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SALT LAKE CITY — Rumors and hearsay over the past few years of an impending zombie apocalypse (civil disintegration) have caused many to prepare their homes and families for the worst.
Being prepared for any emergency takes some time and thought. What emergency plans should be considered for your own particular area? Do you live in the city or the suburbs? Can you see your neighbor’s house next door or do you live in a rural area miles away? There are some differences in preparing.
There is an incredible amount of informationonline specifically about urban prepping, which can be a life saver for any city dweller. For those out in the country, the ideas presented here can be incorporated in specific emergency planning.
1. Learn to pay attention and think on your feet
Living in the city requires a safety net of planning. Learning where you are located and what your resources are in an emergency will benefit your well-being in a natural disaster or emergency. Look around and see who your neighbors are and what you can share.
Remember to think about the panic others will feel as you are in close living quarters. Their panic will turn into your panic and you will react differently than you would have if you were just by yourself. Learning to think quickly on your feet can save lives. Paying attention to your surroundings will keep yourself and others safe.
"Learn there are bad people out there … violent criminals, mentally ill people who want to harm others, sociopaths, etc.," said Charlie Palmer, author of "The Prepper Next Door,". "Our own safety can be compromised by others living very near us, because they don’t pay attention to fire safety and the possibility of arsonists. Criminals could come up from behind and punch us. Crazy people could push us onto subway tracks.”
A rural situation where neighbors are not on top of each other can be a blessing. For those out in the country, there are safety advantages of living far apart as long as you have supplies at home to keep you going for three months.
2. Learn to collect rainwater off your roof
Being prepared includes extra food and water, but if that runs out then learning to find fresh water will be a necessity. Find a way to collect rainwater off a roof, which will keep you supplied longer. This can go for urban or rural living. Water is the most important commodity we have, and anywhere you can find clean water is significant. For those living in rural areas, installing a hand water pump is invaluable. For the urban dwellers, collecting rainwater is your best bet.
3. Live debt free
How is this planning for emergencies, you ask? Being prepared for any kind of emergency includes being financially secure. Facing foreclosure on a house or getting behind in rent for an apartment with the possibility of living on the street is not being prepared. Pay off debt and live within your means. In a panic or disaster situation, cash is king, so have a hidden stash of cash to use even if it takes a year to store up.
4.Be prepared to bug out
Unfortunately, urban dwellers live on top of each other and the danger in a disaster will almost always require you to leave your home. This kind of preparation demands planning several routes to take you out of the city. The plan must include carrying everything or pulling it in some kind of cart and not just driving away, as there is a good chance vehicles won’t be available. Some exercise training should also be considered as it's one thing to talk about bugging out with a 40 to 50 pound pack on your back and actually following through to walk for miles in a day in dangerous and unforgiving conditions.
The blessing of rural living is that you probably won’t have to leave. Everything you will need should be at home, and rotating water and food is a good idea.
5. Plan to survive where you are right now
It might happen that you are unable to leave and need to survive right where you are. David Morris, author of "Urban Survival Guide," suggests:
“Since most people live in urban areas, most people are going to have to survive disasters in urban areas. Some have no intention of leaving and feel honor-bound to stay. Full-time law enforcement and first responders, sheepdogs, CERT personnel, and others who aren’t willing to leave will stay. It may not be ideal, but if your plan (or backup plan) for survival is to ‘survive in place’ in an urban area, you aren’t going to be on your own. After every disaster, there will be remnants who are currently training to be able to help stabilize neighborhoods, cities, and regions if necessary.”
The more we learn and practice what we learn in an emergency situation, the better we will become when an actual emergency arises. The important rule is to start today in planning what you will do in an emergency tomorrow and follow through on that plan.
Valerie Steimle is the mother of nine children who lives happily on the Gulf Coast of Alabama. She is the author of five books, all about strengthening the family, including "Thoughts from the Heart." Email: valeriesteimle@yahoo.com
