As mentioned already, I have the issue of saving negatives and old photos.  I am trying to document my family history right now and these old items are a big problem.  I went to the internet to find a device that could help me out.  I found some that would just take negatives and slides and convert them into electronic pictures.  I found some that you could scan in photos and documents.  I found the best solution with a scanner made by Canon.  The actual product name is Canon CanoScan 8800F 2168B002 4800 x 9600dpi 48bit USB Interface Flatbed Scanner. 

The reason why I chose the canon is because of the great reviews it received.  It can not only scan documents and pictures, but can scan slides and negatives and convert them into pictures.  It is very simple to operate.  I pulled out the owner’s manual and was able to operate it within a couple of minutes.  The software that comes with allows you to scan multiple slides, negatives, or photos at once.  It then breaks each one into a separate file for you.  It makes it very fast to save these files.  Unlike other scanners I have had before, it felt extremely fast when converting these photos and slides.  I would recommend this product to anyone who needs to change photos and/or slides into electronic files.

 The other part is where to go and get this product or find another.  I go to one website for all of my electronic needs.  It is www.newegg.com.   The reason is because of the great return policy.  I just had a component of the computer I built go bad and the manufacture said it would be 1 1/2 months to 2 months for me to get the part back.  I called newegg and they had the new part replaced in less than a week.  Here is the link for the product: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16838111015 or you can go to the website and try to find another product for doing this.

You will want a car kit for each of your vehicles.  It needs to be small enough that it can fit under a seat or in the trunk not taking up too much space.  Make sure to never take it out to fit more stuff in your trunk.

Red Cross Emergency Kit For Your Car

• Battery powered radio and extra batteries
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Blanket
• Booster cables
• Fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type)
• First aid kit and manual
• Bottled water and non-perishable high energy foods, such as granola bars, raisins and peanut butter.
• Maps and Compass
• Shovel
• Tire repair kit and pump
• Flares

The Red Cross has given a basic list for the car.  There are a couple of items I recommend that are not on their list.

• List of emergency phone numbers
• Small amounts of cash and coins
• Additional tools, multipurpose knife, duct tape, whistle, extra fuses, deck of cards and flares
• Warmth: emergency blanket, poncho, gloves, waterproof matches (these are a must), warm clothes, hat, shoes (these are optional)
• Additional supplies: toilet paper, plastic bags,
• Baby supplies if needed

Evacuation Plan

You also need to keep a copy of all emergency contact information.  This should include phone numbers for schools, police, utility companies, and other important phone numbers.

The best form I have found to help assist you in creating your own communications plan is http://www.ready.gov/america/_downloads/familyemergencyplan.pdf.

BOILING

Boiling water has historically been the way to kill all the microorganisms that could be in the water.  According to Homeland Security, you need to boil your water for at least a minute.  I would recommend a couple more minutes than that to make sure that bacteria and viruses are killed.

After boiling water, you will need to let it cool.  The boiling will kill the viruses and bacteria, but will not remove any debris in the water.  You might need to filter the water through a piece of cloth to get rid of those particles.  You will lose some of the water through evaporation.  The taste of boiled water can be improved by pouring it back and forth between two containers.  This will put Oxygen back into the water.

CHLORINE

The method of water purification is best explained by going to the following webpage http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_563_,00.html of the Red Cross.  These are the steps they use to explain:

1.     Add 16 drop of liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water, or 8 drops per 2-liter bottle of water. Stir to mix. Sodium hypochlorite of the concentration of 5.25% to 6% should be the only active ingredient in the bleach. There should not be any added soap or fragrances. A major bleach manufacturer has also added Sodium Hydroxide as an active ingredient, which they state does not pose a health risk for water treatment.

2.     Let stand 30 minutes.

3.     If it smells of chlorine. You can use it. If it does not smell of chlorine, add 16 more drop of chlorine bleach per gallon of water (or 8 drops per 2-liter bottle of water), let stand 30 minutes, and smell it again. If it smells of chlorine, you can use it. If it does not smell of chlorine, discard it and find another source of water.

I have also included a table to know the amounts of chlorine to use.

Use can also use chlorine tablets that have been premeasured.  You must still let it stand for 30 minutes after dropping the tablet into the water.  It will have the same effect as the liquid chlorine.

DISTILLATION

Distillation is a method that will remove all the viruses, bacteria, and particles from the water.  You can create a still by having a pot of water, a plastic sheet or lid, and another container to catch the water.  You let the water evaporate through boiling or natural means.  The water condenses on the plastic sheet or lid.  This water then drips down into the additional container to catch the condensed water.  This method is good, but it takes a long time.

If possible, use multiple methods to make sure that the water is clean.  The Red Cross recommends filtering the water using a handkerchief, boiling the water, and then using Chlorine to purify.

STEP 1: Keep accurate records.  You need to make sure that you keep track of the items in your home.  Your records need to include a description of the item, model number, serial number, original purchase date, and original purchase price. 

STEP 2: Keep receipts.  Keep as many receipts as possible.  This is a good way to show ownership of the product.  The receipts will show the original purchase date, original purchase cost, and the serial number.  You insurance company will want proof that you owned the items.

STEP 3: Take photos or video tape.  Another good way to show ownership is by videotaping or taking photos of the items in the house.  For items of high worth, you can take individual close ups.  For smaller items and furniture, you can take photos from several angles of the whole room to get full exposure. 

STEP 4: Have two copies of your records.  Make sure that you keep a record inside the house and one outside the house.  The perfect place outside the house is in a safety deposit box at a bank.  Surprisingly, these boxes are fairly inexpensive.

To better help you get started I have included a copy of the Home Inventory Document I created.  This document not only allows you to inventory your home, it also includes a part for you to keep track of your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance information.

INSTRUCTIONS TO FLUSH YOUR WATER HEATER

Step 1: On a gas water heater, turn the gas valve to the off position. On an electric water heater, turn the electric off to the heater.

STEP 2: Shut the cold water off to the water heater.

STEP 3: Open a hot water faucet.

STEP 4: Connect a hose to the drain valve on the heater and run to a drain.

STEP 5: Open the drain valve and allow the tank to completely drain.

STEP 6: Turn back on the cold water into the water heater.

STEP 7: Allow the water to run through the water heater and out of the drain valve. Do this for approximately five (5) or ten (10) minutes.

STEP 8: Close the drain valve and allow the tank to refill, keeping the hot water faucet open. When water comes out of the faucet, the tank is full.

To ensure that the water in your water heater is useable, you should flush your hot water tank once every 6 months. If your local water is harder or contains more minerals, you may need to do so on a more frequent basis.