When wondering what basic things you can do around your house to save you money and also provide you and you’re family with a cost effective way to have a food storage. That’s why today I will help you with some information on home canning, its very simple and easy to do with your fruits and vegetables.

Congratulations Thomas! You have just won our weekly contest!

The most essential items to have prepared in an emergency situation are:

1. WARMTH & SHELTER: In extreme conditions, an individual will survive only around three hours without any protection from the elements. If you don’t have adequate shelter, you won’t have a chance to get thirsty or hungry before you start to suffer from hypothermia or extreme heat exposure.

2. WATER & HYDRATION: Your body can only survive around three days without access to water in extreme conditions. We recommend that you have at least 3 different ways to access water. Large barrels can store a large amount of water, but are obviously not portable since fully loaded they can weigh over 400 lbs. You need portable water containers in case you need to evacuate your house, like the 5 gallon stackable water containers. You also need a way to purify water if you have access to water, but it is unsafe to drink.

3. FOOD & NUTRITION: Depending on the conditions of your environment and level of activity, an individual can survive about three weeks without food. In extreme cold the lack of food can be dangerous, and in other situations, (like gradual dehydration), hunger can bring about many consequences long before it causes death. These problems can include irritability and low morale, weakness, loss of mental clarity, poor judgment, weakened immune system, and increased difficulty maintaining body temperature.

4. SANITATION & HYGIENE: During periods of emergency or disaster, sanitation levels can deteriorate rapidly and disease can spread and even cause death in a matter of days. Maintaining good hygiene will prevent disease and illness from spreading. You will need a way to use the bathroom, a way to keep your living environment clean, and a way to keep your hands, mouth, and body clean.

5. First Aid: First aid can help a person survive and function with injuries and illnesses that would otherwise kill or cripple him/her. It’s important to have a first aid kit in almost any emergency situation to treat any type of trauma like lacerations, which may become infected, bites or stings from venomous animals, bites leading to disease, infection through food, animal contact, drinking contaminated water, bone fractures, sprains, burns, poisoning from consumption of, or contact with, or poisonous plants or fungi.

6. TOOLS: In an emergency or disaster situation, tools and supplies are not one of most basic essentials, but they can greatly increase your ability to effectively provide yourself and others in an emergency situation. A pocket knife, a shovel, some pliers, or a compass could greatly improve your chances of survival if one finds themselves in a fleeing situation.

7. LIGHT & COMMUNICATION: As with tools, light and communication are not essential to your immediate survival, but they are invaluable tools in helping to protect yourself from greater danger and assisting you in acquiring safer and more stable living conditions.

Reuters reported today that “SEC and Homeland Security need Web backup.”  The gist of the article was that if millions of people were staying home to get over the H1N1 Flu or simply to avoid it, there would be more people working from home and the extra web traffic could potentially clog up networks and possibly the entire internet.

Landslides can occur quickly and often with little notice.  One of the best ways to get ready is to stay informed about any changes in your area. Landslides occur in all U.S. states. They are caused by a variety of factors including fires,  earthquakes,  floods, and storms.  Landslides, also known as mudslides, cause $1-2 billion in damages and more than 25 deaths per year.

Congratulations Geri! You have just won our weekly contest!

Power outages can happen at any time to anyone in any place. Extended power outages can be scary and dangerous if you are not prepared, especially in times of extreme cold or heat, but if you are prepared before hand and know what your priorities are, the danger can be eliminated and the time even enjoyed. After all if the power is out, you can stay home with your family and spend some quality time together. Below are the top three priorities and some tips to help you and your family be safe, secure, and comfortable when the power goes out.