Ideas?

-- Anonymous, November 24, 2002

Answers

Hey, I passed my Extra Exam today (ham radio), so at least that's in the system getting processed. I was going to wait until December to retake the exam, but I felt like I had a window today and felt ready to take it, so you might say that's one of the preps that's been weighing on my mind.

But you asked about shortages . . .

* Basically, anything that is shipped by boat or trucked over the highway is potentially at risk. Thus, any "can't-live-without-it" items should already be in the storeroom in triplicate, and those "urgent" items vary from household to household.

I think the most immediate shortages might be (in no particular order):

* Propane canisters (the small bottles) and portable (safe in house) propane heaters. Kero heaters aren't popular here, but they might be in other areas. ?? camping stoves (propane) [maybe more in the South]

* Canned meat, canned milk . . . maybe junk food (snacks & colas)

* Bottled water (in some area) . . . beer

* Condoms/birth control (there are already spot shortages -- I'm guessing these will get worse)

* Batteries . . . flashlights . . .battery lanterns. Maybe camping lanterns in some areas.

* ?? Clothing & Shoes -- Underclothing. Socks. Running shoes.

* Anything imported from the ME (Those in the Jewish quarters might be without olives and "their" pickles).

* Electronics & Auto Parts (?) [Maybe not at first]

* Gas Canisters. Products like Stabel (Gas preserver)

*That's the best I can do at the moment . . .

-- Anonymous, November 24, 2002

Meemur, congratulations!

Don't worry about those small propane cannisters. I have enough to supply the forum for a few years probably...

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2002

congrats, meemur! Does this mean you're a true ham?

Brooke, sounds like you're living on top of a major blast iffen you're house catches fire. Hope you have good fire prevention.

As for shortages, I would say liquors and suntan lotion/sun block. Also clothing, since most is imported now. time to stock up on underwear.

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2002

I'm always been a ham, Barefoot. (grin) Now I have the highest level license to prove it.

My propane is kept outside in a special vented storage area. I do worry about lightning strikes.

I was revisiting this question this morning now that I've had more sleep. I'm not sure that there will be any immediate shortages of items that preppers wouldn't already have in stock, with the exception of maybe gas & kero.

I think most of us on this board probably already have stores of water, food, clothing, medicines, pet supplies, and spare parts.

Barefoot made an interesting comment about the sun lotion -- up here, that would be the last item missed since we're going into the gray days of 30s/40s; however, in FL . . .

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2002

I don't drink the stuff, but don't forget tea. THere's only one very smal tea plantation in the US, near Charleston, as it happens.

The Gulf War didn't cause us any shortages, as I recall, but this one might be different. We aren't as friendly with the Saudis this time (especially with Prince Bandar's wife giving 10k to the wife of one of the terrorists here in the US). And, of course, we hadn't had a 9/11 then.

I do think we have to consider the strong likelihood that the villains are waiting for us to have a large number of troops in the Middle East and then they will attack us again.

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2002

I do drink tea. Thanks for the reminder. I probably should do inventory, again, although if I had to stay home for the next month or two, I'd be fine -- would run low on fresh fruits & veggies, but there's canned stuff.

Maybe this would help: this is my personal "at risk" list. In the event that I have a little warning that sheltering in place is a possibility, the things I would get if I could get them without risk:

- Top off gas tank in car. Get another 5 gal if things look really bad.

- Get more cash. (Only if it's safe)

- From the store: fresh bag of cat food, fresh veggies, fresh fruits, fresh cider (if available)

- Get my hair cut if it needs it and there's time.

Note: NONE of this has to be done. I have supplies, but that's what I'd do if I had time. And I do stock catfood, but not that far ahead because it goes bad. In a major crisis, my kitty would be eating what I'm eating and whatever mice she could catch.

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2002

Oh, Yeah -- water. I have water in storage, but I also have some washtubs I'd fill. I tend to remember water faster in the summer. . .

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2002

"- Get my hair cut if it needs it and there's time." Actually, I think that's sort of a priority. I think there is an equivalent to keeping your gas tank half full at all times, not to let too much time go by between regular appointments.

I discovered during my last water crisis, an expected one when the water main was shut off for a couple weeks and there was a temporary pipe of unknown quality feeding my house, that the larger capacity water containers I have make the water taste like shit. I thought that might happen over time, but didn't expect it to happen within a few days. So, those aren't filled. I do have a bunch of 2-liters jugs filled, but my source of them is gone because I gave up soda. My town has gravity-fed water from a storage tank. Closest I'll come to hoarding, I suppose, is fulling ALL of my containers at the last minute if a final warning comes.

Beyond that, I have barely touched my y2k canned goods. I don't usually eat canned goods (just like I don't usually use propane tanks).

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2002

I have short hair. Not Marine, short, but what used to be called "Tennis Player Short." There is a nine-week growing out period that would drive me nuts. If I had to go without haircuts (and I have), I wear a lot of scarves and use bobby pins.

I will also cut it myself if necessary (and I have).

Now you've got me thinking about water, again. The water stored in the washtubs is earmarked for washing, rather than drinking, but I suddenly realized that 4 of my six gal heavy plastic water containers are not at home.

I will take care of that today.

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2002

You might want to get your bags of catfood from a fast turnover place, like PetsMart. I noticed our feed and seed store has bags with imminent sell by dates as compared to PetsMart, which has dates a year and a half hence on the Science Diet, assume other brands are also far off. As I recall, the lower-fat foods last longer. Or is it the other way around? Can't remember! I've switched to mainly canned cat food for mine and--guess what?--there's less end product! That could prove to be important for those who keep indoor cats. They eat less of it, therefore it's no more expensive than dried, not really. I'm feeding mostly Science Diet Senior, based on lower phosphorus and no by-products. The young 'un gets extra protein in the form of bits of chicken or turkey.

Polly has enough meds and fluid for six months at least, me three months. Am a bit low on cat litter, must go to Costco this week. (They have those handy 5-gallon buckets of ScoopAway).

If the villains will just hold off until after Tgiving, and I think they might, Sweetie can take me all over to get additional supplies for the two households. (I've been keeping up with the coffee, probably have about a year's worth).

Remember a lot of cleaning supplies are made from petroleum by-products, as are trash bags. Paper products are a godo thing to keep stocked, DOn't forget the baby wipes for personal hygiene. Yes, I know there are adult wipes now but there's often a big difference in price. I like Chubs baby wipes! Big, strong, less alcohol!

And for us old 'uns, stock up on your Rogaine, aspirin, ibuprofen and alpha-hydroxy! Also Pepcid, vitamins, toothpaste, extra toothbrushes and replacement heads for non-manuals, razors, all that crap you stuff in your bathroom cabinet.

For cat owners, stock extras like catnip and enzymatic cleaners, also that Carbona pet carpet shampoo--it's not at all bad.

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2002

I'd say cleaners in general. that way you're not putting yourself at risk going to the store just to get mop'n'glo or something.

don't forget dish soap. dishwasher soap, too, but I wouldn't stock that as much because one would expect power to be questionable and regular dishsoap can be used for other things, too.

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2002

congrats on the ham exam!

bicycle parts if people end up using bikes instead of driving to work.

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2002

bike parts AND accessories. like baskets, lights and so forth.

good one, helen. tires and innertubes, both petroleum based products.

plastic helmets, raincoats or whatever for wearing while in the rain, and if you do use a bike, carry a change of clothes and some toiletries cuz you gonna smell bad! LOL

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2002

I stock both canned and dry cat food. Science Diet does keep well, but I still only have a 3-month supply (and just one kitty). I may increase that if things start to look bad.

Garbage bags! Thanks! I had forgotten those were a petro product. As for cleaning supplies, I buy in bulk and powders (mix and dilute as necessary). Vinegar, baking soda, and Clorox can go a LONG way in a pinch.

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2002

Ys, definitely a good idea on the vinegar, baking soda and bleach. Another cheap "basic" is rubbing alcohol. I also lke Citra-solv, which goes an awful long way and also smells wonderful--if you like the smell of oranges. It's a good flea-repeller too. (Use it to shampoo the rug.)

Salt, oh yes, must have salt. I very much like sea salt which comes from--aargh--France. I still have a good many herbs and spices left from Y2K--they do keep a very long time, no matter what the producers say.

-- Anonymous, November 25, 2002