While not the most important of things, it is nonetheless very important to have a maintenance plan for your emergency preparedness, or it may become obsolete and pointless to have gone to the trouble of preparing it all in the first place. For instance, the clothes you packed may no longer fit, or be seasonal. The food may be old or moldy, and the equipment uncharged. So here is the best plan I have. This was compiled from many different maintenance plans I have researched.
Things to do:
Annually or less - Go through the supplies as a family so everyone is familiar with the contents of the bins and how the stuff works. Keeping up to date your fitness and health. E.g if I have a dental problem, I look to it as soon as possible. Increase your knowledge of the area and the region, and in survival. Take or keep up with first aid certification. Change the batteries on your smoke alarms at least once a year. Conduct fire and emergency evacuation drills. Get training from the fire department on how to use your fire extinguisher (A-B-C type), and show family members where extinguishers are kept. Different extinguishers operate in different ways. Unless responsible family members know how to use your particular model, they may not be able to use it effectively. There is no time to read directions during an emergency. Only adults should handle and use extinguishers.
Teach all responsible family members how and when to turn off the water, gas, and electricity at the main switches or valves. Keep necessary tools near gas and water shut-off valves. Turn off utilities only if you suspect a leak or damaged lines, or if you are instructed to do so by authorities. If you turn the gas off, you will need a professional to turn it back on. Paint shut-off valves with white or fluorescent paint to increase visibility. Attach a shut-off valve wrench or other special tool in a conspicuous place close to the gas and water shut-off valves.
Things to do:
Annually or less - Go through the supplies as a family so everyone is familiar with the contents of the bins and how the stuff works. Keeping up to date your fitness and health. E.g if I have a dental problem, I look to it as soon as possible. Increase your knowledge of the area and the region, and in survival. Take or keep up with first aid certification. Change the batteries on your smoke alarms at least once a year. Conduct fire and emergency evacuation drills. Get training from the fire department on how to use your fire extinguisher (A-B-C type), and show family members where extinguishers are kept. Different extinguishers operate in different ways. Unless responsible family members know how to use your particular model, they may not be able to use it effectively. There is no time to read directions during an emergency. Only adults should handle and use extinguishers.
Teach all responsible family members how and when to turn off the water, gas, and electricity at the main switches or valves. Keep necessary tools near gas and water shut-off valves. Turn off utilities only if you suspect a leak or damaged lines, or if you are instructed to do so by authorities. If you turn the gas off, you will need a professional to turn it back on. Paint shut-off valves with white or fluorescent paint to increase visibility. Attach a shut-off valve wrench or other special tool in a conspicuous place close to the gas and water shut-off valves.
Quarterly - Change the water in rain barrels every 3 to 4 months to keep it fresh. Food should be checked for expiration dates, and flashlights and radio checked to ensure they are in working order.
Clothes, diapers and shoes for the children should be checked for size and replaced and all should be seasonal.
Clothes, diapers and shoes for the children should be checked for size and replaced and all should be seasonal.
Monthly - Add to your supplies monthly through a program called “The Q” at www.atozdisasterprep.com . "The Q" allows us to enter our family size and our goals for food storage to develop a plan tailored for us. Update the inventory and it's location in your supplies as it arrives. Develop and maintain an excel spread sheet that lists all of your supplies or use an Apple/Android application called Prep & pantry
http://prepandpantry.com/ to inventory your food and supplies. (This application allows you to scan an item, record its calories per serving, number of servings, expiration date, and location. It also allows for setting total inventory quantity goals and generates a shopping list of items needed to meet those goals.) Test your smoke alarms monthly.
With this done you can rest easy that you have calmly prepared, and are ready for nearly everything you can be ready for.
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