Question from a newbie, why not milk jugs?

I have a bunch of gallon milk jugs as I buy whole milk for my daughter. However my family doesn't drink soda or bottled water, so I don't have a free supply of any other type of bottle or jug.

-Kuovonne

I accumulate supplies like this: when I go to the drugstore for a prescription, I will buy some first aid thing, like aluminum finger splint, occlusive eye patch, burn dressing, etc. At the hardware store, hacksaw & reciprocating saw blades, drill bits etc. This spreads the pain out & I know I will need this stuff eventually (at least the hardware).

t.

Disaster supplies on a budget

While i don't agree 100% with this list, it is a good start as a guide in buying supplies on a budget. Not sure where I found it.
Stu

Week 1 (Grocery Store)

________ 1 gallon water*
________ 1 jar peanut butter
________ 1 large can juice*
________ 1 can meat*
________ Hand-operated can opener
________ Permanent marking pen
Also, if needed:

________ Pet food
________ Diapers
________ Baby food
To Do:

________ Find out what kinds of disasters can happen in your area.
________ Date each perishable food item using marking pen.


Week 2 (Hardware Store)

________ Heavy cotton or hemp rope
________ Duct tape
________ 2 flashlights with batteries
________ Matches in waterproof container
Also, if needed:

________ A leash or carrier for your pet
To Do:

________ Complete a personal assessment of your needs and your resources for meeting your needs in a changed disaster environment.


Week 3 (Grocery Store)

________ 1 gallon water*
________ 1 can meat*
________ 1 can fruit*
________ Feminine hygiene supplies
________ Paper and pencil
________ Map of the area
________ Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever
________ Laxative
Also, if needed:

________ 1 gallon of water for each pet
To Do:

________ Create a personal support network who can help you identify and obtain the resources you will need to cope effectively with disaster.


Week 4 (Hardware Store)

________ Patch kit and can of seal-in-air product for the tires of mobility aids
________ Signal flare
________ Compass
To Do:

________ Gather extra medications and prescriptions, mark them "for emergency use."
________ Develop a personal disaster plan.
________ Give copies of the following lists to your network: emergency information list, medical information list, disability-related supplies and special equipment list, and personal disaster plan.


Week 5 (Grocery Store)

________ 1 gallon water*
________ 1 can meat*
________ 1 can fruit*
________ 1 can vegetables*
________ 2 rolls toilet paper
________ Extra toothbrush
________ Travel size toothpaste
Also, if needed:

________ Special food for special diets
To Do:

________ Make a floor plan of your home including primary escape routes.
________ Identify safe places to go to in case of fire, earthquake, tornado, hurricane and flood.
________ Practice a fire drill and other pertinent disaster drills for your area (tornado, earthquake, etc.) with your network.


Week 6 (First Aid Supplies)

________ Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
________ Safety pins
________ Adhesive tape
________ Latex gloves
________ Sunscreen
________ Gauze pads
________ Sterile roller bandages
Also, if needed:

________ Extra hearing aid batteries
To Do:

________ Check with child's day care center or school to find out about their disaster plans.
________ Ask your local emergency management office if emergency transportation services are available in case of evacuation.


Week 7 (Grocery Store)

________ 1 gallon water*
________ 1 can ready-to-eat soup (not concentrated)*
________ 1 can fruit*
________ 1 can vegetables*
________ Sewing kit
________ Disinfectant
Also, if needed:

________ Extra plastic baby bottles
________ Formula
________ Diapers
To Do:

________ Establish an out-of-town contact to call in case of emergency.
________ Share this information with your network so they know whom to call.
________ Make arrangements for your network to check on you immediately after an evacuation order or a disaster.


Week 8 (First Aid Supplies)

________ Scissors
________ Tweezers
________ Thermometer
________ Liquid antibacterial hand soap
________ Disposable hand wipes
________ Needles
________ Petroleum jelly or other lubricant
________ 2 tongue blades
Also, if needed:

________ Extra eyeglasses (put in first aid kit)
To Do:

________ Place a pair of sturdy shoes and a flashlight by your bed so they are handy in an emergency.
________ If blind, store a talking clock and one or more extra white canes.
________ If blind, mark your disaster supplies in braille or with fluorescent tape.


Week 9 (Grocery Store)

________ 1 can ready-to-eat soup*
________ Liquid dish soap
________ Household chlorine bleach
________ 1 box heavy-duty garbage bags with ties
________ Antacid (for stomach upset)
Also, if needed:

________ Saline solution
________ Contact lens case
To Do:

________ Familiarize your network with any areas on your body where you have reduced sensation.
________ Choose a signal with your network that indicates you are okay and have left the disaster site.
________ If you have a communication disability, store a word or letter board in your disaster supplies kit.


Week 10 (Hardware Store)

________ Waterproof portable plastic container (with lid) for important papers
________ Battery-powered radio
________ Wrench(es) needed to turn off utilities
To Do:

________ Take your network on a field trip to the gas meter and water meter shutoffs. Discuss when it is appropriate to turn off utilities.
________ Attach a wrench next to the cutoff valve of each utility meter so it will be there when needed.
________ Make photocopies of important papers and store safely.


Week 11 (Grocery Store)

________ 1 large can juice*
________ Large plastic food bags
________ 1 box quick energy snacks
________ 3 rolls paper towels
________ Medicine dropper
To Do:

________ Store a roll of quarters for emergency phone calls.
________ Go on a hunt with your family to find a pay phone that is close to your home.
________ Test your smoke detector(s). Replace the battery in each detector that does not work.


Week 12 (Animal Care Store)

________ Extra harness, leash, ID tags and food for your service animal and/or pets
________ Litter/pan
________ Extra water
From your veterinarian:

________ Obtain current vaccinations and medical records of your animal(s)
________ Medications
To Do:

________ Develop a pet care plan in case of disaster.
________ Make photocopies of all vaccination records and put them in your disaster supplies kit.
________ Put extra animal harness, leash and identification tag(s) in your disaster supplies kit.


Week 13 (Hardware Store)

________ Whistle
________ Pliers
________ Screwdriver
________ Hammer
________ Perforated metal tape (sometimes called plumber's tape or strap iron)
________ Crow bar
To Do:

________ Take a first aid/CPR class from your local Red Cross.
________ Arrange to have your water heater strapped to wall studs using perforated metal tape.


Week 14 (Grocery Store)

________ 1 can fruit*
________ 1 can meat*
________ 1 can vegetables*
________ 1 package eating utensils
________ 1 package paper cups
To Do:

________ Make sure your network and neighbors know what help you may need in an emergency and how best to assist.
________ Practice using alternate methods of evacuation with your network.


Week 15 (Hardware Store)

________ Extra flashlight batteries
________ Extra battery for portable radio
________ Assorted nails
________ Wood screws
________ Labels for your equipment and supplies
To Do:

________ Make arrangements to bolt bookcases and cabinets to wall studs.
________ Label equipment and attach instruction cards.


Week 16 (Grocery Store)

________ 1 can meat*
________ 1 can vegetables*
________ 1 box facial tissue
________ 1 box quick energy snacks
________ Dried fruit/nuts
To Do:

________ Find out if you have a neighborhood safety organization and join it.
________ Develop a disaster supplies kit for your car or van.


Week 17 (Grocery Store)

________ 1 box graham crackers
________ Assorted plastic containers with lids
________ Dry cereal
First Aid Supplies:

________ Antidiarrheal medication
________ Rubbing alcohol
________ Antiseptic
________ Syrup of ipecac and activated charcoal
To Do:

________ Arrange for a friend or neighbor to help your children if you are not able to respond or are at work.


Week 18 (Hardware Store)

________ Child-proof latches or other fasteners for your cupboards
________ Double-sided tape or hook-and-loop fasteners (such as Velcro®) to secure moveable objects
________ Plastic bucket with tight lid
________ Plastic sheeting
To Do:

________ Arrange for someone to install latches on cupboards and secure moveable objects.
________ Put away a blanket or sleeping bag for each household member.


Week 19 (Grocery Store)

________ 1 box quick-energy snacks
________ Comfort foods (such as cookies, candy bars)
________ Plastic wrap
________ Aluminum foil
Also, if needed:

________ Denture care items
To Do:

________ Review your insurance coverages with your agent to be sure you are covered for the disasters that may occur in your area. Obtain additional coverage, as needed.
________ Purchase and have installed an emergency escape ladder for upper story windows, if needed.


Week 20 (Hardware Store)

________ Camping or utility knife
________ Work gloves
________ Safety goggles
________ Disposable dust masks
________ 2 blank videocassettes
Specialty Store:

________ An extra battery for motorized mobility aids
To Do:

________ Use a video camera to tape the contents of your home for insurance purposes.
________ Make a copy of the videotape and send to an out-of-town friend or family member.
________ Find out about your workplace disaster plan.

I found this article:

Taking Baby Steps in Preparedness

I'm sure there are many more like it out there.

-- Craig

It's a santiation issue. In a disaster, or personal emergency, managing the spread of disease, bacteria and viruses is a priority. If you are having a "disaster" or "personal emergency" that means that access to advanced health care is limited, or non-existent.

Most liquids require refridgeration after being opened to prevent the growth of bacteria. Yes, water in those little "water coolers" can be consumed warm because bacteria can't get up from the spot and into the bottle very easily. However, putting water into a bottle that held a substance that must be refridgerated at all times, is a bad idea. You'll never be able to adequately clean and disinfect the bottle, without contaiminating the water you put in it.

I like this as an idea, because a plan without deadlines is more like a dream.

Not quite right... chlorine does wonders... it has more to do with milk jugs not holding up to decomposition as well as pop bottles. For what it's worth, I've used milk jugs for short term, and they work just fine. While I wouldn't want to stock up a hundred gallons of water in milk jugs in a closet and forget about it for six months, I'd much rather have thirty or forty gallons that I regularly inspect than none, if the H2O quits coming out of the tap.

Just my two cents.

Troy

I'm going to have to agree with the previous post for the reasons I don't use milk jugs. They are more porous in nature than the plastic of a pop bottle and I have never been able to deal with the fact that I might still be drinking water with month old milk in it...despite using bleach and soap and water...plus in my area, the milk comes with a crappy snap on lid, not as robust as a 2 liter pop bottle.

Now having said that, pop bottle aren't the only things..I regulary have the wife buy us a jug of Minute Maid Orange Juice or some other flavor..they have GREAT jugs. Heavy plastic, food grade and easily cleaned. I have several of these still in operation from the early 90's. If your child has ever used Pedialyte...those are great for water storage too.

Even if you don't buy or consume pop...a neighbor probably does...just tell them that you are working on a project with your child and need some, or you are collecting them for a plastic drive, or you are starting a home garden..anything to get that free supply. And they will probably be glad to get rid of them. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I use the one gallon vinegar jugs. They are much more robust than milk jugs and it only takes a minute of rinsing to clean them out.

Regards, Vince

Looks like this has been covered well. FWIW, here's my generic "getting started" list.
The Basics.

1/2 tank of gas in cars at all time.
Flashlight and radio with extra batteries and bulbs.
FAK
Water
Shoes, flashlight and keys (EDC stuff) at bedside.
Have a plan

Home

A planned meeting place outside the home and in the neighborhood.
A wallet size phone list, outside of area contact person/plan.
Know what school & daycare will do.
Have a meeting place away from home, incase you can't get to your house.
Do the basics.
More water
Food that rerquires little or no cooking and stores well. Buy what you will eat.
Box or bag with kid stuff.
Flashlight & LED keychain for each person.
Box with TP, garbage bags, hand wipes hand sanitizer, paper plates , can opener, SAK, multi tool,etc.
Gas shut off wrench
Extra or old pair of glasses
Cash in small bills.
CARS

1/2 tank of gas at all times.
Flashlight and extra batteries
FAK
Flares
Jumper cables, long ones are better.
Know how to change a flat tire.
Adapter to charge cell phone.
Map of area and state.
Box or daysack with food, water, hats, gloves, socks, space blankets and kid stuff.

Details

Windup/Rechargeable radio and lantern
More water and a way to purify water.
More food, rotate it every year or two.
Add to FAK . Any normal medications that you use.
Pet food, water, collar, ,leash, ID tags, photo, travel crate.
Add to kids box.
Way to cook and serve food. Disposable utencils, dish soap, etc.
Fire extinguishers, hoses long enough to reach entire house.
Small bag to keep at school.
Copies of ID, etc, important documents stored outside of home and online
Write up the plan, involve the kids.

Nice to have

More water, cash, batteries.
BOB for each person stored outside of house.With change of clothing.
Fuel, chainsaw, generator.

Don't forget the can openers.

Dave