It is not a lot, but it is more than a 3 day Storm... Get ready, maybe the Media is awakening?

http://www.accessatlanta.com/partners/ajc/reports/y2k/dos.html

http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a37e4e70a2122.htm

SNIP_____________________________________

Be prepared: A list of do's

By Marilyn Geewax Atlanta Journal-Constitution Staff Writer

Washington -- Don't panic, but get prepared. While the nation's basic infrastructure will function after Jan. 1, authorities say the Y2K computer bug is sure to cause some problems. The power could go out in one community, while the water system falters in another and traffic lights malfunction in still another. Because no one can say with certainty which systems might fail, "the basic message we are giving people is ... be prepared for an emergency," said Red Cross spokeswoman Leslie Credit. Start your preparations by figuring out who is going to be in your household between Dec. 31 and mid-January, and what each person's special needs will be. Then lay out a strategy for making sure everyone can stay hydrated, healthy and warm for up to two weeks. These are among the recommendations being made by mainstream agencies:

WATER

THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM:

Local providers typically keep water flowing by using pumps and valves controlled by microprocessors and chips. Computers also regulate various aspects of water treatment, such as the addition of chlorine. In addition, Y2K-related power outages could cause a loss of heat that would allow pipes to freeze and burst.

THE SOLUTION:

Store water for each member of the household, one gallon per person per day. Storing water costs very little and is easy to do. Drinking water can be drawn from the tap and stored in clean plastic jugs with tight lids. Don't use rust-prone metal containers or heavy, breakable glass jugs. Don't fill jugs to the limit, in case the water freezes and expands. Save water for bathing and flushing toilets in a large, clean container such as a new garbage can or a water bed. Five-gallon containers are convenient and stackable, but don't forget that water is heavy -- 8 pounds a gallon. Filled containers must be stored on very sturdy shelves or on the floor. Water should not be stored where the temperature goes above 100 degrees or below 32 degrees. Keep water containers out of direct sunlight and away from chemicals, paints and fertilizers.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING NOW:

Start saving cleaned 2-liter drink containers and their lids. Find and clean containers that can be used for storing water for washing. Figure out where to safely store your water, and plan on filling the containers in November. Learn where your house's main water shutoff valve is located and how to operate it in the event of burst pipes.

FOOD

Buying food at the grocery store may be difficult in the first few days of January because of power outages, traffic-light failures or public transportation delays. Also, you might need more food than usual in your home because of delayed school or workplace openings.

THE SOLUTION:

Store food for each member of the household, and figure out whether you will have any special needs. Will you need baby food for a visiting grandchild? Pet food? Do you have children with peanut allergies?

Your best choices will be canned and nonperishable foods that are tasty and don't require refrigeration (in case of a power outage) or cooking (in case the natural gas fails). So buy canned tuna, fruits, long-lasting fresh vegetables such as carrots and cauliflower, canned hams, peanut butter, crackers, fruit bars, trail mix, cereals, powdered milk, granola bars, cookies, canned beans and other vegetables.

It may be prudent to store an additional two weeks of "emergency" foods in case grocery prices shoot up in January because of supply disruptions. For example, Y2K problems in Latin America and the Caribbean could interrupt supplies of fruits and vegetables, making them expensive. For your reserves, have some dried fruits, as well as freeze-dried or dehydrated products with long shelf lives. Save any products that you don't use for Y2K for future emergencies.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING NOW:

Create a clean, safe storage area in your home and start putting canned and packaged foods there. Mark the purchase date on the products so that you remember to eat your oldest foods first. (Most foods off grocery store shelves are good for six to 24 months.)

Don't wait until December to start shopping. Prices may be higher then because of Y2K stockpiling, as well as holiday demand. A few purchases each week over the next two months will be cheaper and will let you avoid last-minute "runs" on grocery stores.

WARMTH

THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM:

Unfortunately, Y2K problems will be hitting at the coldest time of the year. That means homes could get very cold very fast in case of a loss of electrical power or interruptions in the delivery of gas, coal or oil. A lack of heat could be the most dangerous aspect of Y2K.

THE SOLUTION:

Every household should have a source of heat that does not rely on electricity or the delivery of fuel after mid-December. You don't need to heat the entire house, just an area big enough to keep everyone's teeth from chattering.

For homes with working fireplaces, the solution may seem simple: Buy a cord of wood. But in many modern homes, fireplaces are primarily decorative and allow most of the heat to go up the chimney. Fireplaces with heat reflectors and energy-efficient inserts keep rooms warmer. A wood stove, which puts out far more heat, can be installed.

Many don't have a fireplace and don't want a wood stove; they can use a kerosene space heater. But don't use a kerosene heater in a small room without ventilation; open a door to an adjoining room or open a window slightly.

For cooking, stock up on cans of Sterno, which contains jelled ethanol. A can will provide enough heat to warm a pan of soup or make a cup of tea. An outdoor propane or charcoal grill can work for cooking -- as long as you keep it outside. A grill used indoors can emit deadly fumes.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING NOW: If you have a fireplace, look into purchasing a heat reflector or insert. Purchase a good-sized stack of hardwood and find a dry place to store it. Get a non-electric space heater if you need one, and buy the fuel for it now. Learn how to operate your heating source safely. Go to a camping goods store and buy Sterno cans. Make sure the propane tank on your outdoor grill is full.

Also, have several fire extinguishers in the house, as well as battery-operated smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

Check your supplies of warm clothes and bedding. Make sure you'll have enough sleeping bags, hats, quilts, and gloves for everyone in the household.

LIGHT

THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM:

Y2K problems could knock out electrical power during the darkest time of the year.

THE SOLUTION:

Flashlights are by far the safest way to light the night, especially in homes with children. Candles generally are not a good idea because they have open flames and generate relatively little light. Also, most candles are intended for decoration and burn out quickly. Kerosene lanterns can be a little smelly, but generate steady light.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING NOW:

Be sure you have plenty of flashlights and fresh batteries. Each time you go to the grocery store, pick up a few batteries so that you don't get hit with a big cost in December.

MEDICAL NEEDS

THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM:

Because of traffic problems created by Y2K, it may be difficult to get to the doctor or pick up a prescription in early January.

THE SOLUTION:

People who need medications should get prescriptions filled before mid-December. Schedule any elective surgery before early December.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING NOW

Schedule doctor appointments now so that you can be sure your prescriptions are up to date. Think about all of your health and body needs. For example, do you need contact lens solution, tampons or vitamins? Be sure to have an emergency medical kit with supplies such as bandages, antibiotic ointments, hydrogen peroxide, a thermometer and aspirin.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM:

Although banks and other financial institutions appear to be among the most Y2K-ready businesses in the country, there is a potential for records to get mixed up.

THE SOLUTION

Keep copies of important financial records in a dry, fireproof place. Your records should include insurance policies, mortgage information, reports on Social Security earnings, investment information, employer 401(k) statements and all banking documents. Get a copy of your credit report. Keep records of all of your ATM activities in December and January.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING NOW

Start organizing your paperwork immediately. Submit a request for your earnings and benefits from the Social Security Administration by calling 1-800-772-1213 or going to the SSA Internet site www.socialsecurity.gov.

-- helium (heliumavid@yahoo.com), September 19, 1999

Answers

this is wonderful....and about time

-- LauraA (Laadedah@aol.com), September 19, 1999.

This is good and it tells people to shop now because prices might be higher--a great inducement to prepping!!!!!!

-- Mara Wayne (MaraWayne@aol.com), September 19, 1999.

About time!!!

-- April (Alwzapril@home.com), September 19, 1999.

This is without a doubt THE BEST mainstream media prep coverage that I have seen. And it will be interesting to see if Joe Sixpack is able to "read between the lines" and truly understand that the recommended preps do not match the potential problems. (E.g., realize that all the up-to-date financial records are USELESS; but CASH IS KING.)

-- King of Spain (madrid@aol.com), September 19, 1999.

April: Do you like to mudwrestle?

-- King of Spain (madrid@aol.com), September 19, 1999.

Oh, KOS - I've been hoping you would ask. (blush) and the answer is - yes, if the mud is room temperature and the consistancy of chocolate pudding. ;-)

-- April (Alwzapril@home.com), September 19, 1999.

If Marilyn Geewax can make this sound like nothing more than good common sense for the citizens of Atlanta, maybe a few more intrepid journalists will pick up on her example. You GO, girl!

Kristi

-- Kristi (KsaintA@aol.com), September 19, 1999.

Interesting that this two week prep advice is from the same Atlanta Journal-Constitution that was suggesting 3-5 days of prep back in July:

"Georgia officials urge having 3- to 5-day water and food supply"

http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=0011yK

Also notice this new article that helium posted has Washington listed as the source of the information in the article. Is the official line about prep duration about to increase from three days to two weeks?

-- Linkmeister (link@librarian.edu), September 19, 1999.

What's this about waiting to fill containers with water "in November"?

Shouldn't this be done sooner to test the containers for durability and leakage?

Or am I jumping the Y2K gun because my bottles are all filled now?

-- Randolph (dinosaur@williams-net.com), September 19, 1999.

Thanks helium;

If it just wasn't already too late, this would be great news. It will take a few more articles just like this or even stronger to awaken the *most* needy. Those who can't really afford to put aside enough in the normal routine of their lives. How will they accept the news that they will fall behind even further, or possibly perish, with the onslaught of failures on the scale of Y2K? Truly, truly sad.

('*`^(` `

I hope there are enough good people out there, like some around here, that will put aside a little extra, for the innocent newbies.

One wonders if the FALN terrorists released by our CINC, will live up to their promise of non proliferation of terrorism in the coming months? Why would they? What's it all coming to anyway?

-- Michael (mikeymac@uswest.net), September 19, 1999.

YES, YES, YES

And not ONE word about PEOPLE or PANIC being the REAL problem. Simply beautiful.

- - - - - - - - - -

Greg

-- Greg (balzer@lanset.com), September 19, 1999.

Excellent article, but probably a year late.

OK, here is your quiz for today. How many kerosene heaters are there for sale in metro Atlanta.? How many homes in that metro area will need one because they are not designed for wood-burning as a source of heat?

Divide the first number by the second. You will rapidly figure out that it is a good thing that almost noone will pay attention to the article. You will also rapidly figure out that is a good thing that Atlanta does not have severe winters.

Now try the same test in New York--or Chicago.

They do have severe winters--and any significant power outage in those cities will be immune to efforts to prepare at this late date.

Individually, you can prepare now. But mass preparation at this point is an exercise in futility.

-- cgbg jr (cgbgjr@webtv.net), September 19, 1999.

It may be "late" and it's also timely for many new semi-GI's now. Thanks, helium.

Will pass out some copies.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), September 19, 1999.