American Red Cross is a GREAT Resource!

Some cool Apps for your cell phone will keep you in the know of what is going on in your area
The American Red Cross is an amazing resource.

We especially love the Apps for earthquake, tornado, hurricane, wildfire, flooding etc.  You can set your own parameters of how many miles out you would like to receive information about.

There is also another tool for finding a Red Cross Shelter, and to register for the Safe and Well Registry so you and your loved ones can find each other and/or learn their status and they may learn yours after an event if you are registered.
It is a great tool.

Take a look Here for ideas of how to prepare your home, workplace etc
There are great documents you may download to further your preparation efforts
Have fun navigating the site as you go forward in your preparations!

Dutch Oven Cooking

Suddenly, the power and gas availability to your home is off.  Your first question is “How do we eat?”  One simple answer is a cast iron Dutch Oven.  A Dutch Oven is the perfect way to cook because many foods can be cooked in it, different ways such as frying, deep fry, roast, sauté, bake, stew and simmer.

Wood, propane or charcoal briquettes may be used as fuel.  Charcoal is the easiest simply because regulating the temperature is determined by the amount of briquettes used under and on the lid of the Dutch Oven.  Kingsford brand charcoal is the most consistent from bag to bag.

There are two basic types of Dutch Ovens:

1       No legs w/a dome top – best for use in an oven or stovetop

2        Legs and a flat lid with a ridge – legs allow briquettes to be placed under the Dutch Oven and the ridged lid holds the charcoal on so ashes do not get into the food when the lid is lifted. And you can stack one Dutch oven on top of the other with briquettes between each one

Purchasing:
Open the box and be sure the lid fits tightly before you buy it.  Spin the lid on the pot making sure is spins evenly.  The “Lodge” Dutch oven is a great investment, as well as a few others, Camp Chef, Cabela’s.

See Sportsman’s Warehouse & Kirkham’s - Lodge

Cabela’s – carries their own brand

IFA – Camp Chef

Many Dutch Ovens are pre-seasoned.  If not, see the instructions below to season your pot and lid.   

Seasoning is the procedure of baking oil onto the oven’s surfaces, which will provide a stick proof
cooking surface, making clean up a breeze. The process will also prevent your pot from rusting or oxidizing (which shortens the life and safety of cooking with  your Dutch Oven).

Remember… Dutch Ovens are tough, but fragile, meaning you don’t want to throw them around.  Handle them with respect and take care of them properly and they will serve you for years, even generations.

*Never put oil on a hot Dutch Oven to season it.  Always let it be cooled off for best results.

*Never put cold water on your hot Dutch Oven or lid as it make cause it to crack.

*Never  leave cooked food inside your Dutch oven as it will deteriorate the seasoning and shorten the life of your investment.

Store your Dutch Oven with the lid slightly ajar (make four small rolls of aluminum foil and place on the pot rim, put on your lid, making sure air can circulate.  Place in the box it came in or purchase Dutch Oven cases to protect your Dutch Ovens from Kirkham Tent and Awning in Salt Lake, http://www.kirkhams.com/ 801-486-4161 or toll free 800-453-7756,  3125 S State, SLC Ut. 84115

 

“Seasoning” your Dutch Oven

NEVER USE SOAP ON YOUR DUTCH OVEN, instead, place your Dutch Oven and lid in a sink filled with water, add ¼ c distilled vinegar.  Use a soap less, scrubbing pad, scrub all surfaces of your pot and lid, rinse and dry all surfaces thoroughly.  Place both the lid and pot on your stovetop.  Turn on the burner to med high to dry it out, about 3 min. Turn off and cool thoroughly. 

Pour 1-2 T of olive oil into the pot and use a paper towel to spread the oil on all surfaces of the pot and lid.  Place the pot and lid into a pre-heated oven, 350-400 degree oven, pot upside down to drain the excess oil, (put a cookie sheet under it, so it doesn’t drip on the bottom of your oven). Bake it for 30-45 min.  Take out and cool.  Now add another layer of oil and place the pot and lid into your pre-heated oven, pot upside down along with the lid as you did the first time.  After the 45 min of being in the hot oven, take it out and let it completely cool. (You may repeat a couple more times, if desired, although not necessary)

Your Dutch Oven is ready for immediate use or store it in the box until you are ready to use it.  

Use

After using your Dutch Oven, let it cool, then scrape out the food.  Scrub w/a soap less scrubbing pad till clean.  Rinse w/clean water and dry it thoroughly.

Put the pot and lid on the stovetop, med high to dry it out.  Let it cool. And after every couple of uses, after cooling, put a thin layer of olive oil on all the surfaces. Store it. 

Storing your Dutch oven for the winter or with long times of non-use may cause it to smell rancid.  If so, follow the directions above with the vinegar wash, rinse, dry, heat and season it for a new season of use.

Baking Temperature Chart

      Slow Oven – 250 to 350 degrees           Moderate – 350 to 400 degrees

      Hot – 400 to 450 degrees                       Very Hot – 450 to 500 degrees

Temp.	8 inch		10 inch		12 inch		14 inch		16 inch
°F	Top	Btm.	Top	Btm.	Top	Btm.	Top	Btm.	Top	Btm.
300°	9	4	12	5	15	7	19	9	21	11
325°	10	5	13	6	16	7	20	10	22	12
350°	11	5	14	7	17	8	21	11	24	12
375°	11	6	16	7	18	9	22	12	24	13
400°	12	6	17	8	19	10	24	12	27	13
425°	13	6	18	9	21	10	25	13	28	14
450°	14	6	19	10	22	11	26	14	30	14
500°	15	7	20	11	23	12	28	14	32	15

Use some of your favorite recipes in your Dutch Oven or go to your favorite books store or online store to obtain a great book of recipes.  Also, access Dutch Oven recipes on Google or watch demonstrations on YouTube.  Get creative and have fun!


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Alternative Lighting

What will you do when the lights go out?
Have you thought about that yet?
Some thoughts to get you thinking towards making your plan

Candle burning   chgetready.com

Will you use candles?  They are ok, however, not a lot of light emanates from them, so if you are wanting to read, prepare food or clean up dinner, you will need a lot of them to do the job.











                                                                                                            What about oil lamps?

Oil lamps                chgetready.com

They give off more light than candles, and.......you can use kerosene in them or a fuel called Clean Heat.  You can get many different sizes, colors and styles at Lehman's                       
Don't forget to get extra wicks & mantles








Maybe oil lanterns will work for you?

Oil Lanterns           chgetready

Great for outdoor chores and they put out a fair amount of light.  Take a look at Lehmans for more information about oil lanterns.  You will need to have extra wicks with them as well.









                                        What about  LED lanterns?

LED Lantern                              chgetready.com

They are amazing.  We have a dear friend who tested this particular lantern from Cabelas.  He left it on for a month and it was still going strong.  It takes 4- D cell batteries.  You would want to store the batteries separate from the lantern unless you are using it a lot.  Also, be sure to have extra batteries on hand.







Solar is another option
One of my favorites is the Goal Zero
You will be set up with lots of light.

Goal Zero

Alternative Heat Options

Do you have a plan of how to heat your home in cold weather?

If you plan on using wood to heat your home, you will need a lot if that is your only source of heat.  Plan on purchasing cut wood during the year so it is ready for use when you need it.  If you are cutting down a tree in your yard, you will want to give the cut pieces plenty of time to dry out before using.

Be sure to stack wood with support so that it doesn't tip over and cover it with a good quality tarp for  winter to protect it from snow or rain. 

You may need a large basket to transport the logs inside.  Be sure to have a good supply of newspaper, kindling, matches or lighters too.  If you are using your fireplace often, you will need to have the chimney swept by a local trained chimney sweep to clean off the creosote that sticks to the inside walls of your chimney stack through the burning process.

A good quality log grate that fits the inside floor of the fireplace is necessary.  You will want a screen to protect people and home from crackling and popping sparks of hot wood while burning and also a good set of fireplace tools to help you keep the area clean and to move the logs as they burn.

If you choose to use coal to heat your home, you will need to have a dark place to store it, and will break down by a process called weathering.  It can oxidize with heat and light, so store it in bags, trash cans with lids or a coal bunker.

You could also heat your home with your furnace if you have a portable generator or back up generator outside your home that is wired with the appropriate specifications,* see your electrician to  make the appropriate adjustments and to teach you what you need to do when you switch to that system so it does not interfere with the regular electricity flow to your home.

A portable generator needs fuel to run it and many of them are noisy, except solar.  Do your homework and consult with your family to find the best fit.

You may consider purchasing a Dura Heat Kerosene Heater from Home Depot
It is a great option for alternative heat for your home.
Make sure you light and extinguish outside for much less odor in your home.  We experimented with it in our own home, and that made a huge difference.

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You will need to purchase extra filters, pictured above from Home Depot

Purchase kerosene fuel in 5 gallon containers and store them in a shed, a safe distance away from your home.  Be sure to  rotate your kerosene to keep it fresh.   Check with your local municipal fire dept for regulations as to how much you can store safely.    Sources for Kerosene

Grab 'n Go Kit Details

IMPORTANT PAPERS AND MONEY
Consider having a packet of copies,  CD or flash drive of all your important papers and documents, such as wills, birth certificates, marriage certificates, bank account numbers, mortgages, car registrations, church documents, genealogy,  family pictures,  life insurance and health insurance policy info along with the account 3'sw, social security card, house deed, important phone #'s,  vehicle titles, graduation certificates, and any other important documents you may have, (consider a reduced size that can fit in your wallet.  Keep it with you for safe keeping in case your pack turns up missing).    Or put them in a lock box at your home or at a secure location to retrieve later.

Keys   chgetready

Make a contact list of family and include current photos. If someone becomes separated, it is helpful to be able to show authorities a recent picture of who you are looking for.  In stressful situations it is easy to forget or mix up addresses or phone numbers that you normally know.

Include a Family Photo     chgetready

Be sure to include some $$$ in your kit!

 coins, small bills and larger bills

Small bills and change             chgetready

FOOD
Many food choices, dehydrated, freeze dried, MRE’s, pouched and canned (heavy). A variety of foods and packaging is best. Nothing perishable in the kit. (rotate  food and water every year for freshness). Dehydrated and freeze dried foods are compact and light, although water is needed to reconstitute it, so pack extra water for preparing these foods. Canned foods are convenient, though bulky and heavy.   Foods needing minimal or no cooking from a can or add water to a pouche of freeze dried chili or stew etc.  Or packaged tuna, salmon, nut butters, dried fruits, veggies, nuts and jerky. (flip top cans or pack a can opener). Add protein drink powders, Emergen-C, candy or mints for comfort. 

WATER
Adults need at least 1 gallon of water a day to drink when under stress to keep dehydration at bay. Three gallons would be too much to carry, so include a means for purifying, collecting and storing water. One and two liter sizes for carrying could be used. Collapsible containers are handy for collecting and may be stored in your pack.  Gallon size clear plastic bags are very useful in collecting water from dew or rain. Options: water can be boiled in a small pan after it is filtered, use purification tablets, a purification kit, a dependable filter, then put in a jar to sanitize it in the sun (scout kits have a small pot for heating water). 
DO NOT SKIMP ON YOUR WATER FILTERING CAPABILITY, DRINKING DIRTY WATER DOES NOT HAVE A GOOD OUTCOME.

SHELTER
There are many products available in this area.  Consider investing in a tent.  A ground cover with tie ropes and clips will make a shelter in a pinch.  Two ground covers, one for a tent, and one for the ground.  Or wrap yourself in a ground cover. Plan appropriately for your family size shelter.

A small travel size blanket and pillow allows you to “stake out your space “ in a shelter.

HYGIENE AND SANITATION
There is nothing better to boost morale than a few simple items such as a comb, toothbrush and toothpaste or powder, hand cleaner, razor, shampoo, toilet paper and personal hygiene essentials. Small versions fit nicely in a pack. Bathroom needs and laundry needs are essential to keep the spread of germs and disease at a minimum. 
Know how to set up, use and empty a sanitation kit if you are sheltering at home, or camping.

COOKING
There are several sizes of Sterno or instant heat available. A rack to sit over a can of Sterno takes up very little space and can heat water, soup, or cook simple meals. Remember cooking and eating utensils. Plan to cook, drink, and eat from the same container making clean up simple, if possible.

Waterproof matches, fire starters, disposable lighters, and compressed fuel tablets are great additions.

LIGHT
A flashlight is an essential item (store batteries separately). Hand powered, wind up flashlights need no batteries, or solar flashlights. Light sticks are excellent for short term light and signaling help.

COMMUNICATION 

A whistle  can be blown with less energy and heard further than your voice. A mirror is excellent for signaling help. A radio with multiple source possibilities for power is critical to learn what is happening, where authorities are asking people to go or what to do, in Utah, channel AM1160 KSL. Emergency flashlight radios can run off multiple sources of power including solar and hand cranking. Consider hand held walkie talkies, or HAM Radio (take a HAM Radio Course) Make sure everyone in your group knows what channel they are to be on and know how to operate the radio. ( store batteries separate, and rotate them out when you rotate your food). 

FIRST AID
First Aid Kit is a must for any emergency situation. Basic items and a simple first aid instruction sheet needs to be included in every kit.

So what are you waiting for?                   

You make it happen........... Get Ready!

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