Most people in the United States live their lives within the confines of a single home. Even those who live in shared spaces, like an apartment building or even a dormitory room, need to rely on electricity, technology, and more to keep things running smoothly. While these conveniences allow us to live our lives without being tied down too much by what’s outside our homes, it also makes us extremely vulnerable to natural disasters like floods and fires-or emergencies. At the same time, we’re asleep or away from home. Here are ways you can prepare your home to become more self-sufficient.
Drill a Well
You’ll want to ensure that water storage is available for any crisis. In addition to an emergency or power outage, there are other ways you can run short on water, such as a broken faucet. The least expensive way to store water is a drilled well. You’ll need enough land for the job and will need to locate a good site that won’t be disturbed by construction crews or machinery. Well, drilling companies provide information on the ideal location of wells and can dig the hole. However, you’ll need to install a pump and piping system yourself. Besides the perk of being more self-sufficient, a water well on your property can give you better access to purified drinking water, which can benefit your health.
Install Your Electricity
You can store any excess energy you generate for later use. This is the single most common way that people become self-sufficient. Solar panels are reasonably affordable and provide a steady source of electricity or charge batteries to keep your lights and power on while you’re not at home. If you have an extra-large amount of solar panels, you can always sell back the energy instead of storing it in batteries due to their limited capacity. You’ll need a decent amount of space for an installation that can provide about 60 watts. If you have no interest in becoming self-sufficient, other options for grid-tied electricity are available.
Store Food for Emergencies
Storing food supplies is a quick and easy way to become self-sufficient. You’ll want to start storing food long before running out of your existing supplies. Use whatever measures you have, whether it’s your freezer or some coolers, to ensure that whatever you store will still be fresh when you need it. You’ll want to build up a supply of at least two months of regular meals if an emergency leaves you without power or the ability to leave home. It’s a good idea to have a designated area of your home for food storage. This will make it convenient to grab food in an emergency.
Grow Your Food
If you have ample space and sunlight, you can grow crops that provide a solid and cheap food supply. However, if you live in an urban area with little space for a garden, try to find ways to include more fresh fruit and vegetables in your diet without relying on imports from other countries. Try going for walks to pick up fresh produce at a food truck or local farmers’ market. You can also check to see if your city has a community garden space you can use. The two most effective methods of growing your food are hydroponics and aquaponics.
These are ways to become self-sufficient in case of an emergency or disaster. By being prepared, you’ll have a more relaxing and enjoyable experience without worrying about the electrical grid failing or other problems that could surface if you aren’t prepared.
