Hi all. I have a question and hope this doesn't become too lengthy LOL. I'll try to keep it as short and concise as possible. I am working on prepping in the city right now, which is where I live. I rent my house, do not own a car, and I am a single mom. I also have a load of debt. I have decided to work on paying off the debt as a priority, something I will set in motion next week. I have been debating on whether I will ultimately move out to the country or stay in the city. There are pros and cons to each, but I think as a single woman, the country might feel too isolating for me, plus it would require me to get a car. Also, the SHTF might really take off before I can get out to the country, so I might end up stuck in the city whether I want to be or not. I am hoping to be able to buy a house in 3-5 years.
My thinking at this point is to put my money and efforts into city prepping. I am a big believer in developing survival skills, such as hunting, foraging, water purification, and building shelter, because if anyone does steal my stores we can still survive and not be completely helpless. But I also plan to defend what I have and am going to be learning archery, a very fun and cool skill that can also put food on the table if need be. I want to put some of my $$ toward that and one or two good archery sets, but also toward making our home as ready as possible for SHTF. I can currently grown my own food and preserve, make candles, knit, and do various other things and plan to learn more skills as time goes on.
What are your thoughts on car vs. city prepping. My girls and I all have bikes and will have bug out bags and can split if need be on those or on foot. I am also working on building community with other preppers here in the city, which will be helpful.
Anyway, this turned into a bit of a ramble, but any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.
As far as I'm concerned, some prepping is better then none at all. Sounds like you have a plan and are working it.
When it comes to city preps, I'd say learn and know where and how to work all your shutoffs - water, gas, etc - just in case you need to do that. Also, learn how to take the water from the water heater - it's potable water in the event you lose water coming into the house and it's usually a minimum of 40 gallons.
If your stove is electric or gas, figure out a way to cook if that source is unavailable.
For a start on some security, if I was a renter and a city dweller, I'd see if I could plant thorny things under ground accessible windows. Most landlords have no trouble with tenants planting on the property, as long as it's not unsightly. Something like raspberry's would work. I'd also look to securing up entry doors a little more. Most entry door frames could use more and longer screws in them. And a deadbolt lock (or two) never hurts, and if there isn't one on the door, landlords usually have no problem with them being added (as long as they get a key copy) because insurance companies rarely object to such a feature.
Oh, and it never ever hurts to have renter's insurance.
Runs With Scissors
Runswithscissors brings up some great ideas about making do with what you have, and prepare based on that reality.
I'll try and add a bit to it here:
Water - good idea about the hot water tank, but remember that water may not be potable as-is and should be boiled. You should never drink warm water straight from the tap because your water heater might be old and have rust and sediment in it which can taint the water.
Food - buy more of the things that you normally eat (assuming they're not perishable) when they're on sale. Stock up.
Shelter - if you are staying put, then look at what you might need to do so. One idea for city preppers that I haven't read before is this: Heat in the winter is a particularly hard thing for renters in a city to deal with during a power outage. My suggestion is to buy a small tent just big enough for you and your kids to sleep in. The tent needs to be small enough to be set up in-doors. The small tent space will help retain body heat just from you all inside it. Make sure everyone has an adequate sleeping bag. The tent will keep you alive in the dead of winter inside your apartment. Outside the tent you can use small emergency cookers to warm water and food.
Sanitation - Get one of those toilet seat lids that fits a 5 gallon pail. Use some food grade 5 gallon pails to store your food in. As you empty food out of the pails, you have new places to put your waste. You can use cat litter to keep the smell down in the pail you're using. Keep wet wipes around to wash your hands, and lysol wipes to clean up messes. More people die from poor sanitation and disease than anything else, so keep clean.
Medical - All the usual stuff, plus extras of whatever you use most. Maybe add some supplies for cuts or burns that you would normally go to the hospital for. The hospital is the last place I'd want to visit in an emergency!
Security - depends on your situation, but if you can't stop unwanted entry then you at least want to slow it down. Personally, I like keeping a sheet of plywood riddled with nails sticking through it around. Simply lay it down in the path of the unwanted and you've at least given them something to think about.
Comfort - Keep card games, board games, etc... around. It can pass the time and keep you and your kids minds and hands occupied.
There's lots more I'm sure, but that's all I can think of right now.
Anyone else?
Start here http://www.getprepared.gc.ca/ and build up once you have the cash. Most items recommend on that site are affordable or you already own it. Also make sure you have renters insurance it's usually less then $15 a month
livingpower,
After re-reading your request and the answers you have receives so far I just wanted to touch on having bugout bags.
You have received good advice so far, and expect you will receive more.
You have a plan and you are determined to follow it. GOOD!! Debit free is never wrong. As long as you can eat and stay warm, paying down debt is a good goal. Once you are free, try to stay free. Living in the country does not mean you have to be strangled with a $500,000 mortgage. But I digress.
Bugout bags or evacuation bags. The purpose of these handy items is not to bugout, contrary to the name. The primary purpose of a bugout bag is having the bare basics covered and ready to go in a moments notice. When stored near your exit it can be grabbed on the run, when you evacuate your home. Say, 0300 when some clown 3 apartments down starts the building on fire because he was smoking in bed. You will not have time to pack. You need a pre-packed bag for each person in your home. Although, you may have read some of the threads that go into great detail of the kit/gear in these type of bags, the most important items when fleeing a house fire is to have copies of ALL your important documents - driver's license (I remember you do not have a car at the moment), passports, insurance papers, banking information, mortgage papers if you have own, land title, birth certificates, family photos on an external hard drive, will, PAL/RPAL, fishing and hunting licenses, etc.
Of course, some cash is a good idea, emergency contact list or a address book just for the bugout bags. A cell phone. If you could find a calling card that does not expire that would be a good item to carry.
The basics should be prepacked. Clothes that fit. Kids clothes should be checked at least twice a year, kids grow so fast.
Footwear for long walks. Sox- wool and polypro liners. Water bottles. Pot for heating water. Some food. Stove and fuel. A knife. A multi-tool. Shelter - tarp or tent. First aid kit. And most important the best sleeping bags you can afford, upgrade when you can. Bivy bags if you can afford them.
I am sure I am forgetting a few things.
Take care. And keep us posted on your progress.
Mountainman.