[golux]

Things I've gathered:

1. It's better to have a well-stocked freezer and lots of canned goods always in rotation ALL the time. Like fitness, it's a lifestyle, not a "diet."

2. Storing water is easy so do it. A capful of bleach is all you need here and there. Fill all bathtubs the second power goes out, or before.

3. Having a small, quiet (vented) generator in the house and plenty of clean fuel is more important than a big whole-house genset blazing away in the dead of night, attracting attention. Do you really need all that power?

4. Nothing compares to wool for clothes, and wool and down for blankets. Layers: a lifestyle choice.

5. A wood stove in the basement or ground floor is a much better investment than a generator.

6. Guns need ammo. Lots of it. Buy it, keep it, store it.

[thackney]

Fill all bathtubs the second power goes out, or before.

May I suggest adding to that plan? All "normal" bathtug drain seals leak small amounts. They are good for hours, not normally days.

And if you need it to be your drinking supply, you may wish it was not open to the cat/dog/kids etc.

Several companies make inexpensive tub "bags" to keep your water in the tub and keep it clean.

http://www.aquapodkit.com/order

http://www.amazon.com/waterBOB-Emergency-Drinking-Water-Storage/dp/B001AXLUX2

http://www.mywatersafe.com/cart.shtml