If you're worried about power failure for ten days then I recommend buying a $20 portable camping stove and three bottles of gas for about $1 each. Each bottle burns on high flame for about 80 minutes, so you'll be able to heat baked beans or cans of stew for a hot dinner.
Also buy some tea light candles, a torch and a small portable radio so you can listen to local broadcasts about what is happening. The cheapest tea lights burn for at least two hours, but you can get better quality, taller once that burn for eight hours.
If you're new to prepping, I'd recommend you buy cans of baked beans or stew or chili con carne, some canned vegetables like peas and carrots, ramen noodles, peanut butter, milk powder, breakfast cereal, instant coffee. Instant gravy with instant mashed potato with a pinch of white pepper and a slice of buttered bread makes for a quick meal too.
Rice is good, but you'll need to learn how to cook it using the camp stove. This is how I do it, but measurements will vary based on the size of your pot and if the lid has a steam hole and your stove: for one serving, combine 50g of dry rice with 100g of cold water in a pot. Cover, bring to the boil and immediately reduce the heat to VERY low (10%) for 16 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat but don't open the lid and allow it to finish absorbing the water for 20 mins and then break it up with a fork. Experiment a few times unlit you get the measurements right to there's no rice stuck to the bottom (you need more water) and it's not to mushy (you need less water). 16 minutes of flame might seem wasteful, but it's only at 10% lowest flame so it's the equivalent of less than 2 minutes.
I only mention rice because it stores well, can be cooked with very little gas and it'll bulk out most meats like canned stews and soups.
You cannot. Two days without electricity will see you loose all. If you have stocked your freezer you need to think about converting your protein to another form. Ie canned or dehydrated. Or buy a generator that uses gasoline.
My parents have discussed getting a generator but haven’t done so. I’ve asked my dad to watch for a CB radio but I’m not entirely sure what all is needed for survival mode. I’ve seen people mention matches and the CB radio, and stock up on dry/dehydrated meals. As a millennial I will admit I have zero clue where to start if our current society goes into dark times.
Get yourself onto a prepping forum. I’m in Australia but I can see there a preppers here. Ask here. Just immerse yourself to start with and take notes. Get a folder together for quick reference. What you can do is start making copies of important documents. And if you have pets, take a picture of them and you together close up. Especially identifying features. Why? Animals will get separated and having a pic of you and them will help if someone tries to steal them. Keep a couple of laminated copies secured safely with different family members. Make sure you have spare leads, muzzles etc. The last thing you want to do is go into a camp for displaced people as animals are not allowed usually. Best if you have a pet to be prepared to camp out. Portable/collapsible water/food containers. Copies of their shots, medical issues etc. and a tethering rope and a jacket rather than a collar and as in a grim situation they will slip a collar.
Peanut butter
Whole wheat crackers (sealed)
Trail mix and nuts (unsalted)
Healthy cereals
Granola bars and meal replacement bars
Canned meats (tuna, chicken, salmon)*
Canned beans and vegetables*
Sports drinks
Canned soups and chili*
Powdered milk*
Herbs, spices, salt, and pepper
All-purpose multivitamins
If you have to leave in a hurry - ditch the cans for zip loc bags - don’t scrimp on these. Cans can get heavy. Forgot can opener? Turn opening upside down and use a rock or concrete to rub can constantly. This will break the seal.
There is sooooo much and many areas. Like. If my area got too dangerous to stay, where would I go? On foot? By bike? By car? Get Local maps of your area to avoid highly populated areas to get to a safe area. This might mean trekking off highly trafficked roads to a back road. If power is down, using rail lines AT NIGHT while you sleep during day to travel will cut out hills etc. Forums will give scenarios of when to stay or leave. The trick is when do you GO? Well meaning friends might want you to stay but it might cost you an injury or your life. In a serious situation you cannot and should not rely on electricity or internet. Even phone coverage. Get yourself on a forum. They’ll have different areas to glean info from, ie, radios. Best bug out bags. Amount of food for each family member. Food lists. What to do with human waste if toilets don’t flush. I’d be hitting the garage sales. You can pick up the best stuff for next to nothing. God Bless!
If you're worried about power failure for ten days then I recommend buying a $20 portable camping stove and three bottles of gas for about $1 each. Each bottle burns on high flame for about 80 minutes, so you'll be able to heat baked beans or cans of stew for a hot dinner.
Also buy some tea light candles, a torch and a small portable radio so you can listen to local broadcasts about what is happening. The cheapest tea lights burn for at least two hours, but you can get better quality, taller once that burn for eight hours.
If you're new to prepping, I'd recommend you buy cans of baked beans or stew or chili con carne, some canned vegetables like peas and carrots, ramen noodles, peanut butter, milk powder, breakfast cereal, instant coffee. Instant gravy with instant mashed potato with a pinch of white pepper and a slice of buttered bread makes for a quick meal too.
Rice is good, but you'll need to learn how to cook it using the camp stove. This is how I do it, but measurements will vary based on the size of your pot and if the lid has a steam hole and your stove: for one serving, combine 50g of dry rice with 100g of cold water in a pot. Cover, bring to the boil and immediately reduce the heat to VERY low (10%) for 16 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat but don't open the lid and allow it to finish absorbing the water for 20 mins and then break it up with a fork. Experiment a few times unlit you get the measurements right to there's no rice stuck to the bottom (you need more water) and it's not to mushy (you need less water). 16 minutes of flame might seem wasteful, but it's only at 10% lowest flame so it's the equivalent of less than 2 minutes.
I only mention rice because it stores well, can be cooked with very little gas and it'll bulk out most meats like canned stews and soups.
What do you recommend for keeping your freezers cold?
You cannot. Two days without electricity will see you loose all. If you have stocked your freezer you need to think about converting your protein to another form. Ie canned or dehydrated. Or buy a generator that uses gasoline.
My parents have discussed getting a generator but haven’t done so. I’ve asked my dad to watch for a CB radio but I’m not entirely sure what all is needed for survival mode. I’ve seen people mention matches and the CB radio, and stock up on dry/dehydrated meals. As a millennial I will admit I have zero clue where to start if our current society goes into dark times.
Get yourself onto a prepping forum. I’m in Australia but I can see there a preppers here. Ask here. Just immerse yourself to start with and take notes. Get a folder together for quick reference. What you can do is start making copies of important documents. And if you have pets, take a picture of them and you together close up. Especially identifying features. Why? Animals will get separated and having a pic of you and them will help if someone tries to steal them. Keep a couple of laminated copies secured safely with different family members. Make sure you have spare leads, muzzles etc. The last thing you want to do is go into a camp for displaced people as animals are not allowed usually. Best if you have a pet to be prepared to camp out. Portable/collapsible water/food containers. Copies of their shots, medical issues etc. and a tethering rope and a jacket rather than a collar and as in a grim situation they will slip a collar.
Peanut butter Whole wheat crackers (sealed) Trail mix and nuts (unsalted) Healthy cereals Granola bars and meal replacement bars Canned meats (tuna, chicken, salmon)* Canned beans and vegetables* Sports drinks Canned soups and chili* Powdered milk* Herbs, spices, salt, and pepper All-purpose multivitamins
There is sooooo much and many areas. Like. If my area got too dangerous to stay, where would I go? On foot? By bike? By car? Get Local maps of your area to avoid highly populated areas to get to a safe area. This might mean trekking off highly trafficked roads to a back road. If power is down, using rail lines AT NIGHT while you sleep during day to travel will cut out hills etc. Forums will give scenarios of when to stay or leave. The trick is when do you GO? Well meaning friends might want you to stay but it might cost you an injury or your life. In a serious situation you cannot and should not rely on electricity or internet. Even phone coverage. Get yourself on a forum. They’ll have different areas to glean info from, ie, radios. Best bug out bags. Amount of food for each family member. Food lists. What to do with human waste if toilets don’t flush. I’d be hitting the garage sales. You can pick up the best stuff for next to nothing. God Bless!