Here is a review of what we have accomplished up to this point. By the end of this week we will have assembled:
72 Hour Kits: whistles, clothing, TP, diapers, light sources, 1 backpack, paper products and important documents(birth certificates and drivers licenses).
Around the House: shoes under the beds, light source next to the bed, designated a food storage area, stored some water and have bleach for purifying water and cleaning after a disaster.
Emergency Food Supply: 1 days worth of fruits and vegetables per person, ingredients for 5 favorite meals, ingredients for 3 desserts, oatmeal and pancake mix. In other words a 3 day supply for the whole family. It’s the amount emergency agencies say is the minimum to have on hand……72 hours!
Out of State contact: We have established a contact person, developed a phone tree, and have items ready to mail to our contact.
Important Documents: Drivers license and birth certificates
Schools: We have researched our school’s plans and discussed them with our children. Re searched the television and radio stations that will broadcast emergency information for our area.
Electricity: We have light, water, fuel for cooking, liquid laundry detergent and a way to dry our clothes (rope and clothes pins), battery operated clock, paper plates and other items for serving food, and a battery operated clock.
$$$$$- You have saved money in your change jar. How much have you saved to this point? You can leave it in the jar and add to it or use it for items you need to buy.
Just think of all you have done and how long you have thought about how important this is and now you are doing it!
1. Add the appropriate paper plates, bowls and utensils to your 72 hour kits. If you are planning to add energy bars and/or MREs to your kit you will only need the utensils as the MREs can be eaten directly from the pouch. The remaining products are for your home storage to use during that power outage, a natural disaster or a medical emergency. When you purchase cups remember to get some that can hold hot drinks. If the electricity goes out during a winter storm you will want a hot drink.
2. Purchase a large box of oatmeal or other hot cereal. This goes on the storage shelf
3. Purchase a large bag of pancake mix. Add to the storage shelf!
4. Add a roll of Toilet Paper to your 72 hour kits.
5. Purchase ingredients to make 5 of your favorite meals using the list of favorite meals you created with your family in week 3. Date them and place on your food storage shelf.
6. Teach your family how to turn off the gas, water and electricity coming in to your home.
Shutting Off Your Utilities In the event of a disaster, you may need to shut off one or all of the utilities in your home. Shutting off utilities may prevent further damage caused by disasters be potentially eliminating, gas leaks, flooding or other water damage, fires or electrocution to name a few. It is important for everyone in your home to know where these controls are located and how and when it is appropriate to shut them off.
Turning Off Your Gas
When to Shut Off Your Gas
If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a door or window and get everyone out quickly. Turn off the gas, using the outside main valve if you can, and call the gas company from a neighbor’s home. Do not use matches, lighters or open flame appliances. Do not operate electrical switches, including flashlights, because sparks could ignite gas causing an explosion. If you need light, use a chemical light stick.
Do not shut off your gas unless you smell gas, hear gas escaping, see a broken gas line or if you suspect a gas leak. Once the gas is shut off at the meter, do not try to turn it back on yourself. If you shut off the gas, there may be a considerable delay before the utility company can turn your service back on. If the gas service shutoff valve is closed, the gas company or other qualified professional must perform a safety inspection before the gas service is restored and the appliance pilots are lit. Never attempt to turn the gas back on yourself.
Where to Shut Off Your Gas
The location of the gas valve can vary depending on the type of building and when it was built. The gas meter and gas service shutoff valve is usually located on the side or in front of the building. Because gas shutoff valves are wide ranging, talk to your landlord or gas company if you have difficulty finding it. Ask them for instructions on how to shut off your gas valve.
How to Shut Off Your Gas
Your gas can be turned off at the main gas service shutoff valve normally located near your gas meter. Using a crescent wrench, adjustable pipe wrench or other suitable tool, give the valve a quarter turn clockwise. The valve is closed when the holes line up (used for padlocks to keep the gas meter closed). Always keep a wrench in a designated area so it is easy to find and readily accessible.
Turning Off Your Electricity
When to Shut off your Electricity
If a disaster causes structural damage, or in the case of floods or potential cracks in the pipes providing natural gas to your home, you will want to turn off your electricity. Sparks
Where to Shut-off your Electricity
Locate your main electrical circuit box. It is often on the exterior of your home near the electric meter. However, it can be found in basements, closets or other locations in your home. Take the time to locate yours and make sure other family members know where to find it as well.
How to Shut-off your Electricity
When you open the circuit box, you will find one large breaker, this is the Main Circuit Breaker and several smaller circuit breakers called Branch Circuit Breakers. Always flip each Branch Circuit Breaker into the off position individually before you flip the Main Circuit Breaker. This will reduce the likelihood of power surges and electrocution. When you are ready to turn your power back on, do it in reverse order. While all the Branch Circuit Breakers are off, turn on the Main Circuit Breaker, then flip each Branch Circuit Breaker to the on position individually. If you have a backup generator, solar panel array or backup batteries attached to your electrical system, follow the instructions outline by the manufacturer or installer.
When to Shut off your Water Following many disasters, water lines can crack or rupture. This can often lead to contaminated water entering the water lines. If not shut off, the contaminated water can enter your home’s plumbing. Shut off your water following emergencies involving ruptured or cracked water lines until you hear from authorities that it is safe for drinking. Also make sure your sewer system is functioning properly before using it. This will prevent home contamination, and possibly the contamination of the drinking water supply. Water can quickly become a precious resource following many disasters. It is important that all household members learn how to shut off the water if the need arises. Pressure changes and gravity may drain the water in your homes plumbing including your hot water heater and toilet tanks unless you trap it in your house by shutting off the water at the main.
Where to Shut-off your Water
Turn off water at the main meter (usually close to the street) or at the water main leading into the house.
At the Meter: Usually in your front yard close to the street or sidewalk, you will find a box with the word “Water” on it or the name of your water company.
Entering the House: A second location to shut off the water to your home often exists at the point where the water main enters the house. A valve is often present here that is easy to get to and will still shut off water to the entire home.
How to Shut-off the water
At the Meter: When you open the meter box, you should see the water main valve.
The valve can be easily turned using a water meter key which are available at your local hardware store in the plumbing or sprinkler section. Keep this tool readily available and make sure everyone knows where it is stored.
Entering the House: Locate the shut-off valve for the water line at the point where it enters your house. Make sure this valve can be completely shut off. It might be rusted open, or it may only partially close. Replace it if necessary. Shut off the valve by turning it to the right until it stops turning.
7. Purchase 1 gallon of unscented bleach. Label: Emergency Cleaning and place with your storage.
That’s it.
