Emergency Preparedness Guide -- Fired Up

Want something that will give light, keep you warm, and help you cook? Get fired up about starting up a fire!

The cold weather makes me yearn for the warmth of a crackling fire. Though most of us long for the fire simply for the ambiance, during an emergency situation having that fire could help you cook, give you light, and keep you warm. Thinking about building a fire takes me back to the days of my youth. I remember trying to hone my fire making skills at girl’s camp. At first the beautiful flames were illusive, but soon with some help and a few extra tools, I was roasting marshmallows and warming my hands by the crackling fire. Just like my girl’s camp days, the time to learn about and prepare for making a fire is before an emergency strikes.

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2011 Preparedness Goals

The New Year is a time of making resolutions and goals for the year to come and leaving any regrets behind you. As you are thinking of what goals you would like to accomplish this year, along with other high priority goals, you may want to add the goal of getting your food storage and preparing for emergencies. Now is a good time to make the goal to Be Prepared.

In breaking down your preparedness goal you first need to determine exactly what you want to accomplish. If you plan to set aside a little money each week or month to go towards your family's preparedness, you will be surprised what you can afford...

Click here to read more about New Year Preparedness Goals.

Food That Doesn't Spoil

Do you have a preparedness or food storage experience, tip, recipe, product review, etc.? Become a guest blogger on Preparedness Pantry and earn a $20 Emergency Essentials gift card! Click here for details.

Food That Doesn't Spoil

I am a young married woman, and strange as this sounds, I've always been on the lookout for food that doesn't spoil. In college, the dorm-room fridge could hardly hold our soda, much less any quantity of food. From the time I had my first apartment, I realized I was not going to go through all the milk before it went bad, much less that giant bag of potatoes, quietly sprouting away in a dark corner of my pantry.

Cooking for two, not much has changed, except my success rate! Now I buy my milk and eggs in powdered form, my ground beef and TVP in freeze-dried #10 cans, and even sock away some dried cheese and butter for when I don't have any in the fridge. I can whomp up dinner in 15-20 minutes with my (slightly unusual) stock of ingredients. And now when I go to the grocery store it's because I FEEL like it, not because "oh no, I'm out of eggs". Lately, I've been going grocery shopping about every two weeks, just to pick up a few special ingredients, and my fridge has all the room it needs to hold the soda :)

--Amanda, Maryland

Click here for additional information about the shelf life of dehydrated and freeze-dried foods.

Emergency Preparedness Guide -- Power Up

With a few handy emergency tools, even with the power out, you can be powered up!

Being without power during an emergency can be not only inconvenient, but it can also prevent you from using some of your most essential tools. Many of us have flashlights and radios stored for an emergency, but what good are these items without the batteries to go with them? Storing extra batteries is a great idea, but batteries do have a shelf-life, and should be tested and rotated. Checking your batteries twice is year is often recommended. If you don’t want to be worried about dead batteries, consider a battery charger. A solar battery charger uses the power of the sun to juice up rechargeable batteries, which you can easily find in an electronic or superstore. Not only would this be much more convenient than finding and replacing all your batteries regularly, it would also be an investment that paid off in the years to come.

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My Hand Grain Mill - Even Better Than I Hoped!

Do you have a preparedness or food storage experience, tip, recipe, product review, etc.? Become a guest blogger on Preparedness Pantry and earn a $20 Emergency Essentials gift card! Click here for details.

My Hand Grain Mill - Even Better Than I Hoped!

When my husband and I commenced our real food and preparedness living journeys, I was devastated to discover that whole wheat flour was both more expensive and harder to use than all purpose white flour. I love to bake, but store bought whole wheat flour created only hard, dense loaves. It didn't even offer the increased nutrient content that might have compensated for the lack of taste. This was because it had been sitting on the store shelves so long that all the nutrients had bled out or gone rancid!

So I started researching alternatives. Scouring bread and baking books, I came to the conclusion that our best option was to grind our own flour. More research ensued. Finally, we took a chance and ordered a Hand Grain Mill and two SuperPails of wheat – one each of soft white and one hard red. That purchase has revolutionized my life!

I love my grain mill! A little practice (and building up of strong arm muscles) allows me to quickly and efficiently grind all the grain we need. Fresh ground whole wheat flour used within a few days or stored in the freezer retains all of its rich nutrient content and is exponentially cheaper than buying flour. Whether purchased in SuperPails or 50 lb. bags from a local milling company, we get wheat for pennies a pound, cutting our food budget substantially and creating a solid base for our food storage program.

Having grain on hand means never having to run to store if I want to bake and find myself out of flour. It also makes it much more feasible to keep both pastry flour (soft wheat) and bread flour (hard wheat) on hand, giving me more flexibility in my baking. The grinder is small, quiet and easy to store when not in use.

And the results? Outstanding! Freshly ground wheat bakes up into light, soft bread, biscuits and cakes with none of the heaviness, graininess or “whole wheat” aftertaste inherent to commercial flour. People are amazed when I tell them I used whole wheat in a recipe; I always point them to my Hand Grain Mill and tell them if they get one of their own they'll never go back. I know I never will!

--Jamie, New York

Emergency Preparedness Guide - Pet Preparedness

You consider your pets a part of the family, but have you stored the necessary preparedness items for your four footed friends?

Once you have ensured the safety and preparedness of each family member, it is time to turn your attention to the loyal family pet. Believe it or not, preparing your pets for an emergency or disaster is very similar to preparing your children. They need many of the same basics, like food, water, and shelter. As with children, your pet’s disposition may change dramatically after a disaster or during an emergency. Pets often become confused and agitated. Staying calm will help your pets stay calm. Don’t panic, but speak firmly and calmly.

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Holiday Safety

The Holidays can be a wonderful time of year, but too often we see things go awry as a result of accidental fires and other emergency situations.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, an estimated 250 reported home fires were caused by natural and artificial Christmas trees. Holiday lights and other decorative lighting were involved in an average of 170 home fires each year.

Remember to follow these Holiday Safety Tips to help protect your family and your home as you celebrate this joyous Holiday Season!

"I decided to try a 100% food storage chowder today that turned out excellent. Experiments with Provident Pantry's Creamy Soup Base have turned out well. Yesterday I made a nice Chipped Beef on Toast. Today: chowder. I used the following:

1 ½ cups creamy soup base
6.0 cups water (less for thicker)
½ cup dehydrated chopped onion
1 can of creamed style corn
1 can of diced potatoes
1 can of chicken breast chunks in water
1 tsp ground black pepper

Flavor was good and easily changeable by using: Yoders canned bacon, bacon bits, diced ham, freeze-dried white chicken or TVP, dehydrated potato dices, dehydrated sweet corn, cheese sauce, evaporated milk, or canned clams/fish.

Please note, however, that the soup base is already pretty salty, so you will most likely NOT want to add any salt until after tasting. When making chipped beef, I discovered that I needed to soak the chipped beef as the salt was pretty heavy added to the soup base. Other possibilities seem endless!"

--Eric, Maine

Five Holiday Gifts Giveaway Winners

A big thank you to everyone who entered the Five Holiday Gifts Giveaway!

The winners are:

1. The Charger™ Flashlight & Mobile Phone Adapter - Sherri R.
2. Auto Buddy™ Emergency Light and Tool - Donald G.
3. 3-Day Emergency Kit - Foley Crew
4. Wavelength™ Emergency Radio, Charger & Flashlight - Janet B.
5. Wenzel® Twin Peaks Tent - Peter M.

Happy Holidays!

Five Holiday Gifts Giveaway

Have you finished your Holiday shopping? How about giving the Gift of Preparedness? This week, Emergency Essentials is giving you a chance to win one of FIVE great items that make ideal gifts for family, friends and yourself! One winner will be chosen for each giveaway item from all valid entries.

GUARANTEED DELIVERY BY CHRISTMAS

Place your order by 8:00 am MST on Monday, December 13th, and we will guarantee your order to arrive by Christmas. Your order must meet the following criteria to qualify for the guaranteed delivery:

• Order must be placed by 8:00 am MST on Monday, December 13th
• All items must be in stock (not back ordered)
• You must include "Holiday Gift" in the notes section when you place your order
• Offer valid for qualified orders shipped to the 48 contiguous states 

If for some reason your qualifying order does not arrive by Christmas, refuse your package and we will refund the entire amount of your order.

GIVEAWAY PRIZES

The Charger™
This hand crank flashlight features three LED bulbs, two brightness modes, and a mobile phone charging adapter. Normally $11.95, the Charger™ is on sale for just $7.99 during the month of December.

NEW! Auto Buddy™ Emergency Light and Tool
A must have tool in every vehicle, this light includes a window spike, seat belt cutter, LED flashlight, and flashing amber LED beacon. It also has a magnetic base for emergency mounting. Necessary for quick escapes or alerting attention when help is needed. Buy one today for only $11.95.

3-Day Emergency Kit
Our 3-Day Emergency Kit includes basic items for three days for one person, providing items for shelter, water, food, first aid, warmth, light, communication, and more! Regular price $54.95.

Wavelength™
Our very popular Wavelength, a 34.99 value, is available for just $16.95! In one useful, easy-to-carry tool you will find an AM/FM radio with built-in speaker, charge-out port and car adapter cord to allow you to charge many cell phones, PDA's and other electronics that have car-charging cables. You'll also find a flashlight which will stay on for up to 30 minutes on the low setting with one minute of cranking. It comes with three LED bulbs and has two brightness modes.

Wenzel® Twin Peaks Tent
This tent sleeps 3 people, has a base size of 7' x 7', a center height of 48" and weighs only 6 lbs. It features fiberglass poles and a "D" style door and large mesh roof vents and windows. Regularly $39.95, the Wenzel™ Twin Peaks tent is on sale for just $28.99, a savings of 27%!

Be sure to check out these and other items, many of which are available for great sale prices during our Holiday Sale.

How to Enter:

Send us an email at blog@BePrepared.com with "Five Holiday Gifts Giveaway" in the subject line. That's it! It's that easy. All entries received by midnight, December 13th will be entered (one entry per household). The winners will be selected at random and posted on the blog on Tuesday, December 14th.

If you purchase one of these items during the giveaway and win, we will issue you a refund or send you the product - whichever you prefer.

Please note: We welcome emails and entries from everyone; however, free shipping of giveaway prizes is included only within the 48 contiguous United States. For any locations outside this area, the winner is responsible for arranging and paying their own shipping costs.

Not sure what to give everyone on your gift list? Consider preparedness products!

Many years ago, when my husband and I had just started our little family, I yearned to become more prepared. With the cold weather and a new daughter to care for, I realized how much I might need a few items to keep my family comfortable should an emergency happen. I let my parents know that for the holidays that year, I would like food storage or preparedness gifts. I remember opening the cans of food and being so grateful that my little pantry would be better stocked in the coming year.

Don’t hesitate to consider preparedness items for your gift list this year. Imagine giving those you love the gift of a better prepared home, some extra cans of food, or warmth should they need it. Here are some ideas to help you check off a few presents on that gift list!

    •    Stocking stuffers are easy to find when it comes to preparedness! Emergency blankets, first aid kits, whistles, fire starters, and hand warmers. are just a few of the wonderful items available to stuff a stocking with.
    •    If you need a gift for a dear friend, you might want to consider an emergency kit. You can find kits as small or as big as you would like.
    •    Would you like to celebrate a great teacher, hairdresser, or mail carrier? A basket containing an assortment of preparedness items really shows how much you care.
    •    Know someone who spends a lot of time commuting? Give them an emergency car kit to help keep them safe on the road.
    •    Many of us have avid hunters and sportsman in our families. Could they use a new tent, sleeping bag, or water filter?
    •    Do you have a friend who loves to cook? There are food dehydrators, canners, mixers, mills, and many other items that can make kitchen work fun, easy, and help them should an emergency occur.
    •    Who doesn’t enjoy a good meal? Consider putting together a collection of several dehydrated or freeze dried items to make an entire meal for a special family.
    •    Neighborhood gifts can be simple when you consider preparedness items. One year, I supplied my neighborhood friends with a 5 in 1 Survival Whistle and a fun poem about preparedness.

L'Equip Deluxe Food Dehydrator

The possibilities are endless! This year, take a closer look at your holiday gift list and consider checking it off with emergency preparedness items. Not only will you be helping your loved ones prepare, you’ll be blessing them with the gift of love by letting them know you want them safe and comfortable no matter what the future holds. You might find that you’ve started a new tradition in your household, being prepared for presents!

Not sure what to give everyone on your gift list? Consider preparedness products!

Emergency Preparedness Guide -- Home Making

Learn how to build your own shelter and you’ll feel confident that even in the most uncomfortable of circumstances, you’ll have the knowledge to do some “home-making”!

Shelter is a high priority when preparing for an emergency. After food and water, shelter is next on the list. Most of us don’t think about shelter because we assume that shelter will always be available for us, whether at our own homes or within our community. But that isn’t always the case. Sometimes disasters leave people stranded in harsh weather or amidst destroyed buildings and they are desperately in need of shelter to protect them.

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Preparing for Winter Travel

Winter is here, is your vehicle ready? While it is important to be prepared for vehicle emergencies year round, the winter months pose unique challenges. The drop in temperature, often accompanied by ice and snow, can turn inconvenient experiences like breaking down, being stranded or waiting for assistance to arrive into hazardous situations. By planning ahead and preparing, you can minimize the danger and discomfort.

Start by building an Emergency Car Kit. Remember to include things like books or paper and pencils to keep children entertained or to leave notes if necessary. Always let someone know where you are going and when you intend to arrive. Keep the gas tank at least half-full at all times.

Roadwise™ Emergency Kit

If you break down, DO NOT leave your car. It is the best shelter you can have in a winter storm. If you have a cell phone, call for assistance. While you are stuck and if you are able to start the car, run the engine for about ten minutes every hour to use the heater. Make sure you crack a window on the side away from the wind to get fresh air. Periodically check to make sure your tail pipe is not blocked by snow or other objects. If you find an obstruction, to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, you should clear it before engaging the engine.

Ice can freeze your vehicle doors shut or they could become jammed by a collision. Therefore, as soon as severe weather warnings are issued, move selected emergency items inside the vehicle. Keep a hammer, Samurai survival tool, or a small pry bar inside your car to pry yourself free from a door jammed by a collision.

Another option is our new Auto Buddy™ Emergency Light and Tool. A must have tool in every vehicle, this light includes a window spike, seat belt cutter, LED flashlight, and flashing amber LED beacon. It also has a magnetic base for emergency mounting. Necessary for quick escapes or alerting attention when help is needed.


By being prepared, you can stay safe during your holiday and winter travels!