Preparation Guides

This is a prep plan that I developed back in about 2006 or so.

Weekly Guide: Basics in 6 Weeks

Week One (1):
Goal: To start water supply & basic food goods
WATER:

1 Begin to purchase store bought gallons of water (Figure 1-2 gallons per day per person for drinking & cooking.  Figure 5 gallons per day to include personal hygiene (teeth,washing/bathing,washing dishes,etc.) 2 Start Saving empty gallon milk jugs and 2 & 3 Liter soda bottles to fill with water (rinse well, save caps!)

2a. When filled, do not let milk jugs sit for long periods of time on concrete, it has a tendency to deteriorate the plastic. Put something under the jugs 2b. Be sure to fill your containers ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP, no matter what the container. ..air pockets will spoil your water sooner.

3 Get bottle of bleach for water purification

** How to use bleach for water purification: * Chlorine Bleach: When boiling is not practical, chemical disinfection should be used. Common household bleach contains a chlorine compound that will disinfect water. The procedure to be followed is usually written on the label. When the necessary procedure is not given, find the percentage of available chlorine on the label and use the information in the following tabulation as a guide.  Available Chlorine Drops per Quart of Clear Water 1% Chlorine per 10 quarts of water4-6% Chlorine per 2 quarts of water7-10% Chlorine per 1 quart of water                                                                        (If strength is unknown, add ten drops per quart of water. Double amount of chlorine for cloudy or colored water or water that is extremely cold.)  The treated water should be mixed thoroughly and allowed to stand, preferably covered, for 30 minutes. The water should have a slight chlorine odor; if not, repeat the dosage and allow the water to stand for an additional 15 minutes. If the treated water has too strong a chlorine taste, it can be made more pleasing by allowing the water to stand exposed to the air for a few hours or by pouring it from one clean container to another several times.

FOOD:

1 Rice-bagged,dried rice.   2 Sugar (bag) 3 Bisquick (for rolls,pancakes,bread, etc.)--if you bake add flour,baking soda,yeast  to this list 4 Salt 5 Canned soups- these can be mixed with the rice to extend meal 6 Powdered milk 7 Pasta (spaghetti,noodles,etc.) 8 Sauce for Pasta-can/jar 9 Peanut butter & Jelly 10 Crackers

Lights:

1 Flashlights/lanterns & batteries   2 Candles w/ safe holder -- that encloses WHOLE candle 3 Matches/lighters

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Week Two (2):
Goal: Continue water supply & basic food supply--start to stock canned goods
WATER:

1 Continue to purchase store bought gallons of water 2 Continue to save empty gallon milk jugs and 2 & 3 Liter soda bottles to fill with water

FOOD:

1 *Rice-bagged, dried rice.   2 *Sugar (bag) 3 *Bisquick (for rolls,pancakes,bread, etc.)--if you bake add flour,baking soda,yeast  to this list 4 *Salt 5 *Canned soups- these can be mixed with the rice to extend meal 6 *Powdered milk 7 *Canned vegetables 8 *Canned pasta w/meat & meats(like spaghettios,tuna,chicken, etc.)9 *Beans-bagged,dried beans10*Canned pasta w/meat & meats(like spaghettios,tuna,chicken, etc.)

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Week Three (3):
Goal: Continue water,basic foods & canned goods (*) above  as you can afford AND add personal care items OR Just work on adding the personal care items, this week

WATER:

1 Continue to purchase store bought gallons of water 2 Continue to save empty gallon milk jugs and 2 & 3 Liter soda bottles to fill with water

FOOD:

1*  Rice-bagged, dried rice.   2  *Sugar (bag) 3  *Bisquick (for rolls,pancakes,bread, etc.)--if you bake add flour,baking soda,yeast  to this list 4   *Salt 5   *Canned soups- these can be mixed with the rice to extend meal 6   *Powdered milk 7   *Canned vegetables 8   *Canned pasta w/meat & meats(like spaghettios,tuna,chicken, etc.) 9   *Beans-bagged,dried beans 10 *Canned pasta w/meat & meats(like spaghettios,tuna,chicken, etc.)

Personal Care:

1 Toothpaste & Toothbrushes 2 Soap 3 Toilet Paper 4 Shampoo 5 Wet wipes (water may be in short supply - use for washing hands,quick 'sponge baths', etc.6 Personal Items (feminine, etc.)

Note: We are now half-way through a six-week plan.  You should have basic water,basic foods,personal care items & a source of light

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Week Four (4):
Goal: Continue water,basic foods & canned goods (*) above  as you can afford AND add Household items    OR Just work on adding the Household items, this week
WATER:

1 Continue to purchase store bought gallons of water 2 Continue to save empty gallon milk jugs and 2 & 3 Liter soda bottles to fill with water

FOOD:

1* Rice-bagged, dried rice.   2* Sugar (bag) 3* Bisquick (for rolls,pancakes,bread, etc.)--if you bake add flour,baking soda,yeast  to this list 4* Salt 5* Canned soups- these can be mixed with the rice to extend meal 6* Powdered milk 7* Canned vegetables 8* Canned pasta w/meat & meats(like spaghettios,tuna,chicken, etc.)

9*Beans-bagged,dried beans
10*Canned pasta w/meat & meats(like spaghettios,tuna,chicken, etc.)
Household Items:

1 Laundry Detergent 2 Bathroom/Toilet Cleaners 3 All Purpose Liquid Cleaner (Pine cleaner, etc.) 4 Anti-bacterial surface cleaner (remember water may be in short supply) 5 Paper Plates,cups,plastic ware 6 Paper Towels,napkins

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Week Five (5):
Goal: Continue water,basic foods & canned goods (*) above  as you can afford AND add Additional Food Items  
WATER:

1 Continue to purchase store bought gallons of water 2 Continue to save empty gallon milk jugs and 2 & 3 Liter soda bottles to fill with water

FOOD:

1 *Rice-bagged, dried rice.   2 *Sugar (bag) 3 *Bisquick (for rolls,pancakes,bread, etc.)--if you bake add flour,baking soda,yeast  to this list 4 *Salt 5 *Canned soups- these can be mixed with the rice to extend meal 6 *Powdered milk 7 *Canned vegetables 8 *Canned pasta w/meat & meats(like spaghettios,tuna,chicken, etc.) 9 *Beans-bagged,dried beans 10 *Canned pasta w/meat & meats(like spaghettios,tuna,chicken, etc.)

Additional Food Items:

1 Pancake Mix 2 Syrup 3 Cereal/Oatmeal 4 Instant Potatoes 5 Apple Sauce 6 Juices

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Week Six (6):
Goal: Continue water,basic foods & canned goods (*) above  as you can afford AND add Additional Misc. Items  
WATER:

1 Continue to purchase store bought gallons of water 2 Continue to save empty gallon milk jugs and 2 & 3 Liter soda bottles to fill with water

FOOD:

1 *Rice-bagged, dried rice.   2 *Sugar (bag) 3 *Bisquick (for rolls,pancakes,bread, etc.)--if you bake add flour,baking soda,yeast  to this list 4 *Salt 5 *Canned soups- these can be mixed with the rice to extend meal 6 *Powdered milk 7 *Canned vegetables 8 *Canned pasta w/meat & meats(like spaghettios,tuna,chicken, etc.) 9 *Beans-bagged,dried beans 10 *Canned pasta w/meat & meats(like spaghettios,tuna,chicken, etc.)

Additional Misc. Items:

1 Spices/sauces: to help basic foods 2 Propane for grill 3 Plastic Trash Bags 4 Pet foods 5 Batteries: A,AA,C,D,Lantern style (for radios,flashlights/lanterns, etc.)

6First Aide: Basic items-bandaids,antibiotic ointment,tape,pain relief,cough/cold

Note: Note: At the end of a six-week plan, you should have basic water,basic foods(Breakfast,Lunch & Dinner),personal care items ,basic household items & paper goods,a source of light,alternate cooking source,basic first aide,pet care & trash disposal.  Continue with basic foods/water,adding additional items,as you can afford.

I had a hand in developing this Prep Guide, when active in Pandemic Prepping, during the H5n1 Flu scare. It's good for any 'All Hazards' prepping.

'Pandemic Influenza, A Preparation Guide', brochure

1. FOOD:  "Stock what you eat - Eat what you stock". Consider food allergies and dislikes. Stock MINIMUM of 2 weeks of canned goods, rice, beans & other non-perishable food items. Add a few extra items on each shopping trip. Look for specials & bulk dry goods.  Remember infant/toddler needs. (A thought to consider: A Pandemic can come in multiple waves (2-3) & disruption of stocking store shelves may last much longer. For that reason, you may want to consider stocking 6-12 weeks.) Don't forget items like a manual hand-mixer & manual can opener.

2. WATER: Store at LEAST 1 gallon, preferably 3 gallons, per person per day. One gallon would be for consumption (NOTE: You can die in 3 days without water to drink!) - the other two (2) would be for personal hygiene (washing up, brushing teeth) cooking and cleaning (dishes, laundry, etc.).  Don't forget your pets. Start to save gallon milk jugs & 2-3 liter soda bottles for future water storage, in case of possible loss of water supply.  Alternate water sources may include creeks, streams, lakes, and collected rainwater.  Water Purification will be necessary for this water and possibly public water supply.  Be prepared with un-scented household bleach or an alternate water purification method. (Consider
filters such a Miox & Black Berkey for large quantities of water purification vs the Brita type/size filters for daily use.  These Miox/Berkey type filters also have the ability to remove larger amounts - about 99% of impurities like bacteria & virus).

3. ELECTRIC: Essential services such as gas & electric may be disrupted.  Stock: flashlights, batteries, lanterns, candles (with appropriate enclosed holders), matches, battery-powered radio, land-line telephone (cordless require electricity!).  Prepare alternate cooking sources such as gas grills & camp stoves (propane), charcoal grills (charcoal & starter).  Consider getting a generator and appropriate fuel.  Alternate fuel sources should be properly stored in approved containers in safe locations!

4. HEAT: Fuel supplies may be disrupted for fuel oil or propane delivery and natural gas line service.  Store heavy blankets, sleeping bags and wood for fireplaces.  An alternate 'buddy' heater can be used if there is electric but no gas service.

5. SANITATION: Trash removal may be disrupted due to illness.  Store plenty of LARGE trash bags to last several weeks.  Crush cans for optimum room.  Disruption of water may affect toilet flushing.  Store 5 gallon bucket with lid, plenty of plastic bag liners for temporary 'pottie'. (You may want to opt for storage of a spare toilet seat or temporarily remove existing one for comfort  (wink)  Have a bag of Garden Lime Powder on hand to add to used plastic bags to aid in decomposition.    

6. MEDICATIONS & FIRST AID: If possible, obtain a 1-3 month supply of necessary prescriptions and over-the-counter medications (allergy, pain relief, cough & cold, etc..) for all family members.  Prepare a first aid kit.  Prepare for any elderly or disabled members of your household.  Make sure you have extra meds, batteries & supplies on hand (oxygen, inhalers/nebulizers, wheelchairs, etc.)

7.  PERSONAL SAFETY ITEMS: Approved N95 masks (protection from airborne virus) and plastic gloves, hand sanitizer and disinfecting cleaners, such as bleach and OTC products should be considered.

8. PERSONAL DOCUMENTS & RECORDS: Make copies of Certificates of Birth, Wedding, & Citizenship; Driver's License, Passport, misc... ID documents, deeds, Automobile titles, etc...  Include medical records, a list of all relatives with names, addresses and phone numbers for emergency contact.  Store in a waterproof package.  (i.e.; large zip lock bag)

This is a Monthly Food Storage Purchasing Calendar

LDS Preparedness Manual
http://www.green-trust.org/freebooks/Preparedness.pdf

Pages 28-31

Compiled by Andrea Chapman

If you are just starting out, this calendar can be used any year.
Just start with the current month's items.

We have tried to keep the costs down to between $25 and $35 per week. This might seem rather costly, but if you want to build a good food storage in only one year, it will cost you more each week than if you spread out acquiring it over several years. Be certain to buy only items your family will use, and rotate and use the items in your storage throughout the year. Milk is an expensive item and prices keep soaring, so you might need to invest in a bit higher food storage bill to buy it right now.

* The items in the first few months are basic essentials and are the most important to purchase and store.

It is vital to get WATER - STORAGE . If you don't have water, you will not be able to use many of the foods you have that are dehydrated or require water to cook. Many times in natural disasters, the electricity goes down and you will not be able to access your water. Sometimes the water is contaminated from flooding and cross contamination from sewage. You will need water, at very least, you will need 3 days worth.
___________________________________________________________________
January

Week #1
1 case canned fruit
2 #10 cans instant potatoes

Week #2
3 #10 cans dry milk

Week #3
3 #10 cans dry milk

Week #4
9 pounds yeast

Week #5
Anything you have missed from above
___________________________________________________________________
February

Week #1
Water Storage Containers-buy either 55 gallon drums, 5 gallon water containers (available at all emergency preparedness stores and some super markets) and spigot, or start to save water in pop bottles and plastic juice containers. Also purchase 100 lbs. hard white wheat and three plastic storage buckets with tight fitting lids. Check out the local mills in your area for best prices.

Week #2
25 lbs of sugar or 20 lbs of honey
5 lbs salt per person
bucket opener

Week #3
4 #10 cans shortening or 4 - 48 oz bottles oil
2 #10 cans of dry instant milk

Week #4
2 case canned beans (like refried pinto, black, kidney, white, pink etc.) or
25 lbs dry beans (preferable) and bucket to store them in.
50 lbs dried corn or popcorn (about $10.00 from a mill or food storage company) and a bucket to store it in.
(Can be ground into cornmeal as well as for popcorn.)
(All grains and beans can be put into #10 cans at the LDS cannery.)
(If not, the buckets work well.)
___________________________________________________________________
March

(please note that many of these items are repeats because we want to be SURE you have enough of the essentials!)

Week #1
Enough water containers for 14 gallons per person in the family. (This was mentioned last month-but we want to be sure you have this)

(Water is your most important item!) If you didnâ€t get enough containers last month, you can get them this month.

White Rice, at least 15 pounds per person in the family and if possible buckets to store it. (Brown Rice goes rancid faster.)

Week #2
2 jars mayonnaise
1 gallon oil
2 tubs shortening

Week #3
25 pounds sugar
1- 25 pound bag of legumes (pinto, lentils, white, pink etc.)

Week #4
Salt 5 more lbs
2 bottles of bleach
1 #10 can or 1 box of dry milk.

Week #5
Check your list for the last 8 weeks and purchase any items you fell short on.
These items are essential ones and you will need to be sure you have enough.
___________________________________________________________________
April

Week #1
100 pounds wheat
10 lbs. brown sugar

Week #2
2 #10 size cans dried fruit or 1 case canned fruit
1 pound yeast

Week #3
1 case tuna or salmon
2 #10 cans milk
3 lbs sprouting seeds
1 80 oz can Rumsford baking powder

Week #4
2 large jars peanut butter or
1 #10 can peanut butter powder (last longer)
2 cans dried whole egg (keep in a cool dry place)
___________________________________________________________________
May

Week #1
2 to 3 bottles of multi-vitamins
2 #10 cans of rolled oats (if #10 cans are not available in your area, buy the largest packages available)
(in your local store, and also purchase a small bucket to store it in.)

Week #2
100 lbs. of wheat
3 buckets

Week #3
#10 can margarine powder - or shortening if marg. powder is unavailable
2 #10 cans rolled oats (or equivalent, and a storage bucket)

Week #4
4 #10 cans instant potatoes
1 bottle black pepper
___________________________________________________________________
June

Week #1
2 cans dry milk, 2 boxes of Rennet (used for making cottage cheese and other dairy products from dry milk.)
1 bottle lemon juice,
1 bottle vinegar. (also used in making dairy products from dry milk

Week #2
100 lbs wheat
25 lbs. white flour

Week #3
Baking soda (try to buy in bulk in places like Samâ€s Club or Cosco) Buy about 10 lbs.
25 lbs. or legumes (choose those you are willing to eat. Remember you can sprout legumes and almost quadruple the nutritional value of them.
Buy one large box Knox or other gelatin to be used in place of eggs in baking.

Week #4
Tomato products (try to buy them by the case in normal size cans. Spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, and whole and chopped tomatoes. Buy a combination of flavored and not flavored tomatoes. Buy paste if you can get a good deal on it. It is less expensive to add water to paste to make saucethan it is just to buy sauce sometimes. Buy three cases if possible.)

Week #5
Be on the look out for garden seeds that are NON- Hybrid. That way you can use the seeds from the plants you grow to grow a garden the next season. A good price for them is about $18-20 per can with about 10 varieties per can.
___________________________________________________________________
July

Week #1
200# wheat (buckets to store it in if needed)
[keep filling pop bottles, Gallon syrup containers, etc. with water - basically no cost to this)

Week #2
20 lbs. Peanut butter
[keep filling those water containers]

Week #3
4 #10 cans shortening
2 # 10 cans dry milk
[keep filling water containers - make this a habit - when you empty something worthy of water storage, wash it and fill it right away]

Week #4
6 #10 cans dry milk
[more water!]
___________________________________________________________________
August

Week #1
25# rice
25# sugar
1 # 10 can instant potatoes
5 lbs. salt

Week #2
1 case tuna or salmon or other meat
2 # 10 cans dry milk

Week #3
2 #10 cans dry milk
2 cans shortening
1 #10 can instant potatoes

Week #4
Note* In late August and early September, many stores have sales on canned fruits and vegetables. Ask your local store when these sales will be, and switch the weeks of this calendar as needed.
2 cases fruit
5 lbs. salt

Week #5
2 cases canned fruit
1 case misc. vegetables (green beans, peas, carrots, etc.)
___________________________________________________________________
September

Week # 1
September 5 - 12 cases canned fruit
1 case misc. vegetables

Week # 2
2 cases canned fruit
2 cans shortening

Week #3
2 cases fruit
1 case vegetables

Week #4
2 cans shortening
25# rice
buckets to store rice if it did not come in #10 cans
___________________________________________________________________
October

Week #1
100 lbs. wheat and 3 buckets

Week #2
1 case tuna or other meat

Week #3
25 lbs. Sugar
2 large cans fruit juice powder

Week #4
3 #10 cans dry milk

Week #5
9 #10 cans potato flakes
___________________________________________________________________
November

Week #1
4 large jars peanut butter

Week #2
1 case canned fruit
15 pounds rice

Week #3
7 #10 cans shortening

Week #4
50 pounds rice and buckets to store
___________________________________________________________________
December

Week #1
100 lbs. wheat and 3 buckets

Week #2
1 large can fruit juice powder
3 large jars peanut butter

Week #3
3 #10 cans dry milk

Week #4
50 pounds of rice, oats, or barley
buckets to store

Although this was originally written for pandemic preparation, it is a good 'All Hazard' guide.

Becoming Self-Sufficient
http://www.planforpandemic.com/download/Becoming_Self-Sufficient1.pdf

by Pandemic Flu Information Contributor "Dr Dave"
Revised January 14, 2008

INTRODUCTION
This is a pandemic planning guide for families. It contains a disturbing account of how an H5N1 influenza pandemic could impact your family's lifestyle, and it provides guidance for preventing a flu virus from infecting your loved ones. In addition, it addresses the requirements for living in relative comfort while the rest of society struggles to cope with supply chain failures, public service disruptions, food shortages, unemployment, civil disturbances, illness, suffering, and death on a global scale.

Over the last two years, Becoming Self-Sufficient has grown from a few disorganized notes into a motivational discussion of family survival. Although previous versions recommended that each family become self-sufficient for at least six months, this revision recommends at least one full year and it strongly encourages preparation for a second year. This change is due to a fuller understanding of the magnitude of the economic disruptions that will result from the next pandemic. Please bear in mind, however, that Becoming Self-Sufficient is not meant to be definitive, exhaustive, or equally applicable to every family's domestic circumstances, and it does not address the challenges of survival in a post-pandemic society.   ---CONTINUED---

How to Prepare in 26 Weeks-Guide
http://queenbeecoupons.com/wp-content/upload/2011/03/Emergency-Prep-26-weeks.pdf

This calendar is intended as a tool to help you take appropriate preparedness actions and create a 3-7 day disaster supply kit for your household before the next emergency happens. Using the calendar, your family can assemble an emergency kit in small steps over a six month period. Check off each of the items you collect or the actions you take during the week. Supplies may be stored all together in a large plastic garbage can with wheels, putting the heavy items at the bottom. Remember to rotate your perishable supplies and change water every six months. ... Chart can be found at link, above.

Example:

Week 1

GROCERY Store

• 1 gallon water*
  
• 1 large can juice*
  
• 1 can meat*
  
• 1 hand-operated can opener
  
• Permanent marking pen
  

Additional:

• pet food, diapers,baby food.
  

Action Steps:

• Date perishable items with marker
  
• Decide upon & notify out-of-area contact who can coordinate information for scattered family members
  

How To Buy and Store 260 Pounds of Food for just $83
https://www.askaprepper.com/buy-store-260-pounds-food-just-83/

  We bought a lot of food and brought it home. Then I needed to figure out what to do with it all.

The dry foods are the easiest to figure out, if you have a lot of canning jars or other good airtight containers that mice or bugs cannot get into. I have been planning on canning, but that is still a bit intimidating for some reason. Still, I am good at buying canning jars. Bi-Mart keeps them in stock year round now, so I try to pick up a box full of one size or another every week or couple of weeks, especially when they are on sale. The average price is $8.99; sometimes less and sometimes more.

I am partial to the quart jars because I like to use them for my cookie mixes, but have been buying other sizes too. If I do want to use all of these jars for canning, I’ll just dump out the popcorn and rice and put them into something else. Even big Rubbermaid totes will do fine, if you have the room for those.
The food on this table (not counting the containers) was only $82.83.   ---CONTINUED---

This is a downloadable Prep Guide. You need to enter your email address to get the download.

Free Survival Guide
https://valleyfoodstorage.com/pages/survival-guide

 Do you want to be more prepared in case of an emergency but don't know where to begin? Well, you're in luck because preparedness starts here! From emergency plans to disaster checklists our guide will prepare you for every emergency you could encounter. If you wait until an emergency starts it's already too late to prepare, start your preparation today with our FREE survival guide.