Are you excited?  It’s the warmest and for some the funnest time of year!  Late spring and Summer time are the time we spend loads of time in the Sun and heat.  So here are a few tips from the Red Cross for Summer Heat & Preparedness:

1. Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles. Temperatures inside a closed vehicle can reach 140 degrees Fahrenheit (F) within minutes. Exposure to such high temperatures can kill in minutes.  Don’t take the chance, it’s not worth it.
2. Drink plenty of water. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you don’t feel thirsty. Injury and death can occur from dehydration, which can happen quickly and unnoticed. Symptoms of dehydration are often confused with other causes. Your body needs water to keep cool. Water is the safest liquid to drink during heat emergencies.  This is especially true in an emergency.  Keep water in your vehicle.
3. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine. They can make you feel good briefly, but make the heat’s effects on your body worse. This is especially true about beer, which actually dehydrates the body. People who are on fluid-restrictive diets or who have a problem with fluid retention should consult their doctor before increasing liquid intake.
4. Eat small meals of carbohydrates, salads and fruit, and eat more often. Avoid foods that are high in protein, because they increase metabolic heat. This will help your body regulate in the heat easier.
5. Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors reflect heat and sunlight and help you maintain a normal body temperature. Cover as much skin as possible to avoid sunburn and over-warming effects of sunlight on your body. Keep direct sunlight off your face by wearing a wide-brimmed hat. Sunlight can burn and warm and inner core of your body. Also use umbrellas and sunglasses to shield against the sun’s rays. keep a form of shade shelter in your car such as a tube tent for emergencies.
6. Use sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 20 or more—even on cloudy days.
   1. Apply a liberal amount of sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside
   2. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.
7. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician. And try to stay away from salty foods like potato chips.
8. Slow down. Reduce, eliminate or reschedule strenuous activity. If you must engage in strenuous activity, do so during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. Try to do outside yard work during these early cool hours or at dusk when the sun is not directly on you.
9. Stay in the shade when possible, and avoid prolonged sun exposure during the hottest part of the day, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.  I know you may want to get a tan.. but trust me, you look just fine the way you are.  Skin cancer is not worth it, also tanning speeds up the aging process of your skin.
10. Change into dry clothing if your clothes become saturated with sweat.

These tips are just the start.  The Red Cross has many more useful tips found here.  Of course these tips apply to both regular and emergency situations.  Make sure you store plenty of water and have a handy filter and purifier on hand in the case of an emergency.

There’s a government agency out there that has the tag line at the top of their website that reads, “Your Online Source for Credible Health Information”.  Really?  No I’m serious, Really?

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on May 16th posted and article on their blog, “Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse”.  This article lays out all the ‘Facts’ on getting ready for the Zombie Apocalypse, because lets face it, when it comes to a disaster like this it isn’t question of ‘IF’ it’s only a question of ‘WHEN’.

“The rise of zombies in pop culture has given credence to the idea that a zombie apocalypse could happen. In such a scenario zombies would take over entire countries, roaming city streets eating anything living that got in their way. The proliferation of this idea has led many people to wonder ‘How do I prepare for a zombie apocalypse?’”- Ali S. Khan

Ironically the CDC’s site was overloaded due to the popularity of the post.  And I say Kudos! to the CDC for their creative way to draw peoples attention to the fundamentals of getting ready for a real disaster.  As they mention in their article, when it really comes down to there’s a handful of fundamental items that you should always have on hand that will meet you and your family’s needs for most emergencies.

So whether it’s a Zombie Apocalypse or just your average plain ol’earthquake or hurricane, you guessed it, you’ll want to have these items on hand:

• Water (1 gallon per person per day)
• Food (Non-perishables that will feed you for at least 3 days)
• Medications (Both prescription and non-prescription)
• Tools and Supplies (battery powered radio, utility knife, duct tape, etc)
• Sanitation and Hygiene (toilet paper, soap, bleach)
• Clothing and Bedding (a change of clothes for each member of the family and blankets)
• Important Documents (driver’s license, passport and birth certificates)
• First Aid Supplies (A basic kit that will at least treat minor cuts and injuries)

Along with the CDC we appreciate the real concern of a coming Zombie Apocalypse and have created a video to assist you in your preparations for the coming catastrophe.  Remember, it’s not a matter of ‘IF’ it’s only a matter ‘WHEN’.

CHECK OUT OUR NEW ULTIMATE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE SURVIVAL KIT VIDEO…

At The Ready Store we field a wide variety of questions and one that has seemed to pop up more and more lately as preparedness enters into the minds or more and more people is: how do I prepare when my spouse thinks it isn’t worthwhile?

While everyone’s situation is unique and there is no one answer for this question here is what we have seen work to get everyone on board with emergency preparedness.

Continue reading…

Grasshopper: News flash… the world is still here.  The sun is shining, the flowers are in bloom, and spring is here.  Why are you worried about preparedness?

Ant: First of all, preparedness is not about worry.  It’s about not needing to worry.  It’s not about fear, it’s about vanquishing fear.  Being ready will do more than almost anything out there to help you feel peaceful and secure.

Grasshopper: But aren’t you tired of storing away food for the long winter?  Don’t you want to go out and buy that toy you’ve been wishing you have?  Don’t you want to take a break?  What if you are wasting your time and winter never comes?

Continue reading…