Batteries

    One of the funny memories I have of my son is when he was in the first grade he had accumulated (of all things) a collection of dead batteries!  Every kid always packs their dearest treasures to school for “Show and Tell.”  No matter how we coerced or cajoled, he insisted on taking his entire collection to school.  (I guess he thought the other kids would get a charge out of his battery collection.)  At the end of the day, his mother was prepared to offer encouragement and comfort as she was certain he would endure the worst manner of ridicule at the hands of his classmates.  “You were wrong!” he exclaimed, “They loved it!”

    Every disaster preparedness list shows the need to stock up on batteries.  Whether it’s a tree down across a power line, or widespread regional destruction, the first thing to go is usually the electricity. Then your priority is to re-establish lighting.  Batteries are like duct tape and nylon zip ties, you can never have too many.  

    Raising two grandsons puts a constant drain on my battery supply, but I know what to keep in stock and I make sure my battery inventory stays charged up.  (Sorry.)  While some folks still rely on candles, hurricane lanterns and the occasional Aladdin lantern, F.E.M.A. and the Red Cross both urge the use of battery powered lighting to avoid the problem of fire danger.  

    Check your battery inventory, whether AAAs, AAs, Cs, Ds or 9-volt, you should have a good stock of the various sizes on hand.  Especially if you have kids in the house and they need to resupply the remote control unit on their radio controlled dune buggy.

    Somewhere I heard that you can slow the discharge rate of stored batteries by placing them in the freezer.  The following is reportedly the results of a study conducted by Consumer Report:  “Consumers Report magazine took exactly 432 AA, C and D batteries. They stored some in the refrigerator, and some at room temperatures. At the end of five years they found that indeed the refrigerated batteries had more charge, but not by much. The room temperature batteries still had 96 percent of the charge of the refrigerated ones.”

    Duracell says:  "Do not refrigerate DURACELL Batteries. This will not make them last longer. Most DURACELL Batteries will provide dependable long life even after 5 years of storage in these conditions."

    And finally Energizer says: "Storing batteries in refrigerators or freezers is not required or recommended for batteries produced today. In fact, cold temperature storage can harm batteries. To maximize performance and shelf life, store batteries at normal room temperatures with moderate humidity levels."

    Lots of folks are turning to rechargeable batteries. While they are a bit more expensive to start with, you can extend your investment by adding a solar charger and then if the power is out for a lengthy period, you’re set.

    So before there’s a power outage, pick up a few new batteries, maybe a rechargeable lantern if you find one on sale and you’re set for that winter storm.

   

Storage Solutions

Every self-respecting prepper has the same problem.  Storage.  Preppers, by nature have stocked up on all manner of usable goods.  Whether it’s First Aid supplies or food or gasoline or medication, storage solutions must be found for all of your supplies.  Some food items can be canned, frozen or dehydrated.  Food must be kept safe from freezing, (unless, of course you want it frozen), dry, free from mice, bugs and other vermin.  One of the best things I have discovered for general purpose storage is a five-gallon bucket (food-grade plastic, of course) with a gamma-seal lid.  A gamma-seal lid is one that snaps onto the bucket, then the center of the lid is removed by unscrewing.  The whole affair creates an airtight, waterproof seal capable of protecting your stored supplies.  Gamma-seal lids can be ordered through several outlets online.  Standard lids are fine, but they create a problem when you try to open them (especially without tools) and then reseal the container.  Buckets stack neatly and are easily portable.  For more  ideas check out www.fivegallonideas.com.

    Another tool that comes in handy is a food vacuum sealer.  You know that thing that sucks out all the air and moisture from your salmon, elk and venison steaks.  When you’re putting together your get-home bag, use the vacuum sealer to store items you don’t want to get wet and also to save space.  Not only are food items protected, but so are matches, batteries, ammo and various other items.  Vacuum sealers can be expensive, costing as much as $500, but I actually picked one up  for $15.00 at a garage sale recently.  They usually require special bags, but are really quite handy for storing some of your essentials.  

    Then there is first aid gear.  First aid kits are self-contained and usually are designed more for successful marketing than for actual use.  (Sorry, it’s the cynic in me!)  Imagine showing up at an accident scene and jumping out of your car to help with first aid kit in hand.  Popping open the lid you find various band-aids, some gauze pads and a small roll of bandage tape.  Oh, and maybe a mini-packet of Tylenol.  It’s then you discover the accident victims have injuries of the life-threatening kind and even if you combined all the stuff in your kit, it wouldn’t begin to help.  I carry a kit in the tool box on my ATV.  It is marketed as an “Off Road” kit.  I was pretty proud of it until I realized that any accident involving an ATV or hunting accident was going to be way above the pay-grade of that little first aid kit.  Having said that, I began accumulating bandages, suture kits and various other over-the-counter remedies to the point I needed a storage solution. I finally wound up with a tool box that seems to fill the bill. It’s a plastic one made by Husky with a cantilever-style top and carries a massive amount of gear.  Trouble is, now it’s full.

    As always, send your comments, questions and storage solution ideas to disasterprep.dave@gmail.com.