Special offer

Lights Out and Emergency Plans

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Bar JD Communications

Do you have a daily plan?  Years ago, during Iowa's tornado season, I kept a kerosene lamp in the basement and extra jackets and old shoes in a box by the basement door.  We seemed to have to run down there at least once a week.  But, we didn't have a weather plan as such.  Because of a state campaign, we did have a fire or other emergency plan.  We lived upstairs, but I had three serious little kids who "got it" -- if Mom says" "Go" you all stick together to get down those outside stairs and head across the grass to that neighbor's house that we can see from right here in the kitchen.  They are nice people and they will let you sit on their steps till someone can come to get you. Arguing will take too much time. 

We never had to practice it, but we were ready. 

When we lived in SE Wyoming, we kept food, water and usually some extra clothes in the vehicles all the time.  I kept a store of jackets in all sizes because visitors often underestimated what they would need for the chilly nights.  Little kids thought drinking and driving was connected to their water, juice and granola bars during the long drive to town or grandma's house.

Here in Missouri, we are watching the storms again. We have a little shelf of water and flashlight batteries in the basement.  An extra bottle of lamp oil and lots of candles.  Years ago, DH built himself a portable gas cooktop for a camp cabin.  This week he brought home a cute little oven to set on top of it.  I suspect he's hoping the lights go out so he can test it.   Inside, we have a fireplace insert that could fix us some tea or soup and we would be ever so much more comfortable than many people have been if it gets cold again. 

We do not have a good fire drill practice which we should have.  When the emergency call comes, it helps to have everybody know what to grab first and how to move methodically.

JudyAnn Lorenz, BAR JD

Comments (2)

Tricia Jumonville
Bradfield Properties - Georgetown, TX
Texas REALTOR , Agent With Horse Sense

We've had a plan (and a storm shelter) ever since the first year we moved to the country, when the creek rose to the 100 year flood plain twice, we had a week-long ice storm (in Central Texas!) with no power, meaning central propane heat was useless, and to top it off, an F-5 tornado came through town.

Even in the event of having to head for the storm shelter, I know just what to grab on the way (cell phone being primary - I use it as a sort of root cellar most of the time and we have food and water down there, and blankets). Our kids are both grown and gone so it's just us.  Matter of fact, the cell phone goes with me just about everywhere when I'm out here by myself, since the across-the-street neighbor is about half a mile away. 

 

Feb 05, 2007 02:07 PM
JudyAnn Lorenz
Bar JD Communications - Mansfield, MO
Virtual Marketing Consultant

We used to have neighbors with a storm cellar.  Two old bachelors who watched the weather all one morning (they said the storm was coming up against the wind).   They hosted three moms and seven kids in 6 inches of rain wateron the floor, all playing button button  to keep the kids calm and praying our houses would be there when we got out.  My kids were praying for their kittens that we didn't bring. 

Feb 06, 2007 12:39 AM