While all items in the kit are important, this week’s addition might be critical for those who rely on medicine to maintain their ability to function. Fortunately for our family, at least right now, we are not in that situation. If we were, I would need to have a conversation with our doctor to see…
Author: Civil Engineer
Civil Engineer with a background in local, state, and federal governments as well as private consulting.
Build a Kit – Cell Phone with Charger – Week 15
This is one week I truly don’t have to do anything extra. We already have cell phones and chargers. And if I bought an extra charger to just put in the kit, I know it would only be a matter of time before my family found out and took it. Because we never seem to…
Build a Kit – Local Maps – Week 14
When I first saw local maps on the list of preparedness items, I thought why in the world would I need that? I have lived in my local area for some time and already know the streets and can easily navigate around with no map at all. But then I remembered the stories I heard…
Build a Kit – Manual Can Opener – Week 13
This week we add something I think would come in handy for even a short power outage – a manual can opener. Frankly I find it helpful even during those times when for some reason the electric can opener we have isn’t cooperating with me and the can. I will keep trying a few times…
Build a Kit – Wrench or Pliers – Week 12
Disaster or not, it’s always helpful to have a good wrench or pliers handy. However, there are so many types, it might be difficult to choose what would be best for our kit. Pliers Below are common features of pliers to choose between: Fixed vs adjustable – fixed pliers only open to a set width…
Build a kit – Garbage Bags – Week 11
It’s looking like this week should be an easy add to our kit. We will be buying garbage bags and moist towelettes and will just pick them up during our weekly grocery shopping trip. The only other option I would consider would be to buy contractor garbage bags rather than the type sold at our…
Build a Kit – Dust Mask – Week 10
We will be adding a dust mask to our preparedness kit this week. Having worked on different types of home improvements over the years, I already knew there were several types of masks available. I’ve used one like the mask in the photo above when I was sanding drywall. But when I was pregnant and…
Helping People Navigate Government Services
Years ago a coworker who lived in a large city in the United States told me a story about how he needed to get a permit from the city’s building department to make improvements at his home. He said he tried for a very long time, but had no luck getting the permit in…
Build a Kit – Buy a Whistle – Week 9
While initially I thought this would be an easy week since the goal is to buy a whistle, I started realizing, I’m not sure I know where whistles are even sold. Of course to find out I just went to Google and searched. It looks like Walmart sells standard silver whistles like the one…
Build a Kit – First Aid Kit – Week 8
A first aid kit is always a good thing to have on hand. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a citizen preparedness guide: Are You Ready? with a checklist of suggested First Aid Supplies. They include: Adhesive bandages, various sizes 5†x 9†sterile dressing Conforming roller gauze bandage Triangular bandages 3†x 3