12 Home Essentials You Need For Survival

12 Home Essentials You Need For Survival. Graphic © myfamilysurvivalplan.com. Background image – Unsplash

With so many daily works, family, and personal distractions, it’s no wonder so many of us remain unconcerned and unprepared for a potential disaster to strike. But they do strike often, all around the world, and assuming you and your family will be exempt could endanger your lives.

Even though it takes thought and investment, preparing your home and your family for unexpectedly harsh conditions is well worth the sacrifice. In fact, the peace of mind alone might be worth it. If you don’t know where to get started, Modernize offers up a list of home essentials to build off of as you collect survival supplies.

Flashlights, Lanterns, and Backup Batteries

When anticipating a disaster, the last thing you should rely on is electricity. And there’s nothing more frightening than thinking of trying to keep your family safe in total darkness. Make sure flashlights and lanterns are handy in several rooms of the house, and always keep a good stock of backup batteries and bulbs. Solar flashlights are also a great addition, especially if you’re going to need to be on the move.

Hand Crank Radio

Staying tuned in to what’s going on could mean the difference between life and death. Procure a solar hand crank radio that will keep you updated on the news and weather while you keep your family locked up safe.

Solar Oven and Freezer

Nobody hopes that the aftermath of a disaster will be long-term. But it’s best to prepare for a longer time without electricity than you would like to imagine. Solar ovens are simple, effective, and can cook food in a variety of ways. Ready-to-go, just-add-water meals are very handy for a short-term emergency. But a solar oven and a solar freezer to store your food stock could work in tandem to keep your family eating well in spite of the circumstances.

Coats and Boots

Being prepared for inclement weather is essential. Heavy-duty raincoats, winter coats, hiking boots, and rain boots will help keep them warm in dry in case of flooding or freezing weather. It will also help them travel more easily if traveling becomes necessary.

Water Purifier

Aside from shelter, water is the most immediate and vital need in many emergency situations. If you are not prepared to convert unsafe water into potable water, you’re not truly prepared at all. You need to both have ways to filter and purify it. While you’re thinking of your water needs, it never hurts to set up a rain catchment system that will allow you access to running water—though you will still need to treat rainwater to make it potable.

First Aid Supplies

A well-stocked survival first aid kit will include gloves, surgical shears, antiseptic wipes, bandages, pain relieving medication, antibiotic ointment, cotton-tipped applicators, sterile gauze pads, a thermometer, tweezers, and several other items.

Make sure to thoroughly research and go beyond the basics for your first aid kit.

Pet Supplies

No one overlooks their kids when they plan for a disaster, but a pet isn’t always foremost on everyone’s mind. Pets need their own survival supplies including food, blankets, bowls, a leash, their own first aid supplies, and anything else you determine your individual pets’ need.

Sanitary Supplies

While weather disasters are more common in America these days, epidemics also pose a danger—as do unclean condition potentially caused by natural disasters. Supplies that would come in handy during a dangerous outbreak include adhesive sealing masks with eye shields, anti-bacterial and anti-virus lotion, anti-bacterial wipes, biohazard bags, biohazard suits and gloves, and a supply of antibacterial soap.

Hygiene Essentials

Comfort and cleanliness isn’t usually the first thing on your mind in a survival situation. But if you prepare ahead, you can be more thorough about what your family needs and wants. Items like soap, toilet tissue, toothbrushes and toothpaste, feminine products, deodorant, and razors will come in handy even after just a day of relying on your survival supplies.

Sleeping Bags

Reflective sleeping bags that are cushy and can withstand harsh weather could mean the difference between a safe and good night’s rest and many sleepless, anxious nights. To protect your family from hypothermia, select sleeping bags that offer heavy insulation, fully waterproof materials, and low-temperature ratings.

Emergency Preparedness Guide

No matter how much you prepare yourself and your family, any type of emergency or disaster is bound to come with surprises. Instead of relying completely on your supplies and knowledge, make sure you have the educational resources anyone in your family would need to know how to deal with in difficult disaster-related circumstances.

Multi-Tool Knife

Weapons are certainly an important aspect of a home survival kit, as are tools. Combine them into one item for optimum efficiency and ease of use. You never know when a screwdriver, pliers, or a mini saw could come in handy.

These are simply the foundational items for a home survival kit. Build off of your family’s anticipated needs and show them how to use the supplies in case of an emergency.

By Mary Saurer

Mary Sauer is a writer who has been published by Babble, Mom.me, and What to Expect. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and two young daughters.

Manage And Survive A Terrorist Attack

America has been subject to the phenomena for quite a while now and it continues to be, undoubtedly, the main target of such manifestations of pure violence and hatred. Whether we’re being targeted for political or religious reasons, it makes no difference; the ultimate goal of terrorist attempts is to hit where it hurts the most: the American people. Preventing such disasters is a national priority, but unfortunately, we’re still vulnerable and open to such atrocities and could find ourselves in such an unwanted position at any given time.

America’s position as the World’s first superpower makes us the first targets of the oppressive, blood-thirsty and warmongering enemies of freedom and liberty. Escaping with your life from such a scenario is no easy task and it’s not a fixed mathematical formula. It comes down to many factors, the most important being the right state of mind and yes, dumb luck. However, there are a few basic steps and precautions that if followed, might just get you get you out alive. There is no ultimate guarantee, but it’s the best fighting chance we’ve got.

Surviving The First Attempt And Taking Cover

If after the first stage of the attack is over and you’re still alive, that’s great. Means luck is on your side; now all you need is a cool head and you need to start thinking your way around the problem. If you can still hear explosions or shots being fired, the only decent option you have is to take shelter. Duck and cover, don’t start running unless you’re absolutely sure you’re out of firing range. If you can’t tell (which most probably you won’t), just duck and cover or crawl your way towards the nearest hiding spot available. Hiding under desks or pieces of furniture is not that good of an idea, as you’re just vulnerable. The best defense you have is to find your way after a pillar or concrete wall, which will shield you from flying bullets or debris that might come in-flying if explosions of any sorts are involved.

If you start choking or people around you start showing signs of nausea and fainting, you’ll need to cover your mouth and nose, as you’re either falling victims to a chemical attack or smoke resulting from random fires. Covering your mouth with any type of cloth will serve as an air filter; it’s even better if the rag you’re using is wet. So if the option is available, water the piece of cloth before you place it on your face.

If the possibility arises, calling the authorities by dialing 911 is the best thing to do. This way the attack will be immediately localized and the operator might even provide some life-saving tips in the matter. If the attack has already been spotted, there is a chance that there is already a live broadcast about the incident on the media. So if you have a TV or radio running somewhere, pay some attention. You might uncover vital information about who’s doing it and how and maybe possible escape tactics or plans for the people trapped in the crossfire or bombings. Another step that could be absolutely life-saving is sticking together. If there are more people involved in the incident, they should stick together. There is strength in numbers, especially in desperate situations. You should act together and be prepared for any type of encounter, even for fighting.

Escaping From Ground Zero

If you’re being trapped (or about to be trapped) inside of a building that’s being targeted by terrorist attack, the faster you get out of there, the better. The best thing to watch out for when entering a building for the first time, are all the possible exits and entrances. If you already have the place mapped in your head, when SHTF you won’t use any precious time in wandering around, like a mouse trapped in a labyrinth.

If you happen to find yourself in a building that’s not being target, but it’s really close to the affected area, the first thing you’ll need to do is to make the building as airtight as possible. Unless the buildings are crumbling or on fire, take cover inside, until you know for certain that it’s safe to evacuate the premises.

You should close all the windows, the doors, and even the air conditioning system. This will assure your survival in case chemical agents are involved. Also stay away from windows; in case of an explosion, you don’t want to be in the way of flying glass shards. If you suspect that, despite your best efforts, you’ve fallen prey to chemical poisoning you should strip and shower as soon as possible. But be very aware of the fact that many chemical agents react strongly with water.

If compliance and endless waiting for rescuers is not your thing, assertive action could work just as well. But if you’re going to do it, do it as well. Otherwise, you’re not endangering yourself, but everybody around you as well. If you are prepared to act as a leader for those left behind, you should. Stay strong, keep calm, and the people will pick up on your positive vibe and will follow. Stay always on top of your game and don’t back up.

Terrorist attacks are horrendous acts of unimaginable violence. They’re always counting on the element of surprise, in order to encounter as little opposition from their targets as possible. The psychological war is just as strong as the real one. Considering that a terrorist attack is a random act and almost impossible to predict, it’s best to be on the look-out at all times. But don’t let yourself consumed by the thought, because if you do, they win.

How To Survive The Upcoming Water Crisis

How To Survive The Upcoming Water Crisis. Photo – Pixabay (PD)

We take water for granted. We never see it as nothing more than a commodity, always there for the taking. It’s abundant and it’s everywhere. You can easily access a water tap almost everywhere (be it at home, in public institutions or even public water fountains) and you can use it at your heart’s desire. You can let the sprinkler run freely and just get the job done. We almost never consider whether we’re being wasteful or not when it comes to water, based on the premise that water can never run out, that it’s a never-ending source and it’s always going to be within our reach. But it’s not like that. Many factors along the years have changed things dramatically; and if we don’t take a good look at how things really are at the present, we might not get the future that we’re all hoping for. We haven’t run out of water… yet. But things are bound to change, and soon; and it’s up to us to act!

What’s Going On Now?

At this point, California is facing its fourth year of constant drought. It’s been year after year of constant aridity, weather conditions being resumed to increasing heat and massively decreasing precipitations, as they’re clearly shown here. In the given conditions, there is no future for agricultural activities or fisheries; even the municipal water supplies face extinction at one point or another. According to experts, the drought conditions seem to be advancing and other states will share the same fate in the not so distant future. And when it comes to preserving the water reserves, America doesn’t seem to be doing so well. At the present, the freshwater reserve is being consumed faster than it can actually be replenished. Except California, other states are bound to experience the effects very soon.

Yes, California is only the starting point. Today, about 80% of the U.S. is abnormally arid and dry, and according to recent data, this seems to be the driest year on record so far. But according to calculations and weather previsions, next year’s conditions are going to be even worse. We are currently the heaviest consumer of fresh water in the world. According to a recent estimate, we consume trillions of gallons of fresh water each year (throughout 150,000 water systems); but simply turning the tap off is not the best of options either, as our industries and economy are heavily dependent on water flow. Reducing the water usage drastically will easily debilitate the economy, that’s not doing too well anyway. The current water infrastructure seems to be outdated. An upgrade would not solve much of the crisis, just better the numbers a little. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, the current state of the infrastructure is nothing more than a D; and repairing it would last about 20 years and cost trillions of taxpayer’s dollars.

Man-made Drought

Apparently, these the current arid conditions are not 100% Mother Nature’s work. Some would go even so far as to say that the drought conditions are being artificially maintained through military interventions. In the last years, many have witnessed the event in which cloud formations (capable of producing precipitations) would simply disappear into thin air after jet planes would make their presence heard. In no time the clouds would simply fade away, and the sky would remain filled with chemtrails (the trail jet planes leave behind when flying). Beyond the shadow of a doubt, these jet planes are interfering in the natural order of things by dissipating rain clouds with the help of the so-called SAG (stratospheric aerosol geoengineering), which has been in the possession of the military for many years now. It’s officially supposed to be a weapon for climate engineering to benefit against global warming.

You must be asking yourself why would anyone want to create and maintain desert weather conditions because this seems to make little sense. The answer is easy: financial gain and control for all the “right people”. It’s basically a plot set up in order to benefit big corporations and their money-making habits. Once the water reserve drops lower than ever, those who still have restricted access to it will sell it in no time for unimaginable amounts of money. And it’s begun already: you can find bottled water in the U.S. that can go on sale for as much as $13 / 2.5 gallons! Just imagine how much the water will cost once this grim plan is completed.

What’s To Be Done?

Although it might think we’re playing a losing game, that we are doomed from the start, there are still ways in which we can fight back and now let ourselves fall victims to corporate greed. There are a few simple steps to follow in order to break the chain and remain completely independent. This is what you must do:

Build Your Own Water Harvesting System:

The principle is based on a device that was used originally in the Arabian Desert. What this type of contraction does is to capture water vapors (which are everywhere) and transform them into clear, drinking water. Such a device is very energy-efficient, cost-friendly and it can be assembled even by the clumsiest person in no time at all. You can produce about 8 gallons of fresh water for about $1 a day, and with no assistance from your part: just turn it on and watch the magic happen.

Store Your Water:

I think the easiest way of storing water is in five-gallon containers. These containers are easy to open and to move around, rather than gallon drums. And make sure you have enough. Six five-gallon containers will supply a person with a month reserve on drinking water. I also suggest storing them in various places; if water reserves run so low that people will stop at nothing in getting it, you should spread your reserves around, so that in case of an attack, they won’t be found easily.

Learn To Locate Water:

For some reason or another, you may find yourself unprepared, stranded or forced to abandon your home. Learning how to locate water sources is a life-saving skill, which you absolutely must master in order to survive.

Apparently, we’re being target by the people we’re should look up to for protection. When it comes to human emotions, it’s not only love but also greed that has no boundaries. Don’t let yourself fall victim to such mischievous plans. Fight back with everything you have, follow my friendly set of advice and you will be just fine.

by My Family Survival Plan