| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| amaron |
Posted - Feb 28 2006 : 05:34:13 AM
I'm not sure this is the right place for this post, but it is truly a family matter. With all the conflicting talk running rampant about the bird flu and a possible pandemic, is anyone taking any special measures to have food/water/supplies on hand should it hit? I looked through some various websites and they sacred me to death!!! So I thought that at least I could trust my fellow farmgirls to offer some information/advice served up with some common sense. Thanks. |
| 14 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Apr 05 2006 : 3:59:16 PM
I just realized that I hadn't added to this..and after you called me "with- it!!" guess that blows that image..right??
I don't think there is much I can add to what the gals above said about preparedness. I think it has to almost become a way of life to do it up right..but anything stored is better than not being prepared at all. I tend to rotate my stuff..always adding to what I have stored.
I am LDS so I do buy from the dry pack cannery..things like rice, beans, flour, sugar, oatmeal and like that...as well as preparedness stores like Emergency Essentials and others..and do alot of canning and like that myself. I am not as good at storing water or paper goods as I could be...and I think our dogs would be eating whatever we eat...I never seem to get much dog food stored up ahead either. Just don't make the mistake of storing things you don't ordinarily eat all the time. I know too many people who store wheat...which they would never use..thinking they will use it if they have to. MEanwhile they eat only white bread and don't learn how to use it or start getting the family used to it. It would be better if they stored white flour instead..they could use that and rotate it. I hate it that some people store stuff for 10 years..throw it out and get new stuff..yuck!! What a waste!!
I think if I had to do it I could keep some of my little banty (bantam) hens and a rooster in the cellar to raise them for eggs and a little meat...don't want to unless I have to though...I like them to have the fresh air and all..but it oculd be done if need be.! I like knowing where my food comes from..it is a good feeling!!
wElcome Gale..I don't think I got a chance to say hi!!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| Northerngal |
Posted - Apr 05 2006 : 1:59:04 PM
I think it's always good to have a little extra food and necessities on hand. A lot of what has been written about the bird flu says that it could hit the U.S. sometime in the fall, spread by migrating birds. I don't have any chickens, but if I did I would try to find the most economical way to house them indoors just incase an outbreak spread by migrating birds occured. If an outbreak killed large numbers of chickens, and you had healthy breeding pairs, those chickens would suddenly become quite valuable. It never hurts to be prepared. |
| JanO |
Posted - Mar 22 2006 : 11:14:16 AM
This might be a little late but I want to add my stock pile to the list. I've always been a big believer in preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. I guess it comes from growing up in earthquake country of S. Ca. Anyway, besides keeping plenty of food items on hand such as canned veggies, fruits, meat, dried items like beans, rice, etc. I also keep bottled water available. I try to replace it every now & then with a fresh jug but probably not nearly enough. We also have a generator that is always in working order and a supply of fuel for it at all times. To keep water available for the animals DH as wired the generator into the well pump so we can use hose to keep water in the pens and for house use such as flushing. We run the generator for short periods of time then shut it off to conserve fuel. We also have a cabinate in the garage stocked with paper items like TP, paper towels, shop cloths, plastic tarps, solar blankets, matches, emergency medical supplies & medicines, etc.
I also keep emergency cash on hand and one credit card with a zero balance available at all times. We have a wood burning stove and always keep an ample supply of firewood. I could, and have, cooked a few meals on it when the power has gone out. I used to keep a lot of candles available but the smell of them burning nausiates me. So now I have a collection of oil lamps scattered throughout the house. They are always full and ready for use. Besides, they look pretty and people assume they are just part of my decor. LOL
I am working now at putting together an emergency contact list for out of town family memebers. I'm not real sure how I'm going to do it but I want to find a way for my family in Ca. to be kept informed or us to get word to them should we lose cell phones or other communication devices for any amount of time.
Hope this helps.
Jan |
| amaron |
Posted - Mar 03 2006 : 3:22:46 PM
Thanks everyone - some great ideas (and none too overwhelming)!
Annette |
| sleepless reader |
Posted - Mar 03 2006 : 11:40:33 AM
Annette, I have learned so much about prparedness from my LDS (Mormon) friends! Try an internet search for preparedness and go from there. Water is probably the most important thing you can have, along with a way to purify it, like chlorine. Be sure you have enough meds (if you have any on-going prescriptions) for three weeks. While you may not have a problem (ie no illness yourself), a pandemic (if it would reach those proportions)will effect transportation of goods to market. Those used to going to the market on a daily or near daily basis could be in for an awakening. I bet some of Mary Jane's mixes would make great food storage! YUM!
There was a great show on the History Channel about the pandemic of 1916. You may want to check and see if they're going to rerun it in your area.It was very insightful.
While I don't think we need to panic about avian flu, I do think we should be prepared to take care of ourselves for 3-6 weeks due to any emergency such as fire, flood, storms and earthquakes. I live in the backcountry, about 50 miles from SanDiego. I know our services would be among the last restored in any emergency, so we're at least a bit prepared.
I think all of jpbluesky's advice is spot-on.
Sharon
PS I'm going to a preparedness fair tomorrow at a local LDS church. I'll let you know if they have any website suggestions!
Life is messy. Wear your apron! |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Mar 03 2006 : 10:26:13 AM
Here in hurricane country, we have, of course, bottled water in our supplies. Extra batteries of the type used the most for flashlights and radios. Dry towels and undies. Extra cash and our important papers in a special box. Keep non-perishable goods such as canned veggies, soup, p-nut butter, crackers, bottled juice, canned fruit, extra medicines such as aspirin and tylenol, first aid stuff, vitamins, paper goods, canned meats, can-opener that is not electric, blankets, extra soap, toothpaste, and anti-septic wipes that come in a container or wrapped.
Maybe designate a closet or cabinet for these things, so they will not find their way back into your normal use, and will be all together in one place.
Keep your gas tank fairly full, and your car in good working order.
Sit down and make a list of things you would absolutely need if you could not run down to the store. That is a good place to start. And begin teaching yourself basic first aid and how to be more independent from "stuff".
Oh, if I could only follow my own advice on that last part. I need to learn a lot more about self-suffiency!
"Sell cleverness and buy wonder" |
| Nancy Gartenman |
Posted - Mar 03 2006 : 10:21:38 AM
ANNETTE
HI, I'AM AND ALWAYS HAVE BEEN A STOCK UP PERSON. REASONS, BAD WEATHER, ILLNESS, POWER OUTAGE, OR SOMETHING VERY BIG ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL. See I have been typing in uper case again. Anyway, some of the things I keep on hand are, water, at least two or three cases. lots of canned soup or other canned foods, but remember to rotate them, and what ever you use ,replace. Crackers and other dry goods. I keep a lot in my freezer, but if there is a power problem for any length of time and you can't move the frozen food outside, that could become a problem.also don't forget things like flashlights, batteries, medicine, radio etc. but as far as food, dry goods and canned goods. just buy a few extras everyweek, they add up fast.Don't forget if you hace babies, lots of whatever they might need. of course if you are talking about stocking up the barn and food for animals, advise will have to come from elsewhere.
NANCY JO |
| amaron |
Posted - Mar 03 2006 : 10:07:47 AM
Aunt Jenny - I know from reading around on this site that you are a totally with-it farmgirl. So, if I may, I'd like to ask your advice. Where would I start if I were to lay a little extra by for emergencies? I am sandwiched in a smallish town between Philadelphia and New York and am generally surrounded by city folk. The idea of stocking up is generally greeted with turned-up noses (and a few chuckles). I guess I have no idea where to simply start. Thanks.
Annette
P.S. Any other famgirls with good ideas are welcome to chime in |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Mar 03 2006 : 09:17:27 AM
I do stock up..but always do..nothing new...and I have chickens. I havn't been worried much about bird flu so far..I guess I am the blaming media hype type person for now..but I am keeping an eye on things. My chickens have a fenced yard with wire over the top too..but I know wild birds, if that is where it came from..could certainly send droppings down into their yard..so I guess it wouldnt' be that safe.
I do feel that being prepared is a good thing. You never know. It is always better to have extra if you need it.
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| amaron |
Posted - Mar 03 2006 : 08:34:54 AM
Thanks to everyone who answered - I guess a bit extra in general is a good idea. I know a lot of famrgirls have chickens - is bird flu a concern for anyone or is it not even on your radar? People I know (and I'm talking the majority) dismiss it as barely worthy of contemplation, blaming media hype, or are totally obsessed (VERY few) with when it will appear in people. Just looking for a few thoughts. |
| goatgal |
Posted - Mar 03 2006 : 07:56:36 AM
I DO stock up and have ever since they predicted the New Madrid Earthquake to strike hard a few years back, I guess it is a obsession I have now. Never hurts to be prepared. |
| Jana |
Posted - Feb 28 2006 : 6:38:45 PM
Well, we had a certain amount of money in a safe place at home during the Y2K thing, as well as some basic provisions. We didn't expect a long term thing with that, a few weeks to a month, maybe, and then nothing happened.
Today on CNN they reported that the H5N1 flu definitely was contracted by a domestic cat in Germany and people were under orders to keep their cats inside to avoid contact with wild birds.
I'm thinking about provisions and generally keep enough to "get along" on hand, but being diabetic, I need to be a little more balanced in my diet selections as in no canned pasta and the like. I don't think it hurts to be prepared.
Jana |
| westernhorse51 |
Posted - Feb 28 2006 : 08:18:16 AM
I agree, stocking up is ALWAYS a good idea. You never know when you'll need it. As far as the CDC, just remember they also are govt. & dont want to scare people. Just read everything & take with you what you feel is important. Michele
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
| cajungal |
Posted - Feb 28 2006 : 05:55:42 AM
Good Morning!
You might want to check out the CDC website (center for disease control) They have a lot of information that actually pertains to the U.S. I was really scared, too, even thinking about getting rid of our chickens and stop raising them. (my daughters raise around 300 chickens to sell to feed stores). The CDC website calmed my fears. Yes, the avian flu is on the move but the media has really sensationalized it.
I also checked with my state agriculture office and county office about the situation. They also were not hyped up like the media. You might want to check with yours, too.
I certainly don't want my flock to be the cause of any illnesses and would humanely slaughter and burn the whole lot of them in an instant if I felt they were in danger. At this point, the people in official positions that I've spoken with or emailed with have made me feel secure for right now. Of course, there are sanitization issues and testing issues that I adhere to.
Ya' know what, stocking up is never a bad idea. There are numerous events and situations that can put us in the need of being prepared. Down here on the coast, we keep boxes of supplies ready at all times during hurricane season.....we might have to flee or will be without utilities.......in fact, for Rita, we were without power for 6 days. The electricity part didn't bother us. But, no electricity means no water pump on our well and that did bother us. We had a few days of trudging down to a neighbors pond for pond water to water all our animals.
Okay, I'm rambling on.....
Thanks for bringing this issue to the front of the forum. I'm sure there will be a lot of good advice.
Blessings
Catherine
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt." |
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