Connect with us

preparedness

8 Mistakes To Avoid When Collecting Rainwater

Collecting rainwater for drinking purposes may seem simple enough, but there are many ways it can go wrong – some of which can actually be quite dangerous.

If you would like to start collecting rainwater in a way that is both safe and effective, make sure that you avoid these common rainwater collection mistakes.

Want to save this post for later? Click Here to Pin It on Pinterest!

Mistake #1: Using the Wrong Container

While there are plenty of containers that are capable of holding water, not all of them are suitable for collecting and storing drinking water. Some containers may leach dangerous chemicals into your water, while others are not opaque enough to block out the sunlight – which could encourage algae growth.

Dark colored plastic barrels are ideal for collecting rainwater, but many other containers will work so long as they are large enough, opaque enough, and not coated with any chemicals that could leach into your water.

Mistake #2: Forgetting to Make Sure it is Legal in Your Area

Believe it or not, collecting rainwater is not completely legal in all fifty states. Several states have decided that rainwater is community property and not something that can be taken by rainwater collectors. In other states, collecting rainwater is legal, but there are certain restrictions. In Kansas, for example, you may be required to apply for a permit before you are able to collect rainwater.

If you want to make sure you stay on the right side of the law, check your state’s laws and regulations regarding the collection of rainwater before you begin.

Mistake #3: Not Collecting Enough

Most people don’t realize how much water they use until it becomes scarce. It takes a lot of water to survive, even if you start skipping showers and laundry day. If you are building a rainwater collection system for the purpose of disaster survival, be sure to calculate how much water you are going to need and how much your system is going to collect.

If you don’t, you may end up with a system that does not collect nearly enough water for you to live on. The more that you are able to collect, the better – in a disaster scenario, there is certainly no such thing as having too much drinkable water.

Mistake #4: Not Letting the Rain Rinse Your Roof Before Collecting It

When the rain starts to pour, many people start collecting it right away. However, it is essential to let the rain rinse your roof for at least ten minutes before you start collecting it.

The reasons for this are obvious when you think about it. Dirt, plant material, feces, and all kinds of other debris gather on your roof, which means it will gather in your water too if you don’t give the rain a chance to wash it away.

Mistake #5: Not Purifying Your Rainwater Before You Drink it

In theory, rainwater is completely pure and safe to drink. However, that assumes it doesn’t come in contact with anything before it lands in your collection barrel. In reality, your rainwater may be coming into contact with all kinds of unsavory things on its way down your roof and into your barrel.

The chances of getting sick from drinking rainwater that you collect may be slim – much slimmer than drinking water from an unknown stream or pond – but there is still a chance. To avoid this risk, all you need to do is purify your water supply. It’s a simple precaution that could save you from a lot of misery and one that may even save your life.

Mistake #6: Purchasing a Rainwater Collection System

Unless you have loads of money to throw away, purchasing a pre-made rainwater collection system is a waste. Making your own rainwater collection system is fairly simple, and the instructions for doing so as well as the supplies you will need are both cheap (if not free) and readily available.

Pre-made rainwater collection systems, meanwhile, can cost upwards of $1000. There’s simply no real reason to spend that kind of money for something you can do yourself in a day’s time. In fact, with a little time spent searching, you can likely find all of the supplies you need – including collection barrels – for little to no cost at all, and building your collection system once you have the right supplies is a simple project.

Mistake #7: Not Using a Collection Screen

If you plan to use the rainwater that you collect for any purpose other than watering your garden, a collection screen is essential. Simply putting a fine, wire mesh screen over your collection barrel will allow the water to pass through while blocking out unwanted debris such as leaves, dirt, bird poop, and more.

If these things don’t sound very appetizing, be sure to put a screen over your collection barrel. In addition to a mesh screen, you can also use fabric sheets or even a layer of cooking oil to filter the water that goes into your barrel.

Mistake #8: Not Setting up a System for Getting Your Water Out

Sure, it’s possible to dip water out of a collection barrel using a cup or other small container, but there are more efficient ways to access the water you collect. Installing a spigot on your collection barrel is something that doesn’t take a lot of time, and it will likely save you a lot of time and hassle in the future.

If you want to really boost the amount of water that you are able to withdraw, you can even install a pump in your barrel. Small pumps are not as expensive as you might think, and they can make drawing large amounts of water from your barrel a breeze. Either way, just know that there are better ways to go about getting your water than dipping it out of the top of the barrel.

Like this post? Don’t forget to Pin It on Pinterest!

You May Also Like:

This article first appeared on urbansurvivalsite.com See it here

Continue Reading

preparedness

4 No Cook Meals For Surviving The Pandemic And Food Supply Shortages

prosciutto avocado sandwich

When it comes to your food supply, you just can’t risk not having enough. These no cook meals will be a great addition to your food supply planning. Check out the recipes below!

No Cook Meals to Help You Through the Pandemic

As of the writing of this article, there are 20 meat processing plants that have been shut down due to COVID-19 infections. We have been worrying about these types of effects on our food supply for months now, and this is the first real sign of how infections can affect the food supply.

When you walk into a supermarket, you might not see all the choices you had in the past. An empty meat case is a humbling thing for your eyes to fall upon. It’s the shocking realization that the seemingly infinite supply of chickens, pigs, and cows that are butchered for us has begun to run dry!

To deal with this issue, we are going to present four no cook meals that will help you create dinners at home that will feed your family without worrying so much about what’s available, or unavailable, in the meat case.

1. Smashed White Bean, Avocado and Salted Pork Sandwiches

Smashed White Bean, Avocado and Salted Pork Sandwiches | No Cook Meals for Surviving the Pandemic and Food Supply Shortages

As preppers we get beans. There are a bunch of ways to use beans and this a great example of how you can pack a sandwich with great nutrition and protein.

Serving: Makes 4 sandwiches

Ingredients:

  • Can of White Beans
  • Olive Oil
  • 1 Avocado
  • 8 Slices of Whole Grain Bread
  • 8 Slices of Salted Pork (Prosciutto, Ham, Virginia Ham)

Instructions:

  • Begin by draining your beans in a colander then smashing them up in a bowl add a few glugs of olive oil, salt, pepper. This little mix is delicious. If you add some minced rosemary, you can even turn this into a delicious dip.
  • Pit your avocado and cut it in half and then quarters lengthwise. Leave the skin on.
  • Lay the bread out on a clean work surface for assembling the sandwiches.
  • Spread your mashed bean mix onto one side of the bread.
  • Peel your avocados and slice 1 quarter for each sandwich. Spread slices over the bean spread.
  • Add a few slices of your pork to over the top of the avocado.
  • You can finish this sandwich with some lettuces, fresh sprouts, or just eat it as is.

2. Delicious Crab Salad

Canned crab is a protein option that will likely be around through much of this meat crisis. It does have to be kept in refrigeration, but it’s delicious and this chipotle mayo salad is great in the spring and summer.

Ingredients:

  • 1 Can of Crab Meat
  • 1 Bunch of Asparagus
  • Chipotle Mayo
  • 1 Bunch of Green Onions
  • 1 Bunch of Cilantro

Instructions:

  • Drain your crab in a colander and set it in the sink.
  • Slice your asparagus into 1-inch pieces. Throw them into a bowl.
  • Thinly slice your onions and your cilantro and throw that into the bowl, as well.
  • Gently toss in the crab meat.
  • Squirt on enough Chipotle mayo to coat everything and toss gently not to break up the crab meat.
  • Chill in the fridge and serve.

3. Simple Greek Salad

Simple Greek Salad | No Cook Meals for Surviving the Pandemic and Food Supply Shortages

The combination of simple summer ingredients makes for an incredible quick salad that you could add other proteins, too, if you wanted. These could be canned meats.

Ingredients:

  • 2 Large Tomatoes
  • 1 Cucumber
  • 1 Red Onion
  • ¼ Cup of Feta Cheese
  • A Few Sprigs of Fresh Mint
  • ½ Cup of Kalamata Olives
  • Balsamic Dressing

Instructions:

  • I like to cut the tomatoes in large chunks and have them kind of be the main course in this salad. Peel and slice your cucumber in half. Remove the seeds and either dice or slice in half-moons.
  • Peel and slice your red onion in half. Julienne your, or thinly slice, your half onion.
  • Add all these ingredients to a bowl. Finely slice your mint.
  • Add your olives, crumbled feta, and mint to the bowl and add enough dressing to coat everything.
  • Stir it up and allow this to chill for at least an hour for the flavors to really blend.

4. Mediterranean Tuna Lettuce Wraps

Mediterranean Tuna Lettuce Wraps | No Cook Meals for Surviving the Pandemic and Food Supply Shortages

Using some similar ingredients and adding a protein like tuna, you can create some delicious lettuce wraps. The key to a good lettuce wrap is to have most of the items around the same size. So, consider that when you are preparing this dish.

Ingredients:

  • Iceberg or Butter Lettuce
  • Canned Artichokes
  • Canned roasted Red peppers
  • Fresh Cucumber
  • Feta Cheese
  • Minced Olives ¼ Cup
  • 2 Cans of Tuna
  • Green Onions
  • Basil

Instructions:

  • Start by peeling all the full leaves from your lettuce. Set them on a plate either cover them with a wet paper towel or put them back into the fridge.
  • Dice the peppers, artichokes, and cucumbers into cubes. Go no larger than ½ an inch.
  • Thinly slice your green onions and basil and add them to a bowl with your diced vegetables. Add your loves to this bowl and mix them thoroughly.
  • Crumble your feta cheese over the mixture.
  • Drain your tuna thoroughly and then add that to the bowl, as well.
  • Gently toss this mixture. Try not to break up the tuna and the cheese too much but incorporate it thoroughly.
  • If you want, you can add some olive oil to the mix or a few glugs of balsamic vinegar. It’s also delicious just how it is.
  • Scoop a few tablespoons into a lettuce leaf, wrap it up and eat up!

These no cook meals should help lessen the stress you feel when thinking of what to feed your family. If you don’t have the specific ingredients, use your creativity, and use what you have. You might discover a new recipe while you’re at it!

What’s your favorite no cook meal recipe? Please share it with us in the comments section!

Up Next:

This Article Was First Found at survivallife.com Read The Original Article Here

Continue Reading

preparedness

Billionaire Whistle Blower: Wuhan Coronavirus Death Toll Is Over 50,000

  1. Exiled Chinese businessman Guo Wengui recently revealed leaks from Wuhan crematoriums. He claims based on the number of bodies their furnaces are burning, the death toll could be as high as 50,000.

A Chinese billionaire and whistleblower who lives in U.S. exile says Wuhan crematoriums have burned 50,000 coronavirus victims. | Credit: Chinatopix via AP

  • The official coronavirus death toll in China is a little over 800. But an exiled Chinese businessman says crematoriums are leaking the real figure.
  • A billionaire whistleblower alleges Wuhan has crematoriums working 24/7. He claims they’ve cremated some 50,000 coronavirus victims.
  • Guo Wengui is a Chinese billionaire living in exile in the United States.

The official coronavirus death toll is some 800 people in China. The current official death toll worldwide, outside of China, is 774. But a Chinese billionaire with a history of blowing the whistle on his former government says the real figure is much higher.

Exiled Chinese businessman Guo Wengui recently revealed leaks from Wuhan crematoriums. He claims based on the number of bodies their furnaces are burning, the death toll could be as high as 50,000. Wengui made the bombshell allegations in an interview with former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon.

 

Whistleblower: 1.5 Million Coronavirus Cases In China, 50,000 Coronavirus Deaths In Wuhan

 

He also claims to have inside information that there are 1.5 million confirmed coronavirus cases in China. Wengui is emphatic that these are not merely quarantined or “under observation” but confirmed cases of coronavirus infection:

 

China has struggled to contain the coronavirus. But it has also struggled to contain public outcry against censorship and tight control of information. Dr. Li Wenliang, who sounded the alarm about the disease, succumbed to an infection and died this week. The Chinese government arrested him for blowing the whistle.

Then officials tried to suppress news of his death. Afterwards, millions of Chinese citizens saw the hashtag #IWantFreedomOfSpeech on Mandarin language social media. But the Chinese government censored that too.

Are Wengui’s Crematorium Claims Credible?

Watch VICE’s 2017 profile on Guo Wengui. At the time, he published bombshell documents alleging corruption in the Chinese government. He got the attention of the media and reportedly the U.S. State Department.

(more…)

Continue Reading

preparedness

5 Types Of Ammunition To Stockpile For A Collapse

ammo

Every prepper knows it’s a great idea to stockpile ammunition when preparing for a major disaster.

You can use it for hunting, self-defense, or barter.

But which types of ammo should you stockpile?

If you plan on bartering, then you don’t want a bunch of calibers that nobody wants. And that’s just one consideration.

In this video, Reality Survival & Prepping talks about what he thinks are the 5 best types of ammunition to stockpile for a collapse.

Here are his picks:

  1. .22 LR – Very common, good for hunting small game, very light and small.
  2. 9mm Luger – Great for self-defense, fits in a wide variety of handguns.
  3. 5.56×45mm or .223 Remington – Also very common, cheap and effective.
  4. .308 Winchester – Widely used, works in AR10 and bolt-action platforms.
  5. 12 Gauge – You can do a lot with it — hunt, defend yourself, etc.

In the video below he makes a much more detailed case for each caliber. What do you think of this list?

This article first appeared on urbansurvivalsite.com See it here

THIS TERRIFYING BIBLE PROPHECY IS UNFOLDING BEFORE OUR EYES! >>Click Here to See it Now<<

Continue Reading

Trending