Special offer

Going to Plan B for Survival

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with IDTheftSecurity.com Inc

If your “Plan A” for survival sinks, do you have a Plan B backup?

Forget rushing to the grocery store when disaster like a snowstorm strikes. Everyone else will have the same idea. Need I say more?

The supermarket and the convenience store are the first places a panicking town will flock to for food and water. While they’re duking it out there, you can obtain essential supplies at other places where the masses of people won’t even think to look.

Before some critical event hits, locate all the businesses and water sources within two miles of your home. When compiling this list, don’t assume that any particular business can’t possibly have something valuable. Once the list is complete, sift through it to determine if any have any valuable items. Take your time.

Businesses you might never think have water will have water, such as a dental clinic: bottled water. Same with beauty spas and health clubs. Many gyms also sell food. Don’t blow off the hobby shop: It might sell craft wood and twine. And don’t scratch off an office supply store: the big ones sell candy. Major bookstores sell bottled beverages, pastries and sandwiches.

Make sure you have a bicycle to get to these businesses in the event of a disaster, because a car won’t be practical during or after an event like a tornado, hurricane or flood. And don’t wait for the event to see if the bike works.

If you normally walk your dog or do fitness walks or runs, take different routes to get used to all the different routes throughout your town, in the event that a calamity obstructs your main route. You’ll then instantly know an alternate route to get to a business to obtain essential supplies.

Finally, keep physically fit. Pedaling a bike for a few miles with a duffel bag full of food and bottled water will be very taxing for an out-of-shape person.

Robert Siciliano personal and home security specialist to BestHomeSecurityCompanys.com discussing burglar proofing your home on Fox Boston. Disclosures.

Comments (7)

Rob D. Shepherd
RETIRED - Florence, OR
RETIRED

Being on the coast and talk of a possible tsunami we keep some things on hand! I rotate food out every summer and send it to thr food bank while it is still good.

Jul 30, 2014 11:13 PM
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Good morning Robert.  We actually know some true "preppers."  We have  told them we will be following them if anything drastic happens.  Actually Debbie keeps us stocked pretty well but your post has given me food for thought.

Jul 30, 2014 11:19 PM
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Robert: Your blog post takes me back to the 60's when we were all advised by the Federal Government to construct bomb shelters to protect ourselves from the impending nuclear holocaust from Cuba. You did make excellent points about rotation of stock and having lived in Sarasota for decades before relocating back to my wife;s home here in San Diego, I know how hectic hurricane season and the impending arrival of a tropical storm can be on store stocks. Planning ahead is smart.

Jul 30, 2014 11:19 PM
Debbie Malone
Londeree's Real Estate & Property Management - Lynchburg, VA
From Lynchburg To The Lake (434) 546-0369

Great advice Robert....we had so much snow this winter and were unable to get out of our subdivision for days. Having extra food, drinking water and supplies on hand  (for you and your pets), will make those emergencies much more bearable

Jul 30, 2014 11:30 PM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Robert - ever since Hurricane Sandy in our area many folks have done a lot of plan B prep.  Better safe.

Jul 30, 2014 11:37 PM
Shanna Day Team Leader AZ & UT - Call 480-415-7616
Keller Williams Realty EV (AZ) & Keller Williams SLC (UT) - Mesa, AZ
Top 0.33 of 1% of 79,000 AZ Realtors

I'm going to buy WATER now!   You can never have too much drinking water on hand in Arizona!  

Jul 31, 2014 02:06 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Great post on having contingency plans in place. It takes time to do, but the payoff is great if disaster strikes.

Jul 31, 2014 04:05 AM