Thoughts on security
I read an excellent post today by hugh-mannity http://hugh-mannity.livejournal.com/456643.html that talked about Baghdad, totalitarianism, and survival, that had me thinking a bit.
Since 9/11, compounded by the threat of the Avian Bird Flu and the disaster (in all meanings of the word) that was Katrina, I find I’ve become more then a bit paranoid about the world in general, the US in particular, and am picking up a bit of the ‘survivalist’ mentality. To be honest, I’m not sure how much is healthy paranoia, and how much slips over into obsession or insanity.
A year or so back I read an excellent treatise on what a flu epidemic could mean, and how to survive one. In a box in an upstairs closet I now have: a printout of that treatise; an ear thermometer; canisters of sugar/salt/baking soda; containers of ibuprofen, Tylenol, tums; I didn’t bother putting aside a stock of tea, as I have plenty, nor am I concerned about my supply of linens. I do intend to add some water purifiers to the box though, and I keep a goodly back-stock of facial and toilet tissues. I suspect some wipes might be a useful addition as well.
While I have not yet acquired a 50-gallon drum for water storage, lacking a good storage point (plus, it would need to be periodically refreshed, as water goes stale, which is rather a waste), I still toy with the idea, as safe drinking water is generally the first risk to materialize when there is a disaster.
I have gradually accumulated at least a short-term supply of foods that don’t require refrigeration; I keep a back-supply of cat and dog food and personal toiletries. I am looking into purchasing a small solar stove - I have a grill, and need to be better about keeping propane at hand.
I can spin and crochet. I’ve thought about learning to weave. I can’t sew though. I have no weapons, and am unlikely to acquire any, as I don’t trust myself with a gun. Still, I DO trust sisca_mainacier with one, so have considered getting one anyway. I have plenty of blankets should we lose heat in winter; summer heat is harder to mitigate without air-conditioning, but good air-flow helps.
Given enough money, I would buy 20+ acres of land with a lake, build an off-grid home, store a years worth of food, and have a few farm animals. Failing that, I try to find other means of feeling safer.
What do you do to mitigate risk in your life?
Since 9/11, compounded by the threat of the Avian Bird Flu and the disaster (in all meanings of the word) that was Katrina, I find I’ve become more then a bit paranoid about the world in general, the US in particular, and am picking up a bit of the ‘survivalist’ mentality. To be honest, I’m not sure how much is healthy paranoia, and how much slips over into obsession or insanity.
A year or so back I read an excellent treatise on what a flu epidemic could mean, and how to survive one. In a box in an upstairs closet I now have: a printout of that treatise; an ear thermometer; canisters of sugar/salt/baking soda; containers of ibuprofen, Tylenol, tums; I didn’t bother putting aside a stock of tea, as I have plenty, nor am I concerned about my supply of linens. I do intend to add some water purifiers to the box though, and I keep a goodly back-stock of facial and toilet tissues. I suspect some wipes might be a useful addition as well.
While I have not yet acquired a 50-gallon drum for water storage, lacking a good storage point (plus, it would need to be periodically refreshed, as water goes stale, which is rather a waste), I still toy with the idea, as safe drinking water is generally the first risk to materialize when there is a disaster.
I have gradually accumulated at least a short-term supply of foods that don’t require refrigeration; I keep a back-supply of cat and dog food and personal toiletries. I am looking into purchasing a small solar stove - I have a grill, and need to be better about keeping propane at hand.
I can spin and crochet. I’ve thought about learning to weave. I can’t sew though. I have no weapons, and am unlikely to acquire any, as I don’t trust myself with a gun. Still, I DO trust sisca_mainacier with one, so have considered getting one anyway. I have plenty of blankets should we lose heat in winter; summer heat is harder to mitigate without air-conditioning, but good air-flow helps.
Given enough money, I would buy 20+ acres of land with a lake, build an off-grid home, store a years worth of food, and have a few farm animals. Failing that, I try to find other means of feeling safer.
What do you do to mitigate risk in your life?