Where do I start if I don’t know anything about being prepared?

Your first step is to spend a few minutes thinking about what area of preparedness you are most concerned. Are you concerned about the possibility of a natural disaster leaving you stranded with no food or water or utilities? Are you uneasy about the possibility that you’ll be evacuated from your home with only the clothes on your back? Do you worry about the economy and how to be sure you always have food on your table? Have you considered the possibility that severe weather conditions or global disasters could result in severe food shortages?

Ponder your possibilities and try to gain as much insight and information as you can about what your options are and how you’d like to tackle them. (Get further information at Solutions for Preparedness.) Ideally, you’ll want to work towards being ready for any crisis. But don’t wait till you have the time and money to purchase every emergency preparedness product known to man before you start.

While you’re thinking and gathering information, there are things you can get started doing. Make a goal to always have on hand a supply of food and water in your home. Begin by having enough food to last for a week. Then increase that to two weeks or more. Put aside fresh water for an emergency: at least two gallons per person per day for two weeks. Start your preparations for an emergency evacuation kit by gathering any appropriate supplies you already have into a box or bucket. You’ll replace those rough beginnings as soon as you can, but it’s a start.

Those are the first steps you ought to take. There are many, many more things you can and ought to do, and you’ll discover them soon since your first step was to learn and gather information on preparedness. Remember, we’re here to help you help yourself. Good luck in your preparedness journey!

FIRST STEPS

1. Gather information and learn all you can about preparedness.
2. Always have on hand at least a two weeks supply of ready-to-eat foods.
3. Store two gallons of drinking water per person per day for two weeks.
4. Begin a 72-hour emergency kit today by gathering any supplies you already have, and plan to replace and supplement them as soon as possible.

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