What was once strictly the domain of the avid conspiracy theorists has become more and more mainstream now – preppers can be found in all walks of life, and it seems that preparing for a disaster (natural or otherwise) is actually a really great idea.
If you are considering how best you can prepare for some unforeseen disaster that could mean having to shelter in place without power and other amenities available, then there are some steps you can take that aren’t quite as extreme as having a ‘go bag’ by every exit of your home.
More and more families are including catastrophes and disasters in their financial planning, and it makes sense to add some home improvements to the planning just in case something happens, and you need to stay safe both physically and financially.
One of the first things that you should consider, especially if you are in an area where earthquakes, hurricanes or tornados are a problem (or even if they aren’t at the moment), is constructing some sort of emergency shelter. Some people prefer to have these underground, but you should consider whether it might be a better idea to use a disaster resistant Quonset hut, designed to withstand extreme weather and the destruction that can be caused from it.
The below tips can be used inside your home; but they make more sense to be in a steel-constructed building that is strong and secure – a long-term solution that could save your life.
Power
In an extreme weather situation, one of the first considerations should be alternative power provision. As we are now in a digital age, having a source of power can allow you to communicate with others and you can use your mobile device to track what’s happening in your area. In the short term, this might mean batteries – but preparedness suggests that solar power for lighting and electricity is a good idea.
Generators are also useful, although you will need to make sure that you have a good stock of fuel. Candles, flashlights, and lanterns will also help. It may also be a handy suggestion to keep multiple handheld power banks ready to ensure that you can charge your devices and even flashlights depending on their design as power lines usually get effected during storm surges.
House upgrades
When it comes down to your house you may feel you also want to add protective elements onto it. You can start with adding simple shelters or metal shutters onto your windows to add one less thing to worry about as a broken window can lead to a number of issues.
Alongside this, keep up the maintenance on your roof to ensure that there aren’t any loose tiles and to ensure that your gutters are clear to avoid water damage to the top of your home.
Not to forget the simple addition of sandbags ready for any flood waters. It is a simple way to protect your entry ways in one of the oldest ways.
Food and Water Storage
If you live somewhere that has a private water supply, like a well, then water provision might not be at the top of your list. But if there is an interruption to the municipal water supply you might need to get creative in ways to collect (and purify) rainwater for everyday use.
Add to this the number of freeze-dried meals, canned meats, and other long-life food that you should have available, and you will need to consider setting aside some pantry space specifically for emergency food situations.
This is where your Quonset hut will make a difference; keeping your emergency stock of food and water in the hut means that it is already there when you need it – you just need to remember to check your stock on a regular basis to ensure that nothing goes out of date if you don’t use it.
Nothing should go to waste in these food stocks as you should note the date when these products expire and continuously swap them out and use them. This ensures your stash remains full and no food goes out of date before you are required to use your storm shelter.
Cooking
If we assume that the power has indeed been knocked out, you may have to find a creative way to cook some food. Camping stoves with additional gas bottles are a simple addition to any prepper’s arsenal, but if you really want to get into it then you might think about solar ovens.
Inside your Quonset hut, you may be able to make use of a built-in wood burning stove; this just means collecting, seasoning and storing firewood which should be much easier to achieve.
Personal Safety
In your safety structure that you have built, you will need to have a fully stocked first aid kit that contains all the usual band-aids and similar, but also regular medication for you and your family, multivitamins, and things like Vaseline and stormproof matches because you never know what could happen.
Don’t forget to keep all your important documents together, in a secure, waterproof and fireproof container, somewhere that is easily accessible so you can bring them into the shelter when you chose to head down there, because you never know when you might need it.
These are just a few basic ideas for those that are looking into home improvements so that they are more prepared in case disaster strikes. There are plenty more examples online, but these examples featured in this article will hopefully help you get a head start on becoming a prepper. Whether you choose to add solar panels with batteries that store the electricity or choose to add a Quonset structure onto your property you will find you will use these additional elements in your everyday life too and will save you money and safety in the long run.
Becoming a prepper is truly becoming a rising appeal. Gone are the days when people are seen as odd for doing such a thing and instead, they are seen as wise for preparing for something they know is actually round the corner.
As the weather gets worse year after year, will you take preparational steps to protect your property.
Wrapping it up:
As the world faces increasingly uncertain weather, you should consider how you can prepare to minimize the impact of any event. Key recommendations include constructing an emergency shelter, such as a disaster-resistant Quonset hut, which is ideal for storing supplies and offering protection.
Essential preparations involve securing alternative power sources like solar power, generators, and power banks. Home upgrades like window shutters and regular roof and gutter maintenance are also advised, along with having sandbags ready for floods.
Storing long-life food and water is crucial, ideally in the Quonset hut, with a system for rotating stock to avoid waste. Alternative cooking methods, like camping stoves or solar ovens, are necessary if power fails.
Finally, personal safety involves a comprehensive first-aid kit, regular medications, and secure storage for important documents. The article emphasizes that prepping is increasingly seen as a wise precaution against unforeseen events, especially with worsening weather patterns.
