Preparation is an ongoing process, not a one-time activity that is considered “done” after a series of tasks are performed.  You will need to check, re-check, and make changes from time to time to ensure you are ready for the unexpected.  Consider these checks to be ongoing maintenance, akin to keeping your automobile in good working order.

Case in point, batteries*.  There are rechargeable and non-rechargeable versions made of various combinations of materials.  All of them have the same function though which is storing electrical energy.  This post will focus on the non-rechargeable ones.

Over time, batteries will lose energy even if the device they are in isn’t being used.  The rate of loss will depend upon factors like the type of device the battery is installed in, ambient temperature, the quality of the battery, and others.  Over time, the materials in the battery can start to break down and leak.  This can cause a mess along with equipment loss, so you want to take steps to avoid this.

I speak from personal experience on this issue because I failed to do this in some of my battery-powered flashlights.  I was able to salvage one of my collapsible Coleman LED lamps, but lost both a single-cell AAA Maglite and a double-cell AA Maglite.  The cells were so swollen in the AA Maglite that I couldn’t extract them and had to throw out the flashlight body!  Now, I regularly check all my battery-powered devices at least twice a year (quarterly is better) to ensure all of the cells are in good shape.  Costco has regular sales on batteries so I have an adequate supply of spare ones on-hand for replacement.

So learn from my mistake and check your batteries on a regular basis.  Normal batteries are relatively inexpensive and widely available so its mostly a matter of making these checks a habit that will ensure your equipment remains operational.  In the future I will discuss where and when to use rechargeable batteries and normal batteries, for now though take some time to ensure that the batteries you will need in an emergency are in good shape.

*Technically most of the ones used are dry cells because the material inside the case is a paste.

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There are a couple of critical principles in preparation that everyone needs to practice.  The first one I will write about is “two is one and one is none.”  What it means is always have more than one item whenever possible to achieve a level of redundancy.  After all, if you only have one item and its broken/unavailable in an emergency, you will have to do without.

Simple concept, but what does this mean in practice?

There are two ways I address redundancy in my preparation.  The first is having at least two of a given item.  For example:

• Two flashlights
• Two pair of gloves
• Two multi-tools
• Two lengths of paracord
• Two fire extinguishers

The other way to have redundancy is addressing a function using two different methodologies.  That means having at least two different items that accomplish the same task.  For example:

• Lighting – flashlight, candle, chemlight
• Fire starting – lighter, matches, flint and steel
• Weapons – shotgun, club, pepper spray
• Food – Freeze-dried food, food bars, MREs
• Water – Bottled water, water filter, water purification tablets

What form “two is one and one is none” takes will vary depending upon what you are preparing for, budget, space available, and other factors.  Remember that this is a principle and not a prescription, you will have to use discernment to determine what form redundancy takes as you make preparations.  The key is not to rely on one item that could let you down when you need it the most.  Large companies, governmental agencies, and military units all practice redundancy as a safeguard against failures.  If you do the same, you will be ahead of the game and be better able to handle contingencies.

Having a single point of failure makes your planning fragile, having redundancy makes it more robust.  So as you prepare, continue to keep the ‘two is one and one is none” thought in mind.  You will be glad you did if you ever have to take action, and have increased peace of mind in the interim.

Hello and thanks for visiting! My name is Doug and I am the primary writer over here at Smart Suburban Survival (SSS). Like many of you, I live in a single-family home in a suburban community of a large metropolitan area. However, over the past few years I have become more aware of various emergencies that have the potential to significantly disrupt my life. Like many of you, I was not prepared to deal with common situations that required advanced preparation. I took it upon myself to learn and continue learning about how I can become more prepared to handle emergencies. My goal is to share that knowledge so you and your family can become more prepared.

This website will continue to evolve over time, both as my own understanding improves and as times change. Preparation is not a one-time event, it is an ongoing process to get ready for different situations. Sometimes these are known (ex. tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes) whereas other times they are emergent (ex. terrorism, civil unrest, biological/chemical weapons). Regardless of the nature of the disruption, it is best to keep learning and preparing so you can be ready if these things happen.

SSS is not intended to scare you or make you paranoid, in fact the goal is quite the opposite. Knowledge is power and preparation breeds confidence, which is what we are aiming for. You will find that as you take action to prepare for emergencies, your mind will become calm as you arm yourself with the knowledge, tools, and habits that we discuss here. Too often, when disaster strikes people panic because they are both scared and unprepared. This results in unnecessary stress, injury, and destruction that could have been mitigated by being more prepared. My desire is to help all those who want to prepare themselves so that our families and communities can become more resilient in the face of adversity.

I invite you to regularly visit SSS so you can continue learning and preparing. All of us can gain more knowledge over time and the intent is to make this journey both fun and informative. This is going to be an adventure for all of us, welcome to Smart Suburban Survival!