Needful things

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Just a few random thoughts on preparation as the ice storm approaches. Cheap ,common things you might need a lot of in the near future:

I'm sure there are other things. Its easy to overlook the common as we pick out solar panels, generators and shotguns.

-- RD. ->H (drherr@erols.com), January 02, 1999

Answers

R.D.: Thanks for reminding us of the "musts," to have stored away for emergencies. I'm considering buying some cheap wine in the gallon size containers, and then use the empty jugs to store bleach in. Bleach loses it's potency if stored in plastic containers, it will last 3 times longer if stored in glass. If anyone else out there have tips or tricks on emergency storage, please share! I heard someone on the news today saying that he got to the store too late to prepare for the ice storm. The shelves were bare including video movie tapes! Isn't just an ice storm that will be over in a couple of days be enough to make a believer out of you for far worse things to come?

-- bardou (bardou@baloney.com), January 02, 1999.

Swiss army knife. BayGen radio. Good friends to cozy with.

Good luck!

Sunny, though cool in Silicon Valley, CA.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), January 02, 1999.


How 'bout a harmonica, a guitar, a squeezebox or accordian, a banjo, or other musical instrument? I can't read music or carry a tune in a bucket but plan on feeding one musician to keep spirits up.

-- Ann Fisher (zyax55b@prodigy.com), January 02, 1999.

Don't forget the Duct tape. It really is useful for a whole lot of things.

Ziplock type bags.

Miracle grow plant food - for the first years jump start plants. It works.

S.O.B.

-- sweetolebob (La) (buffgun@hotmail.com), January 02, 1999.


Add tarps to the list alongside ropes. Heavy, reinforced plastic tarps are great for emergency roof repairs, building shelters, bundling-up harvested plants plus many other things. Their usefulness is attested to by how many are always for sale and how many you see being used for various purposes as you drive through the country. WW

-- wildweasel (vtmldm@epix.net), January 02, 1999.


Nobody seems to mention "Ackypucky." That's my catchall term for all those adhesives, sealants and lubricants which come in tubes.

GE Silicone sealant and Caulk, 5-minute epoxy (1-hour epoxy is stronger and more weatherproof), Bondo, Superglue (hobbyist/model-builders use three different viscosities, medium is good)and kicker (sets supergule faster), contact cement (3M77 spray-on),Shoe-Goo, Wood-glue (anaphalic resin), Dri-Slide, WD-40, Lithium grease(white/waterproof), Chain-Lube, Liquid Wrench, turpentine and/or laquer thinner, more WD-40 (for cleanup)

Duct Tape, electrical tape, carpet tape (double sided), strapping tape (fiber kind), masking tape, Scotch tape.

I'll add more as I think of it.

Hallyx

"Two wrongs don't make a right, but three lefts do."

-- Hallyx (Hallyx@aol.com), January 02, 1999.


Hallyx,

But two Wrights did build an airplane

-- (x@x.x), January 03, 1999.


Before you run out and buy all these Needful things, go through all you drawers, boxes, and put away places. You will be surprised what you can find to put in your preparedness box. I cleaned out my linen closet yesturday and found tape, an arm sling, burn medicine, and several other things that will be useful.

-- Linda A. (adahi@muhlon.com), January 03, 1999.

Strong sewing needles (I found leatherwork needles at Big Lots, three in a pack for less than 50 cents) and dental floss to sew with. You can repair shoes with them. Try to think of items that you can't make or even jerryrig yourself.

-- Pearlie Sweetcake (storestuff@home.now), January 03, 1999.

Very good suggestions. I think I'll print this thread out in another day and review my preparation status. Thanks to everyone.

-- RD. ->H (drherr@erols.com), January 03, 1999.


I just went and checked my glover/leather needles. They were three in a pack for 29 cents per pack. I bought four packs. Why didn't I buy all they had?!?

-- Pearlie Sweetcake (storestuff@home.now), January 03, 1999.

try this list of prep supplies (also rationale for same):

http://www.provide.net/~aelewis/gold/y2kstock.htm

... and wire me any additions/comments

-- Alan (aelewis@provide.net), January 03, 1999.


I'd add Bag Balm, made by the Dairy Association Co., Inc., in Lyndonville, VT. No need to laugh. It's nominally for dairy farmers but can be very helpful for minor human aggravations, abrasions, contusions, etc.. I've found it on the shelf in Drug Emporium -- it's widely available.

-- Tom Carey (tomcarey@mindspring.com), January 04, 1999.

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