A Senior’s Guide to Staying Home During a 96-Hour SHTF Event

Introduction

This guide is intended for seniors living alone or with minimal assistance who may face a “Stay Home, Stay Safe” (SHTF) event in their community. These events, also known as emergencies or disasters, can disrupt daily life and require residents to shelter in place for an extended period.

While the specific nature of an SHTF event can vary, typical examples include:

• Natural disasters: Hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, etc.
• Technological disasters: Power outages, communication disruptions, etc.
• Public health emergencies: Pandemics, widespread illnesses, etc.

This guide focuses on the first 96 hours (four days) following an SHTF event, providing crucial information and steps to ensure your safety and well-being during this critical period.

Table of Contents

Urban, Suburban, and Rural Considerations

Tailor your plan to your specific location

• Urban: Crowded, limited resources.
• Suburban: More space, but still vulnerable.
• Rural: Self-reliance but potential isolation.

Preparation is Vital

While this guide is intended for immediate situations, it’s important to remember that preparation is vital for any SHTF event. Ideally, you should have a well-stocked emergency kit readily available, containing essentials like:

The First 96 Hours

Immediately Following the Event:

1. Stay Informed: If possible, turn on your battery-powered radio for official updates and instructions from local authorities.
2. Shelter in Place: Remain indoors and close all windows and doors to minimize exposure to hazards like flying debris, smoke, or contaminated air.
3. Assess the Situation: Once it’s safe, check for any injuries and attend to them using your first-aid kit.
4. Secure your Home: If there’s damage to your home, board up broken windows and doors to prevent further damage and potential break-ins.

Within 24 Hours:

1. Conserve Resources: Only use utilities like water and electricity when absolutely necessary.
2. Ration Food and Water: Prioritize non-perishable food items and ration your water supply. Aim for one gallon per day per person.
3. Check on Neighbors: If it’s safe and you’re physically able, check on your immediate neighbors, especially those needing assistance.
4. Maintain Hygiene: Use bottled water or water purification tablets for drinking and cooking. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.

Within 48 Hours:

1. Inventory Supplies: Take stock of remaining food, water, and essential items.
2. Listen for Updates: Continue listening to your radio for updates on the situation and potential assistance available.
3. Stay Mentally Sharp: Engage in activities stimulating your mind, like reading, puzzles, or light exercises to help manage stress and anxiety.
4. Connect with Loved Ones: If possible and communication lines are open, try contacting family and friends to inform them of your situation and well-being.

Within 72 Hours:

1. Look for Assistance: If your situation requires external help, listen for announcements regarding aid distribution centers or search and rescue operations.
2. Help Others: If you have extra supplies and are physically able, consider sharing them with your neighbors in need.
3. Stay Hopeful: Maintain a positive mindset and focus on practical solutions while waiting for assistance.

Additional Tips

• Wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
• Stay hydrated and eat regularly, even if you don’t feel hungry.
• Manage medications carefully.
• Limit your exposure to news that might cause undue stress.
• Avoid spreading rumors or misinformation.

Remember

• Your safety is the top priority.
• Stay informed and follow instructions from local authorities.
• Ration your resources and conserve energy.
• Help others when possible, but don’t put yourself at risk.
• Maintain a positive attitude and focus

Staying Healthy and Safe During an Extended Shelter-in-Place

Following the initial 96 hours, an SHTF event might require staying home for an extended period. This section guides you in maintaining your health and safety during an extended shelter-in-place situation.

Maintaining Physical Health

Mental and Emotional Wellbeing

Additional Considerations and Thoughts

Following these guidelines and staying informed about the developing situation can increase your chances of staying healthy and safe during an extended SHTF event. It is crucial to remember that you are not alone, and help from authorities or communities might become available as the situation progresses.

Common Mistakes by Seniors

During SHTF (sh•t hits the fan) events, seniors may inadvertently make certain mistakes due to various factors. Here are some common pitfalls to avoid:

What are some common mistakes seniors make during SHTF events?

1. Underestimating the Severity:
   1. Seniors might downplay the seriousness of the situation, assuming it will resolve quickly.
   2. It’s essential to recognize the gravity of the event and act accordingly.
2. Lack of Preparedness:
   1. Failing to have a well-thought-out emergency plan and adequate supplies can be detrimental.
   2. Seniors should stockpile essentials like food, water, medications, and first aid items.
3. Isolation and Lack of Communication:
   1. Seniors who live alone may become isolated during an SHTF event.
   2. Connecting with neighbors, family, or community networks is crucial for safety and emotional well-being.
4. Ignoring Mobility Challenges:
   1. Seniors with limited mobility may struggle to evacuate or access necessary resources.
   2. Planning for mobility aids and evacuation routes within the home is essential.
5. Not Prioritizing Health Needs:
   1. Neglecting medical requirements can exacerbate health conditions.
   2. Seniors should ensure they have enough medications and access to medical equipment.
6. Panic and Anxiety:
   1. High-stress situations can lead to panic.
   2. Seniors should practice mindfulness, stay calm, and avoid making impulsive decisions.
7. Overreliance on Technology:
   1. Relying solely on electronic devices for information can be risky.
   2. Battery-powered radios and non-digital communication methods are essential.
8. Failure to Adapt:
   1. Circumstances can change rapidly during an SHTF event. Seniors should remain flexible and adjust their plans as needed.

Always remember preparation and resilience are essential. Seniors who proactively address these challenges have a better chance of successfully navigating the initial critical hours.

Have you had to shelter-in-place/stay-at-home during a disaster? Do you have any tips or tricks for us that you can add to the comments below? Do you have a disaster-related story you’d like to share? Leave me a comment anyway!

I can either update this post or make a new one to add your tips/story comments. Help a fellow senior out and post your info in the comments! Let’s get a community together!

Let’s “survive with seniors” and show ’em we’re still a valuable resource.

Teri Rehkopf

I’m the daughter of 2 original survivalists who moved from the north to sunny Florida. My mother, along with her parents, bought 30 mostly uncleared acres in 1938. The first home was made of pecky-cypress and built by a house-raising. My mother raised 10,000 chickens. My divorced mother met and married my father in 1948. From pine trees on our property, he hand-built a log cabin. He also built a tarpaper-lined 65’x45′ pool with duck pond overflow. We had an artesian well for our water and powering our hand-built waterwheel for the pool. He built a substantial cantilevered roof workshop with a car pit in the massive cement floor. Since my early teens, I have read a ton of books about survival, prepping, the bomb, an apocalypse, homestead living, and SHTF situations. As an adult, I continue to read sci-fi, survival prepping, and science. I practice a prepper lifestyle albeit a bit modified, read a lot, buy a lot, pack/store a lot of anything survival related. My GoldenSurvivalist.com blog strives to educate individuals on coping with natural and human-caused disasters using article posts about preparing for emergencies.

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