Could you survive a lockdown?

I was using my blog reader (I've really got to figure out my replacement for Google Reader ASAP) and came across this blog post from Food Storage Moms Would you have enough food and water for a lockdown in your neighborhood?.  And as I read it, I was grateful to answer Yes (except I do need to replace my water as it's all several years old).  How about you?  Do you have several days worth of food and water in your home?  Or do you just have enough for the next planned meal?

A couple years ago, there was a double-homicide just around the corner from my house (at the end of the block, so truly around the corner) in the early morning hours (about 5:30 am).  With no suspect in custody and no known motive being presented by the police, we were a little, okay more than a little, aware of being safe, even within our own home.  Fortunately, we already have a habit of generally keeping the exterior doors locked whenever we are inside, and when we're not at home.  We have a fenced in backyard and allow our girls to play there without us constantly hovering over them.  But that changed for a long time after the murder.

The next day, in the early afternoon, all of a sudden I could hear helicopters hovering over my house and the neighborhood.  I stepped outside and visited with my neighbors, one of whom stopped a cop who was driving past and found out that there was a manhunt going on in our neighborhood.  I immediately locked myself back in my home.  After a few minutes, I decided that although I could possibly defend myself against an intruder, I wasn't able to defend myself against a stray bullet coming through the wall of my home and decided to evacuate - I headed to my children's school which is several miles away and did some volunteer work, along with one of my neighbors.  That day could have easily turned into a neighborhood lockdown - with my children and husband not at home and not able to return (I'll be sharing thoughts on that in coming posts).

The situation in Watertown, Massachusetts last week was much more intense than my experience.  We were never instructed by our community leaders that our area was in lockdown.  I never had to hear any gunshots, let alone explosions.  I didn't have to see or hear about suspects battling with police on the news.  But if my neighborhood was put on lockdown, I am comfortable saying that we'd have food and water to sustain us.  Instructions last week, per some reports, were to NOT answer your door during the lockdown unless it was an identified police officer.  So if I was in that situation, I wouldn't be answering my door to loan my neighbor a "cup of sugar".  That means my neighbors, and you, need to be prepared themselves.

Many people think of preparedness being for those thinking the end of the world is coming.  It can be, but that's not all it's for.  It's for unexpected situations.  I was at a women's conference this weekend and a quote was given in a video by a survivor of the Christchurch, New Zealand earthquakes - "The thing about disasters is in general, we don't expect them.  Some people prepare, but most don't".  In many disasters, those who have are willing and able to share with those in need.  But in some situations, we're not able to share.  We each have the responsibility to prepare for our own families needs.  If you do nothing else, you should have several days worth of food and water to provide for the basic necessities of your family.  I'm personally of the mindset that those situations are NOT going to be us just hanging out relaxing.  It's going to be a bit stressful so if I can provide food that my family is comfortable with, that nourishes us, is healthy and delicious, something they're looking forward to, instead of 3600 calorie bar to gnaw on, we'll be less stressed and have more energy to do what needs to be done and to remain alert.  And that's just another reason I choose Thrive!

As always, if you want ideas on what to store, I'm here to help.  I take my "job title" of Thrive Life Independent Consultant seriously.  Although I do sales, the ultimate job description emphasizes that a consultant gives professional or expert advice.  I don't claim to be an expert on preparedness, but I am an expert at feeding my family, as you are for feeding your's.  Together, we'll identify the best products available through Thrive Life for your family's personal preparedness needs.

This post has been shared with The Busy Bee's Blog Party, Six Sisters - Strut Your Stuff Saturday, and Best Blog Post Ever - Mormon Mommy Blogs.