Emergency preparedness

Emergency preparedness can reduce fear, anxiety, and losses that come with disasters. Government and religious leaders have advised people to prepare themselves and their homes for a time of crisis. Whether it is a natural disaster, such as an earthquake or hurricane, or a manmade disaster, such as a terrorist attack or fire, prudent families are preparing for disasters that could strike unexpectedly.
==Supplementing stored fuel with solar cooking==
In an effort to prepare for the unexpected, many families have set aside food but struggle with the issue of how to safely store enough fuel and rotate it to keep it fresh. Guides are available on how much food you need to keep on hand to provide for your family in the event of an emergency, but do you feel comfortable with the amount of fuel you have on hand and how to store it? Using a solar cooker on the days when the sun shines decreases the amount of fuel which must be stored.
==A preparedness item that pays for itself==
You don't need to wait for an emergency to make use of your solar cooker. Many preparedness-minded families who have purchased a solar cooker have found that their cooker quickly pays for itself by reducing their utility bills and the cost of restaurant meals. Many people do not cook or bake on hot days for fear of heating up the house. A solar cooker enables cooking on hot summer days by keeping the heat from cooking outside. Pay back time for a homemade solar cooker may be on the order of a week or two of use.
==Additional uses for a solar cooker==
In addition to cooking, a solar cooker can also be used in a variety of other ways including:
*Boil or pasteurize water
*Naturally dehydrate fruits, vegetables, and meats
*Heat water for a sponge bath
*Kill infestations in grains or dried foods
*Sanitize dishes
*Dry firewood
*Decrystallize honey or jams
*Other non-cooking uses
==Handbooks==
* - Wendy DeWitt
==See also==
*Natural disasters
==External links==
*Solar Cookers International’s Work for Disaster Preparedness
*EMPs and You - sunoven.com
*Provident Living - sunoven.com
*The Center for High Impact Philanthropy: Disaster Relief and Recovery