Homesteading, survival living, even just trying to be somewhat self-sufficient can be deadly; nature really has it in for humans.
The following are some common threats you must be aware of if you find yourself in a survival situation or even if you are in a more long-term environment.
Fire Accidents
Fire is such a great tool for the homestead. It can keep you warm, help clear your fields and even help you cook. But it’s also extremely dangerous when not taken seriously. Especially during the summer months, fire can spread very quickly, not only because of the heat but also because of the dry fields and hay.
Controlled burns are somewhat of a misnomer because it’s very hard to control fire. Winds can shift quickly and it just takes one spark to burn hundreds of acres. If you do need to burn brush it is important to make sure you have enough people and water standing by to keep it under control. It’s also wise to inform you local fire department and obtain any necessary permits.
Spontaneous combustion can happen with hay or grain that is stored before it is completely dry. Just like the bacteria in a compost pile makes it get hot, the bacteria in wet hay or grain can cause the temperatures to increase. If they increase quickly enough, the hay bale or grain pile can catch itself on fire. This can be prevented by making sure that the hay (or grain) has the correct moisture content for storage, for hay that is between 10-15%.
Barns add an extra element of fire danger to a homestead. Not only are they full of dry hay but they are open and open buildings will burn faster than buildings with walls inside. Barns are also usually away from the family residence. Where a smoke detector would inform a family of the possibility of fire in a house, there is usually no person in a barn when a fire starts. So the fire has time to spread before it is even noticed.
Dehydration, Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke
Homesteading is hard work. For the most part, the work is outside all day long and often alone. This can be a dangerous situation. According to the National Farm Worker Ministry, heat stroke is the leading cause of work related death among farm workers. It’s a shame because of all the things we’ve talked about so far, this one is the most easily prevented.
It’s really important to start the day hydrated and stay hydrated. That means carrying water with you and stopping for breaks. It’s hard sometimes to take a break while you’re on a roll, but the hotter it is the more breaks you should be taking. There are plenty of signs, beyond thirst, that your body will give you that you are headed for danger. Some of those signs are cool skin and chills even though it’s hot outside, headache, nausea, weakness, muscle cramps. If your temperature goes above 104°F, it’s time to head to the doctor’s office.
Cuts, Infections and Bleeding
Even when you are super careful and know what you are doing, cuts can happen. And when they do, there is always the possibility of infection. So, it’s important to have a stocked first aid kit and know how to use each of the things in your kit. It’s also important to know when to seek medical attention for your cut. Our rule of thumb is, when in doubt get it checked out. Sometimes that is at the time of the injury but sometimes it’s days later.
Because I’m prone to cutting my hand, a friend gave me a fillet glove as a gift. It works great. If you are prone to cutting your hand or if you’re working with training children to butcher animals or fillet fish, you might consider getting one.
Sometimes the injuries on the homestead are not gushing blood everywhere. Sometime they are internal,. Anytime someone is kicked by a large animal, they should be taken to the doctor to be examined for internal injuries.
There are literally thousands of ways you can hurt, maim or kill yourself in a survival situation.
By being aware, always of the risks and having a contingency for addressing the threats, you can minimize your risk.
To see a list of other threats as well as some great suggestions from readers, please visit The Prepper Project.