We had a power failure yesterday afternoon that lasted for many hours. It's 96 degrees here, and while we don't use air-conditioning, we do like to have our fan running in the bedroom. The Generator was hooked up and worked fine for the "critical" loads (Fridge, Freezer, Well Pump and Septic Pump) but I was a bit disappointed in myself for not having batteries dedicated to emergency supplies - yes, I was actually caught with (gasp) dead batteries in a lantern. How embarassing. I did have spares from the shop - but really, how could this have happened?

The way it happened was, about a year ago, I needed batteries "just for now" and rather than getting some from the store, I did what we're all always tempted to do - I pulled them from the emergency kit "for now" and forgot to replace them.

I used to "lock" my emergency kits with nylon wire ties...I'm going back to that.

Why just for emergencies? You need to keep a stock of all the batteries you normally use on hand at all times. I use a plastic toolbox to keep batteries, spare bulbs, battery testers, mantels, spare and wick for oil lamps. It’s basically a box to maintain my battery or oil powered lighting equipment and to store batteries.

That is a good idea. Its always the simple things that seem to escape you. I have the "junk drawer" syndrome where there seems to be a place in every room where I keep the things I might need. Then when I do it involves a 20 minute hunt. One box, everything I need. And now the wife won't have to hear me complain anymore.. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Costco is your friend. :-)

I have more batteries than I'll use in three years in a drawer in the kitchen. It's the one area of my hurricane prep that I've easily overdone.

But you speak absolute wisdom in general terms... it's tempting to borrow all kinds of things from the emergency supplies.

I am often tempted to "cough" "cough" test my MRE's. They are just to good and those fun minimus items. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Although they have a very long shelf life, they DO have a shelf life. You should be rotating them anyways. What better way than by "testing" them? Same thing for many of the other consumables in your kit, such as batteries, first aid supplies, even duct tape.

They probably don't need to be rotated on a weekly basis, however - and that's about how often I'm tempted to rotate them...

You should keep your "household" spare batteries in the fridge, they'll keep longer. (The cold slows down the chemical reaction).

The "why didn't I think of that" idea. Great tip!

I am scrounging up a plastic bin tonight. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />