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.

5 Upcoming Disasters That Will Take America By Storm

Every year the world’s foundations are shaken by natural disasters. Whether we’re talking about hurricanes, floods, droughts, tornadoes, forest fires etc., it’s vital to know in advance and to be prepared. Being caught off guard might be the difference between surviving and not. Recent scientific studies have confirmed some upcoming natural disasters for the whole spam of the 21^st century in the US (in both the near and distant future). Here are 5 of the most important calamities to be aware of.

The Wildfires

Harvard’s School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) finest have concluded their research in the field with a grim prediction: by 2050, natural wildfires will become even more dangerous! Wildfires are bound to last 3 weeks longer compared to today’s rate, will release twice the amount of smoke and will engulf a large portion of West coast per each passing year. In the last 15 years, the territorial range afflicted by wildfires has grown from 2.2 million acres (starting 2000) to 6.5 million acres annually. According to Dr. Loretta J. Mickley (senior researcher in atmospheric chemistry – SEAS), the root of “all evil” regarding wildfires is gradual climate change. The climate changes have raised the Earth’s temperature, creating optimal conditions for out-of-control wildfires. The greater the temperature, the graver the danger. It’s been predicted that the range of forest fires will vary between 30,000 to 50,000 per year. This one is close to home as 4 of my friends lost their homes in 1 wildfire in California last summer. It’s a reality.

The Earthquake-Tsunami Effect In Oregon

The Oregon Seismic Safety Policy Advisor Commission has conducted various experiments throughout 2009-2010. The scientists and volunteers involved in the project have determined through scientific research and calculus that at some point in the next 50 years, an earthquake of 8.0-9.0 Richter magnitude will hit the coast of Oregon, that’s soon to be followed by a tsunami. The exact date hasn’t been determined yet, the all the measurements seem to point to the inevitable disaster. The predictions seem to estimate that there will be around 10.000 dead and if portions of the West Cost get split from the main land, estimated damages can go up to $32 billion!

The source of the unforgiving earthquake-tsunami combo is considered to be the Cascadia subduction zone, an 800 mile crack in the Earth’s crust 60 miles offshore from Oregon, created by the Juan de Fuca and the North American tectonic plates.

The Submersion Of The East Coast

NASA’s scientific research program have suggested that wind activity and sea level trends are bound to leave a great portion of the East Coast underwater by 2100. John Boon, an emeritus professor of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science has shown that sea level has constantly been increasing by 0.3 millimeters per year ever since 1987. This will gravely affect the East Coast from Key West (Florida) to Newfoundland (Canada). A group of scientists from Florida that recently ran a US Geological Survey confirmed that East Coast sea levels are rising up to 4 times faster than usual.

In 2013, the ex-mayor of New York (Michael Bloomberg) proposed a $20 billion flood system before leaving office, but the proposal was refused. His intention was based on studies that showed that the north-western coastline is mostly at risk. The sea level in the New York City area is expected to rise 31 inches by 2050. In the present 25% of New York is exposed to a watery calamity, but by 2050, it might be around 95%.

The “Big One” Earthquake In California

Californians have been holding their breaths, waiting for that one serious earthquake for decades. And they will get it, sooner or later. The USGS division, UCERF3 (Third Uniform California Rupture Forecast) stated that an 8.0 Richter magnitude earthquake or above is bound to hit the West Coast sometime in the next 30 years. The chances of smaller quakes (6.5 – 7.0 Richter magnitude) are as high as 30%! There are differences of opinion as to where the “Big One” will originate exactly. Some scientists believe that the shockwave will commence from the breaking of the San Andreas Fault, while others consider the point of origin to be the Hayward Fault (near San Francisco).

Regardless the point of origin, the effects will be more than devastating. A group of scientists created a computer simulation of the outcome. The shockwaves will travel at speeds of approximately         7,200 mph, reducing highways and main roads unusable instantly. The White House is currently funding the Earthquake Early Warning System that is able to pick up seismic activity and give pertinent warning one minute in advance of an actual earthquake. $5million have been invested so far, but the alert goes off only 10 seconds before the shockwaves hit, which is nowhere near enough.

The Solar Storms

Solar storms are the worst natural disasters that can hit us in the near or distant future. There’s no running from them, there is no escape.

It’s important to understand that the Sun’s activity is cyclical, inconstant and ever-changing. The cycle consists in alternating the periods of low nuclear activity with periods of full energy outburst.

Such outbursts result in spewing CMEs (coronal mass ejections). These are massive clouds of magnetized plasma that acts as an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) on all human-made electronics. The circuits get burned instantly, rending useless everything that’s electrical. Such solar storms also contain high level of radiation (mostly UV), solar flares and more. In 2012 a solar flare hit the space station TEREO-A, but it came dangerously close to hitting the Earth instead.

Pete Riley, a scientist for Predictive Science Inc. analyzed the solar storm phenomena recorded in the last 50 years and concluded that there is a 12% chance of the Earth actually getting hit by a solar storm by 2030. When this happens, it will firstly disrupt radio signals, GPS coordination units, and satellite communications. Next, it will disable power grids, as the alien energetic particles causing the breakdown will ultimately be responsible for the ultimate worldwide blackout! The costs of the ordeal are estimated at $2.5 trillion and a full recovery (if possible) will take longer than 15 years.

No matter what’s in store for us, we can’t avoid it. Be prepared for what’s to come, take all the precautions needed and in case of calamity, make sure you are fully stock. Because in the end, it might come down to pure survival.

By My Family Survival Plan

Volcanic Ash Makes For Unfriendly Skies

In 1980 the Mt St. Helens volcano in Washington State erupted, sending 540 million tons of ash into the air. The ash caused billions of dollars’ worth of damage to the environment, agriculture, transportation, and infrastructure. The ash darkened the sky and caused eye and respiratory irritation in humans and animals.

Mt. St. Helens is one of 600 volcanoes in the world, 40 of which are supervolcanoes. The ash cloud emitted when one of these volcanoes erupts is called a “pyroclastic cloud.” It is violently pushed up into the air following the movement of lava down the sides of the mountain.

Damage to agriculture and the environment.

The combination of darkened sky and thick ash accumulation from an eruption like Mt. St. Helens destroys crops in a wide area. The thick ash causes the destruction of fish hatcheries and interruptions in the movement of fish in the rivers and lakes. The environment around the caldera after such eruptions has been likened to a moonscape (looking like the moon). Millions of board feet of timber can be destroyed, as well as all animal life in the area.

Damage to infrastructure.

Volcanic ash falling from the sky onto towns and cities within several hundred miles of an eruption causes widespread infrastructure damage. Water treatment and sewage disposal systems become contaminated and the filtration equipment is clogged by the gritty ash, which is small enough to get into almost any opening. These systems have to be shut down until the completion of the difficult and expensive cleanup.

Damage to the population.

Volcanic ash is easily inhaled and can cause respiratory compromise, skin and eye irritation and throat and nose irritation. Children, elders, and people with asthma and other respiratory conditions are especially vulnerable to the effect of inhaling the ash. Anyone venturing out into heavy ashfall should wear goggles and masks of at least the N-95 level (fit-tested for each individual).

Damage to transportation.

Planes are at risk of stalling if they fly through a volcanic ash cloud. In 1989 a British Airways jet almost crash-landed after flying through an ash cloud from the eruption of a volcano in Alaska. The plane stalled out in mid-air and for several minutes it careened towards the ground before the pilot regained control. In the interest of safety over a thousand flights were canceled after the Mt. St. Helens eruption when airports were closed.

Ground transportation is also affected by ash accumulating in internal combustion and other mechanical and electrical equipment. The ash fall is often so thick that the reduction in visibility causes street and highway closures for days.

The effect of the ash fall from a volcano like Mt. St. Helens is widespread. The effect of the eruption of a super volcano like the one in Yellowstone would be 2,000 times greater. The sky would be blackened for years.

By MFSP Contributor