Our friend Gaye Levy (Survival Woman) from BackdoorSurvival.com recently posted an article with 29 questions to help you determine & secure your level of preparedness…when an urgent event strikes.
After reading the questions, is there anything that you think needs to be included or that you feel is important but wasn't included? If so, please comment and let us know or feel free to email your thoughts as well. We have included a FREE Download Checklist for you. Click on the checklist image to download the PDF file.
Click Image to Download your FREE Printable Checklist
1. Has your family rehearsed fire escape routes from your home?
2. Does your family know what to do before, during, and after an earthquake or other emergency situation?
3. Do you have heavy objects hanging over beds that can fall during an earthquake?
4. Do you have access to an operational flashlight in every occupied bedroom? (use of candles is not recommended unless you are sure there is no leaking gas)
5. Do you keep shoes near your bed to protect your feet against broken glass?
6. If a water line was ruptured during an earthquake or hurricane, do you know how to shut off the main water line to your house?
7. Can this water valve be turned off by hand without the use of a tool? Do you have a tool if one is needed?
8. Do you know where the main gas shut-off valve to your house is located?
9. If you smell gas, do you know how and would you be able to shut off this valve?
10. Gas valves usually cannot be turned off by hand. Is there a tool near your valve?
11. Would you be able to safely restart your furnace when gas is safely available?
12. Do you have working smoke alarms in the proper places to warn you of fire?
13. In case of a minor fire, do you have a fire extinguisher that you know how to use?
14. Do you have duplicate keys and copies of important insurance and other papers stored outside your home?
15. Do you have a functional emergency radio to receive emergency information?
16. If your family had to evacuate your home, have you identified a meeting place?
IF AN EMERGENCY LASTED FOR THREE DAYS ( 72 HOURS) BEFORE HELP WAS AVAILABLE TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY:
17. Would you have sufficient food?
18. Would you have the means to cook food without gas and electricity?
19. Would you have sufficient water for drinking, cooking, and sanitary needs?
20. Do you have access to a 72 hour evacuation kit?
21. Would you be able to carry or transport these kits?
22. Have you established an out-of-state contact?
23. Do you have a first aid kit in your home and in each car?
24. Do you have work gloves and some tools for minor rescue and clean up?
25. Do you have emergency cash on hand? (During emergencies banks and ATMs are closed)
26. Without electricity and gas do you have a way to heat at least part of your house?
27. If you need medications, do you have a month’s supply on hand?
28. Do you have a plan for toilet facilities if there is an extended water shortage?
29. Do you have a supply of food, clothing, and fuel where appropriate: For 6 months? For a year?
Almost every single survival check list I see, whether it is something by a government agency or some survival expert, that is published to help keep people “alive” in a survival situation’ none of them mention anything about having a good pocket knife. I once read an Army survival book that the Eskimo said something to the effect, ‘with a knife you survive and without one you need a miracle’. Heck, one of the first things you aspire to get to do in the Boy Scouts (be prepared they say) is earn the right to carry a pocket knife. The pocket knife can be used for so many things: obtaining food, preparing food, making shelter, making emergency clothes or repairing clothes,shaving wood to make a fire, fending off wildlife, and protection. The word “protection” is never really mentioned at all. It’s the elephant in the room. If you want a gun, then get a gun. But EVERYONE should have a good pocket knife on them–and a couple more in your “Kit”.
Great comment KRLTY!
Thanks for the suggestion!
-David
Hey Gaye, you left off the most important item. Do you have guns and lots of ammo. That should be first and foremost.
Great Job Gaye.
Guns and Ammo? I think that Gaye is more oreiented to a “sudden onset” event. These are very likely to be localized. They will get a bunch of FEMA help within a couple of days to a week. Chances of your needing to shoot anyone in a seventy two hour event will be pretty slim.
Interestingly, roving gangs of armed banditos will not be the first pressure on your preps, and privicay. We Americans are problem solvers. When the supply of water and food is interupted for more than a long weekend of time, neighbors will band togeather, form an “association”. and elect leaders. The next decission will be that in the interest of fairness, all food, and potable water should be pooled in a central location, and distributed on an equal share basis to all. Refuse, and threats and intimidation will result. There may even be violance, and reprisals, such as exile, or home detention without food or water after your preps are taken away. So much for a years supply of food.
One really ugly side of prepping that never gets brought up, is the part about sitting by, fat and happy with your preps, watching your neighbors slowly starve. Watching your Neighbor kids slowly starving to death. Kind of a moral issue, don’t you think?
Thanks for the insight, Lou!
-David
Thank you for the great list!! And on the comment above, when I first started looking into survival stuff years ago looking at knives was one of my favorite things to do. Guess I was using my brain! xD
Add to that knowledge…if people take the time to have the items they need, but not how to utilize them correctly – or efficiently as time is likely of the essence in most situations you would need them in. Then they won’t help anyway…
Great point Ceomi!
-David
I would add that you need to have a plan for checking/updating your kit on a regular basis — expiring food, changes in family member needs, etc.
Thanks for the suggestion Kristin!
-David
I would like to win the Royal so my growing family & I can drink better tasting water. We love our sport berkey & would love to have a unit for our home. We can’t afford the unit at the moment because my wife is the only one working. We will greatly appreciate winning this Royal; we will give it a good home.
We wish you the best in this giveaway & appreciate your comment, Jose!
-David
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