Sometimes we may have a plan for evacuating or dealing with issues like the loss of utilities.  But sometimes those plans are not feasible in an emergency situation.  A friend lost power and heat for several hours during a major snowstorm.  Her husband was trying to make it home during the inclement weather and she was at home with their 2 daughters.  While she was prepared and able to care for her children, their family emergency plan was that they would stay with family in the nearby area who still had utilities if a situation like that was to occur.

The problem was that they were unable to follow the emergency plan since roads were impassable.  So, what is the back-up plan?  They didn’t have one as most of us don’t.  Luckily, the power outage only lasted a couple of hours before the lack of heat became a real concern.  Play a “what if” game and see what kind of scenarios you can come up with.  What if a trucking strike meant grocery store shelves were empty and we didn’t know how long it would last?  What if there was a local natural disaster and grocery stores were damaged?  What if there was a power outage and gas pumps didn’t work?  What if there was a chemical spill and we had to evacuate?

By planning and discussing possible scenarios, you will be better prepared to deal with the stress and complications that can occur during a disaster situation.  By taking steps to prepare now, you can meet challenges before they arise.

After talking to several friends and neighbors, they shared what they learned from the severe winter storm we experienced that knocked out our power for several hours while the snow and wind howled ferociously.  Communication was key.  Many people only had cordless phones that were rendered useless when the power went out.  Many relied on cell phones, but dead batteries were a problem for several people.

Most of the families were women at home with their children while their husbands tried to get home from work, often spending hours in their cars to only get a few miles.  While the mothers felt safe, they worried about the safety of their husbands.  One wife spoke about how they have a kit in the family car, but they had failed to put one in the car the husband used to commute to and from work-a situation they care now rectifying.

Another lesson was the need to keep your gas tank at least half full.  Many motorists ran out of gas waiting in traffic, forced to abandon their cars on the side of the road.  The next rule applies to everyone, but is especially important for women.  Often when people ran out of gas, they were forced to walk a considerable distance to reach shelter.  Having a pair of sturdy walking shoes is essential.  It can mean the difference between teetering in high heels in several feet of snow and walking with winter boots.  Take into account the area where you live and what disasters are most likely to occur as you make plans for your personal preparedness.

We often don’t think about the challenges we will face when a disaster strikes.  We may think about the basics, but not realize what we will need specifically.  The area where I live in encountered a severe winter storm that knocked out power for several hours, right before dinner time.  While we were prepared, we realized a few things.

While we have the GE Krypton lantern and used it, we could have used a couple more.  The lantern worked great while we were all sitting at the dinner table eating, but when our kids wanted to read books and play games in different rooms, we realized what a pain it was to hold a flashlight the whole time.  I also will get a headlamp so that I can see better to do tasks like wash dishes and change a baby’s poopy diaper without trying to hold a flashlight at the same time.

Due to the conditions of the storm as well as several car accidents, it took my husband over two hours to drive the 12 miles from his office to our home.  While I knew where all the emergency supplies were and how to use them, my husband was stranded in his car.  He has a basic kit, but he has started carpooling recently and has 2 additional people in his car.  I realized that I needed to add some water, emergency blankets, and survival food bars so that if they were trapped, there would be enough for everyone.

My husband and his co-workers made a stop at our house to use the restroom before attempting to head home.  I realized that we need to be almost overly prepared, so that if we had to care for additional people that it wouldn’t be a huge drain on our resources.  By having an extra 72-hour kit, some additional water, and extra flashlights, we would be able to assist people who were caught unprepared.

Consider doing a disaster dry run.  Shut off the power, don’t use any faucets or the toilet.  By doing this for even a few hours, you may learn that you need more  entertainment items like a deck of cards and some board games or that the batteries you have for your flashlight are the wrong size.  By practicing your preparedness skills, you will discover any problems before the real things occurs.

After a bone chilling winter, I am definitely ready for a bit of warmth to hit my face! Spring brings out the flowers and green grass, but it’s really summertime that I crave. Even so, the beauty of warm summer days can still bring danger if we are not prepared. Extreme temperatures, over-exercising, or prolonged sun exposure are just a few of the risks involved in those gorgeous summer days.

In high heat and high humidity, evaporation is slower and your body has to work harder to keep a normal temperature. In a heat wave, you are exposed to prolonged periods of heat. These situations can bring on the possibility of heat-induced illness. Here are a few of those illnesses, their symptoms, and how to treat them.

Sunburn: Skin redness and tenderness, possible headache, fever, swelling and blisters. Treat a sunburn by showering in cool water to get rid of oils that might be blocking your pores. This will help your body to cool off better on its own. Apply aloe vera to the burn, if it’s available. Apply sterile bandages to any blisters, and seek medical help if necessary.

Heat Exhaustion: Heavy sweating, even if the skin might be pale or cool, weak pulse, faint or dizzy, nauseous, exhaustion, and headaches are possible. Treat heat exhaustion by getting the victim to a cool place immediately. Loosen clothing, or remove if possible. Put cold, preferably wet, cloths on the victim, but make sure the cloths stay cool. Have victim sip cool water if they aren’t unconscious, but make sure it is sipped slowly. If they are vomiting, do not give more water. Get immediate medical help if they are vomiting.

Heat Stroke: Extreme body temperature (usually over 104 degrees Fahrenheit); dry, red skin; fast, weak pulse; shallow breathing, possible unconsciousness. Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency. If you suspect that the victim has heat stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately. Move the victim to a cool area until help arrives. Remove their clothing and try sponging them with cool cloths. Make sure they continue to breathe, and use extreme caution.

Hopefully none of us will ever be in these situations, but in the possibility that we are, make sure you are prepared with information that can help save your life. Also make sure you keep a kit handy in your car, such as a basic 72-hour kit. Or at least keep a few water pouches or bottles of water in your trunk in case you get stranded on those hot summer days.

When I was a senior in high school, my family and I moved to Las Vegas….In the MIDDLE of JULY!!! Wow! Talk about hot! With temperatures ranging, on average, between 102 degrees and 117 degrees, well, let’s just say it wasn’t the most comfortable summer I’ve experienced. Not only did we move there in the worst part of the season, but we also moved there with a car that had NO air conditioning! How we survived that summer, I couldn’t tell you, but I know now how to be prepared in case I am ever in a situation of extreme heat.

Extreme heat can kill. Simple as that. We see it all the time on the news…children being left in cars “just for a minute.” There are many things you can do to prepare you and your family in case of extreme heat. Most heat disorders happen when the victim has been over-exposed to heat or has over-exercised for his or her physical ability. Older adults, younger children, and those who are sick are more likely to suffer from heat disorders.

If you live in areas of the world that are prone to extreme heat, try using these ideas to help you prepare your home.

• Install window air conditioners snugly; insulate if necessary.
• Check air-conditioning ducts for proper insulation.
• Install temporary window reflectors (for use between windows and drapes), such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard, to reflect the heat back outside.
• Weather-strip doors and sills to keep cool air in.
• Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings, or louvers. (Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat that enters a home by up to 80 percent.)
• Keep storm windows up all year.
• Also, it’s a great idea to check up on your elderly loved ones who might be in extreme heat situations. Make sure they are taking proper precautions to stay cool and healthy.
• And always, always make sure you have water stored in your car in case you are stranded in the heat.

Knowing what to do before you get into a situation where you will need your first aid kit is very important. Your prior knowledge of the items in your kit, and your quick thinking in certain situations, will possibly prevent emergencies…and maybe even death.

The first step in basic first aid preparation is to protect yourself and your family by getting yearly check-ups by a health professional. Determine if you have any life-threatening conditions, and prepare specifically for those if possible. Reduce any risk factors that might be dangerous to your health. If you don’t prevent now, you will not be prepared later.

Keep a list of emergency phone numbers with your first aid kit. Numbers on this list should include your family doctor, fire, police, and poison control. Make sure, if you have young children, that they know how to use a phone in case of emergency, and that they know where those numbers are. Make sure that you have a list of all the medications that your family needs, or that your family may be allergic to.

Learn about the difference between a minor situation and a life-threatening one. Not every cut needs stitches, but they may. Not every stomach ache is appendicitis, but it might be. Make sure you have a reference book handy with your first aid kit that will help you recognize the signs of these situations. It is always best to be cautious, so if in doubt, always call 9-1-1 or the local hospital.

I have to admit, when I first heard about the bird flu, I thought, “Why do I need to worry about a flu that people have on the other side of the world? How could a flu like that be a problem to me and my family?” But as I started to watch more coverage on the news, I realized that, just like any other emergency, I should really be prepared for it. I started my preparation by researching the flu and learning what I could about it.

The bird flu (Avian Influenza or H5N1) became a threat to humans when it became apparent that cases of the flu were being transferred from birds to humans. (Humans can potentially become affected with the bird flu by coming in contact with infected birds.) If you are not immunized against the bird flu, it is extremely hard to survive it. Also, experts have declared that it could very easily become a pandemic. This means, if the virus were to gain the capacity to spread easily from person to person, a worldwide outbreak of disease could begin. So, how do we prepare for that possibility?

The immunization that is available to protect humans from the bird flu is not easy to get your hands on. The few companies that make it have been making it as fast as they can, but are still not able to make it fast enough for the demand that is on them. So, the best way we can prepare ourselves for this emergency is by doing some of the same things you do to protect yourself from any other contagious disease.

Rule number one, wash your hands! We all learn it in kindergarten, but it’s so important to thwarting disease. Also, make sure you take proper food safety precautions. Never eat uncooked or undercooked poultry, and always wash anything in your kitchen that comes in contact with it. Also, it wouldn’t hurt to stock up on good face masks for your family. If there indeed ever was a pandemic, you would not want to leave your home with out one! My family stocked up on “N100 Particulate Respirator” masks. They filter out nanoparticles, including viruses and bacteria. You may also want to purchase high quality nitrile gloves. A stash of disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer is also good for protection.

Luckily, we haven’t had to deal with a pandemic of the bird flu, but, just like any emergency, we never know if, or when, it will strike. The best bet is to be prepared!

One of the thing we often fail to do is practice our emergency plans.  So by practicing, you can figure out what works and what doesn’t before a real emergency arises.  Gather your family together and recruit a neighbor to help.  The neighbor will knock on the door and say that you must evacuate the area in 5 minutes.  A railroad car has overturned, leaking toxic gas in the area.  Set a timer and tell everyone that they must be in the car in five minutes.

What did everyone bring?  Did you remember the 72-hour kits but forget your daughter’s allergy medicine?  Did everyone head for the kits and no one remembered to grab Fido and his pet carrier?  Did you think to call your elderly widowed neighbor and see if she needed a ride?

And what if you had to walk out?  How far can you carry your 72-hour kits?  Do a practice session and try seeing how far you can walk before they become heavy.  Can you load up a wagon or stroller and pull your drinking water?  Practice makes perfect.  By practicing your emergency plans, you will be more likely to remember them and your children will be better able to handle their stress and fear since it is a task they have preformed before.

Sure, we all know what space blankets are. You know, those thin sheets of what seem to be “aluminum foil” that we all have neatly tucked into our emergency supplies for, well, emergencies? Whether you call them space blankets, emergency blankets, or sheets of tin foil we keep warm under in an emergency, they all serve the same purpose. Or do they?

Did you know that space blankets (so named because they were invented for NASA’s space program), even though they are so small and thin, can be used to help out in many emergencies beyond just keeping you warm? These space blankets are designed to help reduce heat loss from a person’s body, and help retain up to 90% of your body heat. For that same reason, you can also use a space blanket as a ground cover while camping. If you lay the blanket/blankets down on the inside of your tent, not only will it provide a protective barrier to the inside of the tent floor, but it will also add a bit of extra warmth in the tent itself! It will reflect the heat from you body back up to you, and also prevent moisture from coming up through the ground your tent is on. (Space blankets are waterproof, by the way.)

Space blankets are made of pure aluminum vapors that are deposited onto a very thin and sturdy film material. This means that, because of the aluminum in the blanket, it makes for a very good reflective surface. If you are stranded in an emergency situation, use your space blanket as a reflective shelter that will be able to attract the attention of your rescuers for miles around. I have also read that they can be used to build solar ovens!

Space blankets are so small and easily affordable. They can fit neatly into your pocket on a day hike. They can even be reused again and again. Because of all the advantages and uses of a space blanket, you should have them available to you and your family in your 72 hour kits, your glove compartment, and even your purse. You will be grateful to have one when you need it!

Last summer, a friend of mine invited me on a camping/backpacking trip with her and her fiancé.  I had never been much of an outdoors person, but I was intrigued and really excited to go!  I spent several days packing for this 4-day excursion.  I was confidant I had everything I needed…extra water, toilet paper, food, bug spray, etc. for a 4 day trip.

We met at a place in town and drove to a very secluded area meant for backpacking.  I felt good about the fact that we had trails to follow and wouldn’t have to worry about getting off course or lost.  Needless to say, on our fourth day we ended up heading the wrong way.  While we were supposed to be heading back from where we came, we were actually heading farther and farther away.

I had a little food left, but only enough to last me for another meal or so.  I felt a little panicked, but didn’t want my friends to notice since they seemed somewhat relaxed for being in the situation we were in.  All my friend’s fiancé could tell me was, “we’ll get back, it just may take awhile.”  Needless to say, after walking for another couple hours I finally ended up breaking down and crying.  I had never been in this kind of situation before and felt helpless.

My friends felt bad, but assured me there was nothing to worry about.  I was pleasently surprised when my friends took pouches out of their bags, which they informed me were freeze-dried foods.  They explained to me that freeze dried foods were meals (like lasagna and pasta primavera) that had gone through a dehydration process to minimize the size of the food and to preserve it.

Immediately, I began to relax knowing they were prepared for this type of thing. Since then, I’ve become an avid backpacker and always make sure I have a 7-day supply of the freeze-dried food with me.  They’re very light weight, easy to store in my backpack, and healthy and nutritious to boot!   I’m so thankful to my friends for showing me the outdoors and introducing me to this incredible emergency-related item.  Never again will you find me in the outdoors without being prepared!

Why are kits called 72 hour kits?  Generally, the recommendation has been for people to store 72 hours or 3 days worth of food and water because that is generally how long it will take relief agencies like the Red Cross to access disaster areas.  But after Hurricane Katrina, we realized that 3 days is no guarantee.

People were stranded for days on roofs trying to escape from flood waters and others were stranded in the Superdome which was supposed to be a shelter, but had next to no supplies for all those who sought refuge.  After Hurricane Katrina, some organizations encouraged people to focus on keeping supplies for a full week instead of only 3 days.  The amount of time it takes first responders like firefighters and police officers is effected by several factors.  I live in a relatively small city with only 15 officers on our city police force.  Most of them do not live in the city limits and an average of 2 officers are on duty at any time.  Statistics are not in our favor that during an emergency, all of our police officers would be in the city and  immediately available to assist citizens.

Geography and the severity of the disaster play a part in the time it takes for first responders to reach you.  I live in a city where we are surrounded by a lake as well as a river, so in the event of a major earthquake, if bridges went down, our city would essentially be cut off from the rest of the county with boats the only way to access us.  A minor disaster that leads to roads still being able to be used has a much faster response time for police and firefighters to reach people while a major disaster that disrupts roads can lead to extreme delays in response time.  Talk to your city and local officials about what emergency plans are in place for your area and what you can do to assist them in helping those people who need assistance after a disaster.

There are some disasters and emergencies where you need to get out of the area immediately while other situations may require that you are prepared to shelter in place.  An example of a situation where you might need to evacuate include a chemical spill or a wildfire.  You need to get out of the area to get away from harm.  In a situation like this, you need 72 hour kits that are easily available (like hanging on a hook in your garage and not on the highest shelf in the basement closet).  You should also realize that the need to evacuate may occur while you are at work or driving the kids to school.

Being prepared wherever you are is essential to truly being prepared.  At the very least, you want to make sure you have a first aid kit, a light source, and drinking water.  You can store a few pouches of drinking water, a 12 hour light stick, and a basic first aid kit in your desk drawer or the glove compartment in your car.  These simple preparations can be extremely helpful in the event of an emergency.

The basic needs you have: food, water, sanitation, light, shelter, and communication are the same regardless of if you evacuate or shelter in place.  But having additional supplies to shelter in place allows you to stay safe where you are for a longer period of time.

A situation where you might need to shelter in place include an outbreak of pandemic flu.  The government and health organizations have all declared that the best way to avoid getting the flu would be to stay in your home, away from public places where you would be exposed to the illness.  By the time we get confirmation that the pandemic flu is here, the time to prepare is long gone.  You don’t have time to run to the grocery store to stock up on things.  You will need to live on what you have stored in your home.  Having a portable potty with bags and chemicals as well as N95 and N100 particulate respirator masks to help prevent infection are invaluable.

Consider starting a shelter in place kit by looking at what would make your family comfortable.  Stocking up on items like tissues, toilet paper, disinfectant, and soap can help prevent the spread of illness.  Other items like freeze-dried food can provide essential calories without requiring excessive preparation.  Make a list as to what would work best for your individual situation and then take steps to make your shelter in place kit a reality.

I have recently become a convert to freeze-dried food.  One of the things I love about freeze-dried food is that it stores for 30 years in a #10 can.  That’s right.  30 years!  No more worries about rotating food and checking expiration dates.  I am fully aware that rotating food storage is a huge job and freeze-dried food essentially eliminates the need for this time-intensive task.

Freeze-dried food can be prepared by adding hot water.  You can also eat some of the products such as the freeze-dried fruit right out of the can.  We have added freeze-dried fruit to oatmeal, muffins, and pancakes.  I have had to put our can of triple berry blend on the highest shelf in my pantry since my kids eat it like it is candy!  The Saratoga Farms fruits are fantastic!  We love everything from the pineapple chunks to the cinnamon apple slices to the sliced strawberries.

In a disaster, you will probably be overwhelmed physically and psychologically, and knowing that you can just add water and have a meal for your family can be a huge relief.  No grinding wheat or figuring out how to cook a meal in a tiny mess kit pot.  Just add water and you are ready to go.  I also like that the freeze-dried meals are complete on their own-no need to make side dishes.  Everything is in one can.  The beef stroganoff comes with the pasta, meat, and sauce all together.  The chicken teriyaki has the chicken, sauce, and rice in one can.  The directions don’t get much easier than this:  add water and eat!

I remember as a child, sitting in a circle on the living room floor with my parents and siblings.  A big pile of supplies was in the middle of the circle and each of us were holding backpacks with our names on them.  We were preparing our 72 hour kits in case of an emergency.  Each person took turns picking out the items we would carry as our parents explained how to use them.  The things I remember most were the Twinkies, which everyone knows last forever, and my little film canister filled with quarters.  With AT&T leading the way in giving up the pay phone business, that little roll of quarters wouldn’t do much good these days.

Now as an adult with a family of my own, it is my responsibility to make sure that each member of my family has a 72 hour kit and knows how to use them.  Some of the items, such as water, toothbrushes, and toilet paper are self explanatory, but other items need to be explained, especially to younger children.  A great way to explain the different items is to turn it into a game.  For example, with the emergency whistles you can have each family member take turns at finding a hiding place in the house and then blowing the whistle so the rest of the family can find them.  Then explain that this is what they should do if they get separated from the family.

Emergency blankets can be demonstrated by laying a blanket flat on the ground.  Then have a family member lay on the blanket leaving about a foot of material below their feet.  Fold the blanket up over the feet and then fold the sides in across the body.  Explain that this blanket is not like traditional blankets in that it is not meant to warm you up, but rather to keep you from losing body heat until help can arrive.

With older children you could write down the name of all the items in your kit on separate pieces of paper.  Have each family member take turns drawing slips of paper.  Allow time for each member to research their items.  Then everyone takes turns demonstrating or explaining the use of the items.  All of the items included in 72 hour kits are easy to use, but if you take the time to explain and demonstrate them to your children, when the time comes to use them your children will be familiar with the items and feel less anxious with the situation.

I’ve been carrying the same “emergency pack” with me every time I’ve gone hiking for the last several years.  I enjoy going to the mountains best in early spring because it’s not too cold and not too hot.  Although every once in awhile, I’ll get caught in some unusually cold weather for that time of the year.

Even though the weather has never gotten to the point of unbearably cold, I’m happy to know I have my emergency blanket available in case I may need it someday.  It’s so compact I can fit it into my pocket folded up and at the inexpensive price it doesn’t make sense not to have one.

The most important thing to know is how to use it because the blanket can be nearly worthless if not used correctly.  For the blanket to reflect up to 90% of a person’s radiant body heat, there must be a layer of “dead air” between him/her and the blanket.  This means the blanket won’t work properly if there is nothing between it and the user’s skin, like clothing for example.

I always make sure to bring an extra set of clothing in my emergency bag, which I can change into, if for some reason I can’t use the clothing I’m already wearing.  Then, if I ever have to pull out my emergency blanket, I can be assured it will work effectively because I have that extra layer between the blanket and me.

In the 1940s, researchers at Harvard University, in conjunction with the US Army, formulated a water disinfection tablet at the request of the United States military. They wanted an easier way to be able to disinfect the water that their service men and women sometimes needed to drink. Thus, Potable Aqua was born!

Potable Aqua is an iodine water disinfection tablet that makes water bacteriologically suitable to drink. Although it was previously used only for our military, it is now also available to consumers. Many people keep it with them whenever they go camping or backpacking, in case of emergency. So what exactly is Potable Aqua, and how does it work?

Potable Aqua tablets are made to be dissolved in water that may be of questionable quality. When dissolved, diatomic iodine and hypoiodous acid are released into the water. These chemicals work at breaking down the cell walls of the bacteria that might be in the water you are trying to disinfect, making the water safe for you to drink. You should wait 30 minutes after using the tablets before drinking the water, to allow time for the tablets to break down the cells. You should add two tablets to one quart or liter of water.

Potable Aqua may be used in conjunction with a water filter. It is very effective against bacteria, such as Streptococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli; viruses, such as Infectious hepatitis and Poliomyelitis; and also treats water for flatworms and many cysts, such as Giardia lamblia. While Potable Aqua has proven very usefull in making questionable water drinkable again, you should remember that it is to be used as a short-term treatment. You should limit your use of it to less than 6 weeks.

Potable Aqua is a proven method for obtaining drinking water in an emergency situation. It is very simple to use and is time efficient. Put it in your 72 hour kits to prepare for times when clean drinking water for your family may not be available!

If there is an emergency situation in your area, it is vital to have a plan for protecting your family, but have you thought about what you would do for your pets? Many times, our pets ARE our family, so as pet owners, we must be prepared. It can save their lives.

The Red Cross says, “In the event of a disaster, if you must evacuate, the most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to evacuate them, too. Leaving pets behind, even if you try to create a safe place for them, is likely to result in their being injured, lost, or worse. So prepare now for the day when you and your pets may have to leave your home.” So, where do we take our pets if we need to evacuate?

Red Cross shelters are not allowed to accept pets, unless they are needed to assist people with disabilities. It would be a good idea to call local hotels in your city, or even outside your city limits in cases your whole city needed to be evacuated, to check on pet policies. Have a few of them written down on an emergency phone number list and keep it in your car, in case you need to make a reservation when you aren’t at home. Ask your friends or family who live outside your immediate area if they would be willing to shelter your pet in an emergency. You may also want to contact local animal shelters to see if they provide emergency assistance.

Also, when you prepare 72 hour kits for your family members, include your pets. They will need essential supplies when you are away from home. Supplies such as: medications, a sturdy leash, a pet carrier, food (don’t forget the can opener), the name and number of your veterinarian, and a few toys if there is room.

In the event that you are not at home when the emergency happens, make sure that you have a trusted neighbor who can have a key to your home and take your pets to an arranged location to meet you. Following these steps to protect your pets can bring much peace before, during, and after an emergency situation.

Ok, so we all know we should have food stored away in case of an emergency, right? Right? So, how many of you actually do? If not, why haven’t you started on this essential part of your family’s protection? Perhaps it’s because you just aren’t sure what type of food you should be storing. I admit, it can be a very daunting task. As a mother of 5 young children, adding this to my plate (no pun intended!) was not something I was very willing to do. I had 7 people to take care of every day! How in the world was I supposed to plan for the future on top of that? Well, after getting snowed in to my house for 2 solid weeks during a dreadfully stormy winter, I decided to make emergency food storage a priority on my list. And believe it or not, you can too! I am here today to help you get started on your food storage journey by informing you about three different types of emergency food.

MREs (Meals Ready To Eat)- MREs are packaged in a plastic/foil pouch that are sealed and are air tight until opened. The food inside the pouches is already cooked, and can be eaten cold or hot. They usually have a 5 year shelf life, but can be kept up to 10 years in ideal storage environments. (Cool and dry.) They do not need water to cook, and can be eaten straight from the pouch. They are light weight and can be taken with you easily.

Food Bars- These are a kind of “cookie” if you will. The great thing is that, unlike a real cookie, they are made specifically to be eaten without making you thirsty. They are extremely high in protein and exceed the normal daily requirements for vitamins and minerals. They can usually be stored for 5 years. These are great to store if you live in a climate where high or low temperatures are a factor, as they can be stored in -40 degrees to 300 degrees Fahrenheit without disturbing the integrity of the nutrients!

Freeze Dried Food - This type of food is usually stored in #10 can, but is also available in smaller pouches like MREs. Freeze dried foods taste great because the foods retain their taste, texture, and shape of fresh frozen foods. It also locks in the freshness, vitamins, nutrients, color, and aroma of fresh frozen foods while providing an amazing 30 year shelf life. They might be hard to carry around with you, since they are in cans, but for long-term food storage, these are wonderful. Your family will thank you for them when an emergency strikes and they aren’t stuck eating dry peanut butter crackers and stale granola bars all day!

There are other food storage options, but these are the big three. Think about what would be best for your family and the environment in which you live, and plan accordingly. Hopefully, this information will get you on a good road towards making emergency food storage easier to think about and get!

Ok, to be honest, when I first heard someone mention a “bung wrench” I thought…a WHAT??? It is obviously not a word that comes up in everyday conversation! I am here to explain what a bung wrench is, and why it can simplify your emergency preparedness.

When I was small, my parents had rows and rows of round, white, plastic climbing structures stacked up nicely in our basement. How fun for me as a child to climb upon tall white castles (yes, I have always had an active imagination), and jump off into a pile of soft blankets down below! Well, for years, I thought these climbing structures were strictly for my recreational enjoyment. Until, one day, I saw my mom take a screwdriver to the top of one of the plastic containers. What was she doing, I wondered? She explained to me that inside of these plastic barrels was a grand supply of wheat that my parents stored in case of emergency.  She was trying hard to get into the top of this plastic drum by using a screw driver to pry the lid off. Oh, if only she had a bung wrench!

Openin g a bucket, barrel, or drum without usinga bung wrench can turn a simple job into a nightmare! A bung wrench is a tool that is used to pry open these items, and more, with ease! Some bung wrenches can even be used as a gas shutoff wrench, or sometimes even to turn on a fire hydrant. A “bunghole” is the hole on the top of a bucket or barrel that is used for emptying or filling the container. A bung wrench fits into those holes and, with applied pressure, will pop the top off in no time! I’m sure my mom wishes she would’ve read this article years ago! No more screwdriver, ok mom?

Every year in Colorado there are stories about skiers, snowmobilers, and hikers who get lost in the mountains.  This winter a group of six snowmobilers went missing for four days.  A snow storm was blowing through the area and hindering rescue efforts.  Fortunately the group came across a cabin and they were able to survive off of the popcorn, chicken bouillon, and gravy mix that they found inside.  Once the storm passed, the six snowmobilers were able to find a snowed in train station where they called 911 and were eventually rescued.

This group was fortunate to find a source of food in a remote mountain area.  Not everyone is so lucky.  Any time you are going to be traveling in remote areas you should bring with you a selection of supplies so that if you do get lost you will be able to survive until help arrives.  Emergency preparedness stores have taken the guess work out of what to take with you for food and energy.  High calorie food bars are light weight, all natural bars that are easy to carry and will stay fresh for up to 5 years.  They come in packs of 2400 or 3600 calories and are portioned in 200 calorie blocks.  if you do happen into a situation where you need to use them, they taste similar to a short-bread cookie.  If you have a safe trip with no unexpected emergencies then at least you have the piece of mind that you were prepared.

Preparing for the unexpected is a part of everyday life.  Either you choose to do so and reap the benefits when a disaster occurs, or you don’t prepare and you hope that someone comes to your rescue.