Every Life Secure - Emergency Preparedness Blog

What Causes Most Fire Related Deaths? How Smoke Masks and Smoke Hoods Can Prevent More than 2000 Deaths Per Year.

According to the CDC (US Centers for Disease Control) "most victims of fires die from smoke or toxic gases and not from burns."  Some sources indicate that "inhalation injury from smoke and the noxious products of combustion in fires may account for as many as 60-80% of fire-related deaths in the US, many of which are preventable."

With approximately 2,755 people (not including firefighters) in the United State dying from fires each year, this means that over 2,000 people might be spared death each year if they were to have a smoke mask or smoke hood in the event of a fire.

Quite simply, smoke masks and smoke hoods can save lives in a fire.  No matter how quickly firefighters respond to a fire, the danger from smoke inhalation has already begun before they can arrive on the scene.  By the time smoke and toxic fumes begin to form and set off smoke detectors, people are already in danger. 

That's why it makes sense to have a smoke mask or smoke hood to give you time to safely exit a burning house, office, or other building.  Smoke and toxic fumes will often spread faster throughout a structure than the flames themselves.  This means that safe evacuation is often possible if one can just protect their breathing long enough to get out of the building and away from the smoke and toxic fumes caused by the fire.

In many cases the 15 minutes or so of protection provided by some smoke masks (eg. Xcaper Smoke Mask) may be adequate for safe escape.  In other cases, such as in a high rise or large facility, it may be important to have up to 30 minutes to escape.  Some smoke hoods (eg. IEvac Fire Escape Hood) provide this length of protection or more.

Some smoke mask kits also provide eye protection from smoke.  All Smoke hoods  provide eye protection and some smoke hoods provide a certain level of heat protection for the whole head.  Not all smoke hoods are of the same quality and protection level.  Make sure you are getting a lot more than a simple plastic bag with a filter.

In general, the more severe the potential fire and smoke environment one might anticipate, the more advisable it may be to have a smoke hood.  For less extreme environments, a smoke mask kit may prove adequate protection.

As fires may often be associated with wider disasters from terrorism or other man-made or even natural events (eg. earthquakes, hurricanes), one might also consider a combination evacuation kit.  Evacuation kits such as the !Extreme™ Disaster & Fire Evacuation Kit (80020) are designed to get you out of a fire safely and then to support you for up to three days in a more widespread disaster in which help may not be immediately available to all victims. 

A combination emergency evacuation kit helps you to cover all emergency bases and can be used in a non-fire emergency as well.  Such kits can make a lot of sense for use at home or at work and can be kept at one's bedside at home or in a desk drawer or office shelf at work.

No matter where you live or work, fire and the related smoke and toxic fumes are one of the greatest dangers you may face.  As with all emergencies, advanced preparation can often help avoid injuries or death and allow one to be calm when faced with a threatening situation.

As literally thousands of lives could be saved with the use of a smoke mask or smoke hood, its worth considering the purchase.  This is especially true as such protection can now be purhcased for less than $100.  Even very sophicated smoke hoods can be purchased for less than $200.  This puts such protection within the reach of most businesses and families.

While a smoke detector may be the key to an early alert in case of fire, a smoke hood or smoke mask may be the key to a quick and safe evacuation from a burning building.

Consider your risk and be sure to chose the smoke mask or smoke hood that is best suited for the potential risks where you live or work.  At LifeSecure we have chosen to carry the Xcaper smoke masks and IEvac Fire Escape Hoods as we consider them to be among the best and most user friendly fire evacuation protection devices in the industry.  Both of the these systems are well suited for quick and easy deployment in a fire evacuation.

Click here for more information on preparing to survive a fire.

Click here for more information on preparing to survive a wildfire.

Every Life Secure

MobileAid First Aid Flag Stands Head and Shoulders Above the Crowd in Any Emergency or Disaster

One of the most impressive (and surprising) features of a MobileAid Multi-Function Trauma First Aid station is it's first aid flag.  Carried in a compact side pouch, the first aid flag assembles in seconds on a shock cord system (just like modern tent poles) and stands 8 feet tall.

This 8 foot height means that the flag can be seen at a distance and over the heads of those who are potentially crowded around the station.  The flag can serve as a rallying point in an evacuation and as a clear marker to help people find emergency first aid in a severe disaster.

Though the MobileAid First Aid Flag is commonly deployed as part of the MobileAid Multi-Function Trauma First Aid Station, many are purchased for use separately.  Emergency responders appreciate the flag's clear and bold markings and the ease with which it can be deployed.  The whole deployment takes less than 10 seconds.

To deploy the flag, one simply removes it from the pouch, unfurls the flag, unfolds the segments of the pole while allowing them to snap together on the shock cord, and places the flag into a small slot in the pouch that is designed to hold the flag upright.

The light weight, compact flag is 17.5" x 12" when unfurled and the pole folds down to be only about  15" tall.  The pole is made of aluminum, and so it will not rust.

The instant first aid flag is just one of the many features that has earned the MobileAid system the nickname of the "Swiss Army Knife" of trauma first aid stations. 

With features like the first aid flag, integrated seat and gear platform, "stair-climbing" double wheels, and flexible stretcher (just to name a few) the nickname is well earned.

Every Life Secure

Trauma First Aid Contacts and Information at www.TraumaFirstAidKit.tel

What Should be in An Emergency Kit?

I have had the chance to teach numerous emergency preparedness seminars to community groups.  One of the key questions that I answer in these seminars is, "What should be in an emergency kit?"

Rather than just rattle off a list of supplies, I try to help the audience understand the "10 Basic Emergency Needs".  Once they understand these needs, they can better evaluate various options of emergency supplies that will meet their specific needs while passing the "CLAD Emergency Kit Test" (more about the "CLAD Emergency Kit Test" after the "10 Basic Needs").

The "10 Basic Needs" in an emergency or disaster are essentially the same that we have in our daily lives but which we tend to take for granted unless we come under some stress that causes us to struggle to meet them. 

For example, if we lose power or water due to an accident, storm, or other cause, most of us will begin almost immediately to feel inconvenienced.  Should the outage continue past a few hours, we would begin to scramble to find alternate ways to hydrate and feed ourselves, to stay warm or cool, or to maintain proper hygiene and sanitation.  We would then become more aware of the fact that there really are basic needs to be consistently met if we are to stay comfortable, safe, and healthy.

These "10 Basic Emergency Needs" to be met to keep us comfortable, safe and healthy in an emergency are:

• Emergency water
• Emergency food
• Breathing protection
• Trauma First Aid
• Shelter
• Warmth
• Communication
• Light
• Emergency tools
• Sanitation & hygiene

When I give these 72 hour emergency preparedness seminars, I like to play a game in which I have 10 participants each hold an item that might go in an emergency kit.  Each of these emergency preparedness items represents one of the 10 essential emergency needs.  So one person has a light stick, another a pouch of water, another a food bar, and so on. I then ask them to line up in order of the importance of their "basic need". 

It is always interesting and funny to watch the interaction as the participants each have different perspectives on what items are the most important in case of an emergency. Is it water, is it first aid, is it shelter?  

As we talk through various disaster scenarios, it quickly becomes apparent that the items of most importance depend on the specific emergency situation. If you are losing large amounts of blood due to a wound, you most need a bandage, not a pouch of water.  If you are uninjured but left outside in the heat of summer, you need a pouch of water, not a first aid dressing.  Because emergencies by their nature are not totally predicatable, it is important to have supplies from each category of the "10 Basic Emergency Needs" in your emergency kit. 

Having a feeling for the importance of all 10 basic needs helps people move beyond just filling a backpack by checking off a list to instead preparing a comprehensive emergency kit that they actually understand how to use.  If there is little thought put into the actual supplies and packing of the emergency kit, the likelihood is that it will fall short of meeting the person's specific needs.

Once the audience understands the "10 Basic Emergency Needs", we then talk about various kinds of emergency supplies that can help them meet these needs.  For example, when we discuss the need for light, we talk about light sticks, conventional flashlights, crank flashlights, lanterns and so forth.

As we discuss alternative supplies, I encourage the audience to use the "CLAD Emergency Kit Test" to guide them in choosing the emergency supplies that are most appropriate them. 

What is the "CLAD Emergency Kit Test"? Well, a dictionary.com definition of "CLAD" is "To cover with a protective or insulating layer of... material."  So, with your emergency kit, "Are you properly 'CLAD' to survive an emergency or disaster?" 

As we develop each LifeSecure emergency kit, (like the Extreme 30-Person Evacuation & Shelter-In-Place Kit pictured at the beginning of this post) we use the "CLAD Emergency Kit Test" to make sure that we are providing an emergency kit and supplies that balance and optimize four key attributes of a good emergency kit:

C - Compact - small enough to reasonably store and transport

L - Lightweight -light enough to be practically transported in difficult conditions by the person who plans to use it

A- All-Hazards equipped - comprehensive and versatile for use in any emergency; with each supply item being as multi-functional as possible

D- Durable - able to perform in the tough conditions that often accompany an emergency

If your emergency kit balances these four attributes well, you stand a better chance of successfully and comfortably surviving an emergency or disaster.  These attributes are especially important in an emergency or disaster that might require an evacuation.

So while you can find very helpful emergency kit supply list like this one from www.ready.gov ,it is important to do more than just throw the items on the list into a backpack.

My answer to the question, "What should be in an emergency kit?", is emergency supplies that:

1) meet all the "10 Basic Emergency Needs", and

2) that pass the "CLAD Emergency Kit Test."

Every Life Secure

Emergency Kit Information at www.EmergencyKit.tel

FEMA Emergency Kit Guidelines Information at www.FEMA.tel

What About Emergency Preparedness Gifts for the Holidays?

LifeSecure.com Holiday Gift Section

As you consider giving meaningful gifts this holiday season, think about helping family and friends be secure in any emergency or disaster.  As relatively few people are fully prepared with emergency kits and supplies, you can be sure that your gift will be appreciated.

Each holiday season, many people look to LifeSecure to provide them with emergency preparedness gifts for their friends and family.  Our broad range of emergency preparedness solutions offers gifts to cover the similarly broad range of holiday gift giving needs -- from stocking stuffers to large gifts.  We can help you with a gift for everyone on your holiday list.

Each holiday season we offer a specially selected list of emergency preparedness gifts in our Holiday Gift Section on www.LifeSecure.com.

This season we are introducing our new LS Extreme Disaster Gear line.  LS Extreme Disaster Gear products are a great choice for those on your list who will appreciate emergency gear designed to go "beyond the basics" to prepare them for extreme disasters.

For those for whom nothing but the very best emergency response kits and supplies will do, MobileAid is your best possible gift choice.  You can find the full line of MobileAid Emergency Response products at our newest website, www.Mobile-Aid.com.

Have a safe and secure holiday, and consider helping everyone on your gift list to do the same.

On-Site Emergency Responders & Safety Personnel Can Now ... Be the First Responder!

 
With the launch of www.Mobile-Aid.com, on-site emergency responders and safety personnel now have easy on-line access to the full range of MobileAid Emergency Response products from LifeSecure.  MobileAid provides these safety professionals with superior quick-response mobile stations that include comprehensive trauma first aid and emergency supplies.  With compact MobileAid stations, on-site safety personnel can quickly and effectively deliver the best possible first care in any  
emergency or disaster.

In an emergency, precious minutes can be lost waiting for outside responders to arrive.  While it's important to immediately contact emergency authorities (dial 911), trained on-site responders with the right MobileAid equipment can respond immediately, effectively, and with confidence.  In a severe emergency or disaster help may actually be hours or days away.  Every facility needs to have safety personnel trained in basic first aid and emergency response procedures to ensure that they can meet their own immediate emergency needs.

Click into www.Mobile-Aid.com and let us know what you think of our expanding line of MobileAid Emergency Response products.

Be the first responder!

How to Prepare for a Possible Swine Flu (H1N1) Pandemic

With confirmed cases of the H1N1 swine flu continuing to spread throughout the world, government leaders walking the fine line of being "concerned, but not panicked", and scientists telling us that it is "too early" to know if the outbreak will become a global pandemic, it is a good time to make sure we have a basic understanding of how to prepare in case the swine flu does become a serious pandemic.

It is not a time to panic (this actually never helps), but it is a time to make sure that we are prepared.

In this article, I will answer 6 basic questions about pandemics and preparing for them: 

1) What is the threat from pandemic flu?

2) How serious could it be when pandemic flu hits?

3) How can I prepare for such an event?

4) What supplies will help me be prepared?

5) How can LifeSecure help me to prepare?

6) How can I find a government guide to preparing for pandemic flu?

1) What is the threat from pandemic flu?
For the past few years, scientists and governments worldwide have been urging individuals, families, and businesses to prepare for the possibility of a flu pandemic.   They have made it clear that the question as it relates to a pandemic is "when", not "if".

The U.S Government warns:
“An influenza (flu) pandemic is a widespread outbreak of disease that occurs when a new flu virus appears that people have not been exposed to before. Pandemic flu spreads easily from person to person and can cause serious illness because people do not have immunity to the new virus.

“A pandemic may come and go in waves, each of which can last for months at a time. Everyday life could be disrupted due to people in communities across the country becoming ill at the same time. These disruptions could include everything from school and business closings to interruption of basic services such as public transportation and health care. An especially severe influenza pandemic could lead to high levels of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss.” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

2) How serious could it be when pandemic flu hits?
Experts warn that such an outbreak of pandemic flu could have very serious effects.

“The Department of Homeland Security views pandemic flu as both the most likely and the most lethal of all threats facing the United States.” (John M Barry, New York Times Best Seller, The Great Influenza, The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History, 2005)

“When a pandemic starts, everyone around the world could be at risk.”

“In the last century there were three influenza pandemics. All of them were called pandemics because of their worldwide spread and because they were caused by a new influenza virus.

The 1918 pandemic was especially severe. The 1968 pandemic (Hong Kong flu) was the least severe, causing about the same number of deaths as the United States experiences every year with seasonal flu.

• 1918-1919 Most severe, caused at least 500,000 U.S. deaths and up to 40 million deaths worldwide.
• 1957-1958 Moderately severe, caused at least 70,000 U.S. deaths and 1-2 million deaths worldwide.
• 1968-1969 Least severe, caused at least 34,000 U.S. deaths and 700,000 deaths worldwide” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

The U.S. Government currently estimates that a severe pandemic could cause illness in up to 90 million Americans (30% of the population) and result in up to 1.9 million U.S. deaths. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

History shows us that, in addition to its lethal effects, a severe pandemic flu can be expected to cause widespread economic and social disruption. “A pandemic would touch every aspect of society.” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

When talking about these types of events, it is typical to hear a lot of numbers. But in a world in which "trillions" sound like just so many paltry "millions" stuck together, it may help to put these numbers in further perspective.  Here are the some numbers that I present in preparedness seminars, and that seem to help people understand how serious a pandemic may become:

Numbers of Deaths:

US Civil War: 620,000

World War I: 15,000,000

1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic: 40,000,000 - 100,000,000

World Ward II: 62,000,000

Potential Severe Pandemic Today: 150,000,000

So the last very severe pandemic may have killed more people than all of WWI and WWII combined.  And a severe pandemic today would likely kill more people than all the wars fought anywhere in the world in the past several centuries.

3) How can I prepare for such an event?
“The effects of a pandemic can be lessened if preparations are made ahead of time. The benefits of preparation will be many. Preparation will bring peace of mind and the confidence that we are ready to fight a flu pandemic.” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

In preparing for a flu pandemic, it may be helpful to think about three guiding principles.  You need to prepare to: Isolate Yourself, Protect Yourself, Treat Yourself.

Isolate Yourself: The best way to avoid infection is to isolate yourself from environments and other people that might be infected.  This may mean staying home and away from others (some experts say for 8 weeks or more in a severe pandemic).  In a severe pandemic, public officials can be expected to order widespread quarantines (so it may be illegal to leave your home except under emergency circumstances).

We are seeing this attempt to keep people isolated from one another as officials close schools, zoos and museums; cancel church services; require that sporting events be played without spectators; and consider closing subways and other forms of public transportation.

Protect Yourself:  Should it become necessary to go into public places despite a pandemic situation, it will be critical to protect yourself from infectious germs.  History shows that it will not be seen as unusual for people to be wearing face masks, vinyl gloves, eye shields, and other protective clothing in such a situation.  Your care to protect yourself may keep you from getting the flu and from spreading it to others.

In areas where the flu has already spread to large numbers of people, it is common for people to use respirators (face masks).  In Mexico the army passed out over 4 million masks to citizens on the subway and in other public venues in just one weekend.

Treat Yourself:  Experts have made it clear that, in a severe pandemic, local hospitals and other medical facilities can be expected to quickly fill to well beyond their capacities.  This can happen in a matter of days.  This may cause you to have to treat yourself or members of the family at home.  In such a case, it will be important to be prepared with basic home treatments for various common flu symptoms: fever, cough, runny nose, and muscle pain.  These symptoms may be much more severe and complications more serious than with normal seasonal flu.

For further information on preparing for a pandemic, visit the federal government's official Web site at www.pandemicflu.gov.

Another source for information on pandemic influenza is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Hotline at: 1–-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636). This line is available in English and Spanish, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TTY: 1-888-232-6348. Questions can be e-mailed to cdcinfo@cdc.gov.

4) What supplies will help me be prepared?
The U.S. Government makes the following suggestions for supplies that may help you prepare for a pandemic (Pandemic Influenza Planning: A Guide for Individuals and Families)

Supply of water and food. During a pandemic you may not be able to get to a store. Even if you can get to a store, it may be out of supplies. Public waterworks services may also be interrupted.  Store foods that are nonperishable (will keep for a long time) and don’t require refrigeration, are easy to prepare in case you are unable to cook, and require little or no water (so you can conserve water for drinking).

Prescription medications and medical supplies such as glucose and blood-pressure monitoring equipment.

Nonprescription drugs and other health supplies, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, anti-diarrheal medication, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins. Also stock medicines and supplies for fevers such as thermometers and acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Flashlights, portable radio, and batteries

Manual can opener (if storing canned food)

Garbage bags

Tissues, toilet paper, and disposable diapers

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) also recommends the use of N95 face masks, vinyl gloves, eye protection, and hand and surface sanitizers when there is a risk of contact with the germs that may cause swine flu or bird flu.

For the full list of supplies and suggestions for preparation for pandemic flu, visit www.pandemicflu.gov. 

5) How can LifeSecure help me to prepare?
LifeSecure carries many INFECTION PROTECTION products designed help protect you against the spread of infectious germs.  Click here to see our full line of pandemic infection protection kits and supplies.

6) How can I find a government guide to preparing for pandemic flu?
A government guide for pandemic flu preparation (Pandemic Influenza Planning: A Guide for Individuals and Families) is available from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at www.pandemicflu.gov/planguide/

The U.S. Government provides extensive pandemic flu information for families, workplaces and schools at www.pandemicflu.gov.

Prepare Now for a Potential Pandemic

Pandemic flu is one of those dangerous events for which each of us should be prepared.  The steps to prepare are relatively simple.  You can start now by making sure you have enough supplies to isolate yourself at home for up to 8 weeks, adequate medications to treat yourself at home should you become ill,  and the right supplies to protect yourself from infection should you have to be in a public place when the risk of infection is elevated.

Every Life Secure

Pandemic Flu Information at www.PandemicFlu.tel

10 Basic Emergency Needs: "What Emergency Tools do I Need?"

Emergency tools are one of the "10 Basic Emergency Needs" that each of us should consider when preparing for any emergency or disaster.  The complete list of 10 emergency basics includes water, food, breathing protection, First Aid, shelter, warmth, communication, light, tools, and sanitation & hygiene.

Effective response to many emergency situations requires some form of physical labor.  Very often, tools will be necessary to accomplish emergency tasks successfully and safely.

While a wide variety of tools (including power tools) may ultimately be used in response to a disaster or emergency, I'll focus on basic tools that one might reasonably carry in their emergency kit or store with their emergency supplies.  Given that these basic tools would potentially need to "travel", it will be important that any tool you select meets the "CLAD" test I discuss elsewhere in this emergency preparedness blog, and is thus (1) lightweight, (2) compact, (3) multifunctional, and (4) durable. 

Tools that don't meet these tests (e.g. chainsaws, generators, etc) may indeed prove very helpful and might be a very good thing to have on hand, but a discussion of their merit will be left for future postings.  For now, we will focus on "portable" tools.

The first step in selecting the emergency tools that are right for you, is to consider the types of emergencies that are common to your specific geography.  As you identify these potential events, think about the types of emergency scenarios they might create that would cause you to have need of tools.  Successful response to most disasters will likely require one or more of the following emergency activities (1) evacuation, (2) protection of self and/or property (3) search & rescue, and (4) survival living.

Before covering the types of tools that may be important for each type of emergency activity, I would suggest that one tool should be at the top of the list for any emergency or disaster: work gloves.  I find that my ability to perform manual tasks is greatly improved when I have a pair of sturdy work gloves.  This is why I consider work gloves to be a "tool" in and of themselves.  When used alone, work gloves provide protection from injury and pain that can limit one's ability to complete manual tasks.  When used with other tools, they often allow the application of greater strength and leverage to the job.  A sturdy pair of leather palm gloves is inexpensive and can be a very effective tool for many emergency tasks.

Now let's consider four types of emergency activities that may require the use of emergency tools:

Emergency Evacuation Tools

The goal in an evacuation is to "get out and away."  In some scenarios one's exit from a house, apartment, or building may be blocked by jammed doors or fallen debris.  This can often be the case in earthquakes, tornadoes, fires, hurricanes, etc.  My favorite tool for use in this type of scenario is the 4-in-1 Emergency Tool.  This tool was designed by professional firefighters specifically to pry open jammed doors and remove debris created by a catastrophic event.  This 4-in-1 Emergency Tool is an excellent example of one that meets the "CLAD" test as it is lightweight (about 1 lb.), compact (only 11 inches long), multifunctional (can also be used to turn of gas and water lines), durable (tough heat treated metal alloy that won't spark or rust).

This type of a tool may make the difference in your ability to successfully exit a structure and avoid injury or death.  There are many scenarios in which one's bare hands will not be adequate to complete a successful evacuation.

Emergency Tools for Personal and Property Protection

Avoiding or limiting personal injury and property damage is one of the highest priorities in a disaster. Therefore, one of the most important types of tools to have is one that helps to protect you and your property.  This often means being able to turn off utilities.  In earthquakes and various types of storms including hurricanes and tornadoes, gas and water lines can be broken.  This damage can threaten additional damage to property and may even be life threatening.

Shutting off the natural gas in a disaster may help avert an explosion that could injure or kill you and others as well as destroy your home or office and start a fire that can spread to other structures.  The POGO (Pry Off, Gas Off) Pry Bar is a very effective emergency tool for turning off the gas at the meter. I like this tool because it is tough yet lightweight (1.25 lbs. - manganese steel), compact (only 15 inches long so it fits in most backpacks), and multifunctional (can also be used for a variety of prying applications). 

Like the POGO (Pry Off, Gas Off) Pry bar, the 4-in-1 Emergency Tool can be used to turn off the gas, but it also turns off the water main and can help to stop flooding in the event that water lines break and that water cannot be turned off using the regular turn-off valve.

Emergency Search and Rescue Tools

All major disasters involve some type of operations to help find and rescue those who may be trapped or incapacitated in some way by the event.  It is very common for average citizens to end up working side-by-side with professional responders or to have to conduct these operations on their own in the absence of emergency response professionals.  

In search and rescue operations, emergency tools that can be used to pry open doors, pry off fallen materials, and clear or break through debris may be essential to reaching and freeing a victim.  In too many instances we have seen that survivors are left to use just their bare hands to perform these functions.  This limits their ability to help others after a disaster. 

Emergency tools like the POGO (Pry Off, Gas Off) Pry Bar and the 4-in-1 Emergency Tool can be used for several prying and debris removal activities.  A shovel can also prove very helpful in removing debris or digging under them to reach and release trapped victims.  The 6-in-1 Survival Shovel Emergency Tool is a good multifunction shovel for such functions.  I find it to be an excellent companion emergency tool to either the POGO Pry Bar or the 4-In-1 Emergency Tool.  Once again, this tool is compact, lightweight, durable and multifunctional.  It includes a shovel, hatchet, saw, hammer, nail puller and even a can opener.

Emergency Tools for Survival Living

Finally, one should consider what tools might be needed should they have to live outdoors (or at least away from traditional shelter) for a period of time.  Not everyone who is forced to leave their home ends up in a comfortable Red Cross shelter within the first 24 hours of a disaster.  Therefore, each emergency kit should have simple tools that might be used to "set up camp". 

Certainly a tool that help one build or clear ground, set up shelter, cut or chop firewood, etc. might become very valuable in a scenario in which one must provide their own "survival living area" for even a day or two.  Here again an emergency tool similar to the 6-in-1 Survival Shovel Emergency Tool would be very helpful.

One might also consider the need for basics like a knife, pliers, screwdrivers, can opener, etc.  The need for such smaller, yet equally important tools, can often be met with a hand held multifunction tool such as this 14-in-1 Multifunction Emergency Tool.  This is a basic for various needs around the "survival camp".  While I won't cover cooking utensils in this article, a handheld multifunction tool can help meet many of the needs one might have around the "camp kitchen" should they be equipped with less than adequate cooking utensils.

What Emergency Tools do I Need?

So, "what emergency tools do you need?"  Well, each of us needs simple tools that can help us to (1) evacuate safely, (2) protect ourselves and our property, (3) aid in search and rescue efforts, and (4) live in an outdoor survival situation.  These tools should be (1) lightweight, (2) compact, (3) multifunction, and (4) durable. 

Where do you start?  Make sure to have a good pair of work gloves for every member of the family.  Beyond that, consider what you can carry.  It is usually not too difficult to have each family member carry at least one emergency tool.  In a real disaster, you'll be thankful you have the proper emergency tools to help you be secure.

Every Life Secure

How do we prepare for earthquakes? Lessons from the L'Aquila, Italy Earthquake

Unfortunately, we have seen once again the destructive power of earthquakes in the latest tragic tremor (6.3 on the Richter Scale) in L'Aquila in central Italy.  As of this writing, over 150 people are believed dead with 1,500 or more injured.  With some 10,000 to 15,000 buildings damaged or destroyed, over 100,000 people have been left homeless.

Some takeaways from this tragedy in Italy are:

Disasters can happen at any time of day.  This quake occurred at 3:32 a.m., so most were caught in their sleep -- at their most vulnerable.  The stories emerging speak of many fleeing in their pajamas and barely making it out of their houses and apartments as they crumbled around them.  This speaks to such easy preparedness steps as having a pair of shoes or slippers at your bedside, a light source (light stick or flash light) handy, and a robe or some other covering close by to grab for warmth in case of a need to evacuate without warning.  It also speaks to having your emergency supplies were they can be easily grabbed as you exit your home or workplace.

Basic services were immediately disrupted.  It is clear from images of damaged streets and infrastructure that water, sewer and electricity were instantly cut off to many homes.  As I viewed images of regular citizens helping in the rescue efforts (digging through debris with their bare hands), I noticed one young man with a military style canteen strapped around his waist.  I realized that he was probably among the few that was prepared to hydrate himself during the initial hours of response.  I was reminded that without emergency supplies on hand, we may be left without survival basics for hours, days or longer after a major disaster.

Don't expect the government to be able to immediately respond to your basic needs. One civil protection official was quoted as saying that the key priority was to provide shelter for everyone by nightfall.  One can only imagine the challenge of trying to shelter over 100,000 people "by nightfall".  One can also image that attempts to provide food, water, and sanitation facilities would be less than 100% successful, at least in the short-term. 

Access to basic tools will allow you to aid in rescue efforts.  As video images show many people working with their bare hands to assist professional responders in clearing rubble in an attempt to find survivors, it is apparent that they lack no willingness to do all they can to help rescue others. It is also clear that simple tools and supplies like gloves, shovels, picks, sledgehammers, axes, etc could significantly aid their efforts.  Having your own basic emergency tools will significantly increase your usefulness should you remain among the able-bodied people who survive the disaster.

Medical facilities may not be immediately available to treat injuries.  Sections of the main hospital in L'Aquila had to be evacuated because they were at risk of collapsing in the aftershocks.  People were being treated on the street and in the hospital courtyard.  Many bloodied victims had to await treatment as the facilities and personnel that were available were overwhelmed by the massive need for medical attention.  Each of us should think about having basic first aid supplies on hand to stop bleeding, help someone to start breathing again, splint a broken limb, etc. 

Obviously, basic training in first aid, CPR, and other skills will be invaluable as we help our own families, neighbors and others in the absence of immediate professional medical attention after a disaster.  Be aware that many basic home first aid kits are designed for minor day to day "cuts and scrapes" and provide little to help in more advanced, yet basic life saving situations.  Trauma first aid kits and supplies will be of greater help in a true disaster.  I keep a lot of trauma bandages and supplies on hand at home as even untrained individuals can help stop bleeding if they just have the right basic supplies.  I also figure that I can help resupply professionals if supplies of such basics as blood stopping bandages run low in the initial hours of response.

Here are some links that provide more information on how to prepare for an earthquake and how to respond if you are hit by one:

Selected information from Are You Ready?, FEMA

CDC - Earthquakes - Before, During, After

The greatest lesson from every disaster we witness around the world is that the time to prepare to be secure in an emergency or disaster is BEFORE one strikes.  No measures taken after the fact will fully compensate for lack of preparation before the event.

What are you doing to be prepared for an earthquake or other disaster?  If you are already prepared, how can you encourage and help others to be prepared at home, at work, at school, or on-the-go? 

Comment or email me to let me know what you are doing to help make "Every Life Secure" (even your own).

Every Life Secure - over 190,000 Lives Secured and counting...

Undersea Volcano Erupts Off Tonga Coast - A Reminder of The Need to Be Prepared in the U.S.

The spectacular eruption of an undersea volcano off the coast of Tonga on March 18, 2009 reminds us that we have 169 volcanoes of our own in the United States.  18 of those are considered to be "Highly Dangerous".

It is estimate that about 500 million people live near one of the 1,500 active volcanoes in the world.

Anyone who lives within a hundred miles of a potentially active volcano should make special emergency preparations.  In addition to having a well stocked portable emergency kit to use in case of the need for evacuation or to shelter in place, people living near volcanoes should consider having additonal supplies that would be particularly helpful in the case of an eruption:

- several respirators (good quality dust masks) to protect breathing

- goggles to keep dust and ash out of the eyes

Here are some more tips for surviving a volcanic eruption and its aftermath.

No matter where we live, every one of us needs to be prepared with a minimum of three days worth of emergency survival supplies.  Those who live near volcanoes have one addtional reason to prudently prepare for a potential disaster.  Thanks, Tonga, for the reminder....

Every Life Secure

Emergency Kit - Does Your Emergency Kit Pass the "CLAD" Test? Is it Compact...?

When evaluating your existing emergency kit or considering the components for a new one, you may want to make sure that your kit passes the "CLAD" Test.  

A dictionary.com definition of "CLAD" is "To cover with a protective or insulating layer of... material."  So, with your emergency kit, "Are you properly 'CLAD' to survive an emergency or disaster?" 

Or as we might say, "Does your emergency kit have you covered?"

At LifeSecure we use the "CLAD" Test to evaluate our emergency kit designs (like the Grab-and-Go 1-Person 3-Day Emergency Kit pictured above) to make sure that we are providing an emergency kit and supplies that balance and optimize four key attributes of a good emergency kit:

C - Compact - small enough to reasonably store and transport

L - Lightweight -light enough to be practically transported in difficult conditions by the person who plans to use it

A- All-Hazards equipped - comprehensive and versatile for use in any emergency; with each supply item being as multi-functional as possible

D- Durable - able to perform in the tough conditions that often accompany an emergency

If your emergency kit has the proper balance of these four attributes, you stand a better chance of more successfully and comfortably surviving an emergency or disaster.  These attributes become especially important in any emergency that might require an evacuation from your home or office.

In this first part of a four part series, I'll discuss the importance of making sure your supplies and your emergency kit are compact. 

I was helping a woman on the phone one day as she selected emergency supplies for her family.  After listening to her give me a long list of what she wanted, I asked her a simple question, "How do you intend to carry all of these supplies if you should end up on foot?"  When we discussed the bulk of the total supplies she wanted, she realized that there was not a practical way for her and her husband to carry all these supplies and bring along their two young children.  We pared down her list and ended up with a 72 hour emergency kit solution that was more compact and that better met the practical needs of her family.

The key to keeping an emergency kit compact and manageable, while still making sure that all essential survival needs are met, is making sure that the supplies in the kits are compact.  Two emergency supply items come to mind as excellent examples of this principle. 

The first is a new emergency supply that has just been introduced to the market: the compacted Emergency EZ Towel. 

These compacted emergency towels are activated with a few drops of water, turning the small towel tablet into a 9" x 12" towel for use in emergency sanitation, hygiene, and First Aid (wound cleaning).  These Emergency EZ Towels take the place of a large towel or multiple washcloths.  They are disposable and bio-degradable.

The towels comes in a waterproof tube of 10 towel tablets.  The compact tube is not much bigger than a roll of quarters. 

This video clearly illustrates the compact nature of this product.  A small roll of compacted towels can save a lot of space when compared with the room that a full towel or multiple washcloths might take in a backpack or duffel bag.

The second example of a compact supply is a traditional emergency basic found in most emergency supply kits: the emergency thermal blanket.  This metalized foil blanket measures just 5" x 2.5" x 1" (that's about the size of a man's wallet) when folded but expands to cover 84" x 52" in use.  This compact blanket provides warmth (retains and reflects up to 90 of body heat), a waterproof and windproof shelter barrier, and a covering to help reduce shock when someone is injured.

Emergency thermal blankets have several qualities that, in an emergency, are actually superior to those of regular blankets, and they take up a fraction of the space.  Many traditional blankets would fill almost an entire backpack, leaving room for little else.  So for emergency use, this supply gets high marks for being compact and versatile.

  In addition to choosing compact supplies like those detailed above, it is important to properly size your emergency kits to fit the storage space that you can practically devote to it.  For example, many people may find it difficult to fit a whole backpack in their office or workstation at work.  This doesn't mean that you can't store the essential personal basic supplies to last up to 72 hours. 

Compact kits like the Personal 3-Day Emergency Response Kit or the Personal Grab-and-Go 3-Day Emergency Kit can easily be stored in a desk drawer, on a shelf, or in a cabinet.  While these kits may not be as extensive as a full 72 hour emergency kit in a backpack, they will give you the basics for survival in a very compact storage and transport solution.

When considering supplies for your emergency kits, make sure that you consider products that are compact.  In doing so you'll be able to include emergency supplies that meet all your essential emergency needs without needing a bag or other container that is so big that it is difficult to store or impractical to transport.

What are some of your favorite compact supplies for including in an emergency kit?  Is there something bulky for which you have found a more compact substitute?

Every Life Secure

Ready.gov - A Key Emergency Preparedness Resource

When I first started LifeSecure in early 2005 (Pre-Katrina), it was quickly apparent that www.Ready.gov was a key resource for helping the public prepare for an emergency at home, at work, at school, or on-the-go.  Yet, it was also clear at that time that the information it contained was not always clear and sometimes just plain very confusing.  For example, Ready.gov would have two different lists of supplies to have in a 72 Hour Emergency kit.  The lists did not exactly match, so one was left to wonder which to use.  The site was difficult to navigate and less than engaging.

I have been very pleased to see the major steps forward taken in updating and improving the site and its resources.  Above is just one of the latest resources that Ready.gov has come out with.  It is a widget with several types of helpful information regarding emergency preparedness.  I found out about this new widget while reading the blog www.incaseofemergencyblog.com by John Solomon.  This blog follows all things Homeland Security. 

As John says in his blog:

The widget provides users “with updates on emergency situations, local emergency contact information, an instructional video, emergency kit checklists and guidelines on how to better prepare for an emergency. Users can also access a clickable map to find contact information for state and local government agencies, where they can learn more about specific emergency information in their communities. Additionally, the widget helps users stay up-to-date on the latest Ready activities through Twitter news feeds (by following the user name “ReadydotGov”). The widget can be posted to social networking profiles, blogs, wikis and personal homepages.”

The widget along with some other preparedness tools can be found on the Ready/Ad Council “Be Prepared” page:

Thanks, John for pointing us to another helpful resource from a much improved www.Ready.gov.

EveryLifeSecure.com
An Emergency Preparedness Blog helping to make "Every Life Secure" in any emergency or disaster... at home, work, school, or on-the-go.

LifeSecure.com
An Emergency Preparedness website offering emergency kits and emergency supplies to help keep people secure in any emergency or disaster... at home, work, school or on-the-go.  Over 170,000 Lives Secured!

What Do You Do During a Tornado? How Can You Be Safe Wherever You Are?

LifeSecure.com

I awoke this morning to the news of another deadly tornado.  This one was in Oklahoma and claimed 8 lives and destroyed numerous buildings.  I wondered,"How many tornadoes hit in the U.S. every year?"  Answer: Over 1,200.

Then I wondered, "Which states get hit the most by tornadoes?" Answer: The Tornado Alley states of Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and South Dakota.

How about, "Where have the most deadly tornadoes hit?" Answer: Mississippi, Missouri, Wisconsin, Indiana, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas, Michigan, Kansas, Illinois, Iowa, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Arkansas, and Maryland.

The deadliest tornado of all time killed 689 people along a 219 mile long track in 1925.

So, "Is there any state in the U.S. that is completely safe from tornadoes?" Answer:  No.  Sorry, every US state including Hawaii has experienced tornadoes.  So, no matter which state you live in, its important to know what to do during a tornado.

As I further researched Tornadoes, I saw a video clip of two storm chasers in Iowa taking a direct hit from a tornado while in their car last year (this same tornado killed 4 in a boy scout camp).  These guys stayed in their car and filmed the whole event. I thought, "Aren't you suppose to get out of the car and lie flat in a ditch?"

It's been a while since I last read about what to do in a tornado, so I decided it was time for review.  Hopefully you will find my tornado response review helpful.

Here is what the US Government (FEMA) tells us to do:

If you are in "a structure (e.g. residence, small building, school, nursing home, hospital, factory, shopping center, high-rise building) - Go to a pre-designated shelter area such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar, or the lowest building level. If there is no basement, go to the center of an interior room on the lowest level (closet, interior hallway) away from corners, windows, doors, and outside walls. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck. Do not open windows."

OK, so forget the old advice to open windows "so your house doesn't explode."

If you are in "a vehicle, trailer, or mobile home - Get out immediately and go to the lowest floor of a sturdy, nearby building or a storm shelter. Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes.

No mention of getting out to "lie down in a ditch."  The guys on the video I saw were out of luck because there were no nearby buildings.

If you are "outside with no shelter - Lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands. Be aware of the potential for flooding.

Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location.

Never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas in a car or truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter.

Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries."

OK, so there is my "lie in a ditch" advice.  But I'm still not clear on if you are out in the open with no chance to get to a building, do you stay inside the car or jump out and lie in a ditch?  ...Ah, here we go.  The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) has the answer:

"On the Road

The least desirable place to be during a tornado is in a motor vehicle. Cars, buses, and trucks are easily tossed by tornado winds.

DO NOT TRY TO OUTRUN A TORNADO IN YOUR CAR. If you see a tornado, stop your vehicle and get out. Do not get under your vehicle. Follow the directions for seeking shelter outdoors (see next section).

Outdoors

If you are caught outside during a tornado and there is no adequate shelter immediately available--

• Avoid areas with many trees.
• Avoid vehicles.
• Lie down flat in a gully, ditch, or low spot on the ground.
• Protect your head with an object or with your arms."

Got it!  Bottom line is don't stay in the car.  Get to a sturdy building (never go under an overpass for protection) or if this is not possible, do the "lie in a ditch" thing.

It's hard to remember exactly what to do in every disaster situation, but reading official recommendations periodically, talking with your family about them, and practicing things like where you would go and what you would do at home to protect yourself in case of a tornado are steps that take little effort but could help you and your family survive.

Here are some good links for further information and preparation.

Selected Information from Tornadoes - Are You Ready?: FEMA
During a Tornado - CDC (this had some good detailed information I did not find elsewhere)
Tornado Terms
Before a Tornado
During a Tornado
After a Tornado

If you have survived a tornado (it's one disaster not on my personal list) please email me your secure survivor story so we can share it with our readers: dscott@lifesecure.com.  If you have read some other good tornado advice, please comment below.

EveryLifeSecure.com
An Emergency Preparedness Blog helping to make "Every Life Secure" in any emergency or disaster... at home, work, school, or on-the-go.

LifeSecure.com
An Emergency Preparedness website offering emergency kits and emergency supplies to help keep people secure in any emergency or disaster... at home, work, school or on-the-go.  Over 170,000 Lives Secured!

How to Prepare for a Wildfire - Australian Wildfire Tragedy Reminds us of the Need to be Ready

LifeSecure.com

As a boy, I lived for two and a half years in Sydney, Australia with my family.  I went to kindergarten, first grade and half of second grade in an Australian public school (uniform with a tie, shorts, knee socks and all).  I had a great natural Australian accent (which I eventually lost).  I was pretty much an "Australian" kid for my few years there (although I could never quite bring myself to try Vegemite). 

Because of my time there, as an "Australian" I have a love for Australia and its people.  Perhaps that's why it made me sick to read of the 135+ people killed there in the last few days in dozens of wildfires that literally wiped out whole towns and killed people in their homes and in cars and on the street as they fled the inferno.  This is the deadliest disaster in Australian history.  See the most recent report I read.

What makes it worse is that some of the more than dozen bushfires that engulfed more than 750 homes are thought to have been purposely set.  That is just so sick. 

After years of drought and a run of temperatures as high as 117 degrees Fahrenheit, the high winds (up to 60 miles per hour) swept the walls of fire so quickly that many just didn't have time to escape.  As I have read some of the miraculous escape stories that are now emerging from survivors, it at least reminds me that there are things that can be done to prepare now to survive such a horrible experience.

Given the much publicized California wildfires of last year and the continuing drought conditions in many areas of the West and elsewhere, it makes sense for those who live in risk areas to think now about how to prepare for potential wildfires.  Here are some links that may help in that wildfire preparation:

Selected information on Wildfire Preparation from Are You read?,FEMA.
Prepare for a Wildfire
Before a Wildfire
During a Wildfire
After a Wildfire

As FEMA encourages in its wildfire information, "Always be ready for an emergency evacuation.  Evacuation may be the only way to protect your family in a wildfire.  Know where to go and what to bring with you." In line with this advice, here are a few suggestions that may help:

• Make sure you have a 72-Hour Emergency Evacuation Kit ready to go at a moments notice

• Be sure to keep copies of important documents in this emergency kit

• Consider having a smoke mask and goggles or fire hood to protect you from smoke as you evacuate.  For more information on smoke masks and fire hoods, see my previous post on Fire Preparedness - Smoke masks and Fire Hoods Can Save Lives)

Here is a full list of LifeSecure products that may help you prepare for a wildfire.

If you live an area that might be impacted by a wildfire, please take some time to prepare now.  Though such preparation might not have saved all those who perished in the Australian bushfires, it may have made a difference for some.  Certainly emergency preparation can saves lives and at the very least can lessen the discomfort and loss experienced in a disaster such as a wildfire.

EveryLifeSecure.com
An Emergency Preparedness Blog helping to make "Every Life Secure" in any emergency or disaster... at home, work, school, or on-the-go.

LifeSecure.com
An Emergency Preparedness website offering emergency kits and emergency supplies to help keep people secure in any emergency or disaster... at home, work, school or on-the-go.  Over 170,000 Lives Secured!

Earthquake Preparedness - POGO (Pry Off Gas Off) Combination Gas Shut-Off Tool and Pry Bar

The other day I was hustling indoors from 15 degree weather when I about ran into my wife heading out the garage door with a post-it note and a pen.  When I found out she was going out to the gas meter (through 6 inches of snow) to take a reading and contest our gas bill because it was so high last month (turns out record low temperatures will do that), I volunteered to do it for her.  After pushing back the bushes, kneeling in the snow, clearing off the frigid (now mostly dead) ivy that had grown over the meter and straining to read the ridiculously small little dials (I had to turn my head almost upside down to see them), I wondered why I had been so quick to volunteer.

One thing it reminded me of was the need to have a good gas shut-off tool handy to turn off the natural gas in case of a leak caused by some kind of disaster.  In our area, that could likely be an earthquake.  Read my post on the potential for earthquakes in the Central USA.  If you suspect a gas leak after a natural or man-made disaster (smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise), open a window, quickly get everyone out, turn off the gas (use the outside main valve if possible), and call the utility company from a neighbor's phone.  This action can avert a potentially deadly explosion. 

As FEMA says, "Natural gas leaks and explosions are responsible for a significant number of fires following disasters.  It is vital that all household members know how to shut off natural gas."

WARNING: Once the natural gas is turned off, it must be turned on again by a professional.

I you aren't sure how to safely shut off the gas, contact your utility company.  Here is a site that will show you the basics of shutting of the gas.

Assuming you know how to turn off the gas in an emergency, the next most important thing is to have a specific tool handy (in a predetermined place - note: outdoors next to the meter where Joey next door can turn off the gas as a prank may not be the smartest place to store your tool).  There is no way you can turn of the gas without a tool.  Though many kinds of wrenches and other tools may work to shut off the gas, I have a new favorite, the POGO (Pry Off Gas Off).

One of our supplier partners from California (earthquake country where they know the value of a good gas shut-off tool) recently developed what they call the POGO (Pry Off Gas Off) combination gas shut-off and pry bar.  I like it because it combines two important tools that are likely to be needed in the same emergency.  The emergency that caused enough jostling of your home to break the gas line in the first place, can easily bring with it the need for a solid pry tool for dealing with debris, jammed doors, and other search and rescue functions.  So the POGO (Pry Off Gas Off) is a very smart combo in a compact 15 inches (this means it will also fit in most backpacks or duffles - for your 72 hour emergency kit).

Some of the main features we find valuable are:

• Stong, lightweight construction from manganese steel

• Integrated shut-off valve notches (two different angles for ease) for quick and easy gas shut off

• Durable, high visibility powder coating

• Well ground pry tangs for easier prying in tight seems

• Notch for hanging on a nail or screw to keep at-the ready for an emergency

• Compact and easy to handle at just 15 inches (fits in most backpacks and duffles for your emergency kit)

If you are interested in this combination emergency tool, check your gas shut-off valve to make sure the 1 6/16 inch notches will fit your particular shut-off valve.  These notches were designed to fit most gas shut-off valves.

At the end of the day, this is one of my favorite emergency tools because it has several attributes we look for in any disaster tool.  It is compact, strong, lightweight, multi-functional, and versatile.

Click here to see or purchase this POGO (Pry Off Shut Off) gas shut-off and pry bar.

Click here to see all of our emergency preparedness tools.

Earthquake.tel

Every Life Secure
An Emergency Preparedness Blog helping to make "Every Life Secure" in any emergency or disaster... at home, work, school, or on-the-go

Blackouts - Candles Pose a Fire Hazard - Use Light Sticks

With blackouts making the headlines once again due to severe winter weather, it is a good time to be reminded of a very important blackout safety tip:

"Avoid using lighted candles."

Over 15,000 residential fires and 150 deaths occur each year in the United states due to fires started by candles.  In a blackout, the use of candles to provide light significantly increases the chances of starting a house fire.  The irony is that the same conditions that caused the blackout in the first place (severe storms) can often delay firefighters in responding to a house fire.

While there are safety tips for use of candles in the home, it is better to avoid them altogether when planning for any emergency, including a blackout.  Some emergency kit manufacturers include candles in their emergency kits, but we do not use them as we think there are better alternatives that do not pose a fire risk.  We have also been guided by the fact that the Amerian Red Cross discourages their use in a blackout because of the fire hazard.

When I was growing up overseas in the Philippines, we had a lot of blackouts.  We typically responded with a combination of candles, kerosene lanterns, and flashlights. While flashlights remain a good solution and battery or crank driven lanterns are another alternative with no associated fire risk, I never use candles or fuel burning lanterns indoors today in the case of an emergency.  There is really no reason to use candles if one is prepared with appropriate alternatives.

If you have a hard time keeping batteries on hand or you don't want to have to "crank" for your light, the best alternative to candles is to use glowing light sticks.  One can find good quality light sticks that will last for up to 12 hours in any camping supply store or on-line from any emergency preparedness company.  Avoid the toy-grade light sticks often sold around Halloween time.

At LifeSecure.com we sell military-grade 12-hour light sticks and pack them in most of our emergency kits because they are:

• non-flammable (generate no heat or spark)

• non-toxic (so they are safe for children to use)

• waterproof (so they can be used in any weather conditions)

We also like the fact that they have a long shelf life - certified to last for 4 years - and are extremely easy to use.  Just bend them in half and the non-toxic chemicals mix and you have instant light.  Most military or emergency grade glowing light sticks put out about as much light as a typical candle.  I have read with them in the dark as well as moved around a dark house with ease.

In a blackout you can easily put one in each room or move them with you for light.  There is no need to shield a flame as you move, keep children and pets away from them, worry about leaving them unattended, or to remember to blow them out when you go to sleep.  I have found that the green (or yellow) glow is actually comforting to children and it is easy for each child to have their own light in a blackout situation.

I also like that they are very thin and compact and many are designed to be worn on a lanyard or hung from a hook or nail if desired.  They are compact enough to stick an extra few just about anywhere you might need them.

I keep several on hand in the house, in my car, and in each of my 72 hour emergency kits.  I always feel better prepared with a combination of a flashlight and some light sticks to provide an instant, reliable source of light.  I have picked up many flashlights in my life only to be disappointed that the batteries were dead, but I have never had this issue with a light stick.  As long as it is within its dating, you don't have to worry about whether its power will be drained when you need it most.

At about $1.50 or so each, they really are a great and affordable emergency lighting solution for a blackout or any other emergency at home, at work, at school or on-the-go.

Every Life Secure
An Emergency Preparedness Blog helping to make "Every Life Secure" in any emergency or disaster... at home, work, school, or on-the-go

How Many Volcanoes are there in the USA? Where are the 18 considered "Very Dangerous"? Do You Need to Prepare?

Can such a magestic mountain as this...

   wake up one morning looking like this?  

Apparently so, as that is just what happened to Mount Redoubt Volcano in Alaska in 1990 and what scientists fear is about to happen again.  When I read about this breaking story this morning, I wondered how many volcanoes there are in the United States and where they are.

The answer: 169.  Click here to see where they are and when they last erupted.

As I did a bit of research, I was more interested to find out that 18 are considered "Very High Threat Volcanoes."  Twelve of these have been active or erupted within the last 200 years and 8 since 1984.

As indicated on geology.com, "These volcanoes have devastated large areas with volcanic blasts, invaded their surroundings with lava flows, produced large mudflows that have swept over hundreds of square miles, emitted noxious gases that have caused lung ailments and produced ash clouds that have brought down passenger jets and blanketed thousands of square miles."

The lesson is clear... whether you live in Alaska, Hawaii, California, Oregon, Washington state or any of their neighboring states, it is wise to be prepared with at least a complete 72 hour emergency kit and a good supply of respirators (good quality breathing masks).  Click here for more on what to do before and during a volcanic eruption.

Note as well, that the effects of large eruptions can be felt thousands of miles away as the volcanic ash clouds travel.  So just because you don't have a volcano next door, doesn't mean that you may not be impacted by a volcanic eruption.  Here is a good article on the dangers posed by volcanic ash.

What have you done to prepare for a volcanic eruption?  If you have ever lived through one, please share your "secure survivor story" with us by commenting or emailing me at dscott@lifesecure.com.

Every Life Secure
An Emergency Preparedness Blog helping to make "Every Life Secure" in any emergency or disaster... at home, work, school, or on-the-go

Secure Suvivor from Latin America - Emergency Preparation Saves the Family

This week I presented a seminar on emergency preparedness and 72 hour emergency kits to an inner city hispanic church congregation.  Their women's auxiliary had asked me to help their group learn how to prepare for potential disasters.  As we started, several people in the audience shared their secure survivor stories.  Given that most of the participants had grown up in Latin America, all but one person in the audience had experienced some type of man-made or natural disaster at some point in their lives.

One story that stood out for me was told by a 40-something year old mother of three who had grown up in a Central American country but has been living here in the United States and raising her family for the last several years.  When she was a teenage girl, her family had been warned that they needed to prepare for an emergency by having food, water and other basics on hand to last for several days.  As a teenager, she had paid little attention to the warnings and found them annoying.  Luckily her parents heeded the warnings and did prepare by storing some basic emergency supplies for survival.

Without warning, her family awoke one day to serious political violence in their city.  They were forced to stay in their home for over a week as people were being shot in the streets by one faction or another.  She knew people who had not prepared for an emergency and had thus quickly run out of food.  When the violence extended beyond just a few days, these families were forced to send family members out to try and find food.  Some of those who went to get food never came back because they were caught in the streets, shot, and killed.

She and her family remained safe inside their home until the violence had subsided.  They were able to safely shelter-in-place because they were prepared in advance of any indication that there was about to be a life-threatening emergency  Their was no need to convince this mother of three to be prepared with basic emergency supplies in case of a disaster.  She was there at my class to learn how to improve upon the supplies she already had rather than to be persuaded to prepare for an emergency.

I find that those who have been through some kind severe emergency or disaster have the need to be prepared pressed into their minds for the rest of their lives.  This is true whether they were well prepared at the time or they had to suffer in some manner because of lack of preparation.  I also find that sharing such stories can help to motivate those who have yet to experience a disaster or severe emergency to become prepared. 

These stories can also share key insight into how to best prepare for certain kinds of disasters.  In this case, having basic supplies (such as extra food) to shelter-in-place for several days was key to the survival of this lady's family.

Do you have a secure survivor story?  If so, please share it with us by commenting or emailing me at dscott@lifesecure.com.  How did you survive a disaster or emergency and what did you learn from the experience that might help others?

Every Life Secure
An Emergency Preparedness Blog helping to make "Every Life Secure" in any emergency or disaster... at home, work, school, or on-the-go

Trauma First Aid - Get it Off Your Shoulder, Off The Wall, and Rolling On Its Way!

As we speak to facilities safety professionals around the country, many feel hampered in their response to major medical emergencies because their trauma first aid supplies are either contained  in heavy duffel bags that are hard to carry for any great distance (say across a large facility) or, worse, stocked in bolted-in, stationary wall-mounted first aid units that are really designed to require the patient to come to the kit vs. allowing the kit to move to the patient.  Though, some wall units can be removed and carried, once again, the weight and bulk becomes an issue if any distance is involved.

We believe that we have found a way to speed trauma first aid supplies directly and easily to any medical emergency - near or far - large or small: the LifeSecure MobileAid Mobile Trauma First Aid Station. 

This compact Mobile Trauma First Aid Station was developed in an exclusive partnership with ZÜCA, the makers of truly unique rolling transport solutions.  

Over the past several months, we have shown the MobileAid Mobile Trauma First Aid Station in security and safety shows from coast to coast and the response has been universally and enthusiastically positive.  Safety, security and emergency preparedness professionals have commented on the Mobile Trauma Station's unique features and its ability to...

Go -

Double wheels climb curbs and steps easily and roll anywhere quickly and effortlessly.

Sit - Patients can sit on the specially designed platform to rest or be treated (hold up to 300 lbs.).

Haul - The mobile station carries extra equipment on the gear platform (up to 300 lbs.) - AED/Oxygen/Hydration.

Protect - A super-durable areospace class exoskeleton frame and heavy duty weather-resistant bag protect supplies in poor weather conditions.  This exoskeleton frame may prove especailly important in a disaster in which debris may fall and strike the station.  I don't know of any tougher protection available for first aid supplies.

Treat -

Extensive first aid supplies (260 pieces) meet OSHA requirements and ANSI guidelines for the workplace and are organized in Quick-Response modules for fast access and effective treatment. The clearly marked individual modules can be easily removed and accessed as needed throughout the treatment process.  The station even includes a foldable full-size stretcher that can be carried by two to eight people.  

Store - With the telescoping handle down, the compact mobile station stores in less than 2 cubic feet (12.25"w x 18.5"h x 14.0"d)

Flag - An 8 foot collapsible First Aid flag and high visibility markings make sure the station can't be missed.  In a major emergency, the station can be rolled into the middle of a field, parking lot or large facility and the flag clearly signals where first aid is available.

The more we demonstrate this unique new product, the more clear it is that this MobileAid Station provides several features that are well beyond those provided by regular first aid kits and trauma first aid bags.  We believe that the this Mobile Trauma Station is truly a next-generation trauma treatment solution.

Though this Mobile First Aid Station can be used in any office or workplace situation, it will be especially valuable in large facilities such as factories, office complexes, university and college campuses, schools, museums, etc.  The units can also be easily transported in trucks, vans, and trailers.  The greater the distances that may be involved from where the trauma supplies are stored, to where they may be needed, the more helpful it will be to have a fully mobile station.

In addition to the mobility, the well organized and clearly marked Quick-Response modules will allow people with any level of first aid training to respond more effectively in an emergency.  We have found that even fully trained professional first responders have found this station to be a postiive addition to their equipment.  As these professional first responders have very specific supplies and equipment, these units are available empty so that the first aid contents can be fully customized.

Click here to take a closer look at the LifeSecure MobileAid Mobile Trauma First Aid Station.

Every Life Secure
An Emergency Preparedness Blog helping to make "Every Life Secure" in any emergency or disaster... at home, work, school, or on-the-go

Fire Preparedness - Smoke Masks and Fire Hoods Can Save Lives

Shortly after starting LifeSecure, one of our co-founders, Larry Ginsberg, lost a friend to a high rise fire.  Larry's friend died in the locked stairwell of a downtown high rise building in a major US city.  Though the flames never reached his friend and the others who perished with her, the smoke from the fire did.  The firefighters had responded quickly but didn't get to them in time to save them.   

Larry commented to me that if his friend and the others each were to have had some kind of fire mask or hood, they likely would have been able to move through the smoke to safety on another floor or been able to successfully exit the building.

This tragedy sparked in Larry a determination to find simple, effective, and affordable smoke protection solutions for high rise workers and dwellers.  Because of his personal experience and desire to help others avoid injury in fires, we agreed that Larry would take the lead in finding fire protection products to add to our LifeSecure Emergency Solutions offerings.

Larry found that most fatalities from fires (about 75%) are caused by inhaling smoke and gases, especially carbon monoxide, rather than from the actual flames.  He also understood that few employers and individuals could afford or would be adequately trained to use full protective fire suits.  Therefore, a practical and affordable  smoke mask or hood would provide the greatest opportunity to protect the most people in case of a fire.

Recent experience with an increasing number of wildfires in the West made us determined to find solutions that work for high rise fires and for wildfires as well.

After considerable research and interaction with manufacturers of various smoke masks and hoods, LifeSecure has introduced both the Xcaper series of smoke masks and the iEvac Fire Escape Hood.  You can see our full fire protection product offering in the Fire Preparation section of LifeSecure.com.

Here are a few fire protection products that we now feature at LifeSecure.com and that may help you prepare for a fire in your home, office, or facility:

My Xcaper Personal Smoke Mask Kit (34125)  This kit includes the personal version of the Xcaper smoke mask and a pair of Xcaper googles for eye protection.  The Xcaper moist filter system absorbs hazardous toxins including carbon monoxide and nearly 100% of particulate matter common to smoke from fires.  This kit is designed for families and people working or living in high rise buildings.  It may also be used where wildfires may be a hazard.  The mask provides protection for a minimum of 15 minutes depending on conditions and the filter has a 3 year shelf life.  The suggested retail price is $29.95.  So fire protection is available for as little as $10.00 per person per year.

The Xcaper series of smoke masks uses the same patented technology that has been used for many years to protection wildland firefighters.  After the September 11 attacks, the Xcaper series was launched specifically to provide ordinary people with a product for use in evacuating high rise buildings during fires or a terrorist attack.

 Xcaper Enterprise Smoke Mask Kit (34120)  This kit includes a longer shelf life mask - 5 years.  It provides a minimum of 15 minutes of protection (depending on conditions) against hazardous toxins including carbon monoxide and absorbs nearly 100% of particulate matter common to smoke from fires.  This kit is packed in a Hip Pac that can be attached to a belt, and in addition to the mask and a set of Xcaper goggles, also includes the Xcaper emergency whistle and LED flashlight on a lanyard.  This fire protection product is a good option for protecting employees in most high rise offices and may be preferred by people looking for protection in their high rise dwellings.

Many businesses will find the longer shelf to be of value.  High rise office workers and people using this kit for protection in a condo or apartment may like the flashlight as it can provide emergency light while putting on the mask as well as while making one's way through what may well be darkened rooms and hallways in a fire situation.  The whistle can help rescue workers find the user more easily in the smoke and darkness.

This smoke mask kit has a suggested retail price of $54.95. This equates to about $11.00 per person per year of protection.

iEvac Fire Escape Hood (34100)  For those situations in which an evacuation may take up to 30 minutes or increased protection is desired, this fire escape hood may best meet your fire protection needs.  The iEvac Fire Escape Hood provides protection again carbon monoxide, smoke, hydogen cynide, chlorine, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and hydrogen chloride for up to 30 minutes. The iEvac is the first fire hood certified to the American National Standard for Smoke Escape Hoods (ANSI/ISEA 110-2003) - Respiratory Protective Smoke Escape Device (RPED).

The hood is easy to put on and protects the full head against radiant heat.  One size fits all adults.  It can be used to escape fires in homes, offices, high-rise buildings and other fire causing disasters.  The iEvac has a 5 year shelf life and a suggested retail price of $169.95.  This equates to about $34.00 per person per year of protection.

As is common with so many other emergency preparedness products, one can get signicant protection from the hazards of smoke from fires for relatively few dollars per year over the lifetime of the product.  When one considers the very real hazards from fire, the investment in a smoke mask or hood amounts to just good common sense for those who live or work in high rise buildings or who are in other environments where there is a high fire risk.

Every Life Secure
An Emergency Preparedness Blog helping to make "Every Life Secure" in any emergency or disaster... at home, work, school, or on-the-go 

Emergency Preparedness at Home - "I have a smoke detector; now what?"

Perhaps the largest step forward for emergency preparedness at home in the last several decades was the introduction of mass produced home smoke detectors in the 1970's and 80's.  Today about 93% of homes have a smoke detector to warn of fire.  Countless lives have been saved by these devices over the years and most people would agree that having one or more in the home improves safety and just makes common sense.

For years we have been encouraged by the government and disaster response organizations to take another step forward in preparing ourselves and our families for an emergency or disaster.  We have been encouraged to have an emergency preparedness kit on hand to provide basic survival supplies to last for at least 72 hours (3 days) on our own in case of an emergency or disaster.  Despite the encouragements, a survey by the American Red Cross and The Council for Excellence in Government indicates that:

"The majority of Americans remain unprepared.  Only 4 percent have taken all of the preparedness actions recommended in the RQ and 23 percent have not taken a single step."

(The RQ, or Readiness Quotient, is a tool used to evaluate one's level of readiness for an emergency or disaster based on several suggested steps including having an emergency plan and an emergency kit.) 

 

View the full survey results.

Test your own RQ - Readiness Quotient.

Tips for increasing your RQ - Readiness Quotient

 

Of 1,000 adults surveyed nationwide, only 42% had some kind of emergency supplies or kit on hand.  Other studies, and my own experience in the emergency preparedness business, indicate a much smaller percentage of people actually have a full three day supply of emergency basics as recommended by the Department of Homeland Security and the American Red Cross. 

The percentage of individuals and families with a fully stocked emergency kit varies widely from location to location throughout the country.  In many neighborhoods one would be hard pressed to find a single "prepared" family on any given block.  My experience would indicate that well less than 10% of households are fully prepared for a disaster.

The media coverage following Hurricane Katrina brought home the reality that federal, state, and municipal authorities will not be able to immediately help everyone in case of a major disaster.  Just as there is a need to have smoke detectors because we can't each have a firefighter on duty 24/7 in our own home, we each need to prepare to be able to provide for our own basic needs in an emergency or disaster. 

The recommendation to prepare for at least 3 days comes from the fact that experience has shown that it will take at least that long (and maybe longer) for authorities to provide assistance to most of the people who may be affected by any given large disaster.

If you find yourself among those whose current level of preparedness is at the "Well, at least I do have a smoke detector" stage, we suggest that you take the "next step."  The next step as outlined by the Department of Homeland Security on  www.ready.gov is to "Get a Kit".   

A well stocked emergency kit should meet your basic needs for up to three days (72 hours) and should include supplies that provide for the 10 BASIC EMERGENCY NEEDS:

• water
• food
• breathing protection
• first aid
• shelter
• warmth
• communication
• light
• tools
• sanitation/hygiene

Click on each of these links to see checklists from the Department of Homeland Security and the American Red Cross on what should be included in each in each 72 hour emergency kit. These are the two lists we use to guide our development of LifeSecure home emergency preparedness kits.

Whether you buy an emergency kit ready-assembled by an emergency preparedness company or build your own, beyond the 10 BASICS, you will also need to add several personal items to increase your comfort and preparedness.  Both the Department of Homeland Security and the American Red Cross lists address suggestions for added personal items.

Though it is helpful to have several items that can be used in your home if you need to shelter-in-place, it is critical to have a compact, light-weight grab-and-go kit in case you need to evacuate.  Consider how much you can realistically carry should you end up on-foot.  We find that many people prefer to have a rolling bag kit in case they need to travel on-foot for some distance.  Some of these bags convert to backpacks or have a shoulder strap should they have to be carried over debris or rough ground.

One other important consideration when preparing an emergency kit is the shelf-life of the components.  Most people don't care to be constantly inspecting and updating their kits nor paying to replace outdated items.  If you value the ability to "buy it once, pack it once, and forget it", make sure that you select food, water, light and communication options that will last for 4 to 5 years or more.  Most comercially assembled kits provide long-shelf life options for these supplies.  Because of their long-life, kits purchased from reputable emergency preparedness companies can help to prepare a family for in the range of only $7.00 to $14.00 per person per year.  That's not a lot of money to spend to secure one's family in case of a disaster.

On the Ready America website, the Department of Homeland Security recommends 3 Steps to be Prepared for an emergency or disaster: Get a kit, Make A Plan, Be Informed.  Getting an emergency kit is a concrete and achievable "next step" for most people to take in increasing their personal and family preparedness for any emergency or disaster.

Need personal help in meeting your home preparedness needs?  Just contact us at LifeSecure.

Every Life Secure
An Emergency Preparedness Blog helping to make "Every Life Secure" in any emergency or disaster... at home, work, school, or on-the-go

Earthquakes - Potential Impact on the Central USA

Though it's commonly known that people who live on the west coast need to be concerned about the devastating effects of earthquakes, many who live in the central states may be surprised to learn that earthquake preparedness is needed not just in California, but in their own neighborhoods. The New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ), centered in southeastern Missouri, holds the potential to cause catastrophic earthquakes that could have disastrous effects in at least eight states: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.

The NMSZ has experienced four of the largest earthquakes ever recorded in the history of North America.  The quakes (in 1811 and 1812) were powerful enough to have actually changed the course of the Mississippi River.  Smaller quakes, some large enough to be felt and to do damage, continue to occur on a regular basis today.  This seismic zone remains active and unstable.

As this historical map illustrates, due to the nature of the New Madrid fault and other contiguous fault lines, a moderate to severe earthquake in this part of the country would have a much wider impact than that caused by some of the most severe California earthquakes on record.  A recent study (September, 2008) conducted by the Mid-America Earthquake Center at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana concluded that “the total economic impact of a series of NMSZ earthquakes is likely to constitute by far the highest economic loss due to a natural disaster in the USA.”

This study predicts that a severe earthquake could result in economic losses totaling over $400 Billion with hundreds of thousands of buildings damaged or destroyed, hundreds of thousands of people displaced, and tens of thousands injured or killed.  Though it is difficult to predict the timing and magnitude of future earthquakes, earthquakes of the magnitude that would cause such predicted damage are certainly possible anytime within the next few decades.

To me, the clear the message is that, even in the Mid-West and Mid-South, businesses, families, schools and other institutions should have emergency preparedness plans, kits and supplies that take into account the possibility of significant damage from earthquakes as well as other natural or manmade disasters.

I live in the suburbs of Chicago. When I founded LifeSecure in 2005, people from the mid-west that I met were often skeptical about the need for emergency preparedness.  They fully understood the need for people on the West Coast to prepare for earthquakes, for people on the Gulf Coast to prepare for hurricanes, and for people on the East Coast to prepare for terrorist attacks, but they couldn't see much of a need for preparation for those in the "protected middle."  The sheer vastness of the destruction from Hurricane Katrina began to change those views.  Increasingly we have seen people from throughout the U.S. interior states begin to take preparedness seriously.

For those people from the Mid-West and Mid-South who might still need a bit more convincing of the importance of emergency preparedness, this study might be some helpful reading.  Click here for the full study.

Oh, and since those of us in the Mid-West and Mid-South have little training on how to respond in case of an earthquake, this fun and quirky visual "QuakeQuiz" on responding to earthquakes may be useful.  I found it on the San Francisco emergency preparedness website (www.72hours.org), and I learned a few new tips from it.  Take the QuakeQuiz.

Every Life Secure

Emergency Preparedness at Work is Prudent Risk Management

Being prepared in the workplace for a major emergency or disaster is simply a matter of prudent risk management.  Every year American businesses spend large sums of money on insurance coverage in order to mitigate potential economic damage from an unforeseen or accidental event.  These businesses spend thousands or even millions of dollars annually to insure their various assets like buildings, vehicles and equipment yet often fail to spend just a few dollars a year to ensure the safety of their most valuable asset, the people who work for them.

In the event of a major disaster, the health and safety of a business’ employees is critical to the continuity of the business.  If employees and their families aren’t safe and provided with the basics to sustain life after a disaster, they won’t be back to work to sustain the life of the business.  An employer significantly increases the chances of quickly resuming operations after a disaster by ensuring that every employee (1) safely survives the initial disaster, (2) has adequate survival supplies to get home or shelter -in- place at work until help arrives, and (3) has adequate disaster supplies at home to be ensured that his or her family will have its emergency needs met.

An employer-supplied emergency kit that provides for basic emergency needs like water, food, breathing protection, first aid, shelter, warmth, communication, light, tools and sanitation will cost a business approximately $5 to $6 per employee per year.  Such an emergency kit can provide useful supplies to help employees safely evacuate a facility or shelter-in-place if evacuation is not the most appropriate response to a given disaster or emergency.  Depending on a business’ geography and the likely emergencies it may face, a small, portable evacuation kit with enough supplies for one day, may be adequate to help the employee evacuate and return home safely.  In other situations, the business may need to equip each employee to survive in place or in transit for up to three days (maybe more).  In this case bulks supplies, group kits or individual 72 hour kits may be most appropriate.

I've found that an increasing number of employers not only provide emergency preparedness kits for their employees at work, but also purchase emergency kits for their employees’ families.  Other businesses are partnering with emergency preparedness providers to encourage employees to purchase their own family emergency kits by providing a purchase discount at no cost to the business.  Many businesses actually provide employees with these kits as a Holiday or safety program gift.  Because each commercially produced emergency kit is designed for long life, its costs only a few dollars per year per person to ensure secure survival with a basic emergency kit for the home or vehicle.

Protecting one’s employees and their families in case of disaster makes good business sense and requires a very small investment.  The best way for a business to secure its own future after a disaster is to ensure that each of its employees and his or her family is secure.  The best way to secure the people that make a business work is to ensure that they have basic survival supplies ready for any emergency.

Learn more about How to Be Secure at Work.

Workplace preparedness resources from the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security.

Need personal help from an expert in meeting your workplace emergency preparedness needs?  Just contact us at LifeSecure.

Every Life Secure

David Scott - A Secure Survivor

My name is David Scott. I'm a "secure survivor” who has personally survived several natural and man-made disasters and emergencies, and I want to help others be prepared to do the same.  My goal in hosting this blog is to help ordinary people be secure in any disaster or emergency.

 

I survived my first disaster in 1970 while growing up in Asia on the Philippine Islands.  My father worked for General Electric and had been transferred to the Philippines after a two year assignment in Sydney, Australia.   Shortly after our move, my U.S. expatriate family and I were welcomed to the tropics by Super Typhoon Yoling. With its sustained winds of 130 MPH, this was one of the strongest and deadliest storms on record. 

 

Never having experienced any type of hurricane or typhoon, we were totally unprepared to weather both the storm and its aftermath.  In the process of "defending" our home from the high winds, my father, my two older brothers, and I narrowly escaped injury or death from the shattering of large glass patio doors.  For two weeks after the eye of the storm passed directly over our neighborhood (as seen above in this satellite view of the Typhoon Yoling storm track), we lived without electricity, running water, or access to groceries. 

 

As soon as the storm was over, we sped to the grocery store.  Too late!  I will always remember the candles lighting row after row of totally empty shelves. It was near Thanksgiving, so we roasted our frozen turkey on a charcoal barbecue grill.  After eating the rest of the contents of our refrigerator and freezer, we lived off of what rice and canned goods we happened to have on-hand at home. We lined up for water at a local public pump and carried it back home in buckets on a little wagon. 

 

These hardships taught us lessons that we would never forget.  As a family, we determined never to be caught unprepared again, and we made emergency preparedness a focus.

  

Since surviving that first typhoon, I have lived through various disasters and emergencies in the United States, Mexico, and the Philippines including: additional typhoons, floods, earthquakes, blizzards, severe storms, blackouts, a chemical plant explosion, a volcanic eruption, political violence (including riots, shootings, kidnappings, terrorist bombings), and the imposition of martial law.  In these subsequent events, my family and I have always been prepared with basic emergency food, water, and supplies to sustain ourselves for several days or longer.

 

I hope that together, with the help of those of you who choose to comment and participate on this blog, we will be able to better help ourselves and others prepare for emergencies and disasters.  In this way we can help to reach the ideal of ... "every life secure."

 

What is your true "secure survivor" story?  Please share your story with us by commenting or Emailing me at dscott@lifesecure.com.  What did you learn from your experience?  How are you better prepared today?

 

Every Life Secure
An Emergency Preparedness Blog helping to make "Every Life Secure" in any emergency or disaster... at home, work, school, or on-the-go