Sure, we all know what space blankets are. You know, those thin sheets of what seem to be “aluminum foil” that we all have neatly tucked into our emergency supplies for, well, emergencies? Whether you call them space blankets, emergency blankets, or sheets of tin foil we keep warm under in an emergency, they all serve the same purpose. Or do they?

Did you know that space blankets (so named because they were invented for NASA’s space program), even though they are so small and thin, can be used to help out in many emergencies beyond just keeping you warm? These space blankets are designed to help reduce heat loss from a person’s body, and help retain up to 90% of your body heat. For that same reason, you can also use a space blanket as a ground cover while camping. If you lay the blanket/blankets down on the inside of your tent, not only will it provide a protective barrier to the inside of the tent floor, but it will also add a bit of extra warmth in the tent itself! It will reflect the heat from you body back up to you, and also prevent moisture from coming up through the ground your tent is on. (Space blankets are waterproof, by the way.)

Space blankets are made of pure aluminum vapors that are deposited onto a very thin and sturdy film material. This means that, because of the aluminum in the blanket, it makes for a very good reflective surface. If you are stranded in an emergency situation, use your space blanket as a reflective shelter that will be able to attract the attention of your rescuers for miles around. I have also read that they can be used to build solar ovens!

Space blankets are so small and easily affordable. They can fit neatly into your pocket on a day hike. They can even be reused again and again. Because of all the advantages and uses of a space blanket, you should have them available to you and your family in your 72 hour kits, your glove compartment, and even your purse. You will be grateful to have one when you need it!

Last summer, a friend of mine invited me on a camping/backpacking trip with her and her fiancé.  I had never been much of an outdoors person, but I was intrigued and really excited to go!  I spent several days packing for this 4-day excursion.  I was confidant I had everything I needed…extra water, toilet paper, food, bug spray, etc. for a 4 day trip.

We met at a place in town and drove to a very secluded area meant for backpacking.  I felt good about the fact that we had trails to follow and wouldn’t have to worry about getting off course or lost.  Needless to say, on our fourth day we ended up heading the wrong way.  While we were supposed to be heading back from where we came, we were actually heading farther and farther away.

I had a little food left, but only enough to last me for another meal or so.  I felt a little panicked, but didn’t want my friends to notice since they seemed somewhat relaxed for being in the situation we were in.  All my friend’s fiancé could tell me was, “we’ll get back, it just may take awhile.”  Needless to say, after walking for another couple hours I finally ended up breaking down and crying.  I had never been in this kind of situation before and felt helpless.

My friends felt bad, but assured me there was nothing to worry about.  I was pleasently surprised when my friends took pouches out of their bags, which they informed me were freeze-dried foods.  They explained to me that freeze dried foods were meals (like lasagna and pasta primavera) that had gone through a dehydration process to minimize the size of the food and to preserve it.

Immediately, I began to relax knowing they were prepared for this type of thing. Since then, I’ve become an avid backpacker and always make sure I have a 7-day supply of the freeze-dried food with me.  They’re very light weight, easy to store in my backpack, and healthy and nutritious to boot!   I’m so thankful to my friends for showing me the outdoors and introducing me to this incredible emergency-related item.  Never again will you find me in the outdoors without being prepared!

Why are kits called 72 hour kits?  Generally, the recommendation has been for people to store 72 hours or 3 days worth of food and water because that is generally how long it will take relief agencies like the Red Cross to access disaster areas.  But after Hurricane Katrina, we realized that 3 days is no guarantee.

People were stranded for days on roofs trying to escape from flood waters and others were stranded in the Superdome which was supposed to be a shelter, but had next to no supplies for all those who sought refuge.  After Hurricane Katrina, some organizations encouraged people to focus on keeping supplies for a full week instead of only 3 days.  The amount of time it takes first responders like firefighters and police officers is effected by several factors.  I live in a relatively small city with only 15 officers on our city police force.  Most of them do not live in the city limits and an average of 2 officers are on duty at any time.  Statistics are not in our favor that during an emergency, all of our police officers would be in the city and  immediately available to assist citizens.

Geography and the severity of the disaster play a part in the time it takes for first responders to reach you.  I live in a city where we are surrounded by a lake as well as a river, so in the event of a major earthquake, if bridges went down, our city would essentially be cut off from the rest of the county with boats the only way to access us.  A minor disaster that leads to roads still being able to be used has a much faster response time for police and firefighters to reach people while a major disaster that disrupts roads can lead to extreme delays in response time.  Talk to your city and local officials about what emergency plans are in place for your area and what you can do to assist them in helping those people who need assistance after a disaster.

There are some disasters and emergencies where you need to get out of the area immediately while other situations may require that you are prepared to shelter in place.  An example of a situation where you might need to evacuate include a chemical spill or a wildfire.  You need to get out of the area to get away from harm.  In a situation like this, you need 72 hour kits that are easily available (like hanging on a hook in your garage and not on the highest shelf in the basement closet).  You should also realize that the need to evacuate may occur while you are at work or driving the kids to school.

Being prepared wherever you are is essential to truly being prepared.  At the very least, you want to make sure you have a first aid kit, a light source, and drinking water.  You can store a few pouches of drinking water, a 12 hour light stick, and a basic first aid kit in your desk drawer or the glove compartment in your car.  These simple preparations can be extremely helpful in the event of an emergency.

The basic needs you have: food, water, sanitation, light, shelter, and communication are the same regardless of if you evacuate or shelter in place.  But having additional supplies to shelter in place allows you to stay safe where you are for a longer period of time.

A situation where you might need to shelter in place include an outbreak of pandemic flu.  The government and health organizations have all declared that the best way to avoid getting the flu would be to stay in your home, away from public places where you would be exposed to the illness.  By the time we get confirmation that the pandemic flu is here, the time to prepare is long gone.  You don’t have time to run to the grocery store to stock up on things.  You will need to live on what you have stored in your home.  Having a portable potty with bags and chemicals as well as N95 and N100 particulate respirator masks to help prevent infection are invaluable.

Consider starting a shelter in place kit by looking at what would make your family comfortable.  Stocking up on items like tissues, toilet paper, disinfectant, and soap can help prevent the spread of illness.  Other items like freeze-dried food can provide essential calories without requiring excessive preparation.  Make a list as to what would work best for your individual situation and then take steps to make your shelter in place kit a reality.

I have recently become a convert to freeze-dried food.  One of the things I love about freeze-dried food is that it stores for 30 years in a #10 can.  That’s right.  30 years!  No more worries about rotating food and checking expiration dates.  I am fully aware that rotating food storage is a huge job and freeze-dried food essentially eliminates the need for this time-intensive task.

Freeze-dried food can be prepared by adding hot water.  You can also eat some of the products such as the freeze-dried fruit right out of the can.  We have added freeze-dried fruit to oatmeal, muffins, and pancakes.  I have had to put our can of triple berry blend on the highest shelf in my pantry since my kids eat it like it is candy!  The Saratoga Farms fruits are fantastic!  We love everything from the pineapple chunks to the cinnamon apple slices to the sliced strawberries.

In a disaster, you will probably be overwhelmed physically and psychologically, and knowing that you can just add water and have a meal for your family can be a huge relief.  No grinding wheat or figuring out how to cook a meal in a tiny mess kit pot.  Just add water and you are ready to go.  I also like that the freeze-dried meals are complete on their own-no need to make side dishes.  Everything is in one can.  The beef stroganoff comes with the pasta, meat, and sauce all together.  The chicken teriyaki has the chicken, sauce, and rice in one can.  The directions don’t get much easier than this:  add water and eat!

I remember as a child, sitting in a circle on the living room floor with my parents and siblings.  A big pile of supplies was in the middle of the circle and each of us were holding backpacks with our names on them.  We were preparing our 72 hour kits in case of an emergency.  Each person took turns picking out the items we would carry as our parents explained how to use them.  The things I remember most were the Twinkies, which everyone knows last forever, and my little film canister filled with quarters.  With AT&T leading the way in giving up the pay phone business, that little roll of quarters wouldn’t do much good these days.

Now as an adult with a family of my own, it is my responsibility to make sure that each member of my family has a 72 hour kit and knows how to use them.  Some of the items, such as water, toothbrushes, and toilet paper are self explanatory, but other items need to be explained, especially to younger children.  A great way to explain the different items is to turn it into a game.  For example, with the emergency whistles you can have each family member take turns at finding a hiding place in the house and then blowing the whistle so the rest of the family can find them.  Then explain that this is what they should do if they get separated from the family.

Emergency blankets can be demonstrated by laying a blanket flat on the ground.  Then have a family member lay on the blanket leaving about a foot of material below their feet.  Fold the blanket up over the feet and then fold the sides in across the body.  Explain that this blanket is not like traditional blankets in that it is not meant to warm you up, but rather to keep you from losing body heat until help can arrive.

With older children you could write down the name of all the items in your kit on separate pieces of paper.  Have each family member take turns drawing slips of paper.  Allow time for each member to research their items.  Then everyone takes turns demonstrating or explaining the use of the items.  All of the items included in 72 hour kits are easy to use, but if you take the time to explain and demonstrate them to your children, when the time comes to use them your children will be familiar with the items and feel less anxious with the situation.

I’ve been carrying the same “emergency pack” with me every time I’ve gone hiking for the last several years.  I enjoy going to the mountains best in early spring because it’s not too cold and not too hot.  Although every once in awhile, I’ll get caught in some unusually cold weather for that time of the year.

Even though the weather has never gotten to the point of unbearably cold, I’m happy to know I have my emergency blanket available in case I may need it someday.  It’s so compact I can fit it into my pocket folded up and at the inexpensive price it doesn’t make sense not to have one.

The most important thing to know is how to use it because the blanket can be nearly worthless if not used correctly.  For the blanket to reflect up to 90% of a person’s radiant body heat, there must be a layer of “dead air” between him/her and the blanket.  This means the blanket won’t work properly if there is nothing between it and the user’s skin, like clothing for example.

I always make sure to bring an extra set of clothing in my emergency bag, which I can change into, if for some reason I can’t use the clothing I’m already wearing.  Then, if I ever have to pull out my emergency blanket, I can be assured it will work effectively because I have that extra layer between the blanket and me.

In the 1940s, researchers at Harvard University, in conjunction with the US Army, formulated a water disinfection tablet at the request of the United States military. They wanted an easier way to be able to disinfect the water that their service men and women sometimes needed to drink. Thus, Potable Aqua was born!

Potable Aqua is an iodine water disinfection tablet that makes water bacteriologically suitable to drink. Although it was previously used only for our military, it is now also available to consumers. Many people keep it with them whenever they go camping or backpacking, in case of emergency. So what exactly is Potable Aqua, and how does it work?

Potable Aqua tablets are made to be dissolved in water that may be of questionable quality. When dissolved, diatomic iodine and hypoiodous acid are released into the water. These chemicals work at breaking down the cell walls of the bacteria that might be in the water you are trying to disinfect, making the water safe for you to drink. You should wait 30 minutes after using the tablets before drinking the water, to allow time for the tablets to break down the cells. You should add two tablets to one quart or liter of water.

Potable Aqua may be used in conjunction with a water filter. It is very effective against bacteria, such as Streptococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli; viruses, such as Infectious hepatitis and Poliomyelitis; and also treats water for flatworms and many cysts, such as Giardia lamblia. While Potable Aqua has proven very usefull in making questionable water drinkable again, you should remember that it is to be used as a short-term treatment. You should limit your use of it to less than 6 weeks.

Potable Aqua is a proven method for obtaining drinking water in an emergency situation. It is very simple to use and is time efficient. Put it in your 72 hour kits to prepare for times when clean drinking water for your family may not be available!

If there is an emergency situation in your area, it is vital to have a plan for protecting your family, but have you thought about what you would do for your pets? Many times, our pets ARE our family, so as pet owners, we must be prepared. It can save their lives.

The Red Cross says, “In the event of a disaster, if you must evacuate, the most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to evacuate them, too. Leaving pets behind, even if you try to create a safe place for them, is likely to result in their being injured, lost, or worse. So prepare now for the day when you and your pets may have to leave your home.” So, where do we take our pets if we need to evacuate?

Red Cross shelters are not allowed to accept pets, unless they are needed to assist people with disabilities. It would be a good idea to call local hotels in your city, or even outside your city limits in cases your whole city needed to be evacuated, to check on pet policies. Have a few of them written down on an emergency phone number list and keep it in your car, in case you need to make a reservation when you aren’t at home. Ask your friends or family who live outside your immediate area if they would be willing to shelter your pet in an emergency. You may also want to contact local animal shelters to see if they provide emergency assistance.

Also, when you prepare 72 hour kits for your family members, include your pets. They will need essential supplies when you are away from home. Supplies such as: medications, a sturdy leash, a pet carrier, food (don’t forget the can opener), the name and number of your veterinarian, and a few toys if there is room.

In the event that you are not at home when the emergency happens, make sure that you have a trusted neighbor who can have a key to your home and take your pets to an arranged location to meet you. Following these steps to protect your pets can bring much peace before, during, and after an emergency situation.

Ok, so we all know we should have food stored away in case of an emergency, right? Right? So, how many of you actually do? If not, why haven’t you started on this essential part of your family’s protection? Perhaps it’s because you just aren’t sure what type of food you should be storing. I admit, it can be a very daunting task. As a mother of 5 young children, adding this to my plate (no pun intended!) was not something I was very willing to do. I had 7 people to take care of every day! How in the world was I supposed to plan for the future on top of that? Well, after getting snowed in to my house for 2 solid weeks during a dreadfully stormy winter, I decided to make emergency food storage a priority on my list. And believe it or not, you can too! I am here today to help you get started on your food storage journey by informing you about three different types of emergency food.

MREs (Meals Ready To Eat)- MREs are packaged in a plastic/foil pouch that are sealed and are air tight until opened. The food inside the pouches is already cooked, and can be eaten cold or hot. They usually have a 5 year shelf life, but can be kept up to 10 years in ideal storage environments. (Cool and dry.) They do not need water to cook, and can be eaten straight from the pouch. They are light weight and can be taken with you easily.

Food Bars- These are a kind of “cookie” if you will. The great thing is that, unlike a real cookie, they are made specifically to be eaten without making you thirsty. They are extremely high in protein and exceed the normal daily requirements for vitamins and minerals. They can usually be stored for 5 years. These are great to store if you live in a climate where high or low temperatures are a factor, as they can be stored in -40 degrees to 300 degrees Fahrenheit without disturbing the integrity of the nutrients!

Freeze Dried Food - This type of food is usually stored in #10 can, but is also available in smaller pouches like MREs. Freeze dried foods taste great because the foods retain their taste, texture, and shape of fresh frozen foods. It also locks in the freshness, vitamins, nutrients, color, and aroma of fresh frozen foods while providing an amazing 30 year shelf life. They might be hard to carry around with you, since they are in cans, but for long-term food storage, these are wonderful. Your family will thank you for them when an emergency strikes and they aren’t stuck eating dry peanut butter crackers and stale granola bars all day!

There are other food storage options, but these are the big three. Think about what would be best for your family and the environment in which you live, and plan accordingly. Hopefully, this information will get you on a good road towards making emergency food storage easier to think about and get!

Ok, to be honest, when I first heard someone mention a “bung wrench” I thought…a WHAT??? It is obviously not a word that comes up in everyday conversation! I am here to explain what a bung wrench is, and why it can simplify your emergency preparedness.

When I was small, my parents had rows and rows of round, white, plastic climbing structures stacked up nicely in our basement. How fun for me as a child to climb upon tall white castles (yes, I have always had an active imagination), and jump off into a pile of soft blankets down below! Well, for years, I thought these climbing structures were strictly for my recreational enjoyment. Until, one day, I saw my mom take a screwdriver to the top of one of the plastic containers. What was she doing, I wondered? She explained to me that inside of these plastic barrels was a grand supply of wheat that my parents stored in case of emergency.  She was trying hard to get into the top of this plastic drum by using a screw driver to pry the lid off. Oh, if only she had a bung wrench!

Openin g a bucket, barrel, or drum without usinga bung wrench can turn a simple job into a nightmare! A bung wrench is a tool that is used to pry open these items, and more, with ease! Some bung wrenches can even be used as a gas shutoff wrench, or sometimes even to turn on a fire hydrant. A “bunghole” is the hole on the top of a bucket or barrel that is used for emptying or filling the container. A bung wrench fits into those holes and, with applied pressure, will pop the top off in no time! I’m sure my mom wishes she would’ve read this article years ago! No more screwdriver, ok mom?

Every year in Colorado there are stories about skiers, snowmobilers, and hikers who get lost in the mountains.  This winter a group of six snowmobilers went missing for four days.  A snow storm was blowing through the area and hindering rescue efforts.  Fortunately the group came across a cabin and they were able to survive off of the popcorn, chicken bouillon, and gravy mix that they found inside.  Once the storm passed, the six snowmobilers were able to find a snowed in train station where they called 911 and were eventually rescued.

This group was fortunate to find a source of food in a remote mountain area.  Not everyone is so lucky.  Any time you are going to be traveling in remote areas you should bring with you a selection of supplies so that if you do get lost you will be able to survive until help arrives.  Emergency preparedness stores have taken the guess work out of what to take with you for food and energy.  High calorie food bars are light weight, all natural bars that are easy to carry and will stay fresh for up to 5 years.  They come in packs of 2400 or 3600 calories and are portioned in 200 calorie blocks.  if you do happen into a situation where you need to use them, they taste similar to a short-bread cookie.  If you have a safe trip with no unexpected emergencies then at least you have the piece of mind that you were prepared.

Preparing for the unexpected is a part of everyday life.  Either you choose to do so and reap the benefits when a disaster occurs, or you don’t prepare and you hope that someone comes to your rescue.

Storing water is so important in case of a disaster, but it also helps in other situations. I have always stored 72 hours worth of water in 2 liter soda bottles in case of emergency. Once, while living in an apartment, I was notified that my water would need to be shut off for an unknown amount of time. It ended up being shut off for 2 days! Have you ever tried to flush a toilet without water in it? Let me just say that I was so grateful for the water that I had stored in advance. True, I could’ve run to the store to purchase water, but with a brand new baby at home, it was so nice not to have to. And if it was a disaster situation I was involved in, water on the shelves at the local stores would surely be the first thing to go!

We all know that water is an essential need to our survival, but how much water do we need to have in case of emergency? Emergency officials have said that we all should be able to be self sufficient for 72 hours following a disaster. When we plan out our 72 hour kits, how much water should we be storing for ourselves and our families?

Everyone’s needs may be different, depending upon their age, physical condition, diet, and the climate you are in, but a good rule of thumb for water storage in a 72 hour kit is one gallon per day per person. Hot environments can double the amount needed, and children, nursing women, and ill people will need more as well. Keep in mind, one gallon per day is strictly what is needed for drinking water. If you would like to plan for cooking and basic hygiene needs, 2-3 gallons per day per person would be more adequate. Don’t forget water for your pets. Allow 1 quart per day for each dog or cat.

MREs, or Meals Ready to Eat, are military issued food rations developed to replace the commonly used C-rations for combat troops.  Unlike the previously used C-rations that came in cans and needed to be opened with a can opener, the MREs came in easy to open bags.  MREs were first tested in 1975 and went through at least 8 different changes to accommodate taste and durability.  The latest change was made in 1998 and they have remained virtually the same ever since.

The available options of MREs have grown from twelve choices to twenty four.  Each one contains an entree, a side dish (rice, corn, fruit, or mashed potatoes), crackers or bread, spread (peanut butter, jelly, or cheese spread), dessert (cookies or pound cake), candy (M&Ms, Skittles, or Tootsie Rolls), beverages (Gatorade-like drink mix, cocoa, coffee, or tea), hot sauce (depending on the meal), a flameless ration heater, and accessories.  If you consume all that is included in an MRE you would be eating roughly 1,250 calories.  Troops would use 3 MREs a day, which would provide all the nutrients and vitamins they need.  And although a heater is included in each pack, the meals can be eaten as is, as their name implies.  They are made to last up to 3 years but they have been known to retain their use for up to fifteen years.

What was once a product designed to provide combat troops with durable, easy to use meals, is now available for anyone to use.  Civilian companies are now making MREs with a 5 year shelf life.  They are a great way to keep a store of emergency food supplies.  If you are lucky enough to not have the need to use them within the 5 years, they also work great for camping trips or any other outdoor activities.  You can also purchase entrees, desserts, drinks, and snacks individually if you do not want the whole meal.  With all the varieties of food now available for the MREs, you will gladly use them instead of washing dishes at a camp site.

It is very easy to take our household water supply for granted, but when safe drinking water isn’t available, it can become an emergency very quickly. Every household should have an emergency supply of water to meet its member’s needs during a disaster or other emergency. So, how and where should you store your water supply?

It is very important to always store your water supply in food grade plastic or glass containers with tight fitting caps. A great example of these containers would be: 2 liter soda bottles and other juice or punch containers. Do not use plastic milk jugs, as the protein and fat in milk is extremely hard to remove, which might allow bacteria to grow in the container during storage. When planning for long-term water storage, remember to rotate your supply, as the chemicals in the plastic containers may start to break down over time.  Containers that are not labeled as being food or beverage containers could release harmful chemicals into your water supply. NEVER use a container that has previously been used to store toxic substances! You may also purchase new plastic storage containers from retailers. There are many different sizes and types available, including “water pouches“, which are easier to put into kits that you might have to carry for awhile in an emergency.

You should always store your water supply in a cool, dry place. Try to avoid storing plastic containers of water on your garage or basement floor. The chemicals that are in the cement could seep up through the plastic and contaminate the water. Water weighs over 8 pounds per gallon, so make sure that the shelving you are storing it on is sturdy enough to hold the weight. Don’t forget, the average amount of water needed in an emergency is one gallon per person per day. More is needed for cooking and basic hygiene.

While watching the news back in October 2007, a woman was being interviewed after being evacuated from her home due to the wild fires that were burning up Southern California.  Although she was obviously concerned about what damage might be happening to her home, her concern at the moment was that she had left all of her medication in her home and did not know where to get more.  With over 500,000 people displaced by these fires, imagine the time and money you would need to spend just to obtain what you already had.

With the possibility of a fire, tornado, earthquake, or any other disaster happening at any time, it is important to add a few extra items to your 72 hour kits.  In the case of the woman from California, she would have greatly benefited from having copies of the prescriptions that she needs.  Every prescription that is filled comes with the information that is needed for a refill printed on a sheet of paper.  Once you fill your prescription just take that paper and put it in your kit.  This way you will have the name of the medication, the prescription number, the dose, the pharmacy phone number, and your doctor’s name.

Along with prescriptions you should also include copies of your driver’s license or state ID, your birth certificate, and copies of your house and car keys.  A change of clothes is ideal, especially if you have to leave your home in the middle of the night.  A pair of sweat pants and a sweat shirt works great for every member of the family.  If you have a sweet tooth, you may want to include rice crispy treats, granola bars, or any other comfort foods you might want. It is also a very good idea to include at least $100.00 in cash to purchase anything else you might come in need of.

If you have infants or toddlers you should also keep handy a bag that contains diapers, wipes, formula, and bottles if needed.  For any age children you should include some form of entertainment to distract them from the situation.  For toddlers and young children a color book works well and a deck of cards can help for the older children.

Last but not least, if you have pets you need to make sure to include enough food and water for them.  you should also include vaccination records, medications, and a list of hotels in your area that will allow pets.  If you plan on taking your pet to a shelter, make sure a pet carrier is easily accessible since some shelters will not accept pets without them.

When my husband and I were first married, we took my father’s advice to purchase a 2-person 72-hour kit for our new home as well as our car.  This ensured us we’d have the essentials we needed to survive the first 72 hours of an emergency situation, if one were to arise.  We felt safe and secure knowing we had the kits to rely on.

Two and a half years later, my husband and I were both at work when a flash flood hit our city.  The flood was so severe we lost all power and couldn’t evacuate the building.  Immediately I tried calling my husband on his cell phone, but no cell service was available.  Trying to evacuate the building, one of my coworkers had been injured to the point where he needed first aid.  And of course, I kept thinking in my head…where is my 72-hour kit when I need it?  I knew my kit included essential items we desperately needed; like flashlights and candles, emergency blankets, an AM/FM radio with batteries, a first aid kit, water and food.  All things we didn’t have access to in our part of the building.

Needless to say, we were stuck in the building for almost 9 hours until we were rescued.  Yes, my coworker was fine after he finally got the medical attention he needed, however I can’t help but to think what would have happened if it had taken longer.

Less than a week later, my husband purchased 2 more 72-hour kits for both of us to bring to work.  After going through this experience, I can’t imagine not having a kit on hand in a place where I spend 8 hours of my day.  Now my husband and I promote our 72 hour kits and advise everyone we know and care about to purchase one for each member of their family, not only for at home and in the car, but for their place of work too!

Did you know that humans can survive up to 3 weeks without food, but only up to 3 days without water? With droughts occurring all over the country, how long will it be before not only outdoor watering is restricted, but the amount of water you are allowed to use in your home is restricted as well? Or what would you do if your local water supply became contaminated? The storage of water is a simple process and can be started with items that you already own.

One of the easiest ways to store water is to wash out your used 2 liter soda bottles and fill them up. you can also use old juice bottles as long as they have a tight fitting screw on top. Milk jugs are not recommended because the lids do not fasten tight enough. The filled bottles can then be stored in your home and you only need to empty and refill them at least every six months. There is no need to add bleach to the water since it does not extend the storage time and most communities use water that has already been treated locally. If by chance you get your water from an untreated well, then you should add a small amount of bleach to the water to get rid of any parasites. If you do not buy soda or juice in large bottles, you can purchase water storage containers or drums from emergency supply stores. Just make sure that whatever you use to store your water you put a date on it so that you will know when it is time to replace it.

If you would rather not have to replace the water every 6 months, you can buy water purification drops. The drops will keep your water usable for up to 5 years. It is also a good idea to keep on hand, water purification tablets. If your water supply is contaminated, the tablets can purify the water. You can also purchase water test kits that will let you know if your water contains lead, bacteria, nitrates, pesticides, or chlorine. It will also test the pH level and hardness levels of the water. Finally, if you are able, a water filter can be purchased to clean large amounts of water. The water filters are hand held devices that can filter up to 1 liter of water per minute.

By storing just a little bit of water each week, you will soon have enough to provide for your family in times of emergency. Being prepared is the best way to ensure that your family will be protected.

I was driving along the interstate with my 3 kids, pregnant with my fourth, and the 2 children of a friend.  We had just spent the day at the zoo and we were all exhausted.  I could hear 3 of the 5 kids drift off to sleep while the 2 older girls talked softly.  I had the radio on, and it was a gorgeous day with the sun warm, but not hot.  The thought suddenly struck me, “What would I do if the Big One hit now?”  What if I was pregnant with 5 kids, alone and a major earthquake hit?”  We were a fairly good distance from home and the thought of walking with all those kids and the meager supplies I had in my car was overwhelming.  I decided then that I needed to keep a fairly well-stocked kit in my car.  And I am not just talking about jumper cables-I am talking about water, food, blankets, flashlights, and a first aid kit.

I can’t tell you how many times I have used my car kit.  Parched kids after soccer practice have greedily scavenged for water bottles, cold kids in the winter have searched for a blanket and even some hand warmers.  I have used my first aid kit too many times to count.  As a stay-at-home mom, I often don’t stay home.  I am in my car shuttling kids to soccer and Girl Scouts, picking up kids for a carpool, running to the grocery store, running to get a costume for a school project, or heading out to take care of some project for work.  It is probably just as likely that I would be in my car when a disaster hit than that I would be in my home.

I keep a duffle bag in the back of my car stocked with bottled water, snacks for my kids, blankets, Shake ready flashlights, a fully stocked first aid kit, and distractions for my kids like card games, bubbles, and a travel game.  This is a kit you could use whether you are stuck in traffic, involved in a car accident, or just going about your everyday routine.  By taking a few minutes to put some basic supplies in your car, you can rest assured that you have essential items when the time comes.