In an emergency, we need safe water daily to drink, cook, clean, flush toilets and do laundry. Along with storing extra water for emergencies, you may find some hidden sources around your house. Read this article to help you identify hidden water sources.
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As we start going outside more, so do North America’s black bears. When the weather warms up, black bears wake up from their deep sleep very hungry! After all, it has been a few months since they have eaten. When bears first come out of the den in early spring, there is not as much natural food for them as late spring, summer and fall, so they scrounge for it anywhere. Bears can smell food from up to five miles away! Bears are also very curious, but also naturally wary of humans. Attacks on humans are rare. However, experts report that bear and human encounters are on the rise. Do you know what to do if you encounter a bear?
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I hope that for winter you changed out your bug out bag’s warm weather gear for cold weather gear and added a few things such as emergency Mylar blankets to keep you warm. Now is the perfect time to switch out your bug out bag’s gear again.
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Practicing under various weather conditions does more than allow me to practice the fundamentals under adverse conditions. It also allows me to better understand how my gear works when wet, cold, and muddy. If I’m going to have a piece of equipment fail, I’d much rather have that failure occur while at the range instead of out at a competition or while watching that trophy elk dissolve into a misty tree line. The fall and winter hunting season have one thing in common with the spring, and that’s cold and often wet weather. The deer and elk I pursue are out in the elements, and if I want to get to them I have to brave the elements as well. It’s important to me to know that my gear performs well on the range and how to overcome the problems that foul weather presents.
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People panic when the weather gets bad and buy up all the staples. However, if you anticipate what could happen, you would not have to scramble to get the essentials. For those of you already anticipating the possibilities and are ready for what could happen, do not mind bugging in for a few days because of bad weather. Even if you do lose power, you have enough fuel and food to keep you comfortable. Sounds practical right? If you think hard enough about it, I’m sure you can come with a few benefits of storing some food, water and other essential “survival” gear and not because zombies are coming. Stocking up on supplies might make you feel a little “crazy cat lady,” but don’t worry; here is a list of 15 really good reasons to be practical.
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FEMA describes a safe room as a room that offers “near-absolute protection” from winds up to 250 miles per hour, remaining intact, even if the rest of your house or office is destroyed. A safe room can be an already-existing room such as a closet or bathroom reinforced to protect against severe winds due to tornados and hurricanes, or a room build inside the house specifically to be a safe room. Since new construction might be cost-prohibitive for you and your family, you can also designate one room in the house or office as the “safe room.” The main objective is to put as many walls between you and the severe weather event as possible. Read this article to learn how to prepare.
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In the past, the expert writers at Cheaper Than Dirt! have written extensively on severe spring and summer weather—including an airman who served in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. From first-hand encounters during a lightning storm to quick tips and infographics, I have even asked, “Can you outrun a tornado?” Following is the top ten blog posts to help you stock up, plan and prepare for spring and summer severe weather.
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NOAA broadcasts continuous updates on a network of radio stations around the country called NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) All Hazards. Not only does NOAA report weather, but also information on natural disasters such as avalanches and earthquakes, as well as environmental problems such as oil spills and chemical explosions, along with Amber alerts. NWR uses VHF frequencies from 162.400 to 162.550 MHz. However, you cannot hear these broadcasts on regular AM/FM radio receivers. Cheaper Than Dirt! sells four different emergency weather-alert specific radios. I have highlighted the main features of each.
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Do you know how to start a fire without matches? If not, read this post to learn alternative ways to start a fire in a flash!
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Spring and summer bring just as many weather extremes as winter does. Severe spring and summer weather in the form of hurricanes, thunderstorms, floods and tornadoes cause devastation, destruction and loss of life. You need to prepare for the coming potential weather much like you did for winter. However, instead of blankets, you will need alternative ways to stay cool and take extra precautions to stay safe during supercell thunderstorms, hurricanes and tornados. Severe weather, rather it is in winter, spring or summer has the potential to cause power outages and loss of utilities. Are you ready?
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