January 1 is a really dumb time to start a year. Seriously, you’ve just passed over a nice, handy, logical solstice, and now you’re starting a new year — exactly why?<\/p>\n
But there you have it. <\/p>\n
I used to make resolutions on my birthday. Or the solstice. Either of which provides a good marker for newness. But since this is the time when such things are done in public, here I am.<\/p>\n
Today’s list of resolutions (there may be more to come, depending on time and mood) has to do with preparedness. Got some additional suggestions? Add ’em in the comments.<\/p>\n
Preparedness resolutions for 2012<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. I will check my bug-out kit, my bug-in supplies, and my vehicle emergency kit twice a year. I’ll make sure I know what’s in there and how to use it. I’ll add items as needed.<\/p>\n 2. Twice a year (New Year and Independence Day seem like good times, though solstices or equinoxes also make sense) I’ll swap out all human and pet food in the car kit and bug-out bag.<\/p>\n 3. Twice a year I’ll change out my stored water supplies.<\/p>\n 4. Once a year (in fall when canned goods are on sale), I’ll rotate the food in my bug-in supplies, remembering to write dates on new items as they go in.<\/p>\n 5. I’ll build a better first-aid kit even though the thought makes my stomach go queasy. I’ll put dates on any perishable items that go into it.<\/p>\n 6. Every time I do a major monthly grocery shop, I’ll buy $20 worth of durable and easy-to-prepare canned or packaged food for the bug-in kit and for the longer term.<\/p>\n 7. This year I’ll figure out how to build a good “walking around kit” of tools and supplies that I can carry on me in case an emergency hits while I’m walking the dogs or walking around town doing errands.<\/p>\n 8. I’ll work on at least one new skill a month, with emphasis on those that I’m nervous about.<\/p>\n 9. At least once a month, I’ll add an item to my long-term preparedness supplies; it can be big or small depending on my finances at the time, but it will be something long lasting and useful even (or especially) if TSHTF.<\/p>\n 10. Except for the fact that I’m writing about it in front of the entire Internet and therefore putting it on my dreaded Permanent Record, and except for encouraging friends to build their own emergency supplies, I’ll keep my darned mouth shut about it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" January 1 is a really dumb time to start a year. Seriously, you’ve just passed over a nice, handy, logical solstice, and now you’re starting a new year — exactly why? But there you have it. I used to make resolutions on my birthday. Or the solstice. Either of which provides a good marker for newness. But since this is the time when such things are done in public, here I am. Today’s list of resolutions (there may be more to come, depending on time and mood) has to do with preparedness. Got some additional suggestions? Add ’em in the…<\/p>\n