This is a good time to do a check up on your emergency plan and organize your emergency food.

Its already July first! In the Unites States we’ve reached the half way point of the year in the middle of summer. We’ll have cook outs and spending time at beaches enjoying summer clothes.

Your Car

Check the car over before traveling, particularly if its hot. The NTSA has great tips  for summer driving

Check your car for water and snacks. Water bottles in plastic breaks down in the heat. Make sure you don’t keep more plastic water bottles in the car than you will use fairly quickly. July first is a good time to replace the water in reusable jugs and clean it. If your water tastes bad, dump it.

I saw these clear bags on Amazon, they are inexpensive and can hold drinks, water or snacks.

Collapsible Water Container Bag, BPA Free Food Grade Clear Plastic Storage Jug for Sport Camping Riding, Freezable, Food Grade (4-pack-2.6 Gal) 7-1-25

In your Cupboards

Try to have 1-6 months worth of food in the house. Donate, use or replace food that may expire soon. To avoid feeling like you are hoarding, re-evaluate unlabeled bulk foods, things bought on impulse because they were a “good deal” or items that will never be consumed.  Looking at vacuuming sealing options I found some that are quite reasonable.

TOIAMOI Vacuum Sealer, Wet and Dry Food Storage, Built-In Cutter with 10 Vacuum Bags, Silver $20 at Walmart  7-1-25

This wasn’t even the cheapest! You can use a hairdryer or hair straightener too. Remember, sealing things up doesn’t make them shelf stable. Trying canning for that.

Speaking of Canning

If you put food up last year and no one is eating it, it may be a time to use it up before you can again. I’ve been guilty of putting jars of stew in the back of the fridge instead of properly canning them.  If you are just getting into canning get a few tools:

Canning Kit Jar Lifter Wide Mouth Canning Funnel Lid Wand for Canning Jars Anti-Scald Kitchen Tools(3Pcs,Green) only $4 from walmart 7-2-25

There is lots of information on the internet to get you started canning.

Speaking of the Fridge and Freezer

This is good time to see what’s in the fridge and in the freezer. If you don’t know what it is, it probably needs to go. Throwing away food is disappointing but it doesn’t make a you a bad person, it makes you a responsible person.

Check your Smoke and Co2 Detectors

Replace smoke detectors with newer models, call the Red Cross or your local fire depart about replacing your smoke detectors

Check you  fire extinguishers and make sure your fire smothering blankets  are easy to access.

Check your C02 detectors, get new ones or replace them.

FIRST ALERT Carbon Monoxide Detector, No Outlet Required, Battery Operated, CO400, White, 2 Count $29.99 amazon 7-1-25

Make sure bug out bags for everyone are ready and your camping gear is in order and ready to go.

• Extra clothes
• Medicine
• Flashlight
• Snacks, energy bars and water
• Hygiene items, Deodorant, wipes, tooth care, feminine care
• Baby things
• Basic first aid
• Space blanket
• Phone charger
• Cash and cards
• Extra Eye glasses

And lastly, make sure you have a plan for pets and livestock. Have a great summer!

We whine and cry all winter that it’s cold, have a few nice days of spring then here comes the heat!

Extreme heat is no fun

Extreme heat is a period of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees for at least two to three days. In extreme heat your body works extra hard to maintain a normal temperature, which can lead to death. Extreme heat is responsible for the highest number of annual deaths among all weather-related hazards.

Heat waves are primarily caused by high-pressure systems that trap warm air near the surface, preventing it from circulating away. This trapped air is compressed, causing it to heat up further. The lack of cloud cover, also associated with high pressure, allows for increased solar radiation, intensifying the heat. Essentially, a “heat dome” forms, where warm air is trapped and compressed, leading to prolonged periods of excessively high temperatures.

I live in an area of increasing temperatures and climate change. Our home does not have Air conditioning. My nephew gave me his nice honey well portable AC when his family moved to Virginia. While it wont cool the whole house it is very helpful!

Honeywell 14,500 BTU Portable Air Conditioner for Rooms up to 700 Sq Ft $569 6-21-25

Older adults, children and people with certain illnesses and chronic conditions are at greater risk from extreme heat.

Humidity increases the feeling of heat.

• Never leave people or pets in a closed car on a warm day.
• Look in the backseat and make sure no children are there before leaving the vehicle.
• Put a personal item like a cellphone or briefcase in the backseat with your child so you’ll have to access that area when you arrive at your destination.
• Keep your car locked when it is parked. This can prevent a curious child from entering or getting trapped inside on a hot day. Keep your car keys out of children’s reach to prevent them from unlocking it and entering.
• If air conditioning is not available in your home find a cooling option such as public spaces or shelter.
• Take cool showers or baths.
• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Use your oven less to help reduce the temperature in your home.
• If you’re outside, find shade. Wear a hat wide enough to protect your face.
• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
• Avoid high-energy activities or work outdoors, during midday heat, if possible.
• Check on family members, older adults and neighbors.
• Watch for heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
• Consider pet safety. If they are outside, make sure they have plenty of cool water and access to comfortable shade. Asphalt and dark pavement can be very hot to your pet’s feet.
• Heat waves may cause you to lose power. Visit Your utility companies to see about planned outages and to learn how to stay safe.

What are we prepping for?

Like many people, I do not believe the government or any organization can or should come to my rescue in a disaster. I lived thru the Loma Prieta earth quake in 1989 near the epicenter. This event helped me to understand what actually happens when power and communication plus some infrastructure is cut off.

The immediate result after a major earth quake.

The inside of the trailer I lived in had objects come out of cabinets and appliances thrown across the room. I learned not to keep item in plastic jugs full of liquid in high cabinets.
The Grocery stores near my home where standing but not operable, but the stores compensated with generators and door service. You went to the door and told them what you wanted, they sent someone in and you paid in cash, there was no internet yet. Most people were buying booze and baby stuff. We had no power for a week, but our landline phone never went down. Be aware that modern land lines are mostly internet based, many companies are abandoning the old wired phone systems. From this experience, It’s my opinion that after an ecological disaster you will be able to get what you need, infrastructure will be repaired quickly and supply lines restored.

Self-identification bias:  Some people practice extensive preparedness yet reject the “prepper” label, Perhaps because Being ready for anything is not a movement or mind set, but practical reality.

What kind of people are Prepping?

Turns out, it’s just about all types of Americans at some level. Surveys and studies indicate that there is no specific demographic in the United States for disaster preparedness. Anybody of any race, age  regardless of urban or rural environment, homeownership or renter may engaging some activity based on how much they can afford or desire to prepare. This might be as basic as flashlights and some extra food to a full on stocked bunker.

Food insecurity is a big problem in the United States, where 47 million people, including 14 million children, experience food insecurity annually.  The practical preparer can help with this because of food rotation and planning. If it no longer fits your preparedness reality or will spoil before you use it, donate it.

Practical preparedness shouldn’t necessarily be confused with hoarding. Hoarding is a result of a mindset of ownership and undefined need that may not be rational and may be the result of  an obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Hopefully practical prepping creates mindful preparation even if you have some normal OCD traits.  If you can decide what you need and what is over kill you are doing fine. If it spoils, you need to revaluate your needs.

If there was to be a long term society break down how will survive?

Am I knowledgeable enough to survive long term in complete societal break down?
Am I mentally capable of surviving without modern conveniences?
Am I physically capable for surviving long term? A personal choice in health
What will be my quality of life in a bunker, the post apocalyptic environment?

Shelter in Place

Food: Visualize what you will actually eat in 1-6 months of “normal” life without a Freezer or Fridge.

Water: Keep a couple of gallons of water per person for at least three days.

Ammo, Guns:  Nice to have, but not practical in most circumstances. I feel as a woman that I need a firearm when I am alone out in the desert and in my home.  I want to protect myself from SA and threat to my life, with quick response. If the zombie hoard want to bust in and loot my stash, I do not think I want to defend it with firearms. If someone starts shooting up the Walmart I’m going the other way. Desiring to shoot unknown targets (strangers on your property, animals etc) is not healthy and will create terrible regrets.

Gasoline: Only lasts a couple of years. It will probably be available in some form until it spoils. Have enough to run your generator as needed for a couple of days.

Foraging: Nice to know what’s eatable. No need to go hungry when you could just stop spraying the dandelions.

Looters:  People will steal when they need something that you have, or resources they can not afford. Of course, if people are considering eating the neighbors and you are still well fed, they may figure out you still have food. If it gets to that point, Good Luck!

Bugging out

You might want a full survival kit in the car if you must evacuate.  Perhaps you should keep items in the car permanently for any situation where help may not be available, a public shelter is not available or desirable

Snacks/food to last 72 hours
Basic pet supplies
Water
Change of clothes
Masks or respirators
Blankets
Roll of paper towels
First aid kit
Spare tire and tools
Regular tool kit
Yellow safety vest, flares and reflectors
Entrenching tool
Kitty litter
Car chains
A whistle
Extra eye glasses
Basic hygiene items

Grab and Go

Your pets and people
Your meds
Your firesafe bag with cash and important documents inside

BeReady for Ice storms and Winter Weather

• Stay indoors: It is generally recommended to stay indoors during an ice storm unless absolutely necessary.
• Avoid travel: If you must travel, exercise extreme caution and drive only when necessary. Make sure your vehicle is winter ready and reliable, Carry ice scrapers, tire chains and have the proper tires. Have your BeReady kit for the Car. Watchout for black ice and know how to react to hydroplaning. 
• Watch for objects that could potentially blow into the roadway. Tree limbs may break and/or other debris may come loose during strong winds. Listen to the radio for changes in weather conditions that could create more dangerous driving.
• If winds are severe enough to prevent safe driving, pull over into a safe parking area (the shoulder of a busy roadway is not safe) and stop, making sure you are away from trees, power lines or other tall objects that could fall onto your vehicle.
• Have an emergency kit ready with supplies like flashlights, batteries, non-perishable food, and a first-aid kit.
• If your primary heating source relies on electricity, have an alternative heating source available and ensure it is properly ventilated.
•  Check on elderly or disabled neighbors and family members who may be at risk. 

Build your BeReady kit for the Car

• Try to have at least half a tank of gas in your car at all times.
• Some cash
• Phone chargers
• Keep snacks in your car. Rotate food frequently to keep it wholesome.
• Extra glasses and meds
• A roll of papers towels
• A yellow safety vest
• Dust masks
• A blanket and/or space blanket
• Keep water in your car and rotate it frequently, try for a couple of gallons.
• Pet items, treats, food, meds.
• A whistle, in case you can’t be seen
• Jumper cables as well as tire repair kits and an inflater and battery back up if possible.
• Emergency signals, flares, a yellow vest and signs to add to your kit so that people can see you in the dark or to signal for help. This kit has most of the things already in it, or get what you want separately
• A flashlight and batteries or charger
• Basic first aid kit If you are a health care provider you may have more advanced tools.
• A fire extinguisher
• Extra shoes and clothes for everyone
• Rope and a knife or multitool.
• Bungee cords, zip ties or Velcro to secure loose objects in car. (in case you have to stop fast or get in an accident)
• See my post on this topic  If your car goes into the water 

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BeReady for an Earthquake

Earthquakes may occurred in areas that have no history of earth movement and there is no way to predict when one might happen. Everyone should BeReady to react to an earthquake no matter were you are.

Before an Earthquake occurs:

• Identify hazards and secure moveable items.
• Find out if your home, apartment or mobile home is safe and where it may fail in earth movement.
• Secure heavy furniture or loose items
• Practice “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” drills with your family.
• Consider earthquake insurance if available, your regular home or renters policy does not cover earthquake damage.
• Know if you are in a Tsunami zone and make extra arrangements, don’t wait for an official notice of tsunami after a large earthquake
• Have your disaster supplies available

During an Earthquake

• Drop, Cover, and Hold On
• Stay away from windows, stay inside until the shaking stops
• If there’s no shelter, crouch against an inside wall
• Cover your head and neck with your arms and hands
• Hold on until the shaking stops.
  

After an Earthquake

• Check for injuries and apply first aid as necessary
• Check for gas leaks and know how to turn off utilities watch this video on how to shut off the gas
• Don’t go back inside until the structure is cleared for soundness
• Consider wearing dust masks after an earthquake

Most of us would not seek out active Civil Disobedience. However,  you could get caught in a situation when law and order breaks down. This could happen in most any where people gather.

• Shopping areas
• Down town government centers
• During a peaceful protest
• At public gathering or festivals

Public dissent could spread to freeways or targeted businesses. People might participate in violence because of anger towards the system, thrill seeking or intent to commit crime.

If you are in a situation where a riot may break out

Read the crowd, trust your instincts and leave if it feels like something might happen.
Establish a meet up point and keep track of your companions
Know the area you will be entering
Wear neutral clothing, no camo, no black hoodies.  If wearing a work uniform try to hide logos or turn shirts inside out.
Stay hydrated
Do not wear a ponytail, scarf or things that can be grabbed
Keep your things in a cross body bag
Wear sturdy shoes
Wear long sleeves and long pants
Carry toothpaste and smear it under eyes if case of tear gas
Wear glasses instead of contacts
Bring your inhaler if you have asthma
Avoid wearing heavy sun screen, makeup or lotions, tear gas may stick to this
Carry googles, latex gloves and ear plugs
Keep your ID and emergency contact info with you
Consider having a second cell phone
Keep your arms at your chest level to protect your lungs if caught in a crowd crush

Get away from the riot

If you are driving, stay calm in your car and slowly leave the area if possible, try not to stop.
Avoid high traffic areas and move away from the riot
Keep children in your arms
Lock Elbows with your companions
If there is a rush of people and you fall, roll up into a ball
Travel in the direction of the crowd
Stay with other people, avoid being alone
Move carefully and purpose fully towards shelter, you may not want to run, instead look for places that are safe.
Avoid chain and luxury stores, which are often targets for looting
Once indoors find a secure place like a basement. However, avoid being alone in a secluded place
Move away from glass windows and doors
Be aware of escape routes in case of fire
Try and get information from news sources, social media or radio
If you get mugged give them your stuff
If some try’s to assault you, be fierce, there is no right or wrong, just survive

If you’re exposed to tear gas or pepper spray

Do not rub your eyes, mouth or nose if hit with tear gas
Use water or saline to flush eyes of tear gas and pepper spray
A solution of half liquid antacid and half water may help to rinse eyes
A spray of half water and half  milk of magnesia may help to rinse skin

If you are at home near the disturbance

Shelter in place, keep an eye on the situation and consider moving to a secure location in the home
Stay away from the windows
Have an escape plan
Turn off heaters AC and fans
Stay informed with Social media TV and radio

If you are arrested or confronted by law enforcement

Take this advice from the ACLU

Your rights

• You have the right to remain silent. For example, you do not have to answer any questions about where you are going, where you are traveling from, what you are doing, or where you live. If you wish to exercise your right to remain silent, say so out loud. (In some states, you may be required to provide your name if asked to identify yourself, and an officer may arrest you for refusing to do so.)
• You do not have to consent to a search of yourself or your belongings, but police may pat down your clothing if they suspect a weapon. Note that refusing consent may not stop the officer from carrying out the search against your will, but making a timely objection before or during the search can help preserve your rights in any later legal proceeding.
• If you are arrested by police, you have the right to a government-appointed lawyer if you cannot afford one.
• You do not have to answer questions about where you were born, whether you are a U.S. citizen, or how you entered the country. (Separate rules apply at international borders and airports as well as for individuals on certain nonimmigrant visas, including tourists and business travelers. For more specific guidance about how to deal with immigration-related questions, see our immigrants’ rights section.)

How to reduce risk to yourself

• Stay calm. Don’t run, resist, or obstruct the officers. Do not lie or give false documents. Keep your hands where the police can see them.

What to do if you are arrested or detained

• Say you wish to remain silent and ask for a lawyer immediately. Don’t give any explanations or excuses. Don’t say anything, sign anything, or make any decisions without a lawyer.
• If you have been arrested by police, you have the right to make a local phone call. The police cannot listen if you call a lawyer. They can and often do listen if you call anyone else.

If you believe your rights were violated

• Write down everything you remember, including officers’ badges and patrol car numbers, which agency the officers were from, and any other details. Get contact information for witnesses.
• If you’re injured, seek medical attention immediately and take photographs of your injuries.
• File a written complaint with the agency’s internal affairs division or civilian complaint board. In most cases, you can file a complaint anonymously if you wish.

What you can do if you think you’re witnessing police abuse or brutality

• Stand at a safe distance and, if possible, use your phone to record video of what is happening. As long as you do not interfere with what the officers are doing and do not stand close enough to obstruct their movements, you have the right to observe and record events that are plainly visible in public spaces.
• Do not try to hide the fact that you are recording. Police officers do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy when performing their jobs, but the people they are interacting with may have privacy rights that would require you to notify them of the recording. In many states (see here) you must affirmatively make people aware that you are recording them.
• Police officers may not confiscate or demand to view your photographs or video without a warrant, and they may not delete your photographs or video under any circumstances. If an officer orders you to stop recording or orders you to hand over your phone, you should politely but firmly tell the officer that you do not consent to doing so, and remind the officer that taking photographs or video is your right under the First Amendment. Be aware that some officers may arrest you for refusing to comply even though their orders are illegal. The arrest would be unlawful, but you will need to weigh the personal risks of arrest (including the risk that officer may search you upon arrest) against the value of continuing to record.
• Whether or not you are able to record everything, make sure to write down everything you remember, including officers’ badge and patrol car numbers, which agency the officers were from, how many officers were present and what their names were,  any use of weapons (including less-lethal weapons such as Tasers or batons), and any injuries suffered by the person stopped. If you are able to speak to the person stopped by police after the police leave, they may find your contact information helpful in case they decide to file a complaint or pursue a lawsuit against the officers.

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I’m pretty fortunate these days in that I have a little extra space to store extra food and a little extra money to stock up.  But it wasn’t always that way.  In fact, when I had kids it was even more important to make sure I prepared for poverty and a dry bank account.

It stands to reason if you have food in the house you may not go to the store as often. You might be able to eat healthier food as well.

Try and have 1-6 months of food stored in your home.

Don’t buy food you don’t normally eat. If your family eats burgers and pizzas regularly, A lock down may not be the time to try that fancy lentil curry recipe you’ve been wanted to try.  Keep it simple. Don’t expect people to be reasonable. Do your best with your wacky family.

Rotate the food you’ve stored up as you eat it.

Disaster food kits are expensive and will probably expire before you need it.
MRE’s are great for a disaster shelter before the kitchen gets set up, not so much for home preparedness.
Dehydrated food may have a place in your disaster kit. Think freeze dried ice cream for someone who wont eat anything but ice cream. Come to think of it, it might be good for us all when under stress.

After a disaster most people want comforting foods. If your family has a treat from old homelands or childhood this is the time to break it out.

Stretch your budget while preparing to shelter in place.

Rice*

Surprisingly, When there was three of us we would go thru 50lbs in a couple of years. I don’t want to do the math on this, I’m, not really sure how long it took to use it up, it doesn’t matter because rice doesn’t go bad easily, Uncooked white rice can last indefinitely when stored properly. It’s also the filler for a vegetable and protein meal.  Grab as much rice as you can afford and keep it in a way where it wont get wet in a flood or infested by vermin.

We found these storage bins for $9.97 from Walmart 

I’m not sure how much rice is going for at the local Costco, it’s gotten pricey, but still available at the  dollar more or less store and your local grocery in small bags.

Use up the fresh stuff first after a disaster.
Boil Chicken in salted water until cooked, 45 minutes or so and Pull out the bones. As long as you keep an eye on the pot and don’t let it boil dry or burn it’s hard to mess up. Serve over rice.

Add seasoning and/or vegetables

• Garlic powder or garlic*
• Onion powder or onions*
• Celery
• Bell peppers
• Lemon juice*
• Corn starch* mixed with water and used for thickening
• Canned* or frozen veggies*
• *Dry or *canned beans
• Any vegetable actually, the more veggies you add to more stew you have.
  Cook hamburger in a pan, drain the grease, add beans, tomato sauce and veggies.
  Try Korean army stew.
• Canned fish*
• peanut butter* and jelly*
• oatmeal*
• dry* or shelf stable milk*

How to Cook Rice

Ramen*

Like rice, ramen can make a meal with canned veggies, or use up stuff from the freezer in a power outage. It’s easy to cook as well on a busy school night.

• Pasta*
• Tomato sauce*
• Seasonings*

*look for this at the dollar, more or less store.

Seal up bags with a Use a hair straightener

Use a hair dryer as a vacuum sealer

Note: Don’t try to preserve cooked food this way. Only things dry ingredients you don’t want to get wet in a disaster.

We found these storage bins for $9.97 from Walmart 

CPR + AED Awareness Week (June 1 – 7)

National CPR & AED Awareness Week takes place every year from June 1 – 7. During this week, we recognize the importance of initiating CPR and using an AED as a response to cardiac arrest. More than 350,000 people suffer cardiac arrest annually, but less than 10% survive.

Every second counts when responding to cardiac arrest. If you see someone suddenly collapse, become unresponsive, and stop breathing, call or ask someone to call 9-1-1, send someone for an AED, and begin CPR. Even if you aren’t trained, doing chest compressions (pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest) is better than doing nothing. In many cases, the 9-1-1 operator can talk you through CPR.

Learn Hands only CPR
First aid and CPR Classes
Where you can buy an AED for your business