This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

A few years ago, a group of hikers left on a day-long excursion to the mountains. However, when a storm hit, they weren’t able to return home. During the storm, they lost the trail, and became completely stranded in the woods. Without any supplies, food or water, the hikers had to figure out how to survive, especially since one of their party had been seriously injured during an accident. Though the group was rescued a few days later, the injured member nearly died during the experience. Experts agreed later that if one member of the group had been trained in first aid, they could have provided better care during their survival experience.

First aid training has become widely available to the public over the past few years. It’s also become extremely affordable, especially from public organizations like the American Red Cross. First aid training might not be your top priority right now, but there are many good reasons why you should think about taking a first aid class.

Natural Disasters
During a natural disaster, you might be cut off from medical care, at least for a short time. By obtaining training in first aid, you can rest easy knowing that you’ll be able to provide a basic level of medical care for your family. Also, being trained in first aid can allow you to assist others that may become injured during a natural disaster.

Family Emergencies
On the chance that someone in your family becomes injured at home, how long are you willing to wait for medical care? By having first aid knowledge, you can have a much better chance of providing care until certified medical help can arrive. If someone in your family has a medical condition (such as diabetes) it’s best to know how to treat complications of their condition. First aid classes can go a long way towards helping you understand how to take care of your family during an emergency situation.

Camping or Hiking Trips
Most families take a vacation during the year, often to a campground or hiking area. If you’re taking your family to an area that won’t have readily available medical care, it’s better if you have at least a basic level of first aid training. You might only have to treat sprained ankles and skinned knees, or you might have to deal with a real medical emergency. Wouldn’t you feel better if you were prepared to deal with any sort of medical situation?

Personal Safety
Knowing how to treat even basic injuries can go a long way towards improving your personal safety. Do you know how to treat a puncture wound? How to deal with a poisonous snake bite? What to do if you think you’ve broken a bone? By taking control of your own personal safety, you can improve your chances of a quick recovery from any injury.

This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

There are hundreds of articles, publications and videos that talk about the importance of preparing your family for a potential disaster. However, did you know that less than 5% of families have an evacuation strategy for their home? There are a wide variety of scenarios which might require you to leave home in a hurry. Here’s a quick guide to what you can do to plan an evacuation strategy for your family.

Planning for Different Scenarios

Deciding on an evacuation strategy for a house fire will be drastically different than planning an evacuation for a home invasion. It’s best to have at least a few strategies for each scenario. You should have an evacuation plan for the following situations:

• Flash Flood
• Mandatory (ordered) Evacuation
• Home Invasion
• House Fire
• Hurricane
• Tornado
• Earthquake

You can also plan your evacuation to prioritize for disasters that are a high risk in your area. For example, if you live on the East Coast, you might want to make your first plan for a hurricane evacuation. If you live in a high risk flood area, you’ll want to make your flood evacuation plan first.

Making Your Plan

Once you’ve outlined your evacuation scenarios, it’s time to make a definitive plan. Your goal should be to get your family out of your home in the easiest and safest way possible. To start, first mark all of the entrances and exits in your home. This should include alternative exits, such as windows, skylights and basement access areas. Though your priority will be to evacuate through one of your doors, this may not be possible in all scenarios.

To plan for a second-floor evacuation, make sure that there’s an easily accessible escape ladder in at least two of your upstairs rooms. Most escape ladders can be folded for easy storage. Make sure your escape ladder is long enough to allow your family members to reach the ground safely.

Evacuation Supplies

It’s best to have a “grab and go” evacuation kit that can be used in the event of an emergency situation. This kit should be multi-purpose, and have basic supplies for your family. Aside from other items, be sure to include:

• Food
• Water
• At least one change of clothing for each family member
• Flashlight
• Communication (i.e. Walkie Talkies) in case of separation
• Portable shelter or tent
• Basic medical supplies
• Water Purification System

Implementing Your Plan

Once you have your final plan, it’s time to begin educating your family. Work with all members of your family on the plan, especially small children. Evacuation doesn’t have to be scary – you can make your evacuation drills a fun activity for your kids. This will help them stay calm and focused in the event of a “real” evacuation.

You should give each family member a checklist to use when evacuating. This checklist can be posted on the back of a door, or in another easily visible area. Most children will have a much easier time with an evacuation if they’re given clear guidelines to follow. Make sure that at least one member of your family is in charge of bringing the “grab and go” kit in the event of an evacuation.

This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

It’s interesting to note the negative connotations attached to the word “preparedness”. Most people equate preparedness with the image of paranoia, conspiracy theories and a negative view on organized government. However, the true definition of preparedness couldn’t be farther from that stereotype. Preparedness is less of a “lifestyle”, and more of a “mindset” that defines your lifestyle. It highlights independence, sustainability and the ability to care for your family without outside assistance.

For example, let’s take one of the common preparedness methods – stockpiling food. Critics assume that families that store extra food are preparing for the “apocalypse” or entertaining thoughts of a government-wide rebellion. However, storing extra food in your home is a great way to have insurance against any potential interruption in the food supply chain. For example, during Hurricane Katrina, most of the residents of New Orleans were unable to purchase food from grocery stores – instead, they had to rely on handouts from disaster assistance volunteers and government workers. What if each of those families had kept a one month supply of extra food in their home? In reality, storing extra food is a smart way to ensure that your family won’t have to rely on outside assistance for food during a disaster.

Another of the concepts of preparedness involves growing your own food. Again, some critics assume that those with home gardens are conspiracy theorists who believe grocery store food contains sterilization agents, cancer-causing chemicals or other components. [Note: It has been proven that many of the pesticides used on commercial produce have the potential to be carcinogenic, so this is less of a ’conspiracy theory’ and more of a valid concern.] However, that shouldn’t be the focus of a home garden. Instead, growing your own food highlights sustainability, and the ability to feed your family independent of the commercial food supply. Instead of being a symptom of paranoia, growing your own food is a great way to take charge of your family’s nutrition.

It’s true that there are different levels of the preparedness mindset, ranging from an extra week’s worth of stored food, to complete “off the grid” living with an independent power system. Even when considering the most extreme preparedness veterans, their lifestyle choices are a personal freedom that we all have. So what if your neighbors want to homeschool their children, or grow their own vegetables? Helping more families have a “backup” method that makes them less dependent on organized networks will ensure resilience during a disaster. How much money could our government save on aid, if people were able to be self-sustainable even after electricity and food chains were disrupted?

Jim Rawles is the creator of SurvivalBlog.com, a “daily weblog for prepared individuals”. Topics on his blog range from storing extra canned food to creating a sophisticated “off the grid” electrical system complete with solar, wind or hydroelectric power. His and other preparedness blogs focus on the importance of self-reliance and sustainability, especially in difficult financial times.

So, to answer the question “Paranoia or Preparedness?” – preparedness as a concept in itself isn’t always a symptom of paranoia. Instead, it’s a personal  mindset to create a sustainable, self-reliant lifestyle that focuses on family security.

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This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

A home invasion is every homeowner’s worst nightmare. For many people, their home represents safety, security and sanctuary. The idea that burglars could violate this sanctuary has been a topic explored in many articles, security videos and even in popular cinema. It’s true – no one wants to even think about the possibility of a home invasion. However, like with any break-in, it pays to be prepared.  Here are a few useful tips to help you protect your home and family in the event of a home invasion.

1. Make a Family Plan

It’s essential that you discuss the possibility of a home invasion with your family, especially with your children. Present the topic in a gentle but informative manner, telling your children that it’s extremely unlikely that a home invasion will ever occur. Make a family escape plan, and an assigned meeting place for any members of the family who are able to get out of the house. If possible, have “safety drills” on a monthly basis with your children, where you all exit the house and meet at the assigned meeting place.

2. Assign a “Danger” Phrase

A “danger” phrase is an easy-to-remember phrase that your family can use in the event that they’re in trouble. For example, if a family member calls during a home invasion, and the burglars instruct you (or any other family member) on what to say, you can use this phrase to indicate that you’re in trouble. Make it something easy to remember, and not too suspicious.

3. Use Your Monitored Security Features

If you have a monitored security system, there may be features included with your system that can be used in the event of a home invasion. For example, some security systems have a “panic” button, which can be pressed to automatically dial the monitoring station in speakerphone mode. This will allow the monitoring operator to listen in, assess the situation and contact the local authorities. Many monitoring stations will also have you set up a “danger” phrase, which can be used in the event that you’re forced to pretend that it was a false alarm. Familiarize yourself with the features of your home security system, and be prepared to use them in the event of a home invasion (or other emergency).

4. Invest in Protective Measures

If you’re concerned about the possibility of a home invasion, you can invest in certain security features to improve the safety of your home. For example, installing a safe room inside your home can provide a refuge for family members in the event of a home invasion. Having telephones easily available in most large rooms is another good investment. Reinforce your doors with security-grade deadbolt locks, and purchase a monitored security system for your home. All of these things can help ensure that your home – and family – will stay safe in the event of a home invasion.

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This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

Every time there’s a significant natural disaster, many people express renewed interest in getting their family prepared. Some people purchase bottled water, dehydrated food and medical supplies. Other people focus on securing their home with better locks, a home security system and enhanced surveillance. With all of this interest in getting your family prepared, what have you considered? If you were the victim of a natural disaster, what do you think would be most valuable to you?

This is just one of the questions that’s interesting to think about, either from a humorous or a serious point of view. If given the option to grab a few possessions, what would you take with you? Some might say survival supplies, while others might be more interested in entertainment, the safety of their pets, or securing supplies to rebuild civilization.

Have you ever been curious as to what some other people find valuable? After a poll of several users on Facebook and Twitter, here are a few of the things that some people would bring with them to an underground bomb shelter.

• “I’d bring a week’s supply of food, heirloom seeds and a water purification device. And a gigantic box of Mars candy bars!” - Emily J. via Facebook
• “Assuming food, water, and soap are a given, a volume of Vergil, two decks of playing cards, and a box of #2 pencils.” - Steven K. (@elvestinkle) via Twitter
• “Notebooks, pencils, books, and a knife. Oh, and probably some food too.” - J.D.Robinson (@Sachula) via Twitter
• “Rad Away, Nuka Cola, Bottlecaps, Rad-X, and a PipBoy.” - @GeeksNGamers via Twitter
• “I’d take my laptop so I can write songs and look at a picture to remind me of someone I love.” - Jonathan L. via Facebook
• “My Pip-Boy” - Adam P. via Facebook
• “Peanut Butter.” - Patrick M. via Facebook
• “The downloadable version of the current wikipedia database on my jailbroken iphone. From there I can rebuild society in my image!” - Jimmy C. via Facebook
• “A generator. I’d bring the new portable game unit, use the other guy’s laptop to draw and eat Pat’s peanut butter to survive! Maybe someone could bring jelly and some crackers? I’m a scavenger.” - Bianca H. via Facebook
• “Food and my goram firefly/serenity DVD collection.” - Marcelo L. via Facebook
• “A box of Twikies.” - John R. via Facebook
• “I would have to bring my entire music collection. Music has always been my biggest inspiration, motivation, and has shaped me into the person I am today. Without music, I am nothing.” - Aaron W. via Facebook
• “I’d bring my family. As long as we’re together, we can overcome anything!” - Cassie M. via Facebook

This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

Mary Perkins* was a young mother living in a relatively quiet neighborhood. Crime rates were low, and her two children attended public school year-round. She worked at home on her mail-order jewelry business, while her husband had a full-time job in a downtown office. One week in January, she watched the morning weather, and saw that a strong storm was headed towards her town.

“I wasn’t too worried,” she says. “Most of the hype that the news makes about strong storms… is mostly overplayed. So I just woke up and started it like any other day.”

However, the ice storm that was headed to Mary’s town would later be called the worst ice storm in history. School was canceled, and suddenly much of Mary’s town was without power. With her family suddenly isolated within the home, Mary realized just how unprepared she was for such a disaster.

“We had maybe three days worth of food,” she says. “There were flashlights and candles, but we had to dig around in the garage to find them. I had no idea that the storm was going to be that bad.”

This is an example of the severe damage to the power infrastructure that may occur during an ice storm.

After several days without power, Mary’s family was desperate for food, clean water and a warm place to stay. They ended up having to rely on the charity of their local church, which had several programs to help people affected by the disaster. While Mary and her family were staying in a shelter, they learned that one of the vacant homes on their street had been burglarized, with mostly everything of value stolen.

“It was frightening,” she says. “What if that had been our house? We were completely unprepared, without any food, water … not even basic security for our home.”

A Lesson in Preparedness

Mary’s experience is an important illustration of how unprepared many families are for a major disaster in their area. It’s estimated that the average family only has about a 2-3 day supply of food in their pantry. A significant percentage of families aren’t prepared for events such as an extended power shortage, which can occur as a result of strong seasonal storms.

How prepared is your family? The American Red Cross recommends that you have stored at least a 3-5 day supply of food, water and other necessities. Even if you don’t live in an area that is at a high risk for severe weather, it’s still better to be prepared. Stock up on food that doesn’t require any cooking (such as canned soup), as well as items such as battery-powered radios, flashlights, warm blankets and a good supply of bottled water.

You can find many resources for making a “disaster kit” online, though each family’s needs may be slightly different. A great way to find out what you’d need during a disaster is to stage a “mock disaster” with your family. For a weekend, challenge your family to not use any electricity for their daily activities. After the weekend is over, have a family meeting to talk about what items you would need in case of an extended power outage or other disaster.

This video was captured by one of the victims of the 2009 ice storm, which left over 2 million people without power, and killed 55 people. The majority of the areas that were affected by this storm saw over 2 inches of accumulated ice.

Click here to view the embedded video.

* Mary was kind enough to provide us with information about her experience during the 2009 ice storm that affected her town. For privacy reasons, Mary requested that her last name be changed for the publication of this article.

Photo Source:

http://thestormreport.com/2009/12/costly-ice-storm/

This post is originally authored at the home security blog at FamilyHomeSecurity.com.

For most people, it’s a widely accepted fact that our societal system is one of dependence. We depend on grocery stores to stock up food, just as we depend on our electric company to provide us with an uninterrupted supply of power. This dependence is mutually beneficial, since we usually invest money in ensuring that we are able to obtain such services. However, such dependence is not always a good thing. If your electric company experienced technical difficulties, could you live for a few days (or more) without electricity? If a weather-related event prevented you from being able to shop at the grocery store, would you have enough to feed your family? These questions, among others, are what motivates the concept of ‘Preparedness’.

What is Preparedness?

Preparedness could perhaps be better defined as ‘resilient sustainability’. Many people mistakenly equate the concept of preparedness solely with panic-induced food buying, stocking ammunition for a government collapse, or constructing a bomb shelter for WWIII. However, this is not the case. The basic concept of preparedness encourages you to be able to provide for your family, in the event that there is an interruption in the services we depend on. Services that you may not realize your dependence on may include:

• Grocery Store Food
• Plumbing (Drinking Water, Sewage)
• Electricity
• Road Maintenance
• Medical Care
• Entertainment
• Garbage Disposal
• Communication (Internet, Radio, TV)

As stated before, being a society that is dependant on the exchange of services is not necessarily seen as a negative thing. It simply is an example of how our society has evolved, in order to operate as a series of symbiotic relationships. However, in the event that any of these services are interrupted, we do need to have the ability to adapt. This, in itself, is the true nature of preparedness.

Core Concept of Preparedness

It is a misconception among many people that preparedness is a fear-motivated concept. By being afraid of disasters that may or may not occur, we become motivated to stockpile food, medication and other supplies. Disasters that many people cite for their reasons for being prepared include hurricanes, tornados, pandemic illness, terrorist attacks, earthquakes, floods and potential nuclear attacks. However, your desire to be prepared should not be motivated simply by fear of a dangerous situation. Instead, you should be motivated by your desire to keep your family safe and healthy in case any of the services you depend on become interrupted. This is the core concept of true preparedness.

So, Where Should I Start?

Not everyone has the financial resources to gain complete independence from the many services that we depend on. However, you can take small steps to help build the skills that you can rely on in times of need. To lessen your dependence on grocery store food (and be healthier as well!), you can start a small home vegetable garden. To help lessen your dependence on your electric company (and save money!), you can install solar panels to help power your electrical needs. To be able to help your family in a medical situation, you can take a Red Cross First Aid Course.  These small steps can help you to become more independent, less reliant, and can provide other benefits as well. By taking charge of some of your family’s needs, you can rest assured that you will always be able to provide for them, no matter what the situation. Preparedness sometimes requires you to make small lifestyle changes, but it provides you with numerous benefits for the safety of your family.

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1. Paranoia or Preparedness? This post is originally authored at the home security blog...