Save Yourself: Skippy’s compilation of tips to keep your family alive WHEN the terrorists attack, page 4

Skippy,

Good post. Terrorist or no terrorist, having emergency supplies in your home and car is not a bad idea. I'm sure those that mocked you will be the first to try and steal what they need when hard times come. If there had never been a 9/11 or terrorists, having a few simple items would still be a good idea. In fact is is just plain irresponsible not to have them. Even in the event of a protracted power outage these supplies would come in handy.

Problem is many people seem to think that taking care of there basic needs is either the government’s responsibility or someone else’s. They seem to believe someone else will always be there for them. That’s a reasonable expectation if you are a dependant child, but utter nonsense it you’re an adult. If you have children you are responsible for it’s downright criminal to not at least have what you might need to care for your family in a natural disaster.

It does not matter where you live either (I’m referring to the US as it’s my point of reference). East coast = hurricanes, storm surges, nor’easters and killer floods. Middle America = tornadoes, hailstorms and floods. Rocky Mountain States = Blizzards, spring floods, wildfires and windstorms. West Coast = Earthquakes, volcanoes, wildfires, tsunami’s and terrible rain storms. Alaska = Volcanoes, tsunamis, earthquakes and killer winter storms. And I am sure; many other possibilities. Ask yourself, if there is a power outage tomorrow and they tell you that it may last for a week or more, how will you care for your children, families and elderly?

I spent a few years in a small isolated mountain town in Idaho. I received a real lesson in just how naïve I was about these things. Once or twice every winter the valley would get snowed in for a couple of days and on rare occasion a week or so. The town had two grocery stores. By day three the shelves are empty of anything useful. The gasoline and nearly every other type of available fuel including coal was gone by day 2. Just keeping warm turned into a full time job.

I now keep basic supplies for about two weeks at all times. I assume there will be no electricity or fuel available. My little survival kit fits in the pantry and a corner of the garage and cost very little. It has already paid off once and I have no doubt I’ll need it again. During a three day power outage, while everyone else sat in the dark and went without heat, we were very comfortable and had light, heat and hot food. You don’t understand how important those things are until they are not available.