Survival-ism In Your Home .
HOME FRONT:
You do not have to miles away from civilization to be caught in a survival situation
Natural disaster, civil disturbance or military action could cut you off from all the usual services & food supplies.
Until they can be re-established you would be left to manage on your own resources and skill. (Aren’t you lucky?).
With no power supplies, central heating, hot water, lighting, air-conditioning, TV and refrigeration (NO cold beer!) would all cease.
Battery radios and TV would for a time give some news of the rest of the world, if the situation is not global, but post telephone & newspaper would no longer be available.
As main water supplies ceased to function, so taps would run dry and toilets become unusable. (Rats!) Besides in case of Nuclear attack the radios and TV and all electronic gadgets go plunk, kaput! Unless deeply buried underground. No computer either!
In the countryside there would be natural resources to draw upon. In large cities shops would soon be emptied of food, sold or looted.
And plants in parks and gardens would be rapidly stripped once any private stocks had been exhausted.
The population would have to make forays out into the countryside to survive, or abandon the town, if not in a siege situation.
Suburban dwellers have more vegetable plots and open spaces to provide foodstuffs. They would be less dependent upon shops.
Those away from major centres are more likely to have their own food stocks because they cannot shop at will.
But most of them will be reluctant if not dangerous to deal with. Most families have some food in store. It should be rationed and supplemented with whatever can be found.
FOOD STORES:
Storing food is a good habit to get into, especially if you live in an isolated place, which can become completely cut-off.
If you have a year’s food supply in store and add to it as you use it, you will not only be able to survive the worst, but will be able to live at last year’s prices. But you will have to protect it.
The stock does not have to be established in one go. Build it up gradually, taking advantage of special offers in supermarkets. Buy an extra tin or packet and put it by.
Store your foods in a cool, dry place and off the ground. Moisture & heat can cause bacteria and mould.
If stores are left on the floor insects and rodents will help themselves. MAKE SURE that all containers are insect and rodent-proof.
REMEMBER:
Rotate cans, so that the contents do not settle and separate. Label each can or packet with a colour fast waterproof pen, noting contents and date of storage.
Use in sequence, the oldest first. Store methodically and if a label falls off, you should still have a good idea of the contents.
KEEP IT SEALED:
Screw-tops sweet jars are ideal for storage and plastic containers with tight-fitting lids can also be used.
Do not over fill them so that they distort & the lid does not fit correctly. Use adhesive tape to seal the lids. Reseal after using some but REMEMBER that once opened the contents will begin to deteriorate.
RECOMMENDED FOOD / SHELF LIFE:
WHEAT: Indefinitely below 15C
MILK POWDER: 2 YEARS
HONEY: Indefinitely
EGG POWDER: 2 years
SALT: Indefinitely if absolutely dry.
CANNED FOODS: 3-5 years (replace regularly).
OATS: Indefinitely
COOKING OIL: 2 years (replace regularly)
RATIONS:
Complete rations are available with various menus. Either freeze-dried or dehydrated. They are lighter and less space-consuming than canned foods.
Freeze-dried is Best for both taste and texture & retain minerals that are lost in dehydration.
Although both need water for reconstitution they can in dire circumstances be eaten as dry munch.
VITAMINS:
Multivitamin’s tablets are a good investment. The body can store up to a month’s supply of most vitamins, then health will suffer if they are not replaced.
In stress situations they are more rapidly used up. The B family and minerals, calcium and zinc are the first to go. Vitamin tables do not have unlimited shelf-life so check manufacturer’s instructions.
DRIED FRUIT AND NUTS:
They are nutritious and should also be included-raisins, sultanas and currants all keep well. Nuts in their shells keep so long as they are dry. Packets of dried salted nuts such as peanuts, brazil and walnuts are highly nutritious.
POTATO POWDER:
Is a great filler for hungry stomachs and can be prepared in several ways to make it palatable.
BROWN RICE:
Has more nourishment than long-grain white rice that loses all its goodness when boiled.
STORE LOCATION:
The cooler the storage area, the better the stores will keep. A cellar is ideal but there may be a problem with dampness so:
Keep all the stores off the ground and inspect them regularly. If there is a skylight in the cellar, cover it. The store is best kept dark. An attic is also convenient for storage. The stores are not in the way of day to day activities.
However it may get very warm in summer & access may be difficult, especially if a ladder is the only means of entry that may be awkward when trying to rotate the stocks.
The roof is also a very vulnerable position in most kinds of disaster situations. In an area where hurricanes can be expected and attic is not a good choice.
In territory liable to flooding a cellar is equally risky. Under the stairs is another area that may offer some protection, though perhaps a limited space.
Advantage should be taken of wherever is most conveniently available to store not only food but also medical supplies, disinfectant, cleansing materials and water.
If you divide your stores into more than one area, each with a variety of items you should be well prepared.
ADD TO YOUR STORES:
Soap and toilet paper / ...................
