Do you have enough food and supplies to keep yourself and your family healthy in case of an emergency? I am not talking about M16s for every member of the family, and enough ammo to keep away hordes of looters (although that isn't a bad idea). I am talking about food (that doesn't need refrigeration), water, heating/cooking fuel, medical supplies, and the like. A natural disaster can hit any part of the world at any time. Governmental and social disasters can also hit anywhere there are other people. You should keep enough food to feed your whole family for a week or two at least. If anyone in your house is dependent on any medical supplies, be sure to keep ahead on purchasing them, as well. As has been shown rather graphically time after time, government will not come to your rescue, and may actually make the problem much worse as it did in New Orleans after Katrina.
You should also get a kit together in the event of having to leave your house without warning. Called a "Bug-Out Bag" this should have enough to keep you going for at least 72 hours. Even some of the mainstream media have begun to mention disaster preparedness as something Americans should think about. You are responsible for your own safety. No government cares as much about you as you do. Any preparations are better than none.
Here is a partial listing of the contents of my personal Bug-Out Bag:
BACKPACK to carry it all
Shelter: wool blanket
Water: Purification tablets
6 Bottles of water
Food:Jerky
Parched corn
6 energy bars
Fire: Magnesium fire starter
6 Candles
3 Sterno
Dry tinder
Fatwood
Health: Toilet paper
BandAids
Antibiotic ointment
Listerine
Aspirin
Extra clothing
Cotton Balls
Q-Tips
Baking Soda
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Security: Folding knife
Sharpening stone
Hand-powered flashlight
Wind-up alarm clock
Money
