Dear Preppers and Survivalists,
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photograph by
Sylvain Pedneault
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The Most Important
As you and your family get prepared for the tough times ahead, there is one prep that is more important then all the others. It is thinking. Without thinking, you and your family will die, very quickly
This isn't hyperbole.
Think about it. Do you just walk across a busy street?
No, you look both ways, in a certain order, then think about the best time to walk across the street. Heck, you even teach your children how to safely cross the street by evaluating when is the best time to cross!
Next?
After thinking, what is the most important prep for you and your family?
If you read the title, you know that it is air because without air you and your family have about four minutes to live, probably less.
High-Speed
We (you and your family) can get wrapped up in preparing for unlikely events, such as a chemical weapons attack, train derailment, or other low probability event that would require you to spend $400 or more per family member to survive.
While, ... you haven't done the free or inexpensive stuff to prevent being killed by lack of breathable air during more likely events.
Free
The first 'free' thing that you, your partner, and children should do is make an emergency evacuation plan, in case you have to leave your home during a house fire.
The way to do that is to draw a map of the house then discuss the quickest way out of each room with your partner and children.
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First Floor Emergency Evacuation Plan
source
Prepper: Surviving the Tough Times Ahead
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Second Floor Emergency Evacuation Plan
source
Prepper: Surviving the Tough Times Ahead
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Notice
There are two ways out of each room, a primary and a secondary. The primary way uses 'normal' methods of getting out of the house, such as through doors. The alternative way is by using windows or doors that aren't normally used to get out of that particular room
Free, Part Two
The next thing, you and your family need to do is to have several emergency evacuation drills. That's right ... Practice, Practice, Practice.
Drill One
The first practice drill is done during the day, and everybody knows exactly when it's going to happen.
So, ... You or your partner push the fire alarm test button then everybody evacuates to a safe gathering place, like the mailbox, a neighbor's front pouch, or other close location. If you have small children, you may want to 'chaperone' them, as they evacuate.
Drill Two
Same concept, but start with everyone laying in bed.
Drill Three
In this drill, your family makes the drill a little more complicated. Everybody has to crawl out of the house, to simulate smoke filling the home.
Drill Four
Everybody is in bed, at night
Ooooh, I Forgot
The safe gathering place? The senior person starts a head count to account for everyone in the family. Yes, this means your teenage daughter or son are in charge until you or your partner arrives.
So, ... Get to practicing.
A Little Bit of Dough
You noticed? I assumed you and your family have a functional smoke alarm.
If you don't, you need to purchase one or two this payday. Right know would be better, but I'll give you a break for now.
Where?
A single story home needs one fire alarm/smoke detector in the hallway by the bedrooms. While a two story home needs one on the first floor and one on the second floor.
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Ground Floor Smoke Detector Location
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Second Floor Smoke Detector Location
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Carbon Monoxide Detector
Most families don't need a carbon monoxide detector because y'all have electric heat. For families with propane, natural gas, heating oil, and wood stove, you need to also purchase a carbon monoxide detector.
Trust me, on this.
One winter, our neighbors were in Chicago visiting family when all of a sudden everyone is having headaches and feeling sleepy.
Luckily, Dad recognized the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and had everyone evacuate the house, call the emergency services, and ... spent four hours in a hospital emergency room making sure everyone was o.k.
It seems the heat exchanger had cracked, allowing carbon monoxide to enter his mom and dad's ventilation system.
Not Off the Hook
All you renters, don't think you're off the hook. You need to have a smoke detector/fire alarm for your home, too. The same goes for a carbon monoxide detector, if your home has gas or heating oil for heat.
Even "If"the landlord doesn't provide one.
Oooh, I Forgot
You need one smoke detector/fire alarm on every level of your home. This means at least one in the basement, one on the first floor, one on the second floor, and one on all other floors that people can be.
Link:
City of Lafayette, Indiana - Location of Smoke Detectors
http://www.lafayette.in.gov/761/Location-of-Smoke-Detectors
National Fire Protection Association - Smoke alarms
http://www.nfpa.org/public-education/by-topic/smoke-alarms
YouTube: Check This House - Where to Install Smoke Alarms in Homes | Smoke Detector Placement
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XwhMi0eAs4
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