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You should be able to survive and thrive for at least two weeks (one month would be better and three to six months ideal) with no community-based services or support and when supply chains have stopped flowing. Gas/propane/solar/wind generator power system for all or part of your home’s function would be nice; however, this article is for those without a generating power source.
The following are what you will need to consider for long-term grid down, and the first four points are critical items for survival:
Water
The estimate is to have at least one gallon per day per person, plus pet water, of clean drinking water. The following are additional needs:
– Potable water for cooking food. You may want to have paper plates and utensils to eat with to save water on cleaning dishes.
– Clean water for personal hygiene (heated clean water for washing). Save the used or dirty water for toilet flushing. Idea: if it’s brown, flush it down; if it’s yellow, let it mellow.
Fire
Fire for cooking and heating water by using a camping type stove, a fire-pit, or a home barbecue grill with the fuel for your chosen method. You will need to have matches or a BIC lighter. Have a fire-extinguisher and fire-blanket. Fire can also be helpful for shelter warmth, depending on the temperature. Fire is also an element of light:
Lighting
Candles, oil lamps, rechargeable or battery flashlights, and camping lamps.
Shelter
Shelter is taken care of by your home’s structure. The internal temperature of your dwelling must be considered:
– Close off non-essential rooms (tarps, blankets, tape), and have blankets, hat, footwear with warm socks, warm clothing, outer-garments, and inner-layers (depending on temperature).
– Heat essential rooms if needed with a portable propane/kerosene/coal/wood heater. (Have and use a CO2 meter, and make sure to have fresh air coming into enclosed rooms.)
Food
Food for each person and pet. Store your “normal” foods that you will need, replenish (when possible) and rotate your stock as you use it. I have also found freeze-dried food to be good tasting and easy to prepare.
Note: you will need food that does not require freezing (electricity is out). The canning of food is another way to preserve normally frozen food (meats, fruits, vegetables, stews, soups). If you still have frozen food when the power goes out, you will need to make it last as long as possible.
Communications
Some of your options are cellphone calling and messaging, satellite phone, land-line phone, email, AM/FM radio (local and regional news), CB-radio, shortwave-radio, ham-radio.
Power
Power backup banks/stations and device charging cables, batteries of needed sizes.
Note: If your power banks/stations should become depleted, charge them back up by starting your vehicle and plugging your units into the proper vehicle accessory output.
Vehicles
Vehicles should be kept with your fuel tank always above half-full during your normal life and above three-quarters full most of the time. Have extra stored fuel to extend your driving range. (Store with additives to extend fuel’s storage life.)
Personal Products
Have hygiene supplies, first aid, medication, and medicine for your normal daily, weekly, monthly life needs.
Money
It will be important to have cash in small bills if the banks close and card transactions are halted with grid down.
Protection
Protection for self, family, home, property, and vehicle. See the following two deterrents (note that a deterrent will not stop a determined intruder/attacker):
– Deterrents outside the Home: Solar powered, motion-sensor flood lights that cover the complete perimeter of your home as well as anywhere else you desire and that extends outward the distance you choose. (Do your own research for determining what is best for you.)
– Deterrents inside the Home: Ground-level doors and windows locked as well as glass-breaker sensors. (Again, do your own research for determining what is best for you.)
– Stopping power: See below about firearms. There are other types and models of defensive devices available on the market that require little skill/training to use, such as sprays (also works on bears) and electronic shock devices (close in use, small and does the job on humans), to fend off home intruders. Hand-to-hand fighting, even if you are skilled with a knife, stick, bat, golf-club, etc., should be a last resort in the fight for life.
– Firearms: A firearm of any type can be used for defense against potentially lethal attacks. There are laws regarding what society has determined is acceptable use of a firearm, and there are negative consequences for those who violate the laws. Understand the safe and proper operation, handling, and use of any firearm you may have as well as what the laws are concerning their use in different situations.
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