January 8th Calendar Week 1
Let’s get started! One of the biggest mistakes people make when preparing is to go too fast. Much effort and money are wasted by jumping in before you have determined exactly what you have and what is still needed. Be patient and please ask if you have questions or suggestions.
This year we hope to become more connected as a Totally Ready family. As you know four years ago, I began an organization to provide Christmas Ornaments to disaster survivors. This year one of our crafters lost her home to a fire. Our Operation Ornaments group rallied around her, just like a family. We want that same feeling here so please let us know your needs and success stories.
Monday; Before we begin purchasing and gathering we need to brainstorm what we really need. So today get out a sheet of lined paper and begin by creating a list of items that use electricity. Create two columns, one about a fourth of the page wide. Use this column to list all items in your home that require electricity to operate. Across from each item in the second column list what you will need to replace that service.
Your list may include lights, refrigerator, freezer, oven, stove, dishwasher, well, washer, dryer, shower, furnace, air conditioner, radio, TV, cell phone, computer, clock, and can opener. I didn’t list things like a hair dryer because I can live without that, maybe you can’t. If you have a well when that goes out you will be without water, including the shower. We have a gas range but it has an electric ignition, so it won’t light without matches, so across from the stove I wrote matches. Across from lights, I wrote: glow sticks, flashlights, candles, and outdoor lighting. You get the idea. For that hair drier and curling irons, you may want hair curlers. This is a great activity for around the dinner table helping all family members understand just how reliant we are on the power grid and why we need to prepare to be without it.
Tuesday: Now that you have your list of items needing electricity on another sheet of paper, or in a notebook, create two columns and in the first column record the items from your replacement list that need batteries. For example, flashlights, lanterns, and a clock may be on the list. Next to each item, you should record the battery type and number of batteries needed for that item. Next to the flashlight, you may record 3 C batteries. Next to a lantern, 4 D batteries, next to a clock, 2 AA batteries. Look at the items you already own and list the batteries they need. You now know what you need to purchase.
Wednesday: One more decision to make. Today add up the batteries needed for all your battery-operated items. If you have three flashlights all needing 3 C-size batteries, you will need to purchase 9 and so on. Now double that amount and you know how many to purchase. You may have a clock and flashlight needing the same size batteries, add them all together and you will you understand what you need to purchase.
Thursday: Purchase as many of the batteries needed that you can reasonably afford and record in a notebook or spreadsheet how many are still needed. This record will be the beginning of your “wish list”. Remember to store the batteries you purchased with your flashlights etc. but not in them.
Friday: Now that you have batteries for your flashlights place one flashlight next to each bed. If there were an earthquake, power outage, or other emergency during the night a flashlight or glow stick would help to keep your family safe. Since young children would be tempted to play with these items place them in the rooms of older, more responsible, children and adults.
Saturday: Place a pair of sturdy shoes, not slippers or sandals, under each bed. Should there be an emergency during the night, power outage, earthquake, flood, or house fire - having shoes handy will be very important. If you should be involved in an earthquake, tornado, or other disaster that has left rubble around, never get out of bed without protecting your feet.
As flood waters rise you may find you have unwelcome visitors in the form of snakes and rodents underfoot. You will be so grateful for those shoes. Be sure children understand that these shoes are for emergencies. It always helps to place shoes under a child’s bed that they don’t like, then when they are needed, they will be there.
Sunday, a day of rest.
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