Prepping

Lots of gear is now being marketed, albeit tongue-in-cheek, to the zombie apocalypse crowd. There are zombie-themed firearms, edged weapons, ammunition, survival kits, etc. The question is, are you truly prepared for what is more likely (natural disaster, civil unrest) to happen or what you WANT to happen? Do you have a couple day's worth of food and water stored back? Extra fuel for your vehicles? Extra medications? Pet food? Cash on hand? What would you do if you had to exit your home in 10 minutes or less, with little or no possibility of returning? What would you take?

Since spring, and severe weather season, will be here before you know it, take the time now to prep a little for a rainy day. You don't have to be a doomsday prepper by any means. Just consider acquiring the following and storing it in a quality bag or backpack somewhere you can get to it quickly.

3 day's food and water for each person (Datrex brand water pouches are great, and the emergency ration bars or freeze dried food packs are light weight and don't take up much room. You won't be eating like a king, but it will be enough to keep you going.)

Fully-stocked first aid kit, including personal prescriptions

A few hundred dollars cash in small bills

A firearm you are familiar with and extra magazines, ammunition, spare parts

A good fixed blade knife, folding knife, and multitool

A variety of survival manuals

A water filtration device (or at the minimum, iodine tablets)

Fire-starting devices

Weather radio

Change of clothes, including shoes

Reliable flashlight with extra batteries

Copies of all important papers (can be stored on flash drive)

Tarp

Camping mess kit

Games / books for kids

Extra pet food / medication

Solar powered cell phone charger

Toilet paper / personal hygiene items

Two five gallon cans of fuel (non-ethanol fuel will keep longer, but rotate every couple of months)

These are just the beginnings of a well thought out survival kit. Buy quality gear, and prep as you go. Once you have a 3 day supply of food and water, think about setting back a week's worth, then a month, then 3 months, etc. Water can be stored in a variety of containers and can be rotated out periodically. If your insurance allows it, start getting your prescriptions in 90 day increments, preferably mailed to your home. A little time and effort, and you and your family can be ready for whatever may come.