K/G - I hope folks read this thread and it gets them to thinking/prepping. You do not have to be some kind of whacko nut job to prepare for possible disasters! Hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, floods, ice storms, etc. DO happen all over the country, and the smart person prepares for them!! I have had a 5K watt generator for many years now, but have not really had to use it. About the only time I would use it would be to save food in the refrigerator and freezer. A spare 12 volt battery and power inverter will enable you to have lights and watch a small television for news in your area, a wind-up radio provides additional news and music, a propane grill enables you to cook, as well as a Coleman-type stove. I also have a ventless propane heater, which worked great when we had an ice storm last December. I keep SEVERAL cases of bottled water on hand, as well as several Aquatainers and 5 and 2 1/2 gallon jugs of water for washing up and flushing the toilet. (you can use the first for the second! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />) My shelf units downstairs look like a small grocery store, so we are fixed for food for quite a while. I have a LOT of flashlights and battery operated lanterns, as well as candles. I also keep extra dog and cat food on hand. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> So, when a problem occurs in our area we are quite comfortable. I DO keep 75 gallons of Stabil-ized gas in my shed for my tractor, vehicles, or generator if needed, as well as 4 100# tanks and 5 20# tanks of LP for the gas appliances.
I hope folks reading this thread might get ideas that will help them in the event of a problem/disaster. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Tom