Tag Archives: Apartment living

Unintended Myth about Preppers from TV Shows

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CC Photo by_allison_john

CC Photo by_allison_john

I occasionally get requests for interviews from the media, but have only agreed to less than a handful of phone interviews.   One recent interviewer told me she and her editor had been watching Doomsday Preppers and other shows about building bunkers and they got the impression that you must have a lot of money to be able to prepare.  She said after seeing all the weapons, gear, precious metals and land that was being acquired, it was hard not to come to that conclusion.

The reporter asked me how I, an apartment dweller, can prepare for a disaster with lack of space and a limited budget.  The rest of the conversation was devoted to discussing low cost ways to prepare,  and hopefully debunk the myth that you need a lot of money to prepare.

People get ideas and form all sorts of conclusions about things they see or hear in the media.  The impression that “preppers are rich” sounds preposterous but some may be coming away with this image.  After reading Why are Preppers Hated So Much, I really hope “because they must be rich” (untrue as it is) is not added to the list.

 

Money saving tips for beginning preppers

 

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An Ideal Stove for Outdoor Cooking

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Long time readers know I am always on the look-out for lightweight portable stoves to test out, having had less than stellar results in the past. Living in an apartment in the city, we cannot deny the possibility we may have to bug out if there were an extended emergency.  In addition, we enjoy camping and backpacking, and a lightweight stove is a must.

I was excited to try out the Solo Stove.  It is a small, portable stove that uses biomass (twigs, dried leaves, etc) for fuel.  Not needing to bring special fuel is a big advantage:  since you can easily find branches and twigs, you are not adding weight to your bug-out bag.

Assembly

The stove is very easy to assemble:  just set the cooking ring on top of the stove so that the prongs are on top.  That is what your pot will rest on.

Starting the Fire

1.   First, collect your fuel:  in our case, Mr. Apt Prepper gathered up twigs, dried leaves and a few acorns out in the back of our building.  Place the twigs in the stove chamber.  The twigs or wood pieces should be roughly two to three inches in length.

2.  Make sure the stove is on a level area, away from the wind.  We just set it on a  paving stone.  The Solo Stove’s instructions can be found here.

3.  Start the fire.   It would have been easier to use firestarter, but we wanted to see how it would perform by just lighting the fuel using matches.  The dried leaves caught fire instantly and in a couple of minutes, the rest of the twigs were burning nicely.

  4.  We set a pan containing two cups of water on the stove.  We continued to add twigs to the fire.  The water started to boil in about 10 minutes, which is a lot faster than I’ve experienced with a regular campfire.

Cleaning

Once the fire has died down and stove has cooled completely,  all you need to do is empty out the ash.  Since the fuel is all organic, you don’t need to worry about polluting the area.

A bit of soot may cling to the stove but it is easily wiped off.

Solo Stove recently became our sponsor, but regardless of that, we put the stove through the paces and it performed admirably.  Mr Apt Prepper kept an objective eye over the test.  If we had to come up with an area of improvement it would be to provide more detailed instructions for the inexperienced portable stove user.  One thing that is not obvious to a new user is gauging the amount of fuel that is needed.  Using dried twigs, the stove did not give off much smoke at all, which is great for a bug-out stove, when you don’t want to attract a lot of attention with your cooking fire.  At the sale price of $69.99, the stove is priced reasonably.

All in all the Solo Stove is a great portable backpacking and survival stove and I highly recommend it.

 

For beginning preppers

Guest Post: Halloween Apartment Security

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Apartment Halloween Security

Trick-or-treating isn’t just for kids living in suburbia. Kids everywhere love knocking on doors for candy, and apartment buildings are a sweet way to get tons of treats in the shortest distance! However, there are a couple of extra factors that come into play when celebrating this holiday, apartment security being one of them. If you’re expecting candy searching ghouls and goblins at your apartment this Halloween, follow these tips.

If You’re Expecting Trick-or-Treaters

  • Be Welcoming – Having decorations on your door will let trick-or-treaters know that you’re giving out the good stuff (candy). Maybe try these Halloween decorations for your apartment rental.
  • Beware of Dog – It’s always a good safety measure to keep dogs, cats, and other pets a safe distance from trick-or-treaters. Kids scare easily and some pets can get hostile or make a break for it out of the apartment, causing more of a headache.
  • Offer Trusted Treats Only – Parents have a lot to worry about when their children bring a bag-o-candy home, so give them a break by offering store-bought, pre-packaged treats.
  • Set The Stage – If you really love Halloween, go the extra mile. Hang a ghost from the trees in the front of your apartment building and put out some jack-o-lanterns.

Protecting Your Apartment

Halloween is an ideal time for vandals and burglars to attack. This goes the same for apartment dwellers. Here are some basic Halloween apartment security tips you can use if you plan on leaving or staying home at your apartment on Oct. 31.

  • Hold the Fort – Never allow anyone into your home, even if it’s the parent of a child. You never know who you’re letting into your apartment.
  • Lock Up – If you plan on leaving your apartment for the evening, don’t forget to lock your doors and windows. This should go without saying, but it’s amazing how many people still leave their doors unlocked, making the job for a burglar easier.
  • Set A Cut-Off Time – When I was growing up, our neighborhood had a cut-off time for trick-or-treating. For safety reasons, trick-or-treaters should be off the streets by 8 or 9. Answering your door after that exposes you to a greater risk of a home invasion or burglary.
  • Tweeting Your Halloween Plans – Some burglars scout their next target using social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Try to avoid “tweeting” your Halloween plans, because if a burglar knows that you’re leaving your apartment vacant for the night, they’ll be tempted to strike.
  • Apartment Security System – If you have an apartment security system in place, don’t forget to arm it. It can be your first line of defense against an intruder or burglar. If you don’t have one, there are plenty of affordable DIY home security solutions out there that don’t require you to have a land line.

This guest post was written by Kevin Raposo, a blogger for SimpliSafe & Infobia.  Kevin covers issues related to home security, crime, safety, and consumer issues.  Kevin is a dedicated writer and musician, spreading the word through music and blogging. SimpliSafe is a leader in the wireless home security field.

 

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Monday Musings 10/1/2012 October Edition

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With today being the first day of October,  I thought I’d do a quick post.

New SARS threat bears watching.   The World Health Organization is closely watching out for cases involving a virus in the same family as the one that caused SARS back in the early 2000s.  This new virus starts out as a respiratory type infection but can cause pneumonia and kidney failure.  See New Coronavirus Outbreak: WHO On Alert And Watching New Sars-Like Virus In Saudi Arabia.  No need to worry, best thing to do is stay aware and get informed on SARS, by visiting the CDC website

And, with the regular flu season nearly upon us, it doesn’t hurt to check your First Aid supplies, chicken soup, herb teas and other home remedies.

Everyone needs a fire evacuation plan.   At least once a week we hear about some unfortunate families who are victims of a house or apartment fire.  I think apartment dwellers are vulnerable because the close proximity of homes contributes to fire spreading rapidly.  A few units are affected by the time the fire is contained.  Keeping our loved ones safe is of utmost importance.  Here is an article that helps you create a plan:  Planning a Fire Evacuation Route for Your Home

Fiscal cliff looming.  Even the mainstream early morning news radio that I listen to, while sitting in traffic, was discussing the “global economic slowdown.”  See Faber Warns “Everything Will Collapse”  ; Five Mainstream Economists Sound a Warning  ;   America could be ‘taken over,’ warns Ross Perot   If you have been holding off for a better time to get prepared, don’t wait.   There is no better time than right now to get those emergency supplies and finances in shape.  I hope these dire warnings never come to pass, but signs are hard to miss.   These are worrisome times indeed.

Blog updates

Moved to a new server.  My web hosting service has informed me that the blog just finished moving to a newer. faster server.  The actual moved occurred this past weekend.  I had a few issues logging in on Friday night when I got “server unavailable” error message but nothing too major.  For anyone who wasn’t able to visit the site, sorry for the inconvenience and thanks for your patience.  Any issues should be fixed now.

New sponsors are welcome  I receive a lot of requests for banner ad space but I am being selective by limiting sponsors to preparedness and survival companies that fit in with the blog content.   It does help pay the blog expenses such as the aforementioned servers and for testing, ingredients etc, so if you know of anyone interested, please have them drop me an email.

New book giveaway.   I will be announcing a drawing for a new book.  Check back later this week!

Have a safe week everyone!

 

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Get the real deal. Whether bugging out or sheltering in place, you can never have enough clean water for survival: For your water purifier needs, please visit:

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Guest Post: Five Tips for Barricading Yourself in your Apartment

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Despite a plethora of options for preventing burglaries and apartment break-ins, the U.S. Justice Department still estimates that an American home is broken-into every 15 seconds, averaging in thousands of dollars lost per household as a result.

But beyond the fear of losing valuable possessions, what can be most damaging is a loss of personal safety.   Below are five important tips for effectively barricading yourself in your apartment during an attack.

1. Start a blockade with the heaviest object available. Scan your bedroom environment for the object with the most weight (preferably a robust chair or bed) you believe you can move fairly quickly. Be conscious of your time as you rush to pick the most appropriate object, and know better than to attempt to immediately escape through a window upon locking yourself in a room– fleeing sends a message of defeat and invites burglars back to your apartment for future invasions.

2. Stack, stack, stack. A twin-sized bed and an office chair can only be so effective in creating a barricade. Don’t be afraid to stack in front of your doorway like you’re playing a game of Tetris – shove a towel or blanket under the doorway’s threshold, and strategically stack your bed, chair, desk, and more on top of one another until you feel satisfied with the strength of the barricade. Not every bedroom contains the same set of objects, but an effective combination of common sense and adrenaline should give you an idea of how to organize your barricade.

3. Eliminate intruder access to potential weapons. If you happen to recognize someone is in your home before they’re aware of it, swiftly nab any items in the household that could be used to bolster your sense of protection in your barricade as well as prevent your attacker from morphing from a common-fare burglar to a possible murderer. Grab any guns contained in your nightstand, threatening knives located on the countertop, or tools lying aimlessly about the home. These not only help prevent a serious confrontation, but give you a means of protection if your barricade is destroyed.

4. Prepare your windows for a quick escape. Though your barricade is meant to keep you safe, there still remains the possibility of needing to escape to the streets if your attacker breaks through the door. Be proactive by opening a window in your bedroom, being sure to monitor what is happening outside in the event that the attacker has an accomplice. Consider preparing for an attack by investing in bars (or plywood) for your window, which though they may prevent you from escaping your apartment, they will also make burglar entry into your barricade incredibly difficult.

5. Use sturdy, durable objects to create a “second wave.” It’s not enough to just barricade your doorway; find a bookshelf to hide behind or create your own makeshift “fortress” to cover yourself from gun-fire if your attacker manages to break into your room. Despite common belief, walls and couches do not protect you from the strength of a fired bullet.

Aside from these tips, of course, be sure to call law enforcement as quickly as you are able to, and to alert neighbors for assistance if at all possible.

Author Bio: This article is a contribution by Mark on behalf of ConnectYourHome, an authorized retailer of an assortment of home services including home phone, home security, satellite TV, cable television providers, and many more! Dish Network packages are also available including the new Dish Network Hopper dvr.

 

 

 

 

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Let’s Talk Trash

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Thinking about trash disposal is not the most glamorous side of emergency preparedness, but is worth some consideration and planning.   With literally tons of trash being generated daily, what would happen if garbage collection in your area were to be interrupted for a period of time?  Or if there were an economic collapse and cities could no longer afford to pay for scheduled trash pickup?  It was getting bad after Hurricane Ike, when it took about a week to 10 days for trash pickup to resume in many areas. It was such a relief when the trucks started coming around again.

If trash collection were to stop for an indefinite period of time, accumulating garbage in the streets will attract flies, rats, cockroaches and other pests.  These pests carry disease, and it will only be a matter of time before an epidemic starts to spread.

It only takes a couple of days between pickups for those apartment bins to fill up to overflowing.   Stock up on short term waste disposal supplies such as:

  • large heavy duty trash bags – lawn and leaf bags, or construction bags
  • an extra garbage can or two
  • bleach for sanitizing
  • gloves you can use for handling trash
  • insecticide for pest control

Longer Term Options

Burn it.  Burning trash is not be a good option in the city due to the danger of fire.  It would be even worse in a grid down situation, if there is no fire department available.

Bury It.  You may have to find an empty lot to bury the trash.

Composting.  You can deal with organic wastes such as food scraps, by composting.  This can be done outside if you have a yard or in a bucket.

Recycling and Repurposing.  People will find new uses for all sorts of items if the shops were closed or if they have no money to buy things.

It wouldn’t be a bad idea to form new habits and minimize our garbage output.

  1. Start being conscious of how much is getting thrown out in your household.  Are you overly dependent on packaged goods such as frozen entrees?  Try cooking from scratch and you will notice how much less waste and trash it generates.
  2. Think about how you recycle or re-purpose certain items.  I save 2-liter soda bottles and 64 ounce juice bottles for water storage.  I also keep spray bottles with the plastic nozzles so I can make homemade cleaners.
  3. Minimize food trash by using up leftover food instead of throwing it out.
  4. Get into the habit of consolidating and tearing up large pieces of garbage into smaller more manageable pieces.  As a bonus benefit, you will save money by using less  garbage bags.

 

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Rare Virus could become Widespread after a Disaster

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Deer mouse looks harmless but carries a deadly virus. Source: CDC

Everyone saw the news report about visitors at Yosemite National park who stayed at tent-style “signature” cabins in Curry Village becoming exposed to the Hantavirus.   Hantavirus causes Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) which attacks the lungs and can be fatal.  The disease is carried in the urine, saliva or feces of deer mice and other rodents.  In this particular case, the rodents nested in between the double walls of the cabins, and thus unknowing visitors were exposed to the disease.  As of this writing, the CDC states approximately 10,000 visitors who stayed in the cabins from June through August 2012 have been exposed to the disease.

How do you Catch  Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)?

HPS is caught by people who breath air that has been contaminated by the hantavirus.  The virus is carried by deer mice, cotton rats and rice rats (southeastern states) or the white-footed mouse (northeastern states).  Their droppings, urine and nests contain the virus.  The virus becomes airborne if the droppings are touched or moved.  People can catch it by:  breathing in the contaminated air, touching any surface that is corrupted then touching their eyes or mouth, eating contaminated food or getting bitten by a rodent carrier (rare).  Fortunately, the disease is not spread from person to person.

Who is at Risk of Catching HPS?

People who come into contact with infected materials and rodents are at risk.  Unfortunately, if a person unknowingly stays in a place that has been infested (such as the Curry village cabins), they are at risk.  Other potential exposure situations include:  camping or hiking, cleaning up previously unopened areas such as basements, buildings or storage areas, working in rodent infested spots.

Symptoms

Early symptoms can occur one to five weeks after exposure:  flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, muscle aches and pains, headache, dizziness, chills.  Later, the victim experiences extreme coughing, shortness or breath and finally, difficulty breathing as the lungs become more impaired.  The disease can be fatal.

How to Prevent Exposure

The best way to prevent exposure is to eliminate rodents from the home or workplace:

  • Seal up all cracks and possible rodent entries
  • Trap and dispose of rats and mice
  • Take precautions when cleaning up infested areas:  wear N-95 masks, heavy duty gloves, and disposable coveralls.
  • What you are trying to do is avoid disturbing the poopy dust particles so they don’t fly into the air.  For spraying the area, mix 1 1/2 cups bleach with one gallon of water.  Spray the infected area then let it settle for five minutes.  Wipe it up with paper towels, then dispose of all the waste in a sealed container.  Clean up the surfaces with the said bleach-water solution one more time then leave.   Before taking off your gloves, wash with soap and water and dry gloves.  Wash your own hands with soap and water as well.

Apartment Dwellers

  • You may be clean but you don’t know what your neighbors’ habits are like.
  • Keep an eye out for possible rodent infestations.
  • If you see rats, mice or droppings, report it to your building management immediately.
  • If your outside trash bins are continually full or overflowing, complain about this to maintenance or management as well.
  • Don’t neglect pest control as part of your prepping efforts.
  • When choosing a new unit, look at the cleanliness of the buildings as you tour new apartments.

What does this have to do with us city dwellers? 

It sounds really far-fetched right now, as we are only hearing about a few cases in a far off national park in Yosemite, California.  However, hantavirus has made its appearance nationwide, except for Alaska and Hawaii.  If there were a widespread disaster, and sanitation becomes limited, rodents will multiply and disease will spread.  Being aware of this risk now behooves everyone.

I’m no expert in the subject but want everyone to be aware of this risk.  Readers who are interested in more in-depth information about this should visit Hantavirus in the Centers for Disease Control website.

 

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Get the real deal. Whether bugging out or sheltering in place, you can never have enough clean water for survival: For your water purifier needs, please visit:

Don’t let those expiration dates get past you.  An inexpensive but helpful tool to keep track of supplies (Iphone or Ipad users):

 

10 “Must Have” Emergency Gear for Apartment Dwellers

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A few months ago we covered 10 Fast Track Tips for the Single Apartment Prepper; this week we’ll talk about tools you should have in your apartment in case of emergency.

One of the advantages of living in an apartment is that most repairs and maintenance are covered by management.  All you have to do is make a call.  However, this does not mean that you should take things for granted and be completely dependent on the maintenance crew.  If there is an emergency, the office will be closed and you will have to take care of things on your own.

I am not going to include “cell phone” to the list, I am going to consider that you already have one.  You do keep your cell phone charged and with you at all times don’t you?  Don’t scoff, I know folks who wait until their cell phone turns off before charging, or never hear their phone ringing as it is buried somewhere.  It won’t do any good in an emergency if you can’t get to it, so remember to have it charged and close by.

Here are some essential tools (in no particular order):

1.  Swiss Army Knife.  Don’t leave home without it.  I like mine so much I now keep it with my car keys..  It has come in handy more times than I can count.

2.  Can opener.   It’ll be really hard to eat your canned foods without one.  “Two is one, and one is none” is definitely applicable to this one.  Keep a couple of good can openers in your home at all times.

3.  Multi-tool.  For anyone who is space challenged, the multi-tool that combines a screwdriver, pliers, knives can be essential for doing emergency fixes around your unit.

4.  Duct tape.  From packing up boxes to repairing tears, and even sealing up leaky windows, duct tape is essential to have around.  Keep a few spares just in case.

5.  Portable water filter.  You never know when water can become contaminated or scarce.

6.  Flashlight.  You should have a flashlight in your bedside table within easy reach.

7.  USB flash drive.   Back up your important documents in a USB flash drive.  Even if a disaster never happens, computers crash all the time.

8.  Weather radio.  We used ours a lot during the last hurricane.  When the power goes out, you still need a way to find out what’s going on.

9.  Solar Charger.  A good solar charger will charge your cell phone and other small appliances in case there is no power.  Here’s a review of one:  Goal Zero Nomad 7 solar charger

10.  Hiking shoes.  In case you have to leave the city on foot, you should keep a comfortable pair of hiking shoes.

This list is by no means all inclusive – there are many more items that are handy to have around, but these items are some of the first ones that come in handy frequently.

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Emergency Essentials/BePrepared
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What You Need to Know about Water Contamination

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If the power grid were to go down for a period of time, municipal water filtration systems may not function properly.  Most of us have heard of “Boil water” ordinances in our own cities when a section of town gets a water main break.  That’s because the water in the area becomes contaminated and is no longer safe to drink.  This can happen in a widespread area if the power grid were to fail for a period of time.

The idea for this post started when reader Dave from Florida sent me an enlightening email about how our water supply is vulnerable.  He works as wastewater operator and therefore has good insight on city water supply systems.  Dave was agreeable to parts of his email included in this article.  Thanks Dave!

Purification Process

Most cities get their their water supply from an aquifer deep underground.  Water normally goes through several stages of the purification process before it gets to your tap.

Sedimentation – Treatment plants pump water into a reservoir as a holding area to allow large solid particles to settle down.   The clear water above the sediment will then be ready for the next stage.

Filtration – The water will go through various materials such as gravel, sand and carbon to remove the smaller particles that affect the taste and appearance of water.

Disinfection – The water is then pumped to a water plant where they will disinfect the water to get rid of bacteria and viruses before it can become potable.  Most areas add flouride.   Opinions vary on the wide use of flouride, as many believe that flouride MIGHT be good for your teeth, but is not meant for ingestion.   But that is for another post.  For now, we will stick to the subject of city water.

When water is cleaned at a plant, chlorine is used to sanitize the water, but it is also largely removed before the water leaves the plant so it doesn’t kill the fish in the streams. Chlorine is considered a pesticide and can be harmful if ingested in large amounts.  Chlorine a.k.a bleach sanitizes the water to make it drinkable.  Regulation states that the water plant has to test the water from time to time at the furthest leg from the plant to ensure that that there is enough chlorine in the water as it gets further away from the plant.  It might make more sense to add chlorine somewhere in the middle between the plant and farthest leg however that would be too expensive.  So the plant increases the chlorine amounts to make sure the farthest areas get enough.  On the downside, if you live close to the plant you are getting much higher doses of chlorine.

The Role of the Backlow Preventer

Once the water is disinfected it is ready for consumption.  We now take a look at a little known appliance that is installed in your home as it is built and then forgotten: the backflow preventer.   These devices are very important and yet, get very little attention.   The backflow preventer makes sure that water that gets in through your pipe will not go back out through it.  It makes the water flowing into your house a one way stream.

This is important because if the city loses pressure, then the flow can reverse and the outgoing pipes would suck the water back like a siphon.  The backflow preventer is supposed to keep this from happening.

Backflow preventers normally have a lifespan of five years at the very best. Most are only good for two. That means if your house is older, it is very possible that the backflow preventer is not working at all.

Our tap water is safe to drink as long as it never comes in contact with unclean water.  However, “cross connections” can occur.  A cross connection means potable water coming into contact with contaminated water.  For example, a cross-connection can potentially happen if you leave a garden hose lying in puddle of mud.

As long as the backflow preventer is working properly, your cross connections won’t affect you.  But what happens if it stops working?  When the water lines lose pressure you can actually watch the hose drain a giant puddle in your yard as the potable water pipes are sucking it past your backflow preventer and into the water system that feeds all down-flow customers.  Even in a non-emergency situation, cross connections can sully your household’s water if your backflow preventer is not working properly.  Since there is no regulation that governs the maintenance of this key piece of equipment, all your water safety disappears as you or anyone up stream from you can easily cross connect your clean water supply with not-so-clean water.  (Dave did mention that business and industrial backflow preventers are regulated, while residential ones are not.)  It is still possible to have cross connections with businesses in the neighborhood, such as restaurants, allowing small amounts of dirty water in.  The reason you don’t hear about any problems is because there is the dilution factor and the chlorine in your drinking water kills off contaminants that accidentally gets in.

What this means for homes and apartments during a disaster

In a grid down situation, when water is not being filtered properly, the failure of the backflow preventer and contamination due to cross connections can become dangerous to your family’s health.

  • If you are a homeowner, check your records to see when was the last time the backflow preventer was replaced.  Chances are, it was installed when your house was built.  Have your plumber inspect and replace it if needed.
  • In an apartment building, your building management may know when the backflow preventer was last replaced.  However, from my experience, most management companies have high turnover rate and generally are not knowledgeable about such matters.  If the manager does not know, check with the maintenance supervisor.
  • Learn how to shut off the city water from entering your home in the event of a disaster.
  • Keep at least two weeks worth of water for everyone in your household.
  • You should have one gallon per person per day.
  • Learn how to filter water to remove sediment.
  • Have a back up stove to be able to boil water.
  • Choose a good water purifier.  In our household, we use the Big Berkey for everyday use, with a set of back up filter units.
  • Set aside additional water for household use.  I am considering keeping a water barrel in the garage to add to our water storage.

Water is such a necessity and should be a top priority for emergency supplies.  Reconsider your water storage today.

 

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Guest Post: Quick Earthquake Preparedness Tips for Apartment Dwellers

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Photo by Ross Becker, ChristChurch NZ, 4/2011

Many people know the importance of being prepared for disaster. Earthquakes are more common than we think, and we often are unaware of how to best prepare for them. Having an emergency supply of food and provisions can be vital in the case of any kind of emergency.  The standard seems to be to keep a stock of cans and generators in the basement. But what if you don’t have a basement? There are a lot of us that don’t have large basements in which to store things, and a lot of the time, that is because we live in apartments. For the average apartment dweller then, food storage and emergency supplies will have to be quite different – but no less necessary. Here are some tips to help you out in the case of an unexpected earthquake.

Secure Large Furniture

Apartment buildings may feel the force of an earthquake stronger than a low level building would. Make sure that you secure large furniture to the walls. If you experience an earthquake, you do not want anything large or dangerous to fall on or harm you in anyway.

Prepare for Fire

One of the biggest problems that an earthquake can cause is a fire. Learn how to turn off the gas and electric in your apartment. This way you can hopefully prevent sparks and fires from starting. You will also prevent poisoning from any natural gas such as carbon monoxide. It is also an excellent idea to keep a fire extinguisher in your apartment in case of fire.

Have an Exit Strategy

Make sure that you know your building’s emergency plan. Familiarize yourself with the quickest exits and closest stairwells. Remember that you will not be able to use an elevator, so becoming familiar with stairwells is vital.

Keep a Supply of Food and Water

Should you experience a serious earthquake, you may find yourself stuck in your apartment for a while. You may not be able to leave, or you may not be able to cook or buy any food and the tap water may not be running. In this situation, it is absolutely necessary that you have your own emergency food and water supply. There are a couple of things that you need to remember when creating your food storage.

Keep it Compact

The biggest difference when living in an apartment is the space. An apartment is far more limited for space that a house, so you will want to try to keep size to a minimum when creating your emergency supply. There are a few ways that you can do this. One such way is to look at the types of food that you buy and store. Tin cans can be bulky and awkwardly shaped. Instead, look into other, more compact options. There are a number of places that allow you to purchase freeze-dried food. This will be an entire meal, with seasonings, in a slim, light package.

Focus on Necessities

Think about what things you need, and what you don’t need.  You should have a gallon of water per person a day for at least a week.  Food is necessary for any emergency supply, but do you really need three jars of peanut butter? Probably not. If something were to happen, you are likely to have to survive on this food for some time, so think about what you would and would not mind eating for a few days in a row. Make sure that you have enough food, but not too much unnecessary food.

Survival Kits

There are actually a number of ready-made survival kits available for purchase. These usually contain a few essentials such as first aid supplies, food, water pouches and survival items such as knives, all in a compact backpack. This can be an effective and easy way to have your own emergency supply, without worrying about size or space. If you do not want to purchase a ready-made one, another good idea is to make one for yourself. Put a few essentials, plus some first aid and other emergency supplies in a backpack and store it somewhere safe.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:Lee Flynn is a freelance writer and expert in long term food storage.

 

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Get the real deal. Whether bugging out or sheltering in place, you can never have enough clean water for survival: For your water purifier needs, please visit:

Don’t let those expiration dates get past you.  An inexpensive but helpful tool to keep track of supplies (Iphone or Ipad users):