As every year ends and a new one begins I think I should do a clean sweep on the house, get it completely clean and organized.
I never get it done the way I think it should be.
Here is a list of things to look at going into a new year.
- Check for expired food. If it’s still near the date the food pantries often will take it.
- Clean out the fridge and freezer, try to use up things you bought and haven’t used or forgotten about. Throw out anything no longer safe or appetizing. Don’t stress about freezer burn, you are doing your best. Let it go.
- Calculate how long your food will last if you are sheltering in place and donate anything you are not rotating regularly.
- Check your first aid in the car and in the house. Replenish and organize.
- Check batteries for small things like flashlights. Consider electric generators or battery packs.
- Check the fire extinguishers in the house and in the car, consider fire blankets.
- Discuss evacuation scenarios with your family and make plans. Don’t forget pets and elders.
- Talk to your family about plans for disaster when at school and work.
Remember, most natural disasters are localized and there will still be stores and hotels and gasoline in unaffected areas. Three to seven days of food and water will probably be enough to get you beyond the initial situation. Oh course, you know your own situation so adjust accordingly if you need more supplies.
- Avoid spending money on things that will expire and spoil, be affected if the power is off (get back up power) or are unappetizing.
- Be self sufficient and avoid emergency shelters.
- Use aps to inform you of local situations.
- Keep some cash with you or in a safe place .
- If possible, leave early if evacuation might happen.
- Be able to find your shoes in a emergency.
- Keep a whistle on your key ring in case you are stuck where no one can see you.
- Get back up power for things like CPAP machines and oxygen generators.
Other things you might do for end of year organization. while they may not be disaster orientated, they may help for peace of mind.
- Winterize, find the drafts in your home and plug them up
- Have a good attitude about the future. Barricading yourself in your bunker and fighting off the zombie hoard or the sand worms while eating MRE’s might be an extreme expectation.