It hardly bears repeating that Y2K has gotten its share of press and yes, even hype. Should we paranoid, just prepared, or should we dismiss the rumors and remain cynical? It's hard to say at this point, and in the meantime, you're likely to hear and read your fair share of scary reports advising you to stockpile canned goods in your pantry as if Armageddon were going to arrive at midnight on January 1.

The truth is that you won't regret putting together a little "survival" kit for the millennium. Even if midnight comes and goes on January 1 and nothing out of the ordinary happens, you'll have an emergency kit of sorts for your home, which is always a wise idea.

To get started, consider the condition of your home. Is the foundation of your home in good condition? Are all systems in good working order -- including plumbing, air conditioning, heating and alarm system? What about your roof? Is it leaking anywhere? Do you see any shingles or siding loose or in need of repair? Has your chimney been inspected for cracks, and has it been cleaned? Are your windows and doors in good condition (do they close adequately, or are they posing any potential security hazards)?

Are you experiencing any infestation problems, whether it be mice, termites or any host of insects? If your home has any structural problems, by all means, get them repaired now if you can. The closer you wait until the new year, the harder it's going to be to get an appointment with a repair company or home inspector. One side effect of the Y2K scare is that these companies are going to do very well. It's certainly money well spent to have these repairs performed on your home, but Y2K paranoia is spurring many homeowners to get on the phone and have every conceivable repair performed on the double before the approaching new year.

The image of hoarding cases of canned goods makes some of us snicker, but could storing a few nonperishables really hurt? Look at it this way: If the new year arrives and nothing happens, you'll have a little less grocery shopping to do afterward. Of course, you'll want to have a couple of reliable can openers on hand, and you'll also want to consider what's going to taste good in the event that you don't have a heating source available (let's face it ... if you're breaking open canned beans for a meal, it's probably going to be under the circumstances in which you didn't have a heat source available to you). Most canned vegetables and fruits, for instance, taste fine when eaten straight from the can. So does canned tuna. OK, it's not Wolfgang Puck, but it's nutritious. And if need be, you can eat soup at lukewarm temperature for a nutritious alternative.

Foods that require refrigeration are tricky. If you live in a cold climate, you could place these items outside temporarily, either on your front steps or in a cooler, and keep them fresh. If it's not particularly cold outside, you could place a cooler in the coldest room in your house, such as your basement, and keep them fresh for a very limited period of time. Food spoilage is a real concern under these conditions, so you'll want to keep these foods to a minimum while you're compiling your emergency staples.

When it comes to water, determining how much you'll need is a challenge. Err on the side of caution, and estimate your daily usage at about one gallon per person for drinking and two gallons per person for washing. If those Y2K believers are right, it's hard to say how long you'd need those water stores. You don't have to fill your basement from floor to ceiling with bottled water, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to have a generous supply on hand. Again, if nothing happens come the new year, you'll use it, anyway, so you have nothing to lose. And buy it early. You won't want to be fighting off the crowds come New Year's Eve.

For alternative light sources, start with obvious (but least practical) choice -- candles -- and then store some backup sources, such as propane, fluorescent and/or kerosene lanterns. When purchasing candles, invest in the more expensive variety, which burn 90 or more hours. If you're not sure, ask the store representative.

If you're planning a vacation come January 1, you'll want to take a few precautions to protect your home while you're away. Even if you're a Y2K cynic, play devil's advocate and assume that your heating system could experience a malfunction. Is there anything in your home that would be ruined if the heat were to go out during the wintertime? Now, really suspend your disbelief, and consider that if Y2K believers are, indeed, correct, that lootings could occur. Your empty home could be an open invitation to thieves. Even if you have a home security system, in the event of a malfunction, your belongings could be vulnerable. So make arrangements for your most precious belongings. Either place them in a safe, or store them with family or friends who plan on staying home for the new year. You'll want to withdraw money before the new year, as well -- not your life savings, but enough to provide padding in case it's needed.

In general, there's no point in spending New Year's Eve in a state of complete paranoia. But you'll never, ever regret taking a few wise measures that are based not on fear, but on practicality.

Also See: