What Would You Use for Shelter in an Emergency?

Most people probably have a tent that they would use in case of an emergency and needed to evacuate their home. This is great and we encourage everyone to make sure they have a tent for their family. But what would you do during the day if the weather was hot and the sun was beating down on you? What if there was no shade where you had to camp? I think the obvious answer is that you would be miserable. Most tents have windows, but if you have ever camped in the hot summer, you know that you wouldn't want to stay in a tent all day.

We all need to have some type of cover that will provide shade during the middle of the day. There are companies that sell shade canopies that you pull out of a bag and they pop up fairly easily, but these can be expensive and quite bulky, but are very easy to use. EZ UP is a very popular brand and can be found at their website. This is what one may look like:

 A quick and easy solution would be to get a tarp. These are light weight and can be easily used  by tying them to surrounding trees, poles etc... or even draping them over ropes or poles. This is a must have on everyone's emergency supply list. One example on how to use a tarp is shown below and can be purchased at Cabela's from their website:

Find out what works for your family and make sure it is easy to grab and go! You will be VERY grateful you have shade and cover in the event of an emergency.

CPR

For more information on CPR click HERE

Emergency Forms Coming Soon!

May 2010 Challenge

If there is ever a large emergency, chances are the electricity and gas will be shut off. If they are, we need to make sure we have alternatives for cooking the food we have in our food storage. Do we have a BBQ? If so is it gas or charcoal? Do we have the propane tanks filled (we recommend having more than one propane tank especially if you use it regularly) or extra charcoal? What about matches or a lighter? This month we want to get our alternative cooking items prepared and ready. Here is the challenge:

1. Store Fuel for Cooking (Fill Propane Tanks/Buy Sterno Wick Fuel/Charcoal)
   
2. Learn Alternative Cooking Methods
3. Try New Food Storage Recipe - Frozen Hot Chocolate

Fuel Storage

Did you know that on the handle of your propane tank there is a date listed? If you try to fill up your propane tank after this date, you will be sorry because they will not fill it for you. If you run into this problem you have two options:

1. Go to your local supermarket and most have an exchange cage outside where for a fee, you can drop off your old propane tank (in any condition) and swap it for one that is pre-filled. You should check the date on the new propane tank to make sure you can re-fill it yourself next time.
2. Go to someone who specialized in inspecting the propane tank to make sure it is still in good enough condition to refill. If it is, they will knock of the old handle and weld on a new one with a new expiration date.

Alternative Cooking Methods

1. Sterno wick fuel with a #10 can stove: Sterno wick fuel can be purchased at Smart & Final/Sam’s Club or Costco. A stove for the Sterno can be made by punching holes near the top and bottom edges of the can with one end open. Place the open end of the can over the lit Sterno and use the bottom surface of the can as you would a burner on your regular stove. Sterno will burn for about 3 hours.

2. Alcohol burners: Alcohol will burn just like Sterno
3. Barbecue
   

3. Box Oven: Anything that can be cooked in an oven can be cooked in a Box Oven. See the Box Oven Cooking guidelines.
4. Camping Stove
5. Cooking on a stick: Cook your food by holding it over a fire with a stick.
6. Dutch oven with charcoal: Anything can be cooked in a dutch oven with charcoal or wood for fuel. See the Dutch oven cooking guidelines.
7. Foil Cooking: Simply wrap your food in foil and cook it on top of hot charcoal turning every 5 minutes until done.
8. Single burner butane stove

CAUTION: NEVER USE CHARCOAL INSIDE CLOSED AREA!!!

Ideas to consider for emergency cooking:

A. In Case of Emergency: Use food in your refrigerator first. The food will stay cold for about 24 hours after you have lost electricity.

B. Matches: Pack plenty of matches in an airtight container. You can waterproof matches dipping the ends in melted paraffin wax.

C. Don’t Forget: No matter what kind of cooking equipment you have, you will need fuel! Have enough on hand for at least 7-10 days.

Sterno Burner

To make a burner:

1 #10 can – Opened end turned down, closed end up. Use a pointed can opener to punch holes around the closed end side of rim for oxygen. Place a Sterno fuel under open end. This burner can be used for heating or cooking.

Alcohol Burner

To make burner:

1 #10 can – Punch holes around both side rims of the can with pointed can opener. Place closed end down. Place a toilet paper roll inside the can, but remove cardboard center first. Pour 1 pint of rubbing alcohol over the toilet paper. Let it set until it absorbs and is ready to use. This will burn for about 1 ½ hours. Be careful lighting and make sure you have ventilation. When the burner will no t light anymore, pour another pint of alcohol over the toilet paper and it is ready to use again.

Box Oven Cooking

Method: Cover a cardboard box with foil inside and ½ way around the outside. The box should be just a bit bigger than the pan you will be using. Fill four empty beverage cans about ½ full of dirt or sand. Place the cans at each corner of the charcoal pit to support the rack or pan you will be using.

Determine how many briquettes you will need by the diameter of the box. Use the same briquette rule as outlined in Dutch oven cooking instructions. For example, 1 inch of box diameter = 1 briquette. The only difference is that you do not put coals on top of the box. Remember to start new coals 30 minutes before needed. When cooking time is longer than 30 minutes you will need to start more coal every 30 minutes. Bake or roast for length of time specified in the recipe.

Dutch Oven Cooking

A Dutch oven was one of the most valued pieces of equipment to the Pioneers. It is just as valuable today to people who cook outdoors. Some people may complain that Dutch ovens are too heavy. They can be worth their weight in gold when they are used properly.

How to Care for and use your Dutch oven:

Cleaning: Scrub out the oven and place it on heat to dry. Once your oven is clean you must season it with oil to keep it from rusting.

Determining number of briquettes:

Cast Iron Dutch oven Baking Temperature Chart

Dutch oven Sizes

Temp.	8 inch		10 inch		12 inch		14 inch		16 inch
°F	Top	Btm.	Top	Btm.	Top	Btm.	Top	Btm.	Top	Btm.
300°	9	4	12	5	15	7	19	9	21	11
325°	10	5	13	6	16	7	20	10	22	12
350°	11	5	14	7	17	8	21	11	24	12
375°	11	6	16	7	18	9	22	12	24	13
400°	12	6	17	8	19	10	24	12	27	13
425°	13	6	18	9	21	10	25	13	28	14
450°	14	6	19	10	22	11	26	14	30	14
500°	15	7	20	11	23	12	28	14	32	15

Set up: Cover an old baking sheet with foil. Trace a circle the size of the lid onto the foil. Ignite the proper number of charcoal briquettes required for the first phase of cooking about 30 minutes before you plan to begin cooking.

Keep the coals ½” within the traced circle on the foil. Arrange any excess coal within the circle. Use a three sided wind guard that is a little higher than the oven if needed. Keep the wind guard about 6” away from the sides of the oven. Rotate the oven ¼ of a turn every 15 to 20 minutes. If you need to reduce the heat, remove coals in an asymmetrical pattern in order to maintain even heat. To increase heat, add ignited coals in the same fashion.

For fuel flexibility, ignite about 12 coals more than are needed when starting your original batch.

The accumulation of ashes as the coal burns down tends to block the air circulation around your oven. Gently push soft ashes aside or scoop them off the top while being careful not to remove any of the coals.

When the food is done and you have hot coals left, remove all of them except 4 or 5.

Maintaining heat & temperature:

Moderate heat = diameter x2

High heat = diameter x 3

You will use 2/3 on top and 1/3 on the bottom. In order to maintain heat up to 30 minutes longer, you will need to add more newly ignited coals. Add 4 to 5 coals for moderate heat and 8 to 10 for high heat. If you want to brown the food, simply add newly ignited coals on the lid as you near completion.

Food Storage Recipe - Frozen Hot Chocolate

1/2 Cup Water
1/3 Cup Chocolate Powder
3/4 Cup Dry Powdered Milk
2 Cups Ice

Layer ingredients into your blender as listed and blend until smooth. Serve immediately.

Optional: Add 1/2 banana cut into 1 inch slices
Add 2 spoonfuls of peanut butter

April 2010 Challenge

If you have children, you know how important a first aid kit is on a regular basis. Imagine how much we would use it if there were a natural disaster! Would one be enough? That is a good question, but lets at least get the first one ready this month so we know we have it ready in case of an emergency. We have also included a list of what you may want to include if you decide to make one yourself. This month's challenge is:

1. Assemble Family First Aid Kit/Medications for Home and Car
2. Try New Food Storage Recipe - Boston Baked Beans
   

Basic First Aid Kit

Drugs

Antibiotic ointment
Antiseptic wipes
Aspirin tablets (5 grain)
Hydro cortisone cream (1%)
Acetaminophen and ibuprofen
Spirit of ipecac (to induce vomiting)
Anti-diarrheal
Prescription medications (insulin, heart tablets)

Dressings

Adhesive tape 2" wide roll
Sterile bandage, 2" & 4" wide roll
Bandages, large triangular
Bandages, plastic strips
Cotton-tipped swabs
Sterile absorbent cotton
Ace bandage
Butterfly bandages
Gauze pads (4" x 4")

Miscellaneous

Scissors
Tweezers
Thermometer
Petroleum jelly
Rubbing alcohol

Hydrogen peroxide

Tissues
Pocketknife
Safety pins
Instant ice packs
First aid handbook
Latex gloves
CPR Barrier
Emergency phone numbers
Blanket


Food Storage Recipe: Boston Baked Beans

2 cups navy beans or white beans
1/2 pound bacon
1 onion, finely diced
3 tablespoons molasses
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 cups ketchup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cups brown sugar

Soak beans overnight in cold water. Simmer the beans in the same water until tender, approximately 1 to 2 hours. Drain and reserve the liquid. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

Arrange the beans in a 2 quart bean pot or casserole dish by placing a portion of the beans in the bottom of the dish, and layering them with bacon and onions.

In a saucepan, combine molasses, salt, pepper, dry mustard, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and brown sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil and pour over beans. Pour in just enough of the reserved bean water to cover the beans. Cover the dish with a lid or aluminum foil.

Bake for 3 to 4 hours in the preheated oven until beans are tender. Remove the lid about halfway through cooking, and add more liquid if necessary to prevent the beans from getting too dry.

March 2010 Challenge

If you need to run out the door at a moments notice and you are not sure if and when you will be back, do you have all of your needed personal information in one easy to grab notebook? If not, this challenge is for you. The Emergency Preparedness Notebook is a tool to help you organize critical documentation. Print out the forms and keep the information in a binder. Continue to update it regularly and add helpful information relating to emergency survival skills. If this binder is filled out thoroughly, and contains copies of vital documents, it can provide great peace of mind.

We have also created an electronic version which is much easier to fill out, update, and print out.

March's Challenge

1. Update Emergency Preparedness Notebook (Email us or fill out contact form requesting the electronic file in excel)
2. Attend a FREE C.E.R.T. Training - These are offered by calling your local City Civic Center and registering
3. Try the new food storage recipe - Whole Wheat Pancakes/Vanilla Syrup

Emergency Notebooks

Table of Contents

1. Emergency Information
1. Emergency contact numbers ("Reunion" numbers, out of state number to call, family numbers)
2. Emergency response numbers
3. Family communication plan
4. Family disaster plan checklist
5. Basic first aid, water purification, etc...
2. Personal Information
1. Vital statistics (name, addresses, phone numbers, driver's license, etc...)
2. Family record (names, numbers, addresses)
3. Children's ID Sheets (health, immunization records, fingerprints, DNA)
4. Adult ID Sheets (health, fingerprints, DNA)
5. Medical/Health Info Sheets
1. medications
2. doctors
6. Copies of important papers
1. driver's license
2. wallet contents
3. passports
4. birth certificates/adoptions certificates
5. marriage license
6. military record of service/discharge info
7. citizenship papers
8. death certificates
7. Inventory of property (great if on a CD: china, silver, appliances, house itself, cars, jewlery)
8. Location directory for all important documents
3. Finance/Banking Information
1. Cash accounts
2. Mutual funds and Money market accounts
3. Securities
4. Retirement accounts
5. Debts (mortgage, auto, boat, student loans, etc...)
6. Credit card info
7. Copy of latest income tax return
8. Information peculiar to you and your own accounts
4. Insurance
1. Life, disability, property
2. Copies of policies
3. List of personal property
5. Legal
1. Copy of will
2. Copy of trusts
3. Copy of living wills
4. Copy of durable power of attorney for health care or other

Food Storage Recipes

Whole Wheat Pancakes

1 cup milk

1 cup uncooked wheat berries

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 tablespoons of oil

2 tablespoons honey or sugar

2 eggs

Put mild and wheat in blender. Blend on high for 4 to 5 minutes until batter is smooth. Add remaining ingredients to blend together. Bake on hot griddle. Serve with vanilla syrup.

Vanilla Syrup

1 1/2 cups water

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons vanilla extract

In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, bring water, sugar and salt to a boil, stirring occasionally until sugar is dissolved. Boil until mixture becomes thick, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla extract and cool.

February 2010 Challenge

Imagine that there was just a massive earthquake. Your home was no longer stable and could come crumbling down at any minute. You need to grab your 72 hour kits for each member of your family. Where are they? Are they current? Can they fit into the clothes that are in there or are they now too small? Is the food still good or has it expired? Are you ready for this emergency?

Well the good news is that we did not just have a massive earthquake and we still have time to prepare. Let's go over the lists of things we may need. We have split them up into appropriate age groups as a baby or infant will need many different items than a grown adult.

1. Update Personal 72 Hour Kit (1 per family member)
2. Check flashlights and batteries
3. Try new food storage recipe - Homemade Granola
   

Grab 'N Go Bags
Have one ready for each person in the house. Keep it by your bed. If you need to evacuate, grab your bag and go!

Adult Bag

1. Flashlight, batteries, and light sticks
2. Portable radio and batteries
3. Keys (house and car)
4. Money (Cash and coins)
5. Glasses, contact lenses and solutions
6. Medications (at least one week supply)
7. Comfortable shoes, 2 pairs of socks
8. Comfortable clothing (sweats, extra underwear)
9. Jacket or sweatshirt
10. Whistle (call for help if trapped)
11. Pocket knife
12. Paper and pencil
13. "Okay" and "Help" signs (provided by CERT)
14. Emergency phone list, out of state contact #
15. Lists of people to notify if you are injured
16. Copies of important documents: insurance, ID, SSN, DL, etc...
17. Small first aid kit
18. Toilet articles: comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, washcloth, face towel, shampoo, lotion, razor, lip balm, emery board, nail clipper, sanitary products, tissue, sunscreen, etc..
19. Toilet paper
20. Zip lock bags, plastic grocery bags
21. Good book, playing cards, crossword puzzles
22. Work gloves, several pairs of latex gloves
23. Blanket
24. Plastic ground cloth
25. Dust mask
26. Crow bar
27. Drinking water - store in a separate place - 1 gallon per person minimum
28. Food and snacks

Seniors and Disabled Persons

1. Food for special diet needs
2. Batteries for hearing aids, wheelchair, etc...
3. List of style and serial # of medical devices
4. Special supplies: oxygen, catheters, etc...
5. Prescription for eyeglasses (not older than 1 year)
6. Personal sanitary items (depends, disposable bags, ties, wipes)
7. For guide dogs see Pet Grab 'N Go Bag

Infant and Toddler Bags

1. Formula, disposable bottles, nipples
2. Diapers and wipes
3. Instant baby cereal
4. Bowl and spoon
5. Sunscreen
6. At least two changes of clothes
7. Light jacket
8. Thermometer
9. Medicine dropper
10. Pedialite, electrolyte replacement solution
11. Tylenol, Triaminic, and other medicines
12. Firm soled slippers or shoes
13. Toys, books, stuffed animals
14. Authorization to Consent to Treatment of Minor Form (completed)
    

Food Storage Recipe: Homemade Granola

8 cups of oats
1 1/3 cups brown sugar
1 1/2 cups oat bran or wheat germ
1 1/2 cups shredded coconut
1 1/2 cups slivered almonds
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup honey
2 teaspoons vanilla

Mix first 5 dry ingredients in large roasting pan. Heat oil, honey and vanilla in separate pan until bubbly. Pour over oat mixture. Stir well.

Bake at 325* for 20 minutes, then stir mixture and continue baking for 10 more minutes, then stir again and continue baking for 10 additional minutes. Watch granola so it does not burn.

Remove pan from oven and allow to cool slightly. Remove granola from pan before it completely cools and to prevent it from sticking in the pan. Store in airtight container. Makes approximately 10 cups.

January 2010 Challenge

Let's get this year started off right. Water is essential to anyone's survival. Do you have enough for your entire family for 3 days? This is a great start and the beginning to this months challenge.

1. Store 1 gallon of water per person/per day for 3 days
2. Sign up for our newsletter
3. Try a new food storage recipe

What is the use storing a bunch of whole wheat if you do not know how to use it? Make sure you know how and what you will need to make something to eat of the basic ingredients that you are storing.

We also recommend that your family has a water filtration/purification system. It can be as easy as the Seychelle Water Filtration Bottle which you can read about on their website: http://www.seychelle.com/products.php

Here is a quick recipe to try at home:

Homemade Refried Beans

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups freeze dried onions
3 cups dehydrated pinto beans
1/2 fresh jalapeno pepper (seeded and chopped)
2 tablespoons minced garlic
5 teaspoons salt
1 3/4 teaspoons of fresh ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground cumin (optional)
9 cups of water

Directions:

1. Place onion, rinsed beans, jalapeno, garlic, salt, pepper. and cumin into a slow cooker. Cook on high for 8 hours, adding more water as needed. NOTE: if more than 1 cup of water has evaporated then the temperature is too high.

2. Once the beans have cooked, strain and reserve liquid.

3. Mash beans with potato masher, adding reserved water as needed to attain desired consistency.

About Us

Operation Essentials was formed to provide information to help others prepare themselves for any emergency. When people are adequately prepared, there is no need to fear. We have seen many recent disasters and how people respond when they are not ready. There is violence, looting, stealing, and chaos.

It would be absurd to try and get everything done in one week or even one month. The important thing is to start now, little by little. We will have monthly challenges to get something specific prepared. There is so much more to being prepared than just having extra food. We hope you come back often and help your family get prepared for any type of emergency. Please tell your friends and pass the work along. Operation Essentials is here to help you.