Dec - Preparedness Tip - Winter Driving

Dashing through the snow . . . 

Are you prepared for winter driving?

A few things to remember before you you head off to grandmother's house . . . over the river and through the woods . . .

Drive slower than you normal would, use caution, it's better to be late than be in an accident.

Be prepared, make sure you have your winter / emergency supplies in the car with you:

• Jumper cables
• winter gloves (depending on where you are travelling, coats and boots, extra warm clothing).
• first aid kit
• flashlight
• snow cables or snow chains (knowing how to put them on is a good idea too:)).
• a small shovel
• snacks
• water (but don't leave it in the car all of the time = ice)
• check your windshield wipers, top of the fluid (the de-icer is nice)
• ice scraper
• check your tires
• charge your cell phone
• check traffic / road conditions before you go

UDOT Traffic

Nov - Preparedness Tip - Winterize you Home

It's getting cold outside, are you ready for winter?

For our November Preparedness tip here are some reminders from ready.gov about what to do to winterize your home.  For more information on winterizing your vehicle, the dangers of carbon monoxide, and winter weather terms, go to the Ready.gov website by following this link.

Winterize Your Home

• Winterize your home to extend the life of your fuel supply by insulating walls and attics, caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic.
• Winterize your house, barn, shed or any other structure that may provide shelter for your family, neighbors, livestock or equipment. Clear rain gutters; repair roof leaks and cut away tree branches that could fall on a house or other structure during a storm.
• Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected every year.
• Insulate pipes with insulation or newspapers and plastic and allow faucets to drip a little during cold weather to avoid freezing. Running water, even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing.
• All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside and kept clear.
• Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure everyone in your house knows how to use them. House fires pose an additional risk, as more people turn to alternate heating sources without taking the necessary safety precautions.
• Learn how to shut off water valves (in case a pipe bursts).
• Insulate your home by installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic from the inside to keep cold air out.
• Hire a contractor to check the structural ability of the roof to sustain unusually heavy weight from the accumulation of snow - or water, if drains on flat roofs do not work.

Are we prepared?

Are we prepared?

From the First Presidency Message September 2014

"We encourage you wherever you may live in the world to prepare for adversity by looking to the condition of your finances.  We urge you to be modest in your expenditures; discipline yourselves in your purchases to avoid debt.  Pay off debt as quickly as you can, and free yourselves from this bondage.  Save a little money regularly to gradually build a financial reserve."        President Thomas S. Monson

Oct - Preparedness Tip - Canning Crisco

Our preparedness tip for the month comes from Patty via Good Things Utah

The lady took a large can of Crisco, melted it down, put it in jelly size (8 oz.) jars, and sealed it by just placing the lid on it and screwing on the ring.  It has a 10 year shelf life.  I hardly ever use shortening but might try this.  

Thanks Patty W - Country View

Sept 2014 - A preparedness tip - Water, water everywhere . . .

Did you know that according to American Water Works Association Research the average American family uses 300 gallons of water a day.  For most about 70% of that water is used indoors, here in the west where we rely heavily on irrigation the outside use is much higher.  DON'T stop reading this isn't a rant on how we need to conserve water.  It's just help us realize how much we do use, and why it is SOOOO important to store water and to know how to find and/or purify water if the need arises.

BePrepared.com recently published a post about Finding Water in the Wild, it had so much interesting information about finding water, I learned a few ways to find water that I'd never even thought of.

• Insects: A large swarm of insects is a good indicator that a water source is nearby. According to the SAS Survival Handbook, “Ants are dependent upon water. A column of ants marching up a tree is going to a small reservoir of water.” Bees are also good indicators that water is nearby. - 
• Use Condensation from Trees and Branches-- Look for a leafy bush or tree branch that is healthy with vegetation. Tie a plastic bag around the branch using paracord or rope. The evaporation from the plant will create condensation in the bag.

   

I know some people in the area have built backyard water filters, I would love to post your experience, if anyone would like to share.

August Preparedeness Tip

Preparedness Tip:  Spraying solutions of vinegar and hydrogen peroxide, one after the other, kills virtually all salmonella, shigella, or E coli bacteria on heavily-contaminated surfaces.  This is more effective than chlorine bleach and is easier to use.  Just put the vinegar and hydrogen peroxide in small separate spray bottles being sure not to add water or mix the two together

July - Preparedness Tip Paracord Bracelets / Fashion / Entertainment for the kids / Survival Tool

July Preparedness Tip -
Paracord Bracelets are cute (or manly depending on how you look at it or how you make them) bracelets that you or your kids can make and then unmake to use in an emergency situation.

Gluesticks.blog.com

Paracord Bracelet Tutorial

10 practical uses of Paracord Bracelets from Survival.outdoorlife.com

There are a lot of on-line resources for buying colored paracord, I'll let you decide where you want to shop.

Right now you can buy 50 feet from Emergency Essentials for:

50-foot Nylon Paracord Available in olive
	List Price: $9.99 Our Price: $4.50

and the buckle for:

Whistle BuckleA quick-release buckle and a whistle
	List Price: $1.49 Our Price: $0.95

June - Preparedness Tip - Water Purification

June:  Preparedness Tip

Water has been on my mind a lot lately.  This is the time of the year when it rains and floods (at least where I live the clay soil lets water pool up all over the lawn).  In a month of so the grass will be dying and our sprinklers will be running but for now we have water.

While water for our lawns is nice water for our bodies is sooo much more than just nice.  I love the new commercials on the radio about that miracle drug "AQUA".  Love it we can't live without water - literally.  (please smile now, I'd hate to think my wittiness is being wasted).

Last week our stake hosted a sanitation class and I understand it was really good, what you don't know is there were a lot more handouts than you saw.  In another post I attached all of those documents but will be occasionally be sharing one in its very own post.

First some info from the red cross about water purification.

Water Treatment - American Red Cross

In addition to having a bad odor and taste, water from questionable sources may be contaminated by a variety of microorganisms, including bacteria and parasites that cause diseases such as dysentery, cholera, typhoid and hepatitis. All water of uncertain purity should be treated before use.

To treat water for consumption and/or hygiene, follow these steps:

• Filter the water using a piece of cloth or coffee filter to remove solid particles.
• Bring it to a rolling boil for about one full minute.
• Let it cool at least 30 minutes. Water must be cool or the chlorine treatment described below will be useless.
• Add 16 drops of liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water, or 8 drops per 2-liter bottle of water. Stir to mix. Sodium hypochlorite of the concentration of 5.25% to 6% should be the only active ingredient in the bleach. There should not be any added soap or fragrances. A major bleach manufacturer has also added Sodium Hydroxide as an active ingredient, which they state does not pose a health risk for water treatment.
• Let stand 30 minutes.
• If it smells of chlorine. You can use it. If it does not smell of chlorine, add 16 more drops of chlorine bleach per gallon of water (or 8 drops per 2-liter bottle of water), let stand 30 minutes, and smell it again. If it smells of chlorine, you can use it. If it does not smell of chlorine, discard it and find another source of water.

And the handout from Lana Richardson, which has a little bit more information.

May Preparedness Class Handouts

Handouts from Thur May 8 Preparedness Class - Sister Lana Richardson

To view  / print / or download, click on the highlighted text this will take you to a folder of available documents click on the one that you want.

PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS (GOOGLE DRIVE)

Lists of Emergency Supplies
Alcohol Stove
Basic Disaster Kit and Preparedness Checklist
Canned Heat and Light
Emergency Wash Kit
First Aid Kit
Food Storage
Grab and Go Emergency Supplies List
Hygiene Kit
Lists of Emergency Supplies
Preparedness Quotes from President Ezra T. Benson and Bruce McConkie
Preparing for Emergencies
Uses for Dryer Sheets
Water Storage
Wonder Oven Directions

Sanitation Kit

In May:

We will have a special speaker coming to talk about the importance of having a Sanitation kit (this is one thing your REALY do not want to go without in the case of an emergency)

Sister Lana Richardson

May 8th

Location and Time:  To be announced

Here is a sample of some information she will share - and the kit we will have available for purchase

SANITATION KIT Lana Richardson

C0NTENTS:

One (1) 6- Gallon bucket with tight-fitting lid
Snap-on type toilet seat with lid

Eight (8) plastic liners (garbage bags)

One (l) canister of clean-up gel (8 oz.)

Two (2) rolls of toilet paper

One (1) large bottle of a hand sanitizer
One (1) pkg. Baby Wipes

One (I) roll paper towel

One (1) large bottle Bathroom Cleaner
Four (4) pairs of rubber gloves

One (1) bottle of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
One (1) box of Baking Soda

                One (l) ½ gallon of white vinegar

One (1) 2 liter bottle of water (not included)

DIRECTIONS FOR EMERGENCY TOILET:

1.                   Put garbage bag in as a liner in a 6-gallon 'bucket and snap on a toilet seat.

2.                   Sprinkle one tablespoon of gel in the bucket.  The gel will absorb over 100 times its own weight (up to two
gallons of liquid). The liquid becomes a gel and will deodorize the toilet content.   The gel is also biodegradable
so it is safe to use.

3.                   The toilet is ready for use. Use toilet paper as usual, but try to be conservative.

4.                   Use baby wipes or hand sanitizer on hands after each use and dry hands with paper towels.

5.                   Un-snap the toilet seat and put on the tight fitting lid after-each use of the toilet. The key to disease control is to

KEEP IT TIGHTLY COVERED.

6.                   Replace liner and gel is needed.

7.                   Use rubber gloves when disposing of the liner.

8.                   Make up a solution of bathroom concentrate as per (directions on the bottle. Clean toilet and toilet seat when necessary. This cleaner disinfects, is an antibacterial, is non-acidic plus it has a good fragrance.

<                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES FOR DISINFECTING AND ODOR CONTROL:

1.  Baking Soda:

Baking soda will help to control odor; it stops mold, fungus mildew, and is a natural whitener.
Baking soda relieves heartburn, indigestion and it neutralizes acids in a sour stomach associated with diarrhea. Use 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda into 1/2 cup water and drink it down.

Baking soda plus a little salt will help clean your teeth.

2.  3% Hydrogen Peroxide: (Put in a small spray bottle no water added).

Hydrogen peroxide is an antiseptic, and a cleaning agent for minor cuts and abrasions. It can be used as an
oral rinse and gargle. To disinfect toilet seat just spray it on and wipe off.

3. One (1)1/2 gallon of white distilled vinegar: (Put it a small Spray bottle - no water added). Studies show that
vinegar kills 99% of mold, and 80% of germs (viruses). To disinfect toilet seat just spray it on and wipe off.

COMBINING VINEGAR AND HYDROGENPEROXIDE:

Spraying solutions of vinegar and hydrogen peroxide, one after the other In any order, kills virtually all
Salmonella, Shigella or E Coli bacteria on heavily contaminated surfaces, This combination is more effective at killing
these potentially deadly bacteria than chlorine bleach and it is easier.

ADDITIONAL SUGGESTED SUPPLIES TO HAVE:

More toilet paper and water; personal supplies; a camp shovel; dusk masks; a bag of lime; three spray
bottles, and a large garbage can to store human waste, bury it as far away from anything as possible. Throw lime over it
and pack it down to keep the dogs from digging it up. 

Feb 2014 - Thought - "Thought" is the beginning of all things

Hello, my name is Avis C (pronounced with a short 'a'). We recently moved here from South Central Texas, but are "native" Utahans. I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, my husband in Boise, ID, but we have family here and have lived in St. George area previously. I was asked by the Stake Relief Society President to write this for the blog, after she heard my comment in Sunday School a couple weeks ago.

I am by NO means an orator, so I keep things simple and to the point. If you want an ear-full you'll have to search me out and talk one on one.

The comment I gave in church was about our attitudes toward 'preparedness'. The lesson was on Noah and I pointed out that verse 22 of Moses 8 tells us exactly what the people's problem was...thoughts. "Every man was lifted up in the imagination of the thoughts of his heart, being only evil continually." We can learn, not only from what the prophets and good people in the scriptures did, but also, how to avoid and be sure to check ourselves, to see if we are anything like those that were wicked in the scriptures. Being raised in the gospel, a lot of us forget that ALL our actions (or lack of actions) start with our thoughts. Are we putting off obeying the commandment from the prophets to be prepared for ANY reason? Think about what thoughts entered your mind when you first read the intro, that this entry to the blog was going to be on preparedness. Were they negative? That is where we begin to change. Find out how you can think positive about preparedness, and watch the change in your heart and actions start. Watch how the Spirit, then, can guide you to accomplish things you never thought possible.

By the way, Thought is the beginning of all things. Plans, creation, actions, choices all stem from thoughts.  One of my many favorite scriptures is D&C 121:45 "...and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly...and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distill upon thy soul as the dews of heaven."

Sent from my Rotary phone duct-taped to an Etch-a-Sketch

Feb 2014- Preparedness tip - Salt

Preparedness Tip from Brother Dan B of the Pheasant Meadow ward

“Salt is the staff of Life and important to survival. Our Testimonies are equally important to our Daily Survival. Each must be used daily so we can grow and receive daily nourishment. A 50 lb. bag of Real Salt (fine) may be purchased at IFA for $8.00. What is the cost of gaining or growing YOUR Testimony.

A small bag of real salt is $8.99 or you can buy a bag of real salt at IFA for $8.00 for 50 lbs. it is the same salt just bagged for animals.”

If you are curious, as I was about “real” salt let me share a little bit of what I learned.

Refined  / Unrefined Salt

Refined salt is brined in a solution which can include sulfuric acid or chlorine and heated.  This can remove many minerals.  Anti-caking and conditioning agents are also added to increase shelf life.  Iodide may be added. 

Ingredients

Morton Iodized table salt - salt, calcium silicate, dextrose, potassium iodide.

Morton Coarse Kosher Salt - Salt, Yellow Prussiate of Soda (Anti-caking agent)

Real Salt - An Elemental Analysis of Real Salt (a brand of unrefined salt mined in Utah)

Elemental Analysis of Real Salt

General Info about Salt

For more information about salt in general you might want to look at the Wikipedia site which includes A LOT of references.  

wikipedia entry for Salt - with references

Types of unrefined salt  source -Know your salts

Celtic / Gray Salt (France)

Comes from a Modern Ocean, harvest from various ponds of the shores of France.  This is a “wet” salt that is a bit more coarse

Himalayan / Pink Salt (Pakistan)

Comes from an Ancient Sea, mined from many different mines near Khewra, Pakistan.  This is a dry salt.

Redmond Real Salt

Comes from an Ancient Sea, mined from one source in Redmond, Utah.    This is a dry salt, it comes in different granulations; fine (table salt),  kosher (slightly larger crystal), coarse grind (looks like rock salt, usually used in a grinder) and powder salt (consistency of flour)

Youtube video about different grain sizes of salt

Jan 2014 - Preparedness TIp - Be Aware

A preparedness tip from Dianna F. of the Foxglen Park ward.

Being aware of your surroundings is an easy way to make sure you and your family are prepared.    Children especially are easily disoriented and can be frightened in an emergency situation, by making sure they know where the exits are and where to meet you if they get lost we can lessen the potential stress for them, while keeping them safer.    If it's a family habit to do this it becomes second nature instead of a scarier thing.

I loved this tip from Dianna, although we've never had to evacuate a building I have had kids wander off and it was NOT fun for either of us.  Taking a few minutes to plan a meeting place and making sure they always know who to ask for help would have probably saved me a few gray hairs.

Preparedness Tips - Lessons learned

This letter has been circulating around LDS social media since Hurricane Sandy, it seems to have been written by a Frank Ostmann.  It was shared by Gail W. from the Pheasant Meadow ward.  

It really has some great information about REALLY being prepared.

Thanks Gail

Are you prepared for an Emergency? Please read! It really makes you think.
Things that I learned from Hurricane Sandy from someone who lived through it, Nov 2012

1. The excitement and "coolness" wears off around day three.

2. You are never really prepared to go weeks without power, heat, water etc. Never! ... ...

3. Yes, it can happen to you.

4. Just because your generator runs like a top, does not mean it's producing electricity.

5. If you do not have water stored up, you are in trouble.

a. A couple of cases of bottled water is NOT water storage

6. Should have as much fuel as water
a. Propane
b. Gas
c. Kerosene
d. Firewood
e. Firestarter, (kindling, paper, etc)

7. Even the smallest little thing that you get from the store should be stocked up.. (spark plug for the generator,BBQ lighter, etc).

8. If you are not working, chances are nobody else is either.

9. I was surprised how quickly normal social behavior goes out the window. I am not talking about someone cutting in line at the grocery store.
a. 3 people were killed at gas stations within 50 miles of my home.
b. I did not say 3 fights broke out, 3 people were killed.

10. Cash is king (all the money in your savings means nothing).

11. Stored water can taste nasty.

12. You eat a lot more food when you are cold.

13. You need more food than you think if your kids are out of school for 2 weeks

14. Kids do not like washing their face in cold water.

15. Your 1972 Honda civic gets to the grocery store as well as your 2012 Escalade, but the Honda allows
money left over for heat, food, water, a generator, fire wood, a backup water pump, you get the idea..

16. The electrical grid is way more fragile than I thought.

17. Think of the things that are your comfort, your escape: a cup of hot chocolate, a glass of milk and a ding
dong before bed, chips, candies, protein bars, various nuts, etc. Stock up on those too. You will need that
comfort after day three.

18. You quickly become the guy in the neighborhood who knows how to wire a generator to the electrical panel,directly wire the furnace to a small generator, or get the well pump up and running on inverter power or you're the guy whose Master's degree in Accounting suddenly means nothing.

19. A woman who can cook a fine meal by candle light over the BBQ or open fire is worth her weight in gold.  And women, whose weight is in gold, often don't add up to much, and usually die off first. Sorry skinny women.

20. It takes a lot of firewood to keep a fire going all day and into the evening for heat.

21. All the food storage in the world means nothing if your kids won't eat it.

22. You might be prepared to take care of your children
and their needs, but what about when the neighborhood children start to show up at your door?

23. Some people shut down in an emergency. There is nothing that you can do about that.

24. Your town, no matter how small, is entirely dependent on outside sources for everything. If supply trucks
stop rolling in due to road damage, you will have gas shortages and run out of everything else you are now
unconsciously using without storing any extra. And you could be without these items for a very long time.

25. In an emergency, men stock up on food. Women stock up on toilet paper. Both of you take equal
responsibility in preparing your home, safety, transportation and property. Work together.

26. Take inventory - you'll be surprised how many things run on electricity!

27. You can never have enough matches.

28. Although neighbors can be a great resource, they can also be a huge drain on your emergency storage.
You need to plan how you are going to handle that. It's really easy to be "Bob, the guy who shares" on Day 3,not so easy on Day 11. Just reality.

29. Give a man a fish, he eats for that day, teach a man to fish and he will never be hungry again... Now I get it.

30. All of the expensive clothes in the closet mean nothing if they don't keep you warm.

31. Same goes for shoes.

32. You cannot believe the utility companies. They are run by politicians!! Or so it seems.

33. Anything that you now depend on someone else for, will no longer be available. Period.

34. Quote "A man with a chainsaw who knows how to use it" is a thing of beauty. Hahaha!

35. Most folks don't have any emergency storage. They run to Wal-Mart and get water and batteries and then fill their tubs with water. That's it. A lucky few will get a case of ramen and a box of pop tarts. That will be your neighbor's supply.

36. Fathers, all the money you have ever made means nothing if you can't keep your kids warm.

37. Mothers, everything you have ever done for your kids is forgotten if your kids are hungry.

38. You really do not want to be the 'Unprepared Parents'. The kids turn on you pretty quick.

39. Small solar-charged gadgets will keep you in touch. Most work pretty well it seems.

40. Some things don't take much power to operate.
a. Computers
b. Phones
c. Radios
d. TV
e. lights

41. Some things take a ton of power to operate.
a. Fridge
b. Toaster
c. Freezer
d. Hot plate
e. Microwave
f. Electric stove and oven

42. When it gets dark at 4:30pm the nights are really long without power.

43. Getting out of the house is very important. Even if it's cold. Make your home the semi-warm place to come home to..not the cold prison that you are stuck in.

44. Someone in your family must play or learn to play guitar (or some other musical instrument - even a
harmonica can be a life saver.) Collect and then use song books, hymnals, scriptures. Instead of the old TV/
Movies time, gather your family, wrapped in quilts and blankets. Talk, pray, plan, praise and encourage each
other, discuss, snuggle,reassure, love, pray still more, and above all else, openly share your assessments of
what's going on. Kids need to understand what's going on.

45. Things that disappeared never to be seen again for a very long time...
a. Fuel, of all kinds
b. Matches, lighters of any kind etc.
c. Toilet paper, baby diapers, feminine needs
d. Paper plates, plastic forks and knives
e. Batteries: Inventory everything that runs on batteries. It'll blow your mind! Buy batteries now!
f. Milk (Learn to store/drink dry powd. milk. Mix 3 cups with 1 cn. whole evaporated milk - soon it tastes like the 2% store milk from before.)
g. Charcoal
h. Spark plugs (generators)
i. 2 stroke motor oil, (chainsaws)
j. Anything that could be used to wire a generator to the house.
k. Extension cords
l. Medicines (Tylenol, Advil, cold medicines prescriptions,etc.)
m. Dressings, ointments, first aid supplies. There will be many injuries, some serious, & no way to run to the
doctor or count on an ambulance, etc.

46. There was a strange peace to knowing all I had to do each day was keep my family safe, warm, and fed,
but my peace was someone else's panic. There were also many things that were not learned from Hurricane
Sandy, but reinforced. Those things were the importance of my family and their love and support, especially
my lovely wife; that my Heavenly Father is really in charge, period; and finally that I am very thankful for the
upbringing and experiences which have taught me and brought me to where I am today... Wherever that is!

God Bless you, God bless America! Let's not wait until it is
too late !!!