Home Preparedness Guide

Basic Home Preparedness

Only in recent American History have we lost the basic skill of preparedness. For most of us, anything and everything we need (and moreover, don’t need) is just a short drive to the nearest mall or retail outlet. The majority of us have never faced a major crises or natural disaster that has left us to fend for our own and our loved ones for any extended period of time. Let us be thankful and hope this will always be the case, but nevertheless (as any good boy scout will tell you) BE PREPARED!

It can be extremely overwhelming to start on basic survival needs, especially with the popularity of “prepping”. We only had to watch a few episodes of prepping related TV shows to conclude that, while these shows may have something to offer, the overwhelming majority of material in these shows are exactly that: “SHOW” for shock value and ratings. The most valuable advice we have received for starting preparedness came from James Wesley Rawles book “Surviving the End of the World as we Know It” when he wrote: “survival isn’t about stuff; it’s about skills.” He further advised readers to make list of lists.

Below is our “List of Lists” that we have identified and put together for Arizona Homeowners. Each category listed has the basics components for consideration with a link to a full resource guide (list) full of information, links and third party reference. We hope this helps eliminate any hype that may have overwhelmed you and provides a practical, common sense guide in basic emergency preparedness for your home and loved ones.

1. Water | Components of Water Preparedness.

• Storage & Containers
• Purifying & Filter
• Making Water in the desert/condensation
• Emergency Drinking Water
• Hygiene & Sanitation Water Use Items
• Sources of Water in your Home
• Well Owners

For the complete Water Recourse Guide, visit Water Needs for Emergency Situations.

2. Food | Food Preparedness.

• Storage & Containers
• Methods of Preserving Food
• Preparing Food
• Emergency Food
• Replenishable Food Source

For the complete Food Recourse Guide, visit Food Needs for Emergency Situations.

3. Cooking With No Power or Running Water.

• Fire Starters
• Camping/Backpacking Stoves
• Solar Cooking
• Open flame
• Utensils
• Food Processing
• Cleaning

For the complete Cooking Supply Recourse Guide, visit Cooking Supplies for Emergency Use Applications.

4. Power Supply

• Solar Panels
• Wind Generator
• Propane
• Generators
• Gasoline & Diesel
• Batteries
• Wood
• Candles & Lanterns
• Natural Desert Cooling

For the complete Power Supply Recourse Guide, visit Power Generation & Supply for Emergency Situations..

5. First Aid

• Hand Sanitizer
• Surgical Gloves
• Surgical Masks
• Tweezers
• Thermometer
• Bandaging
• QuikClot
• First Aid Tape
• EMT Shears/Scissors
• Razor Blades
• Medication
• Waste Disposal
• Surgical Set
• Trauma Kit
• Flashlight
• Maglite
• Headlamp
• Base Camp/Mega Flashlights
• Matches/Hot Sparks
• Candles
• Kerosene Lamp

For the complete Lighting Recourse Guide, visit Backup and Emergency Lighting.

For the complete First Aid Resource Guide, visit First Aid Supplies & Training Resources.

Podcast

Daniel Green and Scott Garzuzi of R.I.M Training teach and train what to do when faced with trauma events like CPR, First Aid, active shooter, car accidents and other violent events. Preparing your survival mindset and intervention. From corporate to individuals, they discuss their business of rendering aid to survival techniques. Plus what to include in your first aid kits.

7. Basic ‘Must-Have’ Carry Items

• Hat
• Canteen
• Handkerchief
• Wrist or Pocket Watch
• Pocket Knife
• Emergency Call List
• Cash/Coins

For the complete must have guide, visit Basic ‘Must-Have’ Items.

8. Entertainment

• Board Games
• Recreational Books
• Playing Cards
• Musical Instruments
• Art Supplies

Non-Electronic Entertainment & Recreation.

9. Education/Training | Make a Plan!

• Red Cross Training
• CERT Classes
• Practice a ‘power out’ weekend.
• Recommended Books & Pamphlets

Complete Education & Training Guide.

10. Vehicle Kit

• Jumper Cables
• Tire Repair/patch kit
• Food
• Water
• Bio Bags
• Extra Gas / Fill up at ½ tank.
• First Aid Kit
• Road Flares

Complete Vehicle Preparedness Checklist.

11. Small Children

• Baby Food/Formula
• Diapers/Wipes
• Baby Meds
• Pets

12. Cash/Currency and Barter Items

• One should have cash in small bills.
• Gold/Silver as much as one can afford buy small coins and silver coins
• Coffee Bean and hank crank grinder
• Cigarettes (shrink wrapped 4 pcs in pac)
• Liquor (all brands in "pocket shot" one oz shot)
• Batteries (all sizes shrink wrapped)
• Baby Wipes
• Ammo (an Caliber size)
• Can openers
• Water bottles ( 8oz )
• Canned food
• Soap
• Candles / Matches

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