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National Preparedness Month

National Preparedness Month - Survival Kit

September is National Preparedness Month – Be Prepared!

Emergencies are just that:  unpredictable events that force you to balance the stress of disaster under less-than-ideal conditions.  Emergencies can range from temporary power-outages to unexpected natural disasters.  Whether the emergency is long lasting short-lived, you should make sure you and your loved ones are well prepared for it. September, also the heart of the hurricane season, marks National Preparedness Month.  The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has joined forces with the  Citizen Corps to spread the word about the importance of emergency readiness. This means it's time to gather your essentials, pack them into a small, portable container, and prepare for those unexpected days ahead. 

 According the the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, your emergency kit should include products and supplies to last you for at least three days.  According to www.ready.gov and www.citizencorps.gov, key elements of your emergency kit should include:

  • source of light
  •  radio communication
  • water
  • non-perishable foods
  • power source
  • first aid kit
  • maps and evacuation plan

Before you rush to the store and purchase arm-loads of batteries, heavy generators, and gallons of bottled water, consider the benefits of having smaller, more efficient tools in your emergency kit.  In order for your emergency kit to provide you with a sustainable means of surviving unpredictable circumstances, you need to consider not only the portability, but the renewable resources involved. 

Energy Efficient Surivival Products

By combining versatile components with sustainable energy sources, you  can create an emergency kit that's both portable and dependable.  Consider this: batteries fail over time and storing gallons of water is not only tedious, it's also impractical.  By replacing battery-powered flashlights with kinetic or solar-powered flashlights, you'll eliminate the need to store extra batteries and never run out of power!  Regular emergency kits with battery-powered flashlights and radios require periodic assessments in order for you to stay prepared.  If you choose solar or crank-powered tools, however, you never have to worry about old batteries or replacement power.  Both flashlights and radios are available with solar or kinetic-powered systems which can be charged anytime and anywhere. 

Water storage can be just as versatile.  Instead of storing gallons of drinking water in a closet, consider instead the benefits of a portable water filtration system.  Portable filtration devices are compact units that allow you to create drinkable water from almost any source.  Compact water filtration bottles, like the Katadyn Water Filter Bottle, provide quick, safe access to water anywhere you go.  This is especially important if you are required to seek temporary shelter in unexpected places during an emergency. 

Portability is key!  Emergencies often displace homeowners, forcing them to leave behind bulky emergency kits.  What's the point of a survial kit if you can't take it with you!  The Eco Geek Living Emergency Survival Kit comes in a convenient, waterproof bag and includes: 

For more information about government-recommended procedures and disaster preparations, visit www.ready.gov and www.citizencorps.gov.

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