Disaster Prep For The Rest Of Us

Timely Tips

Part II

    Last week I began a list of Disaster Prep tips that are quick little things we can do, but can have a huge impact in case of a disaster.  Thorough, comprehensive disaster preparedness can take significant amounts of time, but these tips will save you a ton of grief when the time comes.  If you missed the first installment, you may either check last week’s column or visit my blog in a couple of weeks.

    Tip #13 Make a list of all prescription medications, including dosages.  Keep the list in your wallet or purse and a copy in your emergency kit.

    Tip #14  Take digital photos of every room in your house.  Make a video if you have the capability and spend five minutes in every room.  This will facilitate any after the fact insurance claims.

    Tip # 15  Write down your insurance policy numbers and your agent’s phone number.  Also place them in your wallet or purse and a copy in your emergency kit.

Tip #16  Add $1.00 per week ($5.00 if you can afford it) to your emergency cash fund.  Remember ATMS and credit card systems will be useless if the power grid goes down.

Tip #17  Make digital copies of your important documents and store them on a flash drive.

Tip #18  Make a backup copy of the data on your hard drive and store at a friend’s house or a safe deposit box.

Tip #19  Locate a source of water outside your home such as a lake, pond or stream

Tip #20  Learn to cook a pot of rice.

Tip #21  Download free prepping, survival and homesteading e-books from Amazon as they become available.  Check the Backdoor Survival facebook page for almost daily announcements of books that are currently available--often for just a day or two.

Tip #22  Call (800-480-2520) or email FEMA (fema-publications-warehouse@fema.gov) to order a free copy of their excellent book “Are You Ready Guide to Preparedness”.  

Tip #23 Practice starting a fire using dryer lint or a cotton ball tinged with petroleum jelly using a flint and steel.  

Tip #24  Sow some seeds, fruits and veggies, that is.

There you go.  Two dozen, five-minute ideas that will get you started on your disaster preparedness plan.  None of these ideas will break your bank, nor do they require a high skill level in the art of disaster preparedness. Good luck.  As always send your questions and comments to disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.