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Thread: A non-prepper's prepping

  1. #1
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    A non-prepper's prepping

    In the wake of the LA fires, I'm trying to be more prepared for emergencies. I live on the east coast, so the disasters I'm preparing for are hurricanes and snowstorms (and associated power outages).
    How I'm preparing:
    • extra water and food at home
    • extra water in the car
    • 0 degree sleeping bag (in case of loss of heating)
    • car is awd (so should function a bit better in snow)
    • carrying more cash (~100) on my person and keeping a small stash (~a few hundred) at home in case I need to leave and can't access atms or whatever [this is not accomplished yet]


    What do you think about my preparations?
    What have you done to prepare for emergencies/natural disasters?

  2. #2
    Senior Member bae's Avatar
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    When we have power-outage events here, which are frequent, people find these things super helpful:

    - a method of recharging your cell phone. (An Ankor power bank or something)
    - a method of cooking that doesn't require power, and doesn't asphyxiate you
    - food supplies that require minimal prep/cooking
    - high-efficiency LED lanterns
    - a supply of pre-ground coffee, or a hand grinder :-)

  3. #3
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    Where are you?

    I ask because a friend of mine who lives in NY, lived through a hurricane that took out power to his area. The number of people who couldn't eat/drink, because no power for ATM's/CC machines, while he paid cash in a local joint that was selling off stuff (still able to cook due to gas), but had no way of charging it.

    Also, there are some batteries that charge cell phones, that have a built in solar panel (my father has one and left it in a window to recharge). If not there are some small solar panels designed for people who play with things like Raspberry PI's, that could be used to charge a cell phone.

    What about the wind up radio's? Have a spot outside for a grill? A fireplace and wood stash? A lot depends on where and how you are living (different in downtown NY, to the country size in other parts of NY state).

  4. #4
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    Good timing on this thread. I'm sort of doing a pantry clean-out, but at the same time, I am trying to do re-stocking with "prepping" in mind.
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  5. #5
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    I keep a lot of flashlights around. Also water, because we lose water if we lose power. Gas the car when it falls to half full. Try to get ahead on medicines if you can.

  6. #6
    Senior Member catherine's Avatar
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    Last year I purchased a wireless solar charger and a solar powered emergency NOAA weather radio.

    I make sure I have at least a half a cord of wood or more at any given time.

    I can't stock much food but I do have a lot of rice!

    I maintain good relationships with my neighbors.
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  7. #7
    Senior Member Tradd's Avatar
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    I have sterno and a little folding stove to use with it. I have a small apartment and no outside space to use a camping stove. I can use sterno inside to heat water for tea or canned soup.

  8. #8
    Senior Member littlebittybobby's Avatar
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    okay--keep enough instant rice and hot sauce to put on it, amd you'll be fine. Yup.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by ToomuchStuff View Post
    What about the wind up radio's? Have a spot outside for a grill? A fireplace and wood stash? A lot depends on where and how you are living (different in downtown NY, to the country size in other parts of NY state).
    I live in the 'burbs, but next to a park which always has fallen wood. A wind up or solar powered radio (like catherine said) makes sense.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by bae View Post
    - a method of recharging your cell phone. (An Ankor power bank or something)
    - a method of cooking that doesn't require power, and doesn't asphyxiate you
    - food supplies that require minimal prep/cooking
    - high-efficiency LED lanterns
    - a supply of pre-ground coffee, or a hand grinder :-)
    Really great list. Lanterns/flashlights (@tybee) is important, I don't have any of those (besides for my phone flashlight which I'd obviously want to conserve).

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