By The Ready Store

Our planet is an amazing place! It’s full of plants, animals, geographic anomalies and thousands of other variables that combine to create a perfect space for life.

Even with all this amazing uniqueness, people have begun to notice patterns. Many times, these patterns are helpful when predicting the weather. You can look to clouds, rainbows, colors, animals or even your salt shaker for help with predicting the weather.

Local Geography
While high-pressure and low-pressure systems can create storms, local geography can have a major effect too. Most weather conditions in the United States move west to east. Keep an eye on what is happening to the west of you.

Large bodies of water can have an effect on the weather. Oceans and lakes can keep the temperature more constant. You’ll notice that coast line will be hotter and cool down as you move inland. Many times, lakes can hold in cooler temperatures and you’ll notice cooler air as you get closer to the lakes.

Hills and mountains can also change the weather patterns. For example, the Sierra Nevadas stop most moist clouds from reaching the east side of the slope. Most of the moisture falls on the western side.

Clouds
While you’re imagining what those clouds in the sky resemble, take a moment to notice what type of clouds you’re looking at.

If you see long streamer-like clouds (cirrus clouds) or scale clouds (altocumulus clouds) that typically means that a storm is on its way. Expect a storm within 36 hours.

If you see a lot of cloud cover at night, it typically means that you’ll have a warm night. Heat radiation will be forced to stay underneath the clouds and warm the atmosphere during the night.

If clouds are going two different directions, that typically means that there is a storm coming your way. You’ll notice that one layer of clouds is going right and another layer is going left. This is typical before a hail storm.

Rainbows
Most storms in the United States travel from west to east. Therefore, a rainbow in the west means that moisture is coming your way. If a rainbow is in the east, it typically means that a storm is leaving your area and you can expect some sun.

Remember the adage, “Rainbow in the morning, need for a warning.”

Sky Color
Speaking of adages, most of us have heard “Red sky at night, sailors delight; Red sky in the morning, sailor’s warning.”

If you see a red sky during sunset (when the sun is in the west), that means that there is a high pressure system stirring up dust particles in that area. Since prevailing front movements typically move from west to east, that means that the dry air is moving your direction.

If the sky is red in the morning (when the sun is in the east), it means that the high pressure system has already moved past you. This typically means that a low pressure system is following close behind and that typically means a storm is coming.

Moon
Look for rings around the moon. These rings are caused from light shining through cirrostratus clouds that are typical of warm fronts. These clouds mean that rain is probable within three days.

If the moon is a pale or red hue, it means there is a lot of dust in the air. Sometimes these colors mean there is a lot of pollution in the air too. However, if the moon looks more sharp and brighter than normal, it typically means that there is a low pressure system moving through the area that has cleared out the dust and dirt. Low-pressure systems are also associated with rain.

Humidity
Humid air typically means that there is a heavy rain on its way. You can notice humidity from people’s hair. People’s hair will typically curl up or get frizzy.

Pine cones are a great way to determine humidity too. If a pine cone’s scales remain closed it means that the humidity is high. If they are open, the air is dry.

Wood usually swells when it gets humid too. You’ll notice that wood doors will get a little tighter and won’t open as easily.

Smells
Scents are typically stronger in moist air. You’ll notice a compost smell that plants release in the atmosphere. Swamps typically release gases just before a storm too. If smells are stronger, it typically means that there is a low pressure system in place and that leads to rainy weather.

Animals
You’ll notice that birds won’t go out as much. If the weather is good, you’ll see birds flying high in the sky. If the pressure is dropping, a lot of birds will be on power lines. If you live on the coast, you’ll notice that seagulls tend to take refuge right before a storm.

Cows are another animal to look to. Cows will typically lay down before a thunderstorm. They will also gather close together to protect themselves. If you notice the cows doing this, a storm might be on its way.

You can even look to insects for help. Ants will usually build their hills a little steeper just before it rains. This helps against the corroding effects of the rain water.

Other
Trees. Deciduous trees often show the undersides of their leaves when there are unusual winds. This is supposedly because they grow their leaves to face right-side up during typical winds. If you see the wind blowing the underside of deciduous tree’s leaves, you know that something is different.

You can also look at the leaves of an oak or maple tree. Their leaves tend to curl when there is high humidity.

Campfires. Watch the smoke from your campfire. If the smoke swirling or is being pushed down, it means there is a low pressure system in place. If it rises steadily, you should be fine.

Dew. In the morning, check to see if there is dew. If the grass is dry, it typically means that there are clouds and strong breezes. If there is dew on the leaves in the morning, it probably won’t rain that day.

Your Recommendations
So we’ve covered a few points here, but what do you think? Let us know your superb outdoor tricks to predicting the weather!

By The Ready Store

One of the most important aspects of emergency preparations is plans for your emotional health! Disasters and emergencies can have a large impact on your stress levels. This is especially true if you’ve experienced a disaster previously.

Here are some tips on how to take care of your emotional health during a disaster or emergency.

What you feel during a disaster

You may feel a wide variety of emotions during a stressful event. Try to remember in the moment, that these emotions are temporary. Try to be patient with yourself and your emotions and be helpful towards your family and neighbors.

These are all common responses in an emergency situation:

• Feeling physically weak and mentally tired. Many times, people feel tired, sad, numb, lonely or worried.
• Difficulty making decisions or focusing
• Frequently becoming frustrated. Also feeling frustrated more quickly.
• Experiencing changes in appetite or sleep patterns.

How to get your emotional health back on track

One of the best things you can do to get back on track is to establish a routine. The emergency will have disrupted your daily routine and getting back into that will help you emotionally. Remember that this might take some time.

Basic necessities. Try to find a place to evaluate your situations. Find a safe location to assess your physical needs.

Eat healthy. During times of high stress, you’ll want to make sure that you are eating well. You’ll feel better than if you eat junk food. That is why it’s so important to have a healthy balance to your food storage supply. Read our previous post on steps to choosing a food storage kit.

Adequate rest. Be sure to get enough sleep and rest for your needs. This might be hard when your routine has changed so rapidly. However, rest will help you overcome your stress.

Be patient and loving. While many people are feeling frustrated, they can get moody. Be sure to be patient with others and yourself. However, this doesn’t mean that you can just go off by yourself. Staying connected, talking, with others can help you cope and feel support. Feeling others care and love is an important part of emotional health.

Make plans. During an emergency, you’ll find difficulty staying focused. For this reason, it’s important to gather information and set priorities on what you need to do. Have something to write down your list so that you can remember what you need to do. It’s also helpful to keep your family and friends involved with your plans so they can remind you what you need to do.

If depression continues

Most people will feel better after a few days. However, there are some that can’t seem to overcome their emotional stress. If you find yourself or others experiencing these symptoms, two weeks or more after an event, consider reaching out for additional help.

• Bursts of anger
• Difficulty sleeping
• Loss of appetite
• Emotional outbursts
• Headaches and stomachaches
• Fatigue
• Feelings of guilt, helplessness or hopelessness
• Avoiding the presence of loved ones

Your recommendations

What do you think? What plans have you made to take care of your emotional health during a disaster? We’d love to hear from you. Please share your tips below!

By The Ready Store

Sadly, the Colorado fires have taught us that wildfires can happen any time without warning. Our hearts and prayers go out to those who have been evacuated from their homes.

For that reason, we thought we’d cover what you and your family can do to prepare for a wildfire, cover what to do during a wildfire and what to do after a wildfire.

What to do before a wildfire
There are ways that you can prepare your home before a wildfire to ensure that you are not putting you and your family at undue risk.

Create a safe zone around your home. Be vigilant about clearing dead plants, trash and other debris from your yard. They can contribute to fire spreading. This would include removing vines and other vegetation from the side of your home. Make sure that no tree branches or shrubbery is within 15 feet of your chimneys and stovepipes.

Use fire-resistant siding. Homes that are sided with stucco, metal, brick, cement, or rocks are less vulnerable than homes of wood. If you do have a wood home, you can treat it with fire retardant chemicals. These chemicals will need to be applied on a regular basis.

Prepare vents and chimneys. You’ll want to cover vents with mesh wiring to ensure that no debris get inside and dry out. You can also install spark catchers to ensure that sparks from your chimney do not leave your home and light nearby trees or your roof on fire.

Have an emergency plan. Your family should know where to meet outside the home if the house starts on fire. Be sure to practice this plan at least two times a year.

Location. If you are building a new home or remodeling, there are many things you can do to determine that your home is safe from fires. Many times wildfires spread quickly uphill – avoid building on hill sides.

Roofing. Avoid roofing material that is made of wood or other combustible material. You can choose fire-retardant materials like fiberglass, metal, clay and more. You’ll also want to make sure that your gutters are cleaned out on a regular basis.

Decks. If your home isn’t made of wood, many times your deck is! Be sure to treat your deck with chemicals that will dispel fire. You’ll also want to make sure that your deck is cleared off of trash, leaves and other fire starting material. Especially make sure it’s clear during the warmer seasons.

What to do during a wildfire
If a wildfire is fast approaching your home, there are certain things you can do to make sure that your home is as defended as possible. However, remember that these steps do not ensure that your house will not catch on fire.

Have an evacuation kit. In previous posts we’ve covered the importance of having a grab and go back in which you can have emergency water, food and documents that you’ll need. This will help you be prepared at a moment’s notice to leave your home – especially if there is a mandatory evacuation in place.

Shut off natural gas, propane or fuel supplies.

Close openings in your home. You’ll want to make sure that there is minimal draft in your home. Do not leave doors or windows open. Close them to ensure that small sparks do not come inside the home and light up. You’ll also want to close your chimney and ventilation shafts.

Clear your defensive area. Be sure that your 30-foot area around your home is clear of all debris or flammable material. If you can, you can move things like wood piles or vegetation farther away from the home.

Evacuation. You should prepare to evacuate just in case. Make sure that your car is packed with your kits, documents and other materials that you’ll need. Make sure your kids and pets are ready to go too. If you evacuate your home, turn on a light in every room so that firefighters from outside the home can spot smoke inside. Leave doors unlocked but closed.

What to do after a wildfire
Check the roof. After a fire has passed, make sure that your roof does not have any sparks or embers on it. You don’t want to have a fire start up after the wildfire has passed.

If you have a fire, get help. Be sure to get help if your house does have a fire. You’ll need help to contain and extinguish the fire as much as possible. This is probably a good reason to be a good friend and neighbor.

Check for sparks for hours. For the next 5 hours after a wildfire, you should regularly check each room in  your home, near windows and doors. You should also check outdoor shrubbery and flammable material to ensure that no sparks are existing.

By The Ready Store

Fuel is one of the most important things that you can use in an emergency. Whether it powers a car, generator, or stove; you’ll need to make sure that your fuel is ready for when you need it.

Handle all fuels with care. Remember that all of these could light at a moment’s notice.

We’ve collected a few tips on how to properly store different types of fuels, where you should store them, and how long they can store.

Containers for liquid fuel
When storing fuel, or other fire-starting material, you’ll want to make sure to put them in a different colored container. Most of the time, liquid fuels are stored in red containers. At a minimum, containers should be obviously labeled.

Make sure that containers are sturdy, reliable and have a good seal on them. You want to make sure that the fuel won’t leak. You should also consider a container that isn’t clear or translucent.

Gasoline

The American Petroleum Institute recommends that you only store gasoline for up to two years. This recommendation does not include gasoline that has been treated with a stabilizer.

There are many types of stabilizers on the shelf that can get your gasoline to store for a few years longer.

While I’ve used gasoline that has been stored for years on my lawn mower, using “stale” gasoline that has been stored for an long time can have some diverse effects on your motor. The recommendation for 1-2 years of shelf-life would provide optimal gasoline.

Diesel Fuel
Surprisingly, diesel doesn’t have a very long shelf-life. It can only last for 6-12 months.

The problem with storing diesel is that it begins to oxidize as soon as it leaves the refinery. Sediments begin to form that would clog the motor. This reaction can be slowed by keeping the fuel cooler and by adding stabilizers. The condensation from the gasoline can also form algae.

Some people who store diesel for a long time (the Navy, gas companies) use methods to stabilize their supply. These methods can be pretty expensive though.

We recommend that you store only a maximum of two-month’s worth of diesel at a time and empty the canisters into your car or generator when you rotate. (Thanks to Oblio13’s blog for the insight.)

Kerosene
Kerosene is one of the easiest fuels to store, and is more versatile than most people think. It does not evaporate as readily as gasoline and will remain stable in storage with no special treatment.

Kerosene has a shelf-life of about three months in a plastic container. Storing kerosene for longer than that can result in bacteria and mold forming in the container.

When you store the kerosene, be sure to label the container properly. You want to make sure that it doesn’t mix with gasoline or another type of fuel. You should store your kerosene in a different color container than gas to ensure that they are not mistakenly mixed.

Be sure to store the kerosene outdoors but protected from direct sunlight. Prolonged sunlight can degrade the kerosene.

Butane
Butane isn’t as popular of a fuel as gasoline or kerosene but many people use the fuel for lighters or other small fire starters. Many backpacking kits use butane fuel.

Butane comes in pressurized containers and the canisters are required, by law, to have instructions on the label regarding storage and usage of the product. Following the instructions will ensure that you keep your butane supply safe.

Proper storage is the first element in butane safety. Keep it in a safe place at home that is out of any children’s reach. Many containers can withstand even high temperatures. Even if you live in a climate that is rather warm, your butane should still store well … find a dry and cool place, out of the direct sunlight and away from any other sources of extreme heat.

Additionally, also make sure that the tip of the butane container is not damaged or clogged. If the tip is damaged or is clogged through use, remove the clog or throw away the container and buy a new one. (Read the Ebay article.)

Propane
You’ll obviously want to store your propane in a well-ventilated area outdoors. Make sure that your propane tank is stored upright – probably on a concrete slab.

Don’t store the propane tank next to anything flammable. Also ensure that it is stored in an area where a large amount of water will not fall on the tank – for example, next to a gutter or in the open under the rainfall.

Never store the propane in a house or garage. Click here to read Propane 101’s article about proper propane safety.

Charcoal
Charcoal is a great option for cooking fuel. They might get your hands a little bit messier but that’s not always a bad thing. The good thing is that you can store this dry fuel inside your home! However, never cook with charcoal indoors!

You can store charcoal in a dry location – like a bin or metal canister. You can also make a waterproof container by placing the charcoal in a bucket and use a gamma lid to seal the top. This should keep the briquets by not letting moisture into the bucket!

Coal
According to the Fireplace Supplier Register, coal can be stored in damp places without harming it. It can also be retained in areas that have little or no protection from the rain and snow. If you choose, so you don’t have to handle wet coal, you can cover it outside with tarps to keep it dry.

Store bagged coal inside the bags until you’re ready to use it. It will be easier to store it and carry it to the stove. Coal either comes by the bag or by the truckload (if you order several tons). Loose coal is easier to contain if it’s stored in wooden bins, but it’s not necessary. (Reference to the eHow article.)

Firewood
Avoid the temptation to keep a lot of firewood in your home. You can obviously carry in a few logs indoors at a time, but the best location to store firewood is outdoors. It’s recommended that you keep your firewood at least 30 feet away from your house – not leaning against the house, next to the door. Ideally, wood should be kept off the ground too.

You can make a simple firewood holder out of two-by-fours in order to stack the wood properly. Be sure to stack the larger pieces of wood on the bottom of the pile. This will help the pile from leaning or falling over. Here is an article on how to build a firewood caddy.

You’ll want to use a cover to protect the wood from getting wet. You can purchase a specific log rack cover or a simple tarp will do. Make sure that the cover is secured so it doesn’t blow away in the wind.

You may notice that there are some bugs in your firewood. Do not spray your wood with insecticide! This can seep into the wood and fume in your house when you burn the log. Instead, the best thing to do is dry out the wood as quickly as possible. This will encourage most of the bugs to leave the wood.

Matches
There are a variety of matches out there. Avoid placing cheap matchbooks in your kits and emergency supplies. They can absorb moisture a lot easier.

Instead, focus on matches that are waterproof and have longer stems. This will allow you to light things from a safe distance and make sure that your matches are safe from moisture.

If you don’t have waterproof matches, you can place your matches in a waterproof container. Make sure that the container is a thick plastic and isn’t stored in direct sunlight.

By The Ready Store

Researchers in Japan have created a house levitation system that would drastically reduce the damage of an earthquake to your home.

When the system detects seismic activity, it places an air cushion underneath your home. The system keeps the home off the shaking ground to keep the house from swaying with the earth.

This system has been installed in 88 homes across Japan so far, and requires a powerful set of mechanism that can lift the entire weight of your home. When disaster strikes, a sensor recognizes the ground’s instability and turns on the compressor within 0.5 to 1 second, releasing enough air to force the home to rise. The greater the distance your home is off the ground, the better chance you and your building’s structure is unaffected by the earthquake.

As your home stays in this levitation mode, an indoor value controls how your home floats so everything inside stays balanced. The home can also be lifted up to 3 centimeters, or approximately 1.2 inches, to decrease the impact of the shaking grounds. When the earthquake is over, the compressor is turned off and the home gently returns to its foundation. (Read the Digital Trends article.)

Air Danshin Systems Inc., the creator of the levitation system also says that the installation is ⅓ the cost of typical earthquake-proofing systems.

While this system might be able to protect your home, it does not replace proper preparation in regards to food, water and other emergency essentials. We urge you to plan accordingly.

By The Ready Store

There are a lot of tutorials out there on how to start a fire. However, many of them don’t take into account the area or climate that you’ll be in. Starting a fire in an emergency isn’t always going to be convenient and you might not find the best tools if you haven’t prepared.

So, we wanted to write about how you could start a fire in any climate! Here it is:

Fire Essentials
Every fire needs three basic things:

1. Tinder – dry material that ignites with little heat. Must be dry.
2. Kindling – a readily combustible material that you add after you start the tinder.
3. Fuel – not necessarily gas. Fuel, in this case, is something that burns slowly like a log.

Jungle or Humid Environment
The thing you’ll want to remember with starting a fire is to keep it dry. You might have a hard time finding tinder that is dry enough to start a fire. If the kindle is too wet then you’ll just have smoke instead of a fire.

Myke Hawke, from Discovery Channel’s “Man, Woman, Wild” offers some pointers on creating a fire in the jungle. (Click here to see his full video.)

1. Lay some broad leaves on the ground to keep the ground moisture from ruining everything
2. Scrape the bark off of a stick or bamboo and use the shavings as tinder.
3. Use a lighter to spark the tinder. (Even experts have a hard time lighting a fire in the jungle.)
4. Add small twigs and logs to grow the fire.

If you don’t have a lighter, consider creating a fire-plow. You can create a fire-plow by rubbing a hardwood shaft against a softer wood base. This will cause enough friction for a fire. Take a straight groove and cut it in the base, then plow the blunt tip of the shaft up and down the groove. Small particles of wood fibers will be pushed out and will eventually catch fire. (Instructions courtesy of Environmental Graffiti.)

Check out this video of a guy showing how to start a fire using only a knife and bamboo.

Icy Conditions
With so many fun winter activities, like skiing, tubing, snowball fights; it’s possible that you might get caught in low temperatures. However, there are also ways that you can start a fire with ice, believe it or not!

This video demonstrates how you can create fire by creating a clear piece of ice into a magnifying glass that sparks the tinder.

There are also certain types of knives that are made of firesteel. They can be used to cut tinder and then light it. For an example, we found this blog post about a boy who made a fire with a knife.

Suburban
If you’re trapped in your home without a lighter or matches, there are plenty of ways to start a fire. You can use a steel wool, crystal, a battery or other materials to create that spark. Check out some of the videos to see how:

Then again, you could always just go the route of purchasing a fire starter, matches, stove or something simple. Check out our Emergency Warmth and Shelter supplies.

By The Ready Store

So, hopefully you enjoyed part 1 of “What to do with a leftover #10 can.” Previously, we showed you how to use your can to create a lantern, candle and pin cushion. This time we’ll be showing you how to use your leftover can for gardening, cooking and camping.

You can use your leftover food storage cans for a variety of purposes. Here are a few:

Plant Pot
The #10 can is a great option for indoor gardening and growing. Be sure to puncture a few small holes in the bottom of the can before you plant anything inside of them. This will ensure that the water drains correctly.

Bread-In-A-Can Recipes
Believe it or not, there are a few recipes specifically for baking inside of a can.

Banana Bread
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup butter
¾ cup brown sugar or turbinado sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/3 cup mashed bananas

Directions
Preheat oven to 350°.  Lightly grease 4 soup or vegetable tin cans with cooking spray.  In a large bowl combine flour, baking soda, and salt; stir.  In a separate bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar.  Stir in eggs, vanilla, and mashed bananas until well blended.  Stir banana mixture into flour mixture, until just moistened.  Pour batter evenly into 4 greased soup or vegetable tin cans.  Bake for 30-35 minutes or until skewer inserted in middle comes out clean.  Allow bread to cool in cans.  After cooling, pour bread out of the can, slice, smear with butter (optional), eat, and enjoy.  Or wrap and give away.  (If not giving away the same day as having baked, you will need to store in a sealed container or bag in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.  Can store up to 3 days in refrigerator or 2 weeks in the freezer.  If placing in freezer, take bread out of can to freeze and return to cleaned can when presenting.)

There is also a recipe for tin can sandwich bread:

Tin Can Sandwich Bread

Ingredients

Dough/Bread machine
1 cup warm water
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 egg, slightly beaten
salt to taste
1/4 cup finely minced sun-dried tomato
1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 cups all purpose flour
1 package (or 1 tablespoon) yeast

Directions
Mix all ingredients to create dough
Spray insides of two tall tomato-juice-size cans
Divide dough and place in cans
Cover cans and let rise for an hour
Place cans in cold oven
Turn oven on to 400 degrees and allow bread to heat inside oven for 15 minutes
After 15 minutes, turn oven down to 350
Let bake for 15 more minutes at 350
Let cool and enjoy!

Create a Cooking Stove
We found a video demo on how to create your own cooking stove out of a can:

By The Ready Store

After you’ve eaten through your food storage, you’re left with a number of empty cans. Now what? We collect a few ideas on what to do with that #10 can.

Lantern
With a simple can opener and candles, you can create an effective lantern. Be sure to wash out the can first. You can use the pointed edge of the can opener to puncture holes in the sides of the can. Place the candle inside the can and it becomes a lantern with direction-light. You can also add handles or sidebars to take the light on the go.

Some people have even used a small nail to create designs on the sides of their lanterns

Candles
This advice comes from CountryLiving.com.

Supplies:
Four 6-inch-length wire-core wicks, primed
4 wick holders
4 tin cans, approximately 4 inches deep and 2 inches wide
2.5 ounces stearin
1 disk wax dye, if desired
1.5 pounds paraffin wax

Directions:
1. Insert a length of primed wick into each wick holder and place a wick in the center of each tin.
2. In the top of a double boiler over medium heat, melt the stearin and wax dye, if using.
3. Add the wax. Melt and mix thoroughly. Heat to 190 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Anchor the wicks in the tins by pouring enough wax into each tin to cover about 1/2 inch of each wick. Allow the wax to cool for about 30 minutes.
5. Wrap the end of the wicks around tie rods and rest the rods on the tops of the containers. Take up any slack in the wicks and center them within the tins. Be careful not to dislodge the anchors.
6. Reheat the wax to 190 degrees Fahrenheit and fill the tins to within 1/2 inch of the top. Allow to cool for one hour.
7. If the wax settles, reheat the remaining wax to 190 degrees Fahrenheit and top off the candles as necessary.
8. Cool for several hours or overnight. Remove the tie rods, trim the wicks to 1/4 inch, and the candles are ready to light.

Pin Cushion
DesignSponge.com has a great tutorial on how to create a pincushion out of a smaller can – like a tuna or cat food can.

Supplies:
1 Small tin can
1 Piece of fabric, approx. 8” x 8”
Handful of poly-fil
Small piece of gift wrap or other decorative paper
Double-stick tape
Hot glue
Blade and straight edge for cutting paper

Directions:
1. Carefully remove label from outside of can.
2. Trace label onto your piece of decorative paper, adding 1/2″ to the length for overlap.
3. Attach to can with one small strip of double-stick tape, and overlap ends with a second piece of tape.
4. Place a handful of poly-fil in the center of your fabric square, gathering the ends to create a loose ball shape.
5. Line the inside rim of the can with hot glue and insert the fabric/poly-fil ball, with raw edges going into the bottom of the can.
6. Tuck in fabric until it is taut. insert pins.

Be sure to read our part 2 of “What to do with a leftover #10 can.”

By The Ready Store

This happens when people who are more used to channel surfing than exercise, leap from their couches and start lifting 40-pound heaps of snow. This kind of sudden increase in activity isn’t a good thing if you aren’t in shape. If you need to clear your driveway, get help from a young neighbor. If not, go slow and steady, taking breaks as often as you need. (Read the original article.)

The two main stages of frostbite and its symptoms are:

• Superficial frostbite – numbness, tingling, burning, itching. The skin looks frozen white and retains firmness when pressed.

• Deep frostbite – increased and eventual loss of sensation, swelling, blood blisters. The skin is yellowish and hard and can appear blackened and dead.

To treat frostbite, move to a warm area as soon as you can and elevate the affected area. Remove any restricted clothing or jewelry to keep from further inhibiting the flow of blood. Thawing should be performed by a doctor, so get to a hospital as soon as you can. If you can’t get to a doctor warm the area quickly in water between 104-107 degrees Fahrenheit (40-42 degrees Celsius). This will be a painful process, but necessary to save your digits (Read the original article.)

With a food supply for The Ready Store, you’ll be rest-assured that your food is giving you enough calories and doesn’t taste like a cardboard box.

By The Ready Store

While we’re having a lax in snowfall, Global Warming scientists are scratching their head because parts of Europe have been experiencing record low temperatures and huge amounts of snow and ice.

Officials reported 20 more deaths from the cold in Ukraine and nine more in Poland, bringing the overall toll from a week of frigid weather in Eastern Europe to 112.

Emergency crews were working overtime across the region as temperatures sank to minus 26.5 F. (Read the Fox News article.)

In other parts of Europe, thousands of people have been trapped in the snow.

At least 11,000 villagers have been trapped by heavy snow and blizzards in Serbia’s mountains, authorities said Thursday …

The harshest winter in decades has seen temperatures in some regions dropping to minus 30 C (minus 22 F) and below, and has caused power outages, traffic chaos and the widespread closure of schools, nurseries and airports.

The stranded in Serbia are stuck in some 6,500 homes in remote areas that cannot be reached due to icy, snow-clogged roads with banks reaching up to 5 meters (16 feet). Emergency crews were pressing hard to try to clear the snow to deliver badly needed supplies, and helicopters were dispatched to some particularly remote areas in Serbia and neighboring Bosnia. (Read the Chicago Sun Times article.)

Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who are caught in the middle of this snow storm. The Red Cross has already sent aid to the effected parts of Europe. If you would like to donate to help their cause, please visit the International Red Cross website. The emergency funds will be used to increase their support in temporary shelters which have been set up in both countries.