Can you just imagine the stress of walking up to an ATM and it having no money? Can you imagine the shock of walking up to another ATM and it also having no money?  What about a third ATM having no money…that’s horror!  It could happen if the United States suffers the same tragic economical collapse that Argentina suffered back in the 1990’s.

Not only would and empty ATM be dreadful, what about grocers who are wiped completely out of inventory. Think of hospitals packed to the gill and turning away people. Living for days, weeks, and even months without electricity.  How horrible of a picture do we need to paint to make you see that you need to prepare for the worst?  Don’t be caught out and think it won’t happen to you or your family.  Don’t think the people of Argentina didn’t think that way.  I bet they are much better prepared for disaster having lived through such an ordeal.

Start making plans now to protect you loved ones. Make sure you start and maintain a good food and water storage which includes things like protein rich foods, dry goods, canned goods and much more. You will also need  first aid supplies, feminine protection, diapers, etc.   Don’t forget radios and lighting. What about self defense items?  Generators, fuel storage, optics to name a few.

If you are unsure where to start, spend some time on the internet. There are tons of articles and websites that will educate you and help you get started.  Many even sell survival products.  Don’t be overwhelmed though. Start by picking up some extra items when you make that weekly trip to the store. Throw an extra bag of pinto beans in the cart. Maybe a roll of gauze and some peroxide. A box or two of ammo. The most important thing is to just start doing it! Don’t be a victim of paralysis due to over analysis. This isn’t rocket science folks!

Don’t be in the 99% of Americans who probably won’t be ready. Take it from the Mormons who have been preparing with food storage for years. Many of them have even benefited from their food storage when they found themselves without jobs. You just never know what life may hand you and the best thing you can do for yourself and your family is to BE PREPARED!

Like nearly any other area on Earth that has a potential for natural disasters, people in earthquake prone areas need to take into account the possibility that they will be in the cross-hairs one day and plan accordingly. For these people, earthquake preparedness is an year round affair.

Earthquake survival kits are a lot like other survival kits people in other areas might put together or buy in case of a natural disaster. You should have the basics; food for several days, batteries for radio’s and flashlights, water for a week or more, charger for your cell phone or a backup battery, supplies for your pets, etc.

One must keep in mind that after an earthquake, the possibility of there being any civil services like emergency personnel, water, electricity and others will be slim to none. Many of the first responders will be making sure their families are safe first before they start helping others. Even then, they’ll more than likely be dispatched to high population centers like downtown areas. Residential areas will be down the list a ways, so you may be on your own for a while. That’s why you should have an earthquake kit handy and the knowledge to use all of its contents.

Other items you may want to include in your earthquake kit are blankets, mirrors, matches or lighters, 2 way radio, prescriptions, extra eye glasses or contacts if you use them, solar generator or fuel generator along with a supply of fuel (now you know why I recommend solar generators!) and baby items should you have infants in the house. Don’t forget first aid kits for you and your pets as well as any special medical needs you or people in your family might have, especially elderly people.

Don’t scrimp on earthquake supplies. Also, take into account how many people are in your household. If you have enough water for 2 people for a week, it won’t last long if there are 4 or 5 people in your family…or if others show up at your home. You need to take these things into account when preparing for an earthquake.

Also, don’t forget your pets. Earthquake survival kits should include plenty of food and water for them. Is they water they will be drinking the same water you’ll be drinking? If so, make sure you have more than enough stored for your family and your pets. All pets should have collars with your name and address on them. This will help in case you and your pets get separated after an earthquake.

Other things you should know how to do are as follows: do you know where the emergency shut off valves are for the water and gas? Do you know how to shut these off? If you don’t, or you think you might know, make sure and have someone who does know, show you where they’re at and how to do it.

Adding some basic camping gear to your earthquake kit is a wise idea as well. Because you sure aren’t going to want to sleep in a building after an earthquake. Some after shocks can be nearly as strong as the earthquake itself. A multi fuel camp stove, chairs, tents, water containers, utensils, kitchen tools and sanitary bucket for relieving yourself are wise additions to any emergency kit for earthquakes.

Earthquake preparedness isn’t something that you should take lightly or put off. Now is the best time to start. If you don’t have the time or you’re not comfortable putting together a kit yourself, there are many places where you can buy ready made earthquake kits. The important thing is that you start now, because non of us know when the ‘big one’ will strike next.

One thing that the Holidays did make me think about is what will happen to my friends and family (those outside my immediate family). They all know that I practice emergency preparedness. Many think I’ve lost my rocker, some are curious while others understand and envy me. Those who envy me are mostly men who have wives who do not understand the importance of preparing for times of unrest or emergencies.

The one exception is my Sister who has a husband that thinks I’m a wacko. He works in insurance in a high-rise office building in KC. They do very well and live in a gated subdivision. I often tease him that if it’s so unsafe that they have to put a fence and gates around the place, then they need to move to a safer location! He doesn’t laugh. He’s one of these people who takes his self way too serious.

My Brother-In-Law believes that the Government will take care of us and provide us all the things we need in an emergency. Whenever he spouts that crap on me and just remind him of Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans. For some reason the thinks that just because he makes a lot of money, him and his like will be cared for first. Luckily my Sister knows better and she has become a closet Survivalist. Basically she practices emergency preparedness under his nose without him knowing about it! At least, the best she can without being too obvious.

I have other relatives who live out in the Country. For many of them, the see no need in prepping. They believe that they can survive anything simply because they can hunt, fish and grow a garden. I’ll agree with them to a point, but you can’t have everything you need in an instant if you’re not putting back.

One of my Uncles loves telling me that he’ll just grab his gun and go take what he needs away from people like me should TSHTF. I love telling him that he’ll be one of the first ones to go if TSHTF! That kind of thinking is foolish. I’m surprised at how many idiots in our world still think like that!

Okay, I’ve rambled on long enough. I just wanted to share a few thoughts with you that I had over the Holidays while spending time with my family and friends. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and wish each of you a profitable and health 2010. May God bless you and your family richly.