Comments on: How to Bug-In: What You Need to Know to Survive a Grid-Down Disaster

By: S27

S27 — Wed, 29 May 2013 04:09:45 +0000

Diarrhea medication. Only one website has listed this so far.

Unscented candles, too much perfume is not good for allergies.

Batteries that match your supply of torches, LED candles and Fire Alarms. Check the size and buy a bunch on sale, especially if it’s not a standard size.

Gas bottles to go with your BBQs.

By: Diane

Diane — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:47:02 +0000

I am preparing to take my first lessons in canning and would like to know if anyone here has canned meat that has been frozen? We raise our own hogs and steer for meet, and butcher every year. This year I would like to try to can some of the meat left from last year instead of giving it away like I usually do. (Always tried to help out a neighbor that could use it, but would like to keep some for ourselves.) Our freezer won’t hold it all. Also, I now that if disaster would happen, we could lose a great majority of it without another option. Only thing I would add is about water storage. You need water for more than drinking and food prep. I store non drinking water in everything from vinegar and bleach jugs to empty detergent bottles – suds in. Then I can at least wash off and clean up cooking or eating utensils. Thanks and really enjoyed reading.

By: Heinz Doofensmirtz

Heinz Doofensmirtz — Mon, 13 May 2013 04:50:06 +0000

Hunting and fishing are low on my list as food sources. In an extended crisis, everybody else will have the same idea. Game will be exhausted or scared away quickly. Many of us in the ‘burbs have “pet” deer. Not so as soon as one gets shot. You must be careful with generators. Most make a lot of noise, and that noise carries quite far when everything else is off, and is a magnet for the unprepared. The Honda and Yamaha inverter units are quiet and fuel efficient (I asked my brother how much gas he has to run his 6500W fuel-hog genny–got a blank stare), but quite expensive. I have a Yamaha tri-fuel unit and love it. It makes waaaay less noise than a lawnmower, and could be run in the garage with the exhaust vented out the ridge vent. Kerosene is a good heat source, and is prertty safe to store. Keep your cans full so there in little room for water condensation.

By: celticfiregirl

celticfiregirl — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:52:21 +0000

This was very helpful. Some good ideas on the food and heat.

By: steve

steve — Fri, 03 May 2013 01:03:56 +0000

Lot of fire making stuff but no fire extinguishers/suppression.

By: Eavestroughs Toronto

Eavestroughs Toronto — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 07:48:27 +0000

I think it is the only blog which differentiate the two things it bugging-in and bugging-out.

By: Bill

Bill — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 04:02:21 +0000

IMO, for bugging in I’ll use my Coleman 2-burner Dual-Fuel cook stove. I have 3-4 smaller backpacking stoves, but they’re not what I would enjoy cooking on for more than a few meals. Sure the Coleman’s larger, but who cares if you’re not carrying it anywhere? Plus it is way more stable, has 2 burners, and wind screens. What’s not to love?
Plus it uses the same fuel as my lanterns, and my 1-burner Coleman stove. What’s not to love? :)

By: jsallison

jsallison — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 01:03:08 +0000

two words: toilet paper.

By: Steve

Steve — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 14:16:09 +0000

Hal is 100% right. You cannot forget to properly ventilate your generator. The carbon monoxide will kill you. Happened to a fellow ironworker who got drunk and decided to sleep in the shanty. brought the generator in and hooked up a heater, died from the exhaust.

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 04:46:06 +0000

This was a great article. Most people think of ‘bugging out’ and the main option, but ‘bugging in’ is a way to ride out whatever is happening until more information becomes available. As a private investigator, I’ve learned that information is crucial. I have a somewhat similar setup, although smaller. One five shelf unit contains freeze-dried food and MREs; another contains canned goods and peanut butter and honey(honey doesn’t expire, and pb contains glucose, a good booster if you’re diabetic or have gone long periods without food); and another contains six five gallon jugs of water along with 12 cases of bottled water. I also keep things like batteries, medication, and hygiene items in small storage boxes. I also have a kerosene heater along with a propane heater, and six bags of charcoal. A wood stove is something I’m considering installing, but my wife is iffy about it for now. We live within city limits, and she doesn’t see the need yet.