food orders due by April 26th 

“Our Heavenly Father created this beautiful earth, with all its abundance, for our benefit and use. His purpose is to provide for our needs as we walk in faith and obedience. He has lovingly commanded us to ‘prepare every needful thing’ (see D&C 109:8) so that, should adversity come, we may care for ourselves and our neighbors, and support bishops as they care for others.”

“We encourage members worldwide to prepare for adversity in life by having a basic supply of food and water and some money in savings. We ask that you be wise, and do not go to extremes. With careful planning, you can, over time, establish a home storage supply and a financial reserve.” (See All Is Safely Gathered In.)

What am I supposed to have in my food storage?

There are three main components of food storage:

• Food supply (three-month and long-term)
• Water supply
• Financial reserve

Store foods that are a part of your normal diet in your three-month supply. As you develop a longer-term storage, focus on food staples such as wheat, rice, pasta, oats, beans, and potatoes that can last 30 years or more. Learn more about a long-term food supply.

How much food storage do I need?

Take the amount of food you would need to purchase to feed your family for a day and multiply that by 7. That is how much food you would need for a one-week supply. Once you have a week’s supply, you can gradually expand it to a month, and eventually three months.

For longer-term needs, and where permitted, gradually build a supply of food that will last a long time and that you can use to stay alive, such as wheat, white rice, and beans. A portion of these items may be rotated in your three-month supply. (See All is Safely Gathered In.)

Where should I store my food storage?

Make sure your food storage is properly packaged and stored in a cool, dry place.

If water comes directly from a good, pretreated source, then no additional purification is needed; otherwise, pretreat water before use. Store water in sturdy, leak-proof, breakage-resistant containers. Consider using plastic bottles commonly used for juices or soda. Keep water containers away from heat sources and direct sunlight. Learn more about water storage and purification.

How much does it cost?

Costs may vary depending on where and how you purchase your food storage. It is important to remember that you should not go to extremes; for instance, it is not prudent to go into debt to establish your food storage all at once. Develop it gradually to diffuse the overall cost over time so that it will not become a financial burden.

Do you know where to get Earthquake ins or do you know anything about earthquake ins if not you can call: Dallin Miller 801-885-6242 he is the best guy to help you with this.

https://www.theidearoom.net/72-hour-kits-and-emergency-supplies/



Tonight we had a family home evening about preparing for an earthquake. 

We live in Utah, and it's common knowledge that a sizable earthquake has been predicted for a long time. Besides that, prophesies talk about various natural disasters happening before the Savior's Second Coming. So as part of our preparations, we wanted to review earthquake preparedness. 

It was pretty simple. Here's what we did. 

1) Made sure each person has a shoe box under his or her bed with shoes and a working flashlight. 

2) Reviewed what to do during an earthquake. "Drop, cover, and hold on." Crouch down next to an inner wall or a low piece of furniture, or under a sturdy desk or table and hold onto the table legs. If possible grab a nearby pillow or something else to shield from falling glass or wall hangings. We talked about scenarios in bedrooms and in our kitchen/family room area. 

3) Reviewed what to do after an earthquake. Call to make sure everyone in the house is safe. Go outside to our meeting spot while a parent assesses damage. If there are issues like water or fire, take these precautions: 

4) Turn off gas. My husband showed us how to do this with a special tool.

5) Turn off water. My husband taught us two places we can turn off the water to the whole house. 

6) Turn off power. We practiced doing this. It was the easiest thing to turn off and on. 

7) Within the last year we did a drill using a rope ladder from an upstairs bedroom and meeting at our family meeting place, so we didn't do this again. You can see pictures of that here. 

Because I don't have the best memory, I took notes on the instructions of turning these things off. I'm going to laminate the instructions and wire attach it to the special tool that turns stuff off, both kept in a special place. Here is my sticky note that I wrote down directions as Mike taught us what to do.  

In Light of all the earthquakes in the surrounding areas. I wanted to post some safety thing you can do and thing you should have on hand.

The 7 Things You Need to Do Now to Prepare for an Earthquake:

Step #1 to Prepare for an Earthquake–Secure Things That May Fall or Break

Most injuries and deaths in an earthquake are caused by furniture, pictures, glass or other debris.  As such, step #1 as you prepare for an earthquake is to secure as many of those items as possible.

Wondering what to secure?  There are two things to consider:

1. If it is heavy enough to injure anyone in your family, secure it.
2. If it is expensive enough that you’d struggle to replace it, secure it.

Walk around every room in your home with those two ideas in mind, and write down all the things you need/want to secure.  In addition, below are some specific ideas and suggestions of items most everyone should secure to prepare their home for an earthquake.

Secure Your Water Heater

A water heater weighs hundreds of pounds and can be a great source of clean water following an earthquake–but not if it falls and breaks!  In addition, if it falls, it can break gas and electric connectors, which can put you at risk for a fire.

The building code for many newer homes requires that your water heater be secured, so it may have already been done by your builder.  Check yours.  There should be two strong metal straps wrapped around the water heater and then secured to the studs in the wall.

If yours is not properly secured, you can do this yourself!  Go to your local home improvement store, and they will help you get the correct supplies.  But the basic idea is to wrap 1/2-inch (or larger) metal straps around about 1/3 from the top and 1/3 from the bottom and attach them to wall studs with 3 inch screws.  You can find detailed instructions HERE.

Note – The links in this post are affiliate links meaning if you purchase after clicking on them, I will be given a small commission (at no additional cost to you).  Learn more here about how I am (and am not) compensated,and thank you for your support of me and my family!

Secure Large Appliances

To properly prepare for an earthquake, your fridge, freezer, washer, dryer, and any other large appliances should be secured to the studs with flexible cable, braided wire, metal strapping, or earthquake appliance straps  (affiliate).  Once again, your local home improvement store can help you find the proper supplies if you don’t want to invest in the fancy appliance straps I linked to.

Secure Electronics

Secure microwaves, TVs, computer screens, and any other valuable electronics using flexible nylon straps (affiliate) or special straps made for TV and computer screens (affiliate).

Secure Shelves and Furniture

Secure bookshelves, TV stands, desk hutches, dish hutches, etc., by attaching them to wall studs.  You can use steel brackets (L or corner) (affiliate) attached to wall studs or eye-bolts (affiliate) for those a short distance from the wall.  Or, depending on exactly what you are securing, use flexible nylon straps(affiliate) to allow the furniture to sway without falling which can reduce strain on the studs.  Again, you can visit your local home improvement store, and they can help you find what’s best for your situation if you are unsure.

Secure Items on Shelves

Many of us have pictures, vases, statues, etc., on shelves around our homes.  To prepare these items for an earthquake, use non-slip mats, earthquake putty (affiliate), clear quake gel (affiliate), or Velcro® to secure these items to the shelf so they don’t fly off and break or injure anyone.  You might also consider using fishing line as an “invisible” way of securing items on shelves.

Make sure that heavier items are always kept on the lower shelves (to help steady the shelf and so they have less distance to fall if they do fall).

Move or Secure Pictures and Other Art

Pictures and art hung above beds or couches can be a big hazard during an earthquake.  If possible, do not hang these items in such places.  As you prepare for an earthquake, consider moving them elsewhere and hanging “soft art” there instead.

For any art that you choose to leave in such places, make it as secure as possible.  Use wire through eye-screws (affiliate) bolted into wall studs to hang these pieces.  Use earthquake putty (affiliate) to secure the corners to the wall.  Consider removing the glass.  You can also find special kits for hanging pictures to prepare for an earthquake.  HERE is one for smaller pictures and HERE is one for larger pictures (affiliate).  You can find others by searching Amazon for something like “earthquake picture hangers.”

Secure Items in Cupboards

Latch your cabinet doors closed so that plates and glasses, etc. don’t break and/or injure anyone.  You can use child latches or something made for earthquakes like THIS (affiliate) that won’t interfere with daily use.

Secure Your Windows

Windows can break and throw shattered glass all around during and earthquake.  Consider adding shatter-safe window film (affiliate) to your windows and large mirrors (like in the bathroom).

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Step #2 to Prepare for an Earthquake–Take Care of Hazardous Materials

While storing flammable items like propane and gasoline is smart for many reasons, these items can quickly become hazardous following an earthquake when gas and electrical lines may be broken.  Move these items away from your home to a well ventilated area.

In addition, many of us store other poisonous or dangerous supplies and cleaners.  Store these on the bottom shelves of a latched cabinet.

Anything stored in glass (cleaners, medicines, etc.) can quickly become dangerous if it breaks.  Consider storing these items in plastic instead.

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Step #3 to Prepare for an Earthquake–Create a Plan

Family Meeting Spot

If you are like most families, you spend 6-10 hours of most days apart.  Kids may be at various schools.  Parents may be at work.  If your home is unsafe following an earthquake, you need to have another spot where everyone in your family knows to go.  This spot should be central to the various places your family is most likely to be and if possible, should be away from large buildings.

For adults and teenagers with a phone, download maps of your area HERE to your phone so that you can use those to find alternate routes home or to your meeting spot if necessary.  You might also consider adding a printed version to all vehicles.

Out of Town Contact

Oftentimes following a disaster, you will find that you cannot make local calls with your phone.  Texting is sometimes more reliable.  But if you can’t do either of those two things you will often be able to make a long distance phone call.

For this reason, choose an out of town contact person that everyone in your family will call to check in with.  You can communicate with each other through this person.  This also allows you to just make one phone call to this central person instead of multiple phone calls to check on each person in your family.

Identify Safe Spots

Walk through each room in your home, workplace, school, or other places you frequent.  Identify the safest spots.  You are looking for spots that are away from windows and are hopefully under some sort of furniture (a desk or table).  If there is no furniture available, the safest spot will be next to an interior wall.

While you may have heard that a door frame is a safe spot, this is not true.  The number one way people are injured in an earthquake is from flying debris.  Standing in a doorway makes you a HUGE target.  Even if you crouch down, you are still exposed on both sides.  An interior wall is safer and you will be protected from debris on at least one side.

Consider Earthquake Insurance

Most home owners insurance does not protect against earthquakes.  If you live in an area at high risk for earthquake and/or your home is older and at a higher risk for significant damage, you may want to consider earthquake insurance as one way to prepare for an earthquake and part of your “plan.”

One downside to earthquake insurance is very, very high deductibles meaning you’d still have to front quite a bit of money before the insurance would step in to help.  So, get multiple estimates and make sure you do your research.

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Step #4 to Prepare for an Earthquake–Get Some Skills

Learn How to Shut off Utilities

Ruptured gas lines (especially when combined with live electrical wires) are a huge risk following an earthquake.  Ruptured water lines can also cause significant damage to your home. Make sure every adult and teenager in your family knows what gas smells like and how to shut off all utilities.  Consider keeping a wrench or gas shut off tool (affiliate) tied (use a zip tie) to your gas meter outside.

Make Sure Everyone Can Call 911

Teach all children who can talk how to call 911.  Make sure they understand they can do this from your phone or a neighbor’s phone or a school phone, etc.

Learn Important First Aid Skills

There are basic first aid skills that every adult in your home should have.  You can find a list of five essential skills HERE and six ways to learn first aid skills HERE.

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Step #5 to Prepare for an Earthquake–Practice!

Any type of disaster can bring panic and rash decisions.  You–and your children–will be better prepared to handle this if you have actually practiced what to do.

If Indoors

If you are indoors when an earthquake starts, you should immediately drop to the ground and cover your neck and head with your hands.  Then, if possible move to one of the safe spots you’ve identified.

If Outdoors

If you are outdoors when an earthquake starts, you should get away from any buildings or tall trees or other items that may fall.  Then, drop to the ground and cover your neck and head with your hands.

Getting Home

It is also smart to practice getting home from various places you may be.  Take a different way home from work occasionally.  Have your children take a different way home from school.

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Step #6 to Prepare for an Earthquake–Store Supplies

While the above items will help prepare you to survive an earthquake with minimal personal and structural damage, you will also need to prepare for the days following an earthquake.  Below are some suggestions of supplies you should have.

I suggest keeping these items on the top floor of your home. That way, they will be less likely to be buried in rubble following and earthquake.  Here are a few suggestions:

Shoes, Eyeglasses (if Needed), and a Flashlight

These items should be kept under -or near – the bed of every member of your family.  This way, if you are in bed when an earthquake happens, you can react more quickly and safely.

A First Aid Kit

Creating a first aid kit may be as simple as gathering random supplies you already have around the house.  But if you’d like something more robust, you can find a checklist HERE.  Don’t forget to include a first aid manual (affiliate) and add a free first aid app to your phone!

Extra Food and Water

You should have at least three gallons of water stored for each member of your family.  This will be enough for drinking and essential sanitation for three days.  I highly suggest you store more if possible.  If you have a nearby water source, consider storing a water filter as well.

Store at least a three day supply of food as well.  If you can, a week is even better.  Again, these are minimum amounts.  If you can store more, do it – especially if you are preparing for other things as well (job loss could be one where a very robust food supply would be essential).

I keep a week’s supply of food and water upstairs so we can (hopefully) access it more quickly following an earthquake.  But I have far more food and water in the basement (which we would be able to access later on).

Medicine

Try to store at least a week’s supply of any medicine that is essential to your family.  Once way you can do this is by refilling your prescription a few days early every month.  This will help you build up a small supply that you regularly rotate through.

Important Documents

Store important documents in a fire-proof safe (affiliate). I will not list out all the documents you should have now, but you can find a free 18 page printable HERE.  Having quick access to these documents will allow you to make claims, get medical help, and contact loved ones in a timely manner.

Other Essential Supplies

While there are a gazillion different supplies you could purchase, these are those I feel are most essential for an earthquake:

• A NOAA radio (affiliate) that you can wind up or charge with the sun if you run out of batteries.  This will help you stay up on the most recent local news.  You could also add a free NOAA radio app to your phone.
• A way to charge your phone  (affiliate).  In this day and age SO MUCH of our lives are on our phones (I’ve suggested many apps in this article), and many of us almost always have our phones on us/with us.  Having a way to charge your phone is smart.
• ABC fire extinguishers (affiliate). Fires are quite common following an earthquake.  Consider having multiple extinguishers in various places around your home.
• Light sources.  It is very likely you will not have electricity for some time.  Consider solar lights (can be brought in at night), flashlights (with extra batteries), candles etc.  This (affiliate) is my favorite flashlight.  It is affordable, high quality, and small enough to fit anywhere.  We have one near everyone’s bed in our home as well as multiple in our cars.
• A way to cook without power.  My favorite is a butane stove (affiliate).  It is inexpensive, and unlike a propane stove, you can use it indoors (with a cracked window).  Plus butane is more stable than propane.
• Extra gasoline.  It is quite likely that even if roads are passable that you will not be able to get gasoline.  Store a little extra (ask your city what the limits are), and be sure to rotate it (gasoline has a short shelf life).
• A quality tent and good sleeping bags (especially if it gets cold where you are).  If your home is unsafe, you may still want to stay near it.

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Step #7 to Prepare for an Earthquake–Home Upgrades/Retrofitting

I’ve left this step last for two reasons – #1: It could get quite expensive, and #2 – Most newer homes built of conventional wood construction (especially one story homes) are usually relatively resistant.

Still, it can’t hurt to be sure–especially if you live in an older home.

First, check with your local zoning board (call the city) to find out if your house was built to current earthquake protection code.  You may also want to hire someone to come out to your home and help you assess things. Here are some things you should check:

• Is your house/garage securely fastened to the foundation? (Homes older than 1950 are usually not.)  Consider hiring someone to fix that.
• Are their cracks in your foundation?
• Do you have flexible fittings in place on your gas and water pipes?  You should.  If not, call a plumber to change those out, or do so yourself if you have the skills.
• Do you have a chimney or fireplace?  Secure it with galvanized metal angles and bands–or hire someone to do it.
• Are your overhead lighting fixtures attached to the joists?  If not, make it happen!

Some states–like California–will help pay for these things with grants.  If you need to retrofit your home, call your city and state to find out if any such programs exist.

72 HOUR KIT – FOOD AND WATER

Food (items are for one person)

1 gallon of water per day per person

Flash light/extra battery's, matches,

blankets, cloths long/short sleeves, pants socks

shoes,sweater, warm pj, gloves,hat, bathroom stuff, First Aid, cooking stuff, rope, tent, stuff for kids, baby stuff.

1.  Can of Chili
2.  Can of Soup
3.  2 100% Juice Box
4.  2 Applesauce Cups
5.  Cup of peaches (or other fruit cup)
6.  2 Tuna Salad kits
7.  Sunflower Kernels
8.  Cashews
9.  Dry Roasted Peanuts
10.  Dried Mixed Fruits
11.  Beef Jerky (Target)
12.  2 Tuna Salad bags
13.  4 different granola bars
14.  3 100% fruit sticks (Costco)
15.  Raisins