Emergency Supplies Blog

ARTICLES, BLOG POSTS, AND HELPFUL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS IDEAS.


Archive for November, 2009

November 30, 2009

After nearly 5 days without power due to the devastating ice storm last winter a simple emergency kit would have make things easier.  Simple things like a flashlight and an emergency crank radio.  I did not have a portable radio but it sure would really have helped us understand what was going on.  You always want to have some drinking water and some food and some simple things that make sense like a first aid kit.  Don’t learn the hard way get some emergency supplies today.

emergency kit

#1.  Why do you want a gun in your emergency kit?  Do you want the gun for personal protection or hunting?  Often times a large can of bear pepper spray is your best home and personal defense.

#2.  You should consider the safety of having a gun in your home.  If you do decide to keep a gun in your house it should be locked up or use a trigger lock.  You should keep your

#2.  You should consider the safety of having a gun in your home.  If you do decide to keep a gun in your house it should be locked up or use a trigger lock.  You should keep your keep your gun away from children and not store the bullets in the gun.

#3. If you purchase a gun you should know how to use the gun properly.  You should take a gun safety class and you should go to the firing range to hone your firearm skills. 

#4.  Also, you must be willing to take on the added responsibility that comes with owning a gun.  There are liability issues that come with owning a gun and you need to make sure you are taking every precation and are willing to accept the risks.

In conclusion, it is a personal choice for each family, but once you make the choice to own a gun or personal safety product, you need to be responsible for the safety of those around you.

Bird flue emergency kits

Author: Cindy
November 19, 2009

Bird flue emergency kits should also be a part of the home survival kits of every household in the US and the rest of the world. Although you are probably more likely to experience disasters due to hurricanes, earthquakes and flooding, it does not mean that you should not prepare for whatever might endanger your health. The threat of bird flue becoming a global pandemic is still very much likely, especially now that traveling to different parts of the world can be very easy and fast. Just recently, a representative of the United Nations warned that the threat of bird flue is real and a pandemic might have a bigger impact on the country and the world than the present financial crisis. In the 14th century, the black plague claimed millions of lives all around the globe. This can still happen if the virus responsible for avian flue mutates into something that can enable man-to-man transmission.

The bird flue emergency kits you should keep must contain a particulate respirator because this is your first line of defense against contracting the disease. But studies have shown that not all masks or respirators can be effective in filtering the avian flue virus; thus, you need to make sure that your kit has at least an N95 particulate mask, which can filter at least 95% of airborne particulates. Other important components of an avian flue kit are antiseptic hand sanitizer, to stop the spread of microorganisms, and anti-microbial wipes, which are vital in keeping everything more sanitary and hygienic.

You also need to consider adding to your bird flue emergency kits items like safety goggles, in case there is defogging in your community; hooded coveralls, to cover your entire body; plastic sheeting, which can prevent contaminants from entering your room or home; and nitrile gloves, which helps prevent the spread of diseases. But aside from making sure that you have bird flue emergency kits for every member of your family, you also have to remember that a healthy and strong immune system is necessary to make you more resistant to the avian flue virus.

If you do not know what items to include in your emergency kit, you can use our free information and  you can click on these flu kits on our home. Always remember that even if the threat of a bird flue epidemic in the country is low, you need to prepare your body physically and emotionally for such a possibility.

November 16, 2009

It is the time of year to transition rotate your emergency kits and gear for colder weather. This is important since there are different survival requirements for cold weather. It is also a great opportunity to out your supplies and make sure that you keep your food fresh and ready to eat. You should switch out your clothes from summer clothes to winter clothes. Be sure to include several pairs of heavy socks, a heavy sweatshirt, warm pants and a coat. It is easier to stay warm if you dress in several layers of clothing, so you may want to plan to do that. winter clothes take up more room than summer ones, so you may need to adjust accordingly.  You may want to blankets to your emergency kits. This includes your car kit as well. You can buy blankets, which are stored in plastic zipper bags to keep them safe from the wear and tear.  Take a quick stock of your cooking and heating resources. Many winter emergencies involve a loss of power, so it is important to have a plan to keep your family warm. Eating warm food is also more appealing the winter so you will want to have cooking resources available as well. Here is more information on alternative heating and cooking sources.  You should teach yourself and your family how to survive out in winter weather. One fun way to do this is take a winter survival course as a family. This can be a fun family activity, and you will learn important skills to protect yourself.      Be prepared to deal with the first aid emergencies that can come with winter weather. Frostbite, chapped lips, and hypothermia are all conditions that can occur in cold weather. Know how to deal with these and when to get help.

November 13, 2009

Terrorism preparedness and kits were not viewed as important in the years before the 9/11 terrorist attack in New York. But right after the incident, people realized that bombings and chemical attacks from terrorists are a real threat not only in the US, but in other countries as well.

Now, you can never be too sure that you will be spared from a terrorist attack even if you live in the countryside. So, the best thing to do is to be prepared for anything, and that means having emergency kits.

All emergency kits, including terrorism preparedness and kits, should contain clean water and food that can last for at least three days and up to three or six months. Even if you get trapped inside your home, you and your family can at least survive for a considerable length of time while rescue is on its way. Aside from food and water, your terrorism emergency kits also need to protect you from the aftereffects of biological, chemical and even, nuclear attacks. You should not take any chances when it comes to your safety and that of your family.

So, what other items must be included in terrorism preparedness and kits? First, you need a gas mask and the accompanying filter cartridge. Make sure that your gas mask fits your face properly. It would even be better if you have a water canteen that can also be used with your gas mask, preferably the same as the ones used in the military. Next, you need to include protective suit, which can guard you from residues and other harmful traces of biological and nuclear attacks. To make sure that your hands and feet are also protected, you can look for boots and gloves that are thick and have silver shield to assure that harmful radiation can not permeate into your skin. If you have young kids, make sure that you have terrorism emergency kits prepared for them as well.

During emergencies like terrorist attacks, communication is very important. Thus, your terrorism preparedness and kits should also include a flashlight, preferably one that does not require batteries, and a crank transistor radio to allow you to know what is happening in the outside world. And apart from the terrorism emergency kits you have for everyone in your family, you should know what to do when the emergency comes. So, as early as now, it might be a good idea to read about survival techniques during terrorism emergencies in books or even in articles available on the Internet and get a basic emergency kit to start.

November 7, 2009
Preparation Brings Peace of Mind

In the wake of a disaster, confusion often reigns supreme. People are understandably shaken and unsure about the proper course of action to take. Mass chaos can result, which becomes dangerous in confined spaces. Large, unruly crowds present significant health risks: rioting might ensue, and slower people can even become trampled in the feverish attempt to escape a disaster zone.

The best defense against panic is to proceed with a calm attitude. If you prepare for the worst well in advance, you’ll have all of your supplies at the ready. And of course you’ll know exactly what to do when disaster strikes. Emergency preparedness planning lends you the peace of mind that means so much in the midst of a strange, dangerous situation.

November 4, 2009
Don’t Get Caught With the Wrong First Aid Kit

One of the biggest mistakes with emergency preparedness is that people think the purchase of the product is all that needs to be done for proper emergency preparation. But it’s definitely not enough just to purchase. As such, always make sure that you take home your emergency kit and open it up. Let everyone in the family see what’s included in the kit and ask any questions about how to use the items.

Opening up the kit before you need it for an actual emergency is always a good idea, because you don’t want to be caught with an inadequate cache of emergency supplies. You also want to make sure to add products to your generic emergency kit.  Add additional products such as survival blankets, water purifying tablets, and more.

November 1, 2009

triage kitsTriage is defined as the act of prioritizing patient according to the severity of their injuries. The idea behind a triage system is that it allows the medical personnel to treat as many patients as possible in situations where treating them is difficult due to situation, terrain, or shortage of medical personnel. Triage kits and their use are an essential part of the success of any triage operation.  You will want to obtain a basic triage kit to set up your operation.

A triage kit contains a number of items essential to any rescue and medical situation. Safety vests and colored tape to designate the different levels of severity of injury are just scratching the surface of triage kits and the use. The levels of a triage unit are generally minor, delayed, immediate and morgue/deceased. Those defined as having minor injuries obviously don’t need urgent help. Patients who are diagnosed as delayed can wait for transport to a hospital. Those diagnosed as immediate are taken to hospitals right away. For those morgue patients, body bags will be needed. Also included in a triage kit are a book on setting up your triage unit and how to perform common operations.

You will also want to obtain the tools necessary for quick and efficient CPR as well as a portable stretcher or two or three for easy and quick evacuation of the most seriously injured patients. Triage kits and their use are something most of us hope never to need. But imagine the moment arises that your community needs to set up an emergency triage unit and you’re able to help. Nothing will feel more fulfilling in that situation. Being able to contribute supplies such as your trauma kit or solar blankets to keep the patients warm in the field operation will be invaluable to your community in its time of need. 

In most cases of natural disaster situations such as earthquakes, non medical personal will find themselves involved in a type of triage known as S.T.A.R.T. which stands for simple triage and rapid treatment. This is simply designed to identify the injuries quickly and get the most seriously injured to hospitals for full care as soon as possible. That’s why it is important for volunteers to know the ins and outs using a triage kit.