The little birds...

If you watch little birds you will see they are busy and happy! Using whatever they can find they create the most gorgeous little nest.
I would be the little bird with some glittery thread in her nest!
We can be like this. Happily working away with the things that are available to us to create a beautiful and happy home.
All the while with a little song in our heart.

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Sunday 29 January 2017

Pantries and Preparedness. Your emergency action plan.

I don't know about you but in a crisis I am better if I am busy doing things that will help and if I have a plan.  We are all different but many of us hit with a looming event will kind of freeze and wonder what to do first.  I think it is a real thing that when we have a panic response we do not necessarily think so clearly.  So before an event is the time to plan. Then we are thinking straight and have plenty of time.

Now not all disasters are kind enough to give us a warning. But many do. And thanks to technology and communication we can be fortunate to have several days or even more notice of many things such as an approaching cyclone, hurricane etc.  So we would be crazy not to use this time to our advantage!

Having a plan means we can achieve such a lot in a short space of time. Our plan will come in handy for many times but we need to think about what is the most likely crisis in our area.
At the farm this is really a bushfire.  A lot of planning and actions go into that.
Here, for us, it is either a heatwave where the power goes out or a storm and power loss.
I am going to share my plan and aim to improve it and hope that you will develop a good plan for your household.

(Throughout this post I am sharing some preparedness pictures that have come in, thank you everyone who has written and sent photos!)


This is Jane's beautiful old cabinet full of her preserves. Lovely!




My plan is written so that I have several days of actions, assuming we have a warning that gives us this kind of time.
I also have highlighted parts of it that I can do quickly in the event that we do not have a warning and just have to do what we can as fast as we can.
Also my plan takes into account what we already have... we have batteries, gas, fuel, food  and many other things in place already. This in itself is a big time saver.  If you don't have any of these they will need to be on your action plan.  Honestly, the more we have in place the easier it will be.

First actions:

Make a list and grocery shop.
Get my laundry washed and dry.
If summer: turn the temperature of my fridge down a bit lower.
                   Fill every gap in the freezer with bottles of water.
                   Fill every gap in Mums freezers with containers of water.
(this keeps them frozen solid for a lot longer if the power goes out. If the worst happens and the power is out several days or longer at least you have cold drinking water for quite a few days and it may be the only cold drink you have)
Fill cars with fuel.
Check gas cylinders and fill.
Fill prescriptions if needed.
Warn family so they can be preparing.
If a storm is coming clean gutters, secure things, put things away.
Fully charge everything... phones, iPad, fan etc.


Hours before:
If winter: Fill thermo's with hot water for hot drinks.
Get out torches/flashlights etc.
Set up generator so it's on standby.
Cook what I am intending to make for dinner.
Get radio out and ready.
I would also have a bath, wash and dry my hair if time permits.
Again many things are already done. We have emergency phone numbers at hand.  We have small appliances that runoff the generator such as an electric frypan.




This is Rachel's Eco Billy. You have a little fire burning sticks and leaves inside and it heats up your water!  Being able to boil water is so important.  In my world a cup of tea also improves everything! 

Last week preparedness was in our news and this is a seldom mentioned topic here. There was a report released into our state wide blackout that occurred last year.
An X Police Commissioner reported the findings. He said too many South Australian's have "unrealistic expectations" about what emergency services can do for them in  crisis.
He said both governments and individuals are responsible for looking after things in a crisis and that households should consider buying a generator.
Also that in a crisis people need to realise it could be some time before help arrives due to the sheer volume of calls.
There was a lot of outrage from the suggestion that we should prepare ourselves in any way I noticed. Yet if we don't the writing is on the wall, pretty much!
Mind you, they offered no advice as to how people should prepare and no links as to where to find information. Nothing.
To those listening it was a bit of a warning though and I wonder how many will actually do anything to help their households be better prepared?
In QLD I know they are used to big storms and cyclones and the government has a web site and a programme you can join to week by week prepare your home. To my knowledge SA has nothing like it.  But maybe this will become a subject of interest as some decide that really we are responsible to be prepared as far as we can.
I see in the US there are excellent sites that advice it is each families responsibility to be prepared and list what should be the minimum things you should do, things you should have on hand. I think that is excellent. What percentage of the population follow this I don't know.


Rachel has a stash of cans out in their shed. Whole trays of them! 


Rachel's husband set up a fan that operated from a car battery! Clever!



Jane uses this gorgeous old sewing machine for storage... the beautiful little drawers are medical supplies.


Rachel can cook olive oil chips on her gas flame. 
What crisis isn't better with chips!?

My written plan is inside my kitchen cupboard door and on my iPad.  There are things for both of us to do and think about that... have everyone helping.

What are the main things you need to be prepared for where you live?
Do you have an action plan for when you have a warning?
Taking some time to work out your courses of action could really make a difference!
xxx






41 comments:

  1. Annabel, having recently come through a big hurricane I can tell you that having a plan is crucial as is starting at the earliest warnings or even before if you know it is a possiblity. I'd rather be prepared and not need the preparations then need them and have waited to late to impliment them. Good post!

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    1. Dear Patsi, Thanks... my list is far from complete but if we can all work on a plan we can add to it as we learn plus reduce it in some ways as we get things done in advance. I cant wait for the class to start! It is Monday here already! With love Annabel.xxx

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  2. I want to thank you for including to do the laundry on your list. I had never thought about it until I read it in one of your posts last year or the year before. When we had hurricane and tropical storm threats last summer, I made sure I did the laundry while I could!!

    During storm season, I make sure my gas tank never goes below a half a tank so I don't need to brave the long lines when a storm is announced.

    Thank you for all you do -

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    1. Dear Debbie,
      I try to keep on top of laundry but it is just the two of us. But getting it done and dry before maybe a long power loss would be so much help!
      The gas tank maintained is a really good idea. Your comment about avoiding queues is very good. When we could be getting heaps done being in a queue would be a he set back. Best avoided! With planning we can probably avoid that, empty shelves and so many things. Many thanks Love Annabel.xxx

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  3. This is a great post, Annabel. It is becoming more and more of a focus for me to be prepared. Especially, as we are in danger of getting cyclones. A few years ago we had a big cyclone directly on its path to us. It was incredible because there were many disaster shelters opened- (mainly school halls, some shopping centres) and thousands of people went to these places. The authorities had to say to people, no, do not come here just because you are unprepared, it is only if you are in the flood zones. Still, people came. Mainly because they hadn't thought of food/ or lighting etc. It is scary how so many people want others to be prepared for them, to fix things up for them. The best thing I can do if we are in danger is to try and get my whole family together. That makes me feel better! As it can be a worry if telephone lines are down. So getting your mobile phone charged is a great idea. A radio, gas lantern and gas stove are also important, along with filling up your car and getting as much water as you can. People go crazy at the shops and within 24 hours many shelves are depleted. It is an eye opener. Love, Bridge

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  4. Dear Annabel,
    Thank you for an excellent post! I like the idea of a written action plan and think I will work on getting that in place.
    Wishing you and the other bluebirds a wonderful week!
    Elaine

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  5. Annabel it is amazing just how many people who live in an area thaat can be affected by cyclones, floods etc are not prepared at all. Even talking to many who have lived here for years have an 'I'm alright Jack' attitude.

    As soon as we moved here I knew that we needed to have some sort of preparation ready for an 'event'. This has changed over the course of the few years we have been here as we have seen various 'events' happen and how they have been dealt with.

    We actually have no fire, ambulance or police based here so this means all sorts of things if we get cut off with flooding or king tides and rain water converging. This is why I became part of the disaster management team - there is only so much we can do, legally but we have managed to get an ambulance and 2 officers stationed here when needed, members of the community have signed up to join SES. This means that once they are trained we have that type of help here to attend to emergencies. And of course we have the school hall and the container with stretchers etc. So far the community knows very little of what we have been working on - they will when it is complete. For that we need any police officer who lives here who cannot get out for work required to don the uniform and work here. (We had 4 of them living here May 1st 2015 when we had our last massive flood event and they got paid even though they did not go to work). You can imagine what was said at that meeting when we found that out.

    Organizing ourselves has been easy compared to trying to get a township of some 4000. That is what we are working on. The problem comes from newbies who really do not have an understanding of what can happen.

    Love

    Lynette
    XXXXX

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  6. I agree that having an action plan is necessary when you find yourself in an emergency situation. Knowing where that plan is, is something all members of the household should be aware of.
    Also having an emergency evacuation plan is something to consider. Having a back up plan for various family members is important.
    Years ago the kids and I were once cut off from home due to flooding. We were able to stay with a friend until the water had gone down enough for us to get through. Bluey didn't know where we were and phone lines and power were out. We developed a plan after this so that even if we couldn't contact each other we knew where we could and would go. When the kids were older they also had back up plans if they were cut off from home. It saves a lot of worry in stressful times to have these plans in place.

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    1. Jane, I love your old furniture!! They just don't make it like they used to!! Watch out that Annabel doesn't turn up and paint your cabinet all white!
      Regards,
      Rachel

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  7. Hi Bluebirders!

    Just to clarify, the 12 volt fan comes from behind the radiator of an old car, and is run directly from a small solar panel. This means there is no battery or regulator! (A car battery is messy, goes flat in half an hour and needs recharging all the time! For us, that is no good!) Now that it is set up, it means energy for nothing, and continuous running without work!) The fan starts in the morning with the sun! The fan blades were reversed to make the air flow in the correct direction. It is wonderful!
    Regards,
    Rachel

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    1. That is so clever! I don't know enough to DIY anything solar but I do have a solar radio that also has a flashlight and a cell phone charger. I guess solar power needs to go on my "to learn" list!
      Blessings, Leigh

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    2. Leigh, I like your idea, too!! Handy!!
      Regards,
      Rachel

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  8. In the U.S. The government once recommended three days of food and water on hand for emergencies. I noticed after Hurricane Katrina, the recommendations were for a week or two!

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  9. Hi! I love reading of your preparations! Years ago, I basically would fill up my bathtub with water if there was a tornado coming (we lived our first year of marriage in TX). Then, when we moved to Delaware (we are both from PA and now live in PA) and we had heavy snow, we bought a propane space heater. Now...in these times, we have a generator, dried emergency food canisters from Costco, plenty of batteries, we keep our gas cans ready, we have a central phone number for our kids to call if we have any separation, etc. Andrea

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    1. Well done Andrea. In many places no power also means no water. The bath tub is ideal, laundry sink etc. Reminding everyone to be very careful if there are small children in the house...
      You have adapted to each place you have lived in, thats what we have to do! xxx

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  10. Oh, p.s..I liked your laundry on your list. Yes, I do that too! I guess the housewife in my just has to have my laundry up-to-date in case I lose power! Andrea

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  11. Dear Annabel,
    Having a plan is so very important. We have one written down so that we don't forget to take care all things. Some of the other things we've done is to send copies of our important papers to another close family member, such as birth certificates, wills, insurance policies, banking info, etc. We also have a waterproof metal container with these things to "grab and go" with if we had to evacuate at a moments notice. Another thing in our plan was to identify a spot that was the safest to take cover in case of a tornado. It used to be in the US that tornados were often just in certain areas but now they seem to happen anywhere and we've had many tornado watches and warnings over the summer months. Don't forget outside furniture, planters and garbage cans that could become dangerous if moved by high winds.

    Our families live in other close by states. They know that if it looks like the going is going to be tough to leave before an evacuation is called and come here. And the reverse here so that we don't run into impossible traffic. My family has only had to do this once when there was a severe hurricane coming to their area

    We also fill our bath tub and every available large pot with water before a storm . This is in addition to all other water storage.
    Blessings, Cookie








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    1. Dear Cookie, It is a big thing having somewhere to go to and for your family to have somewhere to come. Sometimes just leaving early and being out of the way is the best choice.
      We are really lucky, if we had to leave here we could go to the farm. Having an alternative is a great thing. Leaving early is the key to that one and not ending up stuck somewhere in the elements.
      We need to take a look at the grab and go back and what to have ready I think thats a good idea for a post. With love, Annabel.xxx

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  12. That is an excellent list and I am going to post it in my kitchen cabinet door. When a possible disaster is coming here in the USA they will often go over these things on the news but so many do not take it seriously and get ready. We always keep many of these things at the ready because we are dependent on power for water here as we are on a well. We keep spare gas cylinders to operate our gas grill which has a burner on the side to use for cooking. I would like to be able to get our grown children to take this more seriously but I think that having been here through the crisis with their Dad so sick in the hospital and a big snowstorm in the middle of that they saw the benefit of how prepared we were here.

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    1. Dear Lana, Yes that experience would have been one they wont forget in a hurry. What I think is that if we have our emergency plans then in a crisis I would send that list to my adult kids and say this is an action plan... any hope they follow it at least to some extent. Normally it might not interest them but with a hurricane coming or whatever it might suddenly be interesting!
      I hope you are having a good week and things are going well... With love Annabel.xxx

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  13. I love that "have a bath" is on your list. That is so sensible if you have warning before a power outage.
    My habit is to keep my freezers full all of the time. I've been known to have lots of water bottles in there on any given day if my food supply is depleted since a full freezer runs more efficiently.
    Solar garden lights are also useful in a power outage. I keep a cute one that looks like a little frog sitting on a rock in my office window where it gets charged up every day. The standard light-on-a-stick variety can be brought in and put in a vase to provide light during a power outage.
    Blessings, Leigh

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    1. Dear Leigh, Yes! Solar lights! We have some outside and I forgot about them. They re really good.
      I hate not being able to wash my hair, have a bath etc so that has to be on my list! I think I should get some more solar lights, thank you! Love Annabel.xxx

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  14. Love this! Have it all in my head, but that doesn't help my family if I'm not home. I am a nurse, so could and would be called In to hospital If there was a disaster of any kind. I am going to write this out !
    Also, I know where I have things, but my hubby and kids don't necessarily know, so will put location on list as well. In the northern USA, we get blizzards and ice storms. Living out in the country roads can be blocked for a bit. Thanks to everyone for all the great suggestions!

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    1. Tootles, I just love your name!!!! I know that you are right in that all household members need to know where to find things in case the home maker cannot! Thank you!!
      Regards,
      Rachel

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    2. Dear Tootles, I think all of us can go blank and feel confused if under a lot of pressure... and as you say the list would help others. Also everyone knowing where things are located and they can find them fast, especially first aid.
      In your area what you keep in the car could be vital as well.... we are going to have a post on that.
      Many thanks, love Annabel.xxx

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  15. Hi Annabel and All,
    I haven't commented for a while, but I am following this preparedness series avidly (and Jes's and Patsi's)! So useful, thankyou.
    I have copied Annabel's action plan onto my iPad and will print out out. I live in the Blue Mountains and we do get big storms here and unseasonal snow sometimes which can mean power outages. But our main threat is bushfire and with three little kids our plan is to evacuate immediately. I have a 'bug out bag' packed but I need to write a list of last minute things to do and pack.
    I was wondering if anyone who lives in fire prone areas could share their evacuation action plan, which is seperate to the stay at home emergency action plan?
    Thanks to all you clever Bluebirds. I am learning so much.
    Peach

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    1. Hi Peach!
      I'm glad you mentioned that you live in the Blue Mountains!!!! For the American ladies, this is a place of grand bush scenery!!!! I consider Blackheath my home town, and I well remember the unseasonal snow, and the bushfires, and the fresh Granny Smith apples and large peaches straight from an orchard in a nearby valley! I had no idea that I was living on a razor edge cliff face, on both sides -- so, yes, early evacuation is the thing!!!! Getting the household and animals out first is all I would initially care about!!
      Thank you!
      Rachel

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    2. Dear Peach, I am glad to hear form you and happy you are aisles following along with Jes and Patsy. Between us I think we will all learn so much!
      We are going to have a post on evacuating. My aunt used to live in the Blue Mountains and I remember some of the fires there.
      As it is fire season now I will say make sure you are signed up to all alerts and that they come to you via phone and computer. Maximum notice is so important as things happen very quickly. If you are not sure ring your local council and go on your emergency services websites.
      I would have a back pack packed at all times for each person. Plus another that is vital paperwork you need to keep. A good place to look for this is...
      http://www.abowlfulloflemons.net/2015/10/emergency-preparedness-survival-station.html
      This takes some setting up and re doing regularly but it would get you all out the door faster and I think would be a very good idea when you need to act fast. Keeping your car full of fuel and having somewhere to go as well is really important.
      Thank you so much! With love Annabel.xxx

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    3. Rachel, Blackheath is my now hometown too! So beautiful and yes, apples and peaches all along the highway and the back roads at this time of year.
      Thanks for the tips and I look forward to adding more ideas as we go along.
      And for those in Australia, the Red Cross is having a sale on a small number of emergency items at the moment. have just bought a solar powered/hand crank radio which is also an LED torch and smart phone charger. Amazing!
      All the best,
      Peach

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    4. Peach, that's amazing - that we have this one little town in common! Maybe you live in our old home!!
      Regards,
      Rachel

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  16. Annabel your excellent posts encourage us all to think and everyone adds their own information which is wonderful. Of all the photos on this post, it's Jane's gorgeous old dog grinning into the camera that I like best. What a wise face!

    I am like Peach, my danger comes from fire. We are several hundred metres above sea level and perched atop a rise, so never flooding for us, but fire worries me. I have a dog evacuation box that contains two days food, several litres of water, a spare lead and swollen blanket for each dog. That would get shoved into the car first up. I have a 17 year old rescue dog who is a fox terrier and he has his own "over the shoulder handbag" as he would not be able to mobilise speedily. That way he gets carried where needed. The other dogs I have made woollen leggings with padded feet so they won't get burnt.

    I have a big red bug out bag that hangs on the wall near the garage. Contains : copies of rate notices for my properties, couple of hundred dollars cash, passport, medication, first aid, water in glass bottles, eye glasses. I change of clothes, thongs, some unopened nuts and jubes. Also space blankets for each person. I have woollen blankets for each person and then some. You get the idea. Then I have two suitcases packed. One carryon size that must go with me and a larger one "if there is time". The small one has things that I have whittled down over the years to be the most important.

    The other thing I am doing, is purchasing a steel box and we are burying it in the yard, to a depth of about 3 feet. It will contain canned goods, glass bottles of water and sealed glass jars with things like matches. It is to support our food and water needs for several days. Because if a fire comes through, and we elect to stay and fight the fire, and that fire becomes a crime scene i.e. someone dies, doesn't even have to be closest to my place, and nobody is allowed back in until the police clear the town. So, if we stayed and then needed to go and get food and water, if we left, we would not be allowed back in. I never knew that until after the black saturday fires. Staying means you have to have the means to stay! Don't know if this is any use Peach, but that is what we are planning.
    Fi xx

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    1. Dear Fiona, Your emergency bags are fantastic and well thought out.
      So is the emergency on site supplies.
      I remember Black Saturday. I was in Melbourne that day and oh my goodness... I stepped out of a motel and the air was thick with smoke, it was o ho and so windy. And we know what happened next. It was horrific. People who hesitated to leave were lost. It was very fast. I was in Adelaide on Ash Wednesday too. even though years ago you never forget.
      I think you plans are great. Keep up with all warnings and notices especially on catastrophic days. With love Annabel.xxx

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    2. Fi, I am amazed at your level of preparedness. I am so glad your fur babies also feature in this. Our Miss Cobber is 13 and off for more tumour removals tomorrow. She always smiles for the camera.

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    3. This is really useful, thanks Fi. You are so organised!
      All the best,
      Peach

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  17. Annabel, this is a really good practical list. So often there's a 'list' of sorts, but it's more of a list of what to have on hand, not how to prepare leading up to a weather event. So thankyou for that. We haven't needed our Emergency plan this year, and for that we are grateful. In previous years, it's been a bit hair raising in Cyclone season. I can only add planning for pets, as many of us neglect to factor them in until the very last minute. Pet food, a safe shelter (indoors if necessary) and basic animal medications in case of a disaster. An tranquiliser if they're frightened of thunder and lightning is helpful too. Love, Mimi xxx

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  18. Annabel love your post. one more thing, I always keep a complete change of clothes in a bag in my car. I received a call at work one day, my husband got hurt, they had to take him to a hospital over 200 miles away. I wore the same clothes for 3 days and I had $5.00 in my purse. Wish I had been better prepared then as I am now.
    Sue

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    1. Sue that is such a good idea. I keep comfy shoes in the car incase I have to walk a long distance or something but I never thought of clothes to change. What an experience you had! Thank you!xxx

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  19. What a great list for your action plan. I also think like this doing as much as possible if there were no electricity. It is a real threat today. We all need this plan for your households! Thank you for posting this.

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    1. Thank you so much! Yes I think there is a real danger. We all depend on electricity for everything! xxx

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  20. Please continue this great work and I look forward to more of your awesome blog posts.
    best prepper foods

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  21. Dear Annabel, this is a great post and so much useful information. I've been taking notes. LOL Shower/shampoo is a wonderful idea! Also, filling thermos with hot water!

    Jane, love your cabinet! And beautiful jars!
    Rachel, thank you for sharing such beautiful pictures.

    Have a great week! Love, Teri

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I really appreciate your comments thank you! The aim of my blog is the be a place of encouragement and happiness. Very rarely is anyone rude. Actually only twice so far! If you post a rude or aggressive comment I will read it but not publish it, thanks for understanding.xxx

Spam is never published... if you are advertising a product or selling website your comment wont be published. I am inundated with stuff about drugs, horses and weird things! I am not going to publish this stuff! Thank you.