12 replies to this topic

[mom2one]

I have a few general questions:

1. Prep uses for scrap material (palm sized and smaller)?

2. Why boots? I'm super hot-natured and just thinking of trekking many miles in boots makes me sweat buckets (even in the AC-we're in humid country for now)...

3. Has anyone had any problems using O2 absorbers with plastic bottles or glass jars? I was thinking of using these type of containers to store dry goods (rice, oats, flour, etc.)

4. Has anyone ever used canbags? (link: http://usacanbag.com/samples-c-2.html) If yes, good/bad/etc...

5. Commercially bottled Distilled water - is this a viable source for storing water?


Thank you for reading...

Edited by mom2one, 07 April 2012 - 12:25 PM.

[dogmom4]

For number 3...i use my vaccuum sealer attachment for jars. I don't use oxygen absorbers and stuff stays fresh for years.

[CrabGrassAcres]

See if I can help:
1: If you are talking about fabric, you can make quilts. You can make quilted garments. You can sew pieces together for family cloth. It really depends on what type of fabric.

2: Snakes. I wear boots around here in summer when I'm going to be in any area where the grass and weeds are high enough to hide a snake.

3: I've not used O2 absorbers except in 5 gal mylar bags inside buckets. Mainly because you open a pack of the absorbers and you really need to use them all right away. Many people have used vacuum sealers to make a vacuum in canning jars. When I use a jar or plastic bottle to store dry foods, I just put the container in the freezer after filling it. 2 weeks will kill the insects and eggs. For long term storage, I go to the 5 gal bags and buckets or totes.

4: I don't think they are cheaper than other methods per volume of food stored. They are not rodent proof or puncture proof.

5: Distilled water isn't best for drinking as it can leach minerals from your bones. If you don't have a lot of space for water and need smaller containers, I like the plastic juice bottles or soda bottles (if you drink soda, we don't). If you have more space, look for some heavy plastic jerry cans intended for water. They are 5-6 gallons each. They store more water in less space, but if all the space you have is small cubbies or odd areas that are too small, go with the smaller bottles. If you are on city water, there is usually enough chlorine to just fill the containers from the tap. Otherwise use a few drops of unscented bleach. (Unless you are allergic to chlorine like I am.)

[Jori]

#1. Patches for jeans, pants, shirts, etc.

#3. We put our extra O2 absorbers in a quart jar (so we didn't have to open the next package of them) and it sealed the jar.

[Mt_Rider]

Welcome to MrsS, Mom2one!
I'll have a go at this too...

1) Nothing new to add except maybe bandages, depending on the material. When our lovely disposable bandages run out if

2) IF one had to BugOut on foot, a boot that comes above the ankle is going to be a lot more support against turning an ankle. Just when it might be deadly to have such an imobilizing injury. The kind with venting gaps might help the heat...although reading CGA's comment on snakes makes me wonder about the wisdom of that in some areas of the country. [ ick! snakes! ]

3 ) .... no experience for this one. But my favorite small container for anything is Ocean Spray juice plastic bottles.

4) ..never heard of these....

5) "distilled"?? Ditto what CGA said about that. But if you meant just the common bottled water - I've got some of that. It's pretty cheap. BUT.....be careful of what container it's in. Some of those bottles are nearly as thin as plastic wrap. If they sit on your shelf...over time, you might spring a leak and have a real mess! [Just a point of prevention - store your bottled water near the floor...as in: don't put something under it that could be damaged by water. ] Besides, it's heavy. Anyway, I have some very large containers, and various small containers of water. Again, I like the Ocean Spray bottles.

MtRider

[mi_familia]

I second the comment on #2: snakes - or ticks, or leeches (shivers!) I've done long term hiking with both tennis shoes and a good pair of hiking boots. For pavement and completely flat terrain like in the city, tennis shoes would work, but if you are going to walk on any other terrain, boots are better. And definitely a prep I would spend money on, AND be sure to break in right away!

[Mt_Rider]

And if you have winter/summer, you have to have at least two pair for seasonal change. Thinsulate and not insulated. I am still looking for a wonderful pair for summer. I have my winter ankle boots.

MtRider

[Annarchy]

#5. Did some more research on the distilled water issue. It is purer, less likely to become contaminated over time. The 'scare' about leaching minerals from the bones was created. Why? I have no clue. Research has shown that our food intake makes up for any loss that presumably is caused by the distilled water.


http://www.bodyforli...tilledwater.htm

http://www.aquatechn...rame426340.html

[mom2one]

Thank you all for the responses - they help clear the confusion in my head and give me some good direction.

As to the scrap material, I was referring to material. I apologize for being vague on that. I make my DS drool catchers (we call them droolies) and have small scraps left over. Most of the scraps are either jersy, light-weight denim or stretchy cotton blends. I had been throwing these away. Now I wonder if I should keep them - at least a gallon bag of them. Hadn't thought about bandages - did wonder if they would work as firestarters. Either way, I'll have them if I need them.

As to the distilled water - I had read some of the research posted online after I posted here. While the water itself may be fine, I since have come to the conclusion that the container will not - at least not long term. We don't drink soda much but we do drink juices so I'm keeping my eyes out for sales. I also read that recyclable plastic 1 doesn't leech as much or as fast as 3, 4? and 7.

To keep the feeling of hopelessness at bay ("I'm not prepped enough -- How are we going to get water???, Am I ever going to learn what I need to for my family???", etc) I'm going to get us prepped for 2 weeks along with BOBs. I would want to get to my family (in a neighboring state) should we not be living closer to them in the event of the SHTF. DH's family would be usesless in a crisis situation and they are over 10 hours away anyhow. Once those are in place, then I'm moving on to 3 months preps, etc. We're hoping to buy where we now live within the next year. Once that happens - I can go all out...LOL (DH will be totally convinced I'm bonkers).

As to athletic shoes vs boots - I now realize I need to get a good pair. I hadn't thought about having to leave the roadway. I can wipe away sweat alot easier than I can repair a banged up leg/foot.

Thank you again for all the advice - I greatly appreciate it!

[indy gal preps]

About the scrap fabric you have-it can be sewn together(think crazy quilts) in random pieces to make larger pieces and can be used for whatever you need,or think string quilts,this is where long pieces are sewn onto a foundation,muslin,paper,used dryer sheets or anything,then made into blocks.If it is stretchy material you may want something under it,foundation,to keep it from stretching.

[Jori]

To keep the feeling of hopelessness at bay ("I'm not prepped enough -- How are we going to get water???, Am I ever going to learn what I need to for my family???", etc) I'm going to get us prepped for 2 weeks along with BOBs. I would want to get to my family (in a neighboring state) should we not be living closer to them in the event of the SHTF. DH's family would be usesless in a crisis situation and they are over 10 hours away anyhow. Once those are in place, then I'm moving on to 3 months preps, etc. We're hoping to buy where we now live within the next year. Once that happens - I can go all out...LOL (DH will be totally convinced I'm bonkers).

Remember you are making progress! The first thing you did was decide to be prepared for the future. We all have those feelings so you aren't alone. Keep up the good work!

[Ambergris]

Little pieces of fabric are good for patching, for stuffing, for bandages, for emergency Kotex, for teaching little kids how to sew, for erasing chalkboards in homeschool, for cleaning icky things when you can't wash whatever you clean with, for Seminole patchwork, and so on.

[mi_familia]

To keep the feeling of hopelessness at bay ("I'm not prepped enough -- How are we going to get water???, Am I ever going to learn what I need to for my family???", etc)

I know I never will be completely ready, but I try to remind myself that every little thing I learn or do puts us so far ahead of many people! Even just keeping caught up on the laundry and other household chores could make such a huge difference if there was suddenly no power or running water. I would like to delay having to wash big bed sheets as long as possible!