(Continued from Part 2. This concludes the article.)
The final aspect of emergency cooking stoves that I cover are biomass units, in particular the Kelly Kettle. I appreciate the ability to configure these units to either “cook” on or quickly boil water with. The small feed openings at the bottom or the chimney opening on top of the kettle do restrict the size of materials used to feed the flames when compared to other small biomass cookers. None the less, the kettle’s speed and efficiency for boiling water as well as its lower weight and ruggedness impress me. The final thoughts I share regarding biomass cookers is that a cheap and easy source of fuel could be storing a few un-treated pine 2×4’s cut into short blocks for easy splitting and that no matter which alternative cooking method one has to use, to always have fire extinguishers on hand.
Next, we discuss heating strategies when the power is out. Wearing extra layers, adding extra blankets to beds, using chemical handwarmers and holding hot water bottles are provided as options for times when the temperature is only cool. For cold or freezing temperatures, the only emergency heating options seem to be portable kerosene or propane heaters. In this discussion I mention the difference between propane heaters rated for indoor use versus outdoor use. Indoor options include the propane wall mount ceramic-propane heaters as well as some of the Mr. Heater – Buddy model units. A few final points offered are using blankets or doors to trap warmth in the smallest practical area, opening a window slightly for air circulation, keeping a carbon monoxide detector near your sleeping area if you must run one of these heaters overnight and once again having fire extinguishers on hand.
Emergency lighting is the next topic. Given that most attendees for this presentation are older, I frequently have candles and oil lamps listed as the primary light sources stored for emergency use when I ask what people keep. As a demonstration of a safer option I will have someone turn off the room lights and I will switch on a rechargeable solar lantern for everyone to see. After turning the room lights back on, I pass around the Luci inflatable solar lantern and offer the benefits of no open flame, compact storage and easy recharging as reasons people might want to replace candles and oil lamps. I mention the Coleman camping lanterns as lighting options and remind users to store a few extra mantles and not to neglect the heat given off by these lanterns. When we next cover flash lights, I recommend keeping a few head lamps for hands free purposes. I point out that many rechargeable flashlight options now exist and mention that for almost every cordless tool brand there are flash light options for the 12- and 18-volt battery lines. In closing out this topic I suggest everyone keep a few cheap solar sidewalk lights in their emergency kits for use when low light is beneficial such as in hallways.
Bathing is the next topic covered. My first points here refer back to the importance of storing or being able to procure an ample quantity of water. Beyond taking a sponge bath, using a watering can, garden sprayer, solar shower bag or 12 VDC pump powered shower are all presented. If sufficient fuel and heating sources are available within their stored supplies, then I recommend attendees overheat their water in an appropriate pot then temper it back down to a safe temperature before using it versus trying to heat it to “just the right temperature” from the start. I share that in my experience it is easier to have someone else pour the water for/over me and that shampoo or body wash seem to rinse off easier than bar soap if water conservation is a concern. The propane fueled turkey fryer kit is my preferred water heating system.
The seventh emergency preparedness area covered is toilet use when the utilities are down. I remind those who are on municipal systems that toilets should flush as normal for as long as the municipality’s elevated water tanks remain filled. I follow this up with the warning that having water does not also mean that the sewer system will also continue to flow. Gravity is used to its fullest in both water and waste water systems, however there are vastly more sewage lift stations used to push waste water to a central treatment plant than there are water distribution booster pumps. This said, I cover strategies for protecting one’s home from sewer backflow ahead of discussing how to sanitarily “go”.
My first recommendation is to locate the septic line cleanout most building codes require to be within ten feet of a home’s foundation. With the xception of bathrooms in fully subterranean basements, removing the threaded cap plug should serve as the lowest outlet for a sewage backup and ensure that potential back flows occur outside of the home. Dropping a test ball down into the waste line, such as the one shown at left. Thus, you can add a level protection and prevent the accumulation of community waste from piling up around YOUR cleanout. These devices are essentially a heavy-duty rubber balloon that are positioned in the drain line (not the access fitting that has the removable plug) and inflated. Both the 3- and 4-inch models that I carry for demonstration require 13 PSI to wedge them in place. It is useful to use an air/tire chuck with an integral pressure gauge to inflate these bulbs in addition to a short air line extension hose to ensure the ball is inserted deeply enough in the line., Keep in mind that by using this method to prevent backflow, you also prevent further use of the home’s drain lines, too.
If a home’s main drain line exits deep underground, then it may be necessary to plug off each branch drain line as the opening for an external clean-out could be at a higher elevation than the basement plumbing. Additional supplies including inflatable threaded sewer plugs installed in vertical drains at existing test Tees and/or compression band type sewer plugs for each drain type and location would be needed to mitigate backflow. Fortunately for those of us with individual septic tank and leach field systems, none of the backup risks should apply as our septic systems only require gravity to function.
As for alternatives when normal flushing is no longer an option, we discuss adding water directly to the bowl or tank for individual uses. In the earlier discussion of quickly saving water on a municipal system, I already recommended filling a tub in close proximity to a toilet and stationing a two gallon or similar sized small bucket nearby for this purpose.
If a dry toilet is the best option during the emergency, draining of the home’s standard WC, double lining the bowl with a 13-gallon trash bags, adding a couple hands full of wood shavings as a drying media, using the toilet as normal then disposing of the inner bag in a secure trash can outside is offered as a solution. Variations include making a portable camp-style toilet out of a 5-gallon bucket and a swimming pool noodle around the bucket rim or using a seat and lid unit such as the Luggable Loo atop a 5-gallon bucket.
Lastly, on this topic I offer my opinion that it is best to change out the garbage bag every time a dry unit is used to prevent the risk of larger spills and maintain the best hygiene possible.
After closing out the toilet slide, I typically ask for questions regarding the earlier topics. Once any follow-up discussion is concluded I remind the class that in some situations it may be necessary to evacuate and begin discussing a vehicle emergency kit. Before offering a supplies list, the original planning stage is referenced with the question “where are you going”. This is followed with the questions, “do you have any supplies there already?”, “which route are your driving/has your intended route been closed?” and “who is traveling with you?” I remind the class that pre-planned answers to these types of questions should have been established within the written plan.
As we discuss the physical aspects of a vehicle emergency kit, we start off with the importance of a well-maintained vehicle. Next is the importance of keeping a full fuel tank and if at all possible, having at least one can of stabilized fuel at home for an emergency top off. For those evacuating with a pickup truck or an external device such as a Hitch Haul, I suggest taking the spare fuel can with them. In terms of the kit itself, my minimum suggestions after verifying that the vehicle spare is inflated and the jack with lug nut tool are in place are jumper cables (or jump box), fire extinguisher, paper maps, flashlight, blankets and spare water. For a more substantial kit I offer a tire plug kit, 12V automotive air compressor, small tool kit including fuses, wire and hose clamps, gloves, Gorilla duck tape, tow strap, paper towels, and snacks as possible components.
The automotive kit is the last of my “stuff to have” slides. I finish the presentation with a discussion on awareness. In terms of staying informed everyone is encouraged to keep up with their local weather forecast, and the difference between a “watch” (conditions are possible) versus a “warning” (conditions are expected) are shared. At this point I again reference the original emergency supplies and remind the class that a NOAA weather alert radio was one of the original pieces of kit recommended.
Some suggestions offered to make one’s situation a bit easier during an emergency are having text groups already established on your phone for quick communication, downloading insurance, banking, and travel apps – especially if your state transportation or highway department has its own highway status app. We discuss getting CPR and basic first aid training as part of developing a family emergency plan in addition to practicing the physical skills mentioned earlier such as shutting off utilities, changing a tire, or filling a vehicle using a gas can.
I close the presentation out with a slide that shows us waiting out a tornado warning sitting in a closet surrounded by our kit and blankets. My final advice to the class includes keeping their plans and kit supplies updated, being patient during an emergency, not risking injury, watching for hazards, working safely once recovery begins and if they need to evacuate then Do So and go as early as needed. After another round of Q and A, I supply my email and phone number for follow-up questions and everyone is invited to look through the sample emergency items.
I’ve found it difficult to translate a presentation into an article and have no doubt forgotten discussion points as I have written on my own that would have surfaced naturally in a discussion. Please keep in mind that most of the folks who attend these sessions are new and unfamiliar with preparedness and that I use natural disasters as the gateway, although my (and your) individual concerns probably lie in different areas.
For several years, I had the opportunity to present this material at statewide trainings and would / still have people from those prior classes stop me to tell of how they have built kits, ask about gear, share an experience after a hurricane where they were better off than they would have been or otherwise say “I should have done more”.
My hope is that you can use this framework to create a presentation to serve your community. I don’t claim any of the prior information as unique or complete, only as a starting point. Put your own spin on it, and let’s try to help others prepare.
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