Miss Kitty - Member - The Prepared

Reply to: Prepping in small apartment in the NorthEast? Posted October 4, 2021

Bob: Good catch on the “outdoor grill”! To clarify that statement, one should never cook on a charcoal grill inside due to the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning. Also, many municipalities have fire ordinances regarding the use of any kind of grill on an outside deck, fire escape or balcony. Be sure you know what the local laws are. In my community, local fire laws prohibit the use of any kind of grill or fire pit on the balconies, due to the fire hazard. Evacuation during a winter blackout is an absolute nightmare, especially for the elderly. Also, many fire alarms are wired in to the electrical system and may not work. If you don’t have battery powered smoke and CO2 detectors, get some and make sure that batteries are tested regularly. Be safe and prep on.🤙

Reply to: Prepping in small apartment in the NorthEast? Posted October 3, 2021

Hi, Claire- I’m in the same boat as you, and we did lose power for over a week about three years ago… during the coldest week of that winter! What I’ve done to be ready for the next winter power outage: Emergency blankets: good ones, fabric with a reflective layer. Don’t skimp on these – they are invaluable. Buy the best you can afford, and have extras if possible, even if they’re just the disposable ones. Older people lose body heat faster than younger ones and may not be aware of hypothermia or frostbite due to medical issues. Check extremities, especially feet, frequently. Have a way to heat water and food, but be safe. A gel alcohol camp stove or chafing dish will do the job and pose less of a carbon monoxide risk. Be sure to use any open flame away from pets and small children, keep any flammable items away, and use only on a flame proof, sturdy surface not overhung by shelves or curtains. On a table protected by good tiles is good. Don’t put it on metal unless you have a tile to absorb the heat. Metal can get quite hot otherwise and damage surfaces or cause a burn. In an apartment, the two biggest hazards are fire and carbon monoxide. Any open flame is a danger to yourself and your neighbors. If you are using an outdoor grill to cook on, be sure to follow any guidelines from your local fire department and also keep a fire extinguisher handy. During a “weather event” of any kind, first responders may be delayed in responding to even an emergency. Again, get a good extinguisher or at least have a bucket of sand on hand. Stay hydrated. Your body requires a certain amount of water to properly metabolize food to create body heat, and winter air is often very dry. Use thermoses to keep food and drink warm. If you have southern exposure, be sure to open the drapes to let the sun in to warm the air. It can raise the air temperature as much as twenty degrees with direct sun. Close the drapes if it’s dark. Check window seals and insulate or recall if there are drafts. (Check with your landlord first!) If you are not allowed to do heavy repairs, hang good curtains. There are insulating plastic curtains to both maximize solar heat or reversed to reduce it during the summer. I haven’t tried these yet, but they’re supposed to be good. A solar oven or water heater might help if you have access to an area where you can put it and have it undisturbed. Watch the glare… have sunglasses and silicone potholders for removing (hopefully) hot containers. Follow directions for safety protocols. Sorry, this was kind of a long post, but I’ve been going over this myself since this winter is supposed to be a bad one. I don’t think I forgot anything, but let me know;). Good luck.

Reply to: Emergency toilet – bedside commode chair Posted August 6, 2021

Thanks, Cap’n, but I truly feel lucky to still have her. She’s had a rough time, health wise, so every day is a blessing. Enjoy your loved ones while you can.

Reply to: Emergency toilet – bedside commode chair Posted August 6, 2021

My mother has mobility issues and we got her a commode chair that she uses most of the time. Our bath is small and it’s hard for her to maneuver her walker in there. She’s very happy with it. Downside is that it needs to be emptied minimum twice a day and after bowel movements and cleaned out. But that’s not as bad as you might think…no worse than changing your child’s dirty diapers or potty chair. I just empty it into the toilet. Rinse the collection bucket (included) with water and Lysol, scrub if necessary with the toilet brush, rinse again. Done. If there was no running water, or sewage treatment available, it could be a problem. If you live in the country, you might want to look into digging a latrine with an outhouse. Be sure, of course, you won’t be contaminating your water supplies.

Reply to: Disaster Burnout – How to recognize it and what to do about it if it happens to you or the people in your group Posted May 26, 2021

Oooh, yeah!😁

Reply to: Disaster Burnout – How to recognize it and what to do about it if it happens to you or the people in your group Posted May 26, 2021

I have a fever, and the only cure is…more cowbell!😁

Reply to: Disaster Burnout – How to recognize it and what to do about it if it happens to you or the people in your group Posted May 21, 2021

Essie – I hear you! When you are a caregiver, it sometimes is hard to take care of yourself, especially when money is a factor. Sometimes a micro break can recharge your batteries enough so you can get through your day without crying, losing your temper or falling asleep in your green beans at supper. Music is another great way to recharge. Block off as much time as you can manage comfortably and break out your headphones or even go sit in your car. I happen to like rock, so if I need a quick power boost I’ll reach for Foghat’s Slow Ride, T-Rex’s Bang A Gong, or ZZ Top’s I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide. AC/DC’s Long Way To The Top is a good one too… what can I say, I like bagpipes!😀

Reply to: Disaster Burnout – How to recognize it and what to do about it if it happens to you or the people in your group Posted May 21, 2021

Thanks Ubique, for your kind response and your excellent article! I actually contracted Covid a second, confirmed time earlier this year…this time it hit my family like a bad stomach bug with cramping and bloating that lasted about ten days. The vomiting and diarrhea only lasted for two or three, but it was enough to send my eighty year old mother to the hospital for dehydration and weakness. She only had to stay two days, but it left her very weak. For us, the vaccine risks were worth it for the benefits. I know that a lot of people don’t feel that way, but I can honestly say that we suffered no ill side effects, and I appreciate the peace of mind it has given me. However, I respect those who feel strongly about the subject, and believe it should be a personal choice.

Reply to: Disaster Burnout – How to recognize it and what to do about it if it happens to you or the people in your group Posted May 20, 2021

I was definitely burnt out from not only the stress of the pandemic and the loss of employment, but also the relentless news coverage of not only the covid but the political situation. I’d also had some bug that in retrospect probably was covid early in 2020, and it left me plagued by insomnia and lingering respiratory problems. I just started feeling better around this past December… almost a year of dragging around feeling like crap. My burnout remedy for days I was particularly low was to try to learn new things. I honed my sewing and crochet skills, learned about Ayurveda and Indian cooking, tried some short story writing, made bread from scratch. I also took lots of naps. Sleeping a lot is a sign of depression, I know, but if you’re able to indulge in a nap once in awhile it can help. Depression can be triggered by sleep deprivation, and where I wasn’t sleeping well I slept when I was able. Another problem with burnout is that a lack of concentration often goes with it. Don’t beat yourself up if you have problems with tasks that normally are easy for you. Take your time, write things down if you have to, make lists and leave yourself notes…do whatever it takes to make it easier for you to get done what needs doing. Keep the instructions handy even if you’ve done it before. Faith is important, too. It helped me a lot to think that everything was in the hands of God (or the higher power of your choice.) and I prayed a lot for guidance and help coping.

Reply to: Staying entertained during a power outage Posted February 21, 2021

Reading, of course. Crossword puzzles or word searches. Any crafts. If it’s too dark for any of these, tell made up stories or riddles, sing (unless you need to practice opsec) or get out old family stories – that is nice to pass on family history to the kids.