Has your attitude toward a disaster kit changed?

[mondo joe]

I've always thought a disaster kit was a good idea, but never much worried about it. Of course that was back when I thought in an earthquake the federal government would RESPOND.

No longer.

This weekend I'm assembling my kit, especially a lot of water.

I'm probably not alone in this.

How about you?

[wli]

1. I know I'm a goner if things go south. n/t

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. I will be thinking harder on our escape plans and disaster kits, for sure

I may live in Maine, but I fear that our disasters will come during the frigid months. I lived through one hellacious ice storm with no heat, power, or running water for ten days while 8 months pregnant and sick with influenza.

I will not be doing that again.


---------------------------------------------------------
Would Jesus love a liberal? You bet!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/liberalchristians.htm

[wellstone_democrat]

3. we talked about this tonight

we are doing this over the weekend. Cash, changes of clothes and survival things in a couple of backpacks. A full kit in the closet with water.

[Maiden England]

4. No - I still think I'll keep one in my house

but then I still live in Louisiana - and I've realized no-one will help us, but ourselves.

[meisje]

5. I'm adding several guns

[Maru Kitteh]

22. I really hate guns

but I'm thinking of taking a course first and then considering purchase.

[Der Blaue Engel]

6. I just told my partner that last night

This weekend I'm going shopping for earthquake supplies. I live in SF and never got around to preparing, figuring that in America, things couldn't get so bad that thousands would be stranded without food and water for days. Color me stupid.

[distantearlywarning]

7. The husband and I talked about this tonight.

We're going to stock up on some non-perishables and water just in case something happens (gas crisis for instance). This situation has brought home how untrustworthy our government is.

[Pobeka]

8. We're advised to be self-sufficient for 72 hours for earthquakes.

I carry around water in my trunk, and have extra at home, and I'm going to refresh the supplies. It's clear 72 hours may not be enough.

[uppityperson]

17. 72 hours is not enough.

canned goods that don't need cooking will take less water than dried beans and stuff.

[cmf]

9. Ever since I went through a scary earthquake

I've had a complete emergency kit that I can carry on my back, and two smaller kits in each of my cars.

[puddycat]

10. I've had a disaster kit since 9/11

Some of the contents: strong plastic bags (contractor bags the best); flashlight/glowsticks; small shovel; bucket; can opener;
etc. etc. etc.

Also, included on top is a list of shit I would have to grab that is not kept in the bag, like personal papers, the pets, etc. Don't laugh--list everything. You may think you'd remember to take fido, but when you are scared and nervous you could be 40 miles out of the area before you remember the little critter, and with a list you just go through it point by point. I've heard it also helps to practice gathering up things on the list, getting the pets packed in the car, etc. so that you can time it. I'm too lazy to do that.

[riverwalker]

11. yeah

I know now, we are really alone if anything happens. I intellectually "sort of" knew it before, but now I REALLY know it with all my heart and soul. Any one of us could end up abandoned on a rooftop, no matter what the disaster is. I bought 2 gallons of water today, at .58 cents apiece and I cried while I carried them to the car because I knew people were dying today for lack of a .58 cent jug of water.

[KyndCulture]

12. I wish I could. I can't afford to stock up.

I desperately want to though.

[davepc]

19. Filling empty soda bottles or plastic milk cartons with water

and storing them in a closet or under a bed will go a long way if things go south for you real quick. And it dosent cost anything over and above what you already spend.

[kestrel91316]

56. Stock up on loss leaders, sale items, go to Dollar stores or whatever.....

you CAN prepare on a tiny budget. Cans of beans, tuna, bottled water, etc ON SALE. I have done it. Now I have more money, but when I had none I still prepared as much as I could. Don't try to do it all at once. Take your time.

Trash bags, paper towels/toilet paper/baby wipes, plastic bucket for toilet, Clif bars, water, etc etc etc

[kestrel91316]

57. Besides, there's no such thing as "I can't", as my parents used to say.

[ofrfxsk]

13. No. We have had plenty of replenished reserves since 2001

Water, food, meds, cash. The only thing missing is a gun or two.
I never thought I'd actually say that. I hate guns but I'd like to be able to defend myself if disaster hits.
After this fiasco, we're planning on it soon. Thanks a lot Bush! You've made me something I hate!

[OKDem08]

26. My husband and I were having a discussion about

this topic tonight, as well. We are going to create an emergency reserve this weekend just in case. I just can't believe we're at this point.

[BamaGirl]

14. I live 60 miles from

the Gulf coast. I've always kept one, and I know all the ways out just in case, since we flood here.

[SW FL Dem]

15. People have always laughed at me because I prepare

We have food and water to last 2 weeks, more if we fill the tubs and water bottles in anticipation of a disaster. We don't have shutters, but we have plywood and the tools to attach it to the stucco. Our important documents are in a handy plastic container and we have a list of the things we 'must" save basically family heirlooms and collectibles. My job this weekend is to get the waterproof plastic tubs to store the valuables. We will be prepared the next time a storm threatens us.

[Kralizec]

16. I'm probably toast too if it hit me. I am planning to be self-reliant in

two years... i hadn't expected it to start happening so soon...

[Greybnk48]

18. We've been set up since 911

water, canned food, flashlights, radio and batteries ( my husband fell for the plastic and duct tape thing too, so we have that). We also did something I never thought I would agree to. We bought guns and ammo and have learned to shoot them. I'm almost ashamed to admit it, but for the first time in my life I feel we need it.

[proud patriot]

20. I've added more days worth of survival water and food

before I had three days worth like I was told to have .
Now I know the N.O. has gone without rescue for 5 days
and counting . I have added 3 more days worth of food
and water.

[pitohui]

21. yeah i've now learned my disaster kit was worthless

an evacuee here

of course in a real disaster you can't actually get to yr kit nor can you carry it with you

WATER IS FUCKING HEAVY!!!!

i will be allowed back in my home in october or later

fat fucking lot of good my wall of tuna fish will do me then!

a disaster kit is a total waste of time and money

however, i swear to god and scarlett o'hara, i will never be without a firearm again

[GreenPartyVoter]

23. *hugs* My dad is stocking up on guns too.. and not just pea shooters

---------------------------------------------------------
Would Jesus love a liberal? You bet!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/liberalchristians.htm

[kestrel91316]

58. Glad to see you are OKAY!!!

[Broken_Hero]

24. Ah...

I have had my emergency kit for a very long time, its something my father instilled in me, when i was growing up, liek always having a food storage, medical supplies, batteries, radio's, flash lights etc etc....my thoughts haven't changed when i entered into adult hood. As a matter of fact the only thing i have added that my father didn't was firearms and ammo, which i think is a nessecity to protect yourself/family from others, who want what you have....call me a mean person, or what have you, but when people are placed in a survival setting, who knows what will happen....

[havocmom]

25. People where I live are checking ammo

and there is lots of it around

[spuddonna]

27. You better bet your sweet boopy! Get that kit together!

As long as 'Bush N Pals' are in office, the poor and middle class are on our own...

[fishnfla]

28. I've had one since 9/11

keep adding to it
tonight smith& wesson and remington are getting added

[Wizard777]

29. FEMA; It typically takes 6 days to get food to the localities.

When bad weather approaches. I usually come home with a gallon of milk and a loaf bread feeling confident. Not anymore!

[Obamarama]

30. I'm 41 and have never even FIRED a gun....

But after what I've seem this week, I'm getting one this weekend. We already order a 5 week supply of bottled water for our water cooler and replace it with another 5 weeks worth when it gets toward the run. We're going to have 10 weeks worth now.

[Greybnk48]

32. I'm 56 and shot a gun the first time last summer

a guy at the range had some sort of fancy rifle like you see in the movies. He let me shoot it and I hit the bullseye three out of five times. I freaked out and so did he!!

[TornadoTN]

31. Started putting one together tonight

My wife, my 2 1/2 month old son and myself, as well as our faithful Jack Russel:

Picked up 3 crates of bottled water, good until 2008 (not sure why there is an expiration).

2 week supply of reserve baby formula (I'll put this into our rotation when the expiration comes within a month or so, then add another to replace it)

Extra Diapers - 1 pack at current size, 1 pack at future size within 3 months.

Dog Food - We will always have an extra bag in our closet at all times from now on.

Plus, ammo for my pistol and my shotgun. (don't worry, they are always locked, even before our son arrived)

[LifeDuringWartime]

33. the expiration is because of the plastic

some types of plastic containers can leak chemicals into their contents

[politicat]

34. I bought ammunition.

Both shells for the shotgun and hunting arrows for my bow. (Don't laugh. I'm good with it.) My target arrows aren't much use against someone. And of course, we have and know how to use the swords.

We had water, food, first responder kit and fuel for the coleman stove and the primus stove. We also made the decision to stop letting the car get down to half a tank (250 miles for us) and start filling at 3/4 a tank (375 mile range.) The whole escape kit fits in the trunk of the car, with the cats in boxes in the back seat, and water with them. The major evacuation disaster for my region is the Yellowstone Caldera, so we should have a couple days' warning as the graduate students traipse out of the park. My sister, my grandfather's farm and my sister-in-law are out of range even if it is as bad as what caused the Ashfall site or the Bruneau-Jarbridge eruption. The other disasters we are prone to are not evac disasters.

[txindy]

35. I'm far more aware of the need now

My eyes have been opened further by all of this. I'm going to stockpile many essentials, just in case. All things we'll use in everyday living, anyway, so nothing will be wasted. But.... I can more easily understand the need, now. I didn't before. Not to this extent.

[brooklynite]

36. Red Cross handing out disaster guides in NYC this morning

We've been stocked for couple of months, but I need to develop our evacuation plan.

[indie_voter]

37. YES!

We had a small one for the next earthquake, but we're beefing it up to sustain us for WEEKS.

The Federal Government obviously is incompetent.

[greblc]

38. My list...

Tarps, plastic sheeting, For shelter and collecting rain water.
Colapsable water jug
Candles
Lighter ,Matches
Folding shovel
Camp saw
Pocket Knife
Hook, line and sinker
Flashlight
First Aid Kit
All of the above will fit in a 5 Gallon Bucket

MRE's
Small Tent
Sleeping Bags and Blankets

What am I forgeting?

[RummyTheDummy]

39. That's a great list but add....

One of those hand cranked radios to your list. I am.

[greblc]

42. I have one forgot it. thanks!

[Tsiyu]

45. It seems you have to plan for the most likely event where you live

and a Grundig hand-crank shortwave is my next emergency buy. When Katrina hit up here, we lit a kerosene lamp and a hurricane lamp ( my sons borrowed my Coleman propane lamp I usually hang next to the porch outside- it helps me to have some outside light when the power goes out.)

But we felt so completely cut off when we had no phone, no power and we couldn't find the new radio batteries in the dark.


If evacuation is the most likely outcome, that bucket idea up above is an awesome one, as well as having a backpack for everyone with some clothes, toothbrushes, etc. and some energy bars, whatever you can reasonably carry. If you can evacuate by car, carry as much water and food as you can. Even if you end up giving them away or bartering, they will be precious commodities.

We would probably just be stuck, isolated from stores in our area. So we keep horses and chickens and have seed and enough wildlife and wild edibles around.

We have a few solar showers, a huge stainless canner ( makes a great hot water heater- Lehman's), tools, wood, nails, a well ( but need to get a solar-powered pump) and all that jazz, so we can ride it out for a while and help others as well.

And to those of you wondering whether to prepare or not:


Welcome back to your heritage, America :hi:

You are the spawn of survivors so look at what's happening and use your common sense so you can survive, too.

P.S. Your government does not give a shit about your family and friends. That's why you must give a shit.

*preaching over* :pals:

[Flying Dream Blues]

40. I appreciate this reminder, sad as it is to consider. nt

[Behind the Aegis]

41. hmmm...probably should do that....

...considering I live in Tornado alley. I need to make sure I have pet food in the kit too. I'll have to think of other things...perhaps I will search online for a "disaster kit" for dummies.

[greblc]

44. Sorry The Pets are on their own.

I'll leave food and water for them and clean up the poo when we return.
With 2 school age boys to wrangle, Pets would only create problems.

I just read about crying children leaving pets behind as they boarded the buses out of New Orleans.

Better for them to think Fido is riding it out at home.

[Behind the Aegis]

48. They are my kids...

I have no "fleshy" ones...just furry and feathery ones...so they get to come along for the ride...Even training the cat to go to the safe room when he hears the tornado siren, which is right outside our bedroom window! I HATE test days!!

[Gelliebeans]

51. and your babies are lucky to have you

just like mine are! I can't imagine life without them. I also have a child but he thinks of them like siblings.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

43. I had one in Oregon, where earthquakes were a possibility

(although I never experienced more than a 5.2)

Here I had it in the back of my mind that the only disasters Minneapolis would suffer would be blizzards (of which I've survived dozens) and tornados (which damage only a small area), but these days, who knows?

I think I'll pack up my evac kit with a few bottles of water, some nutrition bars, a sleeping bag, a change of clothes, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, matches, a flashlight, a Walkman radio, and extra batteries.

[LuCifer]

46. At this point in time, I think it's safe to say we all best...

...should all be looking into BOMB SHELTERS, plus automatics ie. AKs, UZIs, etc., LOTS OF AMMO, howitzers, bazookas, GPS, night-vision goggles, liquid kevlar (coat your clothing people!), a couple years of food, and whatever else for the upcoming shit-storm! Oh yeah, and the above mentioned disater kits too!

[Booster]

47. I'm in CA so always have an emergency kit handy and shoes by

the bed. You laugh at my emergency kit cause it has more cat food in it than anything else. I can't imagine spending days waiting for help and listening to 3 hungry cats - Hell, I'd use the surgical tape to hang myself.

[Tsiyu]

49. LOL!

That's good of you to plan for your animals. I'm going to buy a month's worth of scratch and horse grain and dog and cat food next week ( budget willing) since transportation costs are going to raise the price of everything real soon and hungry critters do not good tragedy mates make.

[Gelliebeans]

50. I went around and took pictures of everything

and labeled it on a disk to put in my safe.

Being from California we have an earthquake kit. My kid has his own kit with stuff that he likes and needs. I am going this weekend to add to my water supply and it is time to change and rotate batteries. Cholorine tabs are also useful if you need kill bacteria in water (not for consumption)

Don't forget your pets----I have extra food for them for at least a week and I have allocated water for their use also.

In a disaster we don't know what will be destroyed but I would rather plan for the outcome then expect something that never comes.

[artemisia1]

52. Yes, I'm adding a rifle and handgun to mine ASAP. nt

[Mr Rabble]

53. It did for me. I have had a plan.

But it changed on Monday.

I have changed my fuel habits in the last year. This week I put together a disaster kit.

I am really freaked out.

[hiaasenrocks]

54. I've become complacent but this disaster has

been a wake-up call for me.

I live in Charleston, SC (about two miles from the beach) and I will have a hurricane kit completed in the next few days, no doubt.

[expatriate]

55. I always have had one, but

I grew up in Louisiana. We were very disaster conscious, particularly in the 1960's and 1970's, because even big storm fronts would knock out the power, sometimes for days and days. My father actually built a house from scratch so that he could have a gas stove after living through weeks after Hurricane Betsy with an electric stove and no power. We ate a lot of stuff warmed in a chafing dish, and I have never been able to look at tinned baked beans again.

One thing people seldom think about is shoes. There should be extra shoes and socks in a disaster kit - wool socks, even in hot climates. Cotton kills in cold weather, causes foot rot in hot. It holds moisture, while wool socks wick it away from the feet.

I saw a woman in New Orleans confronted by a reporter for taking two pairs of shoes from a Payless. She explained that they'd been told to walk to the Greater New Orleans Bridge over the Mississippi, which would mean they had to walk through water, and they had lost their own shoes in the flood. She didn't want to cut her feet. It reminded me of how very important footwear is in an emergency, where you might have to walk over or wade through God knows what.

edited because I'm no longer able to make sense.

[Arugula Latte]

59. Yes. This is driving it home.

I think the survivalists might've been on to something after all!