October 16, 2010
Issue #031, October 16, 2010
Surviving a Disaster in the Urban Jungle
Many years ago, my husband had bought a small home in an east Denver neighborhood. A few years later, a large apartment complex was built across the street, housing more than 1,200 people. Crime in the area skyrocketed. Why? Because while probably 1,160 of those people were honest, law-abiding folks, about 40 of them were likely criminally bent (one estimate says that 3.2% of our population at large has been incarcerated at one time or another).
That’s the trouble with piling a bunch of people up into a small area. Thomas Jefferson once said, “When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe.” There is something about being crammed together in a small location that can make us downright cranky, and sometimes even dangerous.
Depending on where you live, city life can be pretty challenging even at the best of times. So what do you do if a real disaster strikes in your urban setting? What if an electromagnetic pulse strikes, or there is a hurricane, or long-term power outage and you live in the city? Here are some things to keep in mind.
Have an Escape Route
If possible, have a plan for getting out of the city as quickly as possible. If there is no power, and not likely to be any for awhile, the last place you want is to be surrounded by a large number of unprepared, desperate people.
Do you have a grandparent who lives in the country? Or an aunt or someone else willing to let you stay with them? Your chances will be better if you can get away from the urban jungle until the emergency situation has been resolved.
Keep Water in Your Car
Two or three one-gallon jugs of water won’t take up much space in your trunk, and will be a life saver if you have to leave quickly. Also invest in some water purification tablets. Depending on the brand, water purification tablets take up to twelve hours to purify water, so having drinkable water on hand as well is essential.
Invest in an Emergency Kit
Investing in an emergency kit is simple and well worth the investment. Make certain your emergency kit has plenty of food, candles, flashlights, blankets, tools, first aid and hygiene items.
Keep a Change of Clothing in Your Car
If you have to flee quickly, you might not have time to pack much, so keeping a change of clothing and extra pair of shoes for each family member is a good idea, and an excellent way to get on the road quickly in an emergency.
Dehydrate Your Own Healthy Foods!
Food dehydrators are a great way to preserve food and keep in nutrients. By dehydrating your own food, you keep in far more nutrients than you would through traditional canning methods. Plus, you can make beef jerky, preserve fruit for snacks and dehydrate herbs and vegetables for soups.What's New?
How to Store FoodsHow to store foods for an emergency. Stocking up on food is a crucial part of preparedness, but only if you enjoy the foods you have stored. Read more here.
How Hydroponics Works
How hydroponics works is a good thing to know if you want to grow fresh lettuce and other vegetables year round, even indoors, using far less space and water than conventional methods. Learn more.
Emergency Medical Preparedness
Emergency medical preparedness goes beyond having a simple first aid kit, especially if you or someone in your family is dependent upon prescription medications for good health or even survival. Read more.
Herbal Remedies for Flu
Herbal remedies for flu symptoms are good to have on hand both in an emergency and for overall self reliance. Learn more.
Cabin in Maine
Just bought a cabin in Maine, and I now own over two acres of land and have over 200 acres around us! But I can't even grow a weed! What can I grow? Read more.
Chickens and Goats
Can you find out if I can have chickens and/or goats in Elsmere, Kentucky (near Florence). Learn more.
Getting Started
How do I get started? We are in our early 60's with arthritis as is so common for our age group. We have 10 acres, a few chickens, four horses, and some goats. Read more.
Essential Oil in Oil Burners
Hello, I stumbled across your site while I was looking into recipes for homemade soap. I'm really getting into making my own body, beauty, and cleaning products. Learn more.
Tomato Harvest
The latest installment of Adventures at Goose Poop Farm, Ric McDermott had a bountiful tomato harvest this year. Read more.
And as always, happy homesteading!
You Can Build a Chicken Tractor
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