Apt Prepper Daughter was driving around with a friend, on their way to the beach.  It was a perfect spring day, with a nice breeze and low humidity so they drove with their windows down.

While stopped at a light, a bee suddenly flew into the car and stung Apt Prepper Daughter in the upper arm just as the light changed.  The sting didn’t hurt that much at first, but she pulled the car over and checked the site.  There was no stinger but she noticed the area was red and was rapidly swelling up like a golf ball.  She restarted the car and in a few minutes started to feel out of breath.  She was starting to feel difficulty breathing and her throat felt tight.  Her friend was talking to his mom on the cell phone at the time and they told her what happened.  She told them the rapid swelling shows Apt Prepper Daughter is allergic to bee stings; if they were anywhere near a store they need to immediately pick up some Benadryl and take it as soon as possible.  If they were not close then they’d need to call 911.  Fortunately, they were right by a Randall’s grocery and they got the Benadryl in time.  She felt immediate relief as soon as she took it.

This could have been a dangerous situation had they not been near a store.  I was thankful she was fine by the time she called me to tell me what happened.  But this got me to thinking what if there’s an emergency and you can’t just go to the market to buy Benadryl?   She had a few sensitivities as a child, but we never knew she was allergic to bee stings.  Apt Prepper Son got stung by a wasp at the apartment trash bin, and I gave him an antihistamine as a precaution, so we did not see any symptoms other than a few hives.

I told Apt Prepper Daughter to start keeping antihistamines in her purse for emergencies.  She already has a couple of pain relievers, Band-aids and of course water and food in her car.

It’s also a good idea to learn the difference between a mild reaction to a sting, and symptoms of insect sting allergy, also known as anaphylactic reaction:

What is a mild reaction to a sting?

• Itching
• Some redness
• Mild swelling at the sting area
• Slight pain in the area
• Warming sensation
• Small pimple from the bite

Symptoms of severe insect sting allergy:

• Rapid swelling in the mouth, eyes, face or throat
• Difficulty breathing
• Hives and redness spreading beyond the sting area
• Difficulty swallowing
• Dizziness or nausea
• Rapid pulse
• Loss of consciousness

With insects out in full force in the spring and summer, you just never know when such an emergency can happen.  If you are severely allergic, check with your doctor on what you should keep with you for such an emergency.  Even if you are not allergic, someone in your family or around you might be. Don’t leave out antihistamines from your mini first aid kit.

 For beginning preppers

Good ideas for building a food storage plan can be found here:

DebtProof Living

Harbor Freight has given me the opportunity to test out a generator.  The Predator 8750 Watt Portable Generator was delivered while I was at work.  First of all, it weighed about 100 lbs., so the leasing office staff let the delivery guy leave my package at the backdoor outside the office.  They did not want to have to lift it.  So if you have a generator being delivered to your apartment, you need to make sure you have a way to get it to your unit, in case it does not get delivered at your front door.

The generator was well-packaged, and arrived in great condition.  It came with an instruction manual and even included some small tools.

I am not very knowledgeable about things electrical so I enlisted the help of Mr. Apt Prepper.  He had been away on business but fortunately had returned by the time the generator was delivered.  The first thing we did was read the manual thoroughly.  This is where I learned all sorts of things.

Every generator includes the wattage it is rated for, and the maximum watts you can use with it.  In this case, the Predator Generator is “7000 rated watts; 8750 maximum watts.”

What does this mean?

This means there is a bit of calculation involved when deciding which devices you will be using with the generator.  This is to make sure that the items you want to plug in are below the rated and maximum wattage ratings of the generator.  The manual included a Wattage Calculation Table, along with Wattage Calculation Charts, which gave the “Running Watts” and the “Additional Startup Watts” for common household appliances.  For example, you want to use a combination of appliances:

• computer with monitor, it will need 800 running watts, but 0 additional startup watts.
• A refrigerator/freezer needs 700 running watts, and 1500 startup watts.
• Window AC needs 1200 running watts and 600 additional startup watts

If you wanted to use these three things at the same time, you add 800+700+1200=2700, well under the 7000 rated watts of the Predator Generator.  For the Startup Watts, you only take the highest startup watts, in this case, it’s 1500.  2700+1500=4200, which is under the 8750 maximum wattage the generator can handle.

There are a few more considerations before getting started.

1.  Decide in advance where you will place the generator.  A generator can only be used in a well ventilated area and it cannot be inside the home, shed or garage.  Even if you think you can leave the garage door a crack open, that will not be sufficient ventilation.  Generator exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide which cannot be seen and not always smelled.  According to the manual, “when using a generator, keep them outdoors and far away from open doors, windows and vents to avoid toxic levels of carbon monoxide from building up indoors.”   You will also need help lifting the generator.  This particular model does not have wheels, but some other models do.   We have a small covered patio in the back of the unit, and that is where we placed it for this test.

2.  Before using the generator, it must be properly grounded.  If you live in a higher floor, you will need an electrician to ground the unit for you.

3.  You will need fuel and engine oil to run the generator:  For the Predator, fuel is 87 + octane unleaded gasoline, maximum capacity is 6.6 gallons.  To purchase gas, we used our gasoline container which carries five gallons.  The engine oil is a common one, SAE 10W-30.  As part of the pre-start steps, you add oil to the engine’s crankcase, and fill the fuel tank with gasoline.  We already had an extension cord to connect an appliance to the generator so we did not need to buy one.

4.  The Predator model has an electric start option which requires the installation of a battery to use.  But all generators can be started using the recoil method, which is done by turning on the engine then pulling the starter handle gently until resistance is felt.  For this test, we did not get the battery, so we tried the recoil method.

5.   Prior to trying this out, I had thought you just use a generator when the need arises,  then leave it alone until next time you need it.  Not so.  If you are not going to use a generator after 20 days, you must drain out the the gasoline and the oil.

Back to the test…

After turning on the power, we ran the generator  for five minutes with nothing connected, as specified by the instructions.

As expected, generators do make a bit of noise, and you can smell some exhaust fumes as the engine is running.

We plugged in our microwave to see if it would actually work.

And it turned on!

I was excited to see that it worked.

Learning how to set up a generator was quite a valuable experience for me.  As with other emergency preparedness steps, you cannot just take it for granted.  Just having a generator does not guarantee you will have access to power at the next outage.  Buying it is only the first step.  You need to read the manual ahead of time, have the items you need and do the proper setup prior to an actual emergency.

Harbor Freight has a great selection of generators and a wide selection of tools.  They have excellent prices, fast shipping and great customer service.  Give them a try – tell them Apartment Prepper sent you!

ReadyMade Resources is a trusted source for your preparedness supplies:

Check out information and products available at SafeGuard Clothing, or click on the link below.

Find products that are equally functional for wilderness survival as well as urban preparedness:

After witnessing this encounter, I was perturbed that someone would get so aggressive and exhibit violence over something as trivial as getting honked at, and in front of kids.  I really shouldn’t be shocked–we’ve heard of fights breaking out over parking spots and people coming to blows at Christmas sales.  But actually seeing how people react and get ugly made it more glaring.  Who can say what frame of mind she had to begin with?  She may have been stressed but that is no excuse.  If someone could potentially get violent over a trivial incident, can you imagine how people would react when there is a disaster?

Last week I wrote about obstacles that could keep you from getting home in an emergency.  Witnessing the incident this morning, I realized road rage can become an obstacle when:

• People are stuck in unending traffic jams and unable to get home
• Store shelves become empty and people can’t get food and water for their families
• Depressed or mentally ill patients will no longer have access to mood altering medication
• Jobs become scarce and livelihoods are threatened
• Homes are foreclosed or lost

What can you do?

• Realize and accept that people will not be acting at their best
• If you are the one starting to feel stressed and agitated, take a step back and take a deep breath.  The cliche about counting to 10 works.
• Put yourself in the other person’s shoes and empathize with what they may be going through.
• If you are the target, do not let the matter escalate – you always have a choice to walk away.  Pride and “being in the right” won’t matter much to your family if you get hurt or killed.
• Pray for patience and strength to overcome any difficulties.
• Be prepared.

Even in everyday situations, being prepared can help you could avoid many irritants and inconveniences:

• Leaving early instead of late will avoid the stress of being rushed.
• Saving money for a rainy day helps you deal with unexpected financial emergencies
• Preparing your kids’ clean clothes, lunches, paperwork the night before avoids the morning rush
• Keeping at least a quarter to half a tank of gas at all times avoids having to stop at a gas station when it’s inconvenient.
• Getting out of debt means less worries.
• Having food stored at home means not having to run to the store.

Being prepared goes a long way toward giving you peace of mind, whether a disaster happens or not.

Mother Earth Food Storage

For beginning preppers

DebtProof Living

Who won the Emberlit Stove from LPC Survival?  Congratulations to Jen who submitted her entry via Facebook on Rafflecopter.  Of course there were multiple ways to enter, and this time, a Facebook entry won.

Mountain House Sale at Camping Survival.  Don’t miss the very special and massively discounted one week sale of Mountain House foods at Camping Survival.  I always tell readers on a budget to wait for sales so now is a great time to stock up.

Just in Time for Allergy Season.  I am an allergy sufferer and I’ve had a few miserable days lately.  The doctor had recommended I use a neti pot but I did not have a good experience the first time I tried it.  The Survival Doctor’s latest post, Video: The Best Way to Irrigate Your Sinuses (Without a Neti Pot) may be worth a look.

Another Gardening in Small Spaces Idea.  You know I am always looking out for ways to grow plants in small spaces.  Check out Build a DIY vertical planter for small space gardening

For People in a Time Crunch.   For anyone who doesn’t have a lot of time for complex projects, “I don’t have time.” is no longer an excuse.  Check out

26 Five Minute Prepping Projects

You can’t beat projects that a so simple and quick, but give a payoff in preparedness.

Burglary Infographic From Supercircuits

Editor’s Note:  A few weeks ago, reader Dianna Anna won our giveaway of The Mini Farming Guide to Composting.  She decided to write a quick review of the book and I thought I‘d share it with everyone.  Thank you Dianna Anna!

The Mini Farming Guide to Composting by Brett L. Markham shows that composting in some form or fashion is entirely feasible no matter if you are just learning or have been doing this all your life.

I first learned about composting years ago in a commune in rural Mississippi.  I’ve had a compost pile in some shape or form since then, from chicken wire bins in my suburban back yard to large planters on my tiny patio. And over the years I have probably read a dozen or so books on composting. But, in this one book I was delighted to get everything I always wanted to know about composting including the technical stuff to go with it!

This guide starts with the science of the soil and covers indoor composting, worm farming, the difference between anaerobic and aerobic, and lots more like sheet composting and compost tea.  I finally got the info I needed for composting animal waste (that includes human too). Even better, this book  is printed on glossy paper so you can take it out into the yard with you and not worry about getting the pages dirty.

Buy this book!  It is well priced at just $14.95. Trust me, it is the only book you will ever need on this subject.

 For beginning preppers

Good ideas for building a food storage plan can be found here:

DebtProof Living

Soon after the Boston Marathon bombing, the city went on lockdown.  A relative who lives a mile or so away from the blast site was visiting a friend at the time.  He texted the family that he could not leave his friend’s house for hours because entire neighborhoods were on lockdown.  This got me thinking about what could potentially keep you from getting home in the event of a disaster.  You can have all your “ducks in a row” such as a well stocked get home bag, emergency texting tree, contingency plans, but these things could provide obstacles to your getting home plans:

News Delays

On typical work days we get our news reports during the morning or afternoon drive while listening to the radio.  But what if something happens in the middle of the day?  It may be a good idea to check the news at certain times during the day via your phone or your computer just to be aware of what’s going on.  I am not recommending surfing the internet as you work, but perhaps checking during your break or lunch would not be a bad idea.  If you don’t know that there’s an emergency going on until later, you may waste precious time.

Malfunctioning Elevators

The first thing you need to do is get out of your building if it is safe to go out.  I have gotten locked in a packed elevator with 10 other people and it was not a good experience.  It only lasted for a few minutes but that was enough that I do not get into an elevator that is overly packed.  I’d rather take the stairs.  In an emergency, elevators may not even work.

• Get to know your building layout.
• Find out about stairwells and alternate routes out of your floor.

Blocked Exits

Parking structures may get congested or worse, destroyed and you may be unable to get your car out.

• Have a plan in case you have to walk out of downtown.
• Have some emergency cash in case you have to take a cab or bus home.
• Know where you can get public transportation just in case.
• Have a “get home” bag.
• You should always  have comfortable shoes with you.

Traffic Congestion and Accidents

Think about the flow of traffic in your area.  Houston traffic is horrendous at certain hours, but some cities are even worse.  The freeways get really packed during rush hours.  Add a fender bender or two and you can be sitting there for hours.

• Know the traffic conditions in your area:
• Keep track of traffic reports and have several alternate routes home.
• Don’t rely on your GPS – know the routes by heart or have a paper map.
• Consider taking a defensive driving course – you can improve your driving skills and possibly qualify for a discount off your car insurance.

Flooded, Blocked or Damaged Streets

We live in an area that floods quickly during heavy rains.  Again, know your alternate routes, and stay clear of areas that you know will become choke points.  In an earthquake, riot or weather-related disaster, many streets may be blocked or damaged.   You should have a backup street map in case cell phones are not working and you are unable to access Mapquest or Google Maps.

Lock Downs

Employers and school officials have emergency lockdown procedures.  Get to know the lock down procedures in your office and kids’ schools if you are a parent.  If your building goes on lock down you may be prevented from leaving.

• Know where to pick up your kids.
• Schools sometimes close down certain driveways and exits, and you will waste valuable time if you have to take time to search for the open one.
• Designate who picks up whom in advance to avoid duplication and wasted time.

Crime

Related to road rage described above, desperate people will resort to desperate acts.   Someone who is unable to get a vehicle may try and take yours.  You may be trying to walk out and someone may steal your get home bag – anything can happen.  Have a way to defend yourself if necessary.   I am not suggesting everyone needs to carry a weapon, but just be aware this can happen so you can take precautions.

• Don’t call attention to yourself if you are walking.
• Stay away from open doorways and steer clear of blind corners.
• If you are driving, keep your doors and windows closed.

This post is not meant to scare you but rather get you to think about possible impediments to getting home in an emergency so you can plan ahead.  Take the extra steps of informing your family and test your emergency plan.

ReadyMade Resources is a trusted source for your preparedness supplies:

Check out information and products available at SafeGuard Clothing, or click on the link below.

Find products that are equally functional for wilderness survival as well as urban preparedness:

LPC Survival, aka The Berkey Guy is sponsoring our new giveaway:  Enter to win an Emberlit Stainless Steel Stove by submitting your entry below.  Here’s a description from the website:

The Emberlit Stove weighs less than 11.3 oz (316 g) and is constructed of rugged stainless steel. Compare that to a full canister of fuel and burner! The stainless steel EmberLit is impervious to corrosion and remarkably strong. The EmberLit will hold the weight of any pot or pan that will sit securely without wobble. Like the rest of the EmberLit line, this stove comes with a lifetime guarantee because you are never going to wear it out. 

This’ll make a great bug-out bag or backpacking stove.

You can enter between May 6 until Saturday, May 11, 2013.  Lots of ways to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

These past couple of weeks have been some of the busiest I’ve had. With extra hours being demanded at work, I have not had as much time to devote to anything else, so this is a quick post.  Hopefully things will calm down soon and I will be back to my normal schedule.

Hot beverages without a fire  I wanted to share this neat new product from Camping Survival, Cafe To Go, that allows you to have hot coffee, hot coco or soup without a fire.  I have not tried it myself but it sounds neat.  Check it out at http://campingsurvivalblog.com/infographics/cafe2g

Bug Out Bag Checklist. Here is a nice infographic from The Prepper Project about what goes in a bug out bag.

This Bug Out Back Checklist Brought To You
By ThePrepperProject.com

Take care and have a great week everyone!

Mother Earth Food Storage

For beginning preppers

DebtProof Living

I know for a fact that store bought pet food does not have a long shelf life:  either the canned or kibble kind don’t last more than a year.  I should know:  a few years ago, I unknowingly bought a few cans of cat food that were close to expiration.  A couple of cans exploded in the trunk of my car on the way home from the store – peeeeuuwwww!   Even after a thorough cleaning, that stench lasted for weeks!   I also tried storing kibble but they get crumbly and stale after a year.   I just kept buying a couple of bags and rotating through the stock before they expire.

That’s why I think it’s great that Preparewise now carries dog and cat food for long term storage: they are packed in heavy-duty Mylar pouches and sheltered by a stackable, waterproof, rodent-proof, resealable BPA-free plastic buckets.   With a shelf life of 10 years, you can be assured that you have pet food in case of emergency that won’t be wasted in a year or two.   All orders come with free shipping and handling. 

Gardening in the City, Guest Post by Garret Stembridge

Living in a city doesn’t mean you have to forgo your love of gardening. Regardless of whether you enjoy growing flowers for decoration or fruits and vegetables for consumption, virtually every home – no matter the size – has space available for gardening. Of course, living in a tiny apartment may require a little creativity, but there are many ways to convert urban living spaces into a gardener’s oasis.

Consider Your Location

Every urban area is different, so your gardening options may vary depending on the unique nature of your neighborhood. For example, if you live in a first level apartment or a detached single family home, you may have the luxury of creating a more conventional garden in a front, back, or side yard. However, renters should make sure they check with their landlord and review the terms of their lease before they start making substantial changes to the existing landscaping. For those in upper level apartments, patios, balconies, and fire escapes are the most likely places to capture sunlight. For either situation, window boxes are another possibility.

Contain Yourself

Novice gardeners may want to test the waters by growing plants in a few simple pots before investing a great amount of time and money in an urban garden project. Although you can easily find expensive containers to display your vegetation, buying inexpensive ones – or, better yet, borrowing used ones from friends or family members – is a smart economic strategy. In fact, you can even repurpose old mason jars, plastic food containers, or other materials you have around the house without spending any money.
When focusing your efforts on traditional container gardening, remember that size matters. For example, plants that grow rapidly need plenty of room for their roots to expand. In contrast, planting tiny herbs in a large container may waste space you could have used for some other plant.

Going Vertical

Because most city dwellers will find themselves pressed for space, using any available vertical space will help maximize your gardening possibilities. For example, convert a discarded wooden pallet into a vertical plant container. First, secure any loose wooden boards and make sure no nails are exposed to prevent injury. Next, install landscape fabric or some other material to the rear of the pallet to provide space for soil and root growth, and to minimize damage to the wall on which the pallet will hang or lean against. Then, plant vegetation that will thrive in this sort of environment. Although plants with large, heavy leaves might not grow well in that sort of semi-horizontal position, trailing or cascading plants and herbs with more delicate leaves will likely do fine.

The same concept can work for converting a hanging pocket shoe organizer into a vertical plant container. For that project, the key is to ensure that the fabric material permits proper drainage and that the hooks used to secure the shoe-organizer-turned-garden-masterpiece are strong enough to handle the weight of the soil, plants, and water.
Others have had similar success using a wooden riddling rack, traditionally used to store or hold wine bottles. In the holes where the necks of wine bottles would usually rest, inserting soil and planting vegetation is a simple solution to an urban gardening dilemma.

Organize Your Neighbors

If you want even more space than a container garden or a vertical garden can provide, consult with your neighbors and talk about teaming up to find a space that you can use together. For example, some high-rise residents have convinced building owners to permit them to create a rooftop garden, with each participating resident paying a fee for a small plot of space. Others have used the common areas of their building, like a courtyard, to create a community garden. In other instances, people in an entire neighborhood band together and find vacant, unused space to transform into a neighborhood planting project. When going this route, make sure that you obtain approval from the appropriate individuals, such as the property owners or government officials, before you break ground.

Use Indoor Space Thoughtfully

Even if you have no available outdoor space, indoor plants are always an option. Obviously, a wide variety of decorative indoor plants are available. In addition, however, many different citrus trees that provide edible fruit can grow indoors. Because these trees can be pricey, it’s best to do your research about how to properly care for them before making a purchase.

Using these tips, residents of urban areas can enjoy the amenities of a vibrant, bustling city, while still enjoying the freedom to create a garden and grow their own food. What are some of the things you’ve grown indoors? Do you have any tips you can share with new gardeners?

About the Author  Garret Stembridge is a member of the Extra Space Storage (www.extraspace.com) Internet marketing team. He contributes regularly at blog.extraspace.com. Extra Space Storage owns and operates over 900 self storage facilities, with many in California, including a Long Beach self storage location.