Ferro rods and magnesium blocks are two popular fire-starting tools. They should not be confused with each other. They perform similar tasks but are not the same thing. To decide which tool would be better, I went into the woods …
Sustainable Alternatives to Toilet Paper
There may come a time when toilet paper becomes a luxury item. For those of us living in the Western part of the world, a shortage of TP probably sounds like a disaster. But have no fear! Many people have …
15 Hearty Meals You Can Prepare During a Power Outage
When we say preparedness, many people think of the end of the world and how they might have to survive with little to no supplies. In reality though, preparing is more likely to be for a temporary disaster. A small-scale …
13 Ways You Can Prepare Today for the Next Government Shutdown
I was in a state of shock last month as I watched the news of the government shutdown that felt like it would never end. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one! Indeed it was the longest shutdown in American …
Choosing the Best Smoke Detector for Your Home: A Quick Guide
The purpose of a smoke detector isn’t to prevent a fire (although it helps) but rather to alert the people so they can evacuate before the smoke or toxicity in the air overwhelms the building, especially if the individuals are …
18 DIY Fire Starters for Under a Dollar
Staying warm during winter months is vital to your survival, whether you’re indoors or out in the wild. Hypothermia can be deadly yet preventable. A fire isn’t only important for keeping warm but is also used for signaling for help. …
25 Preparedness Goals to Add to Your New Year’s Resolutions
With the new year comes the expectation that changes will take place for the better. Many people reflect on the past year and choose new goals to be accomplished during the following one. It’s a great time to determine what …
Protect These Important Documents Before a Disaster Hits
Yes, you read that right…minutes!! As the days pass and the news shed light on the catastrophic devastation of the fire, an entire community is now confronted with the struggle of rebuilding their entire lives from scratch. To make things …
How To Keep Warm This Winter (Without Breaking the Bank)
We’re just past the start of the fall season. It’s beautiful to watch the leaves as they turn all sorts of vivid colors and the morning air getting significantly cooler. I believe some places have already received their first snow …
21 Easy Ways to Start an Emergency Fund Even if You’re Broke
An emergency fund is a certain amount of money that an individual saves or sets aside in a private account for any financial emergencies. Oftentimes we can’t anticipate what life may throw our way but we should be ready for …
The Ultimate List of Long-Lasting Survival Foods
In a prosperous country like the United States, it’s difficult to imagine what “lack” looks like. Walk into any Costco, Walmart or local store and you’ll notice the shelves are practically overflowing with stuff…all kinds of stuff! Oftentimes multiple brands …
Does a Buried Shipping Container Make a Good Bunker?
Not all bunkers are built for the same purpose. Some people take their survival bunkers to an extreme level, and while that’s not necessarily a bad thing (to each his own, right?) I don’t think a successful bunker has to …
How to Communicate Without a Phone or Internet in a Disaster
Have you ever been unable to get a hold of someone and started worrying needlessly for hours just to find out they were safe all along? Let’s imagine an emergency situation when thousands of people are trying to contact their …
How to Keep Fruits & Veggies Fresh Without Refrigeration
I foresee a moment in the future when there will be a major power outage, leaving us in the dark for hours or even days at a time. Everyone is susceptible to long-term outages even if a solar panel is …
53 Must-Have Car Winter Essentials
Winter can be a scary season for drivers. For me, winter means becoming more of a hermit. I live in a mountain town and I avoid driving when the roads are slick. I have been in several accidents due to …
The Top 12 U.S. States for Homesteading
Homesteading is defined by a lifestyle of self sufficiency. In an age where technology does most of our thinking, many people are considering changing their ways and living off the land as many of our ancestors did years ago. Off-grid …
49 Simple Ways You Can Conserve Water
It’s ironic that the West Coast has been hit with prolonged drought versus the East Coast which is trying to mitigate the floods as a result of Hurricane Florence. Water is our most vital resource in life. The earth is …
41 Ways to Secure Your Home Before an Evacuation
It’s scary to think that the place we call home can at some point become threatened by a natural disaster. One of the most important parts of emergency preparedness is learning to protect our living spaces and possessions that we …
50 Essential Crops to Grow in Your Survival Garden
No crops are off limits when growing a survival garden, but some are better than others in terms of: The following fruits, vegetables, grains and herbs are highly nutritious. They contain properties that will boost your overall health, especially during …
25+ Things You Shouldn’t Eat or Drink When You’re Dehydrated
Dehydration is when your body loses more water than is being ingested. Dehydration can become serious problem because it prevents our bodies from working optimally. In our day to day lives, we can often replenish our thirst. In an emergency …
The Best and Worst Places to Be During an Earthquake
Earthquake preparedness is vital because earthquakes happen without warning. Sure, there is technology in place to warn us about seismic activity but there is no true predictor of a significant upcoming earthquake. It’s not only impossible to detect exactly when …
50 Brilliant Uses for Baking Soda in an Emergency
Baking soda is one of the most versatile households items. While we most commonly use it in baking breads and other recipes, there are countless uses for this kitchen staple. In an emergency situation, baking soda will become very handy, …
How Does Plumbing Work When the Power Goes Out?
When we think of a power outage we think of lighting candles and relaxing for a moment while we are unplugged from our TV’s and WiFi. An interruption to our plumbing systems is usually not something we even think to …
Is it Illegal to Keep Large Amounts of Cash at Home?
It is legal for you to store large amounts of cash at home so long that the source of the money has been declared on your tax returns. There is no limit to the amount of cash, silver and gold …
Can You Heat a Room With a Candle?
There are great benefits to the candle heater but let’s be real, this is not the winter cure-all. The terra cotta space heater, as some prefer to call it, works well to curb the chill in your home but it …
Can an Unlicensed Driver Drive in an Emergency?
This is a very controversial and tricky subject. Every country has their own laws and ways of dealing with unlicensed drivers. If you have ever traveled overseas, you can immediately tell the way people drive is extremely different in every …
Is Stockpiling Food Illegal in the United States?
The Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution prohibits the unreasonable search and seizure of a person, their home, and their belongings without a search warrant. For a search warrant to be issued, a “probable cause” must be established and approved …
Is it Okay to Use Non-Potable Water?
The issue of non potable water is rather complex. Water can be contaminated due to a wide range of circumstances. While there are many sources of water, not all the sources are reliable, that is why precautions must be taken …
Can You Drink Cactus Water for Survival?
You don’t really know a survival situation until you’re faced with one. There have been far too many cases of people getting injured or lost on a day hike in the desert, and within hours becoming depleted of their water …
Does Canned Food Go Bad in the Heat?
Yes, heat is the enemy of all canned goods. Food stored in cans will spoil quickly if exposed to high temperatures, especially over 95 degrees F. It’s best to store all your food in a temperature controlled environment that is …
The Best Foods To Store in Your Car for Emergencies
There’s a high probability of facing an emergency or becoming stranded while driving because so much of our time is spent in our cars. Preparedness efforts shouldn’t be limited to the preparedness of our homes. Instead, we should be prepared …
What is the Best Way to Store Water in Your Car?
The wonderful thing about having a car is that you don’t have to worry about the issue of weight, so you should always be able to carry a few extra water bottles. A few adjustments to your vehicle’s emergency kit …
Is Rain Water Safe to Drink?
At some point in time, our world was blessed with 100% clean natural resources that could be freely used without the worry of contaminants. Water was one of these resources. Unfortunately, due to an increase in development, pollution and industrialization, …
Do Emergency Blankets Work?
Space blankets, also known as emergency blankets, have become a very popular item to put in emergency preparedness or outdoor survival kits. They are not only lightweight and easy to store, but are also extremely cheap if bought in bulk. …
The Simplest Guide to Building a DIY Bug Out Bag
“Bug Out Bags are a waste of time and money!” I heard this said a few times and I see where people are coming from. Many companies out there try to sell an “end of the world” theory but their …
How to Choose the Best Long-Term Emergency Food for Your Family
Have you noticed how we are constantly offered several hundred variations of the same product? What makes it extra difficult for indecisive people like myself is figuring out how to get the best bang for my buck while buying a …
Tips for Good Campsite Hygiene When Living Off the Grid
Personal hygiene is a broad topic which I discussed in great detail in this post. Living spaces must be clean as well, to maintain overall health and environmental safety. Let’s discuss some tips on how to keep your campsite clean …
Tips for Good Personal Hygiene in the Wilderness
The ability to take care of our body is something we often take for granted. Most of us are used to daily showers, shaving, and preparing food in a clean environment. If you’re in the woods, you may face challenges …
How to Repel Bugs in the Wild, in Your Home, and Beyond
Nature is truly remarkable. I believe we were brought into this world with all the tools and natural sources we need to survive. The real challenge is learning how. In this post, we will go into detail about which natural …
Why the Government isn’t to Blame for our Lack of Preparedness
Just like it’s your responsibility to schedule and accomplish your daily duties, it’s equally your responsibility to protect your family. The government is there to aid us, but there’s no guarantee they can provide us full protection…in fact, it’s certain …
How to Overcome Grief After a Natural Disaster
Natural disasters are often times unpredictable. Some people will only experience them briefly over the television in the form of news. Other people, will have to fight a much harder battle as a single natural or man-made disaster can disrupt …