For some, the end of the world as we know it is near, these people are called preppers. A prepper is a person who believes that a catastrophic disaster or emergency can occur in the near future.
They actively prepare for it, typically by stockpiling food, ammunition, and other supplies. Furthermore, they have a sense of responsibility to take care of their family and loved ones during a catastrophic disaster or emergency. Preppers are known to be ready for any disaster or emergency that comes their way. However, if you’re not a paranoid prepper, here are some easy guidelines to follow to be a “casual” doomsday prepper.
Here is a list of reasons why people find it important to prep for a disaster:
No matter what category you fall under, a bug-out-bag, is important to keep inside your house. This bag offers enough items inside to keep each family member safe during the disaster. A bug-out-bag can include medical items, clothing, food, and much more. Each person in the household should have their own bag, and this can be whatever kind is easiest to carry. You can also keep a separate bug-out-bag inside your vehicle.
What other things should you consider as a “casual” prepper?
Communication:
- Some disasters will cut all power off and you’ll still need a way to contact for help and family members. You can buy a landline telephone.
- In extreme cases, you can get a license to use a ham-radio.
- A walkie-talkie is great because they take up little space and can reach up to 30 miles.
- A great system to use is a family alert system. It allows everyone to contact one another.
- For smartphones, there is an application with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA. This allows you to know about disaster ahead of time and to properly be prepared.
Vehicles - These are simple items one can buy and keep in their vehicles for all emergencies:
- A blanket- for the simple fact to keep you warm if needed.
- A first aid kit - This is something that should be in everyone’s cars to begin with, but if there is currently not one, invest in one.
- Tweezers - This is something small and out of the ordinary. They can be used in medical emergencies as well.
- A battery charger - If your car is your only shelter, you can use the heating and cooling and listen to the radio, if needed.
Shelter - If your vehicle or current living situation is not an option, find local places. These places are known to hold people during a disaster and can provide temporary placement. You can turn to places like:
- Churches
- Shelters
- Convention centers
Food- You want the food to be lightweight and nutritious at the same time; also it should be non-perishable. Furthermore, it is best to have foods that are not salty and spicy. This is because it makes a person need more water, which quickly shortens supplies. Here is an example of the foods to keep on-hand:
- Peanut butter
- Crackers
- Energy bars
- Vitamins
- Canned tuna, salmon, and other canned meats
- Canned soups
While food is extremely important to keep around, so is water.
Water- A person can go three days without water, after this time period, dehydration will cause health issues. This is why it is so important to always have extra, clean drinking water on hand.
- For each person, there should be one gallon of water per day. If you are living in a climate with hotter temperatures store about two (also per day).
- With store bought water there is an expiration date, so be sure to check it every six months.
While something like water seems silly to keep around, it is an important item for a variety of different reasons. For more information on food and water safety and storage, check out the Center for Disease Control (CDC) page.
No one can predict when a disaster will strike, but the most important part, is to be prepared for the worst. Follow this link to learn more about how to keep you and your family safe during such scary times.
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