Preparedness Idea from the 1st Ward

Sisters - we just LOVE it when you share what has been going on in your wards.  With the Stake Theme - we were so happy to receive this idea.  Thank you to Melanie Jones of the 1st Ward for sending it in.  Here is what they did - in their own words.

We did a fun Emergency Preparedness night activity in February and I took some pictures.  Since the solar oven we featured is the stake item for the month, I thought it appropriate to send in something. 

 

 

River 1st Relief Society Emergency Preparedness Night- February 2011

 

After the fires in Herriman last fall, we wanted to share a few tips on emergency preparedness that we have learned from our friends and relatives who had to evacuate and also talk about fuel preparedness.

 

Did you know if you only use cell phones, the city can't give you a reverse 911 call to let you know of an evacuation unless you register your cell phone with them?

Do you have an emergency grab and go list?  How about a list divided into 5 minutes, 15 minutes or 60 minutes of evacuation time? 

Have you divided responsibilities for younger children or pets with older children or other adults in the home?

Does anyone outside of your home have an emergency contact list containing all your cell phone, work phone and school phone numbers and know where you would go in an emergency?

Does your 72 hour kit contain items appropriate for work or school?  In Herriman, school continued as usually and most adults still had to go to work while evacuated.

 

Fuel Storage Basics

Most of us store food, but do we have any fuel to cook it?

Consider diversifying fuels and make sure you have all the equipment necessary to use them.

Matches- waterproof or keep in waterproof container

Sterno- safe for indoor use and you can cook about 6 meals per 7 oz. can or 2 hours total burn time

White Gasoline or Coleman Fuel- burns hotter and cleaner 1 qt. burns 4 to 10 hours, use outdoors!

Kerosene- cheap and can be burned indoors, stores for a long time, kerosene heaters

Propane- use and store outdoors!

Charcoal-  cheap, store airtight to last longer (plastic bag in garbage can).  Each briquette will produce about 40 degrees of heat

Solar Ovens- homemade or store bought, just need to get food to 180 or higher to start cooking process

 

Remember that anything that produces carbon monoxide gas is not safe to use indoors (like propane).  Also remember most fuels should be stored outside.  Consider fuel stabilizers or treatments to prevent sludginess.