The Allstate Blog » Lisa Bedford, The Survival Mom

Super Vehicle Emergency Car Kit: How to Equip Yourself for Most Any Calamity

Lisa Bedford, The Survival Mom — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 12:02:16 +0000

No one enjoys being stranded on the side of the road, but when you have a well-equipped emergency car kit packed away in the trunk, the situation can be more bearable. This emergency car kit checklist covers the basics, but also has suggestions for items you may have overlooked. Consider packing these supplies for a super vehicle emergency car kit you can bring along on a spring or summer road trip, or just your next long-distance excursion with the kids:

Sanitation

Toilet paper. Keep a 4-pack handy; remove the cardboard tubes and flatten.
Hand sanitizer. Store in a quart-size zip-top bag to avoid leakage.
Toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss. Travel sizes make these easier to pack. Pack a set for each member in a zip-top bag labeled with each person’s name.
Plastic tablecloth. This can cover questionable surfaces when you’re ready for a meal or a diaper change.
Trash bags. These are good for lining an emergency potty, which could be a 5-gallon bucket or a toddler potty.
Baby wipes.
Bar of soap. Store in a zip-top bag or soap box.
Disinfecting wipes.
Feminine protection.
Small box of tissues.
Zip-top bags in different sizes. These come in handy for holding dirty laundry, dirty diapers or trash, and can even be used to hold water.

Sustenance

Energy bars. Choose high-calorie options; they're lightweight but provide the calories you'll need in a small dose.
Almonds.
V-8 juice.
Sport drink, premade or a mix.
Peanut or other nut butters in foil packets.
Jerky.
Dried fruit.
Applesauce/fruit cups.
Hearty, whole wheat crackers.
Hard candies.
Tuna packs.
Dry cereal.
Jam/jelly cups.
Trail mix. Make sure there’s no chocolate (which would melt in high temperatures).
Shelled sunflower seeds.

Survival

Water. A case of water bottles or cleaned 2-liter soda bottles, refilled with tap water, and tightly capped. These bottles can be reused.
Water filter. I like the Life-Straw or PurifiCup, which are both lightweight and highly portable.
LED flashlights and/or headlamps.
Rain ponchos.
Emergency radio. Choose a model that is both solar- and battery-powered.
Heavy-duty trash bags.
Reflective emergency blanket/sleeping bag.
Duct tape. (There’s always a use for duct tape.)
Fleece blankets. I roll these up and store them under the back seat for easiest access. They can be used as a window shade, ground cover, changing pad and in so many other ways.
Tarp.
Paracord. 50 yards, or more. Paracord is a lightweight nylon, general purpose utility rope.
Multi-purpose knife.
Extra batteries. For everything in your kit that requires a battery.
Hand/foot warmers.
Work gloves.
Small shovel.
Fire-starters, such as waterproof matches, flint or a Blast Match, which shoots sparks with three times the heat of a standard match.
Multi-tool.
Binoculars.
Light sticks. These are great to keep the kids entertained but also helpful for keeping track of them after dark.
Maps.
High quality first-aid kit.
Bandannas.
Small pair of scissors.
Collapsible nylon bag or small backpack. If you ever have to leave your vehicle for safer ground, this will enable you to take the most essential items with you.
Shoelaces.
Walking shoes for each member of the family. You’ll give thanks for having sturdy, comfortable shoes stashed in the car if you ever have to hoof it to safety.
Floppy cotton hat.
Sunblock.
Medications. Make sure you only pack those that aren’t temperature-sensitive.
Face mask. Even a simple dust mask comes in handy around a forest fire or high level of smog.
Bug repellent.
Moleskin.
Survival and first aid manuals.

Security

Whistle.
Cash, coins. Power outages also take out ATM machines. Having cash for gas, a restaurant meal or hotel room might put you ahead of those who only have a debit or credit card.
Disposable camera. This could be very helpful in documenting a car accident, license plates, injuries or storm damage.
Pepper spray. This is good bear spray if your travels take you through bear country.
Emergency phone numbers on a laminated card.

Sanity

Deck of cards.
Foam ear plugs.
Books on CD, paperbacks.
Inspirational or motivational book.
Small journal/pen or pencil.
Lip balm.
Battery-powered fan.

I keep my emergency kit packed in an opaque, under-the-bed bin that fits perfectly in the back of my SUV. To help with organization and keep track of inventory, I keep a laminated copy of this checklist on top of everything. Once your list is laminated, use a china marker to keep track of what you have packed in the kit. Lisa Bedford, author of “Survival Mom: How to Prepare Your Family for Everyday Disasters and Worst Case Scenarios," also blogs at www.thesurvivalmom.com. She believes there is power and peace in being prepared. Recommended by the editors:

13 Family Safety Items for a Mom’s Purse

Lisa Bedford, The Survival Mom — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 13:01:21 +0000

I used to carry a massive satchel for a purse until, one day, I realized that I didn’t use 80 percent of the items inside, and that I was walking with one shoulder noticeably higher than the other. That’s when I decided to pack lighter and smarter. I still carry my cellphone, a small wallet and I try to always have cash with me. But here are a few family safety items you may not have thought of – unusual items you can carry in your purse.

Two or three small pieces of moleskin; just the right size to cover a sore spot on a foot before it becomes a blister. Make sure to buy moleskin that has adhesive on one side.
Individual packets of sun block, insect repellent and antibacterial gel wipes. There’s no need to carry entire bottles if you buy some of these packets.
A black Sharpie. This is handier than a pen or pencil if you need to leave an emergency note with your car, or write your cellphone number on your toddler’s arm (in case the two of you get separated in an emergency).
Peanut butter in a packet for a quick jolt of protein. Almond and other nut butters also come in these foil packets.
A tiny LED flashlight to light the way, find your keys or signal for help.
A small pair of tweezers. This is not just for plucking a stray eyebrow but for removing slivers, cactus spines or tiny shards of glass.
Super glue can be handy to keep a small wound closed. Don’t use it on the face or near the eyes or on a jagged, deep cut. Of course, super glue is also handy for mending a broken nail or other small repairs.
A tube of lip balm or chap stick, wrapped in several inches of duct tape. (This is a good way to store a small stash of tape).
An individual packet of a powdered sports drink mix, to provide a boost of energy and electrolytes.
A set of hand and/or foot warmers during the winter.
Jelly beans, or other hard candies. These can help alleviate a sore throat or cough, pacify cranky kids and provide a boost of sugar. If yours contain Vitamin C, that’s even better.
Several safety pins of different sizes. The uses for these will become self-evident.
A multi-tool. Even in the days of carrying The Big Purse, I was always looking for a way to cut through twine, price tags, etc.

Keep most or all of these family safety items in a quart-size zip-top bag, both to keep things organized but also to provide a plastic bag for trash in all sorts of emergencies. Lisa Bedford, author of Survival Mom: How to Prepare Your Family for Everyday Disasters and Worst Case Scenarios, also blogs at www.thesurvivalmom.com. She believes there is power and peace in being prepared.

Survival Tips: How to Prepare for a Power Outage

Lisa Bedford, The Survival Mom — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 17:00:52 +0000

Hundreds of thousands of people are currently without power in the wake of Hurricane Isaac, which is pounding the Gulf Coast with wind and rain. But did you know that, on any given day in America, at least a half million people are without power? Clearly, a power outage in some form is inevitable. So it makes sense to plan for one now instead of scrambling for a flashlight when the lights go out. Consider these four categories when planning and preparing for a power outage emergency:

Sanitation

When the power goes out, some pretty important appliances stop working, and that includes your hot water heater. If the power is out for more than a few hours, you’ll need a way to heat water in order to sanitize dishes, eating utensils, and do laundry (along with purifying water, if necessary). Have at least two ways to heat water and cook food that don’t rely on electric power. A solar oven is a great choice on sunny days, and a fuel-efficient outdoor rocket stove, such as the Stove-Tec Rocket Stove, will get the job done in any type of weather.

Sustenance

Americans have likely lost billions of dollars’ worth of refrigerated and frozen food due to power failures over the past few decades. Once food has warmed to 40 degrees Fahrenheit or higher for two or more hours, it’s no longer safe to consume. But if you fill empty beverage bottles with water and freeze them, you can prolong the cold temperatures in your fridge and freezer. When the power goes out, the bottles will help keep food cool longer; keep several in the freezer, and place several more in the fridge. A thermometer will let you know whether or not the food is in the safe-to-eat zone. You should also store at least a week’s worth of food that doesn’t require refrigeration and is very simple to prepare. Jerky, dried and canned fruit, nuts, granola bars, peanut butter, fruit/applesauce cups, V-8 juice, and tuna packs all pack a nutritious punch without requiring any cooking. You’ll find a comprehensive list of handy no-cook foods here. For food that needs to be cooked, fire up the grill or a stove alternative. Be sure to store enough fuel and/or wood, if necessary.

Survival

This category covers anything and everything that will insure your basic survival in the event of an extended power outage. It will take some time to assemble everything you need, so ask yourself the following: How will you stay cool in the summer without air conditioning? (battery-powered fans are one option) How will you stay warm in the winter without power? Blankets and even bubble wrap can be used to insulate windows. You should also have a plan for living in just one or two rooms during a long-term outage; this will minimize the area that has to be heated. How will you see in the dark? You’ll need several light sources, including flashlights, headlamps, and lanterns. Store extra batteries for anything that is battery-powered. How will you stay in touch with people and get necessary information? Invest in a good quality emergency radio that is battery powered. If it comes with a solar charger, that’s even better. Does a generator make sense in your circumstances? Or could it make you a target for thieves? Other helpful items can be found on this survival basics checklist.

Sanity

When the power goes out, it can really be a test to keep your wits about you because suddenly there is no TV, video games, or computer. Have a supply of board games, jigsaw puzzles, a deck of cards or two, and a few books that haven’t been read yet. A battery-powered dock for your iPod will bring hours of entertainment to the music lovers in your family. Have young kids? Stock up on a few sets of earplugs! Power outages can take us by surprise, and they can be scary to both children and adults alike. Make preparations to keep your family protected in an emergency today to insure peace and readiness tomorrow! Are you prepared for the next big storm? Sign up for Allstate’s weather alerts to stay in-the-know. Celebrate National Preparedness Month throughout September with Lisa Bedford, The Survival Mom! New resources, webinars, contests, and giveaways will give you new ideas and motivation to ‘get ready for anything!’ You might also like:

City Dwellers or Country Folk: Who’s Better Prepared for a Disaster?

Lisa Bedford, The Survival Mom — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 11:00:48 +0000

The word “prepper” hasn’t been a part of the American lexicon for very long, and yet millions now consider themselves as such. Emergency preparedness has become quite trendy, and people are stocking up on food, water, firearms and other supplies to minimize the impact an emergency will have on their lives. It’s as though a zombie apocalypse has arrived. But is it possible to be a prepper and live in a city? Are rural preppers in safer locations?

City Life: The Benefits

Urban and suburban dwellers have the advantages of readily available services, products, and large support systems of emergency and medical personnel. When a crisis hits, help is less than a few miles away. The city also offers more choices when it comes to employment and education. It’s no wonder that Americans have been flocking to big cities for a century.

City Life: The Drawbacks

The problem with life in the cities, though, is that it encourages and nurtures a dependent mindset and anonymity. Even so-called “Doomsday Preppers” who are city bound must still rely on their city’s infrastructure. True self-reliance is all but impossible when you consider that your home’s only water supply comes from the city (which is vulnerable to contamination), and you share a sanitation system with a million other people. Additionally, extreme hardship brings out the worst in people, and living smack dab in the middle of a city can increase your family’s vulnerability. Consider, also, that virtually every product on store shelves is delivered via 18-wheelers. It doesn’t take much of an emergency to bring our trucking system to a halt. To complicate matters, an evacuation is virtually impossible in most large cities.

Country Living: The Benefits

But is rural life that much better for a prepper family? Well, the answer is mostly yes, with a few words of caution. A small town, farm, or homestead typically offers life at a slower pace and more opportunities to connect with neighbors who are more likely to have a similar mindset. It’s easier to find a home with its own water supply and space for a large garden; and it can be reassuring to know exactly where your water and food comes from.

Country Living: The Drawbacks

The drawbacks of rural life center mainly on the element of isolation. If you’re five miles from the nearest neighbor, who will hear you scream? Who will notice suspicious characters skulking around your home while you’re away on vacation, or flames shooting from your roof? It’s one thing to have extra food and water stored and quite another to put out a house fire or battle a gang of thugs on your own. There are fewer jobs available in rural settings and, as one homesteading friend said, “If you move to the country, get ready for your income to drop, dramatically.” Life can also be surprisingly expensive when it comes to purchasing farm equipment, having a well dug, and caring for livestock.

Tip for city preppers

So, if you’re stuck in a city, is survival impossible? Not hardly. My no. 1 survival rule is, “Do what you can, where you are, with what you have.” Even a small apartment can accommodate a few dozen gallons of water and extra food (especially if you’ve thoroughly de-cluttered your living space). Challenge yourself to learn skills of self-reliance, such as canning and basic home repairs. Network with other prepper-minded people via MeetUp groups, gardening clubs, and backyard chicken support groups. (If you’ve ever owned chickens, you’ll understand!) And get to know your neighbors. You need to know who you can depend on in a crisis and who will become part of the problem.

Tip for rural preppers

If you find yourself in a small town or rural area, continually build on your bank of skills and knowledge. Plan and save money for alternative sources of energy. Get your amateur radio license so you’ll have a way of communicating with others in the area if an emergency arises. If you depend on an electric powered well pump, save money to buy a manual pump because without water…there is no survival. The reality is that, regardless of your current address, you and your family can survive everyday disasters and worst case scenarios with some planning, budgeting, and, most importantly, action.

Lisa Bedford, author of Survival Mom: How to Prepare Your Family for Everyday Disasters and Worst Case Scenarios, also blogs at www.thesurvivalmom.com.

The 4 Survival Skills Every Kid Should Know

Lisa Bedford, The Survival Mom — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 13:25:56 +0000

Some of outdoor adventurer Bear Grylls’ biggest fans are kids. Their eyes widen at his derring-do, and boys and girls alike admire his survival skills and savvy. But the survival skills that are more likely to keep our kids safe and sound are actually far more mundane! Here are four survival skills that every kid should know, along with a few tips for parents.

What to do if lost

A lost child is a scared child, and usually their first instinct is to begin searching for their family. Train your children to stop and sit as soon as they realize they are lost. Assure them that, no matter how scared they might be, you are searching for them at that very moment; but also that, if they keep moving around, it will take longer to find them. Consider equipping your children with an inexpensive cell phone and when venturing outdoors, a few survival items tucked in a backpack or their pockets. Items such as a whistle, a bright bandana and a bottle of water are the makings of a kids’ survival kit that will go a long way to helping them be found more quickly.

How to answer the door when home alone

Usually the best strategy is to not answer the door! Yes, the person knocking could be a burglar scoping out the neighborhood. But once the door is opened, it’s that much easier for an intruder to enter. And children are easily overpowered. Train your child to enforce home security: Keep doors and windows locked and blinds and curtains closed. Noise from a TV or radio is fine. Someone with questionable motives will think twice about entering a home if they hear noises inside, even if the house is closed up and no one answers the door.

What to do in a medical emergency

From a young age, kids can learn how to dial 911 and report an emergency, but this takes practice. Spend some time rehearsing phone calls, teaching your children to relay detailed information to an operator, follow his or her instructions, and then stay on the line until help arrives. If possible, children should also get the home ready for the arrival of EMTs by putting pets in closed areas and, if it’s nighttime, turning on both indoor and outdoor lights. Summer is an ideal time for children to take first aid and CPR classes, that are typically suitable for kids age 9 and up.

How to maintain situational awareness

When driving in the car, for instance, ask your kids to describe a building or vehicle you just passed. Teach them to pay attention to the route home by asking them to give you driving directions!

This one skill can help your child avoid many dangerous situations. The concept is simply for children to be aware of the people and events around them. Parents can help their children become more observant and aware—not by scaring them, but by playing games to teach and practice this skill. When driving in the car, for instance, ask your kids to describe a building or vehicle you just passed. Teach them to pay attention to the route home by asking them to give you driving directions! Tell them to close their eyes and describe what someone in the room is wearing. Encourage them to check out the license plates of passing cars: Which states are they from? What is the sum of the numbers on the license plate? Being aware of their surroundings will help them avoid predatory people and other dangerous scenarios. Simple to teach. Fun to practice. And, quite possibly, a life saver.

Lisa Bedford is the author of Survival Mom: How to Prepare Your Family for Everyday Disasters and Worst Case Scenarios and editor of www.thesurvivalmom.com blog.

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4 Things to Hoard for an Emergency

Lisa Bedford, The Survival Mom — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 12:06:34 +0000

Some people call it hoarding. I just call it smart. Devastating natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina, the Asian tsunami, and last year’s catastrophic earthquake in Japan have awakened many to our vulnerabilities. Add to that a spiraling housing market, jittery economic climate, and mounting job losses and it’s no wonder there’s growing interest in emergency preparedness (and stocking up on emergency disaster supplies) among families.

Here are four emergency disaster supplies you should store up—hoard, if you like—to better face the unexpected:

Fuel

Whether for cooking, driving or heating, a backup supply of fuel sources is a necessity (if you have a generator, you know how vital a fuel supply can be). According to the American Petroleum Institute, gasoline can be safely housed in approved containers of less than five gallons each and rotated through every few months. Gasoline should be stored in capacities of 25 gallons or less, should be stored at room temperature, away from sources of heat and ignition, and in a building separate from the house or place of occupancy. Diesel fuel is an even safer option when it comes to storage. If you have a propane-powered grill, good news: Propane is one of the easiest and safest fuels to store. A supply of seasoned wood is also a necessity if your emergency plans include the use of a fireplace, wood-burning stove or cooking over a campfire.

No-Cook Foods

Emergencies and gourmet meals aren’t exactly compatible, but you can still eat well when the power goes out or grocery shelves are bare. Just store foods that do not require refrigeration: items like tuna, dried fruit, granola bars, peanut butter, jerky, and V-8 juice provide energy without any preparation. Few people feel up to the challenge of cooking hearty meals when a crisis hits, so the simpler the better.

A few additional items to consider: pudding cups, seeds and nuts, packets of instant milk, and MREs (Meals Ready to Eat), which can be purchased online and in emergency supply stores. By the way, if you store canned food, don’t forget to also keep at least one manual can opener at the ready!

Light Sources and Batteries

It’s surprising how many emergencies bring power outages with them. Earthquakes, thunderstorms, hurricanes and tornadoes are just a few ways that nature can take down power lines, plunging homes and businesses into darkness. Have a supply of flashlights (LEDs provide the longest battery life), headlamps and lanterns along with plenty of batteries.

You can also bring solar pathway lights indoors when the sun goes down. Be careful about using candles with open flames as a light source, though, especially with young children around.

Water

The most basic of the basics, clean water becomes more precious than gold when it’s unavailable. You’ll need stored water for drinking, cooking, sanitation, bathing, and, at some point, laundry. (Yes, neither storm nor sleet nor dark of night will put off the need to do laundry for very long!)

Store plain tap water in cleaned out 2-liter soda bottles and stock up on cases of bottled water. If space allows, larger water containers can be store outdoors.

In addition to water, be sure to also have at least two ways to purify water. Unscented bleach is a good option: it takes just eight drops of bleach to purify a gallon of water, 16 drops if the water is cloudy. But be forewarned: bleach has a shelf life of just one year, and begins to lose potency after just a few months. Buy a new bottle every six months and begin using the old one for laundry and cleaning purposes.

Another easy way to purify water is to boil it, but this requires a fuel source. Plan ahead if you choose this option. A third easy alternative is the SteriPen, which uses UV light to purify water, a system that has long been used in hospitals.

Lisa Bedford, author of Survival Mom: How to Prepare Your Family for Everyday Disasters and Worst Case Scenarios, also blogs at www.thesurvivalmom.com. She believes there is power and peace in being prepared.

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