My parents loved the look of glass globe oil lamps. Those work too and we used them a lot when I was younger. I’ll bet they still use them now. USB rechargeable flashlights are easy to find. Just be aware that batteries may drain over time, so you’ll need to check on them and recharge more often.

1 gallon/day/person. I’ve got 5 humans and 5 pets. I couldn’t start with 35+ gallons at once (5 people, 7 days supply). I had to build up over time, starting with a couple days supply. Yes, it takes up space. Put it where you can access it, but you aren’t tripping over it.

And if you do have a budget for a small stove, look at multi-fuel options. I got one that uses butane and propane canisters that cost around $30.

I camp and I’m a search and rescue volunteer, so I have a few camp stoves. If you don’t, consider your barbecue or grill if you have one. Also think about fumes in your home – you may need to cook outside with a camp stove.

Don’t forget info on meds for you, family members, and pets. Here’s a link to the template I created with the help of an AI tool: shorturl.at/t4fFU

I used an AI tool to pull together some elements I liked after looking through several online ones. I put the content into a Google doc and have continued to refine it over the past year.

There are free planning templates:
• www.ready.gov/plan
• www.redcross.org/content/dam/...

👉 Tip: Print it out. Phones die. Paper doesn’t.

Please understand that this first series is for general emergency preparedness, not preparedness for the “what if ICE knocks on my door” or “what should I take with me to protests.” Maybe I’ll go down those paths later on. Not right now though.

I cancelled our subscription delivery items and am ordering from Costco now.

Looks pretty awesome! What happens when all or most of the federal funding is pulled?

Thanks to @saragoud.bsky.social and @thebulletin.org for lending me their platform.

US national security and economic stability are at risk so long as DOGE officials are meddling in codebases they do not understand. The systems must be restored to a known-good state. bsky.app/profile/sara...