How to Store Water for an Emergency

Don't forget to make sure your pets have food, a carrier, and any other essentials they may need, as well. Also, I bought a port-a-potty for a road trip, but a 5gal. plastic bucket, lined with a plastic bag, and kitty litter or saw dust enough to cover each useage would be a good idea.

I would reccomend some way of sanitizing utensils or making sure you have disposable plates, cups, and plastic-ware. For cooking, should there be a power outage, a propane grill is ideal. I don't have one right now, so I bought some Sterno, and the metal grill that comes with it. It gives off enough heat to fry eggs, cook soup, heat water for rice, oat meal, and a lot of other staples.

Peanut butter, jelly, crackers, canned fruit, and some "fun" items like chocolate, Graham crackers, and marshmellows for "S'mores" if you have kids to entertain, or wine and cheeses for the adults, can help the time pass more easily. Have some games, cards, and most of all lanterns with many batteries on hand. I also bought a Red Cross emergency radio that gets AM, FM, six different Police band stations, and runs on solar, hand-crank, or batteries for power. It also has a flashlight, flashing red light, alarm clock, and is 6in. by 6in. by 3in., and very light. We have nightlights that turn into flashlights should the power go out. We also have many fire extinguishers throughout the house and in the car.

Our family has an emergency plan that we practice so each person knows their role, plus I spring a "suprise" on them every so often to keep them sharp. I have been through quite a few emergencies myself, and I know that being prepared is essential for your family's safety. Plus you can then help your neighbors.

As usual, Eric --you taught me a lot. Thank you. p.s. You're a fox.