summary of issues

1) Water

2) Food

3) Warmth

4) Medications

5) Sanitation

6) Protection

7) Power

8) Communication

Since we have a goodly bit of new members I thought I would throw out the big 7 we have addressed here over the course of time.

I wonder if we should have a room for the BIG issues so that we can keep the information organized.  I can move items that show up elsewhere to master threads if we create a dedicated room.

What do y'all think out there???  I think we should make it as easy to find information as possible but we are an unorganized bunch.

As an example I saw someone post that we could flush our toilets with buckets of water if water & power was out.  This is true only if two things are in place 1) If you have an independent septic system.  2) If you are on public sewer the power must be on or a generator in place at all the pumping stations.  Otherwise you can't flush and sewage will be backing up into your tubs, toilets & sinks.

People don't normally know this unless they have lived through an extended civil emergency where the pumping station generators have run out of fuel.  This is something that we need to know so that we can be prepared for it.  The information is here on this site but it is buried and so would probably be missed. 

oh news to me..ok cause I was the one that posted that

 

watch out fish tanks..lol...I have a big back yard so I will have to bury then..I will now start to save the handle bags...

Edited by muskrat

I was wondering if anyone has bought additional fire extingushers for their homes? i know a lot of people already have one in their house but I was wondering if anyone thinks it's a good idea to buy more . If there is a pandemic , there may not be a fire department to put out any home fires.  Luckily, I have never had a fire before. I've seen the demonstartion of how to use a fire extinguisher and all that, but I've never had to use one.  How effective are they at putting out home fires? are they only good for SMALL fires that are just beginning?
Obviously, they won't do any good once your entire house is in flames, but  does anyone think it's a good idea to buy a bunch and hope to be able to put out home fires if it comes down to that??

Zoe, I think to organize the postings would be GREAT. If you can start the thread, maybe we can stay on topic with our posts.

I know I am bad to get out in left field.

jackson wrote: I was wondering if anyone has bought additional fire extingushers for their homes? i know a lot of people already have one in their house but I was wondering if anyone thinks it's a good idea to buy more . If there is a pandemic , there may not be a fire department to put out any home fires.  Luckily, I have never had a fire before. I've seen the demonstartion of how to use a fire extinguisher and all that, but I've never had to use one.  How effective are they at putting out home fires? are they only good for SMALL fires that are just beginning? Obviously, they won't do any good once your entire house is in flames, but  does anyone think it's a good idea to buy a bunch and hope to be able to put out home fires if it comes down to that??

Story time.  I was frying tortillas one time and walked away from the grease for a minute or so.  When I returned, it was on fire. It had also caught the range hood above the stove on fire as well.  It was by no means, small.  I grabbed the fire extinguisher from under the sink and it did put out the fire but it kept coming back where there was still grease.  I ended up using the whole extinguisher to get the fire out and had to move the grease because it wouldnt stay out.  

I grabbed the pan and carefully headed for the door (about 4 feet away) and chucked it out the door.  I coated my entire right hand and some of my arm in the hot grease.  (Gimme a break, I think I was 16). It didnt hurt right away but the pain was really unbearable later on.

In case of burns, you may want to have silvadine or some other excellent burn cream because my hand and arm were a horribly blistered, discolored and burnt mess for a good two months. 

I dont know why, but burns cause infections REALLY fast, so the moral of the story is to make sure you have at least one extinguisher on hand and check it's "charge" periodically.  I personally have two extinguishers. 

 

Sophia; I think organizing would be a great idea! But whatever happened to the homeschooling thread we used to have?

Meewee

I think a dedicated room would be great! It would allow anyone who is looking for specific info to find it at a glance!

Meewee

how about crucial preparations?

Library