Home Generator Information

You should first consider those things that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has suggested. Storage of food, water and financial reserves are likely important to consider BEFORE getting an emergency home generator. However, if you need to have electric service to heat your house, or perhaps to run an oxygen machine, consider a generator set-up.

A Home Generator:

• Is Expensive
• Requires a fair amount of maintenance
• Might be dangerous if not used properly
• Can be very noisy
• Can be a real blessing at times (during long power outages can provide well water, heat, lights and the microwave oven, TV and even the Internet)

Do Not Buy a Generator if:

• You have not stored food and water for all of your family members.
• You don't have at least $1000.00 or more to spend.
• You don't have a place to run it outside, or if you don't want to do the maintenance.

I Bought a Generator Because:

• We seem to lose power frequently.
• We have no neighbors to complain; the noise only bothers us. (I did install a quieter muffler)
• I could install it myself with the transfer panel.
• We felt we had the money for it; I do the maintenance myself.

If I Had to Do it Again, I would:

• Buy a better generator with a quieter muffler, maybe better voltage regulation.
• Run wiring from the outside of the house so the cable did not have to go under the garage door.

Different Types of Generators are:

• Small portable units: Typical use for camping--may be too small for home emergency use.
• Low cost units (with wheels): Light duty, 4000 to 7500 watts
• Heavy duty units (with or without wheels): More expensive, greater life.
• Permanently installed automatic operation units: Expensive, outside location.

Where would you buy a generator and the transfer switch panel?

• Home Depot or Lowe's
• Lots of other places (see web links)

A Generator Runs on:

• Gasoline: Expensive
• Propane: Nice if you have that available anyway
• Heating oil/diesel: Same as above

Types of Home Generators:

• Portable 5000 VA with wheels--use outside of the house
• Portable small units--use outside for camping
• Permanently installed--automatic operation 8000 VA or larger--normally located outside your house.

How to use a generator:

• Install a generator transfer switch panel connected to your house electrical circuit breaker panel.
• OR just plug in necessary equipment with extension cords.
• DO NOT back feed the generator. This is dangerous to you and possibly someone working on the power lines.

Here are some generator websites and how to use them:

• NE MARA: Church related amateur radio website, thanks to Dave Marling in Nova Scotia http://ne.mara.net/generator/gen.pdf
• POPULAR MECHANICS ARTICLE http://www.popularmechanics.com/how_to_central/home_clinic/1275631.html?page=1
• CENTRAL MAINE DIESEL SITE http://01856bc.netolhost.com/demo_units11.asp?page=1
• GENERATORJOE SITE is okay--lots of stuff there http://generatorjoe.net/store.asp
• HONDA GENERATORS http://hondapowerequipment.com/gen.asp
• KOHLER http://kohlerpowersystems.com/residential.html
• HOME DEPOT http://www.homedepot.com/
• GEN TRAN http://www.gen-tran.com/

Source: Jeff Porter, 28 April 2007

Family Disaster Plan

Every Family needs to plan for what might happen.

You should sit down with your family and talk about:

• What types of disasters might happen
• What you should do to prepare (like creating a family disaster kit, i.e. 72 hour kit)
• What to do if you are asked to evacuate

You should talk to your family about:

• Where to meet away from your home in case of a fire (like a neighbor's house or the corner of the street);
• Where to meet outside your neighborhood if you must evacuate. You should pick a friend or relative's house.
• Where to call to "check in" if you become separated from your family during a disaster. You should memorize the phone number of a family member who lives out of state. You call there to report where you are so your family can find you.

You can also talk to your whole neighborhood about disaster plans Find out if someone in your neighborhood has a special skill--like being a doctor.

Be sure your home has a smoke detector and remember to change the batteries twice a year. It's also a good idea totake a first aid class so you will be prepared to help others.

EMERGENCY PLAN

Out of State Contact

Name:______________________________________

City: _______________________________________

Telephone (Day)______________

(Evening) ___________________

(Cell) ______________________

Local Contact

Name: _____________________________________

City: ______________________________________

Telephone (Day)_______________

(Evening) ____________________

(Cell) _______________________

Nearest Relative

Name: ______________________________________

City:________________________________________

Telephone (Day)_______________

(Evening) ____________________

(Cell) _______________________

Family Work Numbers

Father_______________________

Mother ______________________

Other _______________________

Emergency Telephone Numbers

In a life threatening emergency, dial 911 or the local emergency medical services system number

Police Dept_________________________

Fire Dept__________________________

Hospital___________________________

Family Physicians

Name_____________________________

Phone_____________________________

Name_____________________________

Phone_____________________________

Name_____________________________

Phone_____________________________

Reunion Locations

1. Right outside your home_______________

__________________________________

2. Away from neighborhood, in case you cannot return home

__________________________________

__________________________________

Escape Plan

In a fire or other emergency, you may need to evacuate your home on a moment's notice. You should be ready to get out fast.

Develop an escape plan by drawing a floor plan of your residence. Using a black or blue pen, show the location of doors, windows, stairways,a dn large furniture. Indicatethe location of emergency supplies (Disaster Supplies Kit), fire extinguishers, smoke detectors,collapsible ladders, first aid kits, and utility shut off points. Next, use a colored pen to draw a broken line charting at least two excape routes from each room. Finally, mark a place outside of the home where household members should meet in case of fire.

Be sure to include important points outside such as garages, patios, stiarways, elevators, driveways and porches. If your home has more than two floors, use an additional sheet of paper. Practice emergency evacuation drills with all household members at least two times each year.

Source: Becky Potts

Information Page for Each Emergency Pack (72 hour kit)

Name: ____________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________

Phone number: _____________________________________

Family members:____________________________________

_________________________________________________

Medical Problems: ___________________________________

Allergies: _________________________________________

Medications: _______________________________________

Local person to call in case of emergency: ___________________

Non-local person to call: _______________________________

Blueprint for a Basic 72-Hour Emergency Pack

1. Container: Use back pack, suitcase, duffle bag, etc. It's a good idea to keep a list of what's in the pack on the outside. Also put expiration dates on list, or on foods themselves. A good time to rotate food would be when you change the clocks. Store in a place where you can grab it quickly if necessary.

2. Important Information and Money: Keep a little money (small bills), and some change for phone calls or bridge tokens. You may want to have a phone card. Keep your car filled with gas, and perhaps have spare keys in your pack. Have important information such as name, phone numbers for emergency (one local, one not), list of phone numbers you may want to call, medical problems, allergies, medications, etc. You may want to keep a 3-day supply of medicine in your pack, rotate when you getyour prescriptions filled. Some people like to include copies of important papers such as birth certificate, marriage certificate, credit card list; family pictures; genealogy; inventory of house items in case of fire emergency.

3. Water: A minimum of 1 quart per person per day for drinking. Can buy water bottles, or fill 2 liter soft drink bottles, or plastic gallons such as cranberry juice. Some have handles for easy carrying. Plastic milk bottles are not suggested because they will eventually disintegrate. Change water at least once a year. If you fill your own water bottles, put 4 drops of bleach for each 2 quarts of water. you may want to carry water purification tablets in your pack. You may also carry a small water filter.

4. Food: Whatever you like which would keep you alive for 3 days. Tuna fish or chicken in packages, crackers, nuts, granola bars, energy bars, fruit in plastic cups. Don't forget a can operner if you stored canned goods. Be sure to rotate, maybe at General Conference time. You can eat the food while you watch conference.

5. Clothing: Sweat pants and sweat shirts are good-can be cut off for summer. Dry socks, change of underwear, extra shoes. Grab winter coat, etc. on way out of door. For children, change clothing as they grow.

6. Personal Items, First Aid Kit, Misc.: Toiletries: toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, deodorant, lotion, kleenex, toilet paper, anything else you can't live without. First Aid Kit: bandaids, alchohol wipes, etc. Misc.: Battery powdered radio and extra batteries, flashlight and extra batteries, emergency candle, duct tape, twine, paper towels, pad of paper, pencil, sewing kit (thread and needle, safety pins, small scissors), aspirin, scriptures, sleeping bags.

Source: Connie Hogan

Blueprint for a More Complete 72-Hour Emergency Pack

Advance Preparation

1. First-aid skills


2. Physical Fitness


3. Family Evacuation Plan


4. List of useful phone numbers and addresses


5. What kind of disasters can occur where I live?


6. How will family members contact each other?


7. Where will we meet?

Types of Containers for Pack

• Backpack


• Suitcase


• Duffle bag


• Five-gallon plastic bucket

Types of Water Containers

• Canteen


• Bottled Water


• Water pouches/boxes


• Soft drink bottles

Clothing

• Underwear


• T-shirt


• Sweatshirt


• Socks


• Long pants


• Sweater


• Raincoat or poncho


• Winter coat, if appropriate


• Gloves, cap, scarf


• Sturdy Shoes


• Handkerchiefs

Food (be sure to rotate at least annually)

• MREs


• Freeze-dried food


• Granola bars


• Nuts


• Dried Fruits


• Energy Bars


• Small cans of tuna


• Beef jerky


• Hard candy


• Peanut butter


• Cup-a-soup


• Crackers


• Small cans of fruit


• Granola


• Milk powder


• Hot cocoa mix


• Chocolate

First-Aid

• Consecrated oil


• Vitamins


• OTC pain medication


• Cold/flu medications


• OTC allergy medications


• Prescription medications


• Tape Gauze


• Antibiotic ointment


• Band-aids


• Sling


• Instant ice packs


• Rubber/latex gloves


• Thermometer


• Sun screen


• Extra eye glasses


• First-aid book


• Insect repellent


• Lip balm

Bedding/Warmth

• Sleeping bag (and pad)


• Blankets


• Foil emergency blanket

Shelter

• Tent


• Sleeping bag (and pad)


• Tube tent

Sanitation

• Toilet paper


• Plastic bucket with tightly fitting lid


• Plastic bags and ties

Money

• $20 - $100 in small bills


• Quarters for the phone (or phone card)


• Checkbook, ATM cards

Scriptures

Source: Connie Hogan

Spit Cooking

A spit is simple to make for use with either charcoal or wood. Two notched sticks set in the ground and another placed across with meat tied on it with cotton string is all that's necessary. It need not be turned constantly, only every 10-15 minutes. You can usually place the fire to one side and slow roast your meat. This allows you to use the fire for other things. You can keep a fairly small fire alongside your spit, continually burning with coal from under the Dutch oven. Wrap vegetables (try carrots and celery) in aluminum foil with a touch of butter and potatoes wrapped in foil or unwrapped. It's possible to make baked potatoes, fresh bread, roast chicken, and carrots and celery at the same time. If the bread is finished before everything else comes off the fire and cobbler is started at that time, dessert is ready when the main course is done.

All of this can be fun. With a little practice and willingness to try, your family will look forward to cooking this way.

Good luck!

Source: George & Sherry Macialek

Spiritual Preparedness: Quotes

"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." - Helaman 5:12

"What is the most important item to have stored in your year's supply? My response was seriously given--'personal righteousness.'" - President Marion G. Romney

"Prepare ye, prepare ye for that which is to come, for the Lord is nigh." - D&C 1:12

"We need to make both temporal and spiritual preparation for the events prophesied at the time of the Second Coming. And the preparation most likely to be neglected is the one less visible and more difficult--the spiritual. A 72-hour kit of temporal supplies may prove valuable for earthly challenges, but, as the foolish virgins learned to their sorrow, a 24-hour kit of spiritual preparation is of greater and more enduring value.

"We are living in the prophesied time 'when peace shall be taken from the earth' (D&C 1:35,) when 'all things shall be in commotion' and 'men's hearts shall fail them' (D&C 88:91.) There are many temporal causes of commotion, including wars and natural disasters, but an even greater cause of current 'commotion' is spiritual" - Elder Dallin H. Oaks

"Most of us have thought about how to prepare for storms. . . But there is another even more important preparation we must make for test that are certain to come to each of us. That preparation must be started far in advance because it takes time. What we will need then can't be bought. It can't be borrowed. It doesn't store well. And it has to have been used regularly and recently.

"What we will need in our day of testing is a spiritual preparation. It is to have developed faith in Jesus Christ so powerful that we can pass the test of life upon which everything for us in eternity depends. We were promised that we would have Jehovah, Jesus Christ, as our Savior and Redeemer. And He would make it possible for us to pass the test of life if we exercised faith in Him by being obedient.

"It will take unshakable faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to choose the way to eternal life. It is by using that faith we can know the will of God. It is by acting on that faith we build the strength to do the will of God. And it is by exercising that faith in Jesus Christ that we can resist temptation and gain forgiveness through the Atonement.

"Learning to start early and to be steady are the keys to spiritual preparation. Procrastination and inconsistency are its mortal enemies.

"Let me suggest to you four settings in which to practice quick and steady obedience.

1. The command to feast upon the word of God.


2. Is to pray always.


3. Is the commandment to be a full-tithe payer.


4. Is to escape from sin and its terrible effects.

"Each takes faith to start and then to persevere. And all can strengthen your capacity to know and obey the Lord's commands." - Elder Henry B. Eyring

"I believe that the Ten Virgins represent the people of the Church of Jesus Christ. . . They (five foolish) had the saving, exalting gospel, but it had not been made the center of their lives. They knew the way but gave only a small measure of loyalty and devotion.

"The foolish asked the others to share their oil, but spiritual preparedness cannot be shared in an instant. . . . This was not selfishness or unkindness. The kind of oil that is needed to illuminate the way and light up the darkness is not shareable. . . . In our lives the oil of preparedness is accumulated drop by drop in righteous living." - President Spencer W. Kimball