2009 Preparedness Plan
May Summary
(taken from Syracuse 6th Ward Plan)
Spiritual Goal:
Make a commitment to learn about family history. Get involved in researching your genealogy and prepare names to take to the temple. You will be amazed at the blessings that come from doing genealogy.
Emergency Preparedness Goal:
Add $20.00 in coin and small bills in your “cash stash”. You should have now
have $100.00.
First Aid Kit, Manual and Consecrated Oil
Food Storage Goal:
Water (you and your family may get along for quite a while without food, but only a short time without water – Store your water NOW!
Bleach (note: shelf life is only 6 months)
Household cleaners
Water Storage: Water is probably the cheapest preparedness item to acquire and the easiest to store. It also weighs the most and takes up the most space. The difficulties of a water storage program can be easily overlooked when you realize that in times of greatest need, water will be worth its weight in gold! Store water in sturdy, leak-proof, break-resistant containers. Consider using plastic bottles commonly used for juices and soda. Keep water containers away from heat sources and direct sunlight. You should also keep containers on pieces of wood (not on concrete and dirt).
How much water do I need?: Water is more important than food. After 3-4 days with out water, the kidneys stop functioning and the damage is irreversible. The best rule is to have 1 gallon of water per day or 14 gallons for a 2 week period per person.
How much water do we store?: We have be asked to at least store at least a 2 week supply of water (14 gallons of water per person). In addition to the culinary water, it would be wise to also store extra non-culinary or non-drinking water. This would be used for watering plants or flushing toilets when needed.
Collecting: If water comes from a good, pretreated source, then no additional purification is needed; otherwise pre-treat water before use.
Purifying: You must have the ability to purify water after your initial supply has been exhausted. The best ways to purify are: chlorine powder, filter purifiers and boiling (10-20 minutes). Chorine bleach and iodine can work but have side effects. When water is flat, flavoring can help make water better tasting. (Fruit drink mixes).
Other water storage: Some of your water requirements could be met by making use of the water in the home hot water tanks and toilet tanks. Water from a hot water tank can be obtained by opening the drain at the bottom of the tank. To get a free flow of water with the water inlet valve turned off, you may need to vent the tank by turning on a faucet somewhere on the water-line. Some hot water tanks are automatically vented. Know the location of your main incoming water valve so you can shut it off if directed by local authorities, to prevent the entrance of contaminated water. As a safety measure the gas line valve to the water heater should be turned off. Rain barrels can also be used for non-culinary water storage. I have also found plans to make a rain barrels that connect to your roof rain gutters. If you are interested, contact me.
Challenge and Family Home Evening Activities: Take the time to clean out your water barrels or containers (if over a year) and fill them up with clean water. They do us no good if they are not filled.
