4Patriots

Do you visit family during Thanksgiving? Or do you volunteer at a local shelter? November is National Gratitude Month. This time of year is all about being thankful for your family and community. It’s also a great opportunity to refresh your emergency plan. Here are a few ways to update your emergency plan during the season of gratitude. Chat With Loved Ones Make the most of family gatherings this November by talking about emergency preparedness. Ask your family what their emergency plan looks like. Do they have a portable solar generator ? Do they have emergency food? Who will they stay with if they need to evacuate? It can be difficult to find time for these important conversations throughout the year. Making time to talk about important topics during the holidays can boost your preparedness. Start Your Holiday Shopping List Who’s on your holiday shopping list? Are you looking for a thoughtful gift for your aging parents? What about a practical gift your nieces and ...

You could be anywhere when an emergency happens. That’s why being prepared for the unexpected is so important. You might have a go-bag and portable solar generator at home. But do you have survival gear in your car? What about at work? Here are 3 types of emergency go-bags you should create and what to include in them: Portable Solar Generator At Home A home go-bag should contain everything you need to leave quickly. It should have all the survival gear you need for at least 72 hours. Here are some essential supplies to include: 1 gallon of drinking water per person per day for several days 3-7 days’ worth of food First-aid kit Flashlight and extra batteries Emergency blanket, poncho, and body warmers Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, wet wipes Important documents such as copies of your insurance, ID, and prescriptions Plastic sheeting, scissors, and duct tape to shelter in place Manual can opener A generator with solar panel attachments for reliable power on the go Local maps ...

Think about everything electricity powers in your home. You need it to keep your fridge running so food doesn’t spoil. To watch the news, sports, and more, your TV has to be plugged in. Maybe you use a CPAP machine while you sleep. That needs electricity, too. You even need power to charge your cell phone so you can call your friends and family. What will you do when the lights go out without warning? Most people don’t think their home could be without power for more than a few hours until it happens. Do you have to rely on the grid? Not with an alternative power source. A portable solar generator offers several benefits. Here are 4 reasons to buy a solar generator for your family before you really need it: Keep Important Appliances Running During Outages You never know how long a power outage will last. It could be a few hours or 2 weeks. The longer the power is out, the more you worry about powering important devices. A solar powered generator can be a lifesaver durin...

Winter is a wonderful time of year. Your kids might love skiing or sledding. This might be the time of year when you visit extended family. Maybe you love waking up to fresh snow or wearing your favorite sweater. There’s a lot to love about winter. However, this time of year also brings unique challenges. Shorter days, frequent storms, and lower temperatures can create dangerous conditions. Power outages are a common winter emergency that every family should prepare for. With the right precautions, your family can stay safe this winter. Here are 3 ways to prepare for power outages this season. Cover the Basics Every family should have a few key emergency items in their home. You should keep at least a 3-day supply of food on hand for each person. A minimum 3-day supply of water is even more important. A flashlight, weather radio, and first aid kit are also essential. It’s easier to stay calm in an emergency when you have the necessities. If the power goes out this wint...

Community is important. We all want to be able to borrow a cup of sugar from our neighbors. Our kids and grandkids should feel safe when they play in the neighborhood. We even want to say hello to people in the grocery store. A strong community does more than make life enjoyable. Strong communities can come together when recovering from natural disasters. Simply put, tight-knit communities are more prepared for emergencies. Knowing you can count on others during an emergency is important. That’s why building a resilient community is a key part of disaster preparedness. What Is Community Resilience? What if a tornado devastates your town? What if a house fire displaces just a single family? A strong community can be there. You might only be able to look out for your loved ones during an actual emergency. Community resilience is different. Collective efforts help everyone recover from emergencies and prevent them in the future. Here are 3 ways to enhance your community’s resilience. ...

Power outages are 1 of the most common types of emergency situations. But that doesn’t mean they’re something you can ignore. Blackouts can result in compounding problems that bring severe consequences.  Portable Power Station Think about the things you do every day. Do you use your computer for work or school? Do you keep in touch with loved ones on social media or by phone? Do you use a medical device to measure blood pressure or provide oxygen? Do you store perishable food in a refrigerator? These all seem normal. Nothing out of the ordinary, right? But each of the items listed above requires a dependable power source. And that’s the 1 thing you won’t have in a blackout. You want to stay prepared so you won’t be caught off guard when the worst happens. Here are the 3 most common survival challenges you’ll encounter during a blackout. Powering Critical Appliances and Medical Devices In a blackout, your refrigerator, microwave, and television will all lose power. No dishwasher...