[Lylac]

With all the recent storms, tornados/blizzards all over the place, it got me to thinking "am I prepared" if a disaster hit my family.

My answer was no. So my misson is to get prepared as well as can be. We all work so hard to protect our kids, making sure they are fed, have medical attention etc.. etc.. And with the addition of our newest baby, being medically prepared has taken on a whole new meaning. With my other two, if for some reason I couldn't get them their meds, it wouldn't pose a threat to their health. In other words they wouldn't die.

But with A, just not having enough water, could become critical for her.

I'm not talking about being prepared for a few days, I'm talking Lord forbid two weeks, a month or more. And it could happen..just watch the news.

So how would you make sure that your ready...just incase?

[missw005]

It's funny that you say this, Lylac!

Have you ever seen the movie "Day After Tomorrow" with Dennis Quaid? It's about a climate shift in the world, which notably brings on a new ice age.
Here's what freaked me out: in almost EVERY "disaster" movie, either the people in California/West Coast or people in New York/East Coast die first. Whether it's horrific earthquakes, blistering heat, tsunamis, volcanoes exploding, whatever.......us folks in the upper Midwest (especially Minnesota where we live) are usually pretty safe. We have a large amount of fresh water to drink, it's not overly weatheriffic (hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, etc.), and our population is pretty spread out so there's no overcrowding.
But when I saw "the Day After Tomorrow" I COMPLETELY freaked out - the upper Midwestern states DIED FIRST!!!!! When the climate shifted and the ice age started, the northerners especially were Goners.
And I really began to think, "what WOULD we do?" How would I keep us warm? It's naturally cold already 6 months out of the year - half of those well below zero. We have a gas fireplace that runs without electricity, but how long would the gas last? What about food? I am a bit of a saver....my freezer and cupboards are pretty full - but cake mix won't keep you alive! And what about water? I suppose we could melt the snow outside, but then you're braving the elements to get water.....
Aaaaaaaacccccccckkkkkkkkkkkkk!

Yes, I am one of those freakish people that really worries (read: obsesses) about this stuff. And for some reason, this movie just about drove me crazy for a few weeks!
But did I make any major preparations? Well........no. I thought up some really good plans (aka: how we can survive, living in the living room by the fireplace), but like you, haven't quite realistically thought about all of our meds (though our insurance won't allow us to get more than a month's worth at a time) and other stuff (like where would I put the used toilet paper? ewwww)

So I guess I'm unprepared like most people. But at least I have an obsessive plan!

Sandy

[CoryEllen]

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, aka the "Mormons" and for us, emergency preparedness is almost a commandment. The Church is widely recognized as an authority on emergency preparedness. We are advised to have a year's worth of food and water stored, and 72 hour portable emergency kits including medications etc. Check out my church's website Provident Living Home for information on water purification, lists, and kits, etc.

I have a generator for power, which I got at Costco for less than $300, and gasoline stored as well. We once had to go without power for 6 days in a bad snowstorm, the generator saved our lives, and all the food in the fridge! We promptly bought a house with a wood burning fireplace so we can keep warm even if there is a disruption in natural gas. Every time I use a 2 liter bottle of soda, I refill it with water to store. You can also buy big blue 55 gallon water jugs for around $40 each.

I understand completely how you feel. Being a mom really makes us think harder about that stuff!