At the mere mention of emergency supplies, you might picture an underground cellar stocked with canned foods for decades to come, or someone sitting around and waiting for the collapse of civilization.
But the reality is far less dramatic! Preparedness is more like routine household maintenance than gearing up to survive doomsday. Even federal organizations advise making an emergency plan, storing shelf-stable food and water, and keeping a kit of backup supplies nearby!
You might be surprised to learn that a lot of the things you think you know about preparedness are actually myths.
Keep reading to clear up a couple of these common misconceptions!
Myth #1: “Being prepared means stockpiles and bunkers for doomsday.”
The “doomsday” stereotype is a chuckle and all, but it can become a problem when it leads people to dismiss the real emergencies they are likely to face.
A power outage in the dead of winter, an evacuation during a wildfire, or an extreme summer storm can disrupt any household in a snap. Being prepared means having a plan in place for these realistic possibilities –– not waiting for the world to end!
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, recommends having enough food, water, and supplies to support your household for at least three days.
No bunker needed! Just a few extra things here and there to make an emergency easier for your household.
Myth #2: “If you have a gas furnace, you'll still have heat when the power goes out.”
While it is true that a gas furnace produces heat by burning fuel, it still needs electricity to operate. Each component –– from the ignitors and draft inducer to the blower circulating warm air through the home –– depends on electrical power.
That means when the power goes out, the furnace will, too. In the winter time, those circumstances can make a shivering situation not just uncomfortable, but dangerous!
While some furnace systems may work with professionally installed backup power, not all can. No matter how your system runs, you should always store warm blankets, sleeping bags, and thick layers of clothing on your shelf. It never hurts to have 'em!
Myth #3: “It's just fine to run a generator in the garage if the door stays open.”
It is really nice to have a portable, backup generator in supply so you can keep your essential electronics running in an outage! But before you flip that switch, make sure you know what kind of generator you've got –– and where you can safely operate it.
Fuel-burning, gas-powered generators produce carbon monoxide –– an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness, or even death.
These generators belong outdoors. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, recommends keeping these generators more than twenty feet away from your home, windows, and doors.
But even with the windows and doors open and the exhaust pointed away from you, that is simply not enough to make yourself safe from the risks.
Solar generators, however, are different. Because they do not burn fuel or produce carbon monoxide, they are usually safe to use indoors! Just be sure to follow the instructions of whatever option you choose.
Myth #4: “Emergency food doesn't really last much longer than what's already in your pantry.”
A box of pasta can sit in your pantry for a long time! But, that doesn't mean it's ideal for long-term food storage. Your everyday, ordinary pantry staples are vulnerable to moisture, heat, and air –– all of which can shorten their shelf life.
Freeze-dried food, however, can last up to 25 years in the right storage conditions! The food is specially prepared, preserved, and protected. In fact, the freeze-drying process eliminates up to ninety-eight percent of water from food!
Sealed, airtight packaging helps prevent that food from absorbing moisture from the outside –– and oxygen absorbers reduce the amount of oxygen on the inside. This combined protection keeps food stable longer!
Investing in emergency food is less about the food itself, and more about the preservation process and packaging.
Myth #5: “When something goes wrong, you'll have enough time to grab what you need.”
Emergencies never happen at a convenient time! A power outage can strike when you're sleeping, and a wildfire won't wait for you to gather up your gear.
By the time you realize you need something, you won't have time to shop for it! You'll have to work with whatever you've got lyin' around the house.
If officials order an evacuation, FEMA warns that you may not have time to decide where to go. So, getting ready for such an event is essential! Plan out your evacuation route in advance and set your supplies close, just in case.
The Fact That Remains
Being prepared means covering the basics beforehand, then you don't have to solve every problem under pressure. Think of it more like getting ready for an inconvenient Tuesday, rather than an apocalyptic doomsday!
Check in with The Essentials Blog each week for expert education, tips, and resources to make your shift to self-reliance as smooth as possible!