Are you prepping?
We are prepping in Germany because we have a history of war and because we want to survive a disaster. You should prep too. Here's why.
This week, temperatures have dropped to -15 degrees Celsius (5 degrees Fahrenheit) in Berlin, and 45,000 people are without power.
Early Saturday morning, a fire broke out in southwestern Berlin, damaging the power supply to round 45,000 households. Authorities expect that it will take six days before tens of thousands of Berliners will be able to turn on their lights, hot water, and heat again.
For years, we have had to prep. Our Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance has published a brochure that tells us how to respond in the event of natural disasters, major fires, and crises in general.
Among other things, the brochure contains a list of items we should have as emergency supplies in case of disaster.
The list includes water for 10 days, dry goods, a camping stove, a battery-powered radio, medicine, and food for your pet.
When we think about prepping, war often comes to mind first. This is also true here in Berlin, which has been through world wars and Stalin’s blockade of food and supplies to West Berlin in 1948.
On Saturday, disaster struck. It wasn’t the threat of war that became reality. It was a prolonged power outage at the coldest time of winter.
And perhaps it is disasters like these that we should fear more than a new war. Not only in Berlin, but everywhere in the world. We are experiencing more and more natural disasters, and a fire can cut off the power at the most inconvenient time.
Therefore, consider prepping even if you don’t believe in war. If your authorities haven’t published a disaster relief brochure, use ours. Run it through Google Translate if necessary.
Whether you live in a small town or a big city, you could be affected by flooding, landslides, or a power outage. And sometimes the authorities need extra time to restore services or rescue people in need.
This advice comes from someone, me, who lives in a city with a history of war, dictators, and other disasters:
Save yourself by preparing an emergency reserve, because you never know when disaster will strike in your area.