3 Days?

...is Not Enough

"Get a kit. mergency supplies for winter weather include – at a minimum – these basic items: three days’ food and water; a battery-powered radio with extra batteries; and a family emergency plan. After getting these supplies, then add a first aid kit, medications if needed, blankets and warm clothing, supplies for special members of your household, and pet items." - Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM)

Maryland's Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has several suggestions for power outages during this winter storm season. Unfortunately what they wish is for you not to die we're interested in staying alive so we don't die. MEMA assumes you'll be alive and know what you need to know. If you do then here's somethings that you might not know: "Special Safety Tips for the Winter Storm." Our favorite tips are: "Extra food and water. Extra medicine and baby needs." What's extra food? Is that like spare change? We have never had any of that either.

* As a rule an unopened, well functioning freezer half full will keep foods safely for up to 24 hours. A fully stocked freezer, unopened can keep foods safely for 48 hours.

* Use common sense when dealing with the issue of possible food spoilage:? Do not taste foods to see if they are spoiled --- If in doubt throw it out. - (MEMA) the Maryland Emergency Management Agency

The District of Columbia which is not our favorite jurisdiction says that you should "Make A Plan." Then you should register and join the make a plan program. Or you shoulds: "(a)void overexertion when shoveling snow. Overexertion can bring on a heart attack—a major cause of death during the winter."

Your DC emergency go kit should include:

At least a three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day). Store in sealed, unbreakable containers. A three-to five-day supply of non-perishable canned food, and a non-electric can opener. For the District of Columbia three days is considered seventy-two (72) hours and has a website at that address. Our favorite is how to "weather" severe storms. The information is the same as a "go kit" or a "shoulds" list!

We certainly don't think of surviving a winter storm as a crime or rather we do think of not sruviving a winter storm as a crime. North Carolina has it's emergency plans within it's Department of Crime Control and Public Safety. Their suggestions:

"Always keep at least a seven day supply of non-perishable food in your home and a gallon of water per person per day.

Make sure you have sufficient heating fuel; regular fuel sources may be cut off.

Have emergency heating equipment and fuel available (a gas fireplace or wood burning stove or fireplace) so at least one room in your house is warm enough to be livable. If your furnace is controlled by a thermostat and your electricity is cut off by a storm, you will need emergency heat.

If you have a fireplace, store a good supply of dry, seasoned wood. Conserve fuel by keeping your house cooler than usual and by temporarily "closing off" heat to some rooms." - NC Department of Crime Control and Public Safety (NC DCCPS)

However the North Carolina Department of Crime Crime Control and Public Safety (NC DCCPS) has a severe weather page that gives the same information as our other jurisdictions:

"Citizens should be prepared for potentially damaging weather in North Carolina that can strike at any time. Tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, lightning strikes, snow and ice storms have caused power outages, property damage, environmental destruction, and interruptions in food and water supplies. The best time to assemble a three-day emergency supply kit is well before you will ever need it. Most people already have these items around the house and it is a matter of assembling them now before an evacuation order is issued. Stocking up now on emergency supplies can add to your family's safety and comfort during and after a disaster. Preparation includes having adequate insurance and being prepared to make a claim in the event of storm damage. This site includes a section on insurance tips." - NC Department of Crime Control and Public Safety (NC DCCPS)

Their winter wear tips are just silly in their "Dressing for the Season" page: "Wear a hat, mittens and a scarf."
Even spouting the incorrect information about "most body heat is lost through the top of the head. (NC DCCPS)"

The TV Show called the "The Facts of Life" had a theme song that changed in the fifth season like another one of our favorites. That show was called "Family Matters." The problems according to the producer had to be the theme song. How it relates to this story is in the lyrics to the song that was their second theme song. The lyrics were changed to:

"You take the good, 

you take the bad,

you take them both and there you have

The Facts of Life, 

the Facts of Life" - (Theme Song)

The words are pretty much what we have to do in case of a severe weather emergency. It won't save your life but if you counted on your local government to do that when the suffering is on a large scale you'll be sadly disappointed and possibly discovered too late on your death bed.