Urban Prepping
Let’s be clear - the city is NOT the place to be in a crisis. Ideally you would relocate to a more sustainable home or have a backup location you can get to in an emergency. But many folks love city living and/or do not have the option to relocate. Regardless of your situation, you can substantially improve your options with some basic planning and supplies. Space is probably limited – but you may be able to free up some closet space, store under furniture, use on-site storage in a common area or rent some space nearby. Here are some things to consider:
Building Your Support Network
Team / Network / Community – are there any like-minded people in the building? Do you have a tenants or owners association where you may be able to assess potential allies?
Enhancing Security Measures
Basic Security – Apart from whatever the property owner provides, your front door and accessible windows will form your perimeter. Can you reinforce doors and windows? Can you add a video doorbell or other surveillance device?
Self-Defense Considerations
Defensive Equipment & Training - Can you legally own firearms? Are you willing to use lethal force to defend yourself / family? Consider at least a handgun – easiest to use indoors and to conceal if bugging out.
Water Storage Strategies
Water – You will be dependent on city services – which may be disrupted by an extended power outage or flooding. Consider some storage options that you can rotate periodically. Even a couple cases of bottled water will be helpful for a few days.
Food Supply and Storage
Food Storage – If you cannot get to local markets, you will be limited to in-house storage. Canned and dried foods offer reasonable storage life without refrigeration. Can you expand your pantry and rotate the supply with normal usage? Other options include MRE’s (Meals Ready to Eat) that do not need additional heating or water to be eaten. They provide several years storage depending on temperature. The longest lasting option is freeze-dried food available in sealed pouches, cans, or buckets. They have 10-to-30-year storage life but require re-hydration.
Food Production – do you have a sunny patio, balcony, or window where you can grow a few items? Are there any green spaces in your neighborhood that would allow a community garden?
Transportation and Mobility
Transportation/Equipment – in a large city, you may choose not to own a car. If so, what resources are within walking distance and will they be accessible if there is social unrest? If the situation appears to be getting violent or of longer duration than your supplies – how might you “get out of dodge”? Where would you go? If you need to walk out – what route? What can you carry? Are you physically capable? Consider at least having a bicycle (or electric bike) and perhaps a storage unit outside the city with a vehicle and additional supplies.
Energy and Power Solutions
Energy – it is unlikely you can store any bulk fuel supplies. You can have a supply of batteries for electronic devices and perhaps a small solar charger to keep your cell phone and other rechargeable devices running. In the absence of functioning heat and electricity, you can have additional blankets, warm clothing, and a propane camping stove for emergency cooking.
Personal Preparedness
Personal Items – No matter the crisis scenario or location – you are better able to cope if you are healthy and physically fit. Walk as much as possible, join a local gym, do some in-home strength training and aerobics. Be sure you have additional supplies of essential medications, a spare set of eyeglasses, suitable clothing / footwear if you must leave. Have some modest camping supplies if you cannot reach an alternative location in one day.
Medical / Hygiene – regardless of location, get some basic first aid training. You should at least be competent as a first responder to control bleeding and perform CPR. Additional training in Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) and access to an Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK) will allow you to treat more serious wounds. Consider having a supply of antibiotics available to treat infections. Have dental supplies and a temporary filling kit. If the sewage system stops functioning, you will need to dispose of waste. Plastic bags and buckets can help short term.
Financial Security
Money – Have a backup supply of cash (small denominations) and consider precious metals. Barter items are useful if you have space for storage.
All these steps will make you more resilient if things go sideways - giving you time to assess the situation and either weather a short-term disruption or determine if you must relocate.
You can find much more in my book “Thriving in Times of Chaos” available on Amazon. It provides time-phased actions to become more sustainable in any location along with links to additional information and useful products. A more complete description of the book along with a PDF version are available on my website.
Comments