Prepared LDS Family: Emergency Kits for School Kids

Prepared LDS Family: Emergency Kits for School Kids: When we lived in southern California, each year I was asked to put together an emergency kit for my elementary school kids. The kits were k...

It's Conference Weekend.....

LDS General Conference is this weekend and so you know what that means.....time to check your 72 hour kits.  Or for some of you, this might be the time you need to get your 72 hour kits started.  Either way, just do something to prepare for a time when you might need to evacuate your home.  Here is a list you can use to help you get started.  The list is long and not everything will apply to your families needs so change it where you need to. 

Water
* Poly canteens, 1 quart
* Sierra cup
* Water purification tablets
* Water purifier & extra filters
* Water bag, nylon
* Water bag liners, plastic
* Solar still
* Rubber surgical tubing
Food
* Personal daily rations
* Energy bars, tablets
* Trail snacks
Clothing
* Hiking boots
* Trail sneakers
* Socks
* Underclothing
* Thermal underwear
* Shirts, short sleeve
* Shirts, long sleeve
* Shorts, hiking
* Trousers, long
* Belt and buckle
* Sweater
* Down vest
* Down jacket
* Parka
* Poncho
* Gloves, leather
* Mittens, wool
* Scarf
* Balaclava
* Bandanna, large
* Hat
* Swimsuit
Shelter
* Tent
* Tent fly
* Tent poles
* Tent pegs
* Ground cloth
* Ultra light weight tarp
* Visk clamps
* Nylon line, 50 ft. 2 ea
Bedding
* Foam pad, closed cell
* Sleeping bag
* Air pillow
Cooking Equipment
* Frying pan, folding
* Cook set, nesting
* Can opener, P-38
* Eating utensil set
* Book matches, water proof
* Pack stove
* Windscreen
* Fuel bottles
* Condiments
* Salt & Pepper
* Sugar
* Flour
* Honey
* Milk, dry, instant
Clean Up
* Scouring pads, soap filled
* Sanitary tablets & dunking bag
* Dish towel
Personal Hygiene & Sanitation
* Toilet trowel
* Toilet tissue, biodegradable
* Feminine hygiene items
* Shampoo
* Comb and brush
* Eye drops
* Tooth brush & tooth paste
* Shaving gear
* Deodorant
* Soap & soap dish
* Bath towel
* 5 gallon bucket with toilet seat cover
* Garbage bags, biodegradtable
* Solid waste digestion tablets
* Dissolving toilet deodorant packets
Preventative Aid
* Foot powder
* Body powder, medicated
* Moleskins
* Chigger powder
* Mosquito repellent
* Lip balm
* Sun block
* Body powder, medicated
* Corn starch
* Hand lotion
First Aid
* Personal First Aid Kit
* Family First Aid Kit
Emergency Gear
* Signal flares, night
* Signal smoke, day
* Signal die, water
* Signal mirror
* Strobe light
* Whistle
* Space blanket
* Hand warmers
Light, Heat, Fire making
* Pack lantern
* Spare lantern mantles
* Flash light
* Spare bulb, batteries
* Candle lantern
* Spare plumbers candles
* Glow sticks
* Match safe & matches
* Magnesium block
* Magnifying glass
* Lighter
* Spare flints
Navigation
* Map case
* Maps
* Map measure
* Pedometer
* Compass
* Altimeter
* Global positioning system (GPS)
Communication
* Pocket radio, battery/solar power
* Cell phone ... or
* Two way radio: CB, GMRS, FRS
* Spare NiCad batteries
* Solar battery charger
Tools and Repair Kits
* Leatherman.Gerber tool
* Sven saw
* Hatchet/Boys axe w/sheath
* 8 inch mill file
* Spare parts: pack, stove, lantern
* Tent/ Pack patch kit: ripstop tape
* Copper wire, spool
Personal Items
* Camera, lenses, flash and film
* Binoculars
* Swiss Pocket knife
* Sharpening stones and oil
* Wallet
* Extra house and car keys
* Copy of important papers such as titles etc.
* Change for pay phones
* Handkerchief
* Watch
* Sun & prescription glasses
* Pencil and note pad
* Scriptures
Fishing Equipment
* Pack rod case
* Pack rod, spin -fly combination
* Ultra lite spinning reel
* Ultra lite fly reel
* 15 lb test Spiderwire monofilament
* 7DTF fly line
* Fly line leaders, various lb test
* Tackle boxes, small double sided (2)
* Hooks, size 8, 10, 12
* Fly assortment
* Sinkers, split shot
* Spinners
* Spoons
* Small plugs, poppers, bugs
* Fanny Pack.
Pack and Pack Frame
* Pack
* Frame
* Clevis pins
* Stuff bags
* Compression straps
* Plastic garbage bags
* Twist ties / plastic zip ties
Clothing Maintenance and Repair
* Sewing Kit
* Spare shoelaces
* Biodegradable detergent
* Woolite
* Small scrub brush
* Clothes pins
Homeland Security
* Duct tape
* Air mask
* Heavyweight plastic garbage bags or plastic sheeting

CHILDREN'S SURVIVAL KIT

Children's emotional well-being during an emergency may depend on being able to keep busy with games. Here are some ideas from a post at Stanford.edu's website Store these items in water proof containers. A plastic bucket is ideal for this. Make it accessible to your emergency kits. Suggested Items:
01. Scriptures
02. Books & Magazines
03. Paper, Coloring Books, and Activity Books
04. Felt Tip Markers, Colored Pencils, Scissors
05. Games
06. Small toys
07. Any Hard Candy
08. Children's Vitamins, Pain-Reliever, Cold Remedies, Band Aids, and First-Aid Cream
09. Creative Game List
10. String
11. Clothespins
12. Feather
13. Straws
14. Wooden Blocks
15. Marbles
16. Metal Washers
CREATIVE GAME LIST
This is a list of games that children can play out of everyday items.
Clothespins -
01. Drop in a bottle
02. Pitch at a target
03. Clothesline relay
Wooden Blocks -
01. Print letters on cubes. Roll cubes to spell words.
First one to complete 10 words wins.
Marbles -
01. Roll them at a target
02. Toss them in a box
03. Old Fashioned Marble Game
Metal Washers -
01. Toss them into numbered cups.
Paper Cups -
01. Tossing Games
02. Blowing Relay
03. Telephone
Paper Plates -
01. Toss through a wire coat hanger
Straws -
01. Marble Blow Relay
02. Bean Relay
Spoons -
01. Carry Ball
02. Flip Beans at target
03. Carry Cotton Balls
Feathers -
01. Feather Volleyball: blow feather over string or net
02. Toss them at a target
03. Blow them over the line relay

More notes on 72 hour kits

1. Store water. Many times after a disaster the safety of the water supply is in doubt. Having water on hand can be critically important.2. Don't forget food in the freezer. Because the electricity was out and freezers defrosted, many families had more food (for the short term) than they could use. Neighbors got together to barbecue steaks that thawed. Many teenagers said they never ate better than during the disaster.
3. Store batteries for flashlights and radios. It seemed like everyone in the country knew more about what was happening with the disasters than the people involved in them did. A television or radio that ran on batteries was often the only source of news. Flashlights allowed those who had them to read or play games after the sun went down.
4. Have a family plan in case of emergency. Discuss where to meet and what to do in case you are not at home when disaster strikes.
5. Photos and journals can't be replaced. Make sure they are in a place where they can be grabbed quickly. Even better, make duplicate prints of your favorite family photos and send them to relatives out of state.
6. Additional supplies. Other items good to have in an emergency could include regularly required medicine (such as insulin); a change of clothes (work clothes would be best); a camp stove and fuel; first aid kit; games; bedding or a sleeping bag.
7. Cash and gas may come in handy. With power out, banks were closed, automatic tellers didn't work, and service stations could not pump fuel. Usually it only takes a couple of days for generators to be brought in to get these services functioning again, but in the meantime, those with money and gasoline have purchasing power and mobility. (Janet Thomas, "In Case of Disaster," New Era, Oct. 1990, 24)

Don't forget to include:

- home owner's insurance policy numbers and contact information
- passports
- certified copies of birth certificates
- social security numbers
- health insurance policy numbers and contact information
- life insurance policy numbers and contact information
- living will
- credit cards AND traveler's checks/cash. (Yes, credit cards -- remember during the gas riots caused by Hurricane Katrina and Rita that many gas stations stopped taking cash for security reasons. Traveler's checks work like cash and can be replaced if lost or stolen.)


More information can be found on HERE.

52 Weeks Food Storage - #39

Week # 39: 30 lbs of Oats 

Oats:
Oats are the edible cereal grains produced by the cereal grass of the same name. Oats are light tan in color. They have a nutty flavor and a chewy texture and must be hulled before they can be eaten. Whole oats minus the hulls are called groats.

3 Types of Oats which we will cover here: 

Rolled Oats
These are also commonly called “old fashioned”, “thick cut” or “porridge” oats. To produce them, oat groats are steamed and then rolled to flatten. They can generally be found wherever oats are sold. They take longer to cook than do the quick cooking oats, but they retain more flavor and nutrition. This is what most people will call to mind when they think of oatmeal.
Quick Cooking Rolled Oats
These are just steamed oat groats rolled thinner than the old fashioned kind above so that they will cook faster. They can usually be found right next to the thicker rolled oats.

Instant Rolled Oats
These are the “just add hot water” or microwave type of oat cereals and are not at all suited for a long term food storage program. They do, however, have uses in “bug out” and 72 hour food kits for short term crises. Generally the more you process a food the less nutritious it becomes,instant oats are best avoided if you want to get the full benefit of this grain.
Storing
Store oats in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months. Freeze in a moisture- and vapor-proof container for up to 1 year. So definitely rotate your oats!
Cooking Time
It takes about 10-15 minutes to cook regular rolled oats. Quick rolled oats, being thinner, cook much quicker in 2-3 minutes. And instant rolled oats, which have already been cooked then dehydrated, just need hot water added. As instant rolled oats are the least nutritious, you should think seriously about using them in your every day cooking habits instead of using the slower cooking quick oats. Instant oats certainly have their place, however, such as on camping trips and in your 72-hour kits.

Oats Health Benefits
Weight Control - As the soluble fiber of oats is digested, it forms a gel, which causes the viscosity of the contents of the stomach and small intestine to be increased. The gel delays stomach emptying making you feel full longer which helps with weight loss. New research suggests that children between ages 2-18 years old who have a constant intake of oatmeal lowered their risk of obesity. The research found that the children who ate oatmeal were 50% less likely to become overweight, when compared to those children that did not eat it.
Cholesterol and Heart - Oatmeal and oat bran are significant sources of dietary fiber. This fiber contains a mixture of about half soluble and half insoluble fibers. One component of the soluble fibre found in oats is beta-glucans, a soluble fiber which has proven effective in lowering blood cholesterol.

Blood Sugars - Eating oats can spread the rise in blood sugars over a longer time period.
Anti Cancer - Oats, like other grains and vegetables, contain hundreds of phytochemicals (plant chemicals). Many phytochemicals are thought to reduce a person’s risk of getting cancer.
Blood Pressure - A daily serving of whole oats rich in soluble fibre can reduce hypertension, or high blood pressure, and so reduce the need for anti-hypertensive medication.
Bowel Function - Oats have a high fiber content. Fiber is necessary in keeping bowel movements regular. Oats are high in both soluble and insoluble fiber.
Athletic Performance - Oats, like other cereal grains, are valued primarily as a source of carbohydrates which provide calories for energy needs. Oats have been shown in scientific studies to favorably alter metabolism and enhance performance when ingested 45 minutes to 1 hour before exercise of moderate intensity.
Oats Nutritional value per 100 grams
Energy     390 kcal / 1630 kJ
Carbohydrate     66 g
Dietary fiber total     11 g
- Beta glucan     5 g
- Insoluble     6 g
Total fat     6 g
- Saturated     1.217 g
- Monounsaturated     2.178 g
- Polyunsaturated     2.535 g
- Cholesterol     0 g
Protein     17 g
Minerals
Calcium     54 mg
Iron     4.72 mg
Magnesium     177 mg
Phosphorous     523 mg
Potassium     429 mg
Sodium     2 mg
Zinc     3.97 mg
Copper     0.626 mg
Manganese     4.916 mg

52 Weeks Food Storage - #38

Week # 38:  5 lbs of Sugar

                     10 lbs of Brown Sugar
                     4 lbs of Powdered Sugar 

Sugar:

In addition to basic staples, sugar is recommended as part of a balanced diet and to provide carbohydrates. During depressed times, even treats made with sugar can actually help provide a mental uplift. Follow the steps below to have a supply of sugar ready when you need it most.

1. Prepare storage containers. Make sure all inner surfaces are clean and dry. If using plastic buckets, place one ounce of dry ice per gallon capacity in the bottom of the bucket. See more info about packaging recommendations at ProvidentLiving.org.
2. Fill containers with sugar. Fill foil pouches to 80% of volume. Fill jars to 95% volume. Fill buckets to within one inch of the top (on top of the dry ice).
3. Seal containers. For foil pouches, use an impulse heat sealer. Make sure the seal is tight. A second seal can be applied if desired. For jars, make sure the gasket on the lid is in good condition. Close the jar tightly. For plastic buckets, place the lid on top but do not completely close it until the dry ice has dissipated (sublimed). When the bottom of the bucket begins to feel warmer, place the lid on tightly. If it begins to bulge after a few minutes, open slightly to release the excess pressure.
4. Store containers. All food storage should be placed in a cool, dark, and dry location preferably off the floor and away from rodents. Rubbermaid or similar totes are excellent for storing foil pouches.

Note: Moisture makes granulated sugar hard and lumpy. Once this happens, there is no way to adequately restore it.


Brown Sugar:
Brown sugar is a sucrose sugar product with a distinctive brown color due to the presence of molasses. It is either an unrefined or partially refined soft sugar consisting of sugar crystals with some residual molasses content or produced by the addition of molasses to refined white sugar. It’s used in everything from breakfasts to desserts. Add it to chicken, oatmeal, cakes, pies, cookies and so much more. Brown sugar can be used in everything!

Difference between Light & Dark:
Brown sugar contains from 3.5% molasses (light brown sugar) to 6.5% molasses (dark brown sugar). Use these two sugars interchangeably in recipes calling for brown sugar. For a delicate, light, nutty caramel flavor, use Light Brown Sugar. For a rich, old-time molasses taste and deeper color, use Dark Brown sugar. If you’re in doubt or if it’s not specified, you might choose the Light Brown.

Store Brown Sugar
Air hardens brown sugar. Store it in a cool, moist area in a covered container. If that’s not possible, store the entire container in a second canister with a tight-fitting lid. You can also empty the sugar into a rustproof container (or a heavy, moisture-proof plastic bag) and keep it tightly closed. Even though the shelf life of brown sugar is indefinite, it’s best to use it within six months of purchase for maximum flavor. Don’t store brown sugar in the refrigerator. However, if you are in a very dry area or are going to keep it for a long time, you may want to freeze it. To use frozen sugar, thaw it for two or three hours. If ice crystals form after long freezer storage, gently stir the sugar as soon as it thaws to prevent pockets of moisture from causing damage.

Soften Brown Sugar
When brown sugar hardens, it loses its natural moisture. Here are some suggestions to restore the moisture and soften the sugar:
* If you need to use hard brown sugar immediately, remove it from the package and heat it in a 250-degree oven. Watch it carefully. As soon as it’s soft, measure the amount you need right away because it will again harden as it cools. Please use caution. Oven heated sugar is very hot!
* To soften brown sugar in a microwave, place it in a microwave-safe container, cover loosely with a wet (but not dripping) white paper towel, set the microwave on high, and check the sugar every 30 seconds. Again, microwave-softened sugar hardens as it cools so microwave only the amount of sugar you need. And it’s very hot. Please use caution.
* Time permitting, place the hardened brown sugar in a rustproof container with a dampened – not dripping wet – white paper towel or napkin placed over a small piece of plastic wrap or foil on top of the sugar. Cover tightly. Remove the paper towel after the sugar absorbs the moisture and softens (about two days) and tightly reseal the container.

Powdered Sugar:

Let’s be honest we only put this one on the 52 week food storage list because we know most of you make cookies, cakes and sweets and need icing. However, those of you who don’t need powdered sugar for any reason then don’t worry about it. Personally we never use powdered sugar, but if for some reason the power is out for a long time or the internet is down then we’ll need to take up a new hobby. Instead of using the computer and internet every second of the day, we could start baking and making french toast and crepes for breakfast every day. Yum! sounds exciting, maybe we need to start today.

Powdered Sugar is snowy white in color. It has a delicate, soft, supple texture, and it mixes and creams into delicious, smooth frostings. Powdered sugar is also known as confectioner’s sugar or icing sugar. It contains a small percentage of cornstarch to prevent caking, and is available in different grades of crystal fineness.

Grades:
Most people shopping for this ingredient at the store don’t know that it comes in a variety of grades referring to how finely it is ground. 14X is typically the highest grind, but this may not be shown on labels, and for most home baking it isn’t necessary to buy a specific grind. Higher grinds do dissolve more quickly and may be more suited for things like whipping cream. Powdered sugar labeled XXXX is slightly finer than that labeled XXX but they can be used interchangeably.

Substitute:
Powdered sugar has a finer crystal size than Granulated Sugar and contains 3% cornstarch that keeps the sugar soft. Substitutions may result in unsatisfactory results. However if you really want to try there is of course a way. To make powdered sugar, combine a cup of granulated sugar with about two tablespoons of cornstarch in the blender (about 227 grams of sugar and 57 grams of cornstarch). Blend until the sugar reaches a fine powder. Let the sugar sit for approximately 15 minutes prior to using.

Storage:
Store powdered sugar in a cool, dry location (not the refrigerator). When it gets moist, it develops lumps. And because of its physical properties, it tends to absorb strong odors – it can even absorb odors through the package.

Information has been aggregated from: wikipedia.org, chsugar.com, wisegeek.com, and recipezaar.com.