June 2010 Challenge

This month's challenge is pretty simple, but very much needed. In case of an emergency do you have the needed tools to QUICKLY turn off the gas? What if you needed to break through a door or garage? Do you have a power source or batteries to be able to run other tools? You will want some tools ready and available in a single location.

1. Assemble Emergency Tools (listed below)
2. Try new food storage recipe - Chicken Rice And Roni

Emergency Tools

(Suggested Items Include)

• Head Protection/Hard Hat
• Eye Protection/Goggles
• Heavy Gloves/Leather Gloves
• Dust Masks
• Flashlight/Extra Batteries
• Crow Bar/Pry Bar
• Claw Hammer/Sledge Hammer
• Phillips and Flat Head Screwdrivers
• Hex Tools
• Vice Grip Pliers, Normal Pliers, Wrench
• Shovel
• Hatchet or Axe
• Hand Saw
• 50 Feet of Sturdy Rope
• Duct Tape

Food Storage Recipe:

Chicken Rice And Roni

3/4 cup brown or white rice

1/4 cup spaghetti (broken into 1/4" pieces)

1 tablespoon dry onion

1 tablespoon dry parsley

3 chicken bouillon cubes or 1 tablespoon powdered bouillon

Combine all ingredients (store in Ziploc bags, label and seal, store in pantry). This is enough for 1 package of mix; make several at a time for greater convenience.

To prepare:

2 tablesppons butter

1 package of Rice-A-Roni Mix

2 1/2 cups water

1 tablespoon soy sauce

In a 2 qt. saucepan combine butter, rice mix, soy sauce, and water. Bring to a boil. Place lid on pot and reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer covered for about 45 minutes for brown rice, 20 minutes for white rice.

Oil Spill in th Gulf

The government estimates at up to 2.5 million gallons of oil spew from the well daily. And we can't overlook the 11 workers who died when the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded, triggering the worst spill in U.S. history.

Click HERE for more on the story

Click HERE to see photos of the oil spill

Earthquake off the Coast of Papua New Guinea

A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Papua New Guinea Thursday June 24, 2010 at 5:32 GMT, but no tsunami warning has been issued.

Tsunami in Indian Ocean

On June 12, 2010 19:26:50 UTC an earthquake of magnitude 7.5 and depth 35km occurred in the Indian Ocean about 150km from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, belonging to India. GDACS issued a red alert, which was later revised to green when more information became available. Tidal gauge measurements from Sri Lanka confirmed the tsunami generation. Click HERE for more information.

Volcano Eruption in Iceland

April 17, 2010 - An increase in activity of the Eyjafjöll volcano in Iceland cause major disruption of air traffic and, with melting glacier water, local floods. Local population density is low, and likelihood for international humanitarian aid therefore too. Currently, GDACS relies on weekly updates from the Smithsonian Institute, which are available on Wednesdays.

Today a 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit San Diego, CA. Many of us all the way in Orange County, CA felt this earthquake and it lasted for quite awhile. This is one of many earthquakes that have hit this year and made me ask myself, "what would I do and what SHOULD I do during an earthquake?" FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) has some great information for us. Read below or visit their website HERE:

What to Do During an Earthquake

Stay as safe as possible during an earthquake. Be aware that some earthquakes are actually foreshocks and a larger earthquake might occur. Minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby safe place and if you are indoors, stay there until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.

If indoors

• DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
• Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
• Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
• Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, loadbearing doorway.
• Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.
• Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.
• DO NOT use the elevators.

If outdoors

• Stay there.
• Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
• Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits and alongside exterior walls. Many of the 120 fatalities from the 1933 Long Beach earthquake occurred when people ran outside of buildings only to be killed by falling debris from collapsing walls. Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

If in a moving vehicle

• Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
• Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.

If trapped under debris

• Do not light a match.
• Do not move about or kick up dust.
• Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
• Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

Helpful Links

• CPR Video
  
• Ready
• FEMA
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention
• Self-Reliance
  
• Survival/Special Cooking
• Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS)
• Inflatable World
• Real Time Earthquake News for CA and NV
  

What Will You Do With Your Time?

We are all trying to make sure we are prepared for a disaster. We are increasing our food supply, storing water, collecting first aid and other kits, etc. These things are very important and should be top priority. While much of your time could be spent helping others depending on the circumstances, have you ever stopped to think about what you would do with your time or how you would keep your restless children happy and fill their time?

Here is a list of some things you may want to consider adding to your emergency grab bag or 72 hour kit:

• A few long novels that you would enjoy reading
• A few childrens books that your children would enjoy
• Sticker books
• Crossword puzzles
• Sudoku
  
• Playing cards
  
• Travel games
• Magazines
• Scriptures
• Candy
• Comic books
• Journals
• Blank paper/paper pads and pencils/pens

This is only a start, but the key is to think about what you would like to do with your spare time and try to make sure you have it packed in a quick grab bag. This can to pass the time and ease the trials a little.

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Monthly Challenges

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December