4Patriots

Fall is finally here. Trees are shedding their leaves. Squirrels are busy burying acorns. Birds are migrating south. Rabbits are rushing around, making burrows. There’s a reason the world seems so active during this season. What we do in the fall determines how ready we are for winter. Your home is better insulated than the average rabbit den. But you can still prepare ahead of time to keep your loved ones safe and comfortable during the winter. Here are 4 preparedness measures to take this fall to enjoy a safe winter. Stock Up on Supplies You don’t have to start harvesting and burying acorns. But you can stock up on essential supplies before winter. During the winter, you might want to stay off the roads any more than necessary. When you have emergency supplies, you can avoid dangerous winter roads. If a severe storm hits, your family can stay prepared for anything. Stock up on survival food . Be sure to keep emergency drinking water on hand, too. If you have a wood-burning firep

Are you passionate about independence? Do you value being ready for anything? Would you rather be overprepared than caught off guard? If so, you’re probably familiar with the 5 phases of disaster preparedness. These 5 phases focus on big-picture preparedness. They answer questions like: How will a town recover from a natural disaster? Are there helpful local resources for families in need? But you can use these 5 steps to strengthen your individual preparedness. Here’s everything you need to know about the 5 steps of disaster preparedness. 1. Prevention The best offense is a good defense. This definitely applies to emergency preparedness. Not every emergency or disaster can be prevented. However, you can take measures to lower your household’s risk of emergencies. Think about daily habits. Do you clean your dryer’s lint trap? Dryers are a common source of house fires. Do you prune large branches that hang over your home? If it’s been a while, grab your shears and get out there. Th

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.

Back-to-school season is busy. Your kids and grandkids will face new challenges. They’ll ask big questions and learn new things. As you get children ready for another school year, you want to enhance their independence. This is the perfect time of year to revisit your family’s emergency plan. Is your youngest starting kindergarten? Are older kids moving on to high school? Your emergency plan is important no matter how old your kids are. Some parts of your plan may stay the same each year. But other details can change. Even if your emergency food can last for years in proper storage, the rest of your plan might need a refresh. Here are 3 reasons to revisit your family’s emergency plan at the beginning of the school year. It’s an Easy Reminder Spring cleaning reminds us to scrub our baseboards. Falling leaves remind us to clean our gutters before winter. Yearly reminders like these can help us keep up with easy-to-forget tasks. Use the start of the school year as your annual reminder

Are you a football fan? Do you love hot apple cider? Does your family take an annual fall camping trip? There’s a lot to love about this great season. As you plan all the fall festivities, make sure to prepare for common fall weather threats. Transitional seasons like spring and fall have a reputation for unpredictable weather. Temperatures and humidity are constantly changing. These conditions are just right for severe storms and wind. Luckily, with the right preparation plan, you can stay calm. All it takes is a few emergency preparedness tips to enjoy the colorful leaves with peace of mind. Here’s everything you need to know about 3 common fall weather threats and how to prepare for them. Early Snow Waking up to a little surprise snow can be the recipe for a cozy fall morning. However, too much unexpected snow too soon can be dangerous. As the seasons change, keep your eye on the weather forecast. Heavy fall snow can cause tree branches to snap. Drivers may not be ready for icy c

Every corner of the country offers something special. You might love hiking in the mountain ranges of your home state. Maybe your family loves fishing in a local river. Just like each town has a unique appeal, every region has unique dangers. Solar Generator A hurricane could hit your coastal town. Your midwestern city might experience a tornado. Western states face summer wildfires. You know your family already makes the most of the best parts of where you live. But is your family prepared to endure your area’s natural disasters? Here’s how to build a disaster box for 3 types of natural disasters. Hurricanes You may need to evacuate if a hurricane is approaching your area. Your hurricane kit should be similar to a go-bag since you’ll likely need to relocate to safer, higher ground. Evacuations can happen fast. Having your survival supplies and important documents ready to go is essential. Store these items in an easy-to-carry bin or bag: A 3-day supply of water per person Emerge

Fire season can be scary. Dry grass and thunderstorms can suddenly mean thousands of acres of flames. You can prepare yourself and your family for fires with the right survival gear. From a portable solar generator to an emergency radio, the right tools make a big difference. To keep your family safe throughout fire season, here are 5 essentials to add to your survival setup. Water Bricks Water Bricks Fires can put a lot of strain on water systems. Firefighters need water to fight the fire. Your family could find that the tap no longer works. It’s essential to have enough water on hand to make it through an unexpected crisis. Water bricks can help you store water efficiently. Find a design that holds 4 days of water. You can even use them to build a functional coffee table if you’re low on space. That way, you’ll always have water ready. Search for water bricks that are easy to transport if you need to evacuate. When a fire is raging nearby, it’s the best way to ensure your family