Using sound judgment to be more self-reliant.
A bug out bag is a kit that has all the stuff you need to get from where you are to where you need to go. They are also known as a Get Out of Dodge bag (GOOD), a 72 Hour Bag/Kit, a “grab bag”, a “battle box” or a “Personal Emergency Relocation Kit” (PERK). A simpler one is the “Get Home Bag”. This post is a DIY BOB summary for food, supplies and tactical gear, for everyday carry and emergency preparedness. [Read more…]
My husband, August, did a ton of research to find the best rechargeable battery and the best battery charger for emergencies and every day use, so I asked him to help put together this post to share what he found out. We identify the best value and absolute best AA, AAA and 18650 rechargeable battery in this post. We also review a 21 watt solar panel that provides 5 volt USB power and emergency radios with built in solar and hand crank chargers to charge USB devices. [Read more…]
You can only survive for approximately 3 days without water, so water isn’t just necessary, water is life. In case of emergency, a reliable water supply is critical. Our water supply stops if power is interrupted due to storms, earthquakes or other events such as solar flares or grid overload due to high demand. Municipal water supplies could also be a likely “soft” target for terrorist attacks. Emergency water storage should be a part of every home emergency plan. (Note: Photo below shows part of our water storage next to home freeze dried food in Mylar bags.)
This post is #3 of 3 in The Common Sense Hurricane Guide Series. Please see “Before the Hurricane” and “During the Hurricane” for more information. In this post, we'll talk about returning to your home after evacuation, safety concerns, and cleanup after the hurricane.
Note: Once the hurricane has passed, you still need to be prepared to evacuate if flood waters are threatening. Even after the hurricane is over, flooding can get worse and force an evacuation. Rivers, bayous, reservoirs and lakes can overflow banks and crest quickly, even if the sky is clear. [Read more…]
The Common Sense Hurricane Guide Series has three posts: “BEFORE the Hurricane”, “DURING the Hurricane” and “AFTER the Hurricane”. This post assumes you have read through the Before the Hurricane post. This post focuses on what to do as the hurricane approaches and during the hurricane itself. We'll walk through a timeline starting roughly a week before landfall and continuing through the hurricane, covering food, water, shelter, communications and other hurricane preparations.
If you have not prepared for a hurricane, we strongly recommend that you EVACUATE when a hurricane is likely. If yoube cannot evacuate, there are sizable risks. Seriously consider evacuation before you choose to shelter in place.
