Category: Disaster Planning
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What’s Your Plan B, C, and D?
I read an article last week titled What Are Your Plan B and C to Survive a Disaster? and I like the advice given very much. At minimum, I appreciate the thinking. Most folks, I’m afraid, don’t consider their survival needs much beyond, “I sure hope the power comes back on soon … my luncheons…
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Is 10-Year-Old Water Still Good?
The other day, my sister-in-law, Kristie, called me and asked if the stored water they kept in their 55-gallon water barrel was still good. It took me a moment to catch up with her and the conversation she’d already been having in her head about the topic, but apparently I’d given them a water barrel…
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Winter Storms: What You Need for Snow and Ice Emergencies
A few winters ago, a family living in a relatively mild climate assumed that their usual winter prep—mainly relying on space heaters and a thin stock of canned goods—would suffice for the season. But when a major winter storm hit their area, temperatures plummeted, and heavy snow caused widespread power outages. Their house quickly became…
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The 72-Hour Emergency Kit Guide
A few years ago, a family in the Midwest experienced the unexpected. Their town was hit by a devastating tornado, and within minutes, their home was severely damaged. The family survived the initial impact but found themselves completely unprepared for the days that followed. With roads blocked by debris, stores closed, and power outages that…
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Offline Entertainment Options During Power Outages
When the power goes out, life can grind to a halt—especially if we’re unprepared for the downtime. Many people think of preparedness in terms of gear, food, and water, but an often-overlooked aspect is how to keep minds engaged (especially children) during extended power outages. Let me be clear: a variety of offline entertainment options…
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Hurricane Helene – What Can We Learn?
Hurricane Helene, a category 4 hurricane, caused significant devastation across the southeastern U.S., with the death toll exceeding 100, though I’m sure that number will continue to rise. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper described the situation as “an unprecedented tragedy.” In Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp likened the destruction to a “bomb going off.” I can…
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Creating a Fire Escape Plan for Every Room in Your Home
Recently, a tragic house fire in Dagenham, London, highlighted the importance of having a well-prepared fire escape plan. Residents of a tower block woke to find their building engulfed in flames with no fire alarm to warn them and escape routes blocked. Many of the occupants shared that they wished they had planned more thoroughly…
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DIY Nuclear Fallout Shelter Bucket
This topic has been on my mind again recently. And, while the video below is about a year old, the advice is still valid. Unfortunately, his advice only works if (1) the blast is not very near you, (2) the strike is limited to a single warhead, and (3) you’re home when it happens! While…
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Debunking 5 Survival Myths: What You Really Need for Emergencies
When it comes to survival, there’s a ton of information out there — and not all of it is helpful. The internet is flooded with myths, misconceptions, and bad advice that could do more harm than good in a real emergency. As someone who has spent the last 15 years writing about and teaching survival…