Emergency planning

Every family faces emergency scenarios, and it’s not always easy to know what to do or how to prepare. Here, you’ll find clever tips so you’ll be ready for everything from a hurricane and flooding to wildfires and even a loss of income.

hurricane survival

The Wisdom I Learned Surviving 3 Hurricanes (Part 1 of 3)

I learned a lot about hurricane survival when I lived through three hurricanes in a short two-month period. Some of what I gleaned I was able to use almost immediately as the trio of storms swept over Florida. Since it was written in a diary format, some conclusions in the first part have changed by the time you get to the end. Be sure to read all three parts of this article about hurricane survival and lessons learned.

image: nighttime tornado destruction

Is Your Family Prepared for Nighttime Tornadoes?

As the sun sets and darkness falls, a sinister threat emerges: nighttime tornadoes. Unseen and unpredictable, these twisters pose a unique danger, catching many off guard. With reduced visibility, seeking shelter becomes more challenging, increasing the risk of injuries and fatalities. Are you prepared to face the terrifying power of a tornado in the dead of night? Arm yourself with knowledge, strategies, and emergency plans to navigate the treacherous realm of nighttime tornadoes and protect your loved ones from their devastating impact.

image: overview head of flooding covering wide suburban area

10 Realities After a Major Flooding Event

In the aftermath of a major flooding event, the realities that follow can be eye-opening. From the physical damage to the emotional toll, the effects of flooding are far-reaching and can have a lasting impact on individuals and communities alike. In this article, we explore ten key realities that are often experienced after a major flooding event.

Water flowing onto rocks from a natural spring into person's hands

6 Simple Tips for Developing a Natural Spring

Venturing into the woods with my late grandfather to fill up gallon jugs with water from a natural spring he found and tapped himself is one of my favorite childhood memories. I never thought much about it back then. Walking a quarter mile or so into the wooded hills to collect the family’s drinking water was just routine. A natural spring is a great backup water source. In this article, we have tips to find and tap one, plus questions to help you decide if developing one is right for you.

image: house fire

Ways to Increase Your Odds of Surviving a House Fire

“It’s all just things,” we say until our things have gone up in smoke in a house fire. A residential blaze can occur anytime and often happens with little or no warning. Did you know that during 2015-2019, More than one-quarter (26%) of reported fires occurred in homes? Even worse, three-quarters (75%) of civilian fire deaths and almost three-quarters (72%) of all reported injuries were caused by home fires, according to the National Fire Prevention Association. Here’s how to prepare.

image: woman in a house looking at thermostat while wearing parka and blowing on hands to stay warm without power

30 Ways to Stay Warm Without Power

The Texas Freeze of 2021 was a wake-up call in my household. As prepared as we thought we were, those days and nights of temperatures in the teens and 20s were something to behold. With the power out and our house getting colder by the minute, we looked around for every way possible to stay warm without power.