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Civil Defense Now! - Food and Water/72 Hour Kit
By Richard A. Fleetwood - May 2001
Friends,
This page is a great start for you on creating a very important tool to help you thru ANY desperate or disaster situation. It was compiled and placed in a report created for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and was published as 86 Page PDF file which you can download from SurvivalRing, as well as many other places. The manual states that any or all parts may be copied and distributed to benifit those who would put the information to good use. I present it here in HTML format to help EVERYONE wanting to create the best 72 hour kit they can to take care of their families. My thanks to all the many people in the church, who helped compile and collate this great reference. Please read carefully and act quickly just in case you ever REALLY need to use one of these kits.
Contained on this page is information on 72 hour kits, emergency water supplies, and emergency heating, cooking, and lighting.
72 Hour Kits
The objective of the Family 72-Hour Emergency
Preparedness Kit is to have, previously
assembled and placed in one location, all of
those essential items you and your family will
need during a 72-hour time period following an
emergency. When an emergency occurs you
will probably not have the luxury of going
around the house gathering up needed items,
especially if you have to evacuate your home on
short notice.
Take time now to gather whatever your family
needs to survive for three days(72 Hours) based
upon the assumption that those items are the
only possessions you will have. Store these kits
in a closet near the front door or some other
easily accessible place where they can be
quickly and easily grabbed on the way out the
door.
Pack all items in plastic Zip-loc type bags to
keep them dry and air tight. This will prevent a
liquid item from spilling and ruining other items
in your kit and keep rain and other forms of
moisture away from the items stored.
Keep a list of the dates when certain items need
to be reviewed, especially foods, outgrown
clothing and medications so that they may be
properly rotated.
Emergency supplies are readily available at
preparedness and military surplus stores.
Fear may well be responsible for more deaths
than exposure, hunger and injury combined.
Realizing you have fears and that these are
normal emotions in unfamiliar situation, you will
be aware of them and better able to cope with
them as they appear. Fears can be expected in
any outdoor problem situation. Fear of the
unknown and fear of your ability to cope with the
situation will be foremost, along with a fear of
being alone, darkness, suffering, or death. Fear
is usually based on lack of self-confidence
and lack of adequate preparation and
experience. Knowledge and
experience(practice sessions), will help to instill
confidence and help to control fear.
Container
The container you choose for your kit must be
waterproof, have some type of carrying handle,
and must be able to be carried easily by family
plastic bucket, duffel bag, trunk or footlocker,
plastic garbage cans.
Water
Advised amounts of water for a kit vary. The
Utah County Sheriff's office recommends a
minimum of two quarts per day for each adult.
However, a person can survive quite well on
less, and the load of carrying six quarts of water
with a pack is great. Outdoor survival course
veterans agree that a two-liter bottle should be
adequate. Water purification tablets or crystals
need to be a part of each kit. Refer to
Emergency Water Supply for treatment
methods and information on portable water
filters.
Food
You should include in your kit a three-day
supply of non-perishable food. The food items
should be compact and lightweight, in sealed
packages. MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat) are a
good choice because they require little or no
preparation. Freeze-dried foods are lightweight
but require extra water in your kit. Canned
goods are heavy with extra refuse. Plan
nutritionally balanced meals, keeping in mind
that this is a survival kit. Include vitamins or
other supplements, if desired.
Possible foods for a kit might include:
· MRE's
· snack crackers
· hard candy
· dried fruits
· instant oatmeal
· powdered milk
· jerky
· bouillon cubes
· raisins/nuts
· instant rice/potatoes
· dried soups
· gum
· granola bars
· instant pudding
· powdered drink mixes
Also include a mess kit or other compact
equipment for cooking and eating. A can opener
may also be useful.
Shelter
The objective of shelter is to provide emergency
housing. It is extremely important to be
physically protected from nature's weather
elements. There are many types of shelter that
can be easily included in your 72-hour kit. You
may want to consider family tent, backpacker's
tent, tube tent, rain poncho, garbage bags, nylon
rope or cord, duct tape, space blanket and
space sleeping bag.
Bedding
· Bedding should be warm, lightweight,
comfortable, waterproof and compact.
· Sleeping bag (2 1/2 pound hollow-fill)
· Insulation. Under your sleeping bag you
will need some insulation to protect you
from the cold ground. Though foam pads
are generally thought of as an item of
comfort, their true importance is in
insulating you from the ground. The best
types are "closed cell" foam pads about 3/8
of an inch in thickness. They are very light
weight and easily attached to the backpack
for carrying. You may also use a poncho,
plastic ground cloth, newspapers, leaves, or
pine boughs, for insulation but they are not
nearly as effective as the closed cell foam
pads.
· Blankets can be used to make a bed roll
but generally they are not as comfortable
nor as warm as a sleeping bag. Wool
blankets are the best since they retain their
warming ability even when wet. However,
blankets are very heavy and bulky.
· Space blanket or bag. As explained in the
previous section space blankets and space
bags (aluminum coated mylar) are very
efficient at retaining body heat and are a
must for every 72-hour kit. Even when used
by themselves, without the added benefit of
a sleeping bag they will keep you warm
during the night. In cold winter weather they
may not be entirely comfortable but they will
probably keep you warm enough to keep
you alive. Being plastic, however, they are
impervious to moisture. This is good for
keeping out rain but they also retain sweat
and condensation from your breath. you
may find that periodically during the night
you will have to air them out in order to
sleep comfortably. They can also be used
during the day to protect from rain, sun and
to retain body warmth.
Clothing
Include in your kit one change of clothing and
footwear, preferable work clothing. Anticipate
severe weather conditions. If you have a
growing family remember to update clothing
sizes and needs at least once a year.
Try to avoid wearing cotton clothing. Tight
cotton clothing holds water next to the skin. Wet
inner clothing causes freezing. Cotton clothing
"wicks" (draws water up the very small
individual fibers), thus retaining water and
spreading it over the entire body, causing loss of
body heat at an ever greater rate.
Wool clothing is best. Wool is a natural
thermostatic insulator that keeps you warm in
the winter and cool in the summer. Wool is
naturally durable and can withstand rugged and
tough wear. Wool also repels water and has the
unique property of keeping the body warm even
if it does get wet. Wool dries from the inside out
and does not "wick." Include two pairs of wool
socks- one pair for wearing and one for keeping
your feet warm while sleeping.
Fuel
Every family member should have fire starting
materials and know how to start a fire. Several
of these items should be assembled into a kit
and labeled as "fire starting kit." Teach all family
members how to use them and let them practice
building fires with all methods until they feel
totally confident with their ability to do so. Even
little children aged five or six can be safely
instructed in correct fire building techniques
under proper supervision. Then if an emergency
arises, they will not panic or feel overwhelmed
or frightened at the prospect of building a fire for
their warmth and protection.
Some different sources are:
· Matches. Carry at least two dozen wooden
kitchen matches that have been either
dipped in wax or nail polish to make them
waterproof or carry them in a waterproof
container.
· Metal match. Waterproof, fireproof,
durable, and non-toxic. Will light thousands
of fires. Available at sporting goods stores.
· Butane lighters, such as Bic cigarette
lighters, are excellent ways to light a fire.
· Magnesium fire starters are good for
starting fires with wet or damp wood. Shave
magnesium shavings off of a magnesium
block with a pocket knife and then strike a
spark from a flint starter with a pocket knife.
Magnesium burns exceptionally hot and will
ignite almost any combustible material.
Works even when wet and can be
purchased at most sporting goods stores.
· Small magnifying glass. Use to
concentrate sunlight onto paper, shredded
bark or other tinder.
· Flint and steel A spark from flint and steel
(such as an empty cigarette lighter or flint
and steel striking bar), when directed at dry
paper (especially toilet tissue), shredded
bark, dry grass or other tinder, if persisted in
patiently will work very well to start a fire.
This is the most reliable "non-match"
method of starting a fire.
· Commercial fire starter kits. These come
in a variety of styles and fuels.
· Steel wool. Fine steel wool (used for
scrubbing pots and pans- but not Brillo pads
or other types that have soap already
impregnated into them) can be used for
tinder. Hold two "D" flashlight cells together
in one hand (or one 9-volt transistor radio
battery) while touching one end of a clump
of steel wool to the positive end of the
battery and the other end of the steel wool
to the negative end of the battery. The
current causes the steel wool fibers to
incandesce and then produce a flame. It
burns very hot and fairly fast so have lots of
other tinder to burn once the steel wool
ignites.
· Candles can be used for warmth, light, and
starting fires. To start a fire simply cut a
piece of candle about 1/2 inch in length and
place it on top of the tinder. When lit the
wax witl run over the tinder making it act as
a wick and ignite. You can also place small
twigs and other easily burnable materials
directly into the fame to build a fire.
· Car Battery. If you are near your car you
can easily put sparks into tinder by attaching
any wires to the battery posts and scraping
the ends together in the tinder.
· Sterno fuel and stoves make an excellent
cooking fuel when backpacking or in
emergencies. Sterno can be lit with a match
or by a spark from flint and steel. Slivers of
gelled sterno can be cut from the can and
placed on top of tinder and lit with flint and
steel or with a match. It burns hot enough to
ignite even damp tinder.
· Cotton balls and gauze from the first aid kit
make excellent tinder and can be ignited
with sparks or with matches.
· Fuel tablets such as tri-oxane and gelled
fuels store well and ignite quickly and easily.
Some can be fairly expensive, however.
· Butane and propane stoves. These are
made especially for backpackers. The fuel
is cheaper than sterno, it burns hotter and it
heats better in windy situations than other
fuels. Propane, however is more difficult to
light as outside temperatures near zero.
First Aid Kit
Update your first aid skills. Keep your first aid kit
well supplied.
Suggested first-aid supplies for 72-hour kit:
· first aid book
· waterproof container
· assortment of band-aids
· gauze pads
· butterfly bandages
· cotton balls
· small roll of gauze
· adhesive tape
· cotton swabs (Q-Tips)
· safety pins
· Pepto-bismol tablets
· antacid tablets (good for bee sting)
· cold pack
· consecrated oil
· hydrogen peroxide
· alcohol (disinfectants)
· smelling salts
· medicine dropper tweezers
· alcohol wipes
· Benadryl capsules
· aspirin (promotes healing of burns)
· Tylenol (chewable for children)
· collapsible scissors
· thermometer
· crushable heat pack
· special prescriptions or equipment
· small tube or packets antiseptic cream
· ointment
· small spool thread/two needles
Miscellaneous
Some other miscellaneous items that may be
very helpful are:
· light stick
· small flashlight
· extra batteries
· pocket handwarmer
· compact fishing kit
· compass
· pocketknife
· 50 ft. nylon cord
· plastic poncho
· garbage bag
· paper or cards
· pen, pencil
· fine wire
· extra plastic bags
· small scriptures
· favorite songs
· small game, toy, etc.
· spare glasses
· money (small bills and change)
· field glasses
· toothbrush/toothpaste
· metal mirror
· comb
· razor
· pre-moistened wipes
· toilet paper
· feminine products
· sunscreen
· soap
· lip balm with sunscreen
· bandana (may be used for hat, washcloth,
mask, sling, tourniquet)
· tube soap, bar soap, waterless soap
· identification/medical permission card
· special blanket or such for little people
· portable radio with extra batteries
Family Information Record
In addition to emergency survival supplies you
should also collect vital family information.
Record and keep it in at least two safe places-a
fire resistant "get-away" box that you can take
with you if you have to leave the home, and a
safe-deposit box at your bank or credit union.
The following items would be useful for you to
record and keep in these two locations:
· Genealogy records
· Full name and social security numbers of
all family members
· Listing of vehicles, boats etc. with
identification and license numbers
· Listing of all charge account card
numbers and expiration dates, bank
account numbers (both checking and
saving), insurance policy numbers,
securities, deeds, and loan numbers
showing the company name, address and
telephone numbers.
· Name, address, and telephone number
for each of the following:
Ø employer
Ø schools
Ø fire/paramedics
Ø family contacts
Ø utility company
Ø police
Ø doctor
Ø hospital
Ø attorney
Ø civil defense
· Location of important documents
Ø insurance policies
Ø deeds
Ø securities
Ø licenses
Ø loans
Ø will
Ø safe-deposit box key
Ø vehicle titles (pink slips)
Ø birth/death certificates
Ø social security I.D. cards
Ø citizenship papers
Ø letter of instruction
Ø tax returns (last 5 years)
Infants
When assembling items for your 72-hour kit be
sure to include all necessary items for infants. It
would be a good idea to include a separate back
pack or other container that holds nothing but
infant supplies (which can be surprisingly
voluminous). This kit should be kept with the kits
of other family members so that it will not be
forgotten in a moment of haste. As the baby
begins to grow, replace clothing and diapers
with the next larger size.
Car Mini-Survival Kit
Your car is frequently your home away from
home. most of us spend many hours in our cars
each month. Anything from a jammed-up
freeway to a major disaster could force you to
rely on your car for short-term shelter and
survival. It is a wise practice to keep simple
provision for emergencies in your car.
A self-made cold-weather car kit, as described
in some preparedness stores, is also good to
keep in the car.
At-Work Survival Kit
Many persons stand a 40 percent chance of
being at work when an earthquake or other
emergency strikes. A mini-survival kit kept at
your place of work could make the hours until
you are able to get home more comfortable and
safer. This kit could be a duplicate of the car
mini-survival kit.
Emergency Water Supply
Health department and public water safety
officials use many safeguards to protect the
sanitary quality of your daily drinking water.
However, this protection may break down during
emergencies caused by natural disasters.
During times of serious emergency, the normal
water supply to your home may be cut off or
become so polluted that it is undrinkable. A
supply of stored water could be your most
precious survival item!
You and your family may then be on your own
to provide a safe and adequate water supply.
Remember that typhoid fever, Dysentery, and
infectious hepatitis are diseases often
associated with unsafe water.
Don't take a chance! Generally, under serious
disaster conditions, no water can be presumed
safe--all drinking and cooking water should
be purified.
Required Amounts of Drinking Water Per Person
A minimum of two quarts and up to one gallon
of water is needed per day, depending on the
size of the person, the amount of exertion,
weather, and perspiration loss. A minimum of
seven gallons pure water per person would be
needed for a two-week survival supply. With
careful rationing, this amount would be sufficient
for drinking, food preparation, brushing teeth,
etc. Fourteen gallons per person will allow for
hygiene care.
Keep an emergency supply of drinking water in
plastic containers. Commercially bottled
drinking water is available. It stays pure for
months and has the expiration date clearly
marked on it.
There are several other sources of water if your
water supply is turned off--water drained from
the hot water tank (usually contains 30 to 60
gallons of usable water), clear water from the
toilet flush-tank, if kept constantly clean ( not the
bowl !), melted ice cubes, canned fruits and
vegetable juices, and liquid from other canned
goods.
1. If water is cloudy, smelly, or otherwise
polluted, strain it through a paper towel or
several layers of clean cloth into a container
in order to remove any sediment or floating
matter.
2. Water that is boiled vigorously for five full
minutes will usually be safe from harmful
bacterial contamination.
3. If boiling is not possible, strain the water as
above and treat by adding ordinary liquid
chlorine household bleach or tincture of
iodine. Since liquid chlorine bleach loses
strength over time, fresh bleach should be
used as a water disinfectant. If the bleach is
a year old the amount should be doubled.
Two-year-old bleach should not be used as
a water disinfectant.
4. Other chemical treatments for water
purification also include halzone tablets,
iodine tablets or crystals.
Mix thoroughly by stirring or shaking the water in
its container. Let it stand for 30 Minutes.
A slight chlorine odor should be detectable in
the water; if not, repeat the dosage and let the
water stand for and additional 15 minutes before
using.
Use an eye dropper to add the chlorine or the
iodine to the water. Use it only for this purpose.
How to Prepare and Store Bottles of Purified Water
Keep the drinking water safe from
contamination by carefully storing in clean non-corrosive,
tightly-covered containers.
Use one-gallon containers, preferably made of
heavy opaque plastic with screw-on caps.
Plastic milk bottles are not recommended.
Sterilize the bottles.
Number of drops to be added per quart of water:
Chlorine ----------------------- Clean ------ Cloudy
Common household ----------------- 2 ------------ 4
laundry bleach
Tincture of Iodine --------------- 3 ------------ 6
From medicine chest or first
aid kit (2% chlorine) (Rotate
your iodine each year to
ensure that it will work
when you need it)
Emergency Water Supply
1. Wash bottles with soapy water, then rinse
thoroughly.
2. Run about three quarts tap water into one of
the containers, then add 3/4 cup bleach to
the water.
3. Shake well, turning upside down a time or
two so that the stopper will be sterilized
also.
4. Let the mixture stand for two to three
minutes, then pour it into the next container.
You can use the same chlorinated water for
several containers.
5. Fill the empty bottle with pure or purified
water and seal it tightly close with cap or
stopper.
6. Label with "Drinking Water--Purified", and
the date of preparation.
7. Water purification tablets may also be used
and are available in drug stores and
sporting goods stores. They are
recommended for your first aid kit. Four
tablets will purify one quart of water.
8. Some stored water may develop a
disagreeable appearance, taste, or odor.
These properties are not necessarily
harmful. Inspect your water supply every
few months to see whether the containers
have leaked or other undesirable conditions
have developed. Replace the water if it
becomes contaminated.
Portable Water Purification Equipment
A high quality filter system should possess the
following characteristics: light-weight; have
fewer parts (less to go wrong); a fine pre-filter; a
replaceable or clearable filter; tight, well-made
pump; high volume output; quick filtration;
should screen out organisms over 0.5 microns
(0.2 microns is best).
A system with all of these features may not be
inexpensive, however. The cost will usually
reflect reliability as well as technology of design.
Always use a filter properly. Use clearest water
available, allowing suspended matter to settle
out. Use pre-filter if your system has one. Do
not let outlet end of filter come in contact with
contaminated water. Be sure vessel you're
pumping into is clean.
Sanitize all bottles!
¼ Cup Clorox to 1 Quart Water
Emergency Heating, Cooking & Lighting
HEATING
Coal stores well if kept in a dark place and away
from moving air. Air speeds deterioration and
breakdown, causing it to burn more rapidly.
Coal may be stored in a plastic-lined pit or in
sheds, bags, boxes, or barrels and should be
kept away from circulating air, light, and
moisture. Cover it to lend protection from
weather and sun.
Wood.
Hardwoods such as apple, cherry, and
other fruit woods are slow burning and sustain
coals. Hardwoods are more difficult to burn
than softer woods, thus requiring a supply of
kindling. Soft woods such as pine and cedar are
light in weight and burn very rapidly, leaving ash
and few coals for cooking. If you have a
fireplace or a wood/coal burning stove, you will
want to store several cords of firewood.
Firewood is usually sold by the cord which is a
neat pile that totals 128 cubic feet. This pile is
four feet wide, four feet high, and eight feet
long. Some dealers sell wood by the ton. As a
general rule of thumb, a standard cord of air
dried dense hardwood weighs about two tons
and provides as much heat as one ton of coal.
Be suspicious of any alleged cord delivered in a
1/2 or 3/4 ton pickup truck.
For best results, wood should be seasoned
(dried) properly, usually at east a year. A plastic
tarp, wood planks, or other plastic or metal
sheeting over the woodpile is useful in keeping
the wood dry. Other types of fuels are more
practical to store and use than wood or coal.
Newspaper logs make a good and inexpensive
source of fuel. You may prepare the logs in the
following manner:
· Use about eight pages of newspaper and
open flat.
· Spread the stack, alternating the cut sides
and folded sides.
· Place a 1" wood dowel or metal rod across
one end and roll the paper around the rod
very tightly. Roll it until there are 6-8 inches
left to roll, then slip another 8 pages
underneath the roll. Continue this
diameter.
· With a fine wire, tie the roll on both ends.
Withdraw the rod. Your newspaper log is
ready to use. Four of these logs will burn
about 1 hour.
Propane is another excellent fuel for indoor
use. Like kerosene, it produces carbon dioxide
as it burns and is therefore not poisonous. It
does consume oxygen so be sure to crack a
window when burning propane.
Propane stores indefinitely, having no known
shelf life. Propane stoves and small portable
heaters are very economical, simple to use, and
come the closest to approximating the type of
convenience most of us are accustomed to
using on a daily basis.
The storage of propane is governed by strict
local laws. In this area you may store up to 1
gallon inside a building and up to 60 gallons
stored outside. If you store more than these
amounts, you will need a special permit from
the fire marshal.
The primary hazard in using propane is that it is
heavier than air and if a leak occurs it may
"pool" which can create an explosive
atmosphere. Furthermore, basement natural
gas heating units CANNOT be legally converted
for propane use. Again, the vapors are heavier
than air and form "pockets." Ignition sources
such as water heaters and electrical sources can
cause an explosion.
White gas (Coleman fuel). Many families have
camp stoves which burn Coleman Fuel or white
gasoline. These stoves are fairly easy to use
and produce a great amount of heat. However,
they, like charcoal, produce vast amounts of
carbon monoxide. NEVER use a Coleman Fuel
stove indoors. It could be a fatal mistake to
your entire family.
Never store fuels in the house or near a heater.
Use a metal store cabinet which is vented on
top and bottom and can be locked.
Kerosene (also known as Range Oil No. 1) is
the cheapest of all the storage fuels and is also
very forgiving if you make a mistake. Kerosene
is not as explosive as gasoline and Coleman
fuel. Kerosene stores well for long periods of
time and by introducing some fuel additives it
can be made to store even longer. However, do
not store it in metal containers for extended time
periods unless they are porcelain lined because
the moisture in the kerosene will rust through
the container causing the kerosene to leak out.
Most hardware stores and home improvement
centers sell kerosene in five gallon plastic
containers which store for many years. A 55
gallon drum stores in the back yard, or ten 5
gallon plastic containers will provide fuel enough
to last an entire winter if used sparingly.
Caution: To burn kerosene you will need a
kerosene heater. There are many models and
sizes to choose from but remember that you are
not trying to heat your entire home. The larger
the heater the more fuel you will have to store.
Most families should be able to get by on a
heater that produces about 9,600 BTUs of heat,
though kerosene heaters are made that will
produce up to 25,000 to 30,000 BTUs. If you
have the storage space to store the fuel
required by these larger heaters they are
excellent investments, but for most families the
smaller heaters are more than adequate.
When
selecting a kerosene heater be sure to get one
that can double as a cooking surface and source
of light. Then when you are forced to use it be
sure to plan your meals so that they can be
cooked when you are using the heater for heat
rather than wasting fuel used for cooking only.
When kerosene burns it requires very little
oxygen, compared to charcoal. You must crack
a window about 1/4 inch to allow enough oxygen
to enter the room to prevent asphyxiation.
During combustion, kerosene is not poisonous
and is safe to use indoors.
To prevent possible
fires you should always fill it outside. The
momentary incomplete combustion during
lighting and extinguishing of kerosene heaters
can cause some unpleasant odors. To prevent
these odors from lingering in your home always
light and extinguish the heater out of doors.
During normal operation a kerosene heater is
practically odorless.
Charcoal.
Never use a charcoal burning device
indoors. When charcoal burns it is a voracious
consumer of oxygen and will quickly deplete the
oxygen supply in your little "home within a
home." Furthermore, as it burns it produces
vast amounts of carbon monoxide which is a
deadly poison. If you make the mistake of
trying to heat your home by burning charcoal it
could prove fatal to your entire family. Never
burn charcoal indoors.
Cooking
To conserve your cooking fuel storage needs
always do your emergency cooking in the most
efficient manner possible. Don't boil more water
than you need, extinguish the fire as soon as
you finished, plan your meals ahead of time to
consolidate as much cooking as possible, during
the winter cook on top of your heating unit while
heating your home, and cook in a pressure
cooker or other fuel efficient container as much
as possible. Keep enough fuel to provide
outdoor cooking for at least 7-10 days.
It is even possible to cook without using fuel at
all. For example, to cook dry beans you can
place them inside a pressure cooker with the
proper amount of water and other ingredients
needed and place it on your heat source until it
comes up to pressure. Then turn off the heat,
remove the pressure cooker and place inside a
large box filled with newspapers, blankets, or
other insulating materials. Leave it for two and
a half hours and then open it, your meal will be
done, having cooked for two and a half hours
with no heat. If you don't have a large box in
which to place the pressure cooker, simply wrap
it in several blankets and place it in the corner.
Store matches in waterproof airtight tin with
each piece of equipment that must be lit with a
flame.
Heaters -----------Amount-----------Burning Time
Catalytic ------- 5 quarts --------- 18-20 hours
----------------- 3 quarts --------- 12 hours
White Gas Stoves
(two burner)----- 2 quarts --------- 18-20 hours
----------------- 3 ½ pint --------- 4 hours
----------------- aerosol can
Sterno fuel, a jellied petroleum product, is an
excellent source of fuel for inclusion in your
back pack as part of your 72 hour kit. Sterno is
very light weight and easily ignited with a match
or a spark from flint and steel but is not
explosive. It is also safe for use indoors.
A Sterno stove can be purchased at any
sporting goods store and will retail between $3
and $8, depending upon the model you choose.
They fold up into a very small, compact unit
ideal for carrying in a pack. The fuel is readily
available at all sporting goods stores and many
drug stores. One can of Sterno fuel, about the
diameter of a can of tuna fish and twice as high,
will allow you to cook six meals if used frugally.
Chafing dishes and fondue pots can also be
used with Sterno.
Sterno is not without some problems. It will
evaporate very easily, even when the lid is
securely fastened. If you use Sterno in your 72
hour kit you should check it every six to eight
months to insure that it has not evaporated
beyond the point of usage. Because of this
problem it is not a good fuel for long-term
storage. It is a very expensive fuel to use
compared to others fuel available, but is
extremely convenient and portable.
Coleman fuel (white gas), when used with a
Coleman stove is another excellent and
convenient fuel for cooking. It is not as portable
nor as lightweight as Sterno, but produces a
much greater BTU value. Like Sterno, Coleman
fuel has a tendency to evaporate even when
the container is tightly sealed so it is not a good
fuel for long-term storage. Unlike Sterno,
however, it is highly volatile; it will explode
under the right conditions and should therefore
never be stored in the home. Because of its
highly flammable nature great care should
always be exercised when lighting stoves and
lanterns that use Coleman fuel. Many serious
burns have been caused by carelessness with
this product. Always store Coleman fuel in the
garage or shed, out of doors.
Charcoal is the least expensive fuel per BTU
that the average family can store. Remember
that it must always be used out of doors
because of the vast amounts of poisonous
carbon monoxide it produces. Charcoal will
store for extended period of time if it is stored in
air tight containers. It readily absorbs moisture
from the surrounding air so do not store it in the
paper bags it comes in for more than a few
months or it may be difficult to light. Transfer it
to airtight metal or plastic containers and it will
keep almost forever.
Fifty or sixty dollars worth of charcoal will
provide all the cooking fuel a family will need for
an entire year if used sparingly. The best time
to buy briquettes inexpensively is at the end of
the summer. Broken or torn bags of briquettes
are usually sold at a big discount. You will also
want to store a small amount of charcoal lighter
fluid (or kerosene). Newspapers will also
provide an excellent ignition source for charcoal
when used in a funnel type of lighting device.
To light charcoal using newspapers use two or
three sheets, crumpled up, and a #10 tin can.
Cut both ends out of the can. Punch holes every
two inches around the lower edge of the can
with a punch-type can opener (for opening juice
cans). Set the can down so the punches holes
are on the bottom. Place the crumpled
newspaper in the bottom of the can and place
the charcoal briquettes on top of the newspaper.
Lift the can slightly and light the newspaper.
Prop a small rock under the bottom edge of the
can to create a a good draft. The briquettes will
be ready to use in about 20-30 minutes. When
the coals are ready remove the chimney and
place them in your cooker. Never place burning
charcoal directly on concrete or cement
because the heat will crack it. A wheelbarrow or
old metal garbage can lid makes an excellent
container for this type of fire.
One of the nice things about charcoal is that you
can regulate the heat you will receive from
them. Each briquette will produce about 40
degrees of heat. If you are baking bread, for
example, and need 400 degrees of heat for your
oven, simply use ten briquettes.
To conserve heat and thereby get the maximum
heat value from your charcoal you must learn to
funnel the heat where you want it rather than
letting it dissipate into the air around you. One
excellent way to do this is to cook inside a
cardboard oven. Take a cardboard box, about
the size of an orange crate, and cover it with
aluminum foil inside and out. Be sure that the
shiny side is visible so that maximum reflectivity
is achieved. Turn the box on its side so that the
opening is no longer on the top but is on the
side. Place some small bricks or other noncom-bustible
material inside upon which you can rest
a cookie sheet about two or three inches above
the bottom of the box. Place ten burning
charcoal briquettes between the bricks (if you
need 400 degrees), place the support for your
cooking vessels, and then place your bread
pans or whatever else you are using on top of
the cookie sheet. Prop a foil-covered cardboard
lid over the open side, leaving a large crack for
air to get in (charcoal needs a lot of air to burn)
and bake your bread, cake, cookies, etc. just
like you would in your regular oven. Your
results will amaze you.
To make your own charcoal, select twigs, limbs,
and branches of fruit, nut and other hardwood
trees; black walnuts and peach or apricot pits
may also be used. Cut wood into desired size,
place in a large can which has a few holes
punched in it, put a lid on the can and place the
can in a hot fire. When the flames from the
holes in the can turn yellow-red, remove the can
from the fire and allow it to cool. Store the
briquettes in a moisture-proof container. Burn
charcoal only in a well-ventilated area.
Wood and Coal. Many wood and coal burning
stoves are made with cooking surface. These
are excellent to use indoors during the winter
because you may already be using it to heat the
home. In the summer, however, they are
unbearably hot and are simply not practical
cooking appliances for indoor use. If you
choose to build a campfire on the ground
outside be sure to use caution and follow all the
rules for safety. Little children, and even many
adults, are not aware of the tremendous dangers
that open fires may pose.
Kerosene.
Many kerosene heaters will also
double as a cooking unit. In fact, it is probably a
good idea to not purchase a kerosene heater
that cannot be used to cook on as well. Follow
the same precautions for cooking over kerosene
as was discussed under the section on heating
your home with kerosene.
Propane.
Many families have propane camp
stoves. These are the most convenient and
easy to use of all emergency cooking appli-ances
available. They may be used indoors or
out. As with other emergency fuel sources,
cook with a pressure cooker whenever possible
to conserve fuel.
Lighting
Most of the alternatives require a fire or flame,
so use caution. More home fires are caused by
improper usage of fires used for light than for
any other purpose. Especially use extra caution
with children and flame. Teach them the proper
safety procedures to follow under emergency
conditions. Allow them to practice these skills
under proper adult supervision now, rather than
waiting until an emergency strikes.
Cyalume sticks are the safest form of indoor
lighting available but very few people even
know what they are. Cyalume sticks can be
purchased at most sporting goods stores for
about $2 per stick. They are a plastic stick
about four inches in length and a half inch in
diameter. To activate them, simply bend them
until the glass tube inside them breaks, then
shake to mix the chemicals inside and it will
glow a bright green light for up to eight hours.
Cyalume is the only form of light that is safe to
turn on inside a home after an earthquake. One
of the great dangers after a serious earthquake
is caused by ruptured natural gas lines. If you
flip on a light switch or even turn on a flashlight
you run the risk of causing an explosion.
Cyalume will not ignite natural gas. Cyalume
sticks are so safe that a baby can even use
them for a teether.
Flashlights are excellent for most types of
emergencies except in situations where ruptured
natural gas lines may be present. Never turn a
flashlight on or off if there is any possibility of
ruptured gas lines. Go outside first, turn it on or
off, then enter the building.
The three main problems with relying upon
flashlights is that they give light to very small
areas, the batteries run down fairly quickly
during use, and batteries do not store well for
extended time periods. Alkaline batteries store
the best if stored in a cool location and in an
airtight container. These batteries should be
expected to store for three to five years. Many
manufacturers are now printing a date on the
package indicating the date through which the
batteries should be good. When stored under
ideal conditions the shelf life will be much longer
than that indicated. Lithium batteries will store
for about twice as long as alkaline batteries
(about ten years).
If you use flashlights be sure to use krypton or
halogen light bulbs in them because they last
much longer and give off several times more
light than regular flashlight bulbs on the same
energy consumption. Store at least two or three
extra bulbs in a place where they will not be
crushed or broken.
Candles.
Every family should have a large
supply of candles. Three hundred sixty-five
candles, or one per day is not too many. The
larger the better. Fifty-hour candles are
available in both solid and liquid form. White or
light colored candles burn brighter than dark
candles. Tallow candles burn brighter, longer,
and are fairly smoke free when compared to
wax candles. Their lighting ability can be
increased by placing an aluminum foil reflector
behind them or by placing them in front of a
mirror. However, candles are extremely
dangerous indoors because of the high fire
danger--especially around children. For this
reason be sure to store several candle lanterns
or broad-based candle holders. Be sure to store
a goodly supply of wooden matches
Save your candle ends for emergency use.
Votive candles set in empty jars will burn for up
to 15 hours. Non-candles (plastic dish and
paper wicks) and a bottle of salad oil will provide
hundreds of hours of candle light.
Trench candles can be used as fireplace fuel
or as a candle for light. To make trench
candles:
1. Place a narrow strip of cloth or twisted string
(for a wick) on the edge of a stack of 6-10
newspapers.
2. Roll the papers very tightly, leaving about
3/4" of wick extending at each end.
3. Tie the roll firmly with string or wire at 2-4"
intervals.
4. With a small saw, cut about 1" above each
tie and pull the cut sections into cone
shapes. Pull the center string in each piece
toward the top of the cone to serve as a
wick.
5. Melt paraffin in a large saucepan set inside
a larger pan of hot water. Soak the pieces
of candle in the paraffin for about 2 minutes.
6. Remove the candles and place on a
newspaper to dry.
Kerosene lamps are excellent sources of light
and will burn for approximately 45 hours on a
quart of fuel. They burn bright and are
inexpensive to operate. The main problem with
using them is failure to properly trim the wicks
and using the wrong size chimney. Wicks
should be trimmed in an arch, a "V," an "A" or
straight across the top. Failure to properly trim
and maintain wicks will result in smoke and poor
light.
Aladdin type lamps that use a circular wick and
mantle do not need trimming and produce much
more light (and heat) than conventional
kerosene lamps. These lamps, however,
produce a great amount of heat, getting up to
750 degrees F. If placed within 36 inches of any
combustible object such as wooden cabinets,
walls, etc. charring can occur. Great caution
should therefore be exercised to prevent
accidental fires.
The higher the elevation the taller the chimney
should be. Most chimneys that come with
kerosene lamps are made for use at sea level.
At about 4500 feet above sea level the chimney
should be about 18-20 inches high. If your
chimney is not as tall as it should be you can
improvise by wrapping aluminum foil around the
top of it and extending it above the top. This
will enable the light to still come out of the
bottom portion and yet provide proper drawing
of air for complete combustion. If the chimney
is too short it will result in smoke and poor light.
Be sure to store extra wicks, chimneys and
mantles.
Propane and Coleman lanterns.
Camp
lanterns burning Coleman fuel or propane make
excellent sources of light. Caution should be
used in filling and lighting Coleman lanterns
because the fuel is highly volatile and a flash
type fire is easy to set off. Always fill them
outside. Propane, on the other hand, is much
safer. It is not as explosive and does not burn
quite as hot. A double mantle lantern gives off
as much light as two 100-watt light bulbs. Either
propane or Coleman fuel type lanterns are very
reliable and should be an integral part of your
preparedness program. Be sure to store plenty
of extra mantles and matches.
Store lots of wooden matches (1,000-2,000 is
not too many). Also store butane cigarette
lighters to light candles, lanterns and fireplaces.
It would be a good idea for everyone to have a
personal fire building kit with at least six
different ways to start a fire.
Above all, your home and family must be
protected from the ravages of fire by your
actions. Study the instructions for any appliance
used for heating, cooking, or lighting and
understand their features as well as their
limitations.
Don't go to sleep with any invented burning
device in your home. Your family might not
wake up.
Whatever you store, store it safely and legally.
In an emergency, survival may cause you to
make decisions that are questionable with
regard to safety. Become educated to the
inherent hazards of your choices and make a
decision based on as much verifiable
information as possible. You and your family's
lives will depend on it.
Consider carefully how you will provide fuel for
your family for heating, cooking, and lighting
during times of emergencies. Next to food,
water, and shelter, energy is the most important
item you can store.
Fuel --------------- Amt----------- Burning Time
White gas Lanterns
Two mantle ------- 2 pints ---------10-12 hours
Single mantle ---- 2 pints ----------16-18 hours
Kerosene Lanterns -1 quart ----------45 hours
Candles ---------- ¾ X 4” ----------2 1/3 hours
------------------ 7/8 X 4” ---------5 hours
Updated May 2001 - © 2001 By Richard A. Fleetwood |
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