Are you stocking up the house?

My first thought was 'Granny will have to cut back!' I think she has 3 MONTHS worth of canned tomatoes and pasta, and 3 YEARS worth of ground coffee.

Seriously though, we haven't stocked up, but will probably do something in the way of preparedness. Hubby did order the (free) FEMA handbook on disaster preparedness which is not specifically terrorism, but natural disasters too.

My reasoning for preparedness is that most of what they recommend is what is recommended for any natural disaster like an ice/snow storm, tornado, earthquake or hurricane that can shut the roads and disrupt power. When we lost power in MA in the winter for a 24 hours, I sure was glad to have an oil lamp, flashlights and a battery operated TV. Consider that in event of a serious attack there may be curfews & restrictions in which they tell everyone to stay off the roads - it doesn't hurt to have a little extra on hand.

I consider having the first aid supplies, medications, and important paperwork readied to be one of the more important suggestions. One of my New Years resolutions I've been working on is to have the important stuff easily accessible so I could evacuate quickly if necessary, for whatever reason - even a house fire. This point was well made when so many in the West faced forest fires this past year and were forced to choose the important things to go into the car or truck. One web site listed some of the silly, replaceable stuff that people put in their trucks (like a TV set) and how they left behind important, irreplacable family photos because they were not thinking clearly under the stress. I plan to be prepared. It's easier than having regrets later.

As for the duct tape and plastic, all they are suggesting there is that you can minimize your exposure to toxic gases and biological compounds and chemicals by sealing yourself into an interior room. It's not supposed to protect you from radiation dangers, but if a dust cloud filled with nasty stuff is headed your way it may help you stay protected until it passes. For a few dollars, I'd rather be better safe than sorry.

I am so happy that this thread came up!! I seriously thought I was the only person that wasn't running out to the store...


although deb, we have a house in AZ in the desert and DH said (in passing conversation) that we would go there if anything went 'down'


actually since I am moving..I'm trying to eat all the food in our house...

Well I'm the oddball too. We have two Gas Masks and two Chem suits. We also have iodine tablets so we can drink the water if their is a problem along with bottled water, and plenty of canned goods.

Also, the duct tape and sheething actually if done properly can protect you from radiation which is why we have it, along with about 3 days worth of supplies because that is all it would take for a clean up.

The gas masks and chem suits stay mostly in the apartment and go with us to work and what not.

I dunno, call us strange since were not even in NY or philly anymore and are in Pensacola.

But alas, Dh is military and his numerous pilot survival trainings are coming in very handy.

Basically if it is biological and spread then we are all screwed but for eveything else hopefully we are under control.

I think everyone is foolish to say ' nope, not giving into fear'.
What does being prepared have to do with 'giving into anything'
It's one thing to stop traveling and doing the things you want to do.. thats giving into fear, it's another to just have some things in the house Just incase.
Being prepared for the worst is being smart.

Different opinions... that's what makes the world go 'round...

I'll gladly join the ranks of the oddballs.
My pantry has been beefed up with more than our usual amount of non perishables and water. To me buying a few cans of veggies or beans is not living in fear. Heck I stocked up right before winter in case we had a killer snow storm or something. Having my emergency supplies and a full tank of gas in my car has given me the most peace since all this started. Not having the necessities, now that gives me fear.

Next Sunday I am also going to the Elementary school in my town to pickup our ration of Potassium Iodide tablets. We are within 10 miles of Indian Point Nuclear facility. Better safe than sorry.

Don't live on a base, live close enough to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Naval Air Station whiting Field, Englin AFB, and Tyndall AFB. We are just protecting ourseleves from what ifs.

Actually 3 Gallons of water can do alot if you ration it properly. Also, idoine tablets can make unsafe water drinkable.

I'm not up on LI, and the news is probably sensationalizing everything anyway and reporting things incorrecly. Heck, I have a friend who said she is afriad to made her house Air tight if she had to because she would run out of air! Which is untrue because it would seriously take a long long time.

But anyways, today should be a very interesting day and the alerts are heighten because of it.

I'm just happy to not be working on capital hill, a good friend does and she has her gov't issued gas mask under her desk!

Scary stuff, I just hope we get Saddam real early in the war, because he is a jacka$$ and stupid and is just a killer and I'm very afraid of what he can do.