You want to be prepared for anything. Hurricane, tornados, earthquakes all weather stuff. Also it is good to be prepared in case you or DH loses your job. There are so many things that "could" happen you know. I just dont want to be one os those people that says "nothing is ever going to happen", and then not be prepared when it does!

I also think (just my opinion not trying to start a debate) that things are going to get bad all over including the US.

__________________
Living Life One Dirty Diaper and One Heartwarming Baby Giggle At a Time!

We live in NY, where it snows. A lot. So a couple years ago we started stocking up a little more 'just in case'. I have bottled water, canned goods, flashlights, etc. Every fall I review what's in the house and update/add/remove as needed.

I think it's useful no matter where you live or what the current conditions are. You just never know what is going to happen!

My view on preparedness is be ready for anything, then be relieved when you don't need it.

I don't think it would hurt to have supplies in stock, whether it be for an unexpected.

Think about it. How long could you eat just from the food in your pantry and fridge/freezer? It is the same idea with how long could you live on the money that you have saved up. However, food that is stored has already been paid for. If we do face massive inflation (gas and food costs rising), the money that you have saved up may not be worth as much. Sure, it may be enough for 6 months now, but what if gas prices continue to rise as much as they have been? What if food prices continue to increase? That money may not stretch as far in the future. I'm not trying to be fatalistic, just prepared. The same principles apply to preparedness, whether it is for layoffs, recession, hurricane, blizzard, or earthquake.

We just updated our 72-hour kits this weekend. We could probably live a couple months off the food we have, but I'm still working on the water storage.

__________________
It's not what you make; it's what you spend.

There is a couple great site on the net to get info and to order ER stuff. Do a google search for emergency essentials and chef noah.

__________________
Living Life One Dirty Diaper and One Heartwarming Baby Giggle At a Time!

We had a tornado come thru a neighboring town 6 months ago. It knocked out our power for a day and a half. As tragic as it was to all the people directly impacted by the eye of the tornado, I do not think that a 72 hour kit would have helped them at all. Red Cross was available immediately. We could have stayed at home but b/c my parents live close by we stayed there overnight. I do not live in a flood zone. I do not live near any major body of water where a hurricane might hit. I do have a stockpile of items that I keep not b/c of weather conditions but b/c of prices.

In my geographical area a 72 hour kit does not make sense to go to all the extra work/stress. It makes sense in other areas.

I hope your right! A tornando could have the potential of doing major major damage and the red cross may not be able to get to you quickly.

__________________
Living Life One Dirty Diaper and One Heartwarming Baby Giggle At a Time!

It is not only geography that matters. Some people have different circumstances that a 72 hour bag makes sense. Some people don't have relatives or people they can comfortably invade at a moments notice. How many assumptions do you want to make in an emergency? That hotel rooms will be available? That stores will be stocked and open? That ATMs will work and have cash? That your home will be habitable? That doctors and pharmacies are available and not overwhelmed? True, most emergencies don't take out all those things, but which ones?

I think that there is a difference in being prepared and living in fear.

Like I said the tornado came thru here and knocked a couple of counties for a loop. Some buildings are just now being repaired. But tornados are sporadic and there is no guarantee that any of my "kit" would be accessable (limbs down etc )or even recognizable after a tornado picking it up and landing it 500 yds away. Even tho I had no electricity for 36 hours (or so) the other side of the highway was fine.

Living in the south, we do not get snow storms very often. As a matter of fact I am 37 years old and have only seen one. And that one storm taught me a lesson of preparedness. We had no electricity for two weeks. My house WAS total electric and ds was only two years old. No stock of food, no heat, no water (frozen). I know this sounds silly but in the south we never prepare for snow so everything was down for two weeks and some things longer than that. After a few days I promised myself that I would always be prepared for what ever comes and I have until this day. It has been 15 years since the storm and people think I am crazy but I bet they will think of me if anything of that sort ever happens again.

__________________
ALABAMA MOM