Lisa Bedford's Blog, page 152

REVIEW and GIVEAWAY! The ZquaredAway Bag: Fire-fighter gear for what you hold dear

Only a mom would look at her kids school photos from years gone by, realize just how precious they are, and think, “One of these days I’m going to have to put those in something to keep them safe.”

But then life gets busy, and she never does.

Only a Survival Mom would look around her house and think, “If the house suddenly caught fire, what would happen to all my old photos and Grab ‘n Go Binder? I need to buy a fireproof something or other to keep them safe.”

But then life gets busy, and she never does.

Well, one mom, Roberta Flood, had these very same thoughts, and did something about it! She invented the ZquaredAway protective bag for every one of those precious, vital items that moms want to keep safe forever.

A unique solution to a common disaster

ZquaredAway bags are a unique solution, and when I started putting my Prescott Bag to work, I discovered for myself just how unique they are.

The bags have a simple, sturdy design that offers fire, flame, heat, and water protection in case of a house fire. According to the CDC, “In 2010, fire departments responded to 384,000 home fires in the United States.” Considering that it takes the typical fire department between 6 and 10 minutes to arrive on the scene, a smart Survival Mom knows she is her home’s first line of defense.

House fires can happen anywhere, and even though insurance covers the physical damage done to the home and to many of its contents, it doesn’t cover and could never replace wedding photos and other important mementos and documents.

My family experienced a small kitchen fire not too long ago, and in just a moment you realize how quickly flames spread and the very short amount of time there is to evacuate. Gathering up every important item just isn’t possible, especially in a panic.

ZquaredAway bags have been independently tested in a simulated house fire of 900 degrees F for over 30 minutes, and they passed the test with flying colors. Considering that they’re made of Nomex, the same fabric used in firefighter gear, that’s not too surprising.

Flames and smoke are only part of the equation when the fire department is called in. The blast from water hoses does plenty of damage on its own. Fortunately, these bags offer water resistance to the force of that water as well.

A Zquared Away bag can give you peace of mind

Although my Prescott Bag is quite large (it fits items up to 13×13 and 4.5 inches thick), it’s very lightweight. Our family owns a smaller, suitcase style safe, which, on its own, weighs almost more than I can carry. Fully loaded with everything from silver coins to birth certificates, well, in an emergency, I’d just have to leave it behind!

Founder Roberta Flood says:

I had knowledge of the fire resistant material, Nomex, as an Army helicopter pilot, as our flight suits are made with this special fabric.  After a friend of mine lost everything in a devastating house fire, I started working on a design to protect the things we never want to lose. This design evolved into, “fire fighter gear for what we hold dear.”

People who buy our products use them to store many different items:  documents (wills, passports, birth certificates, marriage licenses), wedding albums, vintage photos, thumb drives, scrapbooks, antique books, guns, collections such as baseball cards, genealogy records, baby books, the family Bible and so much more. If the nation’s grid is ever compromised, even the items we have stored in the “cloud” will be unavailable.  It is a good feeling knowing you still have your most important items stored and ready to go any time.

ZquaredAway bags make me wish the company made entire outfits for every member of my family!

Maybe someday…

There are 5 bags from which to choose

If you’re starting to wonder where to begin in protecting important family items, start here:

First, learn more about ZquaredAway technology, construction and the 5 different sizes of bags available.

Avid scrapbookers will want to take a look at either the Baranof or the Prescott. Along with binders and scrapbooks, these larger bags will hold plenty of other items. If you organize everything in individual envelopes, I love this one from Post-it Notes, when the emergency is over, you’ll be able to quickly find what you need.

The Neva is the smaller sister of these bags, but can still hold plenty in its spacious 10.5 x 11.75 x 1.5 inches. This would be a good starter bag as well as a good choice for people who keep documents and other valuables in a safe deposit box or elsewhere.

Finally, there are 2 smaller bags that have been designed for specific purposes. The Cape is just the right size for protecting DVDs and CDs. Over the years we have amassed a number of those, holding family videos and photos. The Cape is small enough to fit inside larger containers.

If you’ve stored numerous documents and ebooks on a computer, transfer then to one or more zip drives, and then use an Outer Banks bag to protect them. This small bag, 8 x 3.5 inches, is a great size for storing and transporting those drives every day, not just in case of a fire.

(By the way, if you’re a business owner, you probably have plenty of documents that would more than fill a Zquared Away bag.)

All bags are available for purchase only on Amazon.

The next step is to set aside documents that you’ll need in case of a disaster. Ever try filing an insurance claim without knowing your coverage or even your agent’s name and phone number? It can take weeks to get replacement birth certificates, so although tracking down documents, as listed in this printable, isn’t fun, many of those docs will be exactly what you need following a crisis.

Finally, consider items that are both irreplaceable and sentimental. If they are valuable as well, be sure to add them to your bag. Consider, also, items that you’ll want to grab at the last minute, things like cash or prescription meds.

I recommend listing everything in your bag and, if possible, laminating the whole thing.

Now, where did I put it??

You’ve invested in a ZquaredAway bag made from real Nomex, you’ve filled it with everything your family especially needs and values, and now, you can’t find it.

Story of my life!

If you have the Prescott bag, its handles make it easy to hang from a hook in a closet or cupboard convenient to an outside exit door. The other bags could be stored within packed emergency kits or where you normally keep your purse and car keys.

I’ve found that emergency preparedness works best when there’s not much thinking involved at the moment of crisis, so place your filled Zquared Away bag where it most makes sense to you along the exit route from your home.

However, if you don’t have time to grab your bag, keep in mind that it’s designed to withstand the typical home fire, smoke, heat, and water if it’s left behind. Always evacuate people first!

There’s a lot to like about ZquaredAway

The bags are all made in the USA. It was invented by a busy mom, a former Army aviator, and one more of us Survival Moms!

Be sure to Like ZquaredAway on Facebook and follow this new company on Twitter.

I’m very pleased with my own bag and give this product my recommendation.

Now for the giveaway!

The giveaway is for a Prescott bag, the largest size with handles. This is a Rafflecopter giveaway, and you can earn up to 35 entry points toward winning the prize.

If you do not like Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest, you can still enter by clicking on the FREE entry, answering the poll question, and leaving a comment as directed in the Rafflecopter form.

Contest ends on Wednesday, May 7, at 12:00 a.m. and the winner will be selected and notified within 24 hours via email. The winner must respond to their email within 72 hours or forfeit the prize.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author informationThe Survival Mom

I'm the original Survival Mom, and have been helping moms worry less and enjoy their homes and families more for 5 years. Come join me on my journey to becoming more prepared to handle everyday emergencies and worst case scenarios.

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Mountain House Sale at The Ready Store, ends 4/30

This sale ends on Wednesday, April 30, but since Mountain House continues to be one of my favorite just-add-water brands, I wanted to let you know about the discount. I’ve been an affiliate with the Ready Store for many years and can vouch for the quality of their brand.

Author informationThe Survival Mom

I'm the original Survival Mom, and have been helping moms worry less and enjoy their homes and families more for 5 years. Come join me on my journey to becoming more prepared to handle everyday emergencies and worst case scenarios.

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10 Essential OTC Medications for Your Emergency Kit

Modern medicine has made life easier and longer lasting in so many ways. Most people do not even realize that all of these wonderful things, like aspirin for example, have been around in their current form for only a little over 100 years. Our easy access to so many different medicines over the counter (OTC) is something that will be sorely missed should the S ever hit the fan.

Here are 10 OTC medicines that everyone should have in their emergency supplies, everyday carry and bug out bags.

1.    Aspirin/Acetaminophen

First and foremost, there should be both adult and children’s (think chewable!) aspirin in your bag. The pain relief aside, this is excellent for fever reduction, thinning the blood, and helping someone recover from a heart attack or prevent future ones! Acetaminophen is inexpensive and is considered the most successful non-prescription medication in history.

2.    Ibuprofen

Also good for pain relief and reducing inflammation and swelling due to menstrual cycles, arthritis or other pain caused by inflammation.  It is a fever reducer much like acetaminophen but some can tolerate ibuprofen better.

3.    Antacids

In a SHTF situation, people will still get gassy tummies or a lot of acid build-up due to stress and lack of food. Antacids will help with the discomfort and slow damage done to the stomach and esophagus.  Ulcers are sure to form and for those who already have them, they will quickly run out of their prescriptions. Examples for stocking up are Tums, Alka-Seltzer, and Rolaids.

4.    Antihistamines and Anti-allergens

Allergies will be even worse after SHTF. People will have to be outside more, if for no other reason than to gather, hunt, and grow food. Without electricity, staying inside may become unbearable in hot weather. For those in rural areas, once the prescriptions run out, all that will be left are things like Benadryl, Claritin, and Zyrtec. Antihistamines help with the reduction of swelling in the sinuses and assist with overall allergens by blocking the histamines that cause the symptoms.

5.    Bismuth Subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol)

Also known as pink bismuth, this time-tested medicine covers many digestive system issues. Indigestion, nausea, and diarrhea are just some of the symptoms this medicine helps relieve. Diarrhea can kill if not taken care of, and one of the most important reasons for having something on hand is to keep yourself hydrated to make up for what you lose. Thankfully, this now comes in a convenient chewable pill form and is easy to carry with you.

6.    Cough/Mucus Control

Sinus infections, influenza, allergies, damp conditions, and exposure can lead to being stuffed up, unable to breath or get the gunk out. Coming in both pill and liquid forms, this medicine has saved many people from a doctor visit (and bill). Other than providing relief for the ones who are ill, it can also help protect those who are not. If those who are sick are coughing a lot, the sickness has a better chance to spread.

7.    Laxatives

No one wants to think about this but when their body forces them to, they will be eternally grateful for the little pill or chew that will relieve their discomfort. When in a SHTF situation occurs, what kinds of foods and how much or how often can result in constipation. If left untreated, constipation can kill.

8.    Sleep Aides

In any major upset in your life, sleepless nights are often a side effect of the stress. Many people have troubles with, “turning their brain off,” so they can sleep. I would imagine that cases of insomnia will rise exponentially and in a post-disaster scenario, sleep will be more important than ever before. Your ability to make decisions and good judgments will be hindered from a prolonged lack of sleep. There are so many options for sleeping aides out there; I will leave it to you to decide which is best. Also consider natural remedies, such as lavender essential oil or dried lavender.

9.    Saline Spray/Solution

Saline solution is another wonderful thing to have with you. Even a small bottle could save someone from infections or aid in another way. I am all for having versatile resources that have more than one use. Saline solution can help with wound irrigation, eye and sinus flushing, and of course cleaning your contact lenses.

10. Vitamins

SO MANY people overlook simple vitamins when talking about medicinal items to store and carry for emergencies. In my opinion, vitamins are more important than any of the other things listed here. In a post-disaster scenario, everyone who did not prepare will be suffering from a ‘lack.’ A lack of food, perhaps clean water, sanitation, and assuredly a vitamin deficiency will be all too common.

Your body needs vitamins and minerals to function normally. Your immune system will be fighting off bacteria and viruses at a higher rate, particularly in urban settings, and will need extra nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to help with the process. When it finds none, it will attack the muscles or other organs to get what it needs.

 

All of the above are easily bought over the counter without a prescription. Before you go out on a buying spree, though, take a look at your medicine cabinet and pull out all of the stuff stashed in there. Check expiration dates and keep them rotated.

Also, consider those who may be coming to you for help and if you are able to, buy a little extra for trade or barter. A bottle of 500 ibuprofen pills is small and easy to pack, not to mention worth a small fortune in a post-disaster situation. NOW is the time to get this checked off your preparedness list, when you can consider things in a calm and logical manner.

 

Author informationLeAnn in Alaska

LeAnn lives in beautiful Southeast Alaska with her husband, 2 dogs and 2 cats. The 'dream' is to buy land and be as self-sustainable as possible. Until the dream is realized, the focus is to learn as many skills and gain as much knowledge as possible. Thanks to the Internet, LeAnn and her husband have gained a considerable amount of information and put into use! When not in the garden, forest, or fishing on the ocean, she is writing about her adventures and invites you to follow along at www.homesteaddreamer.com. She has also just released her first Ebook! “A Primer on Pickling” is written for anyone who would like to learn how to pickle in a single afternoon.

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Survival Mom Quote of the Week

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Book Review: Prepper’s Long-Term Survival Guide by Jim Cobb

Prepping is kind of fun. Watching survival shows on TV is fun. What’s not so much fun is thinking about scenarios in which hand-to-mouth survival is something that goes on for years, not just a few days or weeks.

Addressing these types of scenarios is author and preparedness expert Jim Cobb’s latest work, Prepper’s Long-Term Survival Guide. This well-written manual addresses each of these worst case scenarios in the first chapter. None of them are far-fetched, and among those mentioned are:

Pandemics — Ebola, anyone? It’s spread into African cities and could go much further.
Famine — Drought, food shortages and rising prices, flooded farmland have all been historic causes of famines around the globe. This scenario could happen right here in what was once the world’s breadbasket.
Economic collapse — This scenario absolutely could happen here.
New Madrid earthquake — This would devastate an enormous segment of the United States and would impact all of us.
EMP (Electro Magnetic Pulse) — Whether caused by solar activity, cyber-terrorism, or a nuclear detonation, this would wipe out our electric grid for years.

Recovery from any of these events would take years, and our nation would never be the same. Could your family survive the aftermath, and for how long?

Jim provides answers to those questions as well as a general blueprint to follow. You’ll need to have supplies and plans in place for:

Water — storing, purifying, filtering
Food — procuring, preserving
Medicine — over the counter meds, prescription meds, if you can still get them, and home remedies
Hygiene — bathing, laundry, toilets
Staying warm in the winter, cool enough in the summer
Security
Tools — which are most useful?
Entertainment — morale boosting will be important
Bartering
Setting up a survival community

From my own research and experiences, this pretty well covers it!

In Prepper’s Long-Term Survival Guide, Jim provides a multitude of helpful tips in each of these categories. The book isn’t meant to be a complete study on any given topic, but instead provides general guidelines, tips, and even numerous DIY projects, requiring cheap supplies.

I picked up tips for building a rain barrel system, cleaning my cast iron cookware, and saving t-shirts to use later for wound dressings. Jim also explains how to sanitize those t-shirts in case I run out of the packaged dressings in my first aid kit.

Over the years I’ve found Jim’s advice on his blog and other books to be sound, practical, and budget-friendly. This book continues that same down-to-earth tradition and is an enjoyable read. His writing style is pleasant and conversational, even when tackling difficult subjects, such as how deep to bury a corpse!

Readers will appreciate the numerous checklists and thorough coverage of everything to consider when considering a true end-of-the-world event.

I am honored that Jim asked me to write the forward for Prepper’s Long-Term Survival Guide, and for him to be one of the contributing writers here at The Survival Mom.

 

 

 

 

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9 Must-Haves for your Glove Box

by John Heatherly

Attitude is the most important survival skill.  Objective setting and critical thinking are next.  Quality gear, especially gear that is within arm’s reach, can be a force multiplier (a force multiplier is defined as “capability that, when added to and employed by a force, significantly increases the potential of that force and thus enhances the probability of successful mission accomplishment.”)

The following  items can easily fit in the glove box of an automobile.

1) Road Atlas/Printed Maps

Smart phones, tablets, and GPS devices are effective, and should be carried. Paper maps and atlases should be carried as well, as networks can go down, and batteries can die.  Why not have an atlas or map of the area you are living in or traveling through?

2) Wrist Compass

This tiny item (by Suunto) can be a confidence-builder and a life-saver! While the ability to read and navigate a terrain map is recommended, the addition of a wrist compass like the one pictured can enable a person to at least lead, follow, or embark on an emergency heading.

3) Headlamp

A small headlamp takes up very little space and can be worn while working or walking.  Imagine the benefit of having both hands available to work, rather than needing a “flash light holder.”

4) Water Purification Straw

A number of “life straws” are available on the market. The one pictured above produced by NDUR, filters 25 gallons, and stores in a pocket.

5) Folding Knife and Fire-Starter

Tool-Logic designed this multi-use survival tool that can clip to a belt or fit in a pocket. We also like the Swedish Fire Knife, which, because of it’s bright colors, shows up very well in a dark glove box.

6) Alcohol Swabs

Alcohol swabs can be used to clean cuts and scrapes, of course, and they also make excellent fire-starters.  Use the Tool-Logic knife mentioned above to spark an alcohol swab as tinder.

7) Pepper Spray

Pepper spray is sometimes controversial as a weapon for use in defense against human assailants, though I recommend it.  It works great against animals as well, as I have seen it stop a dog from approaching a stroller!

8) Face Mask

This addition may seem odd, but what if you were in an area with wildfires burning or a huge dust storm? There are numerous scenarios in which air becomes difficult and even dangerous to breathe. Something like the Readi-Mask, highly recommended by Survival Mom, could save a life.

9) Ziploc Bag

Lastly, a Ziploc bag can be added to the glove box, as an impromptu means of carrying the other items, or even as a water collection device (for water to be purified with a life straw.)

Bonus items! Blackhawk makes a Stash Pack and a Stash-Away Duffel. Both can be stored as a small bundle about the size of a can of soup, then unpacked in a hurry if necessary. While perhaps a little big to place in the glove box with the other items, these can be hidden in a car then deployed for a quick exit.

About John Heatherly: John’s love for the wilderness and literature began early in life when his parents introduced him to authors such as C.S. Lewis, Louis L’Amour, and Robert Louis Stevenson. He has studied at Tom Brown Jr.’s TrackerSchool and served in the military as a Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape (S.E.R.E.) instructor. John is the author of The Survival Template and The Cave and The Sea, a Novel. He’s also the creator of the MINDPREPS System.

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The #1 reason all your preparedness could be in vain

Not to be confused with failing to prepare, this statement may cause some head scratching. Stick with me here to see what I mean.

Your completed bug out bags are ready by the door. Food is stored for the long term and secured. You have water filters, gear, and gadgets out the wazoo. Sitting in your home, you feel pretty good about all you have accomplished. You should! You invested a lot of time, energy, organizing, research, and money so you and your family can make it through unforeseen circumstances.

You can handle economic collapse, EMP, solar flares, even natural disasters common to your area. You read books on handling the call for martial law, protecting yourself and preps from looters, gangs, or hungry neighbors. You have done everything you can think of. So why would you fail?

The #1 reason all your preparedness could be in vain

You may have all the gadgets and hoarded supplies to live off grid for years, but unless you have the skills and practice to use them or even start a fire, you will likely fail. There is more to building a fire than simply stacking wood and using a lighter. There is more to purifying water than knowing to filter and boil it to make it safe for consumption.

How about your fancy first aid kit? It may be rated for an EMT, but unless you know how to use the stuff inside, it is almost worthless. You could make things worse by not knowing how to use your gear or assess a chaotic situation with calm logic.

These things take time. Skills are not learned overnight and becoming familiar, let alone proficient, with a piece of equipment or gear takes more than one use.

Before you get overwhelmed by the prospect of learning everything needed to really survive a SHTF or disaster situation, these four (4) skills cover the most basic of human needs so you survive to fight another day. A human needs shelter, water, food, and warmth to survive. Once you pick one of the four skills, YouTube and the internet can help you get started.

Shelter building

You may have the most expensive, sturdy tent that money can buy. Do you know how to put it up? Can you read the ground to see where water may flow in a downpour? What if you do not even have a tarp to use? Can you use the material around you (or in the woods) to build a shelter?

Learning how to set up your tent and several ways of making serviceable, if crude, shelter is important. This skill alone will make you will much more confident no matter where you are. Take a few minutes to watch a few videos and then practice the skills. Better yet, make it a fun family event. The kids help you build a ‘natural fort’ they can play in.

Starting a Fire

This one seems like a no-brainer to most people today. In our marvelous modern age, there are so many ways to start a fire that people have forgotten you can actually rub sticks together to start one. No one wants to use that method of course, but there is still an art to starting a sustainable fire. A cooking fire is different than a fire for heat, which is still different than banking a fire so it will not go out at night.

It takes practice to understand how a fire burns and what it needs. I remember my little brother on a camping trip when he was 8 or 9. Mom let him start the fire. He piled layers of paper and kindling into the fire pit and used a lighter to get it going. Within minutes, the fire was out and there was only a small burned area in the middle.

What went wrong? He had everything he needed, right? Wrong. He did not have the skills to properly stack the kindling and tinder so it would breathe right; he did not have the skills to ‘read’ the fire because he hadn’t been allowed to do it very often. It takes practice, plain and simple.

Water Purification

It amazes me how many people think either filtering or boiling water make it safe. You must do both to be absolutely certain the water is safe. The Rule of Threes tells us you cannot live without water more than 3 days, but that is climate dependent. Being in the desert requires more water than surviving in the Pacific Northwest.

Do you know the best sources for water? Do you have the skills to actually use your filter and then boil the water? Do you know how long to boil for? What if you do not have a working water filter, do you know how to make one? Learn a basic technique, then go practice!

Food

You have 3 month’s worth of MREs all set and secured. You have dehydrated goodies besides and bags of rice, beans, sugar, and flour in Mylar bags. Great! Do you know how to use those staples once the MREs are gone? Can you cook with just those items? On top of that, do you know how to cook over a fire?

Personally, I researched recipes that use very basic ingredients but still taste good, and are nutritious and filling. The only way to ensure “tastes good” for your family is,  you guessed it, to actually make and eat them.

Warmth
Warmth ties into the others. Fire and shelter help keep you going. Staying warm and dry is vitally important for both your physical and your mental health. With all the blankets, sleeping bags, and clothing available to keep you warm, do you know how to keep warm without them – without a sleeping bag? Shelter and fire placement will help with that.

All of the above is to help get you thinking about the bigger picture in manageable chunks. As you work through the list, you may find that some of the gadgets and gear you have is redundant and that can be a good thing. Having back ups and back up plans are absolutely vital. Being prepared is a backup plan in itself!LeAnn in Alaska lives in beautiful Southeast Alaska with her husband, 2 dogs and 2 cats. Follow along as she works to live a more self-sufficient lifestyle and learn the skills that go along with it. In addition to writing for Survival Mom, you can find her on Facebook or on her blog, Homestead Dreamer.

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Survival Mom Quote of the Week

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Try it Today! Make your own waterproof, fire-starting Fire Straws

Try it Today! is supposed to be a Sunday feature, but yesterday I had the worst allergy attack in my life and spend most of the day, Easter!, feeling miserable. So, here is this fun DIY project for Monday! Most of the supplies you already have on hand and anything else is just a short trip away to the nearest grocery store.

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Having the means to get a fire going is a vital part of any survival kit. While there are many natural forms of tinder available in the wild, in damp, rainy conditions it may be difficult to find anything dry enough to light off a spark. Fire straws are a great little project that can solve that problem. They are easy to make and small enough to fit into even the tiniest kits.

Click on image to enlarge.

To make fire straws, you’ll need the following:

–Plastic drinking straws**

–Cotton balls or dryer lint

–Petroleum jelly

–Scissors

–A candle

–A pair of pliers or a multi-tool

–Toothpicks or bamboo skewers

First, toss several cotton balls or a few pinches of dryer lint into a plastic baggie and add in a dollop of petroleum jelly. Mash it all together for a bit, making sure all of the cotton or lint is impregnated with the jelly. Leave it in the bag for the time being.

Next, cut your drinking straws to size. I usually cut them in half or into thirds, depending on the size of the kit I’m making. A great way to store fire straws is in an old Altoids tin. You don’t necessarily need to keep them in a separate container, though.

Light your candle and begin sealing one end of each cut straw. Hold the end of the straw a few inches above the candle flame, just until you see the plastic begin to soften.

Using the pliers, crimp it closed tight. After you’ve done this to all the cut straws, move on to filling them.

Personally, I like to wear a latex glove for this next step but you can use your bare hands if you like. Remove a small pinch of the now slimy cotton balls and roll it up thin enough to fit into the straw.

Use a toothpick or bamboo skewer to shove the cotton down into the straw. Keep filling until there’s only about a half inch of space left.

Once the straws are full, you need to seal them. Do this the same way you did the first time around, holding the open end of the straw above the candle flame, then crimping it shut.

Congratulations, you’ve just made a batch of fire straws! What is really nifty about these is that this is a way to carry tinder in a completely waterproof manner. You can toss these straws into a bowl of water and let them sit for a month and they’ll still work just fine when you need them.

To use a fire straw, you take a knife and cut a slit along the side of the straw. Pull some of the cotton out through the slit and light it with a match or spark. . If you lack a knife, the plastic is thin enough that you could even gnaw it open with your teeth.

As it burns, it will also light up the plastic, creating a good-sized flame that will burn long enough to get your fire going.

I add several fire straws to each and every survival kit I assemble. This is a great project for kids, too. They tend to enjoy smooshing the cotton and petroleum jelly together. If you get a couple of kids involved and make a little assembly line, you can make dozens of fire straws in just 15-20 minutes.

 

**Believe it or not, there is quite a range in widths when it comes to drinking straws. For this project, the wider the straw, the better. Not only will a wider straw allow you to fill it with more cotton compared to a thin one, they are easier to fill. If you happen to have a Culver’s restaurant in your area, I’ve found their straws to be the ideal size. In fact, fast food restaurant straws tend to be considerably wider than those you can buy at the grocery or warehouse stores. I’m not suggesting you grab a couple handfuls of them the next time you stop for burgers but rather save them after your meal. Take them home, rinse them out and let them dry overnight. If you go this route and use dryer lint instead of cotton balls, the only investment is in the petroleum jelly and toothpicks, both of which you probably already have in the house.

Jim  Cobb is a Disaster Readiness Consultant and author of Prepper’s Home Defense, The Prepper’s Complete Book of Disaster Readiness, and Prepper’s Long-Term Survival Guide. His websites are Survival Weekly and Disaster Prep Consultants.

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Product Review: The no-batteries-necessary UVPaqlite

Click image for larger view.

Just yesterday afternoon I sent my son on a search for 3 AAA batteries for my headlamp. It was time for my CERT class and I wanted to make sure I had a bright work light after sundown.

Eventually he found the batteries, and therein lies the problem with almost every emergency light source in the house. Batteries.

They die and need to be replaced, which requires a steady stream of purchases. If they’re re-chargeable, they have to be charged — when you remember to charge them!

The answer to this dilemma is a light source that never requires batteries, and that would be UVPaqlite.

Products from UVPaqlite never need batteries. Not ever. From their GloStick to their UVO Necklace, their products provide a constant, steady glow for many hours, far longer than any glow stick.

How does it work?

Each UVPaqlite product is made of a combination of 3 all-natural elements, strontium, aluminum, and europium. These elements are safe and there’s no worry if children handle them. In fact, they’ll go nuts over the magical lights, which is why I highly recommend the UVO Necklace or UV GloStick in every kid’s emergency kit.

The natural elements combine to create a glowing light when exposed to a light source. That source can be just a minute in the sun, a couple of minutes exposed to a flashlight, or 10 minutes in ambient light. The more intense the source, the quicker the charge.

Once charged, the UVPaqlite is ready to go. When they aren’t in use, the glow will diminish, so I recommend hanging one on the outside of an emergency kit or backpack, so it’s charged when you need it. I keep one right by my computer monitor for those nights when I’m burning the midnight oil and need just a bit of light.

A different Paqlite for different needs

UVPaqlite is a small, family owned business, and over the years they have developed a wide variety of products based on this unique, patent pending technology.

The UVO Necklace is particularly good for kids and pets. Attach it to your dog’s collar when you’re in the wilderness, and they’ll be easy to spot. Attach the necklace to the zipper pull on an emergency kit, tuck it into your kid’s school backpack, and place one by their bedside for an always-ready nightlight. As of this writing, the UVO Necklace is just $4.95 each.

I own one of the large UVPaqlites. This is a flattened, sealed bag that has more surface area than a glo sticks and can provide a broader area of light. One of these is handy in a tent, and rolled up, it takes up very little room. I keep mine in the glove compartment of the Tahoe, and it’s been a good light source within that small area.

When the power’s out in the neighborhood, it’s amazing how dark it can be. Even maneuvering around a familiar house can become a challenge. Glow in the Dark Spots (GIDS) can be attached anywhere to provide illumination along a hallway (place them a couple of feet apart along the baseboard), on each step on a staircase, or anywhere in the house where there’s a step up or a step down into another room. The last thing you need on such a night is a sprained ankle!

Is the flashlight extinct?

You’ll still want a good LED flashlight in your emergency kit and around the house for times when a bright spotlight is needed. UVPaqlite products provide a constant, steady glow useful for overall, ambient lighting. But unlike the flashlight, these will never need batteries and can be reused over and over again. A single purchase will provide a light source that will be handy and ready for use indefinitely.

Check it out in person!

I bought my UVPaqlites last year at a prepper expo in California. You can find the UVPaqlite at survival and prepper events around the country. Click here to see their current schedule.

The post Product Review: The no-batteries-necessary UVPaqlite by The Survival Mom appeared first on The Survival Mom. Be sure to check it out!