[/quote] I used to lie awake worrying about that stuff when I was younger. I like to think I have more of a handle on that now that I’m 40 and a lot more mature. There’s so much out of our control in this life you are simply wasting precious time if you let it bother you. [/quote]

I think you hit the nail on the head here.

With age, I have come to understand that it is impossible to prepare for everything and anything. Whether prepping for natural disaster, self-defense, civil disorder, or a lost in the woods survival situation, an honest assessment of a persons own vulnerabilities and capabilities is essential. Some of the considerations will be regional, based on weather and terrain, and some universal. Here's my short list:

1. Home invasion
2. Blizzard/wind
3. Extended power outage
4. Long term city water/gas delivery issues

Based on the historical record, i am primarily concerned with fires and earthquakes, facts of life in California. EQs, fortunately not an everyday occurrence, could be a big disrupter, messing up infrastructure and transportation and life in general for a significant period. Staying put is probably the best option, most of the time

Fires are relatively easy - grab your stuff and go. Of course, fires often occur in the aftermath of big quakes -???

You can't predict the future with any degree of certainty. I find a lot of the notions presented here on ETS very helpful and sensible in preparing to face the unknown.