Suffer in Comfort – Winter Home Preparedness
by Ken and Cyndi Hoagland -
With the advent of beautiful fall weather and looking toward the coming cold
winter months, we want to consider some of the Emergency Preparedness
needs that are unique to colder climates.
Since many of our wonderful friends and neighbors are like us, and have moved
to this area from states that typically have warmer weather throughout the year
(i.e. California, Florida, Georgia, etc.) some of these items may be new to your
list of “must haves” in your emergency supplies. These ideas were shared at an
Emergency Preparedness fireside presented by Timothy Woolf. He used the idea of
“Suffer in Comfort” for the visual image of why some of these ideas would make
us able to endure something like a major earthquake in relative comfort.
1. Clorox Bleach is often stored to be used as a purifier for water; however,
Clorox is only 5% chlorine and 95% something else. 50% to 70% of the actual
chlorine is gone within 6 months, and 100% of the chlorine has evaporated
away by one year. A better solution is to purchase and store small containers
of powdered chlorine – which can be purchased at pool or spa stores. 1/8th
of a teaspoon will purify a 55 gallon drum of water.
2. Because windows often break in earthquakes, it is recommended that we
purchase 2 or 3 rolls (25 yds each) of 6 mm clear plastic. You will need duct
tape – a staple gun – small nails, etc. to attach the plastic, and one sheet
should be put on the inside of the window, with another on the exterior of the
window. As the plastic tears (and it will because of wind, snow) just add
another piece over the existing one, building up the plastic which will form a
good solid barrier from winter weather.
3. Obtain a good quality kerosene Heater – a K1 rating is best. A 23,000 BTU
kerosene heater will heat up to 2,000 square feet of space. You should also
have on hand a kerosene cook top which can be used both indoors and
outdoors (but do not use a stove as a heater because it gives off carbon
monoxide and over several hours it could be hazardous to your family). If you
have 2 – 55 gallon drums of kerosene on hand it will get you through the winter.
Kerosene MUST be stored in a dry place as moisture will cause it to break
down.
4. A solar generator is another good idea – one that is 1500 watts has
enough energy to run any appliance in your home. Although you could only
run one appliance at a time – at least you could rotate them and be able to
maintain most appliances.
5. A small solar battery charger will allow you to keep small, hand held
items fully usable.
6. A solar oven is a terrific item, and at about $260 dollars, it will enable
you to bake bread and other items throughout any emergency. Because
we get great sun here, even in the winter months a solar oven will heat to
350 degrees very easily.
7. A propane burning portable shower can be purchased at sporting good
stores or on-line, and will provide HOT showers for your family. 22 green
canisters of propane will produce enough hot water for one shower each
day for a year.
8. A hand turned tumble clothes washer is a great find. When you add
detergent and hand-crank the washer – spinning it for about 10 minutes, out
come clean clothes. The cost is about $50 and these can be found on-line .
. . just google “wonderwash”.
That’s enough for now. Some of these were new ideas to us and we are
hoping they will be useful ideas for you. If anyone has unique or different
emergency supplies we could share with others – please let us know and
we will use our “block coordinators” to get that information out to everyone.
We think it is important that we all prepare ourselves to “Suffer in Comfort”
in the face of any emergency.
Ken and Cyndi Hoagland
