A hurricane is severe tropical storm that can form in the southern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Just like tornadoes they are also rated in categories. Category 1 being winds 74-95 mph to Category Five, when winds are greater than 155 MPH. Fortunately for us, scientists can now predict hurricanes; however, people who live in coastal communities should still be prepared with a plan in case they are ever caught in one. When preparing for a hurricane, it’s always best to be prepared with the basic keys to survival– fresh water, food, shelter, and warmth. It is also best to have a 72-hour kit for a Grab-N-Go situation in case you are located in the path of the storm.

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There’s often no way to know when you’ll find your family in an emergency situation. These events might be frightening for adults, but they’re terrifying and traumatic for children. (Especially if they haven’t been taught what to do.)

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We have finally arrived at the last installment of the Top 5 Priorities of Emergency Preparedness. Food storage is critical to be able to survive a disaster. In our modern society we can go to the local grocery store any time of day or night and buy whatever food we need. It is so easy and convenient that we don’t consider what we would do if that resource was not available. The idea of food storage can seem so drastic when we have a fully stocked Wal-Mart right around the corner. But, speak with someone who has gone through a hurricane and ask them how quickly the store shelves get cleared out of canned food and water. Not only will those food stuffs disappear within hours or days, but they will not be replenished quickly. At that point you will have to rely on your own food storage to survive. You may have to survive only days, but it may be weeks or even months.

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When I think of an earthquake my mind goes to the life changing effects the San Francisco Earthquake had in 1906. The quake lasted only a minute, but was one of the worst natural disasters in the nation’s history. Everyone can be affected by an earthquake, even if they’re not located by a fault line. That’s why we recommend that everyone be ready for an earthquake regardless of their location. When preparing for any emergency, it’s important to be supplied with even the most basic tools for survival, (safe shelter, clean water and food.) Grab-n-Go supplies, including 72-hr-kits, food, and water, should also be kept in an easily accessible location at all times.

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Nearly everyone will have to use a first aid kit sooner or later. Whether it will be used on oneself or on another, it’s important to know where the general groups of items are located in your kit so that in an alarming situation you know where things are. It’s also important to know which items should be used to address which situations. Listed below are 3 helpful tips that can assist you in navigating a little easier through your kit during an emergency.

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Spring is here and that means tornado warnings will be ringing through the Midwest. These storms are dangerous and require planning and preparation to survive them safely. When I think of a tornado, besides thinking of “The Wizard of Oz”, Dorothy, and her little dog, Toto, I think of a story on the news about a small town in the mid-west that was dramatically affected by a Tornado. When I remember this tragic news report I recall realizing that people don’t plan to fail; they fail to plan. In order to help you make sure you’re prepared in the case of a tornado, here are 4 simple guidelines to follow:

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How we store food has changed quite a bit over the years. It used to be that food storage was done only by a small set of people that were looked at as extreme or on the fringes. Today, that perception has completely changed. Storing food in your home is not only widely accepted but is considered to be a very wise and prudent choice. In my own house growing up, we had a large storage room under our garage where we kept all kinds of food and other supplies for the family. My mom loved it because it was like she could go “shopping” in her own home and I thought it was cool that we had all of this food. My friends on the other hand thought it was a little crazy. Times have definitely changed.

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It can be a lot of work preparing your family for an emergency situation, but after a disaster occurs is often when the real work begins. Not only will you have to repair and clear out your own home, but many of the facilities that help you survive will require a lot of work, too. Hospitals, grocery stores, home improvement stores, businesses, schools and even roads will all need a lot of people and a lot of help to be cleaned up and prepared to assist your community.

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In addition to being a beaming source of entertainment for raves and caves, the light sticks are an excellent item to use in a 72-hr-kit or just as an extra source of light when camping or when the power goes out. They require no batteries or electricity and are waterproof, nexpensive, and easily disposable.

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In the event of a nuclear accident, radioactive iodine could be released into the air and absorbed by the thyroid, damaging it and potentially killing you. This deadly chemical from nuclear warfare can remain in the air for several days, so it’s best to be prepared. IOSAT is a small tablet that contains potassium iodide(a safe preventative counter-reactor to iodine). When Potassium Iodide is taken, it floods the thyroid with a stabilized iodine, preventing 99% percent of the damage caused by radioactive nuclear fallout, such as thyroid cancer and other complications.

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