Simplify Your Family's Emergency Preparedness

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To read a little bit about the new 2022 Come Follow Me reading schedule for the Old Testament, along with a daily reading assignment from the Book of Mormon, click here

 

Huge Fire Ladder Sale!! PlanForAwesome

These fire ladders are on a killer sale today!!!!

This is the one we have and we’ve tried it out and it’s a good one!

These fire blankets don’t replace fire extinguishers but they make a good addition.  They definitely make less mess than a fire extinguisher if they can get the job done.

This protects all of the terminals on each and every battery from coming in contact with any others.  Did you know that LOTS and LOTS of house fires start this way???  Just throwing away batteries in the trashcan, or storing them all in a Rubbermaid container, loose.  DON’T DO IT!  CONTROL your batteries!

Click here to get a battery daddy. It is AMAZING!

You and me, getting stuff done together, knocking things out like a boss. 
Build a foundation for your family’s preparedness through daily videos that show you how to do the task for that day.
You asking me questions, and me answering them personally with a video message.
All curriculum included: “Quick & Easy Preparedness” ebook AND all supporting printables.
Accountability.  Motivation.  Fun.  Laughter.  Incredible sense of accomplishment.
Get on the waitlist HERE.  😍 🤗 🎉

Lanterns – My favorite ones are these awesome and inexpensive magnetized lanterns – 4 pack. They are small, inexpensive, only take 3 AA batteries, and they even have convenient handles on the top to hang them on a hook. They’re also magnetized on the bottom (we store ours on the side of our fridge).

 

Flashlights – I like this variety pack of flashlights because you get 6 flashlights for $14.99, and each flashlight is a different color. This makes it easy to keep track of whose is whose if you have a few people in your family. I also like their small size, making it convenient to keep them in a drawer, next to a bed, etc. 

 

Headlamps – This is my favorite pick for headlamps. It’s comfy, waterproof, and as stylish as possible, given what it is

External chargers order one (or 2) ASAP. These are game changers. I bought one a couple years ago when we had season passes to Six Flags and my phone was always dead by the end of the day, being without a charger and using it to take a million pictures and videos.

Imagine the value of this in a 5-day extended blackout! Charge your phones, iPads, tablets, Airpods, etc. Obviously one of these is not going to last 5 days charging multiple devices, so plan on using the charge wisely, or buy a couple of these to double the amount of charge you can go into the blackout with.

Here is the printable!  It’s two pages of power outage info 🙂

Learn the difference between freeze-dried and dehydrated, shelf life, learn about my favorite foods to store, how to order, etc.
Remember:   When you go to check out, select DELIVERY SERVICE.

Thrive Life doesn’t sell butter powder, but this company does.  I’ve never tried this, but I’ve heard good things about it!

Here is the link to the containers with the dark grey lids that I showed during the live on food storage.

Here is the link to the containers with the white lids that I showed during the live on food storage (I don’t like these as much because the flippy part gets pushed through sometimes, so I recommend the grey-topped ones)

Learn about all different shapes, sizes, price points, and capacities of a variety of different water storage options here.

This is where you can get your FREE PRINTABLE instructions for cleaning your tank (or other containers), rotating your water, and keeping your clean water safe! 

Direct links to the two sites I recommend:

PlanForAwesome.com/SureWater (we have the 500-gallon tank) and Water Prepared (affiliate links)

What a delightful conversation with Rachel from 3 in 30 podcast!  
In this episode, we talk about 3 takeaways for simplifying your emergency preparedness.
Listen on your favorite podcast app or HERE on her website!

This is the binding machine I have.  I LOVE IT.  It’s amazing how many times I pull it out and bind something just because I can.  It’s a game changer, for sure!

Corded phones – did you know these still work, even when the power is out?? Cordless phones won’t work though, since the base of a cordless is powered through an outlet. If you pay for a landline, you will still have access to make phone calls if you have a corded phone. If you’re curious as to how this works, this short article from How Stuff Works explains it 🙂

Manual Can Openerthis is my favorite one

Long-handled lighterfor lighting a gas stove

Canned heat – safe for indoors! You can purchase a foldable stove for $10, and stick the canned heat underneath. This is definitely not a powerful cooking method, and isn’t ideal for cooking foods. But if you are prepared with food that just needs to be heated up (like a can of soup) or that just requires boiling water, this does the trick!

 

Thermometers for fridge/freezer – I like this one because, although it isn’t as fancy as the digital ones, this kind doesn’t take batteries. I made the mistake of purchasing the fancier digital ones, only to be disappointed that when I went to see the temperature, the battery had run out!

Cooler – My favorite Yeti is this one (lots of Yetis don’t have wheels but this one does). This one is $399.99 regardless of where you get it (Amazon, sporting goods stores, Yeti.com, etc).

A good middle-of-the-road cooler is this Coleman.

Ice packthis 4-lb ice pack (affiliate link) is pretty amazing too ($29.99 whether on Amazon or YETI.com). It literally stays frozen for a few days, when inside a Yeti cooler. It’s huge, it’s awesome, and it’s worth every penny. 

It’s time to get a solid foundation in your emergency preparedness.  It is SO MUCH EASIER than you think! 15 minutes or less each weekday for a month.  That’s it.  And you’ll be amazed at how much you’ve accomplished and how much your kids know 😍

Step 14 - PETS

Pet First Aid Kit – the one I linked to before is unavailable but here are some options if you want a pre-done first aid kit.

There are also pre-done entire 72-hour kits for pets ready to go if you don’t want to have to piece your kit together.  Since there are so many different pets out there, here is a list to get you started, but a more narrow search may be better for you, if you type in the specific animal you are looking to cover.

Step 12 - Food

Mountain House Camping Food is my favorite.   

Here is a bucket of “Classic” meal assortment.  (26 servings)

Here is a bucket of the “Expedition” meals. (30 servings)

Thrive Life has something called “TO GO.” These are full meals, ready to go after adding hot water. 

Honestly, I like Mountain House Camping Food better than Thrive Life To-Go, based on what I’ve tried.

CAN OPENER! – this is my favorite – doesn’t go dull after a month, and it does a smooth, clean job. I am confident this will last well past 72 hours! I actually have a couple of these in my long-term food storage as well.

Disposable pads/placemats or these are the same ones – a clean surface to put food on, etc.

Freaking awesome spork/knife– here is a 3-pack of different colors, to help keep them straight, and another 3-pack with 3 MORE colors (I got one of each pack and am seriously considering throwing all our silverware away and using these on the daily)

Camping Stove – This is the one we got. Very reasonably priced and easy to use (the case is a piece of crap though). However, I was not able to order the butane (fuel canisters) on Amazon because they wouldn’t deliver it to my address. So we just got our fuel at a physical store. Note: you should not use a butane stove indoors. The fumes can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Always use these outside!

Canned Heat – awesome because you can use it inside.

Foldable stove –  LOVE these for a 72-hour kit

 

Step 11 - Water

If you would like to learn about water filters and/or purification, I will have a comprehensive post on this topic ready for you by the end of this week!

 

Here is a link to the Berkey Water Filtration System that we have. They have lots of options/sizes, and they are seriously one of the best options!!!

 

LifestrawsAfter researching a bunch of options, I like Lifestraws because they are small and can filter a lot of water for how small they are.  They are also highly effective, filtering out almost anything you would ever need to worry about.  Notice I said “almost everything.”  Still not 100%, but dang close!

Step 10 - 5-Gallon Bucket

This pop-up pod is really awesome for privacy, should the need for a bucket toilet ever arise.

 

This link is a good option – it has the bucket, liners, toilet seat, plus a couple other things.  I have gotten this multiple times for a Classroom Lockdown Kit for my kids’ teachers.

 

Crank flashlight/radioThis is the one we have and we are happy with it. The radio works, the flashlight works, it has a battery, solar, AND a crank-powered option. It also has a USB port to charge electronics. We have not tested the solar function but have tested everything else and it all works. This is not necessarily THE ONE I would recommend; there are countless options of flashlights, radios, chargers, etc. This one is 10 years old, so I’m sure there are better ones out there now…this is just what we have!

 

Shovel – super compact, but attaches in just a few seconds to have a more usable length of a handle. Has several other tools built in. Comes with an instruction sheet inside the carrying case, so no additional instructions are needed.

Lantern – I like these lanterns because they are fairly compact and weather-resistant, and at 2 for $14.99, you can’t beat the price. They have a magnetic bottom, allowing you to stick it to anything magnetic (like the hood of your car). They also have a hook so you can hang them (from a loop inside your tent, or in your car, or from a tree, etc). These go in and out of stock, so if they are out of stock right now, check the recommended similar products – we have two different kinds and they’re both great!  

Barf Bags – these or these are kinda fun…if you get a big pack, put some in your car for road trips!

Step 9 Loose Items

Comfort food (favorite nonperishable snack) 

  • Make sure you select the pantry can size.  **NOTE: the Snackies Pouches and Snackies Singles have a much shorter shelf life than the pantry cans (most of the Snackies are more like 2 years as opposed to 25 years). All of the freeze-dried fruits and yogurt bites have a shelf life of 25 years in the pantry cans (and the cans have a pop top).  
  • Any of the yogurt bites are awesome.  Our family favorites are strawberry, pomegranate, and vanilla.
  • The freeze-dried fruits are delicious.  Our family’s favorites are the banana slices and the strawberries.
  • The freeze-dried corn is bomb.  I know that might sound weird, but it is SO DANG GOOD!  
  • Each member of our family got to pick one freeze-dried fruit/snack to put in their pack.

Step 8 - Random / Fun Bags

Dice for Yahtzee (normal) –  (these are cool black ones)

Official Rules of Yahtzee – I printed this out, folded it up, and included it with the scorecards in each 72-hour kit

Maps – Road Atlas

State

This one is a really good one to have because it’s topographic

Step 7 - Clothing Bags

Jumbo Hefty Bags – get the name brand on these

Ziploc BIG Bags – these have a wider base, so they can hold a lot!

Gloves – these turn out to be a little over a dollar a pair.  Total steal!  I have a few pairs in our car and a few in our baseball wagon, because they’re so cheap!

Step 6 - Survival Bags

Work gloves – 12 pair, making them each about $2.50 a pair

Bandana – less than $1 a piece when you buy a dozen

Poncho – I go cheap on these (about $2.50 a piece).  The nicer ones are bulky, and space is at a premium here.  However, I do think it’s worth getting the ones with sleeves and a drawstring around the hood. This set has 4 adult and 4 kid ponchos.

Survival blanket – this is SO much better than the little foil blankets you think of when you hear “emergency blanket.” These combine the quality of reflecting body heat with the durability of a thicker, tougher blanket.

Emergency Sleeping Bag – this 2-pack is a great price

Handwarmers and toe warmers – these 40-packs are the best value for sure!  I have 5 packs of each in each person’s survival bag

Pepper Spray – not only for protection from people, but also animals

Compass/Whistle/Mirror/Waterproof Match Holder/Fire Starter/Necklace Thing

Notice the money-saving 3-pack.  Or heck!  If you buy 30 of them they are dirt cheap.  Get some friends together and split the 30-pack!

Sparkie Fire Starter – watch the video on Amazon – very cool!

Fuel Discs  – Small and lightweight

Super Glue (these singles are great for one-time use) –  in fact, this is the only way I buy Super Glue now. That way the lid doesn’t glue itself shut. Just open it, use it, and throw it away. Get a fresh one the next time you need Super Glue. Genius!

Screwdrivers – already mentioned in Step 1.  Helpful to open battery compartments on anything that requires batteries in your pack – make sure you get the appropriate tips that you’ll need. 

 Zip Ties 

Tube Tent  ***NOTE: there are several options on this page, many of which, are sleeping bags. Make sure you have the TENT selected!***

N95 Masks– MAKE SURE they are N-95 to filter out particulates for smoke from wildfires

Step 5 - Personal Bags

Disposable pads/placemats or these are the same ones – a clean surface to put food on, etc.

Step 3 - Prepare Your Space

Step 2 - Packs

My favorite adult pack– these are what we use for adults and teenagers

Rolling duffel bag– this is the one I showed in the IGTV.  We use it for roadtripping – not 72-hour kits.  But it is pretty awesome.

I bought rolling backpacks similar to these ones on Amazon for our younger kids. 

If you like the idea of having a RED backpack for your kids, this one is decently priced … but it doesn’t have wheels.

Step 1 - Notes, Ziplocs, & Sharpies

Set of Mini Screwdrivers Super small, lightweight, and inexpensive.  

We also have a set in our kitchen because it’s so handy!

Jumbo Hefty Bags– get the name brand on these

Ziploc BIG Bags– these have a wider base, so they can hold a lot!

Mini Zipper Bags

Color Street Nails – Kristen’s promo has expired, but the website always has a Buy 3 Get One FREE.  That’s what I always do when I order.  These are the easiest, coolest things ever!
If you don’t have one, you need one.
You should also get a bunch more for gifts. 
  • Baby Showers
  • Mother’s Day
  • Christmas
  • Friend’s Birthday
  • Favorite Things Party
  • Teacher Gifts
  • Pretty much the most thoughtful gift for any woman ever

With Little League Baseball Season upon us, I’ve been getting a lot of questions about what I take with me to baseball games.

Learn what’s in my baseball wagon, including

  • First-Aid Kit
  • Everyday Items
  • Cold Weather Bag
  • Hot Weather Bag
  • Rainy Weather Bag
  • Favorite Water Bottles
  • Favorite Cooler/Ice Pack
  • Favorite Snacks/Food
  • Activities for Siblings
Showed these in stories today.
Name Bubbles labels are seriously the best.  We use them on all of our sports gear (including water bottles that get run on sanitary cycle in the dishwasher on a daily basis)!  
 
Oh ya!  And the YETI water bottles – linked in THIS POST

What I love about canned heat and folding stoves is, they’re SMALL and they are safe to use INDOORS!

THESE little cans of fuel are AWESOME because you can use them inside (here is another brand, so you can compare prices on Amazon).  They also sell it at Walmart!

You can purchase a foldable stove for $12, and then use canned heat with it. If you are only going to get one type of stove, I would suggest this. The downside is, it isn’t as powerful as a butane stove is, so canned heat isn’t ideal to actually COOK foods. But most emergency foods will just need to be heated up (like a can of soup) or require boiling water (which this will do). So for a 72-hour kit, these are perfect.

While we’re on the topic, we have these compact camping pots in our kits to boil water in.

This is the set of screwdrivers I recommend for your 72-hour kit.  It’s super small, lightweight, and inexpensive.  

We also have a set in our kitchen, and another one upstairs.  I mean, why not?

Click here to get it for under $10!

Table Toppers from Amazon are linked HERE!

I bought backpacks similar to these ones on Amazon for our younger kids. 

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