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Clever and Survival Uses for Plastic Wrap/Sheeting:

Many everyday objects around the house are helpful for prepping, survival and alternative purposes for which they were not intended. One such ordinary household item is plastic wrap. From kitchen wrap to stretch wrap ("clinging" or "stretching" properties) or heavier plastic sheeting, there are an incredible number of uses. Use your imagination. Always have a roll nearby.

Keep air and moisture out and body heat in by wrapping torso, limbs and feet to preserve body heat and stay dry

Collect rain

Build a Solar Still

Shelter - Covering to make a temporary rain-proof shelter or cover an existing shelter

Water container - Fashion a makeshift container to hold water

Fire starter - Use the makeshift water container to act as a magnifying glass or light it with a match as an accelerant

Waterproof gear

Cordage - TWISTING plastic wrap into a rope makes it extremely strong.

First Aid - cover a wound, make a sling or tourniquet

Ground covering from wet and cold

Winterizing Windows and Doors

Signalling for help or trail marking - it's fairly reflective to attract attention.

Vehicle hose repair

Tool Handle Grip - tool that feels slippery; wrap plastic wrap around the handle of the tool a few times for better grip.

Wrap the ends of your bananas in plastic wrap to slow down the ripening process

Keep items together and in place by placing and wrapping them in a sheet of wrap

Ice cream freezer burn prevention - cover the surface of the ice cream

Shelf liner

Cover to protect surfaces from spills

Cover to protect electronic devices

Covers for open containers

Prevent mixing splatters by covering the mixing container while mixing

Make a travel cup out of any container - cover opening with wrap and stick drinking straw through it

Cover liquid containers under lids to prevent spills and evaporation

Wrap paint rollers and brushes to keep them from drying out between uses.

Wrap Gifts in lots of Plastic Wrap For A Good Laugh

Line dishes with plastic wrap for easy cleanup. Throw away the plastic wrap when the food is over.

Fruit Fly Trap - Puncture small holes in a cover over a small saucer or container containing vinegar or fruit to attract and trap them.

Resources:    [Article 1]    [Article 2]    [Article 3]    [Article 4]    [Images] [Reference Link]

[11-Cs Basic Emergency Kit] [14-Point Emergency Preps Checklist] [Immediate Steps to Take When Disaster Strikes] [Learn to be More Self-Sufficient] [The Ultimate Preparation] [P4T Main Index]

Learn to be More Self-Sufficient:

Consider this: Living things, like humans, consume food and water to survive. When we can no longer buy what we need to survive, will we revert to savagery, die or peacefully and lawfully raise and gather our own? With each passing day, the world gets crazier and more volatile. In a serious national or global food shortage, where will you get your food when your sources and stockpile have been depleted? When that last "straw" breaks the camel's back, don't be caught unprepared.

Pillars of Preparedness

Upon these Pillars of Preparedness, we build our fortress against the unknown. Let the storms rage and the world tremble; with these pillars as our foundation, we shall stand unshakable, unbreakable, and unbowed. For in preparedness lies not just survival, but the chance to thrive in the face of adversity. So let us raise these pillars high, and stand tall upon them—for the future belongs to those who are prepared. 1 - Water and Food, are the bedrock of survival. Learn to harness the power of the earth through gardening and permaculture, ensuring a bountiful harvest even in the leanest of times. Master the art of water collection and purification, for when the taps run dry, the prepared shall still quench their thirst. And when the wild calls, the skill of foraging will be your compass, guiding you to nature’s hidden treasures. 2 - Food Storage and Preservation. A well-stocked pantry is a bulwark against hunger, so stockpile with wisdom and strategy. But food is fleeting, so we must also wield the tools of preservation—canning, drying, and freezing—to stretch the bounty of today into the scarcity of tomorrow. And through diligent rotation, we keep our stores ever-ready, ever-fresh. 3 - Medical Preparedness and First Aid are our shield against the ravages of injury and disease. With first aid training, we become the calm in the center of the storm, ready to mend the broken and heal the sick. We turn to the wisdom of the earth, harnessing the power of natural remedies to fortify our bodies and minds. And with meticulously crafted emergency medical kits, we stand ever-ready to face the unexpected. 4 - Home Safety, Security, and Communications are our castle walls against the chaos outside. We fortify our homes, making them impregnable to those who would do us harm. In a world where the grid may falter, we ensure our lines of communication stand strong and true. And in an economy shaken to its core, we forge new paths, mastering the art of bartering and alternative exchange. 5 - Energy Independence and Grid Resilience are our beacons in the darkness. We harness the power of the sun, the wind, and the earth itself, crafting a web of alternative energy that cannot be broken. We shield our precious electronics against the specter of EMP, ensuring our lifelines stand firm. And through the art of conservation, we stretch our energy reserves to their utmost, making each precious drop count. 6 - Community and Emotional Support is the mortar that binds all the others together. In times of strife, we turn inward, mastering the arts of stress management and mindfulness to weather the tempest within. We forge unbreakable bonds with our families, learning to communicate and cooperate like a well-oiled machine. And we reach outward, building networks of support and exchange with our neighbors, for in unity there is strength. It is not enough to hoard food and water and supplies. They won't last forever. Applying methods to self-replenish these resources are necessary for anyone serious about emergency planning. LEARN TO: Plant a Garden Raise (and butcher) Livestock Collect (harvest) Rainwater Hunt, Fish and Trap Identify Plants and Forage for, and Gather, Wild Edible Plants Learn Food Preservation Skills Learn How to Tie Different Kinds of Knots Learn First Aid and CPR Stop Buying and Start Making/Growing Find Natural Water Sources Make Bad Water Drinkable Build a Fire Build a Survival Shelter from Scratch Think Outside the Box for Solutions Barter with your skills or extra supplies Make Your Own Personal Care and House Cleaning Supplies Learn Basic Carpentry Make Your Own Clothes Reload Ammunition Use 365+ Preparedness/Self-Reliance/Survival Skills/Tips Defend Youself Properly Use a Firearm Defeat Mediocrity - Pursue a Strenuous Life Begin NOW to be less reliant on technology and commercial suppliers. Do It Yourself (DIY). Become Self-Reliant. Related Resources: Two Weeks Survival Challenge Never Stop Learning New Skills Things I Wish I Had Known BEFORE I Started Prepping Get Drinking Water from the Air, Ground and Undrinkable Water The Self Sufficient Backyard NO GRID Survival Projects (Book Details) [Author's Reference Link]

[11-Cs Basic Emergency Kit] [14-Point Emergency Preps Checklist] [Immediate Steps to Take When Disaster Strikes] [Learn to be More Self-Reliant] [The Ultimate Preparation] [P4T Main Index]

Scavenging Survival Items from Abandoned Vehicles:

No post-apocalyptic movie is complete without the stripped hulks of a few cars and trucks lying around. But modern everyday life is no different. Useful things can come from any abandoned vehicle such as tools, wiring, tires, battery, fuels, mirrors, and the body itself (for shelter and projects). In a serious emergency, your car, or an abandoned one, may become the victim and life saver. Just for safety's sake, make very sure a vehicle is truly abandoned before you get your pliers out and start ripping bits off. Once you're certain nobody's coming back for it, though, start scavenging. Bicycles and motorcycles; any vehicles, are also up for grabs. Resources: [Article 1]    [Article 2]    [Article 3]    [Video] Related Resources: Preparing Your Vehicle for an Emergency Staying Safe While Driving or a Vehicle Breakdown [Author's Reference Link]

[11-Cs Basic Emergency Kit] [14-Point Emergency Preps Checklist] [Immediate Steps to Take When Disaster Strikes] [Learn to be More Self-Sufficient] [The Ultimate Preparation] [P4T Main Menu]

Beekeeping: The Sweetest Hobby of All in Maintaining a Renewable Food Source:

The hobby of beekeeping, also called apiculture, got started on a wide scale in the United States during World War II when sugar was tightly rationed. For many, during this time, what started out as a hobby burgeoned into a cottage industry. It was a very practical pursuit too because the whole family could pitch in, even the smaller children. Today, beekeeping has become one of the fastest growing hobbies in the United States. Further, some professional beekeepers started out as a small-time hobbyist but then grew into a full-time business because, not only can the honey be sold, but the wax as well and the bees as they multiply -- and bees are very good at multiplying! These are also good for Bartering. And bees can be raised in urban settings (on rooftops) as well as the country. Resources: Beekeeping for Beginners Honey Bee Hive Supplies on Amazon.com Honey: One of the Best foods to have in the Emergency Food Pantry for Health and Sweetening Benefits of Honey Note From Dad [Reference Link]

[11-Cs Basic Emergency Kit] [14-Point Emergency Preps Checklist] [Immediate Steps to Take When Disaster Strikes] [Learn to be More Self-Sufficient] [The Ultimate Preparation] [P4T Main Index]

NOTICE: Contents of this blog have been gathered from sources believed to be reliable but should not be considered authoritative. You are solely responsible for your own actions on how you use this information. Do your own research on topic(s) included.

Dining Under the Sun and Stars:

When we do not have a stove to heat with wood or turn on with the flip of a switch, we have to find a way to cook. Additionally, using natural cooking solutions saves money and reduces dependence on "the grid". Our ancestors found a way to cook . . . even in winter. These Videos, Podcasts and articles explain how to cook good healthy food for a fraction of the cost of conventional cooking methods. DUTCH OVEN COOKING: There is something nostalgic about Dutch oven cooking over an open flame. The smell, the feel and the taste of this experience cannot be replicated by any other method of cooking. The Dutch oven brings out that warm feeling of being “home” regardless of where I may be in the world. As I huddle around the fire ring with my group, preparing our meal, the Dutch oven becomes part of my extended family. Dutch Oven Cooking Video Tutorial Dutch Ovens on Amazon.com SOLAR OVEN COOKING: When we do not have a stove we can heat with wood or turn on with the flip of a switch, we have to find a way to cook. Our ancestors found a way . . . In these Podcasts and Videos Learn:

How to harness the power of the sun to cook, dehydrate, purify water and be better prepared for emergencies.

How to never have to worry about burning dinner again.

How to use a SUN OVEN to naturally dehydrate fruits and vegetables, and enhance winter sprouting.

How to reduce your utility bills and the amount of fuel you need to store for emergency preparedness while helping families in deforested developing countries around the world.

Everything you need to know about using a SUN OVEN to bake, boil and steam foods. See how practical and easy it is to cook in a SUN OVEN and discover the many economic, health and environmental benefits of cooking with the sun.

Cook in the middle of winter and get out of the hot kitchen in summer. [Recipes and How-to Videos] [Solar Oven Cooking]    [Let's Cook with the Sun!] [Comparison of Solar Ovens/Cookers] [Solar Ovens on Amazon.com]

PRIMITIVE COOKING: Learning to cook with a campfire, without man-made utensils, can be one of the most relaxing and rewarding experiences. Whether you're camping or in an actual emergency situation, common primitive cooking methods are skills worth knowing. The first skills necessary, however, are knowing how to start and build a fire. Then choose the primitive cooking method appropriate for the situation, available resources and weather.

Ash Cooking: Gather the food and large, live, non-poisonous plant leaves (preferably edible with stems or vines still attached). Slowly let the fire die while flattening the hot coals (but not burning with flames). Wrap the food in the leaves, using the stem/vine to hold it together. Place the food onto the coals. Use a stick to move some hot coals over top of the food so it can cook on both sides.

Broiling: Unless a pan is available, make something that can hold the food over the fire without it falling in. Strong, live, non-poisonous branches fashioned into a basket-weave pattern may do. Then lay the food on the boiler to cook. Flip the food as needed to cook thoroughly.

Hot Stone Cooking: Use a flat surface rock no less that one inch thick. Make sure the rock is clean but dry. Heat the rock on coals or over the fire until hot to touch. Place the food on the rock to cook.

Plank Cooking: Best woods for making planks are poplar, cedar, and oak; not conifers (pines). Cut into planks or rounds large enough for your food and cook similar to Hot Stone Cooking.

Steam Pit Cooking: Wrap food in large leaves, as with ash cooking. Dig a pit in the ground a foot to two feet deep. Line the bottom of it with hot coals. Place the food on top of the coals and then cover it with the earth you dug up. Allow it to sit for at least a couple of hours (even small food will take a while to cook this way). Then dig it up, and dig in!

Spit Cooking: Like a whole chicken spinning slowly on a rotisserie, that's spit cooking. Bury two "Y"-shaped (the top of a K is a better shape for pounding into the ground) branches, one on each side near the fire. Another straight, non-poisonous, hard-wood branch will pass through the food and hang on the two "Y"-shaped branches. Secure the food with non-poisonous vines or twine so it doesn't fall off as it cooks and turns. Turn the food occasionally to cook completely.

Clay Cooking: Wrap food in large leaves, as when ash cooking. Dig far enough into the ground and you'll, usually, find clay. Make sure that the area you dig wasn't once the place of toxic chemicals. Pack the clay around the food, in an even layer, to promote even cooking. Lay the clay-covered package over hot coals and allow it to cook. The time of cooking will depend on not only the size of the food being cooked, but also the thickness of the clay.

Shovel Skillet: Most backpackers and bug-out-bags will carry a small, foldable shovel to dig a latrine, fire pit or cover fire coals to put out a fire. A Not-So-Primitive cooking method is using a shovel as a skillet when no pots, pans or griddle are available. The metal shovel is excellent for cooking meats, veggies and breads. The [usual] long handle, makes it convenient to maneuver the food in and around the fire for different temperatures.

Makeshift Cooking Tools help with the cooking process. A Rake or Pitchfork can be used as skewers for roasting meats. A metal fork can be repurposed into a pan handle by poking holes in a metallic can in line with the fork tines, inserting the tines into the holes then bending the tines in an alternating pattern. This provides a safe, sturdy handle to move the can of food in and around the fire.

[Campfire Cooking Tips 1]    [Campfire Cooking Tips 2] [Campfire Cooking Tips 3]    [Campfire Cooking Tips 4] Related Resources: Cook a Raw Egg, in its Shell, in Campfire Ashes Boiling Water in a Leaf, Paper Cup or Plastic Bottle Uses For Wood Ashes Cooking and Heating With a Wood Stove Checklist and Essential Tips for Campers [Author's Reference Link]

[11-Cs Basic Emergency Kit] [14-Point Emergency Preps Checklist] [Immediate Steps to Take When Disaster Strikes] [Learn to be More Self-Sufficient] [The Ultimate Preparation] [P4T Main Index]

How to Survive an Active Shooting Encounter:

High anxiety is today's normal and public shootings are no longer unusual. We must constantly practice Situational Awareness and Pre-Attack Indicators (pay attention to what, and who, is going on around you). Learn to react properly (don't panic) to an Active Shooting Encounter. If this happens to you, Run or Hide or Fight. Read on for details and watch the video from DHS. This training video, from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), demonstrates possible actions to take if confronted with an active shooter scenario. The instructive video reviews the choices of evacuating, hiding, or, as an option of last resort, challenging the shooter. The video also describes how to assist authorities once law enforcement enters the scene. VIDEO SYNOPSIS: How to Respond When an Active Shooter is in Your Vicinity: Quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life: 1. Run (Evacuate). If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the premises. Be sure to:

Devise an escape route and plan NOW. Wherever you go, be aware of Marked Exits

If possible, help others escape but evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow

Leave your belongings behind

Discourage individuals from entering an area where the active shooter may be located

Do not attempt to move wounded people

Follow the instructions of police officers

Keep your hands visible and empty so police don't mistake you for the perpetrator

Call 911 when it is safe to do so

2. Hide. If evacuation is not possible, find a safe place to hide where the active shooter is less likely to find you. Your hiding place should:

Be out of the active shooter’s view

Provide protection if shots are fired in your direction (i.e., a room with a closed and locked door)

Not trap you or restrict your options for movement. To hinder an active shooter from entering your hiding place: lock or blockade the door with heavy furniture.

If the active shooter is nearby:

Lock or barricade the door

Silence your cell phone and/or pager. Turn off any source of noise (i.e., radios, televisions).

Hide behind large items (i.e., cabinets, desks)

Remain quiet

If evacuation and hiding out are not possible:

Remain calm

Dial 911, if possible, to alert police to the active shooter’s location

If you cannot speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen and trace the call

3. Fight (Take action against the active shooter). As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter by:

Acting as aggressively as possible against him/her (keep in mind that this person has nothing to lose so fight as if your life depends on it)

Yelling, throwing items, and improvising weapons

Committing to your actions

OTHER RESOURCES: Personal Preparation to Stop a Mass Shooter Training to Stop an Active Shooter DHS Active Shooter Preparedness Resources and Companion Video Strategies to Escape an Active Shooter Typical Psychological Profile of a Terrorist (October 2023) [Video] Firearms Training for Personal Defense Building a Personal Defense Strategy Moral Decay (NOT Guns) = Increased Violence & Mass Shootings Bullet-Proof Clothing, Body Armor and Accessories School Safety Training for Our Children You Have the Right to Remain Silent [Author's Reference Link]

[11-Cs Basic Emergency Kit] [14-Point Emergency Preps Checklist] [Immediate Steps to Take When Disaster Strikes] [Learn to be More Self-Sufficient] [The Ultimate Preparation] [P4T Main Index]

Learn Self-Sufficiency Skills Blacksmithing and Welding:

Blacksmithing and welding are just two of many different types of metalworking that people do today. They're quite different professions, but have very much in common. As a matter of fact ancient blacksmiths were pioneers of modern welding. In the old days, the blacksmith was like our "engineer" of his time. He needed to make precise tools for his community from the farmer to the hunter and trapper to the doctor and others. Some of the basic tools of the trade are: Forge, Coal, Anvil, several kinds/sizes of Tongs, several kinds/sizes of Hammers and Protective Clothing. The ability to manipulate metals has always been the mainstay to survivability. Learning this skill will help yourself to make tools you need as well as becoming a bartering skill for off-grid trading. Knowing how to forge weld is an essential technique and an invaluable skill for a blacksmith. It came from the necessity to integrate little pieces of metal to form a larger piece of metal. In an emergency off road situation or when there is no AC power, knowing how to weld with batteries can be a very useful skill using 12v batteries as Spot (or Arc) Welder with Jumper Cables and Carbon Rods [Video]    [Article & Video] Related Resources: Learn to Weld with a 12v Battery, Jumper Cables and Carbon Rod Learn Blacksmithing Trade School vs. College Discover Your Passion and Find Your Place in this World

[11-Cs Basic Emergency Kit] [14-Point Emergency Preps Checklist] [Immediate Steps to Take When Disaster Strikes] [Learn to be More Self-Sufficient] [The Ultimate Preparation] [P4T Main Index]

NOTICE: Contents of this blog have been gathered from sources believed to be reliable but should not be considered authoritative. You are solely responsible for your own actions on how you use this information. Do your own research on topic(s) included.

Edible Landscaping - What Is It, How to Design It and What Plants to Choose:

Edible landscaping refers to mixing food plants in with your ornamental ones, to create a setting that is not only visually appealing, but productive as well. This post will provide suggestions for How to Design It and What Plants to Choose. Edible landscapes are nothing new, with the Ancient Egyptians being one of the first to create gardens featuring flowers, grape vines, and fruit trees, mixed with seating areas where one could enjoy the scenery. In the 10th century, the rose gardens that were sprinkled with fragrant herbs became a signature creation of Benedictine monks. Examples include:

Using different types of loose-leaf lettuce as border plants

Creating a hedge from blueberries or currants, rather than unproductive shrubs

Replacing non-edible trees with fruit trees

Using tomato plants or grape vines, instead of conventional climbing vines to cascade over a trellis

Having pots and baskets of colorful, fragrant herbs, rather than non-edible flowers

Incorporating striking vegetables, such as Swiss chard and pak choi, into flower beds

Using strawberries, thyme and mint as ground cover

Related Resources: How to Plan and Get Your Garden Started Design Suggestions and What Plants to Choose YouTube Videos Edible Landscaping by Rosalind Creasy Trees that are Edible from Root to Tip 20 Plants to Grow for Calcium Benefits of Owning a Greenhouse [Author's Reference Link]

[14-Point Emergency Preps Checklist] [Basic Emergency Kit] [Immediate Steps to Take When Disaster Strikes] [Learn to be More Self-Sufficient] [The Ultimate Preparation] [P4T Main Index]