IS YOUR KIT FRESH?

Do you have a system for the ROTATION of perishable supplies?

What kind of perishables are in your kit?

Do you know the expiration dates?

Let’s start by making some assumptions:

  1. You believe that it is possible that your life may be affected by some sort of disaster. Perhaps only a small, short term inconvenience.
  2. You own the book Emergency Disaster Preparedness & Survival.
  3. You have read the book.
  4. You prioritize the activities in your lifestyle and in doing so:

·        Have found that the survival and health of you and your family is high on the list.

·        High enough on the list for you to have allotted the necessary time for proper planning and preparation.

  1. You have prepared your supplies. Both evacuation and staying put supplies.
  2. In your supplies you have met basic human needs:

§     Food

§     Water

§     Shelter

§     Hygiene

§     Drugs

      Over the counter

      First aid

      Extra prescription

 

Those assumptions in place, let’s also assume that you choose not to spend money needlessly. The question that come to mind is: How do we keep an extra supply of perishables on hand without wasting money?

The answer: Rotation.

Efficient and cost effective rotation requires discipline and attention to priorities.

Rotation techniques:

1. Keep a list, an inventory. This inventory should include expiration dates as well as dates purchased and replacement dates.

2. Correlate this list with your regular shopping. Monthly, check your kit inventory and decide which supplies are in need of replacement. Do so during your regular shopping.

3. Replace supplies from your pantry or medicine chest by:

§         Placing your recently purchased new supplies in your kit.

§          Remove the old but not yet out-of-date items replaced.

§          Place these older items in your pantry or medicine chest for normal consumption.

Note: Do not remove from your kit UNTIL you have a replacement item for your kit. Make the kit the most important supply cache in your house.

4. Your kit should contain supplies that you can use in day to day life. This allows fluid rotation without waste.

5. Keep your inventory list and a pencil on/ in your kit.

6. Keep this kit in an easy to access location.

7. Each time you add or remove from your kit, take a few seconds to make notes and update the inventory.

Medicines

What is in your medicine chest? What medicines are in your evacuation supplies? How old are your drugs?

Medicines are items in your kit that you may not use enough of to allow regular rotation. You may have medicines that you expect to need in the times of a disaster or catastrophe, and normally do not use these drugs. If so rotation is not a viable option. There is a risk of wanting to keep old and out-of-date medicines, do not do so. Dispose of all out of date pharmaceuticals. Chemicals change over time. Drugs are chemicals. Chemicals stored under adverse conditions, (e.g. the car or other locations where temperature is not constant) may have an even shorter life than the printed date. Dispose of all out of date pharmaceuticals.

Assistance

We have touched on two basic topics that are candidates for professional coaching: Prioritizing your life, and discipline. Often topics that “touch a nerve” are dealt with by ignoring or disregarding them. If you find there are areas in your life that you wish to improve, you may wish to investigate using a Life Coach. Coaching with the author is available at a promotional rate for a limited time and number of clients. Call or email for more information. It is more cost effective than you may think, and has a tremendous value.

 

 

For more detailed life saving information please read the Emergency Disaster Preparedness & Survival manual.

For information on using this manual as a fundraiser, click here.

 

Gerald lives with his wife, Lyn on their remote farm in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. A highly trained volunteer firefighter and fire service instructor, since 1989, and currently volunteers with his local fire department. He is a wilderness survival and primitive living skills expert, an Eagle scout and an adult scout leader.

Gerald's book Emergency Disaster Preparedness & Survival can be purchased on line with our secure website  at www.EmergencyDisasterPreparedness.info

or

by calling 800-524-9014.

Gerald also provides consulting on your preparedness issues.

 

 

 

Things To Do This Season:

 

Ice and ice storms can make evacuation impossible. Beef-up supplies for the possibility that you are required to be self-sufficient for a longer period.

Place crampons in personal gear.

Keep salt or kitty litter by door (to salt steps and walks).

 

Tip:

 

Refine your discipline of rotation of all perishables and supplies. Keep your kit readily accessible, making it easier to keep supplies up to date.

 

 

Copyright

Unless otherwise noted, all materials at this cite (including without limitation all text, html markup, graphics, and graphic elements) are copyrighted ©, 1998-2010 by Gerald Pinckard The material available through this site may be freely used for attributed noncommercial educational purposes only. We ask that due credit and notification be given the author. All materials appearing on this website may not be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or used in any way for commercial purposes without the express prior written permission of the copyright holder.

 

 Disclaimer: The author assumes no liability for any incidental, consequential or other liability from the use of this information. All risks and damages, incidental or otherwise, arising from the use or misuse of the information contained herein are entirely the responsibility of the user. Although careful precaution has been taken in the preparation of this material, we assume no responsibility for omissions or errors