Comments on: Let’s Play Disaster Scenario

By: A Home-Ec 101.com Public Service Announcement | Home Ec 101

A Home-Ec 101.com Public Service Announcement | Home Ec 101 — Sat, 02 May 2009 11:31:37 +0000

[...] says: Late last week we played a game I referred to as Disaster Scenario. It’s a quick way to check your own preparedness level when rumors of disaster are hyped in [...]

By: Becca

Becca — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:55:22 +0000

Would like to say that I went and did a little “disaster scenerio” shopping yesterday. We officially have enough food to make it the next 3.5 weeks, if we had to. We’d be living off some powdered milk and a lot of pancakes and canned goods if we had to go beyond 2 weeks, but I am happy.

The cool thing is knowing that I don’t have to buy as much in two weeks, should some financial burden come down upon us. Plus….it is super nice to see so much healthy food when I open up the pantry and fridge.

Meanwhile….grandma’s candy has been combined and placed in a large gift bag. This will be the “emergency stash” should we have to go longer than 3 weeks, I suppose.

Hope everyone feels A-Ok and that no one is suffering from the Cough Cough Oink Oink.

By: Tracy

Tracy — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:39:48 +0000

Now that its just me and 2 dogs, stock pileing has become alot easier. I saved all gallon plastic containers, food grade, and fill them with water. I have about 20 gallons. I have a stash of cases of pre-made pasta and meals in a can. I also have 3 big boxes of powdered milk, instant mashed potatoes and rice. I also have “personal clothes” for toilet paper and 2 dozen cloth diapers for monthly pads, if I need them. I also have a 5 gallon bucket that I can put water in and use for a toilet if needed. Then there is the huge collection of batteries, flash lights, and candles. If the power goes out I can eat my meals right out of the can, cold if need be. I put alot of thought into my planning. I have about 2-3 months worth of supplies if something goes wrong. I make all of my own cleaners so I wont run out of laundry detergant, and I can use borax to wash dishes if need be. Vinegar is another thing I keep, I have 3 gallons right now. Great for disinfecting and general cleaning.

By: Carye

Carye — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:37:11 +0000

Correction…I should have typed ” my PANTRY/stocked items.” Boy did I mess that one up!

By: Carye

Carye — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:36:15 +0000

With the exception of water, we have enough for 2 weeks or more, if need be. I’m a couponer and sales shopper and I could always *purchase from my panty/stocked items. I would probably also get a few more non perishable meat items (canned, vacuum packed) just to be comfortable, but we could make what we have stretch beyond two weeks if we tried. I like that you are discussing this. It is important, be it for a possible pandemic outbreak, natural disaster, etc.

By: Tara

Tara — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 01:43:33 +0000

What are the kids going to do? Heck, what are *you* going to do, if stuck home for 2 weeks, to keep from going stir-crazy? I’m asking, knowing that not too long ago we had just the one board game, one deck of cards, and the backlog of books. I think. Now, we have two stashes (it outgrew the first one), I have a small craft stash – yes really it’s small I swear! *grins*- and a backlog of books (that never changes).

For food – other than perishables, I believe we have a week or so worth. I’ll need to stock soon; I really prefer to have a few weeks worth. I don’t know where I’d put more than that in this place.

By: LittleMissKnowitAll

LittleMissKnowitAll — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:14:44 +0000

I’ve been pondering blogging on this as well. Stockpiling really helps us be ready for these unexpected events. I was watching the news today and decided to go take stock. Looks like if I stock up on some milk and a few more meats in my freezer, we’d do pretty well. Though I might add jelly, and pasta to my list as well.

We love to backpack and camp so we have those little stoves that run on rubbing alcohol around in case we need something to cook on. And maybe making sure the grill tank is full is a good idea too.

We don’t know a pandemic is coming, but when the head of the CDC says that he’s not reassured by the mildness of the current cases that there won’t be one, then I think preparedness doesn’t hurt. Two week supply? Okay, I’ll work on that.

Thanks, from one Heather to another!!

By: thatbobbiegirl

thatbobbiegirl — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:04:54 +0000

Speaking of “cash on hand” — I was at the store today to pick up some produce on sale…and the cashiers were telling people they could take CASH ONLY. For some reason the credit/debit card processing AND their ability to take checks was completely out.

So, I only bought $10 worth…

If you stock up on food, don’t forget to buy only stuff your family will eat, make sure you ROTATE it so it doesn’t go bad on the shelf.

Right now, heat is not a problem, but one of the things I ask my friends is how they’re going to keep their family warm if they lose electricity, because ours goes out more than average where we live. Most home heating systems require electric to function – which is why we have a woodstove. It does have a fan, but that’s only for circulation – it can still burn wood and warm us if the fan doesn’t work. Bonus: I can cook on it, too!

By: Melissa

Melissa — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:33:58 +0000

I’ve got a solar oven and a good stock of dehydrated food and canned and dry goods. Even if the water goes bad, it can be sterilized in my solar oven. I live on the Texas Gulf Coast, so I usually start to prepare a hurricane kit this time of year. Make sure to have 1 gallon of water per person per day. Fill up the bathtub if you have to.

Don’t forget to have your important papers and CASH on hand! Credit cards don’t work when there’s no power.

By: Lucy

Lucy — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:35:40 +0000

I would have a problem with the medications. My insurance will only refill presciptions when they are within 4 days of running out! Even under normal circumstances this is a pain as I drive 24 miles to the pharmacy. The mail-order prescription service offered by my insurer is 30 times more costly that the regular pharmacy, so that isn’t a realistic option, either. I’m immune-suppressed, so this whole thing has me on edge.