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69 Know the Right Amount
In most natural disasters and other emergencies, electrical power and computer lines go down for at least a little while. That means that not only are ATMs and card readers at your local supermarket down, even if you can get to your bank (assuming it’s not flooded, destroyed by a quake, or shut down due to terrorist threats) they may not be able to call up your account information.
So once you’ve found the right place to squirrel it safely away from thieves and partying teenagers (not to mention yourself—always resist the urge to dip in “just this once” when you need a few bucks), how much is smart to save? It rarely takes more than a week for utilities to come back on after a storm, flood, or earthquake, so a week’s worth of funds is the place to start.
Calculate what you’d spend on groceries and emergency supplies (also factor in the fact that price-gouging is more than likely, unfortunately). If authorities order an evacuation, gas and motel costs will come into play, as well. Your specific needs will vary based on the size of your family, where you live, where you’re going, and so forth, but experts estimate that a rough amount of two thousand dollars should cover those costs, with a little extra on top—just in case.
70 Understand Your Fuel Types
You’ll probably want to have a range of fuel options on hand, depending on your needs and what sort of emergency you feel is most likely to happen in your region. This chart gives you a starting point for considering your needs and making decisions.
71 Know Your Color Codes
There are many different types of fuel containers, but for gas the most common style is red plastic with a built-in spout of some form. It’s standard that kerosene containers are blue and diesel ones are yellow. It’s important for you to know and follow this convention so you don’t end up pouring diesel into your car and ruining it, or putting gasoline into your camping lantern and frying your eyebrows (at the very least).
72 Make It Last Longer
All liquid fuels lose potency over time. For example, diesel will last about a year if you’re storing it in a sealed container at temperatures below 70°F (21°C). If storing at much higher temperatures, that time drops down to six months. Fuels can also develop deposits that block filters and affect efficiency—or even damage your engine.
So, what to do? Luckily there are additives you can use to extend your stored fuel’s life without affecting its eventual efficiency. Check your local home-improvement store for products, and follow instructions carefully. You should be able to extend the life of stored fuel for a few years, which could quite literally be a lifesaver.
You might also want to consider looking into storing pure gasoline, which is different than the stuff you pump out of your local station’s pumps, in that it has no ethanol mixed in. Look on the Web to find stations.
73 Store Fuel Right
No matter how much liquid fuel you’re planning to stockpile, certain considerations remain the same. You’re dealing with a combustible, poisonous material, so you should apply a few extra measures of caution.
CONTAINERS Even the fumes are combustible, so liquid fuel should be stored in airtight containers that do not vent. You should be able to walk into the area where your fuel is stored and smell nothing. If that’s not the case, either fumes or liquid is leaking, and you need to fix that fast. Store your fuel in approved plastic or metal containers, and check them frequently.
LOCATION Don’t store fuel in your basement or even in your garage if you can help it. The ideal spot is a storage shed on your property located at least 30 feet (9 m) from your home (this is true for firewood as well). In the event of a house fire, you don’t want to add any
69 Know the Right Amount
In most natural disasters and other emergencies, electrical power and computer lines go down for at least a little while. That means that not only are ATMs and card readers at your local supermarket down, even if you can get to your bank (assuming it’s not flooded, destroyed by a quake, or shut down due to terrorist threats) they may not be able to call up your account information.
So once you’ve found the right place to squirrel it safely away from thieves and partying teenagers (not to mention yourself—always resist the urge to dip in “just this once” when you need a few bucks), how much is smart to save? It rarely takes more than a week for utilities to come back on after a storm, flood, or earthquake, so a week’s worth of funds is the place to start.
Calculate what you’d spend on groceries and emergency supplies (also factor in the fact that price-gouging is more than likely, unfortunately). If authorities order an evacuation, gas and motel costs will come into play, as well. Your specific needs will vary based on the size of your family, where you live, where you’re going, and so forth, but experts estimate that a rough amount of two thousand dollars should cover those costs, with a little extra on top—just in case.
70 Understand Your Fuel Types
You’ll probably want to have a range of fuel options on hand, depending on your needs and what sort of emergency you feel is most likely to happen in your region. This chart gives you a starting point for considering your needs and making decisions.
71 Know Your Color Codes
There are many different types of fuel containers, but for gas the most common style is red plastic with a built-in spout of some form. It’s standard that kerosene containers are blue and diesel ones are yellow. It’s important for you to know and follow this convention so you don’t end up pouring diesel into your car and ruining it, or putting gasoline into your camping lantern and frying your eyebrows (at the very least).
72 Make It Last Longer
All liquid fuels lose potency over time. For example, diesel will last about a year if you’re storing it in a sealed container at temperatures below 70°F (21°C). If storing at much higher temperatures, that time drops down to six months. Fuels can also develop deposits that block filters and affect efficiency—or even damage your engine.
So, what to do? Luckily there are additives you can use to extend your stored fuel’s life without affecting its eventual efficiency. Check your local home-improvement store for products, and follow instructions carefully. You should be able to extend the life of stored fuel for a few years, which could quite literally be a lifesaver.
You might also want to consider looking into storing pure gasoline, which is different than the stuff you pump out of your local station’s pumps, in that it has no ethanol mixed in. Look on the Web to find stations.
73 Store Fuel Right
No matter how much liquid fuel you’re planning to stockpile, certain considerations remain the same. You’re dealing with a combustible, poisonous material, so you should apply a few extra measures of caution.
CONTAINERS Even the fumes are combustible, so liquid fuel should be stored in airtight containers that do not vent. You should be able to walk into the area where your fuel is stored and smell nothing. If that’s not the case, either fumes or liquid is leaking, and you need to fix that fast. Store your fuel in approved plastic or metal containers, and check them frequently.
LOCATION Don’t store fuel in your basement or even in your garage if you can help it. The ideal spot is a storage shed on your property located at least 30 feet (9 m) from your home (this is true for firewood as well). In the event of a house fire, you don’t want to add any
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