A friend of mine was telling me recently how she was concerned because her father has become hooked on shows and literature surrounding the topic of "doomsday prepping". At first I didn't see the big deal. What's the harm in keeping some canned food in the basement? We could all learn something from these "preppers", couldn't we? Well I finally got around to watching the National Geographic show "Doomsday Preppers" and I immediately understood her concern.
The whole concept of "doomsday prepping" is based around the idea of a complete collapse of society due to some cataclysmic event. It's a mentality that is fueled by anxiety and often hatred toward a particular group that these individuals deem as their biggest threat.
Despite these concerns the show did get me thinking. After seeing the chaotic aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy, and the impact of long term unemployment after the market crash in '08, there is something to be said for maintaining a reasonable level of preparedness.
Regardless of what it is that is most likely to affect us, there are practical steps we all should take to help minimize the risk and disruption of such events.
1) Savings Account
The first step toward preparedness, and something that is almost never mentioned by "preppers", is having a healthy savings account. I think "preppers" often ignore this because they're usually focused on preparing for a doomsday scenario. Realistically though, income disruption due to job loss, disability or natural disaster is a much more likely scenario. Most experts recommend having at least three months of savings at any giving time. Most of that should be in an insured savings account; however, it is also a good idea to keep at least a couple of weeks worth of cash on hand in a secure location in the event that a disruption compromises your bank account or limits access to your funds.
2) A Well Stocked Pantry
Whenever a storm is predicted in my area, and I'm sure many other areas, people flock to the grocery store to stock up on groceries. Save yourself the hassle and keep a well stocked pantry to avoid the last minute rush. Now there is a lot of marketing out there for kits costing upwards of thousands of dollars for pounds and pounds of survival food. Spare me the freeze dried spaghetti, please! We should purchase food we will actually use and rotate it out. Don't forget the bottled water or a water filter.
3) Basic Supplies
Every home should always have basic supplies appropriate to their area such as flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit, back up cooking methods, cleaning supplies and simple hand tools. If it's affordable and an available option generators and wood stoves can help add additional comfort, especially in cold climates. It wasn't all that long ago when a fire place or wood stove was considered a necessity in a northern home. Given the uptick in severe weather resulting in extended power outages, this may be a feature worth adding if you can. A small boat or blow up raft should also be considered as well for flood prone areas.
4) Documents and Records
Disaster or not, it's a wise idea to keep tangible copies of all essential records in a secure location. This should include birth certificates, marriage certificates, deeds, titles, insurance policies, wills, trusts, etc.
5) Cyber Security
We also need to make sure we're not too complacent with digital records. The unfortunate reality is hacking and cyber terrorism is an ever growing threat and could feasibly turn out to be the modern battlefield. Make sure to download your most recent account statements as they become available. If your bank or investment accounts are compromised this could end up being the only way to prove what you had in the event of a discrepancy. Also, create strong passwords and change them regularly.
6) Home Security
Many of these "Doomsday Preppers" love to show off their home artillery. While I consider the use of weapons for home defense to be a personal choice, it is not a decision that should be taken lightly or made without some serious practical education. Even the military puts the most elite soldiers though what is known as the "S.E.R.E." training program - an acronym that means "Survive, Evade, Resist, and Evacuate". Engaging with the enemy is seen as a last resort. For homeowners in some states, it's even the law. There are many practical deterrents that we can use to protect ourselves and our property such as home alarms and defense sprays before resorting to deadly weapons.
7) Awareness and Education
Even if we stock pile thousands of dollars worth of food and supplies, we still need to have practical knowledge and skills. Not everyone is handy with a hammer, but everyone should have some general awareness of their home, how it functions, and what to do if something goes awry. Whether living in an apartment or a house we should all be aware of what type of HVAC system we have, what kind of fuel it uses and how to shut it down in an emergency. Vents, drainage, roofs, exterior doors and the immediate perimeter of the building should be kept as clear as possible. House numbers should also be clearly visible from the street. Most importantly, if utilizing a generator or other back-up energy sources we must be sure to educate ourselves in their proper use to avoid potentially fatal injuries. Hunting, fishing, gardening, self defense and wilderness survival are also practical skills that would be useful in the more extreme cases where long term survival became necessary. Or, even if we found ourselves unexpectedly in a survival situation as two young snowmobile enthusiasts in my area recently did.
8) Housekeeping and Organization
There is nothing worse than fumbling around through clutter looking for flashlights. While almost no-one can keep their house clean at all times, having a reasonable level of organization will help reduce stress when faced with an unexpected disruption. Stock piling supplies won't do much good if you don't know where anything is!
9) Vehicle Prepping
The possibility of having to respond to a high risk situation can occur not only at home, but also while on the road. First, try to keep the gas tank above half full so you'll be prepared if a power outage knocks out electricity to all of the gas stations in your area, or a quick evacuation is necessary. Also, keep some basic supplies in your vehicle such as snacks, blankets, flashlight, flares, and a first aid kit.
10) Conclusion - Keep it Simple and Practical
The "Doomsday Prepping" approach can seem extreme and overwhelming and may discourage us from taking any action at all. By focusing on realistic scenarios and breaking down preparedness into simple tasks we can better formulate a practical and personalized preparedness plan. Focus on the free stuff first, such as organization and compiling important documents and then do the rest, such as obtaining supplies and stocking the pantry gradually and as you're financially able.
Alos, check out other available online resources, but be wary of those trying to cash in on hysteria. There are some great checklists and tips available from the CDC, the Mormon Church, FEMA, and The Red Cross.
For a quick and more specific check list of things you should be considering, visit my new "Practical Prepping Check List".
Be Well!
Nicole
