4Patriots

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...