Replies

There's always a "reasonable explanation."

IMHO, I'm looking for a little more dramatic rise before I panic, but I'll be watching the charts. Yesterday's dramatic rise could be the beginning.

Here's what I've been thinking.

While it would be great for the Jihadis to have done New Years or Christmas, it would be easier and more effective to suddenly halt their chatter, and wait a few days. Then strike mid week while everyone is going about their normal business, like 9-11. To strike after everyone has breathed a sigh of relief and gone back to normal would be devastating to the psyche.

I've come to believe they have to make a big splash or lose credibilty. Desperate men make mistakes. Hopefully, they are getting desperate.

However, it would be sensible to be prepared.
I'm going to take some cash out of the bank today, and stock up again on basics. (let the supply run down over the holidays.)

We've made an emergency plan with the family. Hard since two of my kids are far away, but we have family near both of them. Since if there is a serious strike, cell phones and land line may be down, we've planned where people should go and who will meet whom. I've got the entire clan watching the news and communicating at least daily so we have a place to start from if we have to search.

I've also made sure that everyone capable of handling a weapon has access to one. My youngest is in Florida and if anything happens she will have to manage the grandparents and other elderly relatives. Since she is too young to own a gun and the grandparents are kind of silly, I hid weapons in their house and only she knows where the stash is.

I also gave her a crash course in finding makeshift weapons anywhere she happens to be, such as the coke can in the heavy sock, or the shuriken in her hair that looks purely decorative but can be deadly.

Thank God she is my little girl and listens to her (wise?) old dad. Also I am thankful she has met a fine young southern gentleman to watch out for her while she watches out for the old timers.

Here at home, should the (nearly)unthinkable occur, we are well prepared, even for an invasion. Guess i have too much free time:)

As I type this the chart just shot up almost two points.

Stay alert, stay safe, and if you are not armed, better get moving.

Gold is driving up hard. Hope this is just coincidence.

As Gill said hopefully we all have a weapon to protect us and our loved ones. But for those who do not, especially considering laws in certain areas, would Freeper's please tell us what weapons are best and for me I'd like to know what is good that is 'not' a handgun? And although the following is lengthy, we need this info to survive any disaster.

ARE YOU READY?
______________
FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY Emergency
_____________________________________________

Planning and Disaster
Supplies
Emergency
Planning

Immediately after an emergency, essential
services may be cut-off and local
disaster relief and government responders
may not be able to reach you right away.
Even if they could reach you, knowing
what to do to protect yourself and your
household is essential.

This chapter describes how to prepare for
any kind of disaster. It also provides specific
information about emergency water
and food, and a recommended disaster
supply kit.

Creating a disaster plan
__________________________

One of the most important steps you can
take in preparing for emergencies is to
develop a household disaster plan.

1. Learn about the natural disasters that
could occur in your community from
your local emergency management
office or American Red Cross chapter.
Learn whether hazardous materials
are produced, stored or transported
near your area. Learn about possible
consequences of deliberate acts of terror.
Ask how to prepare for each potential
emergency and how to respond.

2. Talk with employers and school offi-
cials about their emergency response
plans.

3. Talk with your household about potential
emergencies and how to respond
to each. Talk about what you
would need to do in an evacuation.

4. Plan how your household would stay
in contact if you were separated.
Identify two meeting places: the first
should be near your home—in case
of fire, perhaps a tree or a telephone
pole; the second should be away from
your neighborhood in case you cannot
return home.

5. Pick a friend or relative who lives out
of the area for household members to
call to say they are okay.

6. Draw a floor plan of your home. Mark
two escape routes from each room.

7. Post emergency telephone numbers by
telephones. Teach children how and
when to call 911.

8. Make sure everyone in your household
knows how and when to shut off
water, gas, and electricity at the main
switches. Consult with your local utilities
if you have questions.

9. Take a first aid and CPR class. Local
American Red Cross chapters can provide
information. Official certification
by the American Red Cross provides
“good Samaritan” law protection for
those giving first aid.

10. Reduce the economic impact of disaster
on your property and your household’s
health and financial well-being.

• Review property insurance
policies before
disaster strikes—make
sure policies are current
and be certain they
meet your needs (type
of coverage, amount of
coverage, and hazard
covered—flood, earthquake)

• Protect your household’s
financial well-being before
a disaster strikes—
review life insurance
policies and consider saving money
in an “emergency” savings account
that could be used in any crisis. It
is advisable to keep a small amount
of cash or traveler’s checks at
home in a safe place where you can
quickly gain access to it in case of
an evacuation.

• Be certain that health insurance
policies are current and meet the
needs of your household.

11. Consider ways to help neighbors who
may need special assistance, such as
the elderly or the disabled.

12. Make arrangements for pets. Pets are
not allowed in public shelters. Service
animals for those who depend on them
are allowed.

Emergency planning for people with special needs
_________________________________________________

If you have a disability or special need,
you may have to take additional steps to
protect yourself and your household in an
emergency. If you know of friends or neighbors
with special needs, help them with
these extra precautions. Examples include:

• Hearing impaired may
need to make special arrangements
to receive a warning.

• Mobility impaired may
need assistance in getting to
a shelter.

• Households with a single
working parent may need
help from others both in
planning for disasters and
during an emergency.

• Non-English speaking
people may need assistance
planning for and responding to
emergencies. Community and cultural
groups may be able to help keep
these populations informed.

• People without vehicles may need
to make arrangements for transportation.

• People with special dietary needs
should have an adequate emergency
food supply.

1. Find out about special assistance that
may be available in your community.
Register with the office of emergency
services or fire department for assistance,
so needed help can be provided
quickly in an emergency.

2. Create a network of neighbors, relatives,
friends and co-workers to aid you
in an emergency. Discuss your needs
and make sure they know how to operate
necessary equipment.

3. Discuss your needs with your
employer.

4. If you are mobility impaired and live
or work in a high-rise building, have
an escape chair.

5. If you live in an apartment building,
ask the management to mark
accessible exits clearly and to make
arrangements to help you evacuate the
building.

6. Keep extra wheelchair batteries, oxygen,
catheters, medication, food for
guide or hearing-ear dogs, or other
items you might need. Also, keep a
list of the type and serial numbers of
medical devices you need.

7. Those who are not disabled should
learn who in their neighborhood or
building is disabled so that they may
assist them during emergencies.

8. If you are a care-giver for a person
with special needs, make sure you
have a plan to communicate if an
emergency occurs.

Disaster Supply Kits
_____________________

You may need to survive on your own
for three days or more. This means
having your own water, food and emergency
supplies. Try using backpacks or
duffel bags to keep the supplies together.
Assembling the supplies you might need
following a disaster is an important part
of your disaster plan. You should prepare
emergency supplies for the following
situations:

• A disaster supply kit with essential
food, water, and supplies for at least
three days—this kit should be kept
in a designated place and be ready
to “grab and go” in case you have to
leave your home quickly because of a
disaster, such as a flash flood or major
chemical emergency. Make sure all
household members know where the
kit is kept.

• Consider having additional supplies
for sheltering or home confinement for
up to two weeks.

• You should also have a disaster supply
kit at work. This should be in one container,
ready to "grab and go" in case
you have to evacuate the building.

• A car kit of emergency supplies, including
food and water, to keep stored
in your car at all times. This kit would
also include flares, jumper cables, and
seasonal supplies.

The following checklists will help you
assemble a disaster supply kit that meets
the needs of your household. The basic
items that should be in a disaster supply
kit are water, food, first-aid supplies,
tools and emergency supplies, clothing
and bedding, and specialty items. You will
need to change the stored water and food
supplies every six months, so be sure to
write the date you store it on all containers.

You should also re-think your needs
every year and update your kit as your
household changes. Keep items in airtight
plastic bags and put your entire disaster
supply kit in one or two easy-to carry
containers such as an unused trash can,
camping backpack or duffel bag.

Water: the absolute necessity
________________________________

1. Stocking water reserves should be a
top priority. Drinking water in emergency
situations should not be rationed.
Therefore, it is critical to store
adequate amounts of water for your
household.

• Individual needs vary, depending
on age, physical condition, activity,
diet, and climate. A normally active
person needs at least two quarts
of water daily just for drinking.
Children, nursing mothers, and ill
people need more. Very hot temperatures
can double the amount of
water needed.

• Because you will also need water for
sanitary purposes and, possibly, for
cooking, you should store at least
one gallon of water per person per
day.

2. Store water in thoroughly washed
plastic, fiberglass or enamel-lined
metal containers. Don't use containers
that can break, such as glass
bottles. Never use a container that has
held toxic substances. Sound plastic
containers, such as soft drink bottles,
are best. You can also purchase foodgrade
plastic buckets or drums.

• Containers for water should be
rinsed with a diluted bleach solution
(one part bleach to ten parts water)
before use. Previously used bottles
or other containers may be contaminated
with microbes or chemicals.

Do not rely on untested devices for
decontaminating water.

• If your water is treated commercially
by a water utility, you do not need to
treat water before storing it. Additional
treatments of treated public
water will not increase storage life.

• If you have a well or public water
that has not been treated, follow the
treatment instructions provided by
your public health service or water
provider.

• If you suspect that your well may
be contaminated, contact your local
or state health department or agriculture
extension agent for specific
advice.

• Seal your water containers tightly,
label them and store them in a cool,
dark place.

• It is important to change stored
water every six months.
For water purification for immediate or
near term use, please read the “Shelter”
chapter of this guide.

Food: preparing an emergency supply.
____________________________________

1. If activity is reduced, healthy people
can survive on half their usual food intake
for an extended period or without
any food for many days. Food, unlike
water, may be rationed safely, except
for children and pregnant women.

2. You don’t need to go out and buy unfamiliar
foods to prepare an emergency
food supply. You can use the canned
foods, dry mixes and other staples on
your cupboard shelves. Canned foods
do not require cooking, water or special
preparation. Be sure to include a
manual can opener.

3. Keep canned foods in a dry place where
the temperature is fairly cool. To
protect boxed foods from pests and to
extend their shelf life, store the food in
tightly closed plastic or metal containers.

4. Replace items in your food supply
every six months. Throw out any
canned good that becomes swollen,
dented, or corroded. Use foods before
they go bad, and replace them with
fresh supplies. Date each food item
with a marker. Place new items at
the back of the storage area and older
ones in front.

5. Food items that you might consider
including in your disaster supply kit
include: ready-to-eat meats, fruits,
and vegetables; canned or boxed juices,
milk, and soup; high-energy foods
like peanut butter, jelly, low-sodium
crackers, granola bars, and trail mix;
vitamins; foods for infants or persons
on special diets; cookies, hard candy;
instant coffee, cereals, and powdered
milk.

You may need to survive on your own
after a disaster. Local officials and relief
workers will be on the scene after a
disaster, but they cannot reach everyone
immediately. You could get help in hours,
or it may take days. Basic services,
such as electricity, gas, water, sewage
treatment and telephones, may be cut
off for days, even a week or longer. Or
you may have to evacuate at a moment’s
notice and take essentials with you. You
probably won’t have the opportunity to
shop or search for the supplies you’ll
need. Your household will cope best by
preparing for disaster before it strikes.

First aid supplies
__________________

Assemble a first aid kit for your home and
for each vehicle:

• The basics for your first aid kit should
include:
– First aid manual
– Sterile adhesive bandages in
assorted sizes
– Assorted sizes of safety pins
– Cleansing agents (isopropyl
alcohol, hydrogen peroxide)/soap/
germicide
– Antibiotic ointment
– Latex gloves (2 pairs)
– Petroleum jelly
– 2-inch and 4-inch sterile gauze
pads (4-6 each size)
– Triangular bandages (3)
– 2-inch and 3-inch sterile roller
bandages (3 rolls each)
– Cotton balls
– Scissors
– Tweezers
– Needle
– Moistened towelettes
– Antiseptic
– Thermometer
– Tongue depressor blades (2)
– Tube of petroleum jelly or other
lubricant
– Sunscreen.

• It may be difficult to obtain
prescription medications during a
disaster because stores may be closed
or supplies may be limited. Ask your
physician or pharmacist about storing
prescription medications. Be sure they
are stored to meet instructions on the
label and be mindful of expirations
dates—be sure to keep your stored
medication up to date.

• Extra pair of prescription glasses or
contact lens.
• Have the following nonprescription
drugs in your disaster supply kit:
– Aspirin and nonaspirin pain reliever
– Antidiarrhea medication
– Antacid (for stomach upset)
– Syrup of ipecac (use to induce
vomiting if advised by the poison
control center)
– Laxative
– Vitamins.

Tools and emergency supplies
____________________________

It will be important to assemble these
items in a disaster supply kit in case you
have to leave your home quickly. Even if
you don't have to leave your home, if you
lose power it will be easier to have these
item already assembled and in one place.

• Tools and other items:

– A portable, battery-powered radio
or television and extra batteries
(also have a NOAA weather radio,
if appropriate for your area)
– Flashlight and extra batteries
– Signal flare
– Matches in a waterproof container
(or waterproof matches)
– Shut-off wrench, pliers, shovel and
other tools
– Duct tape and scissors
– Plastic sheeting
– Whistle
– Small canister, A-B-C-type fire
extinguisher
– Tube tent
– Compass
– Work gloves
– Paper, pens, and pencils
– Needles and thread
– Battery-operated travel alarm
clock

• Kitchen items:
___________________

– Manual can opener
– Mess kits or paper cups, plates,
and plastic utensils
– All-purpose knife
– Household liquid bleach to treat
drinking water
– Sugar, salt, pepper
– Aluminum foil and plastic wrap
– Re-sealing plastic bags
– If food must be cooked, small cooking
stove and a can of cooking fuel

• Sanitation and hygiene items:
_______________________________

– Washcloth and towel
– Towelettes, soap, hand sanitizer,
liquid detergent
– Tooth paste, toothbrushes,
shampoo, deodorants, comb and
brush, razor, shaving cream, lip
balm, sunscreen, insect repellent,
contact lens solutions, mirror,
feminine supplies
– Heavy-duty plastic garbage bags
and ties—for personal sanitation
uses—and toilet paper
– Medium-sized plastic bucket with
tight lid
– Disinfectant and household
chlorine bleach
– Consider including a small shovel
for digging a latrine
• Household documents and contact
numbers:

– Personal identification, cash
(including change) or traveler's
checks, and a credit card
– Copies of important documents:
birth certificate, marriage
certificate, driver's license, social
security cards, passport, wills,
deeds, inventory of household
goods, insurance papers,
immunizations records, bank and
credit card account numbers,
stocks and bonds. Be sure to store
these in a watertight container.

Emergency contact list and phone numbers
_________________________________________

– Map of the area and phone
numbers of places you could go
– An extra set of car keys and house
keys.

Clothes and bedding
___________________

• One complete change of clothing and
footwear for each household member.
Shoes should be sturdy work shoes
or boots. Rain gear, hat and gloves,
extra socks, extra underwear, thermal
underwear, sunglasses.

• Blankets or a sleeping bag for each
household member, pillows.
Specialty items
Remember to consider the needs of
infants, elderly persons, disabled persons,
and pets and to include entertainment
and comfort items for children.

• For baby
• For the elderly
• For pets
• Entertainment: books, games, quiet
toys and stuffed animals.

It is important for you to be ready,
wherever you may be when disaster
strikes. With the checklists above you can
now put together an appropriate disaster
supply kit for your household:

• A disaster supply kit kept in the home
with supplies for at least three days;
• Although it is unlikely that food
supplies would be cut off for as
long as two weeks, consider storing
additional water, food, clothing and
bedding other supplies to expand your
supply kit to last up to two weeks.
• A work place disaster supply kit. It is
important to store a personal supply
of water and food at work; you will not
be able to rely on water fountains or
coolers. Women who wear high-heels
should be sure to have comfortable
flat shoes at their workplace in case
an evacuation requires walking long
distances.
• A car disaster supply kit. Keep a
smaller disaster supply kit in the
trunk of you car. If you become
stranded or are not able to return
home, having these items will help you
be more comfortable until help arrives.
Add items for severe winter weather
during months when heavy snow or
icy roads are possible—salt, sand,
shovels, and extra winter clothing,
including hats and gloves.

"I've come to believe they have to make a big splash or lose credibilty" agree bump.