Family Survival Planning

Survival Planning - Emergency Supplies - Survival Tips

I know . . .survival planning, gathering emergency supplies, food storage — it all seems overwhelming.

Well, we're here to help you to prepare your family to survive a natural disaster or any crisis that may come your way.

Every day there are headlines in the news that should motivate each of us to prepare as quickly as we can:

"Government cover-up of food shortage feared -
Reports show demand growing, production declines estimated
at 30%" — WND.com

"Retail Staple Food Prices Increase Slightly in First Quarter 2010" — American Farm Bureau

"The inflation rate rose to a 17-month high in April and was at 3.4 percent in May, above the government’s 3 percent upper limit."
— Business Week

Survival planning is not just a matter of keeping a flashlight in the drawer in the kitchen and tons of whole wheat in your basement.

• It's about acquiring enough emergency supplies to sustain your family should the need arise.
• It's a matter of understanding food storage guidelines: what to store, how to store it safely, and how much.
• It's learning how to live frugally and still thrive and enjoy life.
  

• It's being prepared financially, mentally, and emotionally.
• It's using knowledge you acquire to create a personalized plan tailored to your family.

What's stopping you?

Money? Time? Space? Apathy? Don't feel you need to prepare?

But maybe you've thought about it and you want to prepare your family for emergencies. Where do you start? What's the easiest, quickest way to prepare?

Tell us what's stopping you or where you need help - here.

How secure is our food supply?

We have followed closely the issues of the global food supply for many years. Most people are totally unaware of how fragile the U.S. food supply really is. It is very vulnerable because of possible hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, pandemics, declining energy supplies (or manipulated - but that's another story), and the mega-mergers of family-owned farms with corporate giants.

But America is the land of plenty, right?

Wrong. Not always. And certainly, not forever. There have been many times in our past when supermarkets and hardware stores are stripped bare in a matter of hours during a crisis. Americans used to stock food as part of their everyday preparations, but have since forgotten this practice. Now, everyone rushes to the store to "stock up" when the news or events frighten them into doing so. Or worse, they wait until after a disaster and find out there's nothing left — everything is sold out. Some heartless merchants even take advantage of the crisis by raising prices sky high.

When crisis strikes, (or you see it on the six o'clock NEWS) the time to prepare is over.

Disaster can and does strike quickly

And, I might add, usually without warning. Don't be vulnerable, plan ahead using the emergency preparedness tips found throughout this web site. You could be forced to evacuate your home, office or school. Or you could be confined to your home. Preparing your family, no matter what their ages, is the best way to survive any catastrophe or crisis.

If you sign up for our Family Survival Planning Alert now, you will always have access to the latest planning information on:

Let's get started on YOUR family survival plan.

Step 1. Your plan.

Before you begin your food storage, it is critical to have a plan for your family that includes the following:

• Contact Plan: This list should include emergency contact information, a place where all family members can meet, numbers for school, work, close neighbors, etc.
• Emergency Preparedness Kit: This would includes supplies, 72-Hour Food Kit, and a Family Planner.
• Evacuation List: Know what to take when evacuating your home, including a list of important things to grab and have a Auto Emergency Kit in place.

Step 2. Prepare Your Storage Space.

• Find the coolest place in your home.
• Clean out everything including dirt if necessary.
• Research shelving possibilities.

Step 3. Determine Your Budget.

• Determine how much per month you can spend.
• Eventually your grocery budget should mostly include food storage items; however, when you're starting from scratch you may need to invest a little more up front.
• It is not wise to go into debt for food storage, so be prepared to be frugal and shop carefully.

Step 4. Take inventory.

• It's best to begin with an inventory of what you have, what you need, and a schedule to acquire items later.
• Be careful not to think too far ahead or you'll never get started.
• Make this a family fun night. Get the kids involved so they will know what's going on and where everything will be kept.
• Set deadlines and do one step at a time. This makes the job less overwhelming. (Try rewarding yourself when you have accomplished each task. A generous piece of cheese cake, maybe?)

Ok - ready for the next steps and more emergency preparedness tips? Let's go!

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