Made list of more things to pack
Fully charged up portable charger
Briefly spend some time in the basement looking over where camping gear is, spolier it’s scattered in different areas of the basement which is a big space.
Next steps
Put together a first aid kit for Go Bag, House, and Car
Look into crank radio
Gather remaining items on my list
Organize camping gear in one location
Thinking about what I want to do for an emergency food supply
I’ve started stocking a shelter in place food supply, right now I just have a few days worth of baked beans so it’s a work in progress but I cleared a spot for it in our Harry potter cupboard that’s easily accessible. Also repurposed an old back pack and packed some P2 dust masks “acquired” from my work desk, a few kitty things and moved our good first aid kit to that area. Next is to tackle loading our important documents onto a usb and gathering small things like steristraws and non perishable food. Also mulling over emergency plans, need to sit down with husband and properly think these through.
I added N95 face masks to our emergency bag, finally! It’s been on my list since the really smoky summer a few years ago and finally remembered to pick some up at the hardware store.
I do like them now I’ve tried them! I bought several, reasoning that the ones I liked less I could gift at a later date to the camping folks in my family.
Main website: https://luminaid.com/
Where I bought them from: https://www.wildearth.com.au/
Notes:
I bought the Nova and Spectra lanterns (~$30 AUD), and the Hero phone charger (~$80 AUD).
They all started charging in indirect light, I placed them in my carport and then took them inside to our kitchen bench. I assume they charge faster in direct sunlight, but I was pleased they would probably charge even if it was gloomy outside.
The phone charging one gave my phone 20% battery fairly quickly. I unplugged it, since it was only a trial - pretty sure it would charge the whole way from its own battery quickly.
The Nova and Hero lights flickered at a rate my eyes could see that made me feel a bit unwell, but it wasn’t bad as long as I’m not looking at the light directly.
The Spectra, which does different colours, was much nicer for me to look at and use as a light source. Bonus is that the red is really good for use at night, as it won’t wreck your night vision.
I would like to try the firefly, since I think the “warm glow” lights would be a better white light for me.
Overall, would definitely recommend in a emergency or camping pack.
I picked up a small first aid kit at Target tonight. It’s pretty basic but it’s a start.There’s room in the kit to add additional items. I’ll probably throw in some tweezers, ibuprofen, etc.
Next order of business will be to check that the lantern is fully charged and pick up some canned food (and other non perishable items) to have around the house.
Just ordered a solar lamp and solar lamp / phone charger per LadyDuck’s recommendations.
I’m collecting recommendations for preparedness from a few sources right now - coronavirus experts (I don’t think we’re all gonna die; I do think quarantine is way more comfortable if you’re prepared for it), people I know who experienced our bushfire armageddon and resultant smoke / haze crisis over the summer, and people I don’t know but who have kindly shared their experience of surviving cyclones and similar disasters.
I’m thinking of picking up one of these air purifiers in a couple of months. I figure we don’t need one right now so I’ll wait until people who do need them have had a chance to purchase them.
This morning mr krmit and I discussed storing a fire extinguisher and spare dog collar/leash in our bedroom. And also this morning I read a bunch of coronavirus news and followed it with this palate cleanser:
I really liked that article. It’s easy to think of it as a dichotomy - completed unpreparedness versus doomsday prepper - but I’d like to think most people here are more in the reasonable readiness space.
