Emergency preparedness | Being prepared today

October 18, 2023October 18, 2023

Dangers of power outages and how you can prepare

Numerous sources today predict rolling power outages and shortages of electricity worldwide not to mention disasters or other scenarios in the coming years. The extreme push towards clean renewable energy and away from fossil fuels will only put a strain on this situation. The threat of war and conflict puts strains on economies, so, thankfully there are many options and products to help you Be prepared for these events. Investing in a few things to defend your home and livelihood from power outages will pay off in the long run.

Training your brain to think in terms of preparedness is no easy thing. Try to think about all the situations that could happen and ways to mitigate, then gather supplies and practice putting skills and interests into use. Changing your lifestyle can either be a chore or a growing experience. I personally choose the latter.

Why would power outages happen

Its important to pay attention to what’s going in our societies and culture and as much as some people hate it, like politics, government and local conflicts even. There is a saying: You may not take interest into politics but politics will always take an interest into you. Meaning you need to participate in voicing your opinion and let your representatives know how you feel because if you don’t, others opinions will be the policy makers and become law whether you like it or not.

Tensions are escalating between countries and world superpowers. Everyone’s picking and supporting/supplying sides and issuing warnings to each other. As a result, the reality of an EMP or other devastating attack is becoming more and more likely.

The constant showcasing of bickering and conflict between the two so called political powers in America, the Democrats and Republicans and the crappy policies they propose and pass are destabilizing the economy of today. To top it off, our government seems to want to force us into clean renewable energy without having proper technology in place.

Wind, solar and hydroelectric alone without fossil fuels as a backup, are just flat out unsustainable at this point in time. Technology has not gotten that far. They are mostly unreliable.

With more children being born and people immigrating to the land of the free, the population is increasing and so is the need for housing, electricity and energy.

Dangers from power outages

Lack of electricity or energy has the potential to be devastating to life. Not only in the sense that our advanced medical and research technology would come to a screeching halt but also that exploration technology would cease as well. The systems that control and safeguard Nuclear power plants from failure would go down and all communications too. Water treatment plants would no longer function and provide clean water. But, I digress into worst case scenarios……I think you get the point of this one.

We’ve all seen or had that relative or friends relative that is bed ridden or on life support at home or in the hospital. If that equipment fails from a power outage, even for a few seconds in some cases, it could be devastating. Gas pumps do not work without electricity and neither do ATMs. Damage could occur to some appliances from flickering power and computers are the most susceptible to damage from power outages, surges or flickering energy.

A freezer full of meat or other goods needs to be kept frozen right? Also the central heating and air conditioning in your home would not work. To say the least even creature comforts would be inconvenient. These are just some of the more obvious examples of things that could happen.

Ways to prepare

Thankfully we have not given ourselves over to complete dependence of electricity, so things like candles do still exist! Have a few flashlights stored away too, even cheapies will work in an emergency. Batteries, I think, are an obvious. Gas and/or battery lamps come in handy as well.

Knowing how to can or jar foods for storage and having a sufficient food storage will be invaluable in an extended power outage.

candles/lighting/ batteries for light or radios
have a backup or a way to run your fridge or freezer to keep food for about 48 hrs
alternate power or connection for your furnace/ AC dependent upon season
charging capabilities for phones or computer

There is a pretty handy little trick that I learned of a few months ago. A clay flower pot of decent size flipped open side down and supported over a lit candle can supply a meager amount of heat for a bedroom sized area. There are dangers with this though as you don’t want to use too many candles and get it too hot. You will inadvertantly start a fire.

Some prepared minded people will have their AC and furnaces installed with an option to be able to plug it into a generator. Ya know, just in case. A 2000 watt generator with 2 plug in points is recommended as a minimum size. This will possibly provide enough power to run both your furnace and refrigerator, depending on the size of each.

Sufficient power generation

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Conclusion

Whatever your reason for being prepared, it is a good idea. There are so many skills, techniques and processes that have been lost to history because of technology. Lifestyles and ways of doing things that worked so well for its time. We should not let ourselves become too dependent on electricity and other energies because of complacency. Even the current system can be unreliable at times and if even that is taken from us…..It will be hard times for us indeed.

Thank you for reading. I hope this article was helpful or informative.

If you have any comments, questions or input please do so in the comments.

April 14, 2023

Preventing Spring Flooding Disasters: Essential Tips for Homeowners and Communities

The causes of spring flooding disasters

As the weather warms up and the snow starts to melt, it can lead to a buildup of water that can cause spring flooding in our communities. In many areas, snow accumulation over the winter can create a large snowpack on the ground and in high country.

When the temperatures start to rise, the snowpack starts to melt and release water into nearby streams and rivers. As spring flooding disasters are often caused by this type of snowmelt, which can quickly overwhelm drainage systems and cause the water to spill over into surrounding areas. There are several factors that can contribute to the severity of spring flooding disasters.

For example, heavy snowfall over the winter can create a larger snowpack, as we have seen this year, which means there is more water that can be released when the snow starts to melt. If the snow melts too quickly, this can exacerbate the situation and lead to flooding. Additionally, if there is a sudden heavy rainfall during the spring, this can add even more water to the situation and make flooding more likely.

Possible Dangers and Destruction from Snow Melt-Off Flooding

Spring flooding disasters caused by snow melt-off can lead to a number of dangers and destruction. In addition to the obvious damage to homes, buildings, and infrastructure, flooding can cause significant danger to those in affected areas, such as riverside properties. The high levels of water can be fast-moving and unpredictable, making it difficult to navigate the area. Additionally, the water can be contaminated with harmful bacteria and chemicals, making it possibly extremely hazardous to come into contact with.

Flooding can also have significant long-term impacts on communities. For example, a flood can cause damage to homes and infrastructure that can take weeks or even months to repair. This can lead to significant economic losses for individuals and for the community as a whole. The destruction that can be caused by flooding can also lead to psychological stress for those impacted, especially if they are displaced from their homes or lose important possessions or family heirlooms due to the flood.

How to Be Aware and Avoid These Dangers

The key to avoiding the dangers associated with spring flooding disasters caused by snow melt-off is staying aware of the situation and being prepared. Stay ahead of these dangers and prepare for winter by winterizing your property. Install landscaping that will divert water away from your property or more importantly your home.

One of the most important things you can do is stay apprised of weather warnings and reports in your area. If there is a risk of flooding due to snowmelt, monitor the situation closely and be prepared to evacuate if necessary. It’s also important to be aware of your surroundings if a flood does occur. Avoid walking through floodwaters, as the water can be contaminated and dangerous. Additionally, be aware of any downed power lines or other hazards that may be present due to the flooding.

Sand bagging to keep water at bay is one of the most widely used solutions but only works to a point. They can become overwhelmed fast when enough water is present.

Another widely used method is levy building and is much more durable but on a grander scale, most of which are built by municipalities, cities and/or counties.

One way you can prepare for potential spring flooding is by having an emergency kit on hand. This kit should contain basic supplies such as food, water, and medication, as well as flashlights, batteries, and a first-aid kit. You should also consider having a plan in place for where you will go if you need to evacuate your home.

Having a few emergency supplies and emergency checklist is a huge step toward being prepared as well.

Ways to Recover if a Snow Melt-Off Flooding Disaster Effects You

If you are impacted by a spring flooding disaster caused by snow melt-off, there are several ways you can start the recovery process.

The first step is to make sure you and your loved ones are safe. If you need to evacuate your home, make sure to follow the advice and instructions of emergency officials.

Once you are safe, contact your insurance company to report any damage to your property.

Communities coming together to help each other is a very effective action that can be taken to mitigate flood damage as ideas and motivation come together for the purpose of everyone’s well being and safety.

Document the damage with photographs and keep track of any expenses related to the flooding. Depending on the severity of the flooding, you may also be eligible for federal disaster assistance.

Contact your local emergency management agency for more information. In the aftermath of a flood, it’s important to take steps to prevent further damage to your home. This may involve drying out your home and belongings, removing any contaminated materials, or making necessary repairs. Be sure to work with reputable contractors and follow any safety guidelines provided by officials.

Conclusion

Spring flooding disasters caused by snow melt-off can be devastating for individuals and communities alike. By staying informed, being prepared, and taking necessary precautions, you can mitigate the impact of a flood if one occurs.

Remember to always prioritize your safety and the safety of your loved ones in the event of a flood. With these steps in mind, you can be better prepared to weather any spring flooding disasters that come your way.

You can search more ways to prepare for winter run off and other ways to be prepared at Ready.gov

A news article to different resources and other ideas, check it out.

I hope this article is helpful and informative.

If you have any questions, comments or input, please feel free to do so in the box below.

Thanks

December 21, 2022December 21, 2022

What is the purpose of expiration dates?

Understandably, a fair amount of people will cross examine food that is past the expiration dates by several times even. And even when it still seems good, you question it again. The reality is that most foods will be good still, long after the expiry date stamped on the side of the product. It is really unknown how much perfectly good food is thrown away on an annual basis because of expiration dates.

Be aware, however, food is not the only things that expiration dates are applied to. Things like infant car seats and construction hard hats have expiration dates as well where the age of the product will impact the safety or usablilty of that item.

Arbitrary expiration dates are also applied to product coupons, credit cards and promotional offers. In these instances the date is chosen for security reasons or, most often the case, business reasons rather than any food safety concern. I have decided to present here the history, purpose and reality of expiration dates.

History of the expiration dates

Al Capone, an American gangster and businessman, fought to have an expiration date of some sort, or sell-by dates put on milk bottles. Supposedly he was moved by a relative becoming sick after drinking milk that had expired.

Expiration dates first started to appear in 1950 at a store called Marks and Spencers. However it wasn’t until 1970 that ‘sell-by’ and ‘best-by’ tags were added to most supermarkets. In the 1970’s grocery shoppers made quite a stir asking for more information about the quality of food on supermarket shelves. Under pressure from activists, including the distribution of pamphlets deciphering sell-by codes, food makers began to put dates on their labels.

In February of 1973, the New York Times ran an article stating that – Food dating is found to please customers and reduce losses. The piece pointed to a study conducted by the USDA and the Consumer Research Institute, a group backed by food manufacturers, which concluded that open dating had slashed the number of complaints by consumers buying stale food or spoiled milk, in half.

To this day, Expiration dates are not required on food items with the exception of infant formula which is required to have a ‘use-by’ date. It seems it is purely by consumer request and manufacturer concession.

Purpose and reason for expiration dates

There are two terms used by different countries and companies for and by operation of law and liability reasons. The legal definition and usage will vary between countries and products categories. Different terms may be used for products that tend to spoil like milk and those that are shelf stable like dried foods.

The term use by is often applied to things such as milk or even meat that are very likely to spoil and become dangerous or deadly to those eating them very shortly after that date. Products labeled as such should NOT be consumed past the date shown.

The term best before is applied to things that may deteriorate slightly in quality but are highly unlikely to become dangerous on or shortly after the date. Things like dried bulk foods, boxed foods and spices etc… These products can be eaten on or after their best before date at the discretion of the consumer. Storage and handling will affect whether and when an item will go bad or spoil, so there is inherent variability in expiry dating.

Open dating is the use of a date stamped on the package of a food product to help determine how long to display the product for sale. This benefits the

consumer by ensuring that the product is of best quality when sold. An open date does not supersede a use-by date, if shown, which should still be followed.

The ultimate purpose of the expiration date system is dual in nature. To protect the consumer as well as the product manufacturer. Most U.S. expiration dates are used as guidelines based on normal and expected handling and exposure to temperature. The USDA has a webpage about food product dating as well.

The reality and my experiences

In all frankness and reality, I have personally eaten canned foods that are years past the ‘best-by’ date. I believe, in these instances, it is all a choice of the individual, based on smell and observation of the food when opened as well as the type of food itself. I believe also that an individuals health will be a major factor in deciding if something is dangerous to eat. For instance, certain stomach ailments or diseases which wont allow proper digestion and also immuno deficiencies.

The smell test tells a lot. If it reeks or makes your nose curl its obviously bad. If it gives you pause, I still wouldn’t trust it. There will be some weird smells that are deceiving but the food may still be good. Experience will tell you what to look and sniff for.

Canned foods and dehydrated foods will last quite a long time and dry bulk foods like beans, rice, oats, flour, sugar and pastas could possibly last up to 25 years when stored properly. Even meat that is jerked and stored properly will keep for quite a while, however the sniff test is guaranteed to keep you safe on that one.

Plastics like hard hats and child car seats are probably good for a very long time. Much longer than the expiration date that is on the product will lead you to believe.

At your discretion

While here I am not telling you that it is ok to eat a can of food that is 20 years old, I am trying to keep you informed on the reasons, causes, uses and history of the expiration date system that has been developed. For the most part the ‘use-by’ dates are the red flags that should trigger caution and a further look into the quality of the food your looking to consume.

The ‘best-by’ dates are dates that are telling the tale of freshness that may be bygone times after that date but will most likely still be good.

All-in-all it is at the discretion of the consumer to determine whether or not they want to take that chance. I WILL say that if a can has swollen up it is bad!

I hope the information and opinions in this article was helpful and informative. If you have any comments, questions or input please feel free to do so in the box below.