A recently resurrected thread posed this important question - "How many American people really know how to properly wash dishes clean when camping in the field with no hot water, no soap, no sponges"?

First of all, it is very common to have hot water (also good for tea and coffee), soap (in small container) and sponges (also small), so basic sanitation can be followed, basically just as at home.

A few changes do make it easier, and (clean)water is often not abundant. One pot meals rock! Minimize the number of items that must be cleaned...

We have often given each person their own set of plates and utensils for their exclusive use and cleanup. This helps retard the spread of germs.

Sunlight is a great disinfectant for lots of germs. Use it.

Pay particular attention to latrine sanitation. According to studies, improper hand washing after using the loo is a principal source of infection in the back country.

Hand sanitizers are great in this respect, convenient for hand washing. Those that I have used have 62-70% alcohol content and make fine stove fuel/accelerant as well'

i have followed these procedures for groups on field projects for up to two weeks at a time with no problems. just make sure everyone understands the necessity.

In your responses to this thread, please keep it clean....

I appreciate the government and Red Cross lists - but here are some new things to think about.

If a hurricane is coming
- Keep a radio on for updates, changes, advice, new warnings, etc.
- Gas up the car
- Get dog food
- plug everything in that might need a charge; phones, laptop, GPS,etc
- Go to CVS, get everyone's prescriptions filled
- Take a shower (You might not get one for a while)
- send an email to loved ones, letting then know what your plans are

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/even-a...ry-4/ar-BBN9Vkw

After all, it's only a cat Four....Particularly interesting to see the awareness of CO poisoning and use of generators

Yes, another hurricane. We got off easy last year in NC. Just checking all preps and checking all our friends' and neighbors' preps as well. Should not hit until late Thursday or early Friday. Current track is right over our roof, but we are pretty far inland, so nothing significant to worry about.

Looking for a new 2 AA battery flashlight for EDC.

Admittedly, I am not a flashlight geek and never plan to be, so I am not at all, interested in all the geeky details or comparisons of esoteric features I would never understand, etc.

All I need is a simple, yet reliable flashlight with a couple of brightness settings to choose from. Price point is $50.00 - $75.00.

Thanks for any recommendations.