As I was trying to wade through my stacks of newsletters and pamphlets, I ran across a booklet on emergency preparedness that our county issued months, if not years, ago. That got me to thinking. Do I have an adequate supply of those items I want to have available in case of blizzards, quarantines, or a complete breakdown in the movement of goods and services across the country?
Okay, I know that last one sounds a little kooky, but were you around a few decades ago during the truckers’ strike? If so, remember how tricky it was to get a loaf of bread? See my point?
What are the ten things I want to have on hand in an emergency?
1. A stash of canned fruits, veggies, and meats, plus cereals, rice, and beans.
2. Several jars of Kroger brand Natural Crunchy Peanut Butter. No substitutes.
3. Two cases of small bottled waters and several gallon containers of purified water.
4. Five big jars of instant coffee.
5. Charcoal for the grill and a sturdy pan or camping pot so I can heat water for coffee or cook rice and beans.
6. Lots of toilet paper. This obsession is left from my childhood on the farm when my mother habitually ran out. I will not say any more on this subject.
7. A full tank of gas in the car. As soon as I first climbed up behind the wheel of our John Deere tractor, my dad began lecturing about never letting the gas gauge drop below a quarter full. When I began Driver’s Education classes, Dad’s lecturing continued. Even though he died in 1982, I still feel him looking over my shoulder as he checks the gas gauge to see if I’m following his advice.
8. At least two hundred books. I have been known to read my way through some very tough situations, including the time I was snowed in over a long weekend with a husband and three teen-aged boys. This is the one item I’ve already accumulated.
9. Ten bars of Lindt 85% cocoa dark chocolate. Make it twenty bars, just in case.
10. A first aid kit containing bandaids, antibacterial ointments and wipes, and a dozen airplane-sized bottles of medicinal gin. Bombay or Tanqueray highly recommended.
Have you thought about emergency preparedness? If so, what indispensible items are on your list?
No, I haven’t considered an emergency stash…but I should. However, this is partly mitigated because my wife has two or three of everything. Still, it’s a good point and pretty easy to do.
Would you add a battery operated radio, so, you know what’s going on in the world? Coleman latern and fuel? Just a thought.
Lots of good suggestions here (and Susan, you can make any substitutions you want).
Now think of all the things we should have in our car in case we get caught in a snowdrift on the way to the airport or stranded at the airport if our flight is cancelled. Seems there’s a snowstorm headed our way right when we were scheduled to travel.
Living in Florida we are constantly reminded to be prepared during hurricane season. Your list sounds pretty good but I would add a flashlight and lots of batteries so you’ll be able to read all those books in the dark!
We don’t have Kroger here… and I’d prefer the Scharffenberger chocolate. Is it okay to substitute the chocolate since I’m stuck on the peanut butter issue?
Living on the west coast, I have had it drilled into me to have an earthquake kit. Water, canned food, candles, etc. I admit I have some of it but not all. I will stock up when I know a big storm is heading our way and in this tiny corner of BC just a few inches of snow brings everything to a crashing halt.
I like your list. Chocolate, peanut butter, books and gin. I’ll substitute wine and I’m good to go.
Elspeth
Yes, okay, I have a stockpile. 🙂 Another oddity of mine. Toilet paper would be a MUST! And so often forgotten in stockpiles…
Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
Hmm. No I haven’t thought about it. My laptop would definitely be on the list. Books, journals, a pen, and chocolate, and I’d be good to go.
Karen
Hurricane season is over this year, but that’s a great list. In all seriousness, a file with important documents should be at the ready along with the other essentials (I would skip the peanut butter though. Ugh)
I’ve only thought of emergency things for my car. Like I carry I hammer in case my car goes off a bridge and my window or car door won’t open. (I saw this on a show once and it stuck with me ever since) 🙂
Your list doesn’t sound kooky at all. I live in the country – it’s hard to purchase things under NORMAL circumstances. : ) I think most of this is good common sense, though my husband might raise an eyebrown at 20 chocolate bars (I probably have the 200 books covered – lol).
I recently read an article recently on having an emergency BOX in your car or desk. Guess what it included that surprised me? A pair of walking shoes (well, duh) and some cash. I am OFTEN caught with 89 cents. Add in one of your chocolate bars and I’ll be good to go.