency kit, lighter (which I also change out twice a year) activities for the kids along with a whole storage area filled with water, canned foods, powdered milk and utensils and plates. If need be I could be out of my house fully prepared in 5 min and be able to live for quite some time. We have a camp stove when we go camping that we use propane with that we keep the tank filled on and I have emergency supplies in my Tahoe as well. No way will I be caught with 3 kids and no food, clothing or activities for them.

 

[RitaZ.]

We are never as prepared as we think we are when faced with an emergency.

During Wilma we were without power for 5 days. We were very lucky though, we have friends that were without power for over 2 weeks. I thought that we were prepared, but I learned some things during Wilma... Cell phones may not work, ours didn't for several days. So, buy a corded phone for emergency situations. We always fill up our cars before a hurricane comes. This was the first time that I didn't... DH's car was full, my van was almost 3/4 of a tank and I figured we would be fine. Well, we didn't anticipate having a tree fall on DH's car. We tried to siphon gas out of the tank, but couldn't do it. I was worried that if we had to leave we wouldn't have enough gas to make it to our destination. We didn't know how long we would be without power. FPL initially reported that it would take weeks for power to be restored. Even if you have a generator, you'll need gas to keep it running for several days. You'd be surprised at the number of people that didn't have any cash on hand after the storm. No electricity means no ATMs.

People really need to have some kind of preparation/ basic plan in the event a disaster strikes. Even if the government comes to your aid, it won't happen right away.

 

[mommaU4]

Nope, in fact, last night we lost power due to a transformer blowing and we left. We packed up the kids and went to my in-laws. We had no flashlight (my dd also likes to use it for "adventures") only a couple of candles. I hadn't made any dinner yet either. Plus, it's really tough to change a poopy diaper by candle light. So no, in our case, in case of emergency for us would mean run to Mom and Dads house. I really should be better prepared, at least have a flashlight.

Thank-you. I don't feel so bad now. Looks like we both have our work cut out for us.

 

[TDC Nala]

I have beer and soup, I'll be fine.

Once had no water for a week after an earthquake. Believe me, you'll be pouring those gallons of water into the toilet so you can flush, not drinking them.

 

[Aidensmom]

We've got a well stocked hurricane kit. If we ever need a flashlight, batteries, portable radio, important paperwork, or a spare can of tuna, we know where to look.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

We're not totally prepared, but we're getting there. We have plent of water - we have several case of bottle waters, plus 6 of the large Sparkletts jugs. Every time I go to the store I pick up a few canned goods for the pantry. We try to stock up on batteries but our kids toys seem to eat them faster than we can stock them. We have several first aid kits, and flashlights in almost every room. We also keep extra propane bottles for cooking and for the lanterns. We also have several guns (locked away) and plenty of ammunition. Never know when that might come in handy either.

 

[marybet]

Yes we are. Even before we had three hurricanes. We just got wheels for our generator as it is very heavy to carry. We are thinking about getting a whole house, natural gas generator. I told my DH if we spent that much money and got it all hooked up we would never lose power again.

 

[golfgal]

In our area the main things you need to prepare for are tornadoes and blizzards/getting stuck in your car somewhere mainly. We have a battery operated radio and usually have flashlights(if the kids aren't using them for flashlight tag that is) in our designated tornado shelter. We don't keep water or food there since usually a tornado doesn't wipe out miles and miles of homes like a hurricane would.

In the winter we keep extra warm clothing in the car, snowpants, gloves, hats, etc. We have a kit in there that has items to use if you get stranded. These days the best thing you can have in your car in that kind of situation is a cell phone.

 

[pjlla]

I used to be better prepared when the kids were babies, but I've gotten lax also. I have ALWAYS kept 4 -5 flashlights on hand, ready to go... but have had the same problem as others posted here....kids are finding them and using them for games! Even when I buy them their own flashlights!!

We do live in a very rural area, so we keep ourselves fairly well stocked. We might not eat well, but we wouldn't starve in days either.

But there would NEVER be enough water to keep the toilets going! One year we resorted to melting snow on the gas grill to get enough water to flush the toilets!! (during a power outage caused by a blizzard) Now, if I am concerned about losing power, I fill my washing machine with cold water (tried the tub but apparently it leaks!). That way I have at least several gallons for flushing. We are not really in tornado country or hurricane area, so our biggest problem is blizzards. And usually, even with TERRIBLE snow, we can get out within 72 hours. .............P

 

[we3disneygo]

we are not prepared at all--we live in the midwest so for us it's tornado's and snow.......while cleaning out the garage we did put together a kit but did not finish it with battery's, propane for the camp stove. we need to be putting the car kits together--we have to travel in Jan. and Feb. for figure skating competitions.....last year we drove in a snow storm to get dd to Chicago......

 

[NMAmy]

DH is basically a big Boy Scout so, yeah, we're prepared. He makes me pick up another big jug of water every trip to the grocery store. We have tons of food in the basement (I have a friend who calls that "Amy's store.") We not only have flashlights with working batteries stashed all over the house, he's also stashed those emergency glow sticks in the same place so if the batteries aren't working, you could use the glow stick to help you find another flashlight or the candles. We have a campstove and a grill for cooking and a first aid kit. He used to be a Red Cross volunteer and was on the local chapter's board of directors. He's helped with a bunch of emergency situations so I just trust that he'll have everything we need.

When he moved from his old house, I found hundreds of MRE's that he'd stashed, not to mention 2 100 lb bags of rice. He was living alone--did he REALLY think he was going to need 200 lbs of rice to survive?

 

[SC Minnie]

We have batteries in the flashlight but not water or other stuff.

In our company's emergency plan it says that every employee should have water, food, and supplies stored at their workstation to sustain for 72 hours. Where the heck so they expect us to keep this stuff?????

 

[NMAmy]

We have batteries in the flashlight but not water or other stuff.

In our company's emergency plan it says that every employee should have water, food, and supplies stored at their workstation to sustain for 72 hours. Where the heck so they expect us to keep this stuff?????

I can't imagine anything worse than having to survive 72 hours at work.

 

[ducklite]

I've always been at least somewhat prepared--I always keep bottled water--you never know when there's going to be a water main break that leaves you without for a few days. And my husband is the flashlight/battery king--I actually gave Noah's Wish about 40 "D" cells, and still ahd 30 or so left in the house--we won't even get into the "AA's". We've got a couple mag lights, a few run of the mill plastic flashlights, and two battery operated lanterns.

Since we moved to FL, we're even more prepared than we ever were. In early June I fill up the gas cans in the garage to run the generator with if we need it. I never have less than 20 or so gallons of water. I always keep a couple Ziplocks of ice in the freezer as well, and never less than 3-4 days of non-perishable foods. I've got a camp stove and fuel cylinders. We've got a chain saw (still in the box ), a bunch of blue tarps, yadda yadda.

In the safe I've got all our important papers and four days supply of my sons medication. The safe is fire safe and waterproof, and bolted to the ground--not going anywhere unless we take a direct hit by a F-5 tornado. In each of our cars we've got a fire extinguisher and first aid kit.

The one thing I don't have that I want to get is a battery operated weather band radio.

Anne

 

[caitycaity]

we are definitely prepared. 9/11 was a big wake up call for us and now our apartment and our vehicles are equiped with supplies.

 

[AllyandJack]

I'm prepared....DH thinks I'm nuts. I have plywood for the windows and doors in case of a hurricane. I have cases of drinking water for us and the cats. I have gallons of cheap water to force flush the toilets in case the lights go out. I have flashlights and batteries. The cats' carrying cases are ready to go (I'd never leave them) and there are leashes for them in the cases (they never go out at home, but if we're evacuating with them, we might need to walk them). I have a radio and batteries. I have peanut butter crackers (by the case from Sam's Club) and other non-perishable foods. I have sand (for the winter ice storms). We have shovels in both of the cars. The cars are always full of gas and they have water and non-perishable food (plus cat food and a small bowl for water for the cats), as well as blankets and flashlights and batteries and a radio and batteries. We have first aid kits in the cars and the house.

Neither of us are on any life supporting medications, so that's not an issue. Our important papers are all together in a folder that I can just grab. We also have a stash of cash in there, too.

It's doubtful I'll ever need the plywood (I'm not really in a hurricane zone), but I don't want to be at Home Depot at the last minute being told there is a limit. I have a lot of windows in my house and I want them all covered, along with the doors. It's not IMPOSSIBLE for a hurricane to reach me, so I have the plywood.