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What to do when the lights go out...

Probably at one point or another all of us have experienced the inconvenience of having the power go out during a storm. (Am I the only one during a power outage who has walked into a room and flipped on the light switch to look for a flashlight?) In most cases power was probably restored within a few hours - a few days at most.

But what if the power wasn't restored for months? This is a very real scenario when you consider the projections are for up to 30% of employees not to report to work either due to sickness or fear of getting sick. If that happens, there won't be the staff to run the power plants and we will very likely have to deal with power outages.

So what do you do? My first recommendation: don’t buy a generator. Generators are perfect for supplying power in an emergency. The difference is that local storm outages usually only last for a few days and so it is unlikely that a neighbor would steal yours. Generators are rather noisy and can attract attention. I’m afraid that if things shut-down like they might, there will be enough desperate people looking for food, water and heat that an unattended generator would disappear in the middle of the night.

A few gadgets you need to prepare for bird flu
that will really make life without electricity much easier.

(Most of these gadgets are under $20!)

I'm not a big fan of candles or kerosene lamps. With little kids running around, the last thing I want to worry about is someone tipping one over. I think in preparing for living without electricity, one of the handiest things you can have is a flashlight that doesn’t require batteries.

The LED Dynamo Flashlight is an ultra-bright flashlight with a built-in, wind-up handle to generate power. Three LEDs provide two brightness levels so you can decide how much power to use. One minute of winding = 30 minutes of continuous light! They sell for $18.50, and ideally I'd get one for every member of the household. This product is now available from BirdFluFamilySurvival.com. Quantity:

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For $49, you can pick up an Emergency Radio/Cell Phone Charger that is human-powered. Simply crank the handle to send power to the built-in generator, and you can listen to the radio, charge your cell phone—or use it as a flashlight or emergency flashing red signal with siren. Ninety seconds of cranking charges the built-in NiMH battery for up to one hour of AM/FM or TV sound, or 7 NOAA weather channels. This versatile unit also accepts AA batteries, and even an AC adapter (not included). Includes adapters for the following current cell phones: Motorola, Sony/Ericson, LG, Nokia and Samsung. To connect to the company’s website, click here
Next is a solar battery recharger - great idea or what? Angle its adjustable high-efficiency solar cells to take maximum advantage of the sun's free energy, and it renewably recharges AA, AAA, C and D batteries without cords or costs, which makes it perfect for emergency preparedness. It’s versatile design charges different sizes simultaneously, and a display meter shows the strength of the sun and the estimated charge time, which ranges from one hour for AA or AAA cells to 18 hours for D cells.
Best of all, its only $19.95. I hate to admit it, but if we’ve been without electricity for a long time, the first thing I’d be recharging batteries for are some of the most important life-support items there are: kid's electronic toys and games! This product is now available from BirdFluFamilySurvival.com. Quantity:
Another handy gadget I recommend is called a power inverter. This gadget plugs into the cigarette lighter of your car and turns the lighter into an electrical outlet. Inverters are great for recharging cell phones or any small AC appliance up to the wattage rating of the inverter. Wattages of 75, 110 and 150 are available and range in price from $29 to $45 depending on the wattage. Single 3-prong outlet. To go to the company’s website, click here
If you thought doing laundry now was a pain, wait util you have to do it without electricity. One really great gadet to make that whole process easier is called a Rapid Washer which costs $12.95. The Rapid Washer is much more effective than hand-washing alone. You simply raise and lower Rapid Washer like a plunger. The special internal baffle sends water rushing through clothes to flush out dirt. To visit their site, click here
The last gadget is low on the priority list, but a fun addition if you have the extra cash: a Super Solar Shower so you don’t have to worry about cold showers. This low-tech invention uses solar energy to heat water for all your washing. Large 4-gallon capacity provides ample hot water for at least three hot showers. On a 70° day the Solar Shower will heat 60° water to 108° in only three hours. At $14.95 each, you might pick up a couple. This product is now available from BirdFluFamilySurvival.com. Quantity:

For more information on:

• How to cook without electricity
• How to warm a room without electricity
• And more... check out the Bird Flu Family Survival Guide