Which Foods to Stockpile for the New Year – and Which to Avoid
With food shortages due to drought, never-ending grocery inflation, and ongoing supply chain issues, it’s more important than ever to stockpile food for the future.
And what better time to do it than the fresh start of a new year? But as some of us have learned the hard way, some foods are better for stockpiling than others.
Of course, shelf life is important. But so are other factors. Including taste, nutrition, variety, protein, and calories to get you through what’s certain to be a rough stretch.
That’s what I’m focusing on today. And at the end I’ll tell you a major cost-saving way to double a three-month supply of survival food. But fair warning – you’ll have to act very quickly.
Don’t overdo fresh foods
Before I get into a list of what I consider the best – and worst – foods to stockpile, let me mention this.
It’s fine to have plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, etc., in your refrigerator. There’s nothing better than fresh when it comes to food.
But keep in mind that if the power goes out and you have no way to keep your fridge running, you’re going to want to eat that fresh food sooner rather than later. It won’t stay fresh for long.
And this is exactly why it’s crucial to have plenty of non-perishable food ready for the consumption of your family and you.
Looking at the best
So, here’s a list of foods that are either non-perishable or have longer shelf lives than most other foods.
- Freeze-dried fruits and vegetables. Long shelf life and low moisture content. They can be reconstituted quickly and generally keep their texture, color, shape and taste.
- Dehydrated fruits and vegetables. This is the oldest food preservation method. And it’s easy to transport from one place to another.
- Peanut butter, which provides energy, protein and healthy fats. Eat it right out of the jar or spread it on healthy crackers.
- Nuts, including walnuts, almonds, pistachios, cashews, and pecans.
- Seeds, such as sunflower, pumpkin, sesame, chia, and flaxseeds.
- Granola bars, which supply much-needed carbohydrates. Just make sure they don’t contain much sugar.
- Pasta. It’s high in carbohydrates and can be used in a variety of ways with different foods.
- Whole grains store well and are great for making bread, pancakes, and baked goods.
- Whole grain rice is another good source of carbs. Goes with just about any meal.
- Dried beans say good for a long time. Lots of protein, especially for a non-meat source.
- Powdered milk is a good source of Vitamin D and calcium. It will supply some of your dairy needs. Can be used for baking.
- Canned food could go into either the best or worst category. They’re heavy and require a lot of storage space. Some contain high levels of sodium. But they offer a wide variety of foods, most of which are generally nutritious. They come in handy when you’re hunkering down.
- Bottled water. This water is seldom as “pure” as manufacturers want you to think with their colorful labels. But you can never have too much water on hand. Even more important, get a water purifier.
Looking at the worst
I promised to also mention the worst foods you can include in your survival stockpile. Some of these are pretty obvious.
- Sugar-laden snacks. While it’s important to have some comfort foods in your stash, stay away from ones that will give you a sugar rush followed by a crash. Such as candy and candy bars, potato chips, and soda/pop.
- Energy drinks. These drinks have very little nutritional value. They might keep you awake, but that’s about it. They can also make some people jittery, which you don’t need in an emergency.
- Breakfast cereals. In addition to having short shelf lives, these cereals usually have very little nutritional content. If you want to include a few boxes in your stash, choose ones with little or no sugar.
Variety is the spice of life
Getting back to the subject of variety, let me make a few comments.
Variety is an essential part of the process of choosing which foods to store. Different foods provide different nutrients. Variety also helps prevent appetite fatigue.
Yes, you can survive by eating the same thing day after day. At least for a while. But stockpiling a variety of ready-to-eat food will lend itself to more frequent eating and a much better mental outlook on your situation.
So, focus on quality and add variety. And if you’re able, beef up your quantity whenever you can.
3-Month Survival Food Kit deal
As promised, here’s a great way to significantly add to your stockpile quantity. There’s only one catch – you have to act before midnight tonight.
With the purchase of a 3-Month Survival Food Kit today, you’ll get an additional 3-Month Kit for 57% off. Which means your second 3-Month Kit is less than one-half its normal price. But just for today.
Each 3-Month Kit comes in two water-resistant, stackable totes. Inside, each food item uses top-of-the-line Mylar pouches – the same material used in NASA’s space suits – to keep air, moisture, and light out. So your food stays fresh.
This is sturdy stuff that stands up to the crazy things that occur during an emergency. Our 3-Month Kit is bigger and better than ever. With tons of variety. This is the “done-for-you” solution to your survival food needs.
Designed to last 25 years, this Kit features 688 great-tasting, family-favorite servings for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. That’s 135,440 total calories.
Plus FREE gifts including FREE shipping and a $25 off certificate to use on a future order.
Important Safety Tips for Winter Driving
Short of an accident, what’s the worst thing that can happen to you while you’re driving during the winter?
I think a lot of people would answer getting stranded in a place where you can’t move your vehicle. And help can’t get to you.
Now, you may believe the odds are high against that sort of thing happening to you. But the reality is, it does occur. And when it does, you could be in a bad way if you’re not prepared.
Today I want to give you a few tips regarding driving safety precautions you can take ahead of time. As well as which items to keep in your vehicle in case you get stranded.
Yes, Virginia, there are snowstorms
First, though, one quick reminder of what happened just last year in Virginia. A severe snowstorm closed a 50-mile stretch of Interstate 95.
Hundreds of drivers were stranded overnight in the freezing cold. They couldn’t move. An accident involving six trailer-tractors – plus snow and ice – made the road impassable in both directions.
Rain prior to the storm made it impossible to preheat roads with salt. As rain turned to snow, slush made driving difficult. Then the wind started howling. And the accident resulted in miles-long backups.
One driver in need of insulin said he was stuck in his car for 18 hours. Another said it took her 13 hours to drive 13 miles.
Vehicle maintenance is a must
Thankfully, those incidents do not occur regularly. But they happen often enough that we need to be prepared for them. Especially as winter rapidly approaches.
Inclement weather including snowstorms, freezing rain, and high winds can strike at any time. It’s crucial to keep your vehicle as winter-ready as possible.
If you have a properly maintained automobile, your odds of getting stranded somewhere will be reduced.
Something as simple as a worn-down wiper blade or broken rear defroster can spell disaster on the road.
11 tips to keep you safe
As promised, here are some things you can do for your vehicle prior to winter:
- Have your battery checked by a trained mechanic. Make sure it’s in top condition to handle winter. Engines need more current from batteries in cold temperatures.
- Make sure your tires have enough tread to handle slippery roads. Nearly bald tires may get your vehicle from here to there in dry conditions. But they’re a death trap on snow-covered roads.
- Check your tires’ air pressure. Cold weather can cause air pressure to drop. For safe traction, you want properly inflated tires.
- Ensure that your antifreeze mixture is about 50 percent antifreeze and 50 percent water, or 60/40 in colder climates. That way, the radiator coolant won’t freeze.
- Cold weather reduces your oil’s effectiveness. Make sure you’re current on oil changes. A properly lubricated engine will run best. Use a thinner oil in winter. Check other fluid levels.
- Change your wiper blades and fill your wiper fluid compartment. Being able to clear rain and snow off your windshield is crucial. Salt on the road provides better traction, but it smears windshields.
- Make sure your front and back defrosters are working properly. When a windshield fogs up, driving becomes dangerous. Check the car’s heater.
- Lubricate window tracks. Freezing rain can seep into window tracks and negatively affect window regulator cables. Use spray silicone or dry Teflon spray lubricant in those tracks. Do the same with door locks.
- Get a tune-up. A mechanic can check your belts and hoses, ignition, brakes, wiring, spark plugs, and your fuel and emission filters.
- Keep your gas tank as full as possible throughout winter. You never know when you might be stuck on a road for several hours. In addition, cold weather can cause condensation to form in a nearly empty gas tank. That water can travel into fuel lines and freeze.
- Build or purchase an emergency car kit. I’ve provided a list below for what it should include. But make absolutely sure it includes a shovel, windshield scraper and brush, battery-powered radio, flashlight, nonperishable food, and water.
More about that emergency kit
Major vehicle pileups resulting in stranded motorists are more likely during snowstorms. But here’s the bottom line. If you drive, it could happen to you. Even on the most beautiful of winter days.
And if it does, what will you do if you can’t leave your vehicle for hours on end? That’s how long it takes to clean up major crashes.
Will you have the right items in your vehicle when you need them? Or will they be sitting at home where you can’t reach them?
Make sure you have the following items in your vehicle:
- Water. Leaving water bottles in your car overnight will likely cause them to freeze. But taking fresh water with you each time you drive somewhere will ensure you’ll have it when you need it.
- Flashlight. In the winter, it’s dark in the morning and again by late afternoon. You may have to assess a situation outside your car, so always have at least one of these handy. It should include a window-breaking hammer and a seatbelt cutter.
- First-aid kit. If you’re stranded in your car from an accident that caused minor injuries, you can treat them with a basic first-aid kit.
- Wool blanket. If you’re stuck in your car and don’t want to run out of gas, it could get cold. A blanket can help keep you warm.
- Folding shovel. It doesn’t take up much room and it’s inexpensive. But it could get you out of a snowbank and get you on your way again.
- Windshield de-icer. Sometimes moisture on a windshield freezes so deeply that the car’s defrost just isn’t enough.
- Road flares. If your car is stuck by the side of a dark road, this is a great way to warn vehicles coming up from behind you.
- Jumper cables. During a storm is a bad time for a battery to fail. But with some help, your cables could get your car moving again.
- Windshield wiper fluid. This is something you never want to run out of. Check your fluid levels frequently, but also keep a supply of wiper fluid in your car.
- Back-up power. Make sure you have a fully-charger portable power bank. This could be a lifesaver if your cellphone is dead and you have no other way to charge it.
Winter driving presents plenty of challenges. But by preparing, you will be able to handle those challenges.
A Garden In The Winter? Yes!
Spring may seem a long way off. After all, it’s not even officially winter yet. Although in some areas of the country it sure feels that way.
But spring will be here in a little over three months. And a few steps you take now could go a long way to making your spring garden flourish.
On the other hand, if you wait until spring to take those steps? You could end up missing out on weeks’ worth of harvest.
You may be thinking, “OK, Frank. I understand the logic of planting some crops indoors in February and then replanting them outside after the last frost. But what could I do in December to benefit my spring garden? Especially if I live in a cold climate? Glad you asked.
Put on your thinking cap
There may not be a whole lot of gardening you can do this late in the year. Unless you’re keeping an eye on crops you planted earlier in the fall.
But there are a number of things you can do indoors over the next couple of months to enhance what will be your spring garden.
Among them are thinking about what has worked well and what hasn’t in the past. Including the methods you’ve tried. And the particular plants you’ve seeded, nurtured, harvested, and eaten.
Two other activities you can engage in now that will benefit you later are planning and buying. Decide what you want to plant – as well as when and how – and purchase items you’ll need for that. Many of those items will be less expensive now than next spring.
Learn from the past
Try to recall which varieties of plants you placed in your garden in the spring. As well as which ones did well and which didn’t.
Learn from mistakes. Such as transplanting too soon or too late. Or planting seeds too deeply or not deeply enough.
Or planting the seeds of different plants too close together. Or not properly utilizing the garden space you have. Or watering too often or not often enough.
Depending on how long you’ve been gardening, you may not have achieved the perfect garden yet. Few of us do. The key is learning along the way. And recording successes and failures helps your recall the next time around.
Read, write, & wait
Even if you were 100% satisfied with your garden, there is always something that can be improved. And if you weren’t fully satisfied, there are definitely things to learn.
What better time than the coldest months of the year than to curl up with some great gardening books and magazines? Plus seed catalogs. You can also watch gardening videos.
Jot down notes while you’re reading and viewing. I’m willing to bet you’ll learn some things you’ll be able to incorporate into your garden come spring.
Make a list of the plants you want to grow in your garden. Maybe you’ll decide to choose one or two you’ve never tried before.
Make a map of your proposed garden layout. Including which plants will go in which rows. Create a planting schedule for indoors and out so you won’t miss a crucial date.
Buy now; thank yourself later
Now it’s time to take your debit card out of your wallet. This is a great time to purchase the seeds you’ll want to use in your spring garden.
It’s also a good time to step into your garage and take inventory of your gardening tools and accessories.
Maybe it’s time to replace a shovel, hoe, or rake. Or a spade, cutter, trowel, or pruning shears. Not to mention a Ph soil tester, watering can, tote bag, gloves, and knee pads.
You can also stock up on potting soil and seed trays. Plus small planting pots, peat pots, and tubes for irrigation.
Planning in advance for your spring gardening fits in well with your overall preparedness strategy. And it will put you one step ahead of those who don’t prepare.
I’ve Got Good News and… More Good News
Four weeks ago, I sent you an email focusing on good news. As well as suggestions regarding how to get involved with Giving Tuesday.
Response from readers was positive. One wrote, “Thank you for taking the time from your normal endeavors to recognize the importance of thoughtful charity. Please continue to present to your customers your compassion for those in need of care and prayer.”
So, that’s what I’m doing again today. And please stay with me here. At the end I’m going to turn the tables. My emails almost always include suggestions about preparedness.
Today I’d love to hear some preparedness advice from you. I’m guessing you have elements in your preparedness plan I haven’t thought about. I’d love to learn from you. And I’m sure other readers would as well.
Texas ‘Knit Wits’ Unite
On more than one occasion, I’ve been called a nitwit. Usually by my wife or a friend in a joking way. And sometimes by someone who really means it. That’s OK. I’m sure I am a nitwit sometimes. But next time it happens, I’ll smile because it will remind me of some very kind grandmothers.
How’s that? Well, there’s a group of grandmas in Texas who call themselves the Knit Wits. I think you see where this is going.
These ladies dedicate themselves to knitting homemade hats and toys for children in hospitals and war zones. They’ve been doing it for more than 20 years.
Some don’t get around as well as they used to. But that’s not a big problem here because they all reside in a senior living community in Dallas, Texas.
‘A Colorful Symbol of Hope & Joy’
They have brought warmth and joy to children in the Lone Star State and overseas through their crafting and distribution of hand-knit items.
They gather every Friday, sitting at a long table with their yarn, knitting needles, and smiles. Not long ago, they knit and sent dolls to Ukraine orphans. Their latest effort is creating homemade caps for babies facing heart problems.
For this project, they are collaborating with Children’s Health in Dallas. The daughter of one of the Knit Wits is a cardiologist at the hospital. So far, they’ve sent dozens of hand-crafted beanies for the infants.
Betsy Beall is the hospital’s child life specialist. She said the holiday-themed hats and toys “have become a colorful symbol of hope and joy for the center’s littlest patients and their families.”
The executive director of the community where the ladies live is proud of their willingness to help others. “They’ve proven that a simple act of kindness can make such a difference in the lives of those facing challenging circumstances.”
Iowa Teen Gives Needy Healthier Options
Of course, elderly women are not the only ones who step up (or, in their case, sit down) to help others. A teenager in Iowa observed that food banks were serving mostly boxed and canned goods.
She thought folks needing food assistance could also use healthier options. So, on her half-acre of land, she grew some 7,000 pounds of produce and gave it away to food banks and non-profits in the Quad Cities area. The produce had a market value of approximately $15,000.
Her generosity drew the attention of Future Farmers of America. They gave her a grant for supplies and seeds. Still, her effort required two to three hours per day of pulling weeds, planting, and watering vegetables.
Her mother was extremely proud. “She really chose to focus on learning about agronomy, gardening, and vegetables. But just really taking it to the next level and actually helping people out with it.”
Hawaiian Children Receive Unexpected Gifts
We all heard about the devastating fires last year in Hawaii. Entire communities were destroyed. Fortunately, several organizations made it a priority to help.
Walmart and the Salvation Army donated tens of thousands of toys, gifts, and gift cards to Hawaiian children.
The organizations also held a holiday party for two elementary schools. One of which was engulfed by the flames.
A Walmart spokesperson said, “One of the most heartwarming moments of the day was when large gift bags filled with toys were distributed to each child present at the event. It was a complete surprise to the children.”
First Responders & Vets Remembered
Just a few weeks ago, Fox News partnered with the First Responders Children’s Foundation to collect gifts for our national heroes’ kids.
Those heroes include New York City firefighters and other first responders. While we relax with our families on holidays, they are often out on the streets protecting us.
Fox News also donated more than $500,000 to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation on Veterans Day. The organization constructs homes and apartments for homeless veterans.
In addition to those dwellings, the foundation operates the Let Us Do Good Village on 100 acres in Florida. It was designed for veterans, first responders, and their families.
It’s Your Turn
Food, shelter, comfort… they’re all connected in one way or another with preparedness.
As mentioned earlier, I have a request for you. I’d appreciate it if you’d tell me and our readers about your preparedness plans for the new year.
What are we missing? Let me know and give me your best advice in the comments section here.
I’d love to hear from you.
Could You Survive in the Wild for 5 Days? These Two Men Had To…
We’ve all heard stories of people who survived for several days or more in the wild before being rescued.
Including the one a few years back that occurred on the rugged Downey Creek Trail in Washington state.
Two hikers – 64-year-old Marshall “Buster” Cabe and 59-year-old David James – had planned on a nice five-day hike. Along the way, they took a chance on what they hoped was a shortcut. It wasn’t.
Instead, it resulted in them getting lost. They were both running out of food. James had another problem. He lost gear in a fire. Including his sleeping bag and a shoe. While he stayed put, Buster set out to try to find help.
Surviving on berries and bugs
Along his journey, Buster knew he’d have to eat to maintain his strength. But what? His only choices were berries and bugs, including ants.
“I ate blueberries,” Buster said. “They’ve got more energy than the red ones. Blue huckleberries, I ate them. And I ate some ants.”
The ants were not as bad-tasting as Buster thought they’d be. And he appreciated the fact that they provided some much-needed protein.
But after being rescued, he offered a warning for anyone caught in the same type of situation. “(Ants) taste like SweeTarts,” he said. “Except they’ll bite you in the tongue, so eat them fast.”
Most of us know that some berries are nutritious and others are poisonous. But which are which? Here are a few tips in case you need to survive on them.
Some berries are perfectly fine to eat and healthy for you. They can keep you going until you find your way to shelter.
Partridgeberries are dark red – similar to cranberries – and very tart. They contain plenty of natural pectin, which is used as a setting agent in jams and jellies.
Manzanita berries are silvery-green and oval-shaped. These berries have long been used to make cider. Their less-than-ideal taste can be overcome by grinding them and using the powdered fruit.
Wintergreen berries are red, while their leaves are dark green and waxy. The berries are safe to eat. One outdoors author even recommends using them to make ice cream and muffins.
Blueberries in the wild are a godsend, especially during blueberry season. They are naturally resistant to many native pests and diseases.
Strawberries in the wild are both nutritious and delicious. They are a great source of Vitamins B, C, and E. You can safely eat all the parts of a strawberry, including the leaves.
Berries to avoid
Now let’s take a look at a few berries you definitely don’t want to consume:
Holly berries contain an alkaloid called theobromine. Eating a few probably won’t hurt you. But if you eat a bunch of them, you could become ill.
Ivy berries are poisonous if eaten in quantities. Fortunately, they taste bitter so it’s unlikely anyone would eat too many unless they were starving.
Yew berries are not harmful by themselves, but their seeds are poisonous. The seeds contain alkaloids called taxanes. These seeds have been known to cause sudden death.
Mistletoe is best left hanging above you around the holidays. Its pink and white berries are poisonous. Some who have eaten a bunch of mistletoe have suffered convulsions, blurred vision, stomach cramps, and diarrhea.
Jerusalem cherry is a beautiful plant, but its berries contain a toxin that can cause gastric problems and vomiting.
Winter provides a different challenge
Despite the challenge they faced while lost in the wilderness, Buster and David had one thing going for them. It was summertime. They didn’t have to worry about freezing to death before finding food.
If you get lost or have to bug out during winter and find yourself in a wilderness setting, it will be more difficult. Once you’ve built a shelter, you’ll be looking for food.
Again, some winter plants are safe to consume, but some aren’t. This is where a field guide would come in handy.
Such as Edible Wild Plants: A North American Field Guide to Over 200 Natural Foods. Or The Scout’s Guide to Wild Edibles: Learn How to Forage, Prepare & Eat 40 Wild Foods.
Edible winter plants
If you don’t have a guide handy, try to remember these three edible winter plants:
Rose hips have bright red fruits containing an average of 8 to 12 pale yellow seeds per fruit. Rose hips are tangy and sweet, and a good source of Vitamins C and E.
Persimmon produces a fruit that tastes delicious if it’s ripe and terrible if it isn’t. Ironically, the better it looks, the worse it tastes. The key is to wait until it’s wrinkled and gooey. It tastes sweet and contains Vitamin C.
Barberries should be pulled carefully from thorny branches. These immune system-boosting berries can be eaten raw or steeped in hot water to make a tea.
Other edible winter plants that don’t contain berries or fruits include cattail rootstock, pinecone nuts, wild onion tops and bulbs, maple syrup from maple trees, chickweed leaves and stems, mullein leaves, chicory leaves, hickory nuts, acorns, and black walnuts.
But you can’t really go wrong with berries, as long as you know which ones are safe.
Don’t Become a Holiday Travel Statistic
There’s a pretty simple formula that plays out year after year on our highways around this time.
Holiday season = more travel = more traffic = more vehicle breakdowns and accidents. And frequently contributing to making this formula a consistent reality is bad weather.
Rain, snow, and wind come with the territory this time of the year in many areas. Which means more road congestion and more mishaps.
Some folks avoid holiday season travel as much as possible for this very reason. Others feel it’s worth the hassle and risk in order to spend time with loved ones we don’t see often enough.
100 Million-Plus on the Roads
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), there will be approximately 120 million Americans traveling over the next couple of weeks. A vast majority of them will be driving.
Just prior to the Covid pandemic, some 119.3 million Americans traveled between December 23 and January 2, 2019. That number included 108 million people driving. It represented a high mark since they started keeping these statistics.
Not surprisingly, that number dropped over the next couple of years. But it is expected to rise again during this holiday season.
Today I want to address the issue of increased traffic this time of year. And share a few tips regarding holiday travel preparation. Later this week I’ll send you an email with my tips for safe traveling during the holidays. So please be on the lookout for that.
Busiest Travel Week of the Year
Robert Sinclair is with Triple A. He says the day before Thanksgiving is the single busiest travel day of the year. But he’s quick to add that the busiest travel week of the year is December 26 through January 1.
“All other holidays pale in comparison,” he said. “Well over 100 million travel during that period. With kids out of school and most parents taking some vacation time.”
Narrowing it down even more, what do you suppose are the busiest travel days in December? According to INRIX, it’s the afternoons and evenings of December 23 and 24. INRIX is a company in Washington state. They provide location-based data and analyze traffic conditions.
Among the top holiday travel destinations are Orlando, Florida and Anaheim, California. Plus Las Vegas, New York City, and Atlanta.
Estimate: Hundreds Dead, Tens of Thousands Injured
Unfortunately, going hand in hand with an increased number of vehicles on the roads are accidents and injuries.
The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that approximately 350 people will die in traffic accidents during this holiday season. And another 40,000 will be injured severely enough to require medical attention.
That’s scary stuff and should make all of us more cautious. Getting somewhere safely is a lot more important than getting somewhere quickly.
Seatbelts save lives. The NSC estimates that 138 lives could be saved this holiday season if all vehicle occupants wear them.
Drinking Will Be a Factor
An even greater factor is alcohol consumption. It goes up during the holiday season. That’s due to office parties and holiday gatherings in establishments and homes.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving says that among those who consume alcohol, nearly one-half admit they drink more at family holiday parties than any other time of the year.
In a recent year, nearly one-third of vehicle fatalities involved an alcohol-impaired driver. You don’t have to be legally drunk to be impaired, so please keep that in mind. And don’t ride in a car with an impaired driver.
In fact, even some prescribed and over-the-counter medications can affect a person’s driving ability. Including cold, flu, and allergy meds. They can cause drowsiness and blurred vision.
Drinking & Driving Myths
For those who consume any alcohol before driving, consider these three myths about your capabilities:
- Drinking coffee will get me sober. Nope. It might wake you up a little bit, but it will not lower your blood alcohol level. Or improve your coordination and reaction time.
- It will be safe to drive if I stop drinking for an hour. Nope. It takes about two hours for your body to metabolize one standard alcoholic beverage. And that’s just one drink.
- If you’re not slurring, you’re fine. Nope. Some folks can speak normally and walk a straight line even if they are somewhat impaired. Driving skills can be affected before physical signs of intoxication take effect.
Pass It on, Save a Life
I hope you found today’s communication helpful as you think about any traveling you’ll do this holiday season. Especially during rough weather that frequently happens this time of year.
If you did, please feel free to forward it to your children, grandchildren, and other loved ones you think might benefit from it.
And if you have any thoughts on this subject I did not address, please feel free to add them to the Comments section.
And one final reminder. Watch for another email from me later this week with suggestions for keeping your holiday travels as safe as possible.
5 Common Problems With Walkie Talkies
Imagine it. Your cell tower goes down and the Internet doesn’t work, BUT you can still communicate with family members. Thanks to what some folks chalk up to kids toy — walkie talkies.
In reality, it’s not an exaggeration to say they can be life-savers, but some walkie talkies can have drawbacks.
For example, a cheap walkie talkie might have a poor or defunct speaker. What’s the sense in having a walkie talkie if you can’t even understand what your partner on the other side is saying?
They might also be clunky and bulky. No one needs to be lugging that around when they’re trying to bug-out fast, travel light, or keep their communication device hidden.
Others might not be as secure as you might think. If your walkie talkie only has a few channels, strangers may be able to listen in on your conversations through your radio frequency.
There are some great things about having a two-way communication device that doesn’t rely on cell towers.
But you have to choose the right one. Otherwise you could be left with a dead cell phone and no way to call for help.
Drawbacks to watch out for
As convenient and helpful as walkie talkies can be, some of them do have drawbacks. Here are the 5 most common problems I’ve discovered with some walkie talkies:
- Many of them are big and bulky. They don’t fit in your pocket and they take up a lot of room in a bag.
- They have a short radius and coverage area. It’s often necessary to communicate with people out of your sight range, but with some walkie talkies, it’s difficult.
- They have slow charge times. Once a walkie talkie’s battery dies down, you want to be able to charge it back up as quickly as possible.
- Poor speaker quality. What’s the point of a communication device if you can’t understand what the other person is saying?
- Interference. When a walkie talkie only has a few channels, wandering ears are more likely to tune in and hear what you’re saying.
Shop carefully for walkie talkies
If you’re in the market for walkie talkies, you’ll want ones that are rechargeable via USB.
Get ones that offer a number of different channels in order to avoid interference and communicate discreetly. And ones where you can stay connected for several miles.
Some great walkie talkies are even smaller than a cellphone. That makes them very convenient for carrying with you when you’re on the go.
Walkie talkies allow you to keep tabs on the kids and grandkids. As well as to stay in touch with family and friends while you’re camping. Or when you just want to communicate covertly in public.
Forbes reaches out to 4Patriots
Of course, you also want to make sure you’re acquiring walkie talkies from a reputable company.
Here’s what Forbes contributor Steven John wrote regarding his search for the best walkie talkies on the market. (In the fifth paragraph below, note who he connected with to gain insight on this subject.)
“At present, I have three different walkie talkie sets at home… Do I need three different walkie talkie sets?
“Not really, but I do use each differently, and I did choose them with care for specific applications, such as camping, paddling and for the kids. Needless to say, I came to this project with a solid baseline understanding of this hardware category.
“But I wanted to go deeper, of course, so I reached out to some next-level walkie talkie experts like Joe Bassett, founder of Valiant Outfitters, a company that provides backpacking, backcountry adventure and wilderness survival guide services.
“Bassett is also a ham radio operator and training officer for the Clay County, Florida Amateur Radio Emergency Service who has deployed to provide emergency communication for six hurricanes. Long story short, he knows his communication hardware.
“I also connected with Allen Baler, CEO and Co-founder of 4Patriots, one of the fastest-growing emergency preparedness providers in the country, who specifically recommends having a walkie talkie on hand for any and all outdoor adventures even if you expect to have a phone handy.
“A walkie talkie’s superior battery life, ability to function without cell connectivity and durable construction make it a great choice for different endeavors.”
Most walkie talkies are not perfect. I listed some of their defects above. But they can be a great communication device. Just make sure you get ones that have the features you want and need.
[VIDEO] HaloXT Tactical Flashlight: Perfect Under-$50 Dad Gift 🎁🔦
It’s 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟏 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝟏𝟐 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 event and we’re “snow” happy to kick it off with one of our most gifted gadgets: The HaloXT Tactical Flashlight.
Even Rudolph can’t compete with this 200-lumen light. It’s about 8X brighter than your average holiday Christmas lights.
Transcript 🎞️:
“Is this gadget the best dad gift this year? I think so. That’s because this handy tool is perfect for the whole family, and it’s a gift only the cool dads like myself think of. It’s also under $50 bucks and it’s a guaranteed win with anyone in your family … even those hard to shop for tweens, teens and college students.
This is the HaloXT Tactical Flashlight, and it packs several safety features in one gadget. Now, not to brag but I am the favorite gift giver of the family so I can assure you that this is a no-brainer.
If you’re a parent looking to give your kid a gift that would protect them in a crisis and that they’ll actually think is cool, and not just another annoying lecture on safety, then you should think about getting one of these.
This little stocking stuffer is a 9-in-1 solar survival tool that’s been designed specifically for use on the road. What makes this little gadget even more unique is that this flashlight doubles as a solar charging power bank, making sure your phone is always able to be charged even if heaven forbid you find yourself stuck on the side of the road.
It also has important car safety tools like a seat belt cutter, SOS light and glass breaking hammer.
This is the gift no one knew they needed, but once they have it they’ll never leave home without it. If you want to make sure you give a gift with purpose you’ve come to the right spot. Click HERE right now and get yours before the holiday rush.”
Do You Have a Family Emergency Plan in Place?
What does protecting your family mean to you?
If it means being ready for the worst. Having a bug-out bag packed and ready to go. Having a plan in place for you and your loved ones…
Keep reading.
Preparedness is the key
One of the oldest survival slogans is, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”
Yes, it’s a cliché. But I’m hard-pressed to think of one that is more accurate. Or one that makes more sense for the times in which we live.
Overseas wars that affect our economy. Extreme weather that occurs in one form or another year ‘round. Physical and cyber attacks against our country’s infrastructure. Terror threats from outside and inside our country.
It’s all going on right now. And it’s not likely to end. Ever. If we fail to put together a family emergency plan, then we plan to fail when one is needed.
You see, the vast majority of Americans agree they should be prepared. But most have never actually gotten around to doing it. It’s not a front-burner issue for them. But it should be.
There are certain things you can do now that will help you be prepared for just about any emergency. First and foremost is creating a family disaster plan.
This includes having printed out copies of identification like IDs, passports, and birth certificates.
You’ll need a plan for sheltering in place or bugging out in an emergency.
It’s time to sit down with your family and go over your plan of action. Where will you go? Who’s responsible for grabbing the bug-out bag? The food? What about Fido?
Tips for your family plan
The best way to prepare your family for a crisis is making everyone feel like an important contributor. Including the young and the elderly.
Following are a few tips for those who have chosen to talk to their kids and grandkids about being prepared for a crisis:
- Include your children or grandchildren in family preparedness discussions.
- Have your kids or grandkids memorize their personal information, including their names, parents’ names, address, and phone numbers.
- Learn the disaster response policies of your kids’ or grandkids’ school or day care center. Have a back-up plan in place for someone to pick them up if you can’t.
- Map out at least two pre-arranged meeting places that would provide shelter for your family. Returning to your home in a crisis might not be possible.
- Have at least two different prearranged evacuation routes mapped out. Including one that would not require a vehicle.
- Create a communication plan that everyone is aware of. Keep in mind that cellphone towers could be disabled in an emergency.
- Prepare a small bug-out bag for each child or grandchild. For small children, include items such as copies of identification, a family photo, toy, game, book or puzzle, plus treats.
- Make a list of any special needs considerations. Including disabilities, dietary/medical needs, and pets/service animals.
- Have as much cash as you can packed away safely, but easily accessible to you. Credit cards may be temporarily worthless and ATMs may be down.
Essential information
If you can keep the following information on paper and/or on your smartphone, in a computer document or in the cloud, you will be well prepared for an emergency.
- Printed copies of identification (driver’s licenses, passports, birth certificates, etc.)
- Up-to-date medical insurance information
- Updated will
- Power of attorney information
- Life insurance information
- Bank account numbers and passwords
- List of current bills due
- Doctor and veterinarian information
- Spare keys for your home and car
In an emergency situation, many people will be frazzled and panicking. With a family emergency plan in place, that won’t be you. You’ll be ready for whatever life throws at you.
46 Million Americans Are Water Insecure
1 trillion dollars. That’s the amount needed to repair or replace America’s aging water infrastructure, according to the EPA and the American Water Works Association.
Since that’s obviously out of the question, what about $18.4 billion? That’s what experts say is required to bring water security to more people.
That won’t happen either. But if something isn’t done, more Americans will become water insecure. Currently, over 46 million people in the U.S. are already there.
Water Contaminations Are Frequent
What is water insecurity? It’s when you have no running water in your home. Or the water coming out of your faucets is unsafe to drink.
There have been plenty of high-profile cases of unsafe water in America over the past 10 years. Including in places such as Flint, Michigan. And Newark, New Jersey. And Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
But lower-profile cases occur much more frequently. Including in places such as Grapeland, Texas and Tallulah, Louisiana.
As well as in parts of other states. Such as Idaho, Nevada, South Dakota, Kansas, and New Hampshire.
Boiling Water for 10 Years?
Extreme weather and other emergency situations including train derailments can result in boil advisories. They are usually temporary.
But in places such as McDowell County, West Virginia, it’s become a way of life for people. Some residents have been under a boil water advisory for 10 years.
That’s what happens when a 120-year-old water treatment system fails as theirs did. That’s what I call water insecurity.
Other folks are water insecure because they don’t have indoor plumbing or running water. They have to haul water from another source. And finding a safe source can be challenging.
DigDeep is a water accessibility nonprofit. They say 2.2 million people in the U.S. don’t have running water in their homes. They have no toilets, sinks or bathtubs. DigDeep founder George McGraw said, “For the first time in U.S. history, we’re going backwards in water access.”
It Can Happen Quickly
A moment ago I mentioned train derailments. Perhaps you recall the one that occurred in East Palestine, Ohio early this year.
Six months later they were still cleaning up the mess that caused water contaminations and evacuations. The estimated cost for dealing with removing all the hazardous chemicals and the subsequent lawsuits was $803 million.
This community of approximately 5,000 people had been enjoying safe water with little concerns about problems.
But then the derailment involving 38 train cars occurred. Several of those cars burned for days after the accident. The list of contaminants that seeped into local water supplies is too long to mention.
Fortunately, some water is contaminated only with bacteria and pathogens. Many of which can be nearly eliminated by boiling water.
Warnings, Tips & Tricks
Water contaminations can happen to anyone, anywhere, and anytime. What if it happens to you? Do you have ways to remove at least some of the potential contaminants that could get into your drinking water?
Here’s are a few warnings and suggestions from FEMA:
- Don’t drink water you suspect is contaminated. It can lead to illness.
- Don’t use suspected or contaminated water to wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash and prepare food, and make ice or baby formula.
- Don’t use water from radiators, hot water boilers, or water beds.
- Don’t boil water suspected to be contaminated with fuel or toxic chemicals.
Here are three ways to rid water of some bacteria and pathogens:
- Boil water for about 5 minutes.
- Disinfect water using unscented household chlorine bleach or iodine.
- Filter water through a clean cloth, paper towel, or coffee filter.
Finally, here are a few emergency water sources:
- Take water from your home’s water heater tank that is part of your drinking water system. Not your home heating system.
- Melt ice cubes that were frozen prior to contamination.
- Take water from your home’s toilet tank (not from the bowl), assuming it is clear and has not been chemically treated. Then filter this water.
- Take liquid from canned fruit and vegetables.
- Use water from swimming pools, spas and collected rainwater for personal hygiene and cleaning, but not for drinking.
Melting Snow Is an Option
As we head toward winter, you may get snow in your area of the country. If so, melting it could provide you with cleaner water in an emergency.
Snow is mostly water, of course. But depending on where you live, it could also contain sulfates, nitrates, formaldehyde, or mercury. A snowflake can function as a “net” in which it catches atmospheric pollutants.
If a snowfall lasts four hours, for example, the snow that falls during the fourth hour will be cleaner than snow falling in the first hour.
One water researcher describes falling snow as a scrub brush for the atmosphere. The earlier snow will soak up more than the later snow.
Regardless, boiling snow should remove anything that might otherwise cause illness. And if you’re stranded and need water, boiled snow is a good option.