Preparedness Not Just For Preppers

I've found it interesting how some folks don't see the need to prepare for future disaster.  They rationalize by saying something like...  "Why should I stock up on food and water supplies?  I've got a grocery store five blocks down the street, and I'm just living paycheck to paycheck.  Besides, I'm no 'prepper', and I don't think the end of the world will be here anytime soon."
Just for argument's sake, let's say that a worldwide zombie pandemic were not imminent, and that no war, pestilence, economic collapse, an EMP, or attack of the rabid unicorns were coming to our cities and towns.  Life will be hunky-dory for the next 200 years, so there's nothing to worry about.  (Though, you know I really don't see things that optimistically, as realism is my curse, just bear with me) I would have to argue the case for you to prepare for disaster nonetheless.

Hunnie, we've been attacked by zombies... can we finally break out the 'tactical bacon'??

There Will Always Be Disaster

On this third rock from that big shiny thing called the sun, disaster is at every turn.  No, it may not come as a zombie apocalypse today, but it has a good chance of coming into our lives as a layoff, a snowstorm, or a giant gust of wind that topples that giant oak onto the transformer across the street.  These events don't really seem like something for which we should stock up the pantry.  But, think about how they can affect our daily lives...

Without power, you can't cook, turn on a light switch, wash your clothes (and you can't even post your predicament on Facebook).  You won't even be able to flip on the TV and see just how widely the power outage has spread.  Who knows, the entire country may have gone dark, and you might not even know it.  If it happens in the winter, how will you keep warm?  Do you have candles or lanterns?  Do you have a gas powered stove or grill so you can cook?  How much of your food supplies in your fridge and freezer will be lost, and do you have nonperishable food that you can consume for the duration of the event?  Do you have a way to bathe?  Do you have a way to get rid of sewage?  As you can see, the questions are endless.

Devastation.

My thoughts also drift towards the beaches of New Jersey, during the aftermath of hurricane Sandy.  Those unfortunate events were flashed all over national news, as folks stood guard on their front porches with 12ga shotguns to prevent their homes from being looted.  Yes, there were plenty of grocery stores just down the road, but you can bet that those establishments were rendered useless without a working power grid.  It was also interesting how even cars are dependent on the power grid, as it requires this grid in order to pump the gas.  For this reason, folks were parked in gas lines for hours on end.  Fights broke out on a regular basis, due to unjust 'line cutters'.  It's interesting how our more aggressive natures tend to surface when resources are in short supply.

Perhaps, even if you don't fancy yourself a prepper, you might consider preparing nonetheless.  No, you don't have to prepare for a zombie apocalypse, but who knows when the next bad storm will blow through, and your stuck with eating PBJ's for the next week and a half.  Personally though, if I've got chunky peanut butter, even I might not mind that.

-K. H. Danielsen