Several Lessons Learned from the Warrior Poet Society Video

I came across this video yesterday over at the Warrior Poet Society You Tube channel and it is an excellent overview of a situation that could have easily turned tragic in so many ways.  Here are several take-aways from the video:

• Add Narcan to your medical preps even if you think you will never have need to use it.
• Never assume that because you live in a very rural place or you live in a very nice neighborhood that "nothing bad will ever happen here".
• When you leave kids at home by themselves, whether in the country or in the city, insist that they stay locked inside the house until you return.  In this situation, John was a good distance away but within yelling distance of his son so one would think the kid would be safe in such a situation but this could have turned tragic nevertheless.
• The part where John's young son was outside talking to the crackhead was terrifying.  Kids are generally kind to everyone and feel "grown up" when an adult asks them for help.  Unfortunately adults asking kids to "help them find their lost puppy" and similar requests have led to many children being kidnapped and even killed.
• This is a good reminder to have an emergency plan with your kids for how they handle strangers.  First, there should be a locked door between the kid and the stranger, kids should have options for places to hide within their homes, and they should know to call a parent or 911 in such an emergent situation.  Depending on the age and responsibility level of a kid at home alone, you may or may not allow them to have access to firearms to protect themselves.  Instead of yelling for his dad, John's son may have done better to run towards where his dad was (putting distance between the kid and an adult stranger is always a good idea).
• It wasn't clear in the video where the crackhead was staying (he was camping 'out in the woods' somewhere) but daily perimeter checks/walking the property line may have alerted John that someone was staying on his property.  You want to run squatters off your property immediately and not let them get comfortable there.
• I don't know where John lives but it seems very rural.  Unless the crackhead was living in a home nearby and got kicked out of the house, the idea that an addict would hike several miles out in the woods to camp seems highly improbable (addicts like to stay near people so they can beg for money, steal stuff to sell for drug money, and they never like to be far from their drug dealers).
• What are the odds that a random crackhead would show up in a very rural area at the house of a lauded special ops soldier?  Could be a coincidence but my Spidey senses would have been buzzing.
• It seems like John has good perimeter surveillance (cameras, etc) but lacks layers of perimeter security.  
• John has a dog (one of the best breeds for security IMHO) but not a solid way to utilize the dog for security.  If he lives on acres of unfenced rural property, just letting the dog roam is a good way to get it shot by a neighbor.  Having a fence around the home and yard keeps the dog in a secure area yet allows the dog to patrol the entire area around the house, creating a good layer of perimeter security).
• John said he didn't want to carry a concealed pistol all the time.  I think that if you are going to carry, carry, if you're not, then don't.  Deciding to sometimes carry a pistol on occasion to protect yourself is like deciding to sometimes wear a seatbelt in your car and hope you will be wearing it on the day you get in a car crash.  At least he had a shotgun with him but I find open-carried pistols easier to deal with than hauling a shotgun everywhere.
• John decided to scoop up the ODing crackhead and race him to the hospital.  On the one hand, John was armed and knows how to protect himself, on the other hand, it sounds like he left his family at home when he took the guy to the hospital...how does he know the crackhead's friends aren't nearby and waiting to roll in when the wife and kids are home alone?
• Overall, it's good this story had a happy ending.  I can totally see why both John and his wife are still shook up over this incident (the security guy having a major security breach is both unexpected and scary), and this is yet another opportunity to use someone else's experience to allow you to create your own plan for what you would do if a similar situation happened at your home.

Situating Your Home in the Era of Climate Change

I came across this article about the wisdom of letting Malibu burn.  Obviously it didn't go over real well with people who actually live in Malibu but it is infinitely logical (if you locate your home in the middle of a tinderbox don't be surprised when it burns and no, the fire department isn't going to risk life and limb--or the lives of other people--to save your home and belongings duh).

While I'm nearly leaning towards the common sense alternative of having a mobile home a la a large RV that you can move at whim, I've lived in a large RV before and it isn't all it's cracked up to be.  So most people will want an actual house where they can live with their worldly possessions and situating this home has several considerations:

• Where do you want to live?  Usually this goes right along with where do you work but as nomadic/remote jobs become a thing this seems to be less of a consideration (unless you are immediately tied to Silicon Valley then good luck with that and I hope you don't mind selling a kidney just for a month's rent).
• Once you know where you want to live you need to determine the specific part of town you want to live in.  Places I would avoid putting down permanent roots would include any place that is below sea level (I'm looking at you New Orleans), any place that is in a reservoir, anywhere near the coast, and any place prone to wildfires.  Obviously other natural disaster areas, where tornadoes and hurricanes are common for example, should be looked at very carefully.
• You need to figure out what you are willing to deal with (is snow and ice OK? or is very high heat better?) as well as look at possible long-term problems in the area (our area should be running out of water in a relatively short period of time...why they keep building thousands and thousands of new houses here each and every year is a mystery to me).
• And of course there are a lot of other things to take into consideration when deciding where the best place to live survival-wise is (a good overview here).  Cost of living, crime, nearness to family, gun laws, and taxes are the most common factors people look at when deciding where to live.
• Obviously you can't plan for everything and disasters literally happen everywhere so finding one perfect spot to live for the rest of your life is pretty difficult.  In such a case you need an excellent bug out plan, the ability to pick and and move away with your most important possessions, good full-coverage home insurance, and possibly a secondary home to relocate to (that may be a vacation home/cabin, and RV, etc).

The bottom line is to NOT live in a place where certain disasters are common and then #1 not have a bug out plan, #2 be shocked when said disaster happens, #3 wonder why you can't get home insurance, #4 have no plan to go forward after your home and neighborhood is wiped out.

100 Things to Do At Your New Home

A while back on a reddit post I can't find, someone asked what they should do now that they just moved to their new home.  I can't even remember if the OP got any answers but here is a list of things that everyone should do when they move to a new home/area:

1. Switch all utilities into your name (water, gas, sewer, electric, cable, trash, etc).
2. Send in a change of address form and ensure you change your address on all of your accounts (bank, credit card, online services, etc).
3. Make sure your address can be seen from the street.
4. Put your address on your mailbox but not your name.
5. Re-key all of the locks in your home; don't forget to reprogram the garage door openers.
6. Reinforce the front and back doors for security (longer screws in the plate, etc).
7. Inspect every window in your home and ensure they can be securely locked.
8. Install a security screen door over the front (and back?) doors.
9. Determine if there is anything around the exterior of your home which could aid a burglar (trellis or tall trees which could give access to an upstairs window, anything that could be used as a "step ladder" to access windows into your home, hiding spots where someone could lay in wait for people coming home, etc).
10. Don't forget to secure outbuildings, sheds, gate, etc. with new locks/keys.
11. Put up "beware of dog" signs (whether you have a dog or not).
12. Are you on city water?  What is the municipal water source and how is it's quality?
13. Are you on a well?  Has it been tested recently (potability, flow, pressure, yield, etc)?
14. Are you on a septic system?  Where is the tank, where is the drain field, has the tank been pumped recently?
15. Is your home in an HOA?  If so, read the CCRs and rules of the HOA that came when you purchased the house.
16. If you live in an HOA find out what services to expect (keys to the gym and pool, yard maintenance, etc).
17. If you live in an HOA attend a board meeting or two to see how the place is run and by whom.
18. Determine if your home is in a flood plain.
19. If you live in an area subject to earthquakes or tornadoes, make sure your home has been reinforced for such an event (water heater attached to a wall, home bolted to foundation, etc).
20. Have a discussion with your home insurance agent and ensure you have all needed coverages (jewelry rider, flood insurance, etc.).
21. Walk through your neighborhood during a weekday a few times and notice what is happening then.
22. Walk through your neighborhood during a weekend day a few times and notice what is happening then.
23. Walk through your neighborhood during the evening/night a few times and notice what is happening then.
24. Walk around your house at night.  Can you see in the windows or are the drapes/blinds sufficient to protect your privacy?  Are there nocturnal visitors (usually raccoons and other creatures) that visit your home at night?
25. Have your home tested for radon/lead/mold/etc. if needed.
26. Install an exterior security system.
27. Install an interior security system (depending on how comfortable you are with this).
28. Install a secure router for your internet services.
29. Check all of the smoke detectors (and change batteries).
30. Check all CO2 monitors (and change batteries).
31. Have all chimneys and flue cleaned.
32. Put new/newly charged fire extinguishers around the home (usually kitchen and garage/out buildings).
33. Determine how the family will exit from each room of the house in the event of a fire (you may need to set up a ladder system of some sort if they will need to exit from second story rooms).
34. Install hidden safes where needed.
35. Show the whole family where the electric box, water main shut off, and gas shut off are located; make sure there are tools near each location to shut them off in an emergency.
36. Fill the heating oil tank/propane tank if needed.
37. Set the hot water heater to a reasonable temperature.
38. Change furnace filters.
39. Have the furnace/AC units serviced if needed.
40. Spray for bugs if needed.
41. Visually inspect the exterior and interior of your home and make note of any needed repairs (like openings to crawl spaces which could let in pests, peeling paint that should be fixed, any water leaks, etc).
42. Determine if exterior lighting around your home is sufficient or needs to be improved.
43. Determine if exterior fencing around your home is sufficient or needs to be improved.
44. Write down your utility meter readings and track them for a few months to ensure accuracy.
45. Meet your new neighbors.
46. Ensure that any fencing (especially if it is securing your pets) is solid and escape proof.
47. Ensure that the landscaping is in good condition both for security and safety (ie: you don't want a dead tree falling through your roof at the first storm).
48. Have any home improvements done before you move your stuff in (ie: have painters and carpet installers do their work before you move in your valuables/gun cabinets/other stuff you don't want strangers to see).
49. Enroll the kids in school (and determine several routes to get to the school, not counting the main route).
50. Determine several routes to get to work, not counting the main route.
51. Determine several routes that can be used to evacuate your neighborhood/town/city if needed.
52. Look at your property and neighborhood on Google maps and see what is located within a 10 mile radius of your home (rivers and lakes? industrial facilities? power plant?).
53. Determine what transit options are available in your community (city bus, national bus, water taxi, subway, Megabus, airlines, private air fields, trains, etc), and know how to use them.
54. Walk around your neighborhood and determine where you can find alternate sources of water
55. Walk around your neighborhood and notice any food sources (wild apple trees, ducks on a lake, etc).
56. Walk around your neighborhood and notice anything that could be dangerous to you or your family (a pit bull next door, a neighbor's pool, a busy intersection, etc).
57. Determine the nearest medical center, pharmacy, fire department, etc.
58. Determine the most convenient grocery store, bank, post office, etc.
59. Find out about local gun laws and how to get a CCL if you intend to carry.
60. Find out what services are offered by your local county (property tax rebates, etc).
61. Find out what services are offered by your local utility companies (free low-flow shower heads, rebates on appliances, etc).
62. Contact your local DEM (Department of Emergency Management) and find out what kinds of disasters are common to your area (hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, etc) and how to prepare for them.
63. Buy a weather radio if weather events (hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis) are common in your area.
64. Make a resource list and add to it as you identify additional resources (emergency numbers, number to local pharmacy, taxi number, lawn guy, a plumber that a neighbor recommends, etc.).
65. Determine if there is a Neighborhood Watch group, a neighborhood Facebook group, a Next Door group, etc. that you may want to join.
66. Install programmable plug ins for lamps and the radio and have them come on a random times to make your home look occupied even if you aren't there.
67. Put up no soliciting/no trespassing signs if needed.
68. Purchase security door braces for patio doors and the front door.
69. Install a peephole in the front door if there isn't one.
70. Install a Ring doorbell.
71. Install window security film on all lower windows.
72. Install motion detector lights around your home.
73. If you live in a place where power outages are common, install a hardwired (and properly vented!) generator.
74. See what kinds of safety classes/groups are offered in your community and participate (CERT training, first aid class at the Red Cross, swimming lessons, Search and Rescue volunteer, etc).
75. Sign up for emergency warnings in your area (via NOAA, your local DEM, etc).
76. Set your social media accounts to follow local agencies such as the police, sheriff, DEM, hospital, mayor's office, etc.
77. If you live in an area subject to tornadoes make a storm kit to be kept in the basement/safe room (food, water, radio, extra batteries, work gloves, hard hats, breaker bars, etc).
78. If you live in an area subject to flooding, consider investing in a boat/canoe/kayak for both pleasure and emergency use.
79. Make your home kid-proof and/or elderly-proof if needed.
80. If someone in your home is elderly or ill, work with local providers to make a safety plan (install bathroom grab bars, give them a Medic Alert alarm, discuss how to stockpile emergency meds/oxygen/etc for use during an emergency.
81. If you are military or a vet, contact your local military/vet services (DEERs office, VA, medical clinic, etc) to change your address/switch doctors, update POLST form, etc.
82. Update all legal documents with your new info (investment accounts, driver's license, car registration, Will and Power of Attorney, etc).
83. Find out from the locals what steps to take if you live in an extreme environment (ie: remote start and engine block heater if you live in a very cold area, wrapping pipes to keep them from bursting in the winter, etc).
84. After your entire home is set up, create a new home inventory video/list and store if off-site for insurance purposes.
85. Learn what to do if you live in an area prone to electrical storms (ie: invest in good surge protectors, don't shower or do dishes during a storm, unplug appliances and other electronics, etc).
86. Find out what your local and state DEM have planned for your area (there should be documents that include threat assessments, MCI plans for your area, evacuation plans, emergency medical plans, etc).
87. If you live in an area which is far from medical services, consider purchasing membership with the air ambulance company that services your area).
88. Practice fire drills/lockdown drills with the family in your new home.
89. If you have a pool, ensure the fence is secure, that it can be securely covered, that everyone in the home knows how to swim, and that you have motion sensor alarms installed around the pool.
90. Have secure places to lock up outdoor equipment (patio table and chairs, grill, garbage cans, etc) in the event of a windstorm or tornado.
91. Be prepared to shovel snow (or use a snow blower), remove deep snow from your roof, and de-ice stairs and walkways if you live in an area prone to winter storms.
92. Secure anything in your home that may tip over and injure someone during and earthquake (TVs, dressers, china cabinets, etc.
93. Create a secure safe room if needed.
94. Keep an emergency kit and hatchet/ax in the attic if you live in an area prone to flooding.
95. Set up an area in your home where you stockpile water, food, an emergency medical kit, camping supplies, and other emergency supplies (rotate these supplies as needed).
96. Create a written threat assessment for your new area (list threats as well as mitigation options).
97. Work with your kid's schools so you know their teachers, know what the school's adverse weather policy is, what the school's active shooter policy is, what the bus policy is, what the early release policy is, etc.
98. Layout a garden/orchard/composting area/etc. as soon as possible after you move in.
99. Determine the history of your home (Google for previous news stories/problems at your home, if the house is old check with the county or historical society for any info they have on your home, etc).
100. Volunteer in your community; not only will you be able to help those in need but you can gain valuable information, friends, and knowledge of your new area doing this.

Old Fashioned Tools and Supplies

When it comes to prepping for long-term disasters, the tools and supplies you want to stock up on are the buy-it-for-life, no-electricity-needed items most often purchased by country folks and the Amish.  Here is where to find such things:

• Lehman's Hardware Store
• Lodge Cast Iron
• Vermont Country Store
• Lee Valley Tools
• LL Bean
• Mayflower Trading Company
• Jacks Country Store
• Mast General Store

March Challenge #9 Your Home is Your Castle

Since your home pretty much is your castle, today's challenge is to get your home is ship shape so that not only is it a shelter for you and your family but it also can provide the safety and security that you need.  Here's how:

• Clean and organize your home from top to bottom.  You should be able to find anything you need in your home in the dark and in a hurry.
• Declutter your home (most people have way too much useless junk in their homes).  Getting rid of stuff you don't need will make room for the things you do.
• Ensure that everything in your home works.  Besides preventive maintenance like a furnace tune up or chimney cleaning, any other annoyances like leaky faucets and deteriorating wax rings on the toilets should be switched out.
• Do a safety review and make sure your home is a safe place to be (ideas here, here, and here).
• And then go further and harden your home against break ins and burglaries (ideas here, here, and here).
• Make sure your home insurance is adequate.
• And don't forget to do a complete home inventory (in the event of burglary you want to have all of this information for insurance and legal purposes).
• Finally, if you are so inclined, you can go all out with an off-grid solar system, built in safes and safe rooms and an extensive alarm system, and a full-blown armory.

101 Summer Home Preps

Summer is an excellent time to take care of the myriad things that come with being responsible for your home. Here's a list to get you started:

1. Know where your gas shut off is, how to access it, how to shut off the gas if needed, and have a wrench near by to do so.
2. Know where your water main shut off is, how to access it, how to shut it off, and have the tools near by to do so.
3. Know where your electrical panel is, how to access it, and how to shut off the main power to your house.
4. Have your chimney cleaned.
5. Have your furnace serviced.
6. Have the roof cleaned (and in our area, de-mossed).
7. Clean your home's siding and paint if needed.
8. Power wash your deck and make any necessary repairs.
9. Power wash your concrete/driveway/walkways.
10. Change the batteries in your smoke detectors.
11. Wash your windows inside and out.
12. Check your window screens/screen doors and make any repairs that are needed.
13. Check your water filters and change them if necessary.
14. If you have well water, have the water tested for purity.
15. Check your storm windows/storm shutters and make sure they are in good repair.
16. Rotate your stored gasoline.
17. Clean the gutters.
18. Landscape your yard.
19. Make a drawing of your garden so you can rotate your crops next year.
20. Make a water collection barrel/clean out your current barrel.
21. If sediment is prone to build up in your hot water tank, clean it out.
22. Test your home for radon.
23. Do any renovations you can afford (new appliances, carpet/flooring, etc.).
24. Clean the lint out of your dryer vent.
25. Flush/clean the drains in your home.
26. Check/repair weather stripping around your doors/windows.
27. Make sure the numbers on your house are visible.
28. Fix any leaks in your faucets/toilets.
29. Install a carbon monoxide detector.
30. Clean out your freezer and rotate the food.
31. Check the screens in your attic/crawl space and make sure there are no holes that would let creatures invade your home.
32. Re-key all of your locks.
33. Change your furnace filter.
34. Change the filter in your range hood.
35. Clean the condenser coils in your refrigerator.
36. Check to make sure your fire extinguishers are fully charged.
37. Test your GFI (ground fault interrupter) switches to make sure they work properly.
38. Sanitize your recycle bins/garbage cans.
39. Sanitize your sink garbage disposal.
40. Maintain (lube, etc) your garage door opener system.
41. Inspect caulking around the tub/shower/tiles and make any needed repairs.
42. Inspect your home's foundation for cracks/signs of movement.
43. Earthquake-proof your home (tie down the hot water tank, bolt large furniture to the wall, etc).
44. Check the base of your toilets for any movement/leaks. Replace the wax rings if necessary.
45. Check all stairs and railings; make repairs if necessary.
46. Check your sump pump to make sure it is working properly.
47. Test your security system.
48. Test your fire escape plan.
49. Dust all fan systems (ceiling fans, bathroom fan vents, etc).
50. Clean out your sheds/outbuildings.
51. Have your air conditioning system serviced.
52. Have your HVAC ducts cleaned.
53. Update your home inventory.
54. Clean/organize the garage.
55. Trim/cut down trees near your home that may fall during a storm.
56. Get rid of any nests (wasp nests, rodent nests, etc).
57. Insulate your hot water tank set the temperature to 120 degrees.
58. Check any masonry on your home (chimney, facade) for mortar that needs repair.
59. If you have a septic tank, have it serviced.
60. Have your main line drain inspected.
61. Check your attic and basement insulation; make any repairs if needed.
62. Check for signs of rodent or insect infestation and treat appropriately.
63. Clear the area around your home/yard to help prevent wild fire.
64. Do annual maintenance on your pool/hot tub.
65. Flush your downspouts and make sure your exterior drainage system is clear and functioning.
66. Check for any signs of dry rot and fix if necessary.
67. Check for water links around faucets, the dishwasher, washing machine connections, and water line to refrigerator ice maker; fix if necessary.
68. Replace faucets (sink and shower) with low flow heads.
69. Lubricate any squeaky hinges.
70. Clean the oil/car fluids from your garage floor and driveway.
71. If your wood pile is next to the house or outbuildings, move it to prevent insect damage.
72. Clean your oven and under the burners.
73. Insulate if necessary (ie: add more insulation in the attic, basement, insulate around outlets, etc).
74. Replace any faulty electrical outlets.
75. Check/maintain portable humidifiers/air conditioners.
76. Clean/sanitize your dishwasher and clothes washer.
77. Kid proof your home (ie: make sure you don't have window blind cords that could strangle a child, lock up poisons and medications, etc).
78. Elder-proof your home (ie: remove tripping hazards, put frequently used items where they are easy to get to, etc).
79. Check all electrical cords for wear/damage and replace if necessary.
80. Clear debris from drainage ditches, culverts, and/or the covers of city sewer drains.
81. Deep clean carpet and rugs.
82. Check for trees/plants whose roots could cause damage to walkways/pipes and remove.
83. Rotate all of your stored food and water.
84. Check the driveway and walkways for signs of shifting or deterioration; fix if necessary.
85. Check retaining walls/bulkheads and repair if necessary.
86. Have your wood stove cleaned and inspected.
87. "Bug bomb" your home if necessary.
88. Clean the tracks of your sliding glass doors and sliding windows.
89. Make sure your home tool area is organized and you have all the tools/equipment/supplies to make basic repairs on your home.
90. Make sure that all exterior lighting is in working order.
91. Check all hoses (exterior water hoses, washing machine, dishwasher, refrigerator) for wear; replace if necessary.
92. Insulate basement pipes and exterior pipes.
93. Check the attic for adequate ventilation.
94. Make sure the surge protectors on sensitive electronics are in working order.
95. Ensure your pet kennels are secure (no holes dug under the fence, etc).
96. Ensure any outdoor hazards (pool, hot tub, trampoline, etc) are in an area that can be secured; make sure the locks are in working order.
97. Test/maintain your generator.
98. Check the timers on your interior lights to make sure they are set properly.
99. See if your local electric company will conduct a free energy audit on your home.
100. If the location of your home safe/gun safe are known to many, move them.
101. Make sure your home insurance coverage is adequate.

Home Security Tips I Learned from My Neighbor

Our neighbors headed to sunnier climes about four months ago. Since that time I have learned a few things about home security from them...actually it was from the things that they didn't do right. Such as:

• They don't have anyone regularly checking their house while they are gone. It appears that they have their kids (maybe relatives?) drop by about once a month or so but that isn't frequently enough to stop problem before they get out of hand. What if a water pipe breaks as spews water for a whole MONTH before someone notices? What I do when we are away from home for a lengthy period of time is either get a house sitter or have the housekeeper come by weekly just to dust. There isn't much cleaning to be done, rather this is just to have someone check out the place and make sure all is well.
• The relatives that come over to check their house apparently don't have a key to the house since about once a month I see them scurry around to the back of the house, lift up a planter, take out the "hidden" key, then return after a half hour or so and replace the key. Um, real safe thing to do. Good thing they live in a good neighborhood where the usually observant neighbors don't want or need anything they have in their house. Our solution is to have a couple of people (a trusted friend and the housekeeper) keep keys to our house. If anyone else needed to get in our house we would have them meet up with either of these two for a key hand-off.
• The neighbors don't make any effort to make their home look "lived in" while they are gone. There are no lights on, no noise from the radio or TV, basically their house looks abandoned. When we go on vacation or are away for work, we leave various lights and TVs on a timer. Of course our neighbors may notice from the lack of activity that we are gone, but the random burglar may be thrown off by the lights and sounds coming from our home.
• The neighbors didn't leave any emergency contact information with anyone in the neighborhood. Most of our neighbors are friendly enough to wave when passing and will occasionally invite neighbors they see outside over for a barbecue or garage sale but mostly everyone keeps to themselves. This can be good for people who like their privacy but, as happened this weekend, it can also be a problem. Just a couple of days ago an alarm in the neighbor's house went off. We are talking a shrill, screechy alarm that continued to sound for nearly 10 hours before I couldn't stand it any more and called the sheriff. He came out, took a look around, and asked how to contact the people because it wasn't within his duty to break into their house. After going back and forth a bit, with me telling him that if the alarm continued for very much longer I was just going to cut the power to the entire house, we finally decided that he should get the "hidden" key and take care of the problem. Fortunately he was reasonable about the situation and realized that I wasn't going to listen to the alarm very much longer. He got the key, went in, fixed the alarm, and left a note. This whole problem would have been averted if they had left emergency contact info with any of the neighbors or even left a card in the window stating "in case of emergency call___". Actually a card like this would be good to have in everyone's window. Should an elderly neighbor fall or a diabetic neighbor pass out, at least it would save emergency responders from breaking the door down and the proper people (the emergency contact) would be alerted to the problem and could come over.
• The exterior of their home doesn't look like it was "prepped" for vacation. There are no exterior lights on at all--generally a welcome invitation to burglars. Fortunately it is now winter so the grass isn't getting overly long which is a clear sign that no one has been home for a while. I do see some papers piling up in their driveway which is also a clear sign that no one is home--these are the free papers, not the subscription papers, which are stacking up so if this happens where you live, you should be sure to call the distributor and tell them you want absolutely no papers delivered to your home.
• Here's some other random things that I hope (but doubt) they did before leaving: take the garage door opener out of the car they left in the driveway. Take valuable items (guns, jewelry, expensive electronics) out of the home and leave them in the car of a responsible friend. Unplug all electrical items to avoid being toasted by power outages (we have had three outages since they left...don't know how their electronics have fared). Secure the garage doors by disconnecting the electronic motor and/or putting a metal bar through the tracks so they can't be forced open.

Well, they did one thing right. They picked the right neighborhood to live in. However, it doesn't matter how "good" your neighborhood is, if you don't take care to secure your home before you leave to go out of town, you run the risk of coming back to a home that may not be in the same condition as you left it.

10 Things to Do by the End of the Year

Now is a really busy time of year, however there are a bundle of things that you should do now, rather than later...

1. Back up all of your files. I back up all of my business files at least once a week onto a thumb drive. Some people do this daily, depending on the quantity of work generated or the value should the files disappear into the ethers. Others do this not at all...these are the people having a meltdown at their local computer shop because their hard drive is totally toast and all of their family pictures, work, and important info has been lost forever. Get into the habit of backing up your files on a regular basis so that if your computer should die, you will still have most if not all of your important computer files ready to put on another computer and keep going.


2. Back up all of your contacts. Whether you use GMail, Outlook, Hotmail, Yahoo, or any other email program, you need to export your contact information regularly as well. I export my contact list into a .csv file and keep it saved with my backed up files so in case my email server should implode, I will still have this important information.


3. Get your tax deductions in. If it looks like it will be a big tax year or you are just feeling generous, be sure to get your tax deductible donations and deductions in ASAP, at least by the end of the year.


4. Change all of your passwords. This is also a good habit to get into on a regular basis and what better way to start off your new year than with a whole set of new passwords?


5. Dump out the BOB and repack it. I did this a couple of days ago. I generally go through my BOB a few times a year in order to rotate the food, make sure the clothes are appropriate for the season, and refine my gear (I am on a minimalist kick and I want to be able to grab my BOB and RUN not grab my BOB and drag the thing down the street because it weights so much).


6. Get a calendar. Whether you use an electronic calendar, a huge wall calendar, or a pocket calendar, having something to write important dates in is an excellent way to stay organized. So far my calendar includes standing meetings for 2010 and a whole bunch of fitness activities such as bike rides, marathons, and other events I plan to participate in during the upcoming year.


7. Check all of your important documents that have an expiration date and note anything that will be expiring on your calendar so you will be able to renew them on time. Driver's license, passport, concealed carry license, credit cards, professional licenses...all of these things have expiration dates and can create a real problem if you let them lapse.


8. Make a goal list. Each year I make a list of around 100 goals that I want to accomplish each year. If you keep these sorts of things in your head, you are much less likely to accomplish them so take the time to actually write out the things you want to accomplish (work, financial, travel, health, family goals) then set about completing them in the new year.


9. Update important documents. The end of the year is a good time to look back over the past year and update documents such as your home inventory, your resume, and your Will to reflect any new changes in your life.
10. Start on your way to creating a "super abundance" in your home. Wouldn't it be nice if you didn't have to worry about buying laundry soap, toilet paper, shampoo, etc for an entire year? At the end of each year I try to purchase enough of the consumable products that we use on a regular basis to last for an entire year. It greatly streamlines your life when you have plenty of everything in your home. No more running out of important items, no more running to the store at the last minute because you ran out of dish soap, always having enough of everything on hand even if you have dozens of house guests visit throughout the year...all good reasons to stock your home well at the beginning of each year.

Making Due

It's still freezing here. Which probably isn't such big news considering that a large part of the country is in the deep freeze now. My problem, however, is that my home weather station shows that humidity levels in my house are now down around 40% which is a big drop from our usual balmy 70% humidity. And I really don't like the electrical shocks, dry skin, and parched air that comes with such low humidity. Anyway, this post isn't about the weather, but it is about my response to the situation.
My first thought after determining that all of this dry weather was becoming distressing, was to ask "what can I buy to fix this situation?" This is often my (and obviously most everyone else's) reaction as well. You have a problem, and you immediately run out to buy a fix for the problem.
Then I stopped and thought, what would my grandparents have done? They didn't have much money and decades ago, most people didn't run out and buy something to fix a problem. My memory of them and most others in their generation was that if there was a problem, the last thing they wanted to do was buy something to fix it as money was tight for most people back then. Often they would try a dozen different homemade remedies to fix a problem before breaking down and buying a solution which would kind of mean they lost the battle with the problem--it was a pride thing along with a financial thing.
To make a long story short, the answer to my humidity problem was not to run out to Walmart and buy a humidifier. I remembered that during the cold winter months when the combination of cold air and the use of indoor heat created really low humidity levels in the house, grandma always left a pot of water sitting on the wood stove. The wood stove was hot, the water became heated releasing steam, and the house remained pleasantly humid. Now there is a pot of water sitting on my wood stove and the indoor humidity levels are slowly creeping up to a more desirable level. Problem solved.
Here's some other "old-timer make-due" solutions to common problems:

• No gloves and you want to play outside in the snow? Put a pair of granddad's wool socks on your hands like mittens. If it is really cold, wear two pair at a time.
• Small hunk of meat out to feed the family and unexpected guests show up? Make soup or stew instead. This is an easy way to stretch a small piece of meat to feed a group.
• Kids come home hungry after school and need a snack? Back then there was no such thing as running by McDonalds on the way home from school. Things like popcorn, fruit in season from the garden, or biscuits with peanut butter and jam would be served to quell their hunger.
• Really old, thin window glass that easily lets the cold air into your home? Cover them with plastic for the duration of the winter.
• House really cold even with the heater/wood stove going? Since most homes didn't have very good insulation back then, the heat would go straight up and out through the roof. Blankets were hung in the doorways that separated the living room from the rest of the house and everyone stayed in that one room where the wood stove and TV was. Blankets were on hand to provide extra warmth. Amazingly back then there was only one TV in the house (complete with a total of four TV stations) and everyone watched TV together!
• Clothes taking forever to dry? Back then most had washers but no dryers, so they used an outdoor clothes line which wasn't very useful in the middle of winter. Instead people hung their clothes in the attic to dry if it was warm enough, if not, the clothes ended up hanging by the wood stove to dry.

Anyway, you get the idea. There is usually a low-tech, common sense, low to no-cost way to fix any problem you run into, it just takes a bit of creativity and thinking outside of the consumer box.

10 Things You Can Do Today to Improve Your Chance of Survival

I am busy today. Actually I am busy most days. I think many people are like this, in a kind of fast-forward style of living that leaves little time for major projects. This is why I like my information short and concise, why I like my conversations the same way, and why I like to do a variety of very small preparedness projects (like watching a 45 minute Surviving Disaster episode while eating lunch at my desk) instead of one or two major preparedness projects. At least, I feel, I will cover the basics while completing a whole bunch of small activities that will, hopefully, cover the basics of the widest range of disasters that are likely to happen. Here's some ideas for small survival-oriented activities that you and your family can complete:

1. Watch an episode of Surviving Disaster online. I rave about this show so much because it is the first time I have seen easily digestible survival information geared towards the average person. Not the person with extensive survival training, not the person who fancies themself the next coming of Rambo, but ordinary people--those who are most likely to encounter the kinds of disasters this show discusses.
2. Go check your smoke detectors. Do they work? How long has it been since you changed the batteries in these devices? The average person is much more likely, odds-wise, to face something as common as a house fire than to face a tsunami, mass shooting, or other highly publicized disaster.
3. Stop by the Dollar Store on your way home today and pick up ten cans of soup. Sounds simple but by making this small investment, you have just put together ten meals for use when the power goes out, when stores aren't accessible because of a snow storm, when you are too sick to get up and cook actual food, etc.
4. Call up your doctor and see if your vaccinations are up to date. During a disaster, you can improvise many things but you can't improvise your way out of lock-jaw because your last tetanus shot was 20 years ago. Some vaccines you may want to update: tetanus, hepatitis A and B, influenza, possibly pneumonia, and others as recommended by your doctor.
5. Can you make a fire? Sadly, this is a long lost skill that during a disaster, you may need to know how to do. If you were to practice for only 15 minutes a day, every day for a year, making a small fire in all kinds of weather conditions and with all kinds of materials, you would be an expert. Unfortunately this skill is lost because we don't need to "go make fire" in the normal course of our day any more, but should you become lost in the wilderness, survive a plane crash in the mountains, or not have the accouterments of modern life available after a disaster, you will be glad you now this skill.
6. Sign up for a CPR class. There is no excuse for anyone in this entire country not to know CPR. This is such an important skill (more so now I would hazard to guess as our population ages) and the classes are so easily available in most every community, that there is no excuse not to know how to save a life with CPR.
7. Take a few minutes to write down important numbers on a piece of paper. If your computer was dead and your cell phone was dead, would you still be able to call the gas company, your brother, your employer, etc? Most people keep all of these numbers on their cell phone, in their Outlook program, or otherwise on their computer which is not good if a disaster should strike. You need to be able to access these phone numbers with or without a cell phone or computer that works.
8. Hold an unannounced fire drill when the family gets home tonight. Do the actual walk through of what people would do if they were awoken by the smoke alarm--crawl on the floor, check the door to see if it is hot, devise two ways to escape from each room, know where to meet up near the house after escaping from your home, etc. Although a complete drill is better than just talking about what you would do, I would caution against actually trying to escape from a second story window due to the danger.
9. Dump out your BOB and repack it. This will take more than a few minutes to do but it is good to do this at the change of each season. Now that it is winter, are the clothes in your BOB appropriate? Do the batteries still work? How old is the food and water?
10. Check to see if your car is prepared for winter. Again,this may take a little longer than a lunch break but since you rely on your car everyday, it is important to make it as safe and thoroughly prepared as possible. How are the tires? Winter is not the time to have bald tires. Do you know where your snow chains are? Are the emergency supplies in the car still in working order (ie: batteries in flashlights, food and water still edible, etc)?

Many of these tasks are common sense, generic survival preps that we often overlook. By taking a few minutes today, you can knock these off of your list and move forward on more intensive survival projects.

Making the Most of Your Summer Weekends

There were no posts this weekend because I was up to my elbows in paint. My goal for each weekend throughout the summer has been to make some sort of improvement to our house before for the coming fall and winter.

Home improvement projects are a great way to get prepared. By doing simple things such as clean up, painting, cleaning or replacing carpet, installing new appliances, etc, you reap the following benefits:

• You create a nicer environment in which to live.
• If you do need to move quickly, your home is already in sell-able condition. It doesn't take a major overhaul to get your place ready to sell.
• Your home functions better and you preclude major problems. You can clean out the gutters and winter rains will flow away from your home like they are supposed to or you can not clean out the gutters and the water will overflow and damage your foundation and siding. Regular maintenance will allow the systems in your home to function as they are supposed to and you are less likely to develop major, preventable problems down the road.
• Your home is safer. Cleaning the moss off of your stairs now, during the summer, will make your stairs infinitely safer when the weather turns colder and wetter. A well cared for home also send a message to the public that the people who live in the home are a) usually home because all of these improvement projects take time, b) aware of their surroundings and will notice when something is out of place, and c) these are people who will take action and not just let things slide.
• You save money in a variety of ways. Taking care of small roof problems now precludes a major (and more expensive) fix later. Clearing everything out of a room to paint allows you to sort through what you have when you put it back. This makes it easy to find lost items so you don't duplicate your purchases and also allows you to organize and store items that may come in handy during a disaster. Also, simple things such as insulating your hot water tank or doing some home weatherization projects will save you money on your utility bills come fall and winter.
• It's good exercise. You don't need a gym when you are lifting, hauling, and generally moving for eight to ten hours a day.
• You learn new skills. Even if you have never done much home maintenance, you can start with simple projects (like painting) then move up to larger projects (like plumbing). Most home improvement skills can be learned from books, online, or skilled friends and as a bonus, these are usually skills that you can sell to others who need things done around their homes.
• Home maintenance projects are also good family maintenance projects. When families work together, not only are valuable skills passed on to the next generation, but everyone learns how to function together as a team (this is a good survival skill!).
• You become more in tune to your home and local environment. When you know how things usually work in your home, yard, and neighborhood, you are more likely to have the heightened awareness to notice when something seems "off".

Although there are plenty of other things I would like to be doing on my summer weekends, taking the time to do maintenance and home improvement projects now will pay off later. Whether I avert a home disaster such as a fire caused by poorly stored chemicals or a larger SHTF disaster because all of my supplies and equipment are organized and ready to go at a moment's notice, taking the time to improve my home will pay a range of dividends.

75 Things to Know About Your Home

Our home is often our largest investment, our sanctuary from the outside world, and the place where a whole hunk of our paycheck goes. In the interest of preparedness, here are the 75 things you should know about your home (many of these things apply to homeowners but others will apply to all):

1. your complete address (address, city, county, state, country)
2. legal description of property
3. year your home was built
4. square footage of your home
5. size of lot
6. type of home (stick built, manufactured, modular, timber-framed, etc)
7. information on any property easements
8. zoning of property (single family, multi-family, commercial, etc)
9. was all building and remodeling properly permitted and inspected?
10. property boundaries
11. any classifications of the property (wet lands, floodplain, etc)
12. location of any hazards on property (old mines, old wells, creeks, etc)
13. history of home (previous owners, previous use of property, has anyone died in home, historical society info, etc)
14. if there is a Home Owner's Association (HOA) and any HOA rules/restrictions
15. copy of home's most recent appraisal
16. copy of most recent home inspection
17. current value of home (check http://www.zillow.com/)
18. tax assessor information (valuation, tax rate, etc)
19. if the home is paid off, where is the deed?
20. mortgage company info (name, address, phone number, account number, etc)
21. interest rate and terms of the mortgage loan
22. type of loan (FHA, VA, conventional, other)
23. are there penalties for pre-payment of the loan?
24. information on any second or third mortgages on the property
25. information on any levys or liens on the property
26. location of gas shut off and emergency contact number for the gas company
27. location of water shut off and emergency contact number for the water company
28. location of electrical shut off and emergency contact number for the electric company
29. location of main line drain cleanout access point
30. well information (location, depth, most recent water test, etc)
31. septic tank information (location, location of drain field, last time emptied, etc)
32. name and phone number for home service providers (housekeeper, gardener, plumber, electrician, handyman, pool guy, etc)
33. info for all utility providers (name, contact info, and account number for phone, cable, electric, water, gas, sewer, garbage, etc)
34. home insurance information (name of insurance company, contact info, account number, agent's name, etc)
35. copy of insurance policy (be aware of what is covered and what is excluded)
36. special insurance policies (flood, earthquake, special property riders, etc)
37. copy of most recent insurance policy update (know amount of land, structure, and personal property coverages and amount of deductible; increase or decrease amounts and deductibles if necessary)
38. security system info (name of company, account number, contact number, code numbers, etc)
39. how to open security door and window bars
40. set of master keys for all locks in home (interior and exterior)
41. roof info (age, type--shake, tile, composite, any warranties in affect)
42. siding info (age, type--shake, aluminum, vinyl, LP, any warranties in affect)
43. Heating/Air conditioning system info (appliance info--serial #, brand, etc, current warranties, previous service info, fueled by--gas, electric, propane, etc)
44. info on all interior and exterior paint used on home (brand, color code)
45. info about drainage system (location of sump pumps, location of exterior drains, etc)
46. written instruction on how to use unique features of home (solar power system, composting toilet, cistern, dumbwaiter, etc)
47. contact information for neighbors (name, address, contact phone numbers, etc)
48. annual safety equipment check (smoke detector, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, sprinkler system, etc)
49. warranty info for all appliances (range, refrigerator, freezer, dishwasher, clothes washer, dryer, et al)
50. water heater info (type--electric, gas, capacity, age, warranty if any)
51. location of seasonal items (storm windows, screens, awnings, etc)
52. fireplace info (when was flue last cleaned, rain cap/spark arrester is in place, etc)
53. energy efficiency of home (how much insulation in walls/attic/basement, type of windows, etc)
54. internal home hazards (lead paint, asbestos materials, lead pipes, radon, etc)
55. large appliances/furniture/bookcases are secured to the wall to prevent falling over in the event of an earthquake/tornado
56. parking information (location if off site, permits needed, etc)
57. type/location of exterior property hazards (dead standing trees, poison oak patches, vicious neighborhood dogs, wild animals, etc)
58. neighborhood: location of local sex offenders
59. neighborhood: annoyances (located in flight path, commercial/industrial odors/noise, traffic, etc)
60. neighborhood: existing or proposed development
61. neighborhood: crime statistics
62. location of: nearest public transportation stops
63. location of: nearest fire hydrant/fire department
64. location of: nearest school, church, hospital, grocery store, bank, post office, library, etc
65. location of: mail delivery (to home or box)
66. location of: trash pick up
67. any problems with mold, mildew, rodents, termites, etc.
68. most likely local natural hazards (hurricanes, tornadoes, winter storms, earthquakes, etc)
69. location and operation of safes, trap doors, escape tunnels, panic rooms, etc
70. multiple evacuation routes from property to freeways, the next town, the next state (taking into consideration that bridges, tunnels, and overpasses may close roads)
71. written and practiced fire escape plan
72. location of exterior family gathering spot in case family must flee from home
73. written and practiced lock down plan
74. home safety hazards are addressed (loose rugs/stairs/handrails, adequate lighting, window blind cords are not a strangulation hazard, etc)
75. outbuildings (are secured, items in building are safely stored, etc)

10 Ways We Are Disconnected From Nature (And Why That Isn't Good)

As the US has increased it's wealth throughout all classes, especially over the last few generations, we have moved further and further away from nature. This isn't good. Here's why:

1. Decades ago, before computers, video games, VCRs, and more than three channels on the TV, kids were encouraged to go outside and play. Actually "encouraged" isn't the word...it was more like: kid "I'm bored", adult: "go outside and play". This conversation repeated itself a dozen times a day. When I was growing up, that was the standard answer no matter if the weather was 20 degrees or 110 degrees, just to keep the kids out of the way of the adults. Kids had to use their imaginations and make up their own sources of entertainment (stick ball, cowboys and Indians, hide and seek, etc) rather than having commercially created entertainment force fed to them on a 24/7 basis.


2. I'm no scientist but it seems quite odd that so many kids these days have asthma and severe food allergies. When I was a kid, maybe one kid in an entire school has asthma and no one in the entire school had food allergies to things as common as eggs, peanut butter, shellfish, etc. Why is this? I don't see these problems in third world countries where the kids entertain themselves by playing in polluted water, eating everything even marginally edible, and spending the entire day from dawn to dusk outside.


3. Many people in developed countries don't know how the steak they are eating gets to their plate. People literally "freak out" when they see an animal being butchered. Years ago this was, well, the way that food got on the table--deer hanging in the shed so it could bleed out, grandma wringing a chicken's neck so that it could become the evening's meal--it was just the way food was procured. If people suddenly had to start providing their own meat, who would be around to do this? Certainly not your average American.


4. People cannot provide the most basic food stuffs for themselves. Victory Gardens, even in the smallest city lots, were quite common during the war. People knew that if they didn't raise their own fresh food, they may not get any. Fortunately during the war years, the people were not too far removed from the farm so gardening skills were still known. These days, if people had to grow their own food, I'm afraid many people would be ill prepared to do so.


5. Kids (as well as older people in today's world) have missed out on the opportunity to develop self esteem by being successful at useful things. When kids bring back a string of fish and are praised by their elders for their skill and for providing food for the family, it build their self-worth. When a boy (or girl) gets a deer, tills acres of land, or helps bring a calf into the world, they have visible reminders of how useful and skillful they are. Without this connection to life, death, and hard physical work, the connection doesn't get made. IMHO this is why we have so many shiftless, depressed, trouble-making people in the world today--they haven't done anything to build their responsibility and self esteem.


6. The world is too "safe" these days. Granted when you have a loved one lost in the wilderness, I'm sure being able to reach them by cell phone is immeasurably comforting, however years ago, people had to rely on themselves to find their way out of difficult situation, provide their own basic medical care, and send word anyway they could (I remember the ubiquitous paper plates with messages posted on them and nailed to trees in the wilderness as a way of providing information to others who were following).


7. Wilderness skills are a lost art. Start a fire without matches, sheer a sheep and end up with a knitted sweater, find your way by the stars, snare a rabbit...the list of skills that one needs to be able do in order to provide for themselves is long, the number of people who could actually do such things these days is few. Sad.


8. Nature is reality. It is cold, it is wet, it is beautiful, it is tragic...in nature the only sure thing is change. Parked in front of a computer all day, you miss out on these things. One could literally stay inside for a year attached to a cell phone/computer/video game and miss all of the seasons, the changes in trees and flowers, the smell of fresh air, etc.


9. Living close to nature requires a wide variety of skills. When I ask a farm kid what they can do I hear: rototilling, running the backhoe, taking care of the horses, gathering eggs, welding, building, roofing, and a myriad other skills. When I ask an average suburban kid what they can do, I hear very few things..."Can you cook?" "We eat out everyday". "What skills do you use during the day?" "Texting, email, chatting online..." "Can you find your way to the next city?" "My mom will drive me." Frightening.


10. Nature is anything but dependable which means that people learn how to be flexible. Raining today? Stay inside and do sewing or reading or baking. Plant the corn today? It will grow at its own rate, you can't speed up nature, and you get to learn to be patient. Nature is fleeting. If it's sunny and the wheat is ready, it gets harvested today--you can't be lazy and put harvesting off until you feel ready to do it.

Now maybe these examples make the situation look much worse than it is, but being so far removed from nature can't be a good thing. As long as we live in an insulated, climate-controlled world when you can call for food to be delivered or you can simply shop for the things you need, I guess survivability of the masses will continue. However should TSHTF, having the skills to live in and with nature will be worth its weight in gold.

Way Primative Skills

We get along just fine when things are working well...electricity, plumbing, furnace, etc. What happens if none of these things work? For most Americans, angry calls to the service companies and indignance, then desperation and eventual panic if the services stay off long enough. Today take a wander through your home and make a note of what things you would need to be able to do if all of our modern conveniences were unavailable. Here's some ideas:

• Laundry Room: wash clothes by hand and hang to dry; make your own laundry soap; repair or make your own clothes/shoes.
  
• Bathroom: compost your own waste; wipe with water; heat water for a bath or shower; make your own soap; make your own toothpaste; make your own medicines; make your own personal hygiene products (women); provide basic medical care.
  
• Bedroom: create a safe sleep environment.
  
• Living Room: heat your home; light your home; clean your home; defend your home; entertain your family; teach your children; communicate with others.
  
• Kitchen: make/process your own food; cook your food; wash the dishes; preserve your food (without a fridge or freezer); obtain potable water.
  
• Outside: grow a garden; repair your home; make your own ammo; have basic transportation; raise/butcher animals for meat.

For most people in first world countries, these skills have been lost long ago. Machines and services that make our lives hum along are the norm. There are millions and millions of people in third world countries, however, who still use these skills on a daily basis. Take the time now to try some of these things just to get an idea of what you would/could do if TSHTF and life as we know it changes dramatically.

Flood!

Last week there were quite a few areas flooded around where we live due to heavy rains which caused local rivers to overflow their banks. Of course I was feeling a bit smug at the time because we live in an area that is fairly high and dry, however, the smugness went away pretty quickly yesterday morning when the spouse did a load of laundry and water started pouring all over our downstairs. Although we hadn't caught the floods from the heavy rains, a backed up main line gave us a taste of what many thousands of people go through each fall and winter around our country when floods hit their towns. It wasn't pretty. Here's how (again) being prepared helped out quite a bit...

1. As soon as we realized what happened, we were able to stop even more water from flooding the basement by stopping the washer, however 20 or more gallons of water poured out before we realized what happened. Granted in a flood, you can't stop the water from going where it wants, however, if you do live in a flood-prone area, having sand and sandbags at the ready will help with the situation.


2. We quickly assessed the damage. The only things that were in the water were the washer, dryer and a small bathroom. Some carpet in the family room also got wet which we immediately tried to block with towels. If there would have been furniture or other items that would be permanently damaged from the water, our first priority would have been to move these items to higher ground. During an actual flood, people often have to gather as much as they can and move the items upstairs or up on counter tops/other furniture--obviously a bad situation if you live in a one story home and ALL of your stuff is wading in the water.


3. Good: we had a plumber friend on speed dial. Bad: plumber friend was out of town. We debated between doing the work ourselves which would have entailed renting an auger, taking out the toilet, auguring the main drain line, and putting the toilet back on. I called around and for a fee of $250 we could have the work done. Good: we had an emergency fund so paying for the work instead of doing it ourselves was the option we were able to chose. Bad: the random plumber out of the phone book did a not so great job. I can't imagine how people handle major reconstruction work after a serious flood when you have to deal with a variety of sub-contractors, many of whom know you are desperate and thus can easily take advantage of the situation.


4. After the line was cleaned and things were put back together, clean up was our next task. Fortunately we had the items on hand to clean up the mess (a shop vac, lots of old towels, rubber gloves, cleaner, and fans to help dry out the wet carpet) but it still entailed a lot of work.

What we learned:

• It's good to mitigate the damage as much as possible; the less damage, the less that needs to be fixed/repaired.


• Preventive maintenance is a good thing. We thought there were some problems with the drain but dismissed them until something big happened. Dumb.


• Even though we had one plumber we could call, it makes sense to have a back up in case the person you are relying on is gone instead of picking someone randomly out of the phone book.


• The bigger the emergency fund, the better your options.


• I should have probably just done the work myself instead of being lazy and hiring it done.


• Even if you don't live in a danger-prone area, the more organized and together your important things (papers, art work, antiques, etc) are, the easier it is to pick it up and move it or evacuate with it.


• Clean up is hard work. Everything is a mess and each item you pick up needs to be washed/sterilized/etc which really brings home the importance of helping others when disaster strikes.

Houseguest Preparedness 101

We've had more than a dozen house guests over the past couple of weeks and it looks like some of my preparedness efforts have been justified to the sometimes disbelieving spouse. Here's how:

• We have cash on hand which allowed us to purchase things at the last minute which we hadn't anticipated such as a few extra tanks of gas to drive the guests around with, a half dozen pizzas for late night snacks, a couple of extra runs to the grocery store for perishables, and a birthday gift for one of the guests who celebrated their birthday here.
• We have lots of food stored for a disaster. When this many people descend on you it can feel like a financial disaster, but lots of meals can be created easily and cheaply if the bulk of the food you need is sitting in the garage instead of having to be purchased when it isn't on sale at the grocery store.
• We have extra blankets and sheets stored in the garage. Although we no longer use these items, we keep them aside in case of a power outage during the cold days of winter (at least we will be warm); as a bonus, we can issue all of the guests blankets and sheets and they can pretty much bed down anywhere.
• We have plenty of disposable goods stored too. Since it is usually just the two of us, it is hard to image how much toilet paper and paper towels a big group can go through on a daily basis (and it's a lot!). Also, a forgotten toothbrush didn't mean a run to the store and some coloring books we keep in our game box worked well to keep a couple of the littlest guests occupied.
• Maps came in handy. We have a variety of maps for our city, county, and state. One family (the low maintenance house guests) pretty much take care of themselves as soon as they get here. They rent a car, stay at the house to sleep and take showers, then borrow some maps and they go off and explore the sights around our area. Simple.
• I keep poster board and markers on hand as a basic communication tool that can be used during a disaster. We used one poster board to set a schedule so everyone would know what was coming up: Tuesday at 6 birthday party at a local cousin's house, Saturday at noon lunch at a local restaurant. This way people could plan their days but still meet up for group events.
• We had a de facto leader. It can be pretty scattered when you have 15 to 20 people all coexisting together even for a short period of time. With a sister who used to be an actual drill sergeant, she tends to assume the leader role and makes sure everything remains relatively clean and organized and chaos is minimized (so I can kick back and enjoy my guests).
• We made some preps as soon as we heard everyone was coming. One group flew in about the same time as another couple so they were able to ride together from the airport which saved some extra trips. Another group was interested in visiting a particular tourist destination so we suggested another couple who had never been here go with them--basic logistics that made planning less confusing.

Overall we have had a wonderful couple of weeks. A little bit of planning ahead rewarded us with a nice time for everyone and lots less stress than we would have had if we weren't prepared.

Prepping for a Cold Winter

In the news today was a short article about the Farmer's Almanac and its prediction for a colder than usual winter. With prices rising for everything and our heavy addiction to fossil fuel for heat, this may not be such a nice winter for many folks. Here's some ideas to keep your home warm and toasty this winter:

• Winterize as much as possible. Put up storm windows or seal drafty windows with plastic. Add insulation to the attic and the basement/crawlspace ceiling. Weather strip doors and windows. Seal drafts with spray foam or insulation. Call you local energy company and see if they offer free home energy audits or provide other freebies to cut your energy costs such as low flow shower heads, an insulation blanket for the hot water tank, etc. Even if these items aren't offered free, take a look at your local home improvement store for cost-effective, energy saving ideas.
• Have a number of sources of heat. Most homes have gas forced air, electric, oil, or propane heating systems as their main source of heat. Alternately, you may want to also have small space heaters so you can heat only the area you are using and not the entire house, a wood stove or pellet stove, and a kerosene heater on hand for emergencies. Be sure that any heating system you use is functioning as efficiently as possible. A friend just moved into a home with a plain fireplace. After noting that it burned up wood quickly and gave off very little actual heat, he promptly installed a highly efficient wood stove and is very happy with his decision.
• Be sure that any heating appliance you use is properly ventilated--there is always a rash of carbon monoxide poisonings each winter from improperly vented heaters and generators.
• Speaking of generators, if you absolutely must have heat and your heating system will not work without electricity, consider having a generator and fuel on stand-by. Those with small children or elderly in the house may find a generator particularly necessary.
• If you have a fireplace or wood stove, be sure to have plenty of seasoned firewood ready for winter. Ditto for pellets if you have a pellet stove, kerosene if you have a kerosene heater, and oil/propane if you have these types of heating appliances.
• Practice some good old fashioned heat management. Years ago when homes were drafty and windows were of the thin, single pane-type that you puttied into place, families used a variety of ways to conserve heat. Some of these include: wear heavier clothes, bundle up under blankets, heat only one room where all of the family gathers, use heavy blankets to curtain off the cold sections of the house, use heavy drapes to keep the drafty windows closed up, only heat the home during the day when people are home (lots of blankets and the occasional hot water bottle were used to keep people warm in their beds overnight), etc.
• Ask your fuel/electric company if they have some sort of monthly payment plan. These plans usually estimate your fuel/electricity usage over the course of the year and bill you even payments on a monthly basis which is often better than receiving tiny bills in the summer and astronomical bills in the winter.
• If you qualify and if you absolutely can not afford to heat your home, check with local social service agencies to see what programs they have to help with winter heating bills.
• Be creative. Here's one idea: The Amazing Wood Burning Stove
• And some final ideas: spend more time away from home if this is plausible (at work, at friend's homes, at the mall, at the library, etc), get moving (physical work and exercise raises your body temperature and thus makes you warm without as much heat), bake and cook more at home (the heat radiates into the kitchen, usually making it the warmest room in the house), cuddle up with the spouse, wear socks to bed, take a quick hot shower then get under a blanket, drink a cup of cocoa (at night) or coffee/tea (in the morning)...

To my friends in the southern hemisphere--have a wonderful summer (and save this post for March).

Prepping on the Cheap at the Dollar Store

As I wandered through our local Dollar Store today, I noted a plethora of preparedness items that a person could buy and stockpile, each for only a dollar. Here's some of the items:

• plastic utensils


• paper plates


• candles


• batteries


• cleaning products (ammonia, bleach, scrubbing powder, sponges, mops, etc)


• kid's books


• spices


• hand sanitizer


• soap


• first aid supplies (bandaids, peroxide, antiseptic, gauze, etc)


• razors


• toothbrushes


• toothpaste


• shampoo


• ziploc bags


• plastic trash bags (all sizes)


• plastic containers and buckets


• paper products (toilet paper, paper towels, napkins)


• super glue


• bungee cords


• scissors


• utility knife


• work gloves


• car stuff


• aluminum foil


• canned goods


• dry goods (flour, grains, sugar, etc)


• tools

That just scratches the surface--each store has different items and the same store will have different items each time you visit. For people who think it is too expensive or overwhelming to prepare ahead of time for a disaster, taking $10 to the local Dollar Store and buying ten items to add to your stockpile each week makes a lot of sense.

A couple of caveats: before you shop at these stores, know your prices. Some items can be purchased even cheaper at regular stores so know the going prices for the items you want to buy and if $1 for the item is cheaper than a regular store, make the purchase. If not, buy the item when it is on sale at the regular store. Also, be aware that the quality of these items can range from OK to crap. For example, I purchased a watch repair kit at the Dollar Store because it is something I may or may not use. On the other hand, I purchase my hammers, wrenches and other quality tools from Sears because Craftsman is renowned for quality tools and these are items that I use often and really depend upon.

Apartment and Condo Security/Preparedness Tips

When people think about "survivalists", they think they need to live in a cabin way out in the woods in order to be a "real" survivalist; this simply isn't true. No matter where you live whether it is in the idealized cabin in the woods, a house in the suburbs, an apartment, a trailer, a dorm room, or under a bridge, you can be prepared and ready to survive any situation--being a survivalist is more about attitude, skills, education, and logic/critical thinking skills than it is about location. With that in mind, let's look at some ways that you can be secure as well as prepared if you live in an apartment/condo situation:

• Choose your location carefully; apartments and condos in "bad" sections of town usually have more crime and problems than in "good" sections of town. The extra rent to live in a better neighborhood may well be worth it.
• Before signing the lease, check out the location at night. Is there good lighting? Are there secure entry ways that at left secured or are they left open for anyone to wander in? How is the parking? If it is an underground parking structure, is it secure? Are there security officers on the premises?
• Take a look at fire safety efforts. Fire is one of the biggest threats in an apartment building because a small fire in a neighbors apartment can destroy the entire building. Is there a sprinkler system? Are there working fire alarms? Are there fire extinguishers both in the units and in the hallways/outside of the units? Are they in working order? Are there fire blocks in the attic or is it an open, continuous attic for the entire building?
• Always have renter's or condo owners insurance.
• How secure are the doors and windows? Exterior doors should be re-keyed when you move in. They should also have deadbolt locks and peepholes.
• Devise a system (even is it is the simple matchstick system) to determine if anyone has entered your home while you are away. The building super/maintenance man/manager must give you written notice before entering your apartment--they can't just wander in when they feel like it.
• Put timers on a lamp and a TV set to come on at various times if you are away from home in order to make it look like there is activity in your home.
• Get to know some of your neighbors so they will watch your place (you can be neighborly and keep an eye on theirs as well). This will also clue you into the neighborhood grapevine news about what is going on around the place.
• Beware of the neighborhood busy body--not only will they tell you everyone's business, they will spread news about you far and wide as well.
• Keep your doors, sliding doors, and windows locked. Apartments and condos provide an excellent opportunity for burglars as there are usually so many people coming and going that no one pays much attention. Never leave your doors and windows unlocked and give thieves/rapists an easy opportunity to enter your home.
• Take care when you are bringing things (big new flat panel TV, a nice new rifle, a gun cabinet that can withstand a direct hit) into your home. Try to disguise these items as much as possible or move them in at night so as not to draw suspicion (and gossip) about you or make you a target for a future burglary.
• Consider installing an alarm/surveillance system inside your home. You could go all out and get a complete wireless, remote-viewable, audio-video security system, but even a small alarm that shrieks when the window is opened may be enough to scare away a burglar.
• Look as average as possible. One nice thing about living in the woods or even in the suburbs where you can drive discreetly into your garage is that you can come home in full camo and not raise the neighbors attention (because they won't see you). Coming home to an apartment this way may indeed scare the neighbors so change at the range or elsewhere before you return home.
• Keep access to your crawl space/attic secured. It isn't unheard of for another tenant to access the attic through their unit, crawl over to your attic access, then jump down into your place and steal things. Make sure this can't happen.
• Take care of the basics: never leave a key outside "just in case", don't put your name on your mailbox, keep a detailed inventory of your possessions, stop the newspaper if you will be gone for a period of time, etc.
• If you are concerned about the security of your home, store very valuable items elsewhere (your parent's very secure house, in a safe deposit box, in your office which has 24-hour security, etc).
• Take care when having private, personal conversations in your unit--the walls are often very thin and the neighbors may be able to hear you. Try to keep loud arguing and fighting to a minimum as well.
• Check the walls--voyeurs like apartment buildings because the walls are connected, one small drill hole and a peep-hole type device and they are in business.
• Keep your BOB in an easily accessible place in your home.
• Use any unneeded space (under the bed, closets) to store extra food and water.
• Keep "fold up" water containers on hand in case you need to quickly store some water in an emergency.
• Have the same emergency equipment on hand as you would in a house--an ax to chop your way out of the building, a breaker bar to dislodge items strewn about after a tornado, a water purification system, work gloves to help you escape through a broken window, etc.
• Be social but never give out detailed information about yourself.
• Develop plans for what to do if a disaster common to your area happens: have a fire escape plan, ask the manager what the plan is for the building if a hurricane is imminent, find the safest place in your unit to ride out an earthquake, etc.
• Use common sense in situations that can be dangerous (ie: walking up the stairs in a secluded stairwell, walking from your car to the elevator in a parking structure, using the laundry room in the middle of the night, etc).

25 Important Documents to Keep in a Safe Location

When TSHTF or even a minor disaster occurs, you will usually need to provide a variety of documents before receiving help from FEMA, your insurance company, the Red Cross, or other agencies providing assistance. Even if you don't deal with these agencies, it is a good idea to keep the following documents safe but easily accessible:

1. Birth Certificates for all family members
2. Marriage/divorce certificates
3. Adoption Paperwork
4. Wills for each Adult
5. Living Will/Financial Power of Attorney/Medical Power of Attorney for each Adult
6. List of all financial accounts (Bank, Savings, Investment, etc)
7. Personal Information file for each family member (social security number, birth date, diplomas, etc.)
8. Real Estate Deeds/mortgages
9. Car titles
10. Tax records
11. Insurance policies
12. Passport for each family member
13. Debt/credit account information
14. Original social security cards
15. Medical history/allergies/medications/doctor’s info for each family member
16. DD214/military paperwork
17. Citizenship documents
18. Business documents (incorporation papers, business licenses, etc)
19. Credit reports
20. Stock/bond certificates
21. A complete home inventory
22. Historical family items (photos, genealogy records, etc)
23. Receipts for major purchases
24. All computer files backed up on a jump drive
25. Any other document that would be difficult or impossible to replace (foreign birth certificates, employment documents, etc)

If you are taking care of your parents, you may want to have them fill out this document (http://www-tc.pbs.org/wgbh/caringforyourparents/handbook/pdf/cfyp_imp_doc.pdf ) so you will know where to find their important documents.