With everything happening in the world, being prepared is not only prudent but also smart. You can choose to be afraid, but you will be safer, more secure, and better able to handle almost anything if you are prepared. I believe most people want to be prepared, but simply aren’t sure how to do it themselves. I want to help you!

You don’t always know what tomorrow may bring. You could be facing job loss, natural disasters, illness, or catastrophic events. Anything could happen. Facing and accepting that reality will help you to understand that being prepared is one of the wisest decisions you can ever make.

I know some of you will think that if you buy all this stuff, get organized, and be prepared, nothing will happen. That would be great if that were the case! However, it is unlikely to happen. Something is going to happen, even if it is just losing power for a few days.

So, how do you get started?

First, you should decide what you are preparing for. You will be better prepared if you know what you will be handling in the future. You may just want to prepare for natural disasters. Loss of income due to job loss may affect you. You may be affected by illness or cancer. You may think we are headed toward war or a global supply shutdown. You may think a nuclear incident is possible. Anything could potentially happen, but you can decide on what makes sense to you.

Building up 2-4 weeks of food storage is a good start, depending on what you are preparing for. Food storage is key to surviving whatever life has to throw at you. You will need to eat regardless. Food is comforting in scary situations. Hungry people become angry and make impaired decisions. Food gives us the energy to keep going. Store the food!

I have some articles to help you get started on food storage:
Three-Prong Approach to Food Storage: How to Make Sure You Are Covered For All Situations
Top 10 Items You Need For Your Food Storage
100 Shelf-Stable Foods To Store In Your Pantry/Stockpile

You cannot live three days without fluids. This has been proven so water is essential to store in the house. Ideally, you should have drinking water and non-potable water. You also need to store water for any pets in the home. Your goal should be one gallon of drinking water and two gallons of non-potable water for every person for at least seven days. I recommend storing more than that for a longer period. You can find more information in this article: Water is Vital to Your Survival! What is Your Plan?

Having a dedicated place in your home for your prepping supplies will make handling situations easier. You should keep an inventory of what you have on hand at all times, along with the date it was last checked. Checking your prepping supplies involves checking batteries, making sure everything works, and nothing has become damaged or unusable. Keeping a notebook with your supplies helps to maintain inventory and checklists. I also find it helpful to set reminders on my phone or use daylight saving time to check everything.

You can use totes and make kits for specific needs. Creating kits and keeping supplies together helps with response time and eases the situation. If you tell someone to grab the first-aid kit or the power outage kit, they should be able to find it quickly and bring it right to you. If you have a tote for flashlights or tape, they can find it and grab it quickly. Labeling the kits and totes helps you and everyone else.

If you live with others, involve them. Preparedness is easier when everyone is on board and informed. Kids will be less scared if they know what is happening and what they need to do. Practice with them regularly. If you have anxious adults, regular practice and discussion will help them, too.

Make evacuation plans and to-go bags in case you have to leave in an emergency. You will be better prepared to handle this situation if you have made plans, practiced alternative routes, and have everything ready to go by the front door. No one wants to leave their home, but situations can arise that make it necessary. Many people are caught unaware by flooding, wildfires, chemical spills, biological accidents, and explosions. Don’t be one of them. You should be ready to leave your house within fifteen minutes of evacuation orders.

Related Posts:
Evacuation Plans Part 1
Evacuation Plans Part 2

Preparedness does not have to be expensive. More than likely, you will have many of the things you need at home. You just need to organize those items or note their locations. If you need additional items, make a list and purchase them within your budget. Check out 10 Totally Free Prepping Things To Do!

One of the biggest threats to your home is fire. Having fire extinguishers, fire blankets, and baking soda can prevent a small fire from becoming a large one. The key is to keep those supplies close to the potential source, such as in the kitchen, garage, shop, basement, and near the grill or smoker. Fire escape plans also need to be developed and practiced so everyone knows where to go. Regularly maintained smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are also critical.

Security is important to being prepared. You can decide what that looks like for you, but basic home security is a must. All exterior doors should have a deadbolt and three-inch screws in the strike plate. First- and basement-level windows should have locks and, where applicable, window alarms. You should be able to lock and barricade your doors and windows if necessary. Personal protection is a personal choice, but I would strongly consider being armed. You should also teach your family not to open the door or let anyone into the house during a disaster or other event. OPSEC plays into this, too. You can help others be prepared without letting them know what you have on hand. Keep your supplies and purchases quiet.

It is my hope and wish that everyone is prepared for whatever may happen. These ten items are a good starting point for getting prepared and helping you decide the best course.

If you need more inspiration, information, or direction, I have over 700 articles on Living Life in Rural Iowa. I also have a book called The Prepper’s Yearbook that will definitely help you become more prepared!

Thanks for reading,
Erica

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