When preparing for an emergency it’s important for you to think of everyone you are responsible for.  This includes you, your children, and also your pets.  When you’re making a 72-hr kit for your pet, it’s important to have everything ready to go at a moment’s notice.  That means items that do not require refrigerating , and items with a long shelf-life.  Be sure that what you choose to include in your pet’s 72-hr-kit is easy to carry.

In your pet disaster kit, you should include:

• Food and for at least three days for each pet.  Pets can often drink water from nearby pools, lakes, rivers, and steams without getting sick.  If you don’t have any of these water supplies nearby, include water in this kit for your pet as well.

• Sturdy leashes, harnesses, and carriers to transport pets safely and to ensure that your pets can’t escape. You may want to include blankets and towels for comfort and warmth.

• Current information regarding your pets, including a photo to help others identify them in case you and your pet become separated. (This can also be used to prove that it belongs to you.)

• Small pet toys to reduce anxiety and stress.

• The name and number of your veterinarian in case your pet has to be brought to a shelter.

• Grooming items if they are relevant to your pet’s sanitary and grooming needs.
• Also make sure that your pet has an ID attached to him or her.
• If you have enough room and can comfortable carry a bunch of newspapers or a litter box with litter and a scoop, then these would be ideal to include in your kit, also.

It’s also recommended by the United States Human Society that these actions are followed to make sure your pets are taken care of when emergencies prevent you from taking care of your pets:

• Find
  a trusted neighbor and give them a key to your house or barn. Make sure
  this person is comfortable and familiar with your pets.

• Make
  sure the neighbor knows your pets’ whereabouts and habits, so they will
  not have to waste precious time trying to find or catch them.

• Create a pet emergency/disaster kit and place it in a prominent place where your neighbor can find it.

• If
  the emergency involves evacuation, make sure the neighbor would be
  willing to take your pets and has access to the appropriate carriers
  and leashes. Plan to meet at a prearranged location.

• If you use a pet sitting service, they may be available to help, but discuss the possibility well in advance.

When you search for emergency food you will find the majority of vendors sell their goods in a variety of container sizes like a pouch, bucket, and the #10 can. Here are a few frequently asked questions regarding the #10 can and I hope it will assist you with getting prepared.

FAQ: What is #10 can?
When referring to #10 can think of a metal can of Coffee that you might see at your local grocery stores or if you ever worked in the food industry you might have had the opportunity to see a #10 can in the back room.

FAQ: What does #10 can mean?
The term “#10″ does not reference that the contents will weigh 10 pounds, the #10 can does have the ability to hold an equivalent amount of 109.43 ounces. To help you understand the terminology better, your average soup can is #2 can. To get the same amount of food as (1) #10 can you would have to have a total of 5.32 cans to have the same amount of volume as the #10 can.

FAQ: How big is a #10 can?
Why I always get asked this question on the size of a #10 can is mostly for storing reasons. Depending on how your house is set up you might have the ability to store 7” tall cans in your cupboards, but for a practical option we have our FiFO Can Rack – LARGE CANS. With the ability to store up to 112 #10 cans it helps minimize the space that would be needed to store that large of an amount of # 10 cans.

FAQ: Once opening a #10 can does it require you to eat up the content ASAP?
That a myth with #10 can, great thing with the freeze dry is that you don’t have to worry about eating everything in a day or weeks. With our #10 cans you will receive a provided lid that will assist you in prolonging the shelf life of your food.

FAQ: How long does it last once it is opened, and will I need to be stored inside of a refrigerator once opened?
Once you do open your #10 can it will still render an amazing open shelf life. We have recommended having the contents consumed within a 6-12 Month. When the content is hydrated you will have to treat it like your standard left overs, but if the food is not hydrated then you could keep the contents with the provided lid for 6-12 months.

Other Ready Blogs you might be interested in reading

Last week a huge winter Storm hit the eastern part of the United States.  People in the west have grown accustom to these kinds of storms and live with them every winter.

The big difference is that they are ready with the proper tools and gear to thrive during these storms.  So here is a checklist you should have for that big snow…

1. A snow shovel

Don’t skimp when it comes to getting yourself a nice snow shovel.  Make sure it’s a medium size shovel.  Not too big and not too small.  Of course if you have the money, a good snow blower can be very handy as well.

But if you can’t justify a now blower, make sure you at least have a couple of good snow shovels.

2. Chains for your tires, snow tires.

If you have ever tried to drive on the ice you know that it doesn’t make much of a difference to have 4 wheel drive when your vehicle can’t get any traction!  You can pick up a good set of chains for not much money and save yourself a lot of hassle.  If you live in an area where it snows often, you might want to put some snow tires on.

3. An Auto Emergency kit

Picture this, you are driving in the snow, and then the road gets so bad that they have to close it.  Or even worse, you get stuck on a low traffic road in the snow.  What do you do?  You break out the Auto emergency kit!  This kit should include extra warm clothing, food, water, and light.  You may also want to include an emergency dynamo powered cell phone charger as well so you can keep the juice flowing through your cell phone.

4. Extra blankets, and layers of clothing

As stated above, you may not think you need it, but keep some extra warm clothes and blankets in your car.  Don’t forget the gloves and hat!  Even if you don’t need to use them, you might find yourself on the rescuing end of an emergency and it’s nice to have these items on hand to help others that may be stuck on the snow.

5. An alternative heat source.

So many times a big winter know will knock out access to the power.  How do you keep warm then?  You should invest in a generator, some wood for a fire, or at least some heavy blankets to keep your family warm.  Don’t go on thinking that the power will always be on.  It’s especially dangerous in a power outage to now have adequate heat, warmth and shelter.

6. Extra Food Storage

When the snow hits, you don’t want to be on the icy, snowy roads.  Make sure you have enough food stored in your home to at least get you through the storm.  While snow doesn’t last forever, it can sometimes hem you into your home for a while making it very important that you have plenty of food and water to get you through.

7. Ice melt

Ice is a tricky thing.  The last thing you want is to slip on the ice and break a bone.  Make sure you sprinkle ice on your walkways and driveway.  This will not only help you but keep you from being liable in the case a guest comes by the house and takes a fall.  Hips are often broke from an unexpected slip in the ice.

8. Communication device

Keep your cell phone charged, and also break out your Emergency radio for the latest news and emergency information.  Make sure this device can be powered through a hand crank (dynamo) because during a snowstorm solar power isn’t going to help much.

9. Emergency Lighting

Keep extra candles, and emergency light on hand.  You can get light sticks, and dynamo powered flashlights at The Ready Store!

10. A Sled!

If you have enough warm clothing, take advantage of the snow and go sledding or skiing!  It’s important to get out of the house and get some physical activity for both your physical and mental health!

There are many simple things you can do in advance to prepare your home for a possible disaster.  The 12 things listed below are just a few of many ways you can make your home a little more disaster proof.

Windows- In case of high winds, one option is to purchase the appropriate wind resistant window and shutters.  Another option is to cover windows with plywood if you know a severe storm is on its way.  It’s also best not to position beds directly beneath large windows.

Doors- Especially in areas prone to high winds, make sure your doors that lead outside have reliable dead bolts and tight secure hinges.  If there are any splits or cracks in the door, repair immediately.  It’s best for doors that lead outside to be made of either solid wood or hollow steel.

Emergency Kits- It’s always important to keep a 72-hour-kit per person in the home.  These should be kept in easy-to-access places, and should include updated, age appropriate items for each individual.  It’s also important to keep a first aid kit in an easily accessible area as well.  In case of a tornado or severe storm, it’s important to keep a radio with batteries nearby so that you can hear what’s going on, and so that you know when it’s over and safe to come out.

Important Documents Kept in Safe- One option is to rent a safe deposit box from your Post Office.  A more reliable option is to buy a fireproof home safe to keep your important documents in.  Give the combination to at least one trusted family member or friend outside of the home.  Documents to keep in your safe would include social security information, birth certificates, marriage licenses, passports, mortgage information, etc.

Fire Proof- In addition to checking and updating fire alarms once a year, it’s very important to keep at least one fire extinguisher in your home.  Keep all firewood at least 30 feet away from the home and propane tanks at least 10.  Avoid clutter in your home. Stacks of papers, boxes and even linen create a strong environment for fires.  Extension cords and power bars should be kept to a minimum and never overload outlets.

Earthquake Proof- Make sure you and your family know the safe spaces in each room.  These areas are away from glass and heavy objects that might fall.  Place breakable, heavy objects on lower shelves.  Secure heavy and tall objects such as book shelves, loose cabinets, tall desks, etc.  Latches are also available to install in upper cabinets that will prevent them from swinging open.

Shut ff Utilities and Gas- When you know a storm is approaching, or after an earthquake, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest. Just prior to the storm, turn off the utilities and all gas with the gas shut-off wrench. Use reliable candles, matches, flashlights, batteries and a battery or crank powered radio.

Vehicles- Keeping a car in the garage is best during any severe storm as they can be thrown into things if they’re not safe in an enclosed area.

Pet Shelter- If a pet’s shelter is in the backyard, be sure to include your pet in your emergency planning.  Even for tough winds and rain pet shelters should have an enclosed, waterproof area where the animal can go to seek shelter.

Roof- Check your roof at least once a year.  In storms and tornadoes, roofs normally go first.  Make sure no your roof has no loose shingles.  Keeping your roof protected is also part of keeping the entire house protected.

Yard- During severe storms, trees often fall into houses which usually causes most of the damage to the house.  Other trees can protect a house from severe winds and lightening.  It’s important to have your trees checked annually.  As for any loose items around your yard, it’s important to keep them put away.  Things like rakes, shovels, patio equipment and even garbage cans can be used as weapons by fierce winds if they’re loose in the yard.  It’s also very important to repair any existing damage to the home before a disaster occurs.

Food & Water- Shelter-in-Place- For nearly any type of disaster situation it’s important to store drinking water and water for flushing toilet and taking baths in your home. Fill the bathtub, pots and clean pails with water and set in a secure place if you know a severe storm is approaching.

U.S Disasters…

• Jan. 27-28, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas: at least 23 people die due to severe storms that covered roads and power lines with snow and ice. Schools close and more than a million homes are left without electricity.
• Feb. 10, Oklahoma, U.S.: a cluster of tornadoes rip through Oklahoma, killing eight people and injuring over a dozen more.

When dealing with winter you never know how bad it can get.  From the simple snow storm to a wild white out blizzard!  In the case of an emergency staying warm can be essential. With the possibility of getting snowed in or stuck in a Snow or Ice Storm its always great to have a 72 hour kit or an Auto Emergency kit with some basic items to keep you safe.

If you want something more compact than our 72 hour kits or Auto Kits then all you need to do is build your own custom auto kit.  Find a simple container that you will store the supplies.  Some of our most common items are listed bellow, but remember to include some additional personal items like gloves, scarf, heavy socks, jacket and always remember to have an additional layer of clothing per person if possible. So this holiday season don’t get caught off guard when visiting your extended family & friends.

If you ever come across an emergency you will be happy that you took 5-10 minutes to put together your emergency kit.

Common items that people have in there 72 hour kits.

• Emergency Blanket
• Emergency Sleeping Bag
• Mainstay 3600-Calorie Food Bar
• 8-Hour Handwarmers – 5 PAIRS
• 4.227-oz Datrex Water Pouches – PACK of 2
• 8.5-oz Aqua Blox Water Boxes – PACK of 3
• Datrex 3600-Calorie Food Bar
• Box of 50 Waterproof Matches
• Emergency Poncho – ADULT
• 115-Hour ReadyCANDLE

Now driving in your car is one thing, but dealing with Ice Storms & Blizzards in your house is another thing. If you are snowed in at you’re home and you are unable to leave, then its best to have an emergency stash of our MRE Ultimate Self-Heating Full Meals. They require no cooking & with the MRE Flameless Heater inside of the meal you can enjoy a warm, hearty meal that will provide you with the nourishment that you will be looking for.

Remember having some 8-Hour Handwarmers can help keep you warm if you are stuck at home, but also is great to have if you have to shovel your driveway or clean off your car or truck. For any questions that you might have regarding any products that we carry please feel free to Email or call our Customer Service and they would be more than happy to help you stay warm this holiday season.

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What to Have in Your Winter Survival Kit

A high calorie food bar is a short bread that contains anywhere from 1200, 2400, and 3600 calories in each bar and is intended to be used as an emergency ration.  When you run out of food or if you need access to more calories a food calorie bar is what you should have.  Datrex & Mainstay food bars are a MUST HAVE in your 72 hour kit, Auto Kits, or Food Storage supplies.  The shelf life is 5 years and they are not
heat sensitive, which makes them ideal for storing them in your RV, boat, tackle box, 72-hour kit and camping and hunting supplies.

If you’re wondering which brand is better, Datrex & Mainstay food bars are basically the same, but they have minor differences which are listed below:

Now since you have been informed regarding the difference of Mainstay & Datrex I ask you to please comment & let us know what you think is the better out of the two.

Datrex food bars come in 2400 & 3600 calorie options & when you open the package you will notice that the contents are individually wrapped in a plastic wrap. This makes it easy to distribute the 200 calorie pieces and limits the crumbs.  The flavor of the Datrex calorie food bar is a short bread with a hint of coconut flavor to it.  This item is not thirst provoking so if you are limited on water it will assist you with your
conservation.

Mainstay food bars come in 1200, 2400, and 3600 calorie options and the 1200 calorie option is perfect for children or to replace one meal. The Mainstay brand has an easy to break seam that will separate the bar into 400 calorie sections. The flavor of the Mainstay calorie food bar is a lemon short bread flavor, and it has the texture of a sugar cookie, which makes it more enjoyable for children.  The Mainstay food bar is also a non thirst provoking product that will help with water conservation in the case of an emergency.