How is your emergency supply actually doing?
This morning the doorbell rang at half past seven. I know, this is an outright scandalous and unchristian time for most of us. But in this case, I was the instigator myself, as the delivery person from Albert Heijn brought my emergency package.
I have to nuance this a little bit. An emergency package naturally contains a flashlight, a battery-operated radio, and some petroleum to actually warm up your food. In that regard, I haven't thought it through completely. But food and water? I have enough of that. If things ever go completely downhill here, I'll eat white asparagus from a jar and pea soup. Not that I can warm that up in the slightest, but I find it a reassuring thought.
“Mom, how are you doing with your emergency package?”
My mother also lives alone, so when I received yet another notification from the government that we should stock up, I called her. “Mom, how are you doing with your emergency package?” Long story short, with that woman, we will win the war. Probably not with me. She only lacks a first aid kit; otherwise, she's ready. Yes, I have candles in the house, but that's purely for decoration of my New Mediterranean interior. I can burn through those in a few hours, and you really need to be able to manage for about 72 hours.
Not nibbling from my food supply
Therefore, I took stock once again. To begin with, my car is in a garage with electric doors, so if the power goes out, I won't be going anywhere. No one should expect visitors outside the ring of my hometown from me. That can be a relief, I think. You certainly don't want someone else nibbling from your food supply. Although I do have a strong position with my white asparagus in a jar. And otherwise, we always have spinach or pea soup.
I type into Google: ‘Assemble an emergency package yourself’
If you type ‘assemble an emergency package yourself’ into Google, you'll get an assortment that makes you a bit scared. From disaster backpacks to a PrepPack, at least the names are not the issue. I prefer to dive into the composition myself, as it seems that such a ready-made emergency package has tripled in price by now.
First of all, you need water, about three liters per person per day. Since this morning, I have eighteen liters, so in that regard, I'm safe. Food that has a long shelf life, hello white asparagus in a jar. A battery-operated radio or a wind-up radio; that USB thing is useless. A flashlight, lots of batteries, candles, and of course matches to light it all. Then we have the first aid kit, blankets to stay warm, and a whistle to alert emergency services. Luckily, I've never thought about how handy this is. Now, I have a strong volume myself, but a whistle is important too. Also important: cash, tools (ouch), copies of your identification, and a list of important phone numbers. The spare keys to your house and car, which I won't have much use for, are also important. And there we have it: toilet paper and disinfectant gel. We all remember how needy everyone was last time. By the way, the government is also thinking about our personal hygiene, as toothpaste, a toothbrush, and sanitary pads are also on the list. And finally, a bag to put all this in if you unexpectedly have to leave your house.
Long story short. I'm still not well enough prepared for an apocalypse, but at least I have water and white asparagus. I hope you're better off.
