In recognition of National Preparedness Month here in the U.S. (the rest of the world is welcome to join), it is time for a challenge! You can do it! With just over 100 days left in 2009, it is time to buckle down, dedicate yourself and set aside just 10 minutes or less per day. Yes, in less than 10 minutes a day and nearly no money at all, you can improve your preparedness status by leaps and bounds.
The extra days in 2009 can be set aside for holidays, vacations or, even better, utilized to do a more-than-ten-minute job. However you use the days, use them well!
Ready? Set? Go! Here it is, the first installment of 100 things you can do in 10 minutes or less:
1. Program your cell phone phone book with the word ICE (stands for In Case of Emergency). Under that listing, include the name & phone numbers for the person you want to have contacted first in case of an emergency. First Responders and ER personnel know to check your cell phone for this listing.
2. Check your car’s glove compartment and be certain that you have a current registration, inspection receipt, insurance card and insurance contact information.
3. Write down all of your family’s prescription drugs, their RX number, refill date, name of medicine, instructions and the pharmacy phone number. Make a copy for your 72-hour kit.
4. Write out a card for each child’s car restraint seat. Include child’s name, your contact info, another relative’s contact information, child’s pediatrician and important medical history. Attach to the bottom or back right rear of the seat.
5. Schedule your yearly health maintenance check-ups such as mammograms, pap smears, physical exams and immunization review.
6. Place water leak alarms near washing machine, hot water heater and any other area likely to suffer a leak.
7. Wash the dryer lint trap under hot water until water runs freely.
8. Check the tire pressure and tread depth on your tires.
9. Clean out your medicine cabinet and dispose of out-dated medications.
10. Test your smoke detectors & change batteries as needed.
11. Set up a spot for your perpetual grocery list. Let your family know where it is!
12. Photocopy your credit cards & ID. Place copy in your “What If?” Notebook.
13. Check the outside dryer vent. Be certain that vent flaps open freely. Remove any visible lint.
14. Clean the inside of your car windshield. “Stuff” gathers on the inside of the windshield and can cause complete ‘white out’ when you are driving towards the sun.
15. Clean one pantry shelf. Move older food to the front.
16. Write down neighbor’s phone number, doctor’s phone numbers, family contact numbers and place inside a cabinet near the phone.
17. Add at least one long-term storage food to your grocery list. Consider rice, dry beans, sugar, oatmeal.
18. Check outside lights. Replace burned out bulbs.
19. Check your supply of flashlights. Do they work? Do you have batteries for them? One for each room of your house?
20. Clean the trash out of your car.
21. Cook a double entree and freeze the extra one.
22. Make a list of everyone you plan to purchase Christmas gifts for.
23. Pick up Christmas Cards at a discounter or dollar store before the inexpensive ones are sold out.
24. Replace filters in your HVAC system. Write the date you replaced it on the filter. Mark your calendar for the next change date.
25. See what Christmas gifts you may already have on hand. Plan which ones you are going to make.
26. Do a quick comparison of current prices for internet providers. Do you need to change?
27. Clean out one kitchen drawer.
28. Have little ones at home or due to visit? Check childproofing & poison control.
29. Check 401K & pension plan balances. Do you need to save more for retirement?
30. Purchase at least one item for long-term storage.
31. Treat sink & tub drains with baking soda and vinegar.
32. Check children’s toys. Throw out broken ones.
33. Set budget for holiday gift giving. Do you need to save some money?
34. Check nightlights. Do they illuminate areas that need light? Do they work?
35. Find a backpack, tote or other container that can store items in your car.
36. Add jumper cables to your car pack
37. Put some bottled water in your car pack.
38. Put some long-term food such as granola bars in your car pack.
39. Put several ’space’ blankets or wool blankets in your car pack.
40. Add some matches and a candle to your car pack. Pack candle in an empty vegetable can and cover top with aluminum foil.
41. Add an all-in-one screwdriver to your car pack.
42. Add an ‘emergency’ flag to your car pack. This can simply be a piece of bright orange or red fabric.
43. Add a first aid kit to your car pack.
44. Stick a set of fuses in your car pack.
45. Put a flashlight in your car pack. Package the batteries outside of the flashlight.
46. Add a flare to your car pack.
47. Add a can of Fix-a-flat to your car pack.
48. Check your spare tire & tire iron.
49. Check the fluid levels in your car.
50. Put some paper and a pen in your glove compartment.
51. Check your gutters to see if they are running well.
52. Look at your roof from across the street. Does it look solid?
53. Add your doctor’s voice & fax numbers to your cell phone directory.
54. Add a worthwhile item to your 72-hour kit.
55. Grab some 3×5 cards. Write out personal information for each person & add to 72-hour kit. Include out of state contacts, medical information, etc.
56. Check the caulk around the doors and windows of your home. Note which ones need repair.
57. Add some cash and quarters to your glove compartment. An empty prescription bottle or tube from mini-M&M’s work well.
58. Check outdoor walkways. Are they clear? Free from tripping hazards? Cracks?
59. Add one item to your food storage.
60. Gather up your candles and see if you have enough to provide some light for 7-days. Store some matches (more than you think you need) with the candles.
61. Refill BBQ propane tanks if you have them.
62. Clean one pantry shelf. Move older food to the front.
63. Clean out your refrigerator. Discard old food and mark food that needs to be eaten up.
64. Do you need to have your chimney cleaned?
65. Read about one way to cook food without power. Order or gather supplies you would need.
66. Program your pharmacy’s phone number into your cell phone.
67. Check your computer’s firewall and anti-virus strength.
68. Do a quick comparison of auto insurance rates and coverage.
69. Set aside ingredients for a ‘no time to cook’ dinner.
70. Add one item to your two week supply of food that you could eat without cooking.
71. Store some water.
72. Plan holiday meals. Watch for ingredients to go on sale. Don’t forget potluck dinners, treats for neighbors, etc.
73. Do you need to have your furnace checked?
74. Check appliances for frayed cords.
75. Do you have de-icer in your windshield washer fluid?
76. Ice scrapers in each car….unless you live where it never gets cold!
77. Clean out one pantry shelf. Discard out of date food. Move older food to the front.
78. Try a new recipe that utilizes at least two items from your long-term storage.
79. Check supply of over-the-counter medicines such as antihistamines, antidiarrheal, pain killers & anti-inflammatories.
80. Check the caulk around tubs, showers and toilets. Repair or replace as needed.
81. Check your credit cards? Current? Do you have too many?
82. Check your credit report for errors.
83. Be certain your are shredding documents with personal information such as insurance numbers, birthdates, account numbers, social security numbers.
84. Google your name to make sure someone is using it online or writing about you in an unfavorable way.
85. Buy or obtain a free (try freecycle) transistor am/fm radio.
86. Clean out one closet.
87. Add one item to your food storage.
88. Check your doors and windows for air leaks.
89. Make certain that shrubbery around your house does not obscure windows. (burglars love it when they can hide behind a bush while they break your window)
90. Make a place for end of year tax information.
91. Try a recipe utilizing one or two items from your long-term storage.
92. Check your cell phone contract. If out of contract, compare rates.
93. Add a small flashlight to your glove compartment.
94. Check cash supply at home. Be certain you have bills in $20 or less denominations
95. Mail holiday gifts early to avoid paying express shipping charges.
96. Do you need de-icer for walk ways and driveway?
97. Collect loose change and establish place to store it.
98. Add one item to your 2 week supply of foods you could eat without cooking.
99. Add one item to your 72-hour kit.
100. Cook a double entree and freeze the extra!
See, you can do this!!! It is inexpensive, fast and all things YOU can do with little time and money.
Don’t worry, we’ll remind you periodically. Now, get to it! And good luck.
