|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Be Prepared
Relying on government agencies to
provide for our needs during and after a disaster or other widespread
calamity is unrealistic. Communication and transportation infrastructure
is often heavily damaged, making a quick response to all affected
residents an impossibility. Moreover, it’s not the government’s job to
save us from our lack of preparation.
We’re prone to thinking of a disaster in terms of major structural
damage, inundated homes and the flames of nuclear holocaust. While
natural and man made disasters on this scale do happen with some
frequency, disaster more often wears a less dramatic but no less tragic
face. In actuality, the scary things we worry about seldom happen.
Most Americans are more likely to face prosaic disasters such as sudden
illness, job loss or a house fire. Being able to draw on food storage
and other preps has meant the difference between remaining relatively
independent and falling back on government assistance for many families
in the past few years.
Being prepared puts you back in control of your own life. Transportation
strikes that leave store shelves bare will hold no fear for the person
who maintains at least a three-month supply of food and medications at
home. Businesses and industries that keep enough food and water on hand
to supply their employees for a few days won’t have to face absenteeism
and evacuation of their facilities during a crisis. In many ways, being
prepared is a type of insurance in which premiums never go up and
policies can’t be cancelled.
Getting yourself prepared to handle a disaster of any kind is a
marathon, not a sprint. Running up the balance on a credit card to buy
emergency supplies ahead of a particular anticipated disaster makes
little sense. The disaster is unlikely to happen, the credit card
company is still in business and sending out monthly statements, and you
still have the same monthly income. Rather than averting a crisis,
you’ve actually created one for yourself.
If you’re short on funds, you can still start preparing without a
massive cash outlay. Begin by storing enough potable water for each
member of your family, at least one gallon per person per day. Empty
spring water bottles and bleach bottles are free. Tap water is cheap.
The dollar outlay is nearly zero, but you’re probably now better
prepared than your next-door neighbor who owns six cars and takes a
winter cruise every year.
Beans and rice are cheap and readily available in your local supermarket
or big-box retailer. Buy a pound or two of dried beans or rice every
week in addition to your normal food purchases, adding an extra dollar
or two to the total bill. Put this food aside for future use.
Learn to do or make things for yourself. Start with simple projects such
learning a few basic hand sewing techniques or building pantry shelves.
When you’re first starting to prepare, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
Like eating an elephant, it’s a project best undertaken one bite at a
time.
|
|
|
|
(Your shopping cart is empty)
Testimonials
"WOW! This is service at it’s best. I did not expect a response until next week. First class service, thank you. I will be purchasing more supplies for the rest of the family."
—Thank you very much. Rick S
"Good customer service like this will keep your customers coming back. I'll be ordering again soon. Thanks again, I remain Respectfully."
—Judy L.
"Thank you so much! I want to let you know that you guys have been excellent! Great products and shipping. Again, thank you!"
—Jennie P
"Thank you very much: Kat and I appreciate your promptness and professionalism by replacing the damaged pancake mixes as quickly as you did.
We will be looking at you for a few more items in the very near future..."
—Thanks again Dave & Kat
"I want to express my appreciation and tell you how grateful I am for your quick response. Everything looks good and we are very pleased with our purchase."
—Chris B
"Just wanted to let you know that we received the order on Wednesday! Thank you so much again for all your help."
—Cyndi P
"Thank you very much, we appreciate the quick response."
—Vince C
"Thanks. You guys have been very professional."
—Joseph M
|
