My Hurricane Bug-Out Bag & Checklist

Cade here.

Yes, unfortunately it’s that time of year again. And for anyone who lives in the southern and eastern portions of the United States, you know all too well that Mother Nature can be unforgiving!

So, let’s get ahead of her now while we have the time to prepare.

How do hurricanes happen?

Hurricanes begin as tropical storms over the warm moist waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans near the equator. (Near the Philippines and the China Sea, hurricanes are called typhoons.)

As the moisture evaporates, it rises until enormous amounts of heated moist air are twisted high in the atmosphere. The winds begin to circle counterclockwise north of the equator or clockwise south of the equator.

The relatively peaceful center of the hurricane is called the eye. Around this center winds move at speeds between 74 and 200 miles per hour.

As long as the hurricane remains over waters of 79 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer, it continues to pull moisture from the surface and grow in size and force. When a hurricane crosses land or cooler waters, it loses its source of power, and its winds gradually slow until they are no longer of hurricane force–less than 74 miles per hour.

Hurricane Types

Categories 1 – 5

Cat 1 starts at 74 mph
Cat 5 in excess of 156 mph

Preparation, Preparation, Preparation

I can think of no greater example of preparation and prior planning increasing the odds of survival than for someone who lives in a hurricane zone.

If that’s you, or someone you love, make sure you walk through these checklists NOW, so you’re not left scrambling when a hurricane is in the forecast.

Home

Hurricane shutters or precut 1/4” plywood to cover windows
Roof straps
Remove objects outside that can blow away (chairs, tables).
Keep nearby trees trimmed.
Secure jams on doors.
Know how to turn off electricity and gas.

Vehicle

Full tank of gas (try to never let your gas tank go below 1/2 full)
Good windshield wipers
Check spare tire and jack kit
A map showing several evacuation routes in different directions

Equipment – AKA “Go Bag”

Water – 1 gallon per person/day.
Non-Perishable food – 4Patriots Survival Food & Emergency Food Bars were meant for this.
Medication
First Aid
4Patriots HaloXT flashlight
Multitool
Butane lighter
4Patriots Liberty Band Emergency Radio – doesn’t require batteries and will keep you constantly informed as to the strength and direction of the storm as well as recommended evacuation routes
USB-AA rechargeable batteries (check out my recommendation here)
Sleeping bag
Water purification system – assume that most of the water in the area will be contaminated from the storm
Rain jackets
Chemlights
Emergency Contacts – printed and in a zip-top bag or laminated
Cash

NOTE: Pets are not allowed in many emergency shelters so make sure you have a plan for them.

Should You Evacuate?

Deciding to evacuate can be tough. FEMA offers these guidelines to help you decide when to evacuate with the rule of thumb being that sooner is always better. Don’t be the person or family that a Coast Guard helicopter has to retrieve.

Listen to weather broadcasts and evacuate if directed by authorities to do so.
Evacuate if you live on the coast, in a floodplain, near a river, or near an inland waterway.
Evacuate if you live in a mobile home or temporary structure.
Evacuate if you live in a high-rise building.
Evacuate if you feel you are in danger.

You should have several evacuation routes as options and have driven them!

People are going to be scared, highways will be grid-locked with vehicles. The obvious route may not be the best one. Get to the highest ground you can reach away from the coast and other waterways.

And never drive through water you can’t see the bottom of!

Make sure you have an out-of-town emergency point of contact that anyone in your family can call in case you are separated.

Hold Your Position

If you were unable to evacuate and are going to have to stay put, move to a lower floor room in the middle of the house. Ideally this room has no windows and no external walls. You can further bunker in by using mattresses and blankets, and position yourself under a heavy table.

Caught Outside

If you find yourself in a situation where you are outside, you should abandon your vehicle and find shelter immediately: ditch, cave, rock out crop. Your greatest danger is being struck by flying debris, so stay as low to the ground as possible. Crawling from cover to cover until you find suitable shelter. Once there, try to find something you can cover yourself with.

Not Over Yet

If all goes quiet, don’t assume the hurricane is gone. You may be in the eye of the storm. If you are, it will be only a few minutes before the violent winds return, blowing the opposite direction.

The parallels between a nasty hurricane and combat are unlimited. Knowing when to hold your position or advance. When you have to stop and fight or shelter in place. Knowing that if you get hit by any of the objects flying everywhere your day will be over. Having the right gear to stay alive.

And like combat, preparation and rehearsal are keys to success.

Be a survivor, not a statistic,

Cade Courtley

Everything You Wanted to Know About Mosquito Bites

Will there be a special place in hell for mosquitos? In moments of weakness, part of me hopes so.

There are few insects more annoying and few as potentially dangerous. At least in most parts of America.

If mosquitoes were merely irritating, we could probably put up with them. But their bites cause welts and itching for days. And worse yet, some transmit diseases that can make us sick. Some diseases can even be fatal.

There are ways to treat mosquito bites, and I’ll mention a few near the end. But prevention is the best medicine when it comes to these hated pests.

What are they?

As all of us know, mosquitoes are small, flying insects. But not all of us know they have six legs and long mouthparts that feed on blood and nectar.

Did you know that only female mosquitoes feed off the blood of humans and animals? That’s because the females need the protein in their blood to develop their eggs. The males only need flower nectar.

Their bites result in usually small, raised bumps on the skin. If you’re allergic to mosquitoes, the bumps might get considerably larger. And you might experience hives, a swollen throat, faintness and wheezing.

The bump and itching will usually go away between three and seven days later. But it’s possible to experience more serious effects for a longer period of time.

Where are they?

The three types of mosquitoes – Aedes, Culex and Anopheles – can be found in most areas of the world.

They often congregate in areas near water. That’s because they lay their eggs in shallow water.

Such as what you find in ponds, lakes and marches. But also in kids’ pools, birdbaths and even the inside of tires.

They can even be found in the lower areas of a lawn following rain. Whatever you can do to keep standing water off your property will probably cut down on their population.

How do they do it?

The mosquito’s long mouthpart I mentioned earlier looks like a tiny needle. A mosquito will land on your body and pierce your skin with that mouthpart.

She will then suck your blood, which isn’t the worst part. More significant is that she will secrete saliva into your bloodstream.

OK, but why does that produce itching? Because your body recognizes mosquito saliva as an allergen. Your immune system then goes to work. It sends a chemical called histamine to the area where the bite occurred to fight that allergen.

The histamine is what causes the itching and swelling. It’s pretty much a no-win situation.

Why me and not them?

Have you ever been to an outdoor event where mosquitoes were bothering some people a lot more than others?

It’s not necessarily because some folks used a mosquito repellent and others didn’t. It might be because mosquitoes like certain blood types more than others.

We all have bacteria on our skin, and mosquitoes seem to be attracted to some types more than others. Body odor and skin temperature can also be factors.

One study found that people who’d recently consumed beer were more attractive to mosquitoes. They also seem to prefer pregnant women. Possibly because they have higher body temperatures and exhale more carbon dioxide.

Mosquitoes are also known for sniffing out lactic acid, ammonia and other compounds emitted in sweat. Exercise can increase the buildup of lactic acid.

Why are these bites dangerous?

Most mosquito bites are not dangerous. Many of us have been bitten by mosquitoes numerous times through the years and not suffered anything beyond itching.

But mosquitoes are vectors. Meaning they carry diseases between animals and humans. When that’s the case, the disease enters your bloodstream.

The most common mosquito-borne disease in North America is the West Nile virus. The CDC says it’s “the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States.”

We can blame the Culex mosquito for this one. Many people don’t get sick from it. But some people can have all sorts of problems with West Nile.

Including headaches and fevers. Plus stiff necks and confusion. It can also cause muscle weakness and even convulsions and coma.

Can I treat mosquito bites?

For some people, their only form of “treatment” is to scratch their mosquito bites. But this usually makes them itch more and longer.

And if you break the skin, you can expose yourself to an additional infection. So wash the area with soap and water and cover it with a bandage.

There are several better ways to treat a mosquito bite than by scratching. Ice will slow blood flow to the area, thereby reducing inflammation and swelling.

Applying aloe vera directly to the bite can relieve itching and discomfort. That’s due to the salicylic acid content of the plant’s leaves. You can also press a steeped chamomile tea bag to your bite.

Some people apply other items to their bites. Including honey, vinegar and even an oatmeal paste. Others like to use hydrocortisone cream or take an antihistamine.

Can I avoid mosquito bites?

It’s better to avoid mosquito bites than it is to treat them. Using mosquito repellent is one of the ways. There are over-the-counter sprays and rub-ons containing DEET. If you want to avoid that chemical, make your own concoction.

Apply it to exposed areas of skin. Mosquitos like thin-skinned areas because they can get to your blood easier. So focus on your feet, ankles, lower legs and wrists.

They are also attracted to dark colors. Wearing light-colored clothing when you’re outdoors could help. Long sleeves and pants can also be helpful for avoiding bites.

A thicker fabric with a looser fit is preferable to tight-fitting, thin fabrics.

And if you can avoid being outdoors around dawn and dusk, your blood won’t be available to them during their favorite parts of the day. When indoors, keep windows closed or make sure screens don’t have holes in them.

SunBuzz Solar Mosquito Lantern

My top recommendation for avoiding mosquito bites is the SunBuzz Solar Mosquito Lantern from 4Patriots.

You can take this compact and portable lantern anywhere you go. It charges for free in the sun and is rainproof and water-resistant. Without using pesticides or chemicals, it stops flying insects in their tracks.

This lantern has three different brightness settings and serves as a decorative light.

When you purchase several of them, you can hang them on tree branches or string them up on a clothesline to zap bugs in different areas of your property or campsite.

Here’s how to get yours…

Weird – and Not So Weird – Places to Store Your Food

We all understand the importance of stockpiling survival food for an emergency. If you only have a little stored up, finding room for it is not difficult.

But if you’ve managed to put together several months’ worth or maybe enough to last a year or two, you may run into space issues. That’s a good problem to have.

Today I want to talk about a variety of different places where you can store food. That way it won’t feel like clutter. And won’t get in the way of you living your life.

And then I’ll mention some food storage ideas you might want to consider if you wish to keep your supply covert.

Basic storage ideas

In closets. If your closets are already filled, it might be time to sort through what you never wear or use anymore and toss it out, sell it or give it to Goodwill.
Under beds. Survival food totes slide neatly under beds and can be accessed easily when needed.
In buckets with lids. First sealed in Mylar packaging, your survival food can then be placed in buckets with airtight lids for ideal protection from the elements and critters.
In the basement. This is a much better option than attics or garages. Basements tend to stay cooler year ‘round. Strong and sturdy shelving will enable you to keep increasing your stockpile. You can also store your food under basement stairs or in the crawlspace.
In the laundry room. This is often a great room for shelving and a way to utilize unused wall space.
Inside suitcases. Unless you travel frequently, suitcases are usually empty. Why waste that space?
In a root cellar. It keeps food at a cool temperature with the proper amount of humidity. Don’t wash dirt off after harvesting your produce. Among the produce you can store in a root cellar are apples, beets, cabbage, carrots, garlic and leeks. As well as onions, pears, potatoes, pumpkins, squash, tomatoes and turnips.

Covert storage ideas

Once you’ve protected your food from spoilage, you might want to consider hiding some of it. If a crisis results in a society breakdown, some people may try to steal what you’ve purchased and stockpiled.

Here are some suggestions for where to conceal your survival food stash:

Inside old electronics and appliances. An old, hollowed-out TV would probably not get a second glance from a burglar or looter.
Inside a wall. This could be especially effective if the hole you carve out is behind a hanging painting.
Inside your box spring. Even if someone pulls off your mattress, they probably won’t cut open your box spring.
Inside stair steps. But only use one or two of the steps in case the looter discovers one.
In a container buried in your backyard. Yes, it will be challenging for you to get to it, but you should only have to do that once.
Under floor cabinets. A little carpentry work is necessary to disguise this area.
Inside furniture. Some furniture comes with secret compartments. Otherwise, fashion your own.
At the bottom of a large potted plant.
Inside an empty cat litter container.
At the bottom of a dirty laundry basket.
Inside a vent. Only do this if no hot air comes through that vent.

Food storage hacks

Finally, I’d like to share some specific food storage hacks with you to make sure your food supply stays good as long as possible.

Get a variety of sizes of airtight, food-grade plastic or glass containers. In most cases they will be better than your food’s original packaging.

Freeze fresh fruits and vegetables that you know you won’t be able to eat for a while. Otherwise they’ll go bad quickly.

A leftover piece of meat or fish can be wrapped tightly in tin foil or plastic wrap and stay good for several days in the refrigerator. And for much longer in the freezer.

Use a porous material such as parchment paper to wrap cheese. Cheese needs some oxygen to breathe and taste its best.

Whole-wheat flour should not remain in a pantry too long. Oils in the wheat germ can go bad if they’re not kept cool. The flour will last for several months if it’s stored in an airtight container in a refrigerator.

Unopened butter will last longer in a freezer (12 months) than in a refrigerator (4 months). But mayonnaise will stay fresher in the “warmer” part of a fridge (the door) than in the colder, inner part.

Citrus, tomatoes and avocados are better left unrefrigerated, but cucumbers, peppers, carrots and lemons will taste better if refrigerated.

Keep celery stalks fresh and crisp by wrapping them in aluminum foil before refrigerating.

That beautiful bunch of bananas you just bought won’t stay beautiful for long. Help them stay fresh longer by wrapping their stems tightly in plastic wrap.

Store mushrooms in a paper bag in the refrigerator. This environment gives them the proper balance of humidity and moisture, allowing air to circulate and keeping your mushrooms firm and dry.

Wash all your berries – strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, etc. – in a 10-to-1 ratio of water to vinegar. That should keep them fresher twice as long and keep pests at bay. If you freeze them, make sure they’re dry first.

For thick dairy products such as yogurt, sour cream and cottage cheese, store them upside down. That will create a seal just under the lid that will prevent oxygen from entering the container. Do the same with natural nut butters, which will allow the oils to work their way to the bottom.

Place a small paper towel on top of your refrigerated greens to extend their shelf life. It will soak up some moisture and keep those greens from getting soggy.

Choose dried beans over canned beans. They’re easier to stack and are more shelf stable.

How many times have you reached for hamburger or hot dog buns in the pantry and seen mold? Store unused buns individually in the freezer. They’ll keep for months.

To keep brown sugar from drying out and turning hard, bag it with a marshmallow or two and place in a sealed container.

Keep spices away from heat. Too many people store them in cabinets above their ovens. But that heat can lead to a flavor loss.

Nuts will stay good longer if they’re stored in a freezer. Their naturally high fat content makes them susceptible to heat and sunlight.

Store your herbs upright in fresh water, covered by a clear, plastic storage bag. This will extend their freshness.

Not everything that’s starting to go bad needs to be immediately tossed. You can use brown bananas to make banana bread and soft strawberries to make jam or a smoothie.

Label all of your food containers, jotting down what’s inside and when it was stored.

Save money… and your health

Finally, don’t forget to make sure that a high percentage of the food you stockpile is healthy and provides nutritional balance.

That will be more important than ever in an emergency. And rotate out what is about to expire.

Storing food properly can help you save money and cut down on grocery runs. It can also help you avoid crowds and the possibility of empty shelves.

I hope some of these food storage tips have been helpful. Feel free to add more in the comments section.

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Is ‘Shrinkflation’ Growing?

In the 1989 comedy film Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, an inventor accidentally shrinks his children and neighbors’ kids down to about a quarter of an inch.

Inadvertently tossed out with the trash, they must work their way back to the house. Their journey takes them through a backyard wilderness filled with dangerous insects and manmade hazards.

Today there’s another form of shrinking going on. But it’s not being done by accident and it’s certainly not funny. It’s called “shrinkflation.” It’s becoming more and more commonplace these days.

This combination of “shrink” and “inflation” allows companies to increase operating margin and profitability by reducing costs. While at the same time maintaining sales volume. It’s used as an alternative to raising prices in line with inflation.

Toilet Paper Rolls Shrinking

Among the many grocery items that are shrinking in size but not in price is toilet paper. An example is Procter & Gamble’s Charmin ultra soft toilet paper. The 18-count package contains 244 two-ply sheets, down from the previous 264.

The super mega rolls of that brand now contain 366 sheets rather than 396. That amounts to losing the equivalent of about 1½ rolls in an 18-count package.

Consumers are also seeing fewer cookies in a bag and less conditioner in squeeze tubes. As well as fewer liquid ounces in sports drinks and fewer caplets in pain medications. Plus a whole lot more. Or, in this case, less.

This is occurring at a time when Americans are experiencing record levels of inflation. Which is making the situation even worse.

Smaller But Equally Expensive

Even if you’re not familiar with shrinkflation, you’ve probably noticed the results at your grocery store. Many of the food items you buy are getting smaller. But the prices aren’t.

Here’s an example reported by National Public Radio. Recently a store customer in Somerville, Massachusetts grabbed a “family-sized” box of General Mills cereal. It seemed smaller to him than normal.

The weight was 18.1 ounces. He then searched near the back of the store and found one of the old family-sized boxes of that same cereal. It was 19.3 ounces.

He took both boxes to the checkout counter where he learned the price was the same.

Inflation’s ‘Devious Cousin’

Like many other companies, General Mills had downsized the contents of its family-sized cereal. But the store owner charged the same price as previously. That’s why shrinkflation is being called inflation’s “devious cousin.”

Turns out the customer in the store that day was a former state assistant attorney general and a longtime consumer advocate. He’s been tracking shrinking products for a number of years and publishing the results on his website.

“Downsizing (shrinkflation) is really a sneaky price increase,” he said. “Consumers tend to be price conscious. But they’re not net-weight conscious.”

“They can tell instantly if they’re used to paying $2.99 for a carton of orange juice and that goes up to $3.19. But if the orange juice container goes from 64 ounces to 59 ounces, they’re probably not going to notice.”

Sneaky? Yes. Illegal? No.

To be clear, there’s nothing illegal about shrinkflation. For the most part, companies can put as much or as little content into their products as they want to. And charge whatever they want for it.

The demand – or lack of it – will then determine whether or not that company is profitable.

As consumers, we’re better off paying attention to what value we’re getting for our money than complaining about a shady sales tactic.

But many of us don’t. We tend to be gullible. Especially when we’re in a hurry to get to our next errand.

It Starts With Pricing Pressure

Among the many products identified as shrinking in size but maintaining the same price are chips and salad dressing. Plus ice cream, cat food and baby shampoo.

Examples include a bag of chips shrinking from 9.75 to 9.25 ounces. And a box of crackers decreasing from 16 to 14 ounces.

Shrinkflation seems to follow price increases in items such as gasoline or grain. Manufacturers face pricing pressure from those increases.

They believe consumers are likely to buy a product for the same price as before, even if it’s smaller.

We Need to Be Diligent

In fairness to manufacturers and store owners, they’re getting hit with the same inflation consumers are.

They have to do something to remain profitable, and their choices are limited. They can either raise prices or shrink their contents. Consumers aren’t crazy about either option. But they don’t like being deceived.

Economists are telling us that inflation is here to stay for a while. That probably can’t be helped. But we’ll do ourselves a favor by comparison shopping more often.

And by keeping one eye on the weight of what we’re buying and the other on the price.

Turning the Tables With Batteries

One item that may not be getting smaller in size but does have a short shelf life is AA disposable batteries. They have a bad habit of dying just when you need them most.

My solution to this problem is the 4Patriots USB-Rechargeable AA Battery Kit. It features four AA batteries ready to go at a moment’s notice. You can charge a wide variety of items with AA batteries, up to 500 times.

And trust me when I tell you this is the time to acquire them. For the next few days only, you can get two USB-Rechargeable AA Battery Kits for the price of one. Plus three free gifts.

Here’s how to get your Buy 1 Get 1 FREE batteries…

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