Preparing for Disaster with Small Children

Everyday we are faced with challenges, some minimal and some larger than life. It is important to know what to do should you face a challenge, such as a natural disaster.Like many American families, you may have small children at home, so it is important to take necessary precautions to prepare yourself for the worst.

Natural disasters include, but are not limited to Tornados, Hurricanes (see Preparing for a Hurricane), Earthquakes, Fires, Floods, Tsunamis, Volcanic Eruptions, Wildfire, Landslides, and even Terrorism.

To prepare yourself, the first thing you should do is create an Emergency Supply Kit. When putting your kit together, it is important to remember that in case of an evacuation, you may be away from home for a short to long while, and so you should have an adequate amount of supplies. Following is a short list of necessities:

-Drinking Water

-Food(if you are packing canned food, be sure to pack a can opener as well)

-First Aid Kit

-Clothing (keep in mind that weather conditions vary and so it is advisable to pack long-sleeve items, jackets, etc.)

-Medications (if you have a family member with a disability, handicap, or illness, be sure to pack medications and supplies accordingly.)

-Blankets

-Money

-Important papers

As part of your preparation, you should devise a Plan of Emergency, complete with details regarding escape routes, meeting places, ways of communication. If your children are in school, inquire as to whether or not the school has an Emergency Plan should an emergency arise and what this plan entails.

However, most importantly, REMAIN CALM. Your children will look to you for strength and support during a frightening situation.

Quick Tip! – Contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross to find out which hazards can possibly strike your community and what risks or effects may result from it.

What Will YOU Do…?

It is true that we are currently witnessing an economic crisis. It is true that with unemployment rates surging and business owners being forced to either raise prices or cut them to keep their doors open, we’re left wondering what our tomorrow holds and what the future will bring.

As foreclose rates rise, so does the number of home owners worried about how they will make their next mortgage payment. Many lenders are shutting their doors to the public, making obtaining credit and loans nearly impossible. Automakers sit looking out at filled car lots and consumers wait anxiously for someone to cut them a break. Some commercials, courtesy of marketing gurus, insist on having us believe that “things aren’t so bad” while the media reiterates that “this is the worst of times”.

We’ve elected a new President and we all sit with great hope that he will turn things around and provide our nation with economic stability, but we’re all also left with the realization that change will take time. But what are we to do as we wait for this great change to take place?

Amidst the economic crisis, it’s natural to ask yourself ‘What if?’ It’s natural to be concerned about the current state of affairs. You have to ask yourself, what will happen if things take a turn for the worst? Once panic and fear have settled in a person’s mind, it is easy to assume that chaos may follow.

We should always think positively, but we must also think smart. We must assume the risks that come with this downturn in the economy, but more importantly, we must prepare ourselves for the worst. Once upon a time, it was Survival of the Fittest, in today’s volatile economy it’s Survival of the Smartest…Survival of the Prepared.

Hurricanes, Tornado, Bird Flu.. Are You Ready?

Some of the most common disasters are Natural Disasters, such as Hurricanes, Earthquakes and Tornados. If you’re located in an area that is prone to these specific disasters, it is essential to have the proper emergency survival accessories on hand to safeguard yourself and your family. Our accessory kits are specifically customized to meet the challenges you may face during an emergency. They are designed to be used with our 72 hour survival kits, or they can be used on there own.

Our Hurricane accessories arrive in a waterproof container along with a handy, informative Hurricane Survival Guide. Our Earthquake accessories are designed to not only protect you, but to also protect your most important investment, your home.

Now you may be thinking, “Well, what about other types of emergencies? What about diseases and other illnesses?” Don’t you worry, we have you covered! Our Accessory Kits page includes a kit designated for the Avian Bird Flu and also a kit for Hygiene. We understand that while good hygiene is critical to our daily lives, it is even more important to maintain it following a disaster or pandemic. Allow yourself to attain peace of mind by fully preparing yourself. You may not be able to control nature, but you can control how you deal with it.

Here’s to safe living!

Survival Information: How to treat water so it’s safe to use

Water is the most important aspect in our survival, and obviously the best course of action is having some stored in case of emergency. One source of stored drinking water that is often over looked is the water in your hot water heater, maybe 55 gallons worth!!! If you do happen to find yourself in an emergency situation with no available drinking water, here are a few simple tips to help treat the water you do have access to. If you are in doubt of the quality of any water source, it is best to treat it first using these methods.

Straining and Aeration

A recommended first step would be to run the water through a clean cotton cloth, such as a handkerchief. This filters out some of the larger particles (like dirt and tiny organisms). Aeration just adds air to the water and reduces substances that affect the taste and smell of water. Partly fill a container with water and shake it vigorously.

Three Container System

According to the WELL Resource Center for Water Sanitation and Environmental Health, simply letting water sit in a container will also improve its quality. They recommend a three-container system. Container one stores newly collected water. After one day (24 hours), pour the water from container one into container two. Be careful to leave the particles or cloudy layers behind, which are at the bottom of the container one by now. Discard the rest of the water from container one, and then fill it again so that you are constantly repeating this cycle. The next day, pour the water from container two into container three. Once stored for two days, the water in container three can be used for drinking.

Disinfection

After straining the water, the most common way to disinfect the water is to boil it. There is some question about how long exactly to boil water in order to kill all the pathogens. The U.S. Center for Disease Control recommends boiling water for several minutes.

Another common method to disinfect water is to chemically treat it by adding chlorine or bleach to it. This method is a bit trickier as there are many different kinds of bleach. Household bleach has been known to lose its strength over time, whereas powdered chlorine can last 10 years without losing its strength. Ensure you use pure bleach, and not anything that has other additives (like laundry chemicals). For bleach that has 6-10% chlorine, you can use 3 to 4 drops per gallon of water. Let it sit for about thirty minutes, and then smell the water. You should faintly smell the chlorine. If you don’t smell it at all, repeat the procedure and then let it sit for another half hour. After a few hours, aerate the water by shaking the bottle vigorously, which helps reduce the smell and taste of chlorine.

Another way to deal with and treat water so that it is safe to drink is use a water filtration bottle that filters out 99.99% of pollutants and contaminants found in water sources. Find one that uses a proprietary Ionic Adsorption Micron Filtration System, and can produce up to 100 gallons of filtered water on one filter. Keep one of these in the car at all times as well as in your home.

It’s best to know all ways to be able to protect yourself and your family completely, because you never know where you will be when disaster strikes!

Preparing For a Hurricane – Yes, It’s That Time Again!

While all natural disasters can be frightening, one of the most common is a hurricane. A hurricane is a severe tropical cyclone. One of the most recent and deadliest hurricanes to strike in American history includes Hurricane Katrina back in 2005. Hurricane Katrina caused severe destruction and devastated all those in it’s path.

Hurricane season takes place between June 1st and November 30th. If you reside in an area typically known for being struck by hurricanes, it’s advisable to monitor the Storm Watch feeds provided on our web site home page, or the Weather Channel to find out if a hurricane may be headed your way.

To prepare yourself, you should create a Kit with things you will need in case of a hurricane emergency. This Hurricane Kit should include essential items such as those found within a First Aid Kit, as well as food, water. Water should be enough for 1 gallon of water, per person, per day. (food and water should be stored in a cool place) batteries, medication, blankets, etc. Also prepare a box with the family’s passports, birth certificates, mortgage information (if applicable), and home insurance policy. There are also complete Hurricane Kits available to purchase, to take a lot of the guess work out of it for you.

You should ensure that your home insurance policy is kept up to date. If your home is located in a flood zone, you may need to purchase flood insurance separately from your regular home insurance, as it is not always included. Another good idea is to perform regular maintenance on your car. After all, it will be your transportation should you need to evacuate. Be sure to also have emergency supplies in your car as well, in case you are unable to retrieve your supplies from home.

Once your family has formulated a plan of defense in the case of a hurricane, practice it. Make sure each family member knows who to contact, and how to contact them, and vice-versa. Hurricanes normally travel slowly, so as soon as you’ve received word of one approaching your area, you should begin finalizing your plans and decide whether you will evacuate or stay put. If you do decide to stay. It is advisable to have a few sheets of ply-wood on hand, even cut to size ahead of time, and stored in a shed or garage. When a Hurricane is confirmed, the home improvement stores, and lumber yards will be a mad house and may even be already sold out of the supplies you’ll need!

Remember, forming and exercising the right plan can make a world of difference and may save a life. Live well and live safe!

Know the difference between Hurricane “Watches” and “Warnings.”

• Hurricane/Tropical Storm Watch—Hurricane/tropical storm conditions
are possible in the specified area, usually within 36 hours.

• Hurricane/Tropical Storm Warning—Hurricane/tropical storm conditions
are expected in the specified area, usually within 24 hours.

• Short Term Watches and Warnings— These warnings provide detailed information
on specific hurricane threats, such as flash floods and tornadoes.

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale:

(Category) (Sustained Winds MPH) (Damage) (Storm Surge)

(Cat. 1) 74-95 Minimal: Untied mobile homes, vegetation and signs. 4-5 feet

(Cat. 2) 96-110 Moderate: All mobile homes, roofs, small crafts, flooding. 6-8 feet

(Cat. 3) 111-130 Extensive: Small buildings, low-lying roads cut off. 9-12 feet

(Cat. 4) 131-155 Extreme: Roofs destroyed, trees down, roads cut off, mobile homes
destroyed. Beach homes flooded. 13-18 feet

(Cat. 5) >155 Catastrophic: Most buildings destroyed. Vegetation destroyed.
Major roads cut off. Homes flooded. >18

Will You Be Prepared For A Tornado?

It’s important that you pay close attention to the news and to weather alerts when inclement weather occurs. However, no one can stop a tornado from occurring. Ultimately, proper emergency preparedness is the best choice for you to do for both yourself and your family!
Before a storm know what you will do and where you will go if there is a threat of a tornado. If you have small children, be certain they know the plan as well in case the plan must take place very fast. Having a weather radio as well as backup batteries is desirable and relatively cost effective for singles and families alike.
Ultimately, emergency food and emergency survival items are abundant, however knowing who to trust when purchasing these items is imperative. Having a first-aid kit and other disaster kits on hand is a responsible choice especially if you have children. Lower your risk of injury by staying away from windows. If you are caught on the road and/or outside during a storm, stay within a ditch or somewhere the ground is lowered.
A variety of survival kits for the home are available for various natural disasters from Survival Gear Source. Items such as 72 hour survival kits and first aid kits are must-have for every home. Survival kits include a variety of things:
- Water
- Emergency Food bars
- Radio w/batteries
- Rechargeable flashlight
- Candle & Matches (lighter too)
- Sleeping Bags
- Body Warmers
- Tube tent w/rope
- Ponchos
- Knife, gloves, dust masks
- Hygiene Kits
- First Aid Kit
- Paper & Pencil
- Playing Cards
- Trash Bags
Ultimately, emergency preparedness is important and staying alert and informed is the first step to staying safe. Next, preparing by purchasing a variety of disaster relief items and having them on hand makes the chance of surviving a natural disaster even more likely. Don’t take a chance, purchase survival kits today!

Are You Prepared To Take On Mother Nature?

Are You Prepared To Take On Mother Nature?

Click on the link to see the entire article.

First Aid 101

Whether you are a teacher, a parent, or simply a professional, first aid is important to be educated on. In emergency situations, you may be asked to perform basic CPR and/or first aid on individuals. This can make the difference in saving someone’s life. Thus, being prepared and having the proper survival gear on hand is imperative to both you and other people around you to remain safe.

Survival first aid kits are affordable items that make you feel safe. They most often include sterile  supplies as well as bandages, pain relievers, alcohol pads, burn cream  and more! Websites such as survivalgearsource.com provide a variety of First Aid items as well as emergency survival kits, disaster kits, classroom lockdown kits, water purification items and other emergency preparedness items.

Natural disasters cannot be stalled, however proper emergency preparedness will make the situation more feasible for you and the people around you. By remaining alert, calm, and prepared, you will feel more confident in the situation.

Knowing first aid is important, but also knowing what items to use in your first aid kit and when, is just as important. Rely on professionals to provide you with proper survival tips to aid your safety in a natural disaster. Your life is depending on it! Purchase first aid kits and other survival gear before you need it, and peace of mind that you are prepared.

The Dangers of Extreme Heat

Heat can kill by pushing the body beyond its limits. Under normal conditions, the body’s internal thermostat produces perspiration that evaporates and cools the body. However, in extreme heat and high humidity, evaporation is slowed and the body has to work much harder to maintain a normal temperature. Most heat related problems occur because someone has been over exposed to heat or has over-exercised for their age or physical condition. The elderly, young children, and those who are sick or overweight are more likely to be affected extreme heat. Conditions that can cause heat-related illnesses include no air movement, and poor air quality. People living in urban areas may be at greater risk from the effects of a heat wave than those living in more rural areas. Another contributing factor is that asphalt and concrete store heat longer and gradually release heat at night, which can produce higher nighttime temperatures known as the “urban heat island effect.”

Some things you can do to beat the heat:
• Install window air conditioners snugly, insulate if necessary.
• Close any floor heat registers nearby and use a circulating or box fan to spread cool air.
• Check air-conditioning ducts for proper insulation.
• Install temporary reflectors, such as aluminum foil covered cardboard, to reflect heat back outside and be sure to weather-strip doors and sills to keep cool air in.
• Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings or louvers. Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat that enters a home by up to 80 percent.