This past week, The National Geographic Channel began airing episodes of Doomsday Preppers. This show speaks directly to my slightly paranoid nature. The people showcased, however, take my slight paranoia to a whole other level. From houses built out of shipping containers to people preparing for an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) that will wipe out the power grid, these individuals have made disaster preparedness a lifestyle. While I’m nowhere near that dedicated to the effort, the show does get you thinking. As a dad, one of my primary functions is to ensure the safety of my family. If we have a huge snowstorm or an earthquake that shuts down power and/or transportation for an extended period of time, how do I protect and provide for my wife and little ones?
Thankfully, there are resources available to help. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a site to help you prepare an emergency readiness kit. Probably the most important things on the list (and the two that are listed first) are water and an emergency food supply. The site states that you should have one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days and a 72-hour supply of non-perishable food. I know that I have enough food around the house, but I also know that our water supply is not enough for the family. I should definitely stock up a little.
Have you seen this show yet? What steps have you taken to prepare yourself in the event that disaster strikes? Leave us a comment and let us know your thoughts.
[…] really underscore the need to be prepared for just about anything. We have posted before about emergency preparedness in more general terms, but this time we want to be a little more specific. Take a look at this […]