These days many people are wondering what they can do to help their family prepare for an emergency.  You might think that you don’t have enough money to prepare for disasters big or small, but there are many steps you can take that cost a small amount of money or are even free.  In fact, here is a list of 5 things you can do today to help yourself prepare for an emergency.

1. Keep water on hand in bottles.  Either buy bottled water or run some into pitchers or other food safe bottles and change it out regularly.  The recommended amount is to have at least one gallon per person per day for however long you are prepping for, but if you don’t think you can handle storing that amount yet just do as much as you can.  Any preparation at all beats nothing.
2. Learn something new.  These days you can learn just about anything on the internet.  Think about what skills would be valuable if you couldn’t leave your home.  Do you remember your First Aid or CPR skills?  Can you sew a simple patch or button on clothing (and do you have a small sewing kit to use)?  Do you know how to use simple tools?
3. Gather together any sources of light that you have.  Keep them in an easy to find spot, especially in case you would lose power when it is already dark.  You probably already own flashlights (keep extra batteries on hand), candles (be careful with these, especially around pets and young children) matches and lighters, perhaps a lantern with lantern oil.
4. Make a plan with family or close friends.  Where would you meet in different emergencies?  Consider a place for disasters like a house fire, but also think about what you would do if something happened on a day when maybe the kids are at school, a spouse is at work, and someone is at home.  If you couldn’t communicate by phone, where would you meet?  Come up with a secondary place in case the first place wasn’t an option.
5. Begin to think about the bigger things such as keeping plenty of food on hand and non-electric ways to prepare it, how you would stay warm, medications, and even beginning a bug out bag.  These things take more thought, time, and money.  But if you write out a plan you are more likely to actually follow through with it and can slowly put your plan into action.

This post is being shared at: Down Home Blog Hop  Wildcrafting Wednesday  

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