What to Do During an Earthquake

Source: FEMA.gov

Stay as safe as possible during an earthquake. Be aware that some earthquakes are actually fore shocks and a larger earthquake might occur. Minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby safe place and stay indoors until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.
If indoors

* DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON on until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
* Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
* Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
* Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, load bearing doorway.
* Stay inside until shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.
* Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.
* DO NOT use the elevators.

If outdoors

* Stay there.
* Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
* Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits, and alongside exterior walls. Many of the 120 fatalities from the 1933 Long Beach earthquake occurred when people ran outside of buildings only to be killed by falling debris from collapsing walls. Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

If in a moving vehicle

* Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
* Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.

If trapped under debris

* Do not light a match.
* Do not move about or kick up dust.
* Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
* Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

How to Prepare For Winter Storms and Extreme Cold

Source: FEMA.gov

Heavy snowfall and extreme cold can immobilize an entire region. Even areas that normally experience mild winters can be hit with a major snowstorm or extreme cold. Winter storms can result in flooding, storm surge, closed highways, blocked roads, downed power lines and hypothermia.

How can I protect myself from winter storms and extreme cold?

* Know your winter storm and extreme cold terms
* What to do before winter storms and extreme cold
* What to do during a winter storm
* What to do after a winter storm
* Learn about floods that can result from winter storm thaws

Thunderstorms & Lightning Preparedness

Source: FEMA.gov

* Facts About Thunderstorms
* Facts About Lightning
* How Can I Protect Myself From a Thunderstorm or Lightning?


All thunderstorms are dangerous. Every thunderstorm produces lightning. In the United States, an average of 300 people are injured and 80 people are killed each year by lightning. Although most lightning victims survive, people struck by lightning often report a variety of long-term, debilitating symptoms. Other associated dangers of thunderstorms include tornadoes, strong winds, hail, and flash flooding. Flash flooding is responsible for more fatalities—more than 140 annually—than any other thunderstorm-associated hazard.

Dry thunderstorms that do not produce rain that reaches the ground are most prevalent in the western United States. Falling raindrops evaporate, but lightning can still reach the ground and can start wildfires.

Facts About Thunderstorms

* They may occur singly, in clusters, or in lines.

* Some of the most severe occur when a single thunderstorm affects one location for an extended time.

* Thunderstorms typically produce heavy rain for a brief period, anywhere from 3 0 minutes to an hour.

* Warm, humid conditions are highly favorable for thunderstorm development.

* About 10 percent of thunderstorms are classified as severe—one that produces hail at least three-quarters of an inch in diameter, has winds of 58 miles per hour or higher, or produces a tornado.

Facts About Lightning

* Lightning’s unpredictability increases the risk to individuals and property.

* Lightning often strikes outside of heavy rain and may occur as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall.

* "Heat lightning" is actually lightning from a thunderstorm too far away for thunder to be heard. However, the storm may be moving in your direction!

* Most lightning deaths and injuries occur when people are caught outdoors in the summer months during the afternoon and evening.

* Your chances of being struck by lightning are estimated to be 1 in 600,000, but could be reduced even further by following safety precautions.

* Lightning strike victims carry no electrical charge and should be attended to immediately.


How Can I Protect Myself From a Thunderstorm or Lightning?

* Know your terms
* What to do before a thunderstorm
* What to do during a thunderstorm
* What to do after a thunderstorm

What to Do After an Earthquake

Source: FEMA.gov

* Expect aftershocks. These secondary shock waves are usually less violent than the main quake but can be strong enough to do additional damage to weakened structures and can occur in the first hours, days, weeks, or even months after the quake.

* Listen to a battery-operated radio or television. Listen for the latest emergency information.

* Use the telephone only for emergency calls.

* Open cabinets cautiously. Beware of objects that can fall off shelves.

* Stay away from damaged areas. Stay away unless your assistance has been specifically requested by police, fire, or relief organizations. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.

* Be aware of possible tsunamis if you live in coastal areas. These are also known as seismic sea waves (mistakenly called "tidal waves"). When local authorities issue a tsunami warning, assume that a series of dangerous waves is on the way. Stay away from the beach.

* Help injured or trapped persons. Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance such as infants, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Give first aid where appropriate. Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. Call for help.

* Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately. Leave the area if you smell gas or fumes from other chemicals.

* Inspect the entire length of chimneys for damage. Unnoticed damage could lead to a fire.

* Inspect utilities.
o Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the gas company from a neighbor's home. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.

o Look for electrical system damage. If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice.

o Check for sewage and water lines damage. If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using the toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid using water from the tap. You can obtain safe water by melting ice cubes.

What to Do Before an Earthquake

Source: FEMA.gov

Earthquakes strike suddenly, violently and without warning. Identifying potential hazards ahead of time and advance planning can reduce the dangers of serious injury or loss of life from an earthquake. Repairing deep plaster cracks in ceilings and foundations, anchoring overhead lighting fixtures to the ceiling, and following local seismic building standards, will help reduce the impact of earthquakes.
Six Ways to Plan Ahead

1. Check for Hazards in the Home
* Fasten shelves securely to walls.
* Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves.
* Store breakable items such as bottled foods, glass, and china in low, closed cabinets with latches.
* Hang heavy items such as pictures and mirrors away from beds, couches, and anywhere people sit.
* Brace overhead light fixtures.
* Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections. These are potential fire risks.
* Secure a water heater by strapping it to the wall studs and bolting it to the floor.
* Repair any deep cracks in ceilings or foundations. Get expert advice if there are signs of structural defects.
* Store weed killers, pesticides, and flammable products securely in closed cabinets with latches and on bottom shelves.

2. Identify Safe Places Indoors and Outdoors
* Under sturdy furniture such as a heavy desk or table.
* Against an inside wall.
* Away from where glass could shatter around windows, mirrors, pictures, or where heavy bookcases or other heavy furniture could fall over.
* In the open, away from buildings, trees, telephone and electrical lines, overpasses, or elevated expressways.

3. Educate Yourself and Family Members
* Contact your local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter for more information on earthquakes. Also read the "How-To Series" for information on how to protect your property from earthquakes.
* Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1, police, or fire department and which radio station to tune to for emergency information.
* Teach all family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water.

4. Have Disaster Supplies on Hand
* Flashlight and extra batteries.
* Portable battery-operated radio and extra batteries.
* First aid kit and manual.
* Emergency food and water.
* Nonelectric can opener.
* Essential medicines.
* Cash and credit cards.
* Sturdy shoes.

5. Develop an Emergency Communication Plan
* In case family members are separated from one another during an earthquake (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), develop a plan for reuniting after the disaster.
* Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the "family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.

6. Help Your Community Get Ready
* Publish a special section in your local newspaper with emergency information on earthquakes. Localize the information by printing the phone numbers of local emergency services offices, the American Red Cross, and hospitals.
* Conduct a week-long series on locating hazards in the home.
* Work with local emergency services and American Red Cross officials to prepare special reports for people with mobility impairments on what to do during an earthquake.
* Provide tips on conducting earthquake drills in the home.
* Interview representatives of the gas, electric, and water companies about shutting off utilities.
* Work together in your community to apply your knowledge to building codes, retrofitting programs, hazard hunts, and neighborhood and family emergency plans.

KPN Meetup 02/06/2010

Who?
Members of the Kentucky Preppers Network and anyone else who would like to join us.

What?
A meet and greet for preppers. Bring your gadgets, preps, or anything you would like to share. (except for guns)

Where?
Golden Corral
8013 Preston Hwy
Louisville, KY 40219

When?
Saturday February 6, 2010 @ 2:00pm Eastern Time

Why?
To get to know fellow preppers, and like minded people right in your own community

RSVP at the forum HERE or Facebook HERE




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Lessons Learned from the Earthquake in Haiti

The earthquake that struck the Republic of Haiti on January 12th was a disaster and a tragedy. For anyone unaware, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck close to the capitol of Port-au-Prince. Thousands are thought to be dead; historical buildings, hospitals, and what infrastructure they had was demolished. My hat goes off to all the people going down there to help, and countries around the world pitching in to help them in this time of need.

But let this be a wake up call to all Americans. A lot of us are near major fault lines, including one here in Kentucky (New Madrid Fault Line), and a major earthquake could happen at a moments notice. This goes to show that Americans need to realize the threat of disasters that are out of our control, and get prepared for them. Food storage, emergency kits, and supplies you would need in the event of widespread power outages and service failures are so important.  How much better off would the people in New Orleans after Katrina, or the people of Haiti be if they all were equipped with a 72 hour emergency kit?

We can't expect anyone to come to our rescue, and we must be prepared to help ourselves and our families in the event of a disaster. Even the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urges Americans to create a plan, stock up on supplies, and get prepared. If the disaster in Haiti doesn't prove the point, then look at what happened in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina struck. We're all at risk, and we all need to be prepared. One old sayin' that comes to mind is "better to be safe, than sorry."

Food Storage Tip - Plan Your Meals

Wanting to have a 1 year supply of food on hand is one thing, getting the supply together is another. It might seem like a tough task to accomplish but it's a lot simpler than you think. To achieve a 1 year supply of food that you can rotate and eat on a regular basis is probably going to require you to change some of your eating habits. But that doesn't mean you're going to have to eat beans and rice for every meal. Most meals you already eat can be made with ingredients that will store long-term.

The first step to creating your working food storage is to develop a meal plan. This shouldn't be too hard because most families eat the same meals over and over. You need to sit down with your family and create a list of meals that everyone likes to eat. The more meals you're able to write down, the better, because variety is the key to any food storage.  (There are also a number of books out there that have recipes for food storage items.  These might help when planning meals.)  This should include meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Once you have a good list of meals now it's time to start figuring out what ingredients will go into these meals that will store long term.

Most meals can be created with ingredients you can store long term. One good thing is to find commonalities between your meals; ingredients that would go with a number of your planned meals so you can store a lot of that ingredient. You can find a lot of your long term storage items at any supermarket, but some items you will need to improvise on, or purchase from a supplier. Your food storage needs to be independent of everything other than water and a heating source to cook with. Recipes that need things like cheese or milk that require refrigeration can be replaced with powdered cheese and powdered milk.

Some things such as meats can be home canned for long term storage, rather than relying on freezing them, which keeps you attached to the grid. Creating a long term food storage isn't hard, but will take some planning and work on your part. The use of a dehydrator can help you when creating your food storage. There are a lot of things you can do on your own (dehydrating and canning) rather than buying it all from suppliers which is going to be expensive. The idea is to create the storage, and not be out anymore money that you usually would when buying food.

Are You Watching the Sale Ads?

You should be. I was browsing through the local Kroger ad and right off the bat saw a ton of great deals for preppers looking for build their food storage. Kroger runs a lot of 10 for $10 deals on a number of items. From salad dressing to deodorant you can increase your stock of just about everything by taking advantage of these sales. This is exactly how a prepper saves money and builds their food storage at the same time.

For example, this week Kroger has Kroger Brand canned fruit 10 for $10. That's only $1 a can. Canned fruit will store for at least a year and probably longer. Why not take advantage of this sale and stock up on canned fruit? True, it's going to cost you more money right now, but in the long run you won't have to go out and purchase the same fruit at the full price, you can just grab it from the pantry knowing you got it on sale. This translates into saving money on purchasing the goods you eat on a regular basis, along with building your pantry and food storage.

The same principle goes for anything you catch in the sale ads or have coupons for. Buy in bulk on sale, then when items are back at regular price you won't need to purchase them. As your stock of fruit (or any other item) gets low, next time you see it on sale go ahead and re-stock. This way you avoid ever having to pay full price for a lot of stuff you use, and you build your stock each time. This is the basic principle you need to follow when working on your food storage. There are many variables when considering starting a food storage, but this is something that is universal and that everyone can take advantage of.

Winter Preparedness

Greetings fellow arctic dwellers. I've been in recluse mode for the past couple of months, but haven't lost touch with the fundamentals of preparedness. I spent some alone time in the woods here recently and enjoyed the beauty and solitude of early winter backwoods trekking. Although the beauty is a real treasure, and you don't have to put up with insects, hacking through thick weeds, lush fields of poison ivy, and a number of other awareness builders, you do find yourself faced with different challenges.

Normally I am able to nibble a healthy variety of plants in one form or another while on an outing, but I found little more than a few spice bush berries left by the birds. You can imagine the berries rejected by the birds aren't exactly a windfall, but passable as a snack. Water was the next thing. Usually not an issue as there are springs, and fast moving streams abound, but recent development of the surrounding areas have left these once vibrant water sources questionable at best. I found a few grape vines, a great source of water in a pinch, and a little water in the crotches of trees, although that is also the watering hole to every critter in the woods, so drinking quality can be risky. Best to purify that water with a little iodine if you have it. I carry resublimed iodine crystals for that purpose, and they last indefinitely when used properly. Aquapure is a company that makes these kits for a reasonable price. The bottom line, for my last outing was that I could have gotten by, but it was very sparse. For those sturdy souls wanting to thrive well in the winter outdoors, I recommend taking no less than a full year to follow the lives of the local flora and fauna on a daily basis so you will get to know the intricacies of their lives that will make year round identification easier. There is a lot out there to provide sustenance if one knows what it looks like in the dead of winter. It is a real good feeling to see a bare black twig sticking up in the snow, and to know just what it is good for. Remember to dress right in several layers. I set out one cold day hiking around the hills. There was frost on the ground, and it was cold for at least a quarter mile of my walk. By the time I had been walking, and climbing for an hour or so, I was down to a tee shirt, and one thin layer of pants, and I was still sweating. As I returned to the old farm house I was staying in, I had to begin relayering again bit by bit to stay warm. All was well. I was prepared.

While most of us don't have to face each day as though it were an arctic expedition, we should at least be prepared for what we are up against during the cold weather months. Have at least a half a tank of gas in your vehicle. Also carry a road survival kit that includes a signaling device such as a flare and a signal mirror. Have warm blankets. Make sure they aren't cotton, or too light weight, or you will not be warm. I once tried to keep warm with one of those Indian blanket knock offs you see piled up in truck stop gift shops, and about froze. They are too small, and worst of all they are made of cotton, aka death cloth. Make sure it is wool, heavy fleece, or maybe a down or synthetic sleeping bag. Keep extra gloves, and insulated overalls, or some other insulated clothing. Keep a stash of snacks as you will be colder when you are hungry. Always have your cell phone fully charged. Dress in layers regardless in this kind of weather. Make sure your clothes are loose fitting, have room to breathe, and maintain air space. Wear a hat, warm socks, and gloves or mittens.

I'm sure there are other things to elaborate on, but I want to get a few basics dashed off to get you thinking about winter preparedness. Oh yeah, Toss a set of jumper cables, and a good flashlight in while you are at it, and maybe even a towing strap should you get stuck. Well, I'm sure there is more, but for me, it's over and out for now.

Gear Review - 11 in 1 Credit Card Survival Tool

Here's a neat little survival tool I picked up the other day. It's a 11 in 1 Credit Card Survival Tool. Made from stainless steel, this is a great thing to keep in your wallet, purse, glove box, bug out bag, or your everyday carry. The tool is thick enough to actually be useful, and for the price you can pick one of these up for all the locations I mentioned. I picked this up for $1 with free shipping when it was on sale. Regularly they are $2.99 with free shipping which still is a good price. Click here to view this item on Meritline.com.

Here's the breakdown of the chart showing what each part of the tool is made to do:
1. Can Opener
2. Knife Edge
3. Screwdriver
4. Ruler
5. Cap Opener
6. 4 Position Wrench (for various size nuts & bolt heads)
7. Butterfly Wrench
8. Saw Blade
9. Direction Ancillary Indication
10. 2 Position Wrench
11. Lanyard Hole (Key Ring Hole)

This is a quality tool that could come in handy if it's all you had with you. It's small enough and light enough to carry when you don't want to keep a multi-tool. This would also make a great gift, and go well with your already existing preparedness supplies.

Food Storage Tip - Drink Mixes

Water is the most important part of your preparedness plan. Without clean drinking water you wouldn't survive more than 3 days. I have a lot of water stored as it is an important part of my preparedness plan. As much as I like water I would hate to be stuck drinking only water for an extended period of time. There are many ways to break the monotony of drinking water all the time. These include flavored drink mixes, tea, coffee, and protein drinks.

Having some of these included in your food storage will help break the cycle and give you some variety in what you drink. Variety should already be included in your food storage, but it's just as important to have variety with your water storage. Most stores and supermarkets have large jars of flavored drink mixes that are very inexpensive. You can get Kool-Aid mixes, Gatorade mixes, Tang, and a number of other mixes.

These come in all different flavors so everyone should be able to find something that they like. Tea bags are also a good thing to store as they last a long time, and most people like a nice cup of tea. And for all the coffee drinkers out there make sure you have some coffee stored for those early morning pick-me-ups. Another option is to store protein powder drinks. These come in a lot of different flavors and types, and most are high in calories and vitamins, which would make it perfect for a quick meal on the go.

No matter which one you choose, having something to add to your water, giving you some variety is going to be beneficial. If nothing else having something flavored to drink, and possibly sweetened with sugar from your food storage is going to boost your moral in the event of a disaster. I like water just as much as anyone else but nobody wants to drink only water everyday. If you have children this is something that's very important.

Wild Edible Plants in Kentucky

A prepper's food storage is their lifeline and the basis of their preparedness plan. But food storages will eventually run out. One way to combat this is to garden and grow food to supplement the food storage, but even gardens fail depending on your level of experience and the weather. The next thing you can do is to know what wild edible plants grow in your area, so that if you had to, you could use them as a source of food. There are a number of wild edible plants out there that are packed with vitamins and nutrients, some more nutritious than food we buy in the stores. Knowing how to identify these, where they grow, and how to prepare them is vital to your survival.

Quite a few books have been published on this subject, books that illustrate what plants are safe to eat, along with where they grow in the country. You can also get region specific books and Lee Allen Peterson has a book titled "A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants: Eastern and Central North America." This book is available here (via Amazon) and would cover most of the edible plants in Kentucky. You can also view all the books on wild edible plants here (via Amazon), and there are free ebooks that I have posted on this very subject you can download from here and here.

Trails.com has a guide posted that lists a few common wild edible plants in Kentucky that must of us could probably already identify. Here is their findings:

Tubers and Bulbs

The best of the wild tubers is the wood sorrel, or oxalis.  The plant has a root tuber similar to a small potato.  However, the stems, leaves and flowers are mildly toxic and should not be consumed.  Ordinary onion grass, which grows virtually everywhere in Kentucky, is also edible.  This includes both the grassy stem and the bulbs.  Spring onions, or "ramps," are also easy to find and can be eaten.

Fruits and Berries

The most common wild berry in Kentucky is the blackberry, the briars of which can be found fringing numerous farms and vacant suburban lots.  The American elderberry is also found in the state, but it should be carefully studied before consumption since it superficially resembles several varieties of poisonous berries.  The ill-informed can easily make a mistake and quickly come to regret it.  Ground cherries are also present in Kentucky, but since these plants thrive on bad, well-watered soil, it would be best to look for them in the sandy and/or rocky areas around the state's creeks and rivers.

Vegetables

The ponds and lakes of Kentucky are home to wild watercress, which can be harvested and eaten.  Often mistaken for thistles, wild prickly lettuce is just as edible as its domesticated counterpart and arguably tastier to boot.


Nuts

Walnuts in Kentucky can be had from the American black walnut tree, which needs plenty of water and good soil.  It, therefore, grows best close to rivers and streams.  The state also has a good climate for hickory trees, which produce edible (and often ignored) nuts.  The Kentucky coffee tree produces a semi-edible product, meaning that the seeds can be used as a substitute for coffee if they are roasted for three or four hours.  However, even after being roasted, the seed remains marginally toxic and should never be consumed in large quantities.

Other Plants
Chickweed is a wild herb that can provide some nutrition if consumed, and the entire plant is edible.  The ordinary, humble dandelion has long seen its flower petals used for making tea and recently has become popular for use in salads.  It is easy to find and can be eaten straight from the field.

New Years Resolution

We've switched from 2009 into 2010. A new year brings new possibilities, and gives you a chance for a fresh start. Will 2010 be the year you decide to take your family's future into your own hands by getting prepared for a disaster? We're all at risk for some natural disaster no matter what area of the country you live in. Not only that but the country is also in the middle of an economic downturn with no end in sight. These factors alone should be enough to motivate you to get prepared.

A new year brings a lot of new years resolutions. Everything from losing weight to saving money. While most new years resolutions don't last, this new year needs to be different. This new year, make the resolution to get prepared. Don't make getting prepared a goal, make it a priority. Getting prepared is something that's very important, now more than ever. It could mean the difference in life and death for you or for your family, and it's not something that is hard to do. It is something that is going to take time, and hard work. But nothing worth having comes easy.

Sit down with your family and start discussing a preparedness plan. Set some money aside each week to put towards a food storage and other supplies you need. You won't be able to get prepared overnight but with a good plan and motivation you will be able to get prepared in a relatively short amount of time. So make 2010 the year that you decided to take your future into your own hands. Build a food storage, water storage, store medical supplies, flashlights, batteries, cooking methods, and everything else you would need if you didn't have running water or electricity. The chance of you needing those supplies, whether you have them or not, grows everyday.

What is your new years resolution?

It's the End of The World as We Know It

Happy New Year everyone! What better way to kick off the new year than with a new e-book? Our friend M.D. Creekmore over at The Survivalist Blog has released his first (hopefully of many) e-book. This one is titled, "It's the End of the World as we Know It (And I Feel Fine)." I've read through the majority of this e-book and it's a great resource, full of important preparedness information. Best of all Creekmore is releasing this e-book FREE!

You can head over to his website and download the e-book here. Make sure you tell him thanks!