New Year...New Perspective

We are a month into 2012...the holidays have come and gone and now is time to look forward to the next few months as a time to prepare for events that are often unexpected and stressful.  We do not need to fear anything, as long as we are prepared and have faith...

The next FHE lesson go to the library...or better yet...google a first aid guide.  Review with your family basic first aid.  Talk about CPR, splints, shock, and other needs one might face in the event of an emergency.  Make a list of items that you specifically need in your family's first aid kit and locate those items. 

Sharing...

In this section, I am asking that those of you who would like too, please share your testimony of food storage and being prepared. 

A time of Reflection...

During the last couple of weeks, we have seen the forces of nature as the high winds passed through our communities.  Shingles were blown away.  Trees uprooted.  Siding ripped off houses.  Power lost.  As a community and ward we came together and helped one another in the aftermath of the winds.  During the month of December, I have reflected on how being prepared has given me the peace that is needed when hard experiences and conditions happen.  It is not that we were unable to go to the store and buy food or even that we went with water; it is that because we are prepared in that matter there is one less thing to stress over. 

If you have bought and stored the items that have been suggested over the last year, you have about nine months of basic food storage items and water.  Over the next few months we will concentrate on the last items needed for a years supply.  If you have not been able to store the items, it is never to late to start.  I know that Heavenly Father will bless you for starting your food storage.  He will bless your efforts in that cause.

In the items to be bought I have listed all the items over the last 8 posts that were suggested to buy and store.  What a great gift you can give your family...starting your years supply of food storage. 

New Additions

We have up to this point made a significant effort to concentrate this blog entirely to food storage.  Through the coming weeks and months new post with emphasize on the other areas of self reliance will be added.  Please watch for the up coming post and comment if you have any insight at all. 

October Family Home Evening

Priorities!!  What are the priorities of each of your family members.  This month talk about what is important to each member of your family.  Make a list of items that are specific to your family based on this discussion and plan to add them to your storage.  Maybe someone has allergies, or diabetes, or a specific diet that needs to be followed.  Maybe you have a baby in the family.  What items would you need to add to customize your storage. 

Take time to discuss family heirlooms, journals and other items important to your family.  If you had 10 minutes to evacuate your home what important items would you take. 

September Family Home Evening

Discuss the possibility of having a disaster such as a fire or earthquake or flood that could effect your home.  What are the precautions you would take for each such situation?  Teach your family the basics, such as standing under a door frame during an earthquake, or to crawl along the flood in a fire.  Identify escape routes and determine a place to meet outside of the home.  Practice, Practice, Practice.  Learn how to turn the utilities off...

Add a pipe wrench and crescent wrench to your storage items this month...

August Activites

Pretend a diaster has just happened in your area.  The police have come to evacuate the neighborhood.  You have 5 minutes to gather what you need to leave your home.  You have been informed that the roads are closed and you must walk to safety.  You will probably be able to return home in 2 to 3 days.  Set a timer and gather what you need.  Remember to bring only the most important items and a way to carry them.

Discuss what it would take to put together a 72 hour kit.  It does not need to be expensive.  Most of the items can be found in your own home.  It is important to store all of the items in one place, not throughout the house.  If there is an emergency it must be easy to grab and take with you.