Emergency Survival Kits

With the storms that have recently wreaked havoc on the Midwest and more fall and winter storms on the way, we need to be prepared by having our own Emergency Kit. I wrote an article about this in September because it was National Preparedness Month, yet now that the storms are here it is more necessary to have the right stuff to help keep you alive.

Here in Idaho we have had missing hunters, hikers and backpackers already this year, because you never know when the weather will change suddenly, or something unexpected will happen. It is better to follow the Boy Scout Motto and “Be Prepared” than the alternative.

Now another important thing to consider…are you disabled? If you are, do you need extra supplies? Medicine? Catheters? Extra clothes/blankets to keep warm? Other things you need above and beyond these kits? Then you can put them in an extra backpack or day bag and store it next to your Emergency Kit. If you don’t have an extra bag laying around you can find many of them at your local second hand store. If you are planning for a 3-Day Kit then I would add my ‘extra’ supplies for a five (5) day supply.
Here are two kits that come in backpacks and are ready to go as they are – just “Grab ‘n Go” ::

Grab-n-Go Emergency Kit, 2-Person 3-Day Back Pack

:: Because you never know when there will be an emergency situation, it's wise to always be prepared. To avoid being caught unprepared, make sure that you have the Grab 'n Go 3 Day Emergency Kit 2 Person Backpack on hand at home, at school and at the office. Each kit contains enough emergency supplies to sustain two people for three days. The three basic essentials, as recommended by the American Red Cross, are in every handy backpack.

Each kit contains enough emergency supplies to sustain two people for three days, as recommended by the American Red Cross. There's food, water and emergency blankets, plus a First Aid kit (33 piece), two 12-hour safety lightsticks, dust masks, nitrile gloves and an emergency whistle. Each kit also contains emergency ponchos and pocket tissues. The kit, in a handy backpack, can be stored at home, at school, and at the office.
• Sustains two people for three days
• Food, water, emergency blankets
• First Aid kit (33 piece)
• Safety lightsticks (2)
• Handy backpack

Survivor Emergency Kit - 4 Person, 72 Hour Disaster Survival Kit,

:: Disaster is not something that we can predict, but we can be prepared for is when it happens. Because you never know where you are going to be during an emergency our kit includes the 48 page “How to Prepare for Any Disaster” book to help you before during and after a disaster, a Lithium Ion hand crank rechargeable AM/FM radio flashlight, and our SOS Brand food and water have a 5 year shelf life.

This kit includes the following:
• 1 Organizational Backpack,
• 1 Large backpack,
• 1 Dynamo AM/FM radio and flashlight with lithium ion battery-rechargeable with a hand crank,
• 4 eight hour light sticks,
• Magnesium Fire starter,
• 4 emergency reflective sleeping bags,
• 4 emergency ponchos,
• 4 body warmers,
• 2 tube tents,
• 20 hour liquid candle,
• 4 3600 Calorie US Coast Guard approved Food Bars with a 5 year shelf life (SOS brand coconut flavor),
• 24 US Coast Guard approved Water Pouches (125ml each) with a 5 year shelf life (SOS brand),
• 1 bottle of 50 Potable Aqua water purification tablets (Aquamira brand),
• 1 Lexan bottle (1L),
• 1 multi-tool knife,
• 1 5-in-1 survival whistle,
• 1 50 ft. rope,
• 2 pairs of work gloves,
• 4 N95 masks (individually wrapped to keep clean),
• 1 deluxe first aid kit,
• 1 hygiene kit (4 toothbrushes, toothpaste, comb, washcloth, 10 tissues, 24 wet naps, shampoo),
• 1 roll of toilet paper,
• 1 note pad,
• 1 pencil,
• 1 sewing kit and
• 1 Emergency Preparedness Guide. (The 48 page HOW TO PREPARE FOR ANY DISASTER gives you the steps to preparedness. It includes emergency checklists, preparedness tips, what to do before, during and after a disaster.)

These kits are a great advantage in being prepared for the unexpected. Remember that they are only the starting point, and they need to be in an accessible place for them to be of any use. Being prepared is also a way to think. When you leave your home do you always carry extra supplies that you may need? Extra catheters, clothes, gloves, etc? I do and I have found them to come in very handy on more than one occasion.

Whether you make your own kit or choose one of the above kits, I believe that we should be prepared for the unexpected. I am in a wheelchair and I have to make extra considerations in emergencies, so being prepared could save my life when other people wouldn’t be at risk at all.

Please take these things into consideration as we are entering the stormy season of the year.

Be Safe and Be Happy!

Travis!

Halloween in a Wheelchair

Now that I have kids that go trick or treating I have had to modify how we celebrate this awesome holiday. I love the costumes, the parties, and the candy. It's one of my favorite holidays, but making sure my kids are safe is important to me. Being in a wheelchair prevents me from going up to most houses – they have steps!

Here are some very affordable and convenient solutions.

• Go to the local Mall
  
• Find a community event
  
• Have an able-bodied partner
  
• Only go to houses of known people
  

For the last two years I have partnered with my Brother-in-Law and we have taken his four kids and my two kids all together. My kids like being with their cousins, and this makes it more fun for them. An able-bodied friend or family member that comes along with you can have fun and eat some of the extra candy.

Before that, my wife and I would take the kids to the mall. They are completely accessible and nearly all of the stores have someone out in front with a big bowl of candy for the kids. Not only is the parking good (with my handicapped sticker) but it is also warm inside when the weather outside isn't

One year our elementary school had a nice harvest festival for the local community that was celebrated on Halloween. It was way cool as it had fun activities along with the candy.

So check out your local community and the local mall for additional activities and places to trick-or-treat, before calling off the fun.

Have fun, be safe and enjoy!


 
Travis!