The Allstate Blog » Survival

Storm Shelter? Safe Room? Build Your Own Ultimate Secure Shelter [INFOGRAPHIC]

Brendan — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:30:37 +0000

Safety is a significant issue for every homeowner and eliminating unsafe situations inside the home should be a top priority. Proper installation and usage of electrical and gas lines, carbon dioxide and fire alarms, and window and door locks are all important for day-to-day home safety. But what about extreme conditions? Tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards and even home invasion are all examples of severe situations in which families may benefit from a safe room. What is a safe room? Simply put, a safe room is a secure, reinforced, well-stocked room where individuals can go to avoid the risks and potential dangers that may arise in other parts of a home. But how do you create a safe room in your house? Our infographic provides some ideas: [infographic]

What Should You Do If You Get Lost In The Woods? Be Prepared.

George — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 11:00:38 +0000

It’s one of the most frightening experiences you can endure: You’re hiking or walking through the woods and make a turn off a trail for a little untamed exploring. When you walk back to where the trail should be, it isn’t there. Or rather, you aren’t where you thought you were. You laugh nervously and realize you probably just went a little too far to your right, so you adjust and walk farther, your pace picking up with the anxiety that’s beginning to set in. Oh no, still no path. You’re lost! Now what do you do? The first thing is to not give in to the inevitable panic that will begin to wash over you. Stop, take stock of your situation and understand from the outset that your odds of being found in this day and age are incredibly high. In fact, most lost people are found by the second day. So, there’s no need to panic. In his book The Pocket Outdoor Survival Guide, author J. Wayne Fears says the decisions a lost person makes in the first three seconds of realizing their predicament can save them or doom them. Admitting that they are lost is best done sooner than later, and stopping and taking stock is critical. Fears recommends following the STOP formula:

Sit

Sitting not only jumpstarts your ability to relax and think clearly, but it also suppresses your urge to run or walk quickly—usually in a wrong direction.

Think

Your mind is your most critical survival tool. You need to keep it calm, reflect on any past training or skills that will help you now and rationally assess your situation and your most immediate needs.

Observe

Identify what problems need to be solved and the order in which they must be dealt with. You’ll need shelter, a way to signal searchers, fire, water and a visible campsite so searchers can find you. What components are at your ready disposal to achieve these?

Plan

Make a plan and put it into action. If you have a cellphone or a radio, call for help first. If a cell signal is low, send a text message, as it takes less power and you can send it to multiple people at once for better odds of reaching somebody. But, don’t just sit and wait. It can still take a while for rescuers to arrive. Choose a visible campsite or, if in a stalled vehicle situation, stay with your automobile as it’s much easier to locate from the air. Construct a shelter, gather firewood and stay alert for other hikers, the sound of a nearby highway, low-flying planes, anything that can translate into your being discovered. Keep a mirror or bright clothing handy to catch the attention of searchers. Make a fire. Damp leaves or wood will make more smoke, thus making it more visible. Sit back and stay calm. Help should be on the way before long.

Before You Go

A little pre-trip prep can save you a lot of worry and hassle should you get lost later. Do the following before you go:

Leave a trip plan with a friend or relative that includes where you’re going, emergency contacts, when you left and when you expect to return.
Carry a freshly charged phone or a two-way radio with new batteries.
Tote an easy-to-use GPS unit. There are plenty of inexpensive, easy-to-use models available.

The decisions you make within the first seconds of becoming lost can ensure your survival or seal your fate. Using the guidance above can help you make the best of a bad situation.

Photo courtesy of Bill Winke

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 can be without power in the wake of a powerful hurricane. That was the case with Hurricane Isaac, which pounded the Gulf Coast with wind and rain in August 2012. 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:

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.

You might also like:

Survive Wildfire Season Through Preparation and Planning

Brendan — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 12:26:34 +0000

This year is shaping up to be a whopper for wildfires – and the season isn’t over yet. As early as March, the Lower North Fork Fire scorched more than 4,000 acres and killed three people in Colorado’s Front Range, and at the time of this writing, the High Park Fire near Fort Collins, Colorado, is raging across roughly 50,000 acres — that’s nearly 90 square miles — and one person has died.

An average of 1.2 million acres of U.S. woodlands burn every year, so homeowners in wildfire-prone areas spend a lot of time learning about fire mitigation techniques and how to prepare their properties to withstand the onslaught of what one Colorado official has memorably called “the dragon.” The High Park Fire is proving to be particularly destructive, with nearly 200 homes lost. Yet, loss of property matters little compared to the loss of life when evacuation notices are not heeded or when homeowners flee too late.

What can you do in advance to make sure your family will be ready?

1. Plan escape/ evacuation routes Know the best evacuation routes to leave your neighborhood. Also have a plan in place to escape the house itself in the event of an emergency evacuation. Designate two meeting places; one can be a safe place outside your home, while the second should be a safe place outside your neighborhood. 2. Keep all important documents together Have a small safe or lockbox for all of your important documents; it’ll be easier to grab than searching for paperwork during an evacuation. These documents might include passports, social security cards, birth and marriage certificates, wills, insurance policies and bank records. 3. Have a family evacuation kit This should include car keys, credit cards or cash, important documents, a First Aid kit, a flashlight, medical supplies if needed, computer hard drives if they contain important records, and photos (digital or print) of every room in your home as well as special valuables for insurance purposes. If these items aren’t all in one place, assign certain items to each family member so they can be gathered quickly. Additionally some applications may allow you to inventory your home and belongings digitally, making evacuation that much easier. 4. Pack an overnight bag You may have to stay in a hotel or with family or friends for an extended period. Pack extra clothing and shoes, blankets or sleeping bags, extra pairs of glasses or contact lenses, nonperishable food items and bottled water. If you have an infant or elderly family members, pack any special items they might need.

What do you do if you receive a pre-evacuation notice?

Once you’re notified that you need to evacuate your area, there are several things you may need to do in a short amount of time. As always, preparation is key, so if you receive a pre-evacuation notice stating that you might need to leave at a moment’s notice, here are a few things to do in advance to make your exit go smoothly. 1. Prepare your pets Confine your pets to one room so you can evacuate them easily. If you have large pets such as horses, make sure you’ve planned — and practiced — your evacuation routes in advance, and leave your trailer where you can hitch it up quickly. Have your pets’ identification documents on hand, as well as any necessary gear/tack. And, while county fairgrounds and local humane societies might house evacuated animals, have a backup boarding plan. 2. Prepare your vehicle Park in an open space or in your garage with your vehicle pointing toward your escape route. Leave your key in the ignition, with doors and windows closed. Try to keep your gas tank full so that it’s one less thing to worry about. 3. Prepare your home You can help the firefighters. Close all windows, vents, doors and noncombustible window coverings; turn off gas or propane; turn on lights in each room; move furniture away from windows and glass doors; remove outdoor gas grills; put propane tanks in the garage; connect hoses to outside taps; place noncombustible ladder against the house; and remove firewood, shrubs and other stored combustibles near the home. 4. But always remember... If you’re given an actual evacuation (not pre-evacuation) notice, or if conditions on the ground warrant an emergency escape, execute your plan immediately. Tie a white towel or sheet on your front door to signify to emergency workers that your house has been evacuated; load your family, pets, evacuation kit, important documents and overnight bags into your vehicle; and leave the area as quickly and safely as possible. Property can be replaced. Lives can’t.

Photo courtesy vashonbeprepared.org

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 the catastrophic earthquake in Japan have awakened many to our vulnerabilities. Add to that a teeter-tottering housing market, jittery economic climate, and large swaths of unemployed Americans, 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.

You Might Also Like:

Get Kids Involved in Emergency Planning

Brendan — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:14:30 +0000

The Loma Prieta Earthquake rocked the San Francisco Bay Area on October 17, 1989. Remembered by many for occuring during the nationally-televised World Series, the quake quite literally rocked many people's world. Many children -- thanks to emergency preparedness training -- knew to duck and cover under the nearest table. Many local parents and kindergarten classes had drilled a steady stream of earthquake preparedness into their children's heads. On that day, some simple preparedness training saved lives.

Even if you don’t live in an earthquake zone like the Bay Area, emergency preparedness for tornadoes, hurricanes, fires, floods and other unexpected acts from Mother Nature is essential to helping children prepare and cope with natural disasters. An emergency can seem incredibly scary to a young children, and without a clear plan in place, it’s natural for a child to feel overwhelmed and panic. Discussing a possible disaster as a family, creating a plan, and practicing this plan help children emotionally and mentally prepare for an emergency.

Here’s how to get your children involved in emergency preparedness planning:

Talk to your children about natural disasters. From the recent Midwest tornadoes to Hurricane Katrina, natural disasters are frequently discussed in the media. Use these examples to begin a conversation about natural disasters and what to do in an emergency.
Understand your children’s fears. Natural disasters can leave children feeling like the world is a hostile, uncaring place. The potential loss of beloved toys, pets or other personal items can feel incredibly overwhelming. Talking about disasters as a family creates a safe environment for addressing your child’s fears. Remind him or her that while an emergency is very unlikely, creating and practicing an emergency preparedness plan is the best way to be prepared.
Create a family plan. As a family, sit down and create an emergency plan. Make this a fun event for children by talking about the plan over pizza, snacks or before playing a family game. Discuss with your children what they should do if an emergency strikes when they are at school, visiting a friend, or at home by themselves. Ready.gov has great resources for creating a personalized “Just-in-case” family plan.
Know who to call. Pick one relative or close friend that each family member will call when the emergency is over. Discuss what to do if this person is not available. For example, if your kids can’t reach Uncle Joe, they should know to call Aunt Heidi. Oftentimes it is easiest to pick a family member who does not live in the same community as you do, and who will not be experiencing the same emergency. Add emergency contact information to your children’s cell phones, laminate a small emergency contact card for your kids to keep in their backpacks and place phone numbers on the fridge.
Know where to meet. Pick a safe location in the neighborhood, like a neighbor’s house or a park, and practice going to this meeting point from different places in your home and neighborhood.
Rehearse safety measures. Practice makes perfect. Many emergencies, like tornadoes or fires, can strike with little to no warning. Rehearsing safety measures presents children with a comfortable, known routine. If a child is home alone in the event of an emergency or an adult is not close by, it is easy to return to this routine. If an emergency strikes when your children are at school, sports practice, or another after-school activity, remind them to follow the instructions of their teachers, coaches or friend’s parents.

How do you prepare your children for a possible emergency? Share your emergency preparedness tips! Connect with me on Google+ or follow me on Twitter

Survival Mom Says: Panic Less, Prepare More

Pauline Hammerbeck — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 13:09:44 +0000

A former teacher and suburban mother of two, Lisa Bedford is a blogger known as The Survival Mom. She encourages a calm, common-sense approach to planning for uncertainty in her new book, Survival Mom: How to Prepare Your Family for Everyday Disasters and Worst Case Scenarios. The Allstate Blog chatted with Bedford about the value of a ‘healthy dose’ of fear and why moms are perfect candidates for preparedness. Allstate Blog: You have a new book and a popular website: Why do you think your specific take on preparedness is resonating? Survival Mom: It’s not a far step for moms. It’s a natural progression from making sure kids are bundled up and warm to recognizing that there are other situations out there that we need to be aware of and prepared for. AB: There are so many scenarios people are trying to prepare for, are there any common denominators? SM: That’s what makes preparedness so smart. When you prepare for one event, you are prepared for others. So, for instance, when we do smart things like pay off debt or store food because prices are rising, it puts us in a good position in case of a natural disaster. It overlaps. AB: Is there a specific scenario that keeps you up at night? What got you started? SM: About four years ago, I saw things rapidly changing. It was not so much that we were in a recession, but how things happened so quickly—the cascade effect. It was the realization that there’s no protection, no magic fairy dust [to keep us safe]. AB: So what kinds of things have you done? SM: [I’ve learned] techniques for storing and purifying water, maintaining a customized food storage pantry for my family, and advanced gardening strategies (such as companion planting, greenhouse planting). I've also learned how to grow and use sprouts for additional nutrients in an emergency diet; the use of herbs and essential oils; how to use a solar oven; making varieties of bread from scratch and making homemade crackers (never even knew you could do that!). I’ve also taken a first-aid and CPR class and put together a comprehensive medical kit for our family and emergency kits for the kids’ backpacks, our vehicle, and even one for our pets. AB: What about the kids? How do they take part? SM: [They’ve learned] how to dehydrate herbs and food for longer-term storage. Archery, and rifle and handgun target shooting for hunting, self-defense, and sport. Camping and outdoor skills. Handyman skills around the house. They know how to cook and bake from scratch. My daughter manages the herb garden; they both help with the veggies and fruit. My daughter has learned to quilt, sew, and knit. And [they’ve both learned] money management and about developing an attitude and mindset of self-reliance—very important. AB: Are there good storable foods that kids actually like? SM: Start with foods that are familiar to them right now. In a crisis, comfort foods will be very important. I've stocked up on macaroni and cheese (both the blue box type as well as ingredients for homemade), soups (my son loves tomato soup), and freeze-dried fruit. I store ingredients, mostly, so I can whip up favorite recipes, even in a disaster! AB: Have your preparations ever been tested? SM: With my husband’s business, we hit dry spell for a while. And, fortunately, we had three to four months of food stored. It was good to know that we didn’t have to run to the store for everything; the [majority of the] grocery bill was taken care of. AB: If you only had three things to tell a mom about what to do to prepare for the unexpected, what would you say? SM: Start by determining the most likely and reasonable scenario to plan for. This narrows your focus. Then, look around and see what you have before you decide you can’t afford it. Americans tend to accumulate [things]. Third starting point, consider the basics: food, water and shelter. Regardless of the emergency, you are going to need water. Can you store water safely? How would you purify it if you had a boil order? I have handy food storage lists for items that don’t require cooking or refrigerating. Those are really big steps. AB: So, what's next in your own preparedness to-do list? SM: Getting my amateur radio license and radio equipment. Building a greenhouse. Taking a wilderness first aid class. And taking a CERT class [a first responder-type course] … as soon as I find the time!

Disaster Tourism: A Side Effect of Catastrophes

Brendan — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:09:44 +0000

Is disaster tourism a financial opportunity to help communities rebuild, or does it prevent communities from emotionally healing? This is just one of the tough questions being asked by Joplin, Missouri residents following the publication of a controversial “tourist guide” to the city. The guide, published by the Joplin Convention & Visitors Bureau, is a map to different parts of the community that were affected by the devastating May 22, 2011 tornado. Now, outraged residents have started a Facebook group protesting the guide, saying that it puts financial profit ahead of the town’s emotional recovery. The F5 tornado ripped through Joplin on the day of the town’s high school graduation, killing 161 people and destroying more than 4,500 homes and structures. Nearly a year later, some neighborhoods have yet to be rebuilt, and some condemned buildings still sit, waiting to be demolished. Patrick Tutall, Director of the Joplin Convention & Visitors Bureau, says they published the guide in response to questions from visitors.

Joplin sits at the crossroads of two major highways that are frequented by tourists headed to Branson, Missouri, the entertainment capital of the Ozarks. Visitors traveling to Branson started pulling off to visit Joplin and spend money to help the economy.

"People don't realize they [tourists] are already pulling off and taking a look," he told ABC News. "The Joplin Welcome Center saw folks who said they want to stay in Joplin to help the economy."

Tourism to Help Rebuild Disaster-Affected Areas

Joplin sits at the crossroads of two major highways that are frequented by tourists headed to Branson, Missouri, the entertainment capital of the Ozarks. According to Tutall, visitors traveling to Branson started pulling off to visit Joplin and spend money to help the economy. When hotels weren’t able to effectively answer many of the visitors’ questions about the tornado, Tutall responded by publishing the map. The free tourist map is designed to keep visitors on main thoroughfares and out of neighborhoods, while accurately showing the storm’s wide path of destruction. "We found that as the six-month point of this thing passed us, people in our restaurants and front desk people at hotels couldn't really answer questions to guests about the volume and the magnitude of the storm and the destruction," Tuttle told ABC News. "You know, 4,500 homes were destroyed, and so it became a tool to pull together facts so people confronting the tourist market could speak knowledgeably." But did creating the map without community involvement fail to treat Joplin’s “disaster tourism” with the proper reverence and respect? Residents who have joined the Facebook group protesting the map say that they feel “blindsided” and “sickened” by the idea that their town is encouraging visitors to come and see their damaged buildings.

In New Orleans, several tour companies ran “post-Katrina” tours, taking tourists to see the destruction of the lower ninth ward.

At first glance, natural disasters and tourism don’t seem to mix. But recent world disasters, like Hurricane Katrina, suggest otherwise. In New Orleans, several tour companies ran “post-Katrina” tours, taking tourists to see the destruction of the lower ninth ward. Jennifer Day-Sully, who works with the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau, told ABC News that the tours were a “double-edged sword.” “You have to be sensitive to the communities that these buses and tours are coming through because it can be perceived as being very insensitive,” Day-Sully told ABC News. “But on the other hand, you can educate people from out of town and encourage them to make donations and participate in volunteer work." In Joplin, the tourist map proved so popular that many hotels have now run out of copies. For now, however, the Joplin Convention & Visitors Bureau is holding off on a reprint.

Zombie Survival Guide: Be Prepared For Any Disaster

Brendan — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:33:07 +0000

Suburban America is generally seen as a safe, calm place to raise a family and be part of a community. Children go to and from school, parents commute to work and families make inviting homes of their houses. Sometimes, they even use a family movie night as an opportunity to watch a scary zombie movie, where the undead roam the streets, breaking into houses and feasting on the living. But what if that was more than a movie…what if it really happened?

Okay, zombies won’t really rise up to take over your town. But there are disasters in the real world where your first—and maybe last—line of defense might be your home. Given that, planning and preparedness is of the utmost importance. Natural disasters (as well as zombies) usually approach slowly and with warning, but not slow enough that you can hustle home and secure your entire homestead while they make their steady, methodical advance. If you take these tips to heart, you’ll survive intact.

Evacuation Plan

A fire can engulf a home faster than you’d think, so if flames begin to get out of control in your house, be prepared to simply evacuate. Fleeing the building, you’ll certainly need an evacuation plan already in place for you and your family members. Things to consider: Where will your family meet when disaster strikes? Do you have alternative routes or locations? Come up with mutually agreed meeting locations and run drills to go over evacuation routes, too. Your evacuation plans and meeting places may be slightly different depending on the type of emergency—review each with your family and practice regularly. Evacuation plans are equally important if zombies do come calling. Try running impromptu zombie drills on Halloween, as kids in costumes aggressively searching for candy can effectively mimic the zombies’ quest for flesh. Some would argue that the kids are actually more dangerous.

Emergency Kit

Assess your current disaster preparedness kit and list what it contains. Is it just a box of bandages, a flashlight, and a couple stale crackers? Your kit should include a battery-operated radio, non-perishable food, medicine, tools and supplies, clothing and bedding, first aid supplies, sanitation and hygiene products and extra batteries for your flashlight. We suggest a kit with at least three days worth of supplies.

Stock Up on Food

MREs (meals ready to eat), beef jerky, and any other type of camping food are perfect and require little in preparation. Peanut butter will keep your body sustained for long periods of time and will keep hunger staved off longer than most foods. Avoid meat, as it spoils easily and requires a grill or fire to cook. Raw or undercooked meat of any type can be dangerous.

Secure the perimeter

This may be the most important yet obvious part of your preparedness plan. If you’re in your house when disaster strikes, you better have supplies on hand to create a fortress of solitude—or anti-zombietude. A flood of zombies isn’t unlike a flood of water—they’ll find any possible opening to get into your house and wreak havoc. Trim nearby trees to eliminate any weak branches that could fall and break through windows, and ensure bushes and shrubs aren’t overgrown to the point where they can add to any weather-related damage. Repair any issues with the roof and gutter system, and make sure all exterior doors are sturdy and sport working deadbolts. If you’re legitimately worried about a large-scale catastrophe consider a well-constructed and well-stocked safe room that can provide safety and security against almost any disaster (zombie-related or not).

Better to be safe than sorry

Last, but certainly not least, you should make sure your insurance coverage is up to date. Do you have coverage for additional living expenses should you need to evacuate your home? Do you have coverage for your valuables, or how about comprehensive coverage for your vehicle? Do you have an up-to-date inventory and recent photographs of your personal possessions? If not, don't wait for disaster to strike. Download Allstate's free Digital Locker™ mobile app now and create a room-by-room inventory of your personal possessions. This is an especially great tip for damage incurred by natural disasters. Check with your agent today to make sure you’re properly insured. The best defense is proper planning. Hope for the best but prepare for the worst.