The most important part of preparing for the future might be to study the past. Survival Spot has put together a list of the Top 100 Items to Disappear First During a National Emergency. I’d like to write a series of posts that discuss these items in a bit more detail, and as they relate to our lives as normal family folk, many with little children at home.
Generators Are a Top Priority
We have a gas generator at our house. They are easily obtained at a variety of stores, and run between $300-$800 at Sears. However, we are really bad about storing gasoline for it. Dumb, huh? Gasoline is very difficult to store, so the the likelihood of being able to depend on a generator for any length of time is not very good. When we have 20 gallons or so on hand, we can use the generator a few times a day to flush toilets, take hot baths and keep the refrigerator and the freezer cold. Our house is wired so that we can plug the generator into a main ‘thingy’ on the outside of the house and run certain circuits from it – toilets, freezer/refrigerator and stove. 
This is a great comfort and convenience in the short term, but not for a lengthy national disaster.
A propane generator is a better choice. It is more easily stored – think of the big silver propane tanks. One could be purchased and filled, and then you would be able to run a generator for a long time. Preparation and foresight equals long-term comfort and convenience! And . . . it is possible to convert a gasoline generator to a propane one for less than $300!
Battery and solar generators are an option. These can be stored a head of time, or can use solar panels to recharge. This would be the best option for a long term disaster and can run between $130-$1500.
Do you NEED a generator in an emergency? Consider the following:
* How long are you preparing for? Days? Weeks? Months? Years? Short term power outages can be managed fairly easily, if not comfortably and conveniently. A freezer will stay frozen for several days. By using a pressure canner more than the freezer, you can extend your LACK of dependence on electricity by weeks or even months.
* Does anyone in your house have a life-sustaining need for power? Oxygen? Kidney dialysis? Heart monitor? C-Pap machine?
* Do you have access to wood? Firewood provides heat for shelter, cooking and purifying water. We live in the woods so we are designing our preparedness plan to depend more on wood that electricity. We already have a fireplace insert to provide heat and a place to do some light cooking or re-heating. Wood can also be used for outside cooking and dutch-oven cooking.
I want to be comfortable for as long as possible in any given situation. Our generator provides that in the short term. For the long-term, I’m preparing for the worst and hoping for the best!
