Prepping in an Apartment

Any chance your selling stuff CSG?...oh wait I see your from BC..step away from the bong...just back away...
quote]

Ouch, what did I say to deserve that. Didnt know that there were mean people on this forum, guess I was wrong.
FYI, have I asked anyone to buy anything from me? do I have an article explaining anything I sell. NOPE

Woops guess you didnt do your homework, I am not selling anything here. you be the fool peppercorn and sounds like you will be in an emergency too.

I was explaining that in a real emergency situation most stores do run out of goods within 3 hours as they are set up on a just in time system to replenish stock. Look in the back of the store and you will see no reseve inventory just waiting for people like peppercorn who think this is a joke to go and buy some stuff in a major emergency.

Look at any of the hurricanes in the last many years and stores, gas stations and supply depots run out of stock within 3 hours. But then again I guess in we have been numbed by what really happens in an emercency as we have not had that many in Canada as of yet.

Look at any of the hurricanes in the last many years and stores, gas stations and supply depots run out of stock within 3 hours. But then again I guess in we have been numbed by what really happens in an emercency as we have not had that many in Canada as of yet.

I have to disagree a bit. I think we're seeing stores run out of (select) stock so quickly when there's a storm or emergency warning precisely because Canadians are paying more attention to what's going on in the world.

I was in Peterborough - in the middle of the Kawarthas, 'land of lakes' - this summer during one of their storm warnings for a system that was expected to last 5-8 days and knock out power for most of central ontario. I was visiting family who aren't preppers by intent, but do tend to have a very well stocked house - except for water reserves.

So i offered to go to Walmart nearby and get some huge water jugs. The storm warning was issued at 11am on a Friday. I went out at 6:30pm Fri night and Walmart was out of all forms of water and running low on all but the most weird and obscure canned and packaged foods. I found out from friends that the Metro & Sobeys in the north end of Ptbo were in the same bad shape.

I was stunned that so many people, from 'the land of lakes' didn't have better fresh water stores. Anyways, i went up Chemong rd a couple kms to where i knew there was a guy who lets ppl fill their water jugs at his underground spring swell. Next time, i'm sending my wife out to shop during an emergency warning. Then maybe she won't mock me for always having a 5g water jug full, in the back of our vehicles.

I used to have an awesome apartment, like a stronghold. Only way in was three flights of stairs. Before that it was a steel barred door. In the back I had a fire escape going down one story, with another massive fire escape and steel gate. Easily defensible. Only thing is it was i the center of downtown Toronto, so once you bugged in, you might have to stay there for a while.

Now I live in the border of Etobicoke. It's not easily barricaded, but much less obvious. Very nice, family orientated neighbourhood. However we have had a pair of shoes stolen out back. I plan on buying window locks, for two windows in my room in particular, and another one or two of these http://www.homehardware.ca/en/cat/search/_/N-2pqfZ67l/Ne-67n/Ntk-All_EN?Ntt=jimmyproof

I feel I'm in the final stages of my bug out or get home bag. It's realistic, and I carry it everywhere. I'm gonna be making a post soon enough. Only thing I need is a proper medkit with specific things, like a ventilator, gauze, tensor bandage, maybe sam splints, screw anything that's not life threatening, I'm preparing for stab wounds, gun shots, and serious trauma only, as these things can happen at any given time or place in this city. My bag is only 30 litres, and I still have lots of room to carry clothes and extra food and water, and I want to keep it that way.

As it is, I'm prepping for the ebola right now, state of emergency or not. I just bought a really tall and fast touring bike to minimize contact with others, as I'm usually crammed shoulder to shoulder and face to face with hundreds of people on buses, subways etc. I'm not sure if my roommates noticed yet but I'm also starting to stock large amounts of non perishables.

I used to have an awesome apartment, like a stronghold. Only way in was three flights of stairs. Before that it was a steel barred door. In the back I had a fire escape going down one story, with another massive fire escape and steel gate. Easily defensible. ...

I plan on buying window locks, for two windows in my room in particular, and another one or two of these http://www.homehardware.ca/en/cat/search/_/N-2pqfZ67l/Ne-67n/Ntk-All_EN?Ntt=jimmyproof

I mentioned it earlier, and feel it's important to stress again because of your post - I can get into ANY commercially built house or apartment in less than 5 mins, with an 8lbs sledge.

How secure your doors or windows are with your aftermarket products is irrelevant. The weak points are the walls themselves. I can bash and rip through brick, block, siding, plywood, insulation, spray foam, vapor barrier and drywall in minutes. Please don't ever think you're secure in an urban environment.

The walls between most apartments is just 4-6 inches.

In testing, the only wall types to hold me up/tire me out were large stone & mortar or log builds. Which is why my BOL is being hand-built with a combination of both.

I used to have an awesome apartment, like a stronghold. Only way in was three flights of stairs. Before that it was a steel barred door. In the back I had a fire escape going down one story, with another massive fire escape and steel gate. Easily defensible. ...

I plan on buying window locks, for two windows in my room in particular, and another one or two of these http://www.homehardware.ca/en/cat/search/_/N-2pqfZ67l/Ne-67n/Ntk-All_EN?Ntt=jimmyproof

I mentioned it earlier, and feel it's important to stress again because of your post - I can get into ANY commercially built house or apartment in less than 5 mins, with an 8lbs sledge.

How secure your doors or windows are with your aftermarket products is irrelevant. The weak points are the walls themselves. I can bash and rip through brick, block, siding, plywood, insulation, spray foam, vapor barrier and drywall in minutes. Please don't ever think you're secure in an urban environment.

The walls between most apartments is just 4-6 inches.

In testing, the only wall types to hold me up/tire me out were large stone & mortar or log builds. Which is why my BOL is being hand-built with a combination of both.

Oh I know buddy. I can brake into almost any house, even without force, and it's not hard to just run through a door.

The reason I mentioned all that stuff is because to be honest, I just moved in, and the landlord has really let this place go. Right now, there is a massive window without a lock I can crawl through without breaking anything. There is an entrance way with a door without a lock and one small bolt on the door. For an apartment house in regular times, it is completely devoid of any security measures, let alone SHTF.

We probably got 600 homes in the square kilometer around mine. No kidding, with much richer people, so hopefully people would loot elsewhere. I can't see any real reason people would be swarming my home, it's pretty run down. I'm not too worried about it. I got everything I really need in my pack, and my bike, which is fast and ideal for urban travel and escape but it's used. Like any equipment, it just needs good and regular maintenance.

Your cracking me up CGS.... while I make fun of stuff, its the volume, you can have so much stuff you choke on it and it will do you no good, you can divert all your resourses to stuff and never have enough, I say put some of that effort to your mind/skills and developing relationships. Fear is toxic to judgement, and perception, and by the time I am thinking that the moment a store runs out of stock its 3 hrs to armgedden...well my mind is being poisoned by something, I start to wonder by who and what are they selling....that power failure in Quebec that they said was cme related was something like 9 hours before full power was restored, places with stores fully locked up, gas stations not pumping.... already 3 times longer than what your fearful of...and just think some people could have fallen asleep got some rest, woke up and would never have known there had been a power failure...other than the flashing time on the vcr to tell them..grrrr.
Been through a tornado in Edmonton..know what people did..they helped each other, oh god no the socialists/ communists.
Who do you think are filling sand bags in winipeg during flooding...yea the people living there...often going longer than 3 hrs without going to a store or watching dancing with the stars...its true I am not making it up...though why they keep doing that is another matter....
If you said three days...ok...fine...whatever...but 3 hrs...and its planet of the apes time? and I dont think it means people are underprepared...you see a empty shelf, or see them empty out after a storm notice..thats good, sure there should be more stock but as with everything people buy more if they think there might be a shortage...I hear the price of gas might go up I top up the truck even though I have more gas at home, Somepeople hear there is a ammo shortage and keep buying more every chance they get even if the safe is full.... I call that better distibution, the stock is now spread out amounst the population.
I am from Victoria...we both know its true, and you dont have to partake to become paranoid....its in the air, maybe water supply by now.

drwkids;
Let's look at the issues you presented:
1. Kid's are under 10. Stock up on shelf stable "comfort foods". Having treats around helps normalize the situation for them and is good leverage to get them to eat the more boring foods you may offer them. Stock up on some playing cards or board games for them to play. Things that will occupy their time.
2. Security - You should come up with a solution for the big patio door. The best advice I can offer you on this is to take a measurement of the glass and go to somewhere like Home Depot and get them to cut some plywood that will fit perfectly. Bring the plywood home and lay it under the box spring mattresses to keep it out of the way till you need it. You could do this for your windows as well. Cut a wooden broom handle down to use as a wedge to prevent the sliding door lock from being breached when you sleep. While you're at Home Depot, look at these http://www.homedepot.com/p/Master-Lock-Dual-Function-Adjustable-Door-Security-Bar-265DCCSEN/100210730 for your inside hall door. Do the other things we've already discussed regarding blackout windows, broken glass etc... I'm not sure about your idea to bring the van close to the wall. On one hand it would be nice for it to be close, but on another hand it might actually attract the curious or troublemakers closer to your patio door than what you want. Your best defense is to not stick out.
3. Heater - I appreciate your concerns about a generator. It should be noted however that anything you burn will give off gas, including your biolite. The cleanest burning fuel to my knowledge is propane. I believe that the main drawbacks to propane are related to the storage of the tanks as they are pressurized. I don't think there are any drawbacks to actually using it to heat or cook with. In fact, propane fuel will store indefinitely and is generally plentiful (just look at all the BBQ's around). If you want another option, look to some of the radiant kerosene emergency backup heaters out there. Remember that you don't have to heat a large area. In fact, if you all sleep in one room you probably wont need heat in there at all while you sleep.
4. Solar could work for you if you if your apartment faces south. Even so, the best you can likely achieve with it is keeping your batteries, cell phone, etc... charged up. To expect more would be a solar system too large as to be practical in your situation.
5. Fear - You are afraid of looting, the "golden horde", etc... taking from you. Everyone has their own opinion on this, so here's mine:
Use the "Serenity Prayer" as your guide. Don't loose sleep over what you can't control. You're doing the best you can with what you currently have. You're doing more than 98% of the population. No one really knows what would happen in a prolonged event.

Your cracking me up CGS.... while I make fun of stuff, its the volume, you can have so much stuff you choke on it and it will do you no good, you can divert all your resourses to stuff and never have enough, I say put some of that effort to your mind/skills and developing relationships. Fear is toxic to judgement, and perception, and by the time I am thinking that the moment a store runs out of stock its 3 hrs to armgedden...well my mind is being poisoned by something, I start to wonder by who and what are they selling....that power failure in Quebec that they said was cme related was something like 9 hours before full power was restored, places with stores fully locked up, gas stations not pumping.... already 3 times longer than what your fearful of...and just think some people could have fallen asleep got some rest, woke up and would never have known there had been a power failure...other than the flashing time on the vcr to tell them..grrrr.
Been through a tornado in Edmonton..know what people did..they helped each other, oh god no the socialists/ communists.
Who do you think are filling sand bags in winipeg during flooding...yea the people living there...often going longer than 3 hrs without going to a store or watching dancing with the stars...its true I am not making it up...though why they keep doing that is another matter....
If you said three days...ok...fine...whatever...but 3 hrs...and its planet of the apes time? and I dont think it means people are underprepared...you see a empty shelf, or see them empty out after a storm notice..thats good, sure there should be more stock but as with everything people buy more if they think there might be a shortage...I hear the price of gas might go up I top up the truck even though I have more gas at home, Somepeople hear there is a ammo shortage and keep buying more every chance they get even if the safe is full.... I call that better distibution, the stock is now spread out amounst the population.
I am from Victoria...we both know its true, and you dont have to partake to become paranoid....its in the air, maybe water supply by now.

that makes better sense from your original/offensive comment. I also agree that too much stuff is unreasonable, but whatever anyone decides to prep the should also be willing to protect. I am all for minimalist prepping if it can be achieved.

3 hours is a true situation we should all prepare for power outages, floods from a river/rainfall and a tornado are not good examples to try and disprove this senario. Reason being is that they are small events and isolated to a specific area. Hurricane Katrina is an event that would cause the 3 hour panic also a 7.0 on the richter scale earthquake, nuke strike etc.. are what could cause an immediate sociatale reaction to clean out grocery stores and loot. This has been shown time and time again all over the world, just because here in Canada it has not happened we are a little absent from the reality. If you want to think that you have 3 days before your local walmart/safeway/superstore is out of water and food go ahead and prep that way, me personally I prepare for the bad senario where I want to pack up my stuff and go to my BOL or hunkerdown. I dont want to worry about going to the store to get food or gas, I want to be the first one ready.

I dont know what people are like in Alberta as I have never lived there just visited, but here in BC as you know from living in Victoria a majority of the population are shadowed by what could actually happen in an emergency as they have not experienced one first hand. Therefore when one does actually present itself mad panic will arrise, just like everywhere else in the world when an event happens. I ask people all the time how much food, water, gas they have or if they have a generator you know the basics and most have a few days of supplies if they are lucky. A lot of them live in a similar situation as drwkids asking what to do as they live in an appartment or a townhouse with very little to no storage. Society today does not think about the what ifs anymore and live in the now.

drwkids;
Let's look at the issues you presented:
1. Kid's are under 10. Stock up on shelf stable "comfort foods". Having treats around helps normalize the situation for them and is good leverage to get them to eat the more boring foods you may offer them. Stock up on some playing cards or board games for them to play. Things that will occupy their time.
2. Security - You should come up with a solution for the big patio door. The best advice I can offer you on this is to take a measurement of the glass and go to somewhere like Home Depot and get them to cut some plywood that will fit perfectly. Bring the plywood home and lay it under the box spring mattresses to keep it out of the way till you need it. You could do this for your windows as well. Cut a wooden broom handle down to use as a wedge to prevent the sliding door lock from being breached when you sleep. While you're at Home Depot, look at these http://www.homedepot.com/p/Master-Lock-Dual-Function-Adjustable-Door-Security-Bar-265DCCSEN/100210730 for your inside hall door. Do the other things we've already discussed regarding blackout windows, broken glass etc... I'm not sure about your idea to bring the van close to the wall. On one hand it would be nice for it to be close, but on another hand it might actually attract the curious or troublemakers closer to your patio door than what you want. Your best defense is to not stick out.
3. Heater - I appreciate your concerns about a generator. It should be noted however that anything you burn will give off gas, including your biolite. The cleanest burning fuel to my knowledge is propane. I believe that the main drawbacks to propane are related to the storage of the tanks as they are pressurized. I don't think there are any drawbacks to actually using it to heat or cook with. In fact, propane fuel will store indefinitely and is generally plentiful (just look at all the BBQ's around). If you want another option, look to some of the radiant kerosene emergency backup heaters out there. Remember that you don't have to heat a large area. In fact, if you all sleep in one room you probably wont need heat in there at all while you sleep.
4. Solar could work for you if you if your apartment faces south. Even so, the best you can likely achieve with it is keeping your batteries, cell phone, etc... charged up. To expect more would be a solar system too large as to be practical in your situation.
5. Fear - You are afraid of looting, the "golden horde", etc... taking from you. Everyone has their own opinion on this, so here's mine:
Use the "Serenity Prayer" as your guide. Don't loose sleep over what you can't control. You're doing the best you can with what you currently have. You're doing more than 98% of the population. No one really knows what would happen in a prolonged event.

Hi underprepared. Thanks for talking the time to respond clearly and being helpful.
I have a few things that match up pretty clearly. I think having stuff for the kids was the first thing I did. No one wants whiny kids when you have to bug in. Dead Lord that would be awful......
I have a small camping stove that takes the small propane containers. So if I did it in my kitchen by the stove hood, is it being to cautious to have a portable detector just in case for Co2 and Cmo? How many of those little propane containers would I need for a month?
Love that door lock! thanks going on my list. 🙂
I think fear is a factor but more because I am trying to learn and the more I learn the more I want to prepare so I don't have to be afraid. If that makes sense. A year ago when our power went out for 3 days we went through almost everything that I had that was just normal life. This winter I have enough to last a month. 🙂 But I think as with any prepper, its about keeping your supplies safe so that you can keep your family safe. And I think thats my biggest thing. I get that I can't keep my kids safe from everything but in the last 10 years I have had 1 power outage for 1 day or more ever year. And in the past i scrambled to figure out what I was going to do. Now the next step to prepping is when the rubber meets the road. I just hope I have done enough. (And will keep doing 😉 )

I agree with CSG. In KW last year when we lost power I went to our walmart to get some more tea lights. All of the water was gone, canned goods were picked over pretty good, and ever flashlight and heat source meant for indoors was gone. And that was on day 1. I was just starting to prep and have enough to get me through. But that was about 4-6 hours in. Now it wasn't panic. I was all nice and Canadian like. But if more then just my street have been out for 3 days I think the polite would have dropped pretty quickly.

Love the water bob Idea. I have been meaning to get one for the tub forever. Most definitely will be doing that.

I gave up the water bob idea long time ago. It can only be used once. I guess it's because it can be completely dried after use and stuff can grow in the water after. SO you'll have to buy quite a few if you'll fill it up every time there's a big storm coming.

Get a good tub plug and try to keep the tub clean. Test it and make sure it doesn't leak. Then get a water filter and filter the water for drinking.

Love the water bob Idea. I have been meaning to get one for the tub forever. Most definitely will be doing that.

I gave up the water bob idea long time ago. It can only be used once. I guess it's because it can be completely dried after use and stuff can grow in the water after. SO you'll have to buy quite a few if you'll fill it up every time there's a big storm coming.

Get a good tub plug and try to keep the tub clean. Test it and make sure it doesn't leak. Then get a water filter and filter the water for drinking.

Yup, it's a "one time use" product. Still a good thing to keep on hand.

Get a good tub plug and try to keep the tub clean. Test it and make sure it doesn't leak. Then get a water filter and filter the water for drinking.

I second that idea. good suggestion.

One thing I have found in prepping in an apartment is that you can save a lot of space using Mylar bag storage instead of containers. Thanks "thecrownsown." I was able to reduce my supplies size by about 1/3 so now I will have more room. So here is my question, other then food, water, and traditional camping equipment, what are some must haves I should be stalking up on?

drwkids, if you can draw at least rough sketches of your apartment (floor plan) and what currently filling the room in bulk sizes like tables/bed, maybe I can give some suggestions based on the drawing. Also please provide information on approximate height between floor and ceiling.

Some obsessive preppers I've met kinda addicted to store more and more things and ended up filling the house even to its hallways make it so unpleasant to stay around.