Making Fire

Fire and the skills to make it are essensial.  The boys and I attempted to make fire using various techniqies.  We had fire steel strikers, steel wool and a nine volt battery.  We were able to make fire with all these but the number one item that makes fire instantly was a simple cotton ball drenched in petrolium jelly.  We found that using the cotton ball method is easy and quick.  After practicing for several hours using various techiquies we are now pretty confident in our skills to make fire.  Soon we will try out some standard resipies like Bannock bread.

In Survival Mom's blog yesterday she had some very good points to make.  I have posted them below.

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Store 14 2-liter bottles filled with clean water. This is enough water for one person for one week. Continue adding water storage as needed for additional family members.

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Set aside $10 each week to go toward buying junk silver. “Junk silver” is the term used for dimes and quarters dated prior to 1965. These coins don’t have any value for collectors but do contain enough silver to give them intrinsic value.

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List four simple dinners your family enjoys eating. Stock up on the ingredients you need to make those four dinners, and you’ll be ready to make that meal one night per month for one month.

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Becoming better informed is one of the most important steps you can take toward preparedness and self-reliance. Spend 30 minutes each day researching topics that are highest on your list of priorities, such as gardening, raising livestock, storing fuel, etc. Your priorities will change as you become better informed and better prepared.

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Take one training class that will help you become better prepared. Check out CERT classes, first aid, wilderness first aid, sewing, master gardening, and CPR. Stocking up on food and supplies is all well and good, but education and knowledge are priceless.

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If two cans of tuna equals one lunch in your family, stock up on 20 cans of tuna. Those, along with some mayo, pickle relish, and bread will make ten lunches.


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Schedule a monthly 15-minute fire drill with your family. Explain the procedure before-hand, practice, and then once a month, without any warning, sound the alarm. You can find tips here.