The Awesome Outdoors

Just do it

When prepping for anything from a snow storm to a natural disaster, it’s easy to get overwhelmed if you try to do it all at once.  The trick, according to The Seattle Times is to do it in segments.

Disaster, even one experienced through a television screen, has a way of sharpening the mind. And the recent cascade of hurricanes, forest fires and earthquakes has reminded many Americans that there is no time like the present to think about all the things that could go wrong.

“We’re not going to get it done this week. But let’s say, over this year, let’s take one step at a time.”- Diane Thomson

Companies that sell emergency supplies like freeze-dried food, water barrels and survival packs say sales are up, and not just to people preparing for an imminent event. Customers are calling from all along the Eastern Seaboard and on the West Coast, too, worried about forest fires, earthquakes and the threat of nuclear war with North Korea.

How to get started

The best time to prepare is when the sky is clear and your weekend is free. But readying for the unknown can feel like a daunting and costly task — and one easily shelved. To make it more manageable, weave emergency planning into your everyday life, chipping away at the long to-do list.

What to have

At the very least, families should keep an emergency kit on hand. Generally, you’ll be dealing with one of two scenarios: the need to evacuate or to shelter in place. To make a speedy exit, pack a backpack full of supplies for each family member. To safely stay put, you’ll need enough provisions to sustain your household for at least 72 hours.

Either way, you’ll need items like clothes, water, food, flashlights, batteries, a portable radio, cash, a first-aid kit and medicine. Keep a paper copy of important names, phone numbers and addresses. Items like baby wipes, work gloves and a multipurpose tool may also help.

Discuss an emergency response plan with your family. Decide where to meet if you have to leave your home. Select a friend or relative to be the point person to call if you become separated.

And remember, emergency supplies need to be updated. Children outgrow clothes and medications expire. Warmer months call for different supplies than colder ones. Refresh your emergency kit as part of your spring and fall cleaning routine.

Diane Thomson, a professional organizer and life coach, suggests preparing in stages, to avoid getting overwhelmed. “We’re not going to get it done this week,” she says. “But let’s say, over this year, let’s take one step at a time.”

One way you can break this down is by weeks.

Week 1 - Water Filters and Fire Starters

Week 2 - EDC Gear

Week 3 - Survival Gear and First Aid Equipment

Read Full Article at The Seattle Times.