Emergency Supplies for Personal – Family Safety
October 28, 2011
These are the things you will need – food, water, and equipment – if you are forced to live at home under emergency conditions. Keep your supplies in a cool dry place, and check them periodically to make sure that the food is still good, and that the batteries still work. A garbage can with a tight lid makes a good container – it is watertight, can be moved easily, and is itself useful in a disaster.
Basic survival supplies to kit and assemble include the following:
Battery operated radio
Battery operated flashlight (LED lights last longer)
Extra batteries
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
List with the name of each drug plus the name and number of the physician who prescribed it
Blanket or sleeping bag for each member of the family
Watch or battery operated clock
Bottled water
Manual can opener
Canned food your family likes (Include meats, poultry, fish, fruits, and vegetables for a balanced diet) Cans are better than jars because they don’t break.
Crackers and cereal. Wrap these in plastic bags and store them in airtight containers to add to their shelf life.
Foods that store well and do not require cooking (for example, honey, nuts, dried fruit, and chocolate stored in airtight containers or vacuum-sealed)
Baby food and/or formula and disposable diapers if appropriate
Pet food as needed
Store at least a three-day supply of food and water for your family. A two week supply is even better. A three month supply is even better than that 
Figure that each adult needs at least a half gallon of water per day for drinking and another half gallon a day for sanitation
Tape for taping windows; supplies for boarding up windows and doors
Paper plates and cups and plastic utensils
Garbage bags
Toilet paper
Moistened towelettes
Personal care items (deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.)
Clean clothes
Candles and matches
Pencil and paper
A sharp knife
Needle and thread
Chemical cold packs
Tools
Sturdy shoes
Rubber gloves
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10 Ways To Be Prepared
October 26, 2011
While living your day-to-day life, in the event of an emergency or disaster, you should be prepared to stop… and adapt…
1. Identify Your Risk
What are the hazards where you live and work? Find out what natural or human caused disasters pose a risk for you. Do you live or work in a flood plain, near a major earthquake fault or in a high fire danger area? Are you prepared for an unexpected human-made disaster that can strike at any time? Does your neighborhood or community have a disaster plan?
2. Create A Family Disaster Plan
Know where to meet if you have to evacuate. Designate a meeting place outside your home where family members can go. Know who you’ve identified as the out-of-state friend to be your “family contact” for everyone to check-in with. Keep a touch-tone phone (and phone cord) that does not require plugging into an electric outlet (after a disaster, cell phones and wireless phones may not be working). Take care of your family pets too. Store food and water for them in your disaster supply kit.
3. Practice Your Disaster Plan
Start by having family members meet at a designated spot outside your home – like you would after a fire or after the shaking stops. Know how to respond in the event of any disaster — whether to stay put indoors, or whether to evacuate your neighborhood by car. If your family needs to evacuate, know the proper evacuation procedures and routes.
4. Build A Disaster Survival Kit For Home And Car
If you are stranded in your car or have to be self sufficient at home until help arrives, you need to have a disaster kit with you. Your home disaster supply kit should have at least the following items and be kept in containers that can be easily carried or moved such as backpacks, plastic totes or wheeled trash cans.
Carry a smaller kit in your car:
• Have at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable and canned food, and water for all family members. Replace water every six months. Don’t forget to restock food items.
• First Aid Kit.
• Battery-powered flashlight and portable radio with extra batteries. Replace batteries on a regular basis.
• Change of clothing and footwear, and one blanket or sleeping bag for each family member.
• Extra set of car keys, and a credit card and cash.
• Extra medications.
• Sanitation supplies (such as soap, cleaning supplies, shampoo, toilet tissue, etc.)
• An extra set of prescription glasses.
• Keep important family documents in a waterproof container.
5. Prepare Your Children
Talk to your kids about what the risks are and what your family will do if disaster strikes. Practice your family disaster plan every six months. Empower your children to help write the family plan, build the disaster supply, and lead the drills. The more informed and involved children are in disaster planning, the more prepared they will be.
6. Don’t Forget Those With Special Needs
Infants, seniors and those with special needs must not be forgotten. Make sure that supplies for your infant are in your kit and that you have items such as medications, or other medical supplies that seniors or persons with disabilities may need.
7. Learn CPR And First Aid
Contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross today and get trained on basic first aid and CPR.
8. Eliminate Hazards In Your Home And Workplace
You must secure the contents of your home or office to reduce hazards, especially during shaking from an earth-quake. Strap down large objects, secure cabinet doors, anchor tall furniture, and secure overhead objects such as ceiling fans and pictures. If you live in a high fire danger area, also take the necessary steps to protect your home against wildfires. Find out how you can make your home fire safe.
9. Stay Aware, And Understand The Risks
Stay abreast of the dangers and risks as they pertain to current events and the goings on in your local (and wider) area. Don’t be caught off-guard.
10. Get Involved, Volunteer, Bear Responsibility
Donate blood, join a local Community Emergency Response Team. Educate your neighbor(s). Volunteer. Perhaps join your local American Red Cross. Get involved and bear responsibility.
(Some information sourced from the California Emergency Management Agency)
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Five Benefits of Parachute Cord
October 14, 2011
Parachute cord, also called Paracord is a highly versatile multi-filament nylon cord whose use seems nearly unlimited and is a must have for any survival and emergency preparedness kit because of its many uses and benefits.
It is made with a flexible outer braided nylon wrapper which holds seven strong nylon cords inside. The combined breaking strength with all seven cords is 550 pounds. For this reason, some call it “550 cord”.
The cord was first introduced and applied in parachute construction during WWII and was quickly recognized for its use in other tasks. Today it is used by both military and civilians for countless general purpose tasks.
There are many copies in the civilian market today but true military grade cord will be designated MIL-C-5040 Type III and truly rated for 550 pounds.
It comes in a variety of colors and can be cut to any length (when cut, the ends should be burned or singed to prevent fraying). The inner strands can be easily pulled out for many additional uses.
The 5 Benefits of Parachute Cord
Strength
(In just a 1/8 inch diameter cord, an incredible breaking strength)
Durability
(It can be used over and over again while remaining flexible and durable)
Light Weight
(The specifications require that 225 feet of cord only weigh 1 pound or less)
Water and Mildew Resistant
(Outside elements are not a problem and it will dry very quickly)
Inner Strands
(The unique ability to remove the inner strands make this cord extremely versatile)
Uses for Parachute Cord
The list is really endless and up to your imagination, but a few ideas include the following.
- Braiding
- Tent and Pole support
- Clothes Line
- Tarp Tie Down
- Equipment Guy-lines
- Pack Strap, Fasten and Secure gear to backpack
- Shoe Lace, Boot Lace
- Garden Lines
- Shelter Making
- Fire Bow
- Lanyard
- Knife Handle Wrap
- Lifeline, since it will support the weight of a human
- Inner strands for sewing, fishing line, traps and snares, dental floss, emergency stitches (boil first)
True Mil spec, 550 Type III cord can be found here:
Mil spec Paracord – 100 or 50 feet
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Survival Kit for at Work
August 31, 2011
We spend much of our day ‘at work’, so, I wonder how many of us keep a survival kit of sorts at our place of work? Don’t focus solely on building your preparedness supplies at home when the reality is that most of us spend a significant part of each weekday somewhere else – at work.
The majority of people work at the same place or building each day, and many of you will lug some sort of bag or briefcase with you. Here’s an idea… each day for awhile, bring with you a few food and prep items to keep at your place of work. If you have a desk, devote a drawer to your supplies. If you have a locker or other personal area, use part of that space to stash a small supply.
What are some survival preparedness items to keep at work?
Ready-to-eat foods that are easy to open, and do not require cooking.
Canned foods can be eaten without cooking. Consider pull-top cans.
Keep a manual can-opener.
Canned meats are readily available such as Beef, Chicken, and Turkey.
Peanut Butter, being very calorie dense, is a great prep food.
Energy bars.
Fork, Spoon, and Knife.
Bottled water or your beverage of choice.
Chocolate bars are a fantastic energy food, and they taste good!
LED flashlight.
Walking shoes or sneakers. You may have to walk out of the area.
A local street map and a planned route to get out, or home.
Compass. Don’t rely on GPS, networks may be down.
Seasonal clothing, and plan for protection from the elements.
Protection: Pepper spray where legal, whatever else suits you.
Bandages, antibacterial ointment, gauze and tape.
Your at-work survival kit should at a minimum contain food and some water. Your space limitations, and your imagination will dictate the rest. Even just 1 square foot of space could provide enough food and sustenance for several days. Don’t advertise it to everyone else.
When I worked in an office, I kept one drawer for this purpose. Not only was it a reassuring bit of confidence, but I dipped into it many times while simply wanting a snack! I replaced it immediately of course…
I believe that key to an ‘at-work’ survival kit is having efficient, practical, and small items – perhaps with multiple uses.
If you have any other practical ides for a ‘at-work’ survival kit, go ahead and add a comment!
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10 Essential Items in a Survival Kit
August 3, 2011
Here is a list of 10 essential items that should be included as a minimum in any survival kit, be it a small kit or large. Start with these items, and build from there depending on your survival kit purpose.
Matches
‘Strike Anywhere’ matches, NOT the type that you must strike on the box (if the box gets wet, or if you lose the box, you’re in trouble). Store the Strike-Anywhere matches in a water-tight case (sold at most Sporting Goods stores). Include a ‘Striker’ (wet rocks don’t work so well…). An emery board or women’s nail file works well. Keeping a lighter in addition to matches is a good idea.
Fire-starter
There are all sorts of fire-starter materials available. Magnesium fire-starters are popular (know how to use one).
Pocket Knife
A multi-purpose tool with a knife is ideal.
Map
Simply having a good map of the region you’re in, could get you out of trouble. Know how to read and navigate with maps. The basics are simple.
Compass
A compass is ideal for establishing bearings while used in conjunction with a map. A GPS isn’t so good for that.
Flashlight, extra batteries
A LED flashlight, preferably a head-mounted style, is an ideal choice. Even though LED flashlight batteries last a considerable time, keep extras.
Extra Food
Quantity and type of food and packaging depends on kit purpose (day-pack, overnight backpacking, vehicle kit, etc.)
Extra Clothing
Even if it’s warm outside, if you get in trouble without extra clothes, hypothermia becomes a risk. A stocking hat, a rain jacket, and avoid cotton which is worthless when wet.
First Aid Kit
Keep at least the basics, bandaids, sterile gauze, etc.
Sunglasses
Good vision is essential. There are some great sunglasses out there that will enhance your vision, provide polarization for water or snow, and will prevent eye fatigue – especially during winter – snow.
This top-ten list of survival kit items is a great starting point for putting together your own kit. These items will not take up much space, and are easily integrated onto your person or in your pack.
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A Survival Kit To Keep Your Car Going
July 15, 2011
While many offer opinions about survival kits to be kept in your vehicle, tailored towards keeping you, the human, going… here is a twist on that thought while considering keeping your CAR going.
A survival kit to help keep your car keep going (except after an EMP event), may include some of the following 25 items stored in your vehicle (in no particular order). The list is intended to give you ideas while at the same time knowing that there is no perfect list.
1. Extra Motor oil. At least 2 quarts to keep your engine from suffering damage if the oil becomes too low. Cars, especially older cars, will burn some oil due to natural engine wear, and eventually will require a top-off.
2. Radiator fluid and distilled water. Enough to completely fill up your radiator at least once. Regular water will damage your radiator.
3. Extra fuses. At least 3 each of all proper amperage that your fuse panel needs. Cannot emphasize just how important fuses are to have on hand. Your vehicle’s electronic parts such as the starter, fuel pump, and others must have workable fuses to operate. Having said that though, often times when a fuse blows, it is the result of a short or failure – inserting a new fuse may simply blow again (it’s worth a try though).
4. Portable battery starter. (Also, jumper cables) There may not be anyone around to recharge your battery if it goes dead. You will go nowhere if you cannot start your car somewhere.
5. Standard spare tire. Even two if there is room. Those doughnut tires are okay to get you short distance at reduced speeds, but having an actual standard size tire or tires ready to go is so much better. Tire places will likely have the rim and tire for a spare for you to purchase.
6. Tire air compressor pump. Those that you can plug into the 12 volt cigarette lighter outlet. Many times a flat tire simply needs air and then it is fine. Sometimes you can pump up a slow leaking tire and still get where you are going before it becomes too serious to drive on. Include a tire gauge with this to make sure you get the right air pressure.
7. Good tire jack and wrench. Those jacks and wrenches to change tires that comes stock with the car, borders on junk. A good tire wrench (a 4-way) and or a torque wrench to make sure the lug nuts are not too tight is invaluable (lug nuts that are too tight or uneven will warp the brake rotors). Being able to safely raise up your vehicle on possibly uneven surfaces will also be appreciated. Throw in at least a couple of extra lug nuts in case some of them get stripped when you are taking them off.
8. Gloves for your hands, making repair easier and faster. Also things like cushions, blankets, hats with lights on them, etc. Anything that will help with the repairs and keep you comfortable and protected.
9. Windshield wiper fluid and spare windshield wiper blades. Seeing where you are going is necessary. There are so many people that still run out of windshield cleaner miles from nowhere and have to drive under vision impairment because of bugs, mud, whatever.
10. Extra fuel filter. Too often your poor car gets bad fuel and the fuel filter clogs up and your vehicle stalls or stops dead. Excellent precaution to have in your kit.
11. Necessary auto fluids. Power steering fluid, brake fluid, automatic transmission or clutch fluid, stop leak, fuel stabilizer, etc. Usually in smaller containers that won’t take up too much space.
12. Fit it sealer. Many pin size holes in hoses or elsewhere can be temporarily patched long enough to get where you are going. Duct tape often works around hoses too.
13. Small car tool kit. Make sure that the tools fit the right sizes to do minor repairs on the car.
14. Good sturdy thick clear plastic and duct tape. If one of your windows is knocked out for any numerous reasons, you can use plastic and tape to keep the outside air and elements such as rain or snow out of your car and still see out.
15. Quality LED flashlight with extra batteries. At night you must be able to see to do any repairs, a bright dependable flashlight is a must.
16. Extra gasoline. ABSOLUTE SAFETY FIRST! Store only in approved containers remembering how flammable and dangerous gasoline is. Avoid ever storing gasoline in car under hot conditions. Even one gallon of gasoline can take your car the distance it would take you 6 or more hours to walk, so extra gasoline is a consideration to add to your kit. Just be careful with it.
17. Bulbs. Your car’s lighting system matters. In regular times if the
police stop you for a burned out brake light or something, being able to replace the light bulb right there can save you the hassle of a fix it ticket. Keep an extra set of headlight replacement bulbs. You need to see where you’re going at night!
18. Chain or very strong tow rope. Someone may have to pull your car out of somewhere, or you may have to help someone else.
19. Camouflage car cover. This sounds crazy, but after a national crisis you may not want everyone to know you have an operating car that is parked somewhere. During the daytime and at night, any light reflecting off your car’s shining ares can be seen for many miles.
20. Traction for your vehicle. Tire chains and cables are not only for snow and ice, they work in muddy conditions also. Not a bad idea either to have a bag of sand or gravel for getting out of a stuck spot.
21. Small durable shovel. To dig your car’s tires out of somewhere, also many other uses.
22. Small fire extinguisher. Putting out a fire rapidly anywhere in your car can save your car, and what could be your only form of transportation.
23. Money hidden somewhere in the car. Even after a disaster someone might repair your car if you can pay them cash. Don’t depend on any credit card.
24. ‘How-to’ fix your car book. Owner’s manuals offer little information, but using a book written by mechanics can make diagnosing and fixing a problem long distances from any help much more possible. Try to get a fix-it book that is specifically for you model, make, and year of your car if you can.
25. Spray engine cleaner and spray oil. De-greasers make seeing what you are doing so much easier. WD-40 has so many uses from make something looser to helping clean off an area. Also include some paper towels and rags in your kit to help wipe off areas and your hands.
Oh, here’s another… serpentine belt (and/or any belt that your car uses) – most cars these days have a single belt that goes around all of the pulleys. If this breaks, you won’t get much farther down the road. Even if you don’t know how to replace it yourself, a mechanic could, and having one with you could save many hours or days for a mechanic to get or order what you need.
Go to your local auto store and say to yourself what could my car need to keep it going and get me to safety if there are no parts and equipment there for me to purchase. Be generous to your car, you might need your car to survive.
Thanks to an email from ‘Be informed’ for the basis of this post.
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72-hour-kit, Vehicle, Food Storage
March 10, 2011
Ever wonder what is the best way to store food in a 72-hour survival kit for your vehicle?
There is a perfect solution to keeping your vehicle survival food fresh, the longest. It is simple. Keep your survival food in a cooler! Depending on the size of your vehicle’s trunk, tailgate space, pickup truck storage space, buy an appropriate size cooler that will fit the best.
For example, what we did with our vehicles is we purchased a cooler that seemed about right to hold all of the food, which includes calorie bars, some MRE’s, chocolate bars, canned stew, peanut butter, a variety of high calorie items – etc…
Storing your vehicle’s survival kit food in a cooler will help to keep the heat out during the summer (heat is the worst enemy of food storage life), and will help to keep the extreme cold out during the winter.
Having said that, we recommend keeping some kind of backpack along with your other 72-hour kit supplies, so that if you have to hit the road with your feet, you will have a means to carry some food (and water, etc…) with you.
We believe the best way to store food in a vehicle for an emergency is in a cooler. The size will depend on your requirements and storage space.
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