December is a busy month and a difficult time for most of us to focus on emergency preparedness, but December is a month that brings back memories of the Great Wind Storm we had here in Farmington, Utah on December 1, 2011. And I remember the Indian Ocean Tsunami on December 26, 2004 that killed 230,000 people, and the Haiti earthquake on January 12, 2010 that killed 159,000 people. We can never put preparedness aside.
This month, gather inexpensive baking ingredients into your food storage and and buy everything in one shopping trip. I call them Baking Basics. Things like vanilla, cooking spray, brownie or cake mixes, frosting, cornstarch, salt, baking powder or baking soda. It’s super easy to stock up on them! And they all store well and have at least a 1-year shelf life. You may already have enough of these on hand for a 3-month food storage supply which is Step 1 of the LDS Home Storage program.
My emergency focus this month is power and light so I gather such items such as batteries, lighters, flashlights and lanterns. During the winter we could experience a power outage, so having these items on hand is a blessing. Add a flashlight to your child’s stocking so they can keep it in the drawer by their bed. And you will probably buy batteries already for toys or electronics, right? Just pick up extra for emergencies too.
I usually have more success convincing my husband to buy an expensive preparedness item around Christmas-time. 🙂 Some suggestions might be a generator, a chain saw, a snow blower, a solar phone charger, a bread machine or that wheat grinder you’ve had your eye on.
How about putting together an emergency gift basket for your college student, married children or other friend? And give some time to those less fortunate this year too.
So, print the December Emergency Prep list below and hang it on your refrigerator, or jot a few ideas down on your Christmas list. You will be glad you did. Anything you do is one step forward. “I think I can, I think I can, I know I CAN!”
I am thankful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, and his never-ending love and encouragement in my life. I know he watches over each of us and will help us become better prepared for emergencies. May we focus on his glorious birth at this time of year and desire to become more like him.
Coming in 2017, a brand new website and new prep lists. I’m so excited to share the with you!
Best wishes and Merry Christmas!
Valerie