15 Steps To Prepare For A Disaster
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Today, I have 15 steps to follow in preparation for a disaster. I’ve been reflecting on how I started my journey to preparedness. I was living with my aunt and uncle in Chicago, Illinois, who needed some help with a newborn baby. When I was 16 years old, I flew out to attend school there and help her take care of her family, especially the new little one.
My mother taught me to clean our home, plan and prepare meals, and essentially run a household when she had to return to work. I was very close to my aunt and was thrilled to be able to help her with her newborn baby with fetal alcohol syndrome.
It was an adjustment to leave my friends and family, but I would do anything to help my aunt and my four cousins. The reason I want to share my story is that I have always been prepared. I wrote about some of it in my book, “Prepare Your Family For Survival”.
When I moved from Las Vegas, Nevada (the desert), I had never owned a coat, let alone snow boots and warm gloves. Well, Chicago is known for its cold, blustery snowstorms, or at least it was when I lived back there. I learned fairly quickly that my aunt and uncle didn’t have an emergency plan or understand the concept of emergency management. They had few resources set aside for hazards or really hadn’t ever considered the need to consider prevention of risk to the family from a disaster.
15 Steps To Prepare For A Disaster
Icy Covered Roads
One day, school was canceled, then another day, and another. We had ice-covered streets that no one could drive on. Roads and highways were literally shut down for almost 2 weeks, or so. My oldest cousin and I had to walk to the grocery store to get some groceries. This was the first time I had heard about food shortages.
Each family was allotted one quart of milk and one pound of hamburger each week. However, with my uncle living there, we now had a family of seven. My uncle had given us cash, which really didn’t matter because we were limited to the items I just mentioned. In other words, money was essentially worthless.
Now, I grew up with a single mom who eventually remarried, and we always had a fairly full pantry. We made bread every single week. We had dinner on the table every night at 5:00 sharp. Back then, we were too poor to have lessons of any kind or join sports teams. When my dad got home, we always had the table set and dinner ready to eat. It was a great routine, and we loved it.
Empty Cupboards
My aunt didn’t have any food stocked in her cupboards. This was a shock to me. But she did what she had learned from her childhood. Her mother didn’t stock food either. My aunt was the most loving and kind person I had ever met in my life, but many life lessons I’d learned at a young age hadn’t been taught to her.
We’ve all seen or read about the numerous severe natural disasters that’ve occurred in the last few years. Today, I want to discuss a few key items that I believe we should review so we’re as well-prepared as possible. Some of you may be well-prepared, but others may need a reminder to take a few steps to prepare for various types of emergencies.
We aren’t talking about buying every preparedness item or having to change our lifestyle; we just need to take some steps that make sense. We all know we need water and food – that’s a given. But there are other items we must stock in order to be self-reliant and follow quality disaster plans. It could mean becoming better organized, but also acquiring additional resources for an effective emergency response.
Please remember the government won’t be able to deliver water or food to your door for days or weeks after a disaster. In fact, you may have to drive or walk to get what you need. In other words, FEMA, no church or government entity has food or water stored to help everyone; they just don’t have that many resources at their disposal.
Possibly, the emergency responders will be nearby and can assist some of the residents. But let’s be real, my friends, we’re on our own. As it should be. Yes, we can do this; we just need to have a plan to cover our functional needs.
Prepare For A Disaster
1. First Aid Kit
I’ve written many articles about first aid kits. Here is one option that may help those who want to put one together. First Aid Kit. I found this one on Amazon that I think is perfect for someone who wants the stuff in a bag, ready to go. It contains a variety of essential supplies. If you have a large family, you may need more than one or a few extra items to feel you have enough supplies. Premium Waterproof Compact First Aid Kit. You can see the inside of this one below. I really like it.
2. Bushnell TRKR Lantern
This Bushnell Lantern was gifted to me by a friend. I love it. It sits right next to my bed. I can grab it with the handle on top and run out the door if need be. It has a flashlight on the side and a RED light setting for emergencies outside. There are also adjustable settings for the light to illuminate the room where you are sitting. Plus, it’s affordable. Bushnell Lantern (1000L). It is a great choice if you need to shelter in place or evacuate, as advised by local officials.
3. Goal Zero Lantern
I’ve had this lantern for a long time. It’s similar to the Goal Zero Lantern LightHouse. I highly recommend it, as it’s affordable, features a USB outlet, and recharges in 4 hours from a USB power source. The picture shown below is the old style, in case you’re wondering. It has different features from the new one they are now offering.
4. Flashlights-Please Purchase Extra Batteries
Everyone needs at least one, or even more, if we have a large family. The ones below need batteries. I also recommend getting some solar ones as well. I got the green units in a set that was very affordable, and they are LED lights. The Olight flashlights (I learned about these from Matt) are the very best. Four LED Flashlights. Having enough flashlights and batteries is all part of the planning process.
5. Power Bank
I chose this one because I love the Goal Zero brand. Goal Zero Venture 35 Portable Charger Power Bank. This is the more affordable option because it can only power a cell phone, headlights, and a tablet. Of course, this all depends on the wattage of the ones you have. It will work with the smaller devices I have. I would need to purchase something else for my laptop, so please keep that in mind.
You can pair this one with the Goal Zero Nomad 10 Solar Panel, making it very versatile. You can charge it from a wall outlet when you have power, so it’s ready to charge your phone when the power goes out. It’s dustproof and waterproof, making it perfect for camping or hiking. Additionally, it features a USB-C (18W) delivery port.
6. Power Outage Plugin
These are fairly inexpensive and yet work great when the power goes out. The lights turn on automatically when power is lost. If you can afford one for the hallway, kitchen, or a few bedrooms, that would be awesome. And for sure, it’s a safety measure. American Red Cross Blackout Buddy. (Doubles as a night light and emergency flashlight).
If you have older adults in your home, having sufficient lighting for them to see clearly is vital. These are also a great idea in case you experience a workplace emergency, whether a severe winter storm, flood, wildfire, or other circumstances where power is lost.
7. Batteries
Be sure to stock up on the batteries you use. Sam’s Club, Costco, and possibly the dollar stores are great places to get them; just have some stocked. I bought these cases, but a box would work just as well. Battery Holder Case. Don’t wait to hear weather warnings before you stock up; do it now.
8. Sun Oven
I only recommend a Sun Oven for baking and cooking if you have a lot of sunshine in your area. They work great, as you can bake whatever you want in your conventional kitchen oven. With enough sunlight, they generate the same temperature and perform at the same rate over the same amount of time. The bonus, the food doesn’t burn. I highly recommend using the Sun Oven from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. You can’t start a roast at 3:00 in the afternoon; it won’t have enough sunshine for it to bake long enough. I hope this statement makes sense.
I want you to think of using it when you wouldn’t want to be outside in the hot sun. That’s the time period when people typically get sunburned, but a great time for this oven to do its thing. So there you have it. Once you try it, you’ll use it often, I promise. It works much better than using a handmade fire pit, but again, you do need consistent sunshine.
UPDATE: It’s becoming increasingly difficult to find Sun Ovens now. You may have to resort to eBay or Facebook Marketplace. It seems every day I’m finding a shortage of the products I have recommended for years. Those who were able to get them are blessed beyond words.
9. Butane Stove with Fuel
Butane Stove with Fuel. Try one of these when you’re looking for best practices when considering alternative cooking devices.
10. Fuel
In case you missed reading the post about fuel, here it is: Emergency Fuel to Store for Survival. Color-coded 5-gallon buckets with matching Gamma Lids is the way I’ve organized mine as part of an overall emergency supply kit for fuel needs.
The blue buckets contain regular charcoal without lighter fluid, the red buckets are filled with oak hardwood charcoal, and the black buckets are filled with pinecones. The green ones are filled with clean raw wood scraps, with no paint or stain on the pieces.
11. Get A Dutch Oven
If you have a Dutch oven and some charcoal (dig a hole in a safe location), then you can boil water and cook just about any meal you may need. I prefer a 6-quart Size because of the weight, as I can no longer lift heavy items. Lodge 6-Quart Dutch Oven (be sure and check thrift stores for good used ones).
12. Learn to Make Bread/Dinner Rolls
My bread recipes are truly no-fail recipes if you have fresh ingredients. Please store your yeast in the freezer to keep it fresh and active. Your monthly supply can be stored in the refrigerator, but not in your pantry, as it will spoil very quickly. Please start with dinner rolls, yes, you can do it, I promise. You just need fresh ingredients. Make a pot of soup and fill the belly with soup and the best darn dinner rolls ever. My Dinner Rolls
Bread is a great food choice for your family, but also for sharing with neighbors in your support network.
13. Learn to Make Biscuits
I grew up on biscuits; anyone can make them. They can be served with almost any homemade dinner. Easy Homemade Biscuit Recipe
14. Teach Your Family To Cook From Scratch
In case you missed this post, Cooking From Scratch 101. Please print out any recipe that would be easy to make and teach your kids and grandkids how to make it. Cookbooks are awesome. You can find simple recipes to teach those who need help. Creamed Chipped Beef
15. Cleaning Supplies
Please stock up on cleaning supplies. Bleach will be a critical component if we have a sewage issue or contaminated water problem. It’s better to have too many clean rags, towels, or paper towels than not enough. Please stock 33-gallon black garbage bags; we’ll all need them, I assure you. In case you missed this post on Bleach, Bleach: Everything You Need to Know
C. Addison recommends this Folding Camp Stove. It works great with small pieces of wood, twigs, and pine cones.
Final Word
I hope you enjoyed my 15 Steps To Prepare For A Disaster today. It’s all about the little things that make our lives easier and safer. Please be prepared before you need to be. We don’t know when a disaster may strike, so it’s best to start preparing now. May God bless this World, Linda
Great article Linda. I’m in central Maine – we are experiencing a snow/sleet/freezing rain storm at the moment. Typical for us. I always make sure my laundry is caught up – power outages are a thing! 🙂
We have a generator, heat with wood and have plenty of supplies so no need to venture out.
Hi Beth, oh, if I hear a storm coming I start the laundry ASAP. Freezing rain with snow and icy roads is my worst fear. I always stay home. I’m glad you have a generator!!! Yay! Linda
Great post, Linda! As usual! I live in East Texas, so we rarely get snow. Lots of sunshine though. I need to buy or make a solar oven. I’d also like to make a solar dehydrator. I grew up with a mom and grandma that were preppers before the word existed. LOL My mom was born in 1928, grandma in 1901, I was born in in 1951. My grandparents were farmers, so it’s what I know. Canning and freezing were the food storage methods I learned. That and saving flour and sugar in 5 gallon buckets. LOL Loved it! I also grew up shelling beans and peas and snapping beans. Nothing is better than fresh produce!
Hi Deborah, my mom was born in 1929, my grandmother in 1909, and I was born in 1950, boy talk about similar dates! You were lucky to grow up on a farm, oh the lessons you learned are invaluable. I have always had a huge garden until we downsized to Southern Utah. But we only have 2 in the family now, so I don’t have to can as much. Hopefully, I can have a garden this year, I miss digging in the dirt and harvesting fresh food. You are so right, nothing is better than fresh food! Linda
Good stuff. Game playing, life experience and just paying attention along with research will help you prepare for possibilities and eventualities.
For the levels of preparedness the questions are:
What does it take to keep me alive?
What does it take to keep me comfortable?
What does it take me to maintain?
Hi Matt, thank you for your kind words. I love those three statements. You nailed it, if we can do those items we can survive most anything. Linda
I can relate to growing up very poor. I taught myself canning, freezing and preparedness. I think I have found a way to teach my family. My grandsons were playing the “What If game “….. What if they won the lottery? When it was Grandma’s turn, I asked “What if they lost water for 5 days?” It got the boys thinking about the creek behind their home. On my next turn, I asked “What if the truck was broke and they couldn’t get to the store for 6 days?” That led to a serious discussion about Grandma’s pantry, how our daughter in law has been learning frugal ways and keeping a pantry……and our grandsons secret candy stash…..lol…… We talked about taking care of ourselves. We gave the boys three extra solar-powered lanterns we had. They thought about reading in their beds at night, but we know they will come in handy someday.
HI Chris, I love this, great idea! Lanterns for the boys will come in handy for sure. Love it! Linda
This is a great article. I had never even heard of the power outage plug ins until I read this. I just ordered them. Just goes to show, that there’s always something you may miss. Thanks for another helpful article-lots of good information.
HI Lisa, thank you for your kind words. We all learn from each other, that’s for sure. Linda
Linda,
I loved this article and some of the tools you recommended. I may get a couple of Blackout Buddies but I’m already well stocked on the rest. I never bought a pre-assembled first aid kit–always built my own as the scissors and tweezers in a normal kit are mostly not worth having. I did add a pair of Sam Soft Splints to my kit after seeing Matt recommended them.
Hi Ray, thank you for your kind words. I love to give this particular first aid kit to college students and newlyweds. I stock my own as well. But sometimes people need a first aid kit to put on the shelf. Linda
I’d still replace those crappy scissors and tweezers.
Hi Ray, good point, I think going forward I will trade them out. Great idea! Nothing is worse than lousy scissors and tweezers that do not work! Linda
Ah – Linda!!
Reading the comments, I had to chuckle!! My mother was born in 1919 and her mother was born in 1877!!
Both of my parents grew up in the Great Depression. That created a very frugal as well as prepared home!! We raised our own meat (and my brothers hunted), grew a garden that I believe might have been able to feed a small 3rd world country and gleaned/foraged what we couldn’t raise ourselves. Grocery store trips were limited to once a month at the most for coffee, flour, sugar and that sort of thing. My mother got into a panic if she saw the actual shelf in the cellar. That meant that we were low on something! We had to be prepared for anything that might happen.
Hi Leanne, oh my gosh, I love your comment! The skills you learned as a child are priceless! The garden for a 3rd world country as in a HUGE garden, I love it! What a blessing you were able to raise so much of your own food. I think people are going back to this slowly, but they get it. We must be self reliant. Life is good! Linda
Hi Linda,
This is a timely posting. Well done, as always.
For what are we prepping? Mostly, it doesn’t matter. Basic prepping works for whatever is coming. Add in a few doo-dads to put frosting on that cake – nuclear, hurricane – whatever you might think is applicable to your situation. I live in the sub tropics. We used to deep winter camp -30below. I really don’t need my parka here! Sunscreen and bug stuff.
You do a great job of getting people going. “Don’t worry that you can’t eat the entire cow…think about taking it one bite at a time.” A journey starts with the first step, etc.
It seems the jungle war drums are beating. As you know I have been provisioned for 40+ years, which is what we call putting everything on the sailboat you might need for 4 months. (That was how I answered the question of “how do you know how much TP you use?” Where there are NO stores, you best have it with you)
When the covid thing started, I was fine, but realized it wasn’t enough. So I guess I’m a prepper now, but I still think like a “provisioner.”
I would add one of those foldable solar panels and rechargeable batteries. In a long seige, we are going to run out of everything. I don’t store many regular batteries. Eneloop are the best and get one of their chargers that work on 110, 12v or USB/C. By the way, a car battery can be used in the same way as one of those fancy “solar generator” things. The foldable (and other) solar panels come with the hardware to hook anything 12v up to them, including small inverters. When cars don’t work, take the battery out and use it that way then. Or buy one somewhere. Our RV runs on propane/solar- with 2 deep cycle batteries.
As to cooking- I went looking for a “rocket stove” recently. This is what I bought
“REDCAMP Wood Burning Folding Camp Stove Stainless Steel Grill and Pot Stand, Portable Collapsible Backpacking Stove Survival Rocket Stove for Hiking Outdoor Tent Camping Picnic, Largel with Pot Stand”
Amazon for about $37. I love the thing. It is stainless steel so you don’t have heat burning paint. It folds up to a small size and lives in its packet, included.
There is NO need to worry about having a ton of fuel stored with the thing. It uses most anything you have that burns. So, suitable for urbanites, too. Not an indoor product and, having been a back packer, it’s too heavy for that!
Buy a percolator.
That’s it for today!
Besides your great advice AND recipes- you make us THINK.
What a gift.
Hi CAddison, thank you again for your kind words. I hope my articles help people think about what they may need in any unexpected situation. I love rocket stoves, they are inexpensive and use very little fuel. I use pinecones and twigs, done. I’m going to add that stove you mentioned to my post. Thank you, Linda
As usual an informative post, Linda! You are so good to us! Keep up the awesomeness!
Oh Linda, and CAddison, I’ve got the Rocket Stove on my wish list! I’m so excited to get one! I’ll be dehydrating and vacuum sealing soup mixes (mixed dehydrated vegetables) for when it’s needed. I’ll can some as well, but mostly dehydrate it. I love soup. We are lucky in that our cook stove is propane so we can cook on the top part with no power. We do have a generator, but if/when we run out of propane, we can still eat. I have candles, I’ve made and more wax to make more as well. They can be used to heat the house if you get a Tera cotta pot and invert it, you’ll need something to prop it up on so you have air flow, and burn the candle under it. It heats the pot, and therefore the house. Tea light candle work well.
Hi Deborah, thank you for your kind words, my sweet friend! I love soup as well! It’s so fun to make vacuum sealed soup mixes, ready when we need them! I forgot about that Terra Cotta heat pot. Great reminder! My house is so small it would work for sure! A rocket stove is a great thing to put on your wish list! Love it! Linda
I’m busy today putting up corn. I freeze some and can some of it. We prefer the freshness of the frozen, so it goes first, but I know I have some on the shelves and we go through it too. The peppers are starting to come in so I’ll be making cowboy candy this week. Also canning bread and butter pickles and making blackberry jelly. I love blackberries but the husband can’t have the seeds, so I juice them and strain them to make the jelly. Life is good here in Kansas but we’re hot now!
HI Paula, oh my gosh, I can almost smell the blackberry jelly from here! I Googled Cowboy Candy, oh my gosh, I need to make some of that! I have never heard of it! Pickled jalapeños???? I love frozen corn, I have never canned any but either way home grown corn is the best ever! Life is good even if its hot in Kansas! Love this! Linda
Linda,
Sorry for the late reply. We have been running like crazy all day today. On Number 2, the Bushnell TRKR Lantern, you list the features having a flashlight on the side but your link says Model 500L. The 500L does not have a flashlight. You have to get the Bushnell TRKR Lantern model 1000L to include the flashlight on the side. It is well worth the few extra dollars to get that feature.
HI Harry, thanks for the reminder. I had the 1000L in the post originally but the link no longer worked. Just now I found the correct link for the 1000L. You gifted me one and I have since bought two more. The 1000L is a better option. It’s such a great lantern, the best in my opinion. Thanks again for the reminder. I was frustrated I couldn’t find it, but thankfully, I just put the correct link back in. Thanks my friend, Linda