Tell us about your emergency kits, bug out bags, and the like! 
(Sharing is good, it keeps us all prepared.)
Plastic tarps, staple gun (manual)- we live in FL. Spare jug of bleach, ditto vinegar. Between the two, we can turn any water into something you can wash with. A lot of coffee filters, because cold brew coffee is better than perked. Batteries and more batteries and solar charger. Solar oven. Spray paint and plywood for smarta** signs. Large bottle of Stoli, for medicinal purposes. Many beautyberry bushes, a natural insect repellant stronger than Deet. Full tank of gas and cat carriers to get out of town so we don’t have to use any of the above.
[QUOTE=Jessara, post:3, topic:365426]
Plastic tarps, staple gun (manual)- we live in FL. Spare jug of bleach, ditto vinegar. Between the two, we can turn any water into something you can wash with. A lot of coffee filters, because cold brew coffee is better than perked. Batteries and more batteries and solar charger. Solar oven. Spray paint and plywood for smarta** signs. Large bottle of Stoli, for medicinal purposes. Many beautyberry bushes, a natural insect repellant stronger than Deet. Full tank of gas and cat carriers to get out of town so we don’t have to use any of the above.
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I didn’t know beautyberry bushes could be used as an insect repellent. How do you use then?
Does anyone know how bright the spotlight is?
I’ve made ‘tea’ (water infusion), alcohol tinctures, oil infusion (heated to sterilize), and rubbed fresh leaves on my skin. Fresh juice & tea seem to work best; they don’t have any scent that I can detect. Also put fresh leaves in the corners of the cats’ beds, which worked fine until the cats fished them out and chased them all over the house. Sachets are next, mixed with lavender. http://www.motherearthnews.com/Natural-Health/Beautyberry-Natural-Insect-Repellent.aspx and Beautyberry: Jelly on a Roll - Eat The Weeds and other things, too
What is a “self-powered aluminum crank”? I’m picturing sitting in the dark and hearing the radio start cranking itself up, but I assume that it actually requires a person to crank it - unless I could convince one of the dogs to do it for me.
[QUOTE=Jessara, post:5, topic:365426]
I’ve made ‘tea’ (water infusion), alcohol tinctures, oil infusion (heated to sterilize), and rubbed fresh leaves on my skin. Fresh juice & tea seem to work best; they don’t have any scent that I can detect. Also put fresh leaves in the corners of the cats’ beds, which worked fine until the cats fished them out and chased them all over the house. Sachets are next, mixed with lavender. http://www.motherearthnews.com/Natural-Health/Beautyberry-Natural-Insect-Repellent.aspx and Beautyberry: Jelly on a Roll - Eat The Weeds and other things, too
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Wow, I am from FL and never heard about that, good tip and good to know. Also these are not the “brightest” flash lights but will get the job done, remember these are to be used in an emergency, not to tackle your weekend project in the attic :), I have them just for the radio as there are other items that are specific for the job.
[QUOTE=neuropsychosocial, post:6, topic:365426]
What is a “self-powered aluminum crank”? I’m picturing sitting in the dark and hearing the radio start cranking itself up, but I assume that it actually requires a person to crank it - unless I could convince one of the dogs to do it for me.
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self = you
Dogs don’t have opposable thumbs. Hard for them to turn the crank. They can lick it for you though.
Huumm, Seems now we get to pay California Sales Tax. Hope that means short, short delivery time with a presence in California. Thanks, Amazon. Not the best encouragement to purchase. Sales Tax consideration always was calculated to the price savings. Gee, Golly WOW!!!
I received both the radio/cellphone charger, and three way light as a gift… They are both pretty awesome to have. Yes, cranking on the radio can be a bit of a bummer, but it works, and if it gets down to human power or no power… I’d do it in a heartbeat. The light on the radio stays for a while, but is only super bright for a bit after cranking, then it is moderate. The radio works decently.
The three way light is my fave. It is great to have around the house, as it can always be a nightlight, and then when the power goes off, it is still on, which can be very important… Even a little light in the midst of a serious disaster like we get out here (earthquakes) can make a difference in getting out alive and avoiding hazards. Thankfully I’ve just used it for minor power outages, but it’s nice to know it’s there.
I was thinking of buying the black-out buddy light, but I’m afraid it may drain too much electricity sitting plugged in all the time. I think it would be nice to have for the very few times we’ve managed to lose power. It’s usually not for long, but I like that they turn on when the power goes out. Anyone have any idea how much electricity they pull when plugged in and fully charged?
Looks like everything awe$ome is all here!!
My first woot was an Eton American Red Cross emergency radio. Memories…
[QUOTE=FredFairOaks, post:9, topic:365426]
Huumm, Seems now we get to pay California Sales Tax. Hope that means short, short delivery time with a presence in California. Thanks, Amazon. Not the best encouragement to purchase. Sales Tax consideration always was calculated to the price savings. Gee, Golly WOW!!!
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Technically, if an internet vendor does not charge you the SALES tax, you as the end user is supposed to report the USE tax to the CA State Board of Equalization. For convenience, the CA state added a USE tax line on the CA state income tax return quite a few years ago.
For obvious reasons, not many people do this.
I live in DC so this will help.
i was about to buy a few of the blackout buddies, but I came accross this review on Amazon. YES, it is a different model number, but the picture looks almost identical. Because of this, I decided not to purchase.
http://www.amazon.com/review/R3B7V0FXR82WQ/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#R3B7V0FXR82WQ
The ClipRay is also a phone charger, though it doesn’t say so in the headline. I’m sure it doesn’t give a whole lot of time, but it’ll be a good add on for day trips. Just enough for that one phone call you need to make.
In for one.
iByron
I have a Hunter brand of this type of light. I only plug them in once a month or so, then store them. They got me thru Hurricane Irene last year when I lost power for four days.
If bad weather is coming, charge them in advance and leave them plugged in until it passes.
For power consumption, you are charging very small Li-on battery.Can’t be more than a small light bulb.
[QUOTE=computiac, post:18, topic:365426]
I have a Hunter brand of this type of light. I only plug them in once a month or so, then store them. They got me thru Hurricane Irene last year when I lost power for four days.
If bad weather is coming, charge them in advance and leave them plugged in until it passes.
For power consumption, you are charging very small Li-on battery.Can’t be more than a small light bulb.
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Great! Thanks for the info! I like the idea of storing them unless there is impending bad weather. We had some issues with Irene last year as well, as well as a Halloween storm that left us without power for a few days. These would have been extremely helpful. I’ll go buy a couple!
As I posted earlier… I do love the Blackout light. I also have some emergency candles that can burn forever (or it seems that way).
I think the BEST tools to have in an emergency are the ability to provide first aid, and a plan. It is amazing how fast humans can adapt, however, there are basic courses that can also be taken in survival, or books that can be read (and practiced).
My favorite book on it is called Country Wisdom and Know-How, though there is also one by the same people that I haven’t read yet, called Survival Wisdom and Know-How.