water storage?

[Delvehound]

I was thinking about where to put a couple 55 gallon drums of H2O. Will a 55g plastic drum freeze and fail if I left it outside thru the winter? Multiple winters? Anyone store water like that?

[Wulf202]

They will fail over several winters at the seam. Fill to 80% or they may fail the first winter.

Do you not have space for them inside?

[Delvehound]

Well, my wife thinks I'm a crazy person for wanting to have a big bag of rice, beans, and some extra canned goods as it is (maybe 2 weeks worth). I tried to get her to read One Second After, but that didn't work (Her exact words, no joke: "I'd rather die than live in a world like that."). So, needless to say, I'm trying to stock up on stuff on the down low. So if something happens, we're covered. Not to segue, but if you've got any advice on that too, it'd be extremely helpful.

Example: The other night we had a power outage at about 20:30, and while she was using her phone to wander around the house, I pulled out a couple candles. She said "That's a great idea!".. At that point I thought it'd be a good opportunity to explain why I'm doing what I'm doing. She thought I was joking. lol

I may be able to hide a couple water containers in the utility room, behind some boxes or something, I'll get dimensions and see what I can come up with.

[TheGrey]

Well, my wife thinks I'm a crazy person for wanting to have a big bag of rice, beans, and some extra canned goods as it is (maybe 2 weeks worth). I tried to get her to read One Second After, but that didn't work (Her exact words, no joke: "I'd rather die than live in a world like that."). So, needless to say, I'm trying to stock up on stuff on the down low. So if something happens, we're covered. Not to segue, but if you've got any advice on that too, it'd be extremely helpful.

Example: The other night we had a power outage at about 20:30, and while she was using her phone to wander around the house, I pulled out a couple candles. She said "That's a great idea!".. At that point I thought it'd be a good opportunity to explain why I'm doing what I'm doing. She thought I was joking. lol

I may be able to hide a couple water containers in the utility room, behind some boxes or something, I'll get dimensions and see what I can come up with.

I think I can help with the communication aspects a bit. There are many women that don't accept the TEOTWAWKI premise. It's just too big and fantastical. However, tackling the problem in smaller bite-sized situations may be the way to go. Weather-related incidents often result in power loss, for an extended period of time. Look at what has recently happened in Evergreen (I think?)- they're without power for a week because one power pole went down. Wildfires and house fires are another real possibility. A loss of income is another- what if one of you was injured on the job, or lost a job? You've got to start out slow. An extra case of water, for instance. A good price on canned beans equals a few more added to the stockpile. Baby steps in response to genuine problem prevention is the way to approach it. I read One Second After, and it's a bit extreme. The women I know aren't going to be turned prepper because of it.

[clodhopper]

Well, my wife thinks I'm a crazy person for wanting to have a big bag of rice, beans, and some extra canned goods as it is (maybe 2 weeks worth). I tried to get her to read One Second After, but that didn't work (Her exact words, no joke: "I'd rather die than live in a world like that."). So, needless to say, I'm trying to stock up on stuff on the down low. So if something happens, we're covered. Not to segue, but if you've got any advice on that too, it'd be extremely helpful.

Example: The other night we had a power outage at about 20:30, and while she was using her phone to wander around the house, I pulled out a couple candles. She said "That's a great idea!".. At that point I thought it'd be a good opportunity to explain why I'm doing what I'm doing. She thought I was joking. lol

I may be able to hide a couple water containers in the utility room, behind some boxes or something, I'll get dimensions and see what I can come up with.

Adjust how you present it to her. She obviously connects prepping with the apocalypse. However, there are a lot of levels. Putting a pair of boots and a coat in the trunk during winter is prepping, but most might consider it simple common sense. You need to identify what lower level situations she may see as possible, and prep for that. Over time, she will likely become comfortable with those things and you and find reason to add another. Hiding the purchase costs as well as the items purchased is very difficult. You already know that going whole hog on preps will get you shut down.

It just isn't practical/possible for one half of the team to prep while the other half ridicules the efforts. There are plenty of issues even when both sides agree. My wife still has a habit of pulling from the set backs when we run out of something with the intention of replacing it, but then procrastinates/forgets. I come along months later to inventory and find storage has reduced instead of increased. While I appreciate the "oh sorry, I intended to replace it, blah blah" it is still frustrating.

[Great-Kazoo]

Well, my wife thinks I'm a crazy person for wanting to have a big bag of rice, beans, and some extra canned goods as it is (maybe 2 weeks worth). I tried to get her to read One Second After, but that didn't work (Her exact words, no joke: "I'd rather die than live in a world like that."). So, needless to say, I'm trying to stock up on stuff on the down low. So if something happens, we're covered. Not to segue, but if you've got any advice on that too, it'd be extremely helpful.

Example: The other night we had a power outage at about 20:30, and while she was using her phone to wander around the house, I pulled out a couple candles. She said "That's a great idea!".. At that point I thought it'd be a good opportunity to explain why I'm doing what I'm doing. She thought I was joking. lol

I may be able to hide a couple water containers in the utility room, behind some boxes or something, I'll get dimensions and see what I can come up with.

Hide your wife's phone charger, then make sure her phone is left on till it hits LOW BATTERY. Give her 30 min without a phone, she'll start to come round. OR shut off the main breaker for a few. BTW: 2 weeks ??? Even the PSA's on the college radio station suggest 30 days.
As for water, the gallon size and usual 8oz bottles by the case are easy to store and carry.

My spouse didn't care for long term food storage (based on her "vision" of storage containers) Till i picked up a case or 2 of food from the LDS Cannery. That same day she had the next order form filled out. Since then every food item is on spread sheets. Use it, cross it off, put on items to buy list. .

In terms of other "just in case items" Never been a problem with her.

[Delvehound]

Hide your wife's phone charger, then make sure her phone is left on till it hits LOW BATTERY. Give her 30 min without a phone, she'll start to come round. OR shut off the main breaker for a few. BTW: 2 weeks ??? Even the PSA's on the college radio station suggest 30 days.
As for water, the gallon size and usual 8oz bottles by the case are easy to store and carry.

My spouse didn't care for long term food storage (based on her "vision" of storage containers) Till i picked up a case or 2 of food from the LDS Cannery. That same day she had the next order form filled out. Since then every food item is on spread sheets. Use it, cross it off, put on items to buy list. .

In terms of other "just in case items" Never been a problem with her.

Funny you say that, I know this is going to make me look like a lazy ass, but The AC broke down at the beginning of the summer, and I wanted to do an experiment to see how long she'd last without losing her mind, and suffocating me in my sleep. Needless to say I got the AC fixed a couple weeks ago, however I'm impressed she lasted as long as she did.

I've always wanted to go to the LDS place, sounds awesome, thanks for the advice!

[rbeau30]

I've always wanted to go to the LDS place, sounds awesome, thanks for the advice!

I need to make another trip as well. Get a couple cases of whatnot.

[Great-Kazoo]

I need to make another trip as well. Get a couple cases of whatnot.

They no longer carry whatnot. BUT. i heard they may start stocking dontcares

[Irving]

Kerosene hurricane lanterns can be at Walmart for about $5. They make big and small, but the wick, and therefore the flame, is the same size so you get the same light with a small one.