For Your Bugout Bag: The Humble Sillcock Key
One often overlooked item for a bugout bag is a Sillcock Key. This handy little wrench will allow you to access tap water from commercial establishments that have “limited access” water spigots. It is commonly called a Sillcock Key, Sillcock Wrench, or Sillcock Handle. You often see “security” spigot taps on the exterior walls of […]
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.
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.
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.
There’s More Than 1 Way to Start a Fire
Everyone who keeps an eye on regional, national, and international news knows the same thing. There’s some crazy stuff going on in the world.
Wars in the Middle East and Ukraine. Domestic terrorism against America’s infrastructure. Rising food costs. Political unrest with an election year approaching. And extreme weather that is sure to soon include winter storms.
All these things and more affect us in one way or another. And when hard times hit, people do unimaginable things they wouldn’t ordinarily do.
Some of us may have to go off grid temporarily to survive if things get too wild. And in addition to making sure your three most basic needs are met – food, water, and shelter – you may find yourself in a situation where you need to build a fire.
Weird – and not so weird — methods
Being able to start and maintain a fire in the wild is crucial for many reasons. Including heat, light, cooking, and purifying water.
As well as possibly forming tools. Plus protection from animals and attracting the attention of rescuers.
Today I’m going to provide you with a number of ways to start a fire. We’ll start off with the more traditional tactics.
But stay with me because we’ll also get into some weird ways to do it when you don’t have common items at your disposal.
Fire’s three friends
First though, let’s review a few things about fire. Just as we need fire to survive, fire needs things to thrive. They are fuel, oxygen and ignition.
Fuel for a fire is pretty much anything that will burn. The slower it burns, the better. For cooking, items such as wood, various grasses, and dry manure work best. When you burn manmade materials, they often smell bad and can result in toxic fumes.
Oxygen keeps a fire going. And the air surrounding fire is usually adequate for that. Except for some situations when the immediate area is too tightly confined.
The way to intensify the heat coming from your fire is to fan the coals. But watch out for flying embers. They could singe you or ignite a nearby fire you can’t control.
3, 2, 1… ignite!
Ignition methods are plentiful. But most of them are not easy to accomplish. The easiest ways to start a fire are by using a disposable cigarette lighter or a magnesium starter stick.
As far as fire-starting materials are concerned, you want to make sure you have tinder, kindling, and long-term fuel.
Dry paper is great for tinder. But if you need to depend on what you find in the wild, you’ll want to gather some or all of the following. You’ll note that the key word is “dry.”
- Dry wood or bark that is finely shaved
- Dry grass or leaves, shredded if possible
- Bundles of dried bird or rodent nests
- Dry tree moss (also known as “Old Man’s Beard”)
- Dry plant seed fluff, such as cattail heads
Can’t start a fire without a spark
Kindling burns more slowly and can keep a fire going for a while. It includes sticks, twigs, bark, or dried grasses that have been bundled.
Other items used for kindling can also be effective. Such as gas, oil, and steering fluid. But they need to be used sparingly and handled wisely.
Your best long-term fuel is logs. They will burn better and longer if you split each one several times. Dead branches also work.
Another item as effective as long-term fuel, if you can handle gathering and burning it, is dried animal poop. It goes by more polite names such as cow pies, buffalo chips, Texas road apples, and smart pills.
Choose the right matches
Returning to our ignition methods for a moment, here are two items you should have with you in the wild. Even if they’re not your primary fire starters:
- Waterproof matches. You can find these at sports outlet stores. They work very well, although they’re somewhat expensive and should be rotated out every few years.
- Stick matches. They’re better than paper book matches, but need to be rotated out every six months or so. You also need to keep them dry.
As mentioned, your two easiest fire starters are magnesium sticks and cigarette lighters. A mag stick can be used about 100 times. They’re perfect for outdoor usage because they’re waterproof. And they don’t age or freeze.
Remember to practice using them BEFORE you have an emergency. Disposable cigarette lighters have many advantages. Including being cheap, lightweight, and easy to use.
Now that we’ve discussed what works for fire starting, let’s mention what doesn’t – paper book matches.
When they’re even slightly damp, they’re useless. And even when dry they deteriorate quickly. Don’t let the fact that they’re free in most restaurants influence you to toss them in your bug-out bag.
9 unusual methods
As promised, here are some of the more unusual ways to start a fire. You may want to choose one of these methods if you don’t have the materials previously discussed. Or, if you’re the type of person who doesn’t like to do things the easy way.
9V battery & steel wool. Keep a container of lint from your dryer in your backpack. Fluff up your steel wool to get some air in it. Then touch it all over with the positive and negative terminals of a 9-volt battery to spark a fire. Continue to touch it in multiple places, then add the lint as tinder and blow on it softly.
Aluminum can & chocolate bar. Rub a candy bar on the bottom of an aluminum can until the can bottom shines like a mirror. With direct sunlight on the can bottom, it will heat up to the point where it can ignite your kindling when held against it.
Sandwich bag & water. Crush a piece of dry tree bark into a powder. Place the powder onto a solid piece of bark. Pour water into a sandwich bag until it’s half-full. Tilt the sealed baggie to the side and then twist it at the top, making it into a liquid sphere. Use the baggie as a magnifying glass over the powder until the sun’s rays make it start smoldering. Then press the powder onto your kindling.
Vaseline & cotton ball. Pull a cotton ball apart – but not completely apart – and rub Vaseline or petroleum jelly all over it. Roll the cotton back into a ball. Use a magnifying glass or reading glasses and the sun’s rays to heat the cotton ball, which will hold a flame well once ignited.
Gum wrapper & battery. While you’re chewing a stick of gum, cut the foil it was wrapped in into a bowtie or hourglass shape. With two fingers of one hand, hold the two ends of the foil against the ends of a small battery. The foil will ignite and you can quickly light your tinder.
Dead lighter & paper. Maybe you were planning to use a lighter to start a fire, but it died on you. Not to worry. Remove the lighter’s safety lock and slowly roll the lighter over paper, back and forth. As the steel wheel grinds down on the flint rod, flint shavings will be created. Form those shavings into a small pile and then flick your dead lighter repeatedly over the pile until it ignites.
Water bottle. We all know that water is used to put out roadside brush fires. But did you know that water actually causes some of those fires? Lay a clear plastic bottle full of water on its side with the cap on. Then place dark-colored tinder in the beam of sunlight that passes through the bottle. Once the tinder begins to smolder, place it into your fibrous tinder and blow on it softly.
Citrus fruit. Because citrus oils are flammable, you can set them on fire if you can generate some sparks. Take a citrus fruit such as an orange, carve out a hole on the top and clear out some of the flesh. Let the orange dry out. Now push a small rock into the hole and rapidly rub a tool such as a knife on it until it sparks.
Flashlight. After removing the top lens of a flashlight, pull out the reflective cone that the light bulb rests in. Put dried moss or grass into the spot where the bulb was and place the cone in direct sunlight. Eventually the sunlight’s reflection will heat the tinder enough to cause it to burn.
Friend or enemy… you choose
Just as fire can be your best friend, it can also be your worst enemy. Yes, it can protect you, but it can also kill you.
When contained, fire can be controlled and used however you want. But when it escapes containment, it can destroy thousands of acres of forest, land, and buildings.
Fire can save your life, but only if you learn how to create it and control it.
Your Crucial Communication Device Options for This Winter
Aside from the frigid temperatures, the problem with winter is, you don’t know exactly what’s coming or when. You don’t know when that big winter storm is going to wreak havoc in your neck of the woods.
What you do know is that when it does come calling, communication will be even more important than ever. You’re going to want to know how bad it’s going to be, where it’s going to hit hardest, and what your best escape route might be.
Today I want to talk to you about the various communication devices you should consider owning. Then you can determine which one (or ones) you should have on hand before Old Man Winter pays a visit.
You can’t always rely on the grid
A natural disaster or other crisis can have wide-reaching effects. Including downed cell towers and power outages. Without Wi-Fi or cell service, the communication devices we’ve come to depend on become obsolete.
Having an alternative communication system during a disaster is almost as important as stocking up on enough food.
There are two types of communication you need to keep in mind when looking for devices:
- One-way communication allows you to receive important information and updates from local authorities. You will be unable to communicate back, though.
- Two-way communication is for both sending and receiving information. This will allow you to talk with friends, family, and other community members.
Walkie-Talkies
Walkie-talkies are one of the most basic bug-out bag communication devices. They are compact, perfect for stashing into a go-bag, and easy to use.
While walkie-talkies have a limited range compared to other two-way communication devices, many people own them. You may be able to contact others outside your immediate circle if needed.
Quality matters when it comes to walkie-talkies. You don’t want to go with a cheap set that resembles a child’s toy. A quality set is better to have in your emergency kit and to take camping.
They usually have a range of up to several miles. And they feature a secure mode for when you don’t want others to listen in on your conversation.
Plus, they’re easy and quick to recharge with a solar power bank. So you don’t have to worry about your walkie-talkie dying on you.
CB Radio
You’ve probably seen truckers in real life or on television use citizens band (CB) radios to communicate with each other. CB radios offer more range than walkie-talkies. But you’ll still be limited in distance.
If your friends and family live within a close range, you could each set up a radio in your home. That way you’ll have a quick and reliable way to communicate.
It’s unlikely your neighbors will also have CB radios. So these radios will offer more privacy for you. However, you may have difficulty reaching out for help with one.
While walkie-talkies run on batteries, CB radios require a power source. If you choose to go the CB radio route, make sure you’re equipped with a solar generator for electricity.
HAM Radio
Amateur (HAM) radios give you a wider range than CB radios and walkie-talkies. A HAM radio is the better option if you’re hoping to stay in contact with those living farther from you. Or if you want to increase your chances of reaching people outside your social circle.
Unfortunately, HAM radios require a license to transmit. In a crisis, you might not be worried about following regulations. But HAM radios do have a learning curve.
You’re going to want plenty of practice before the real deal happens. Practicing with your HAM radio will also give you a chance to get to know other HAM radio owners. They may be able to help when disaster strikes.
As with CB radios, you’ll need an alternative electricity source like solar power if the grid goes down. Luckily, many HAM radio operators have invested in alternative power. So you’ll be in good company if a crisis happens.
Solar Radio
Walkie-talkies, CB radios, and HAM radios are all great for interacting with other people. But they don’t lend themselves toward receiving essential news and updates.
When it comes to one-way communication devices, you can’t go wrong with a simple, solar-powered radio. Especially one that can power up other important devices. Such as your cellphone.
It’s very likely a storm will knock out your power for a while this winter. And make roads impassable. Maybe it will happen several times.
But with a solar-powered radio, you’ll know what’s coming in advance and be more ready to deal with it.
Stay on top of the weather before it gets on top of you.
Military Backpacks & Your Survival Stash Have Much in Common
Two weeks ago, I sent you an email on the topic of U.S. troops carrying cellphones. We went through the pros (communication and morale). As well as the cons (security risks including revealing locations).
There are different opinions on this subject. But one thing I think we can all agree on is what our troops definitely should carry while on duty.
That’s what we’ll discuss today. Some of these same things are items we should either carry or at least have stockpiled at home. Just in case of an emergency.
At the end I’ll tell you about a 4Patriots offer that solves two of the biggest challenges you’ll have during a crisis.
Troops carry own stuff
You’ve seen photos of our troops on battlefields. They almost always carry a backpack filled with items they can quickly access.
Back in the day, soldiers didn’t carry much equipment. A wagon holding those items would follow them.
But today’s troops need to access items quicker. And supply wagons are too tempting of a target for the enemy. So, soldiers now carry their own stuff.
The backpacks themselves are usually black. That makes them less visible at night. Another option is camouflage matching the soldier’s attire.
Water bladders
Now let’s get into the backpack’s contents. Keeping in mind that at any moment a soldier might require life-saving equipment.
Especially when they face dangerous and harsh conditions. And when there is no fresh water or food source near them.
Instead of bulky canteens troops once carried, they now have hydration bladders. Lighter in weight, these bladders feature a tube that reaches the soldier’s mouth.
An added convenience for military personnel is that the bladders are self-cleaning. And anti-bacterial. This rids their water of most contaminants.
Food rations
When troops are marching across a battlefield, there are very few McDonald’s in sight. So, they must carry their food.
Protein bars are a great source of energy and sustenance. But sometimes troops require food that also provides warmth.
Some of their food sources include flameless ration heaters. In 12 minutes with no visible flame, a food item can be heated to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
One thing troops have learned – sometimes the hard way – is it’s better to have too much food than not enough. They never know when a mission might require more time than anticipated.
First-aid kit
Injuries come with the territory when a military mission is involved. These injuries range from minor to moderate to major.
A troop’s first-aid kit must be comprehensive enough to treat minor and moderate injuries. And it should contain items that will at least stabilize a major injury.
With the assistance of other troops, they can use items in a first-aid kit to patch up wounds. That carries them over to when they’re in a position to receive more treatment.
Medicines for a variety of injuries are included in military backpacks. The kits also include items such as sunscreen.
Tactical flashlight
A tactical flashlight is also a must for military personnel. That’s because it can be used for a multitude of purposes.
Shining a bright light in the darkness is an obvious one. But these flashlights can do much more.
Including cutting through a barrier and breaking glass with its hammer. They also feature different light settings.
A durable tactical flashlight can save a life. They can be charged with their solar panel and power up other devices. Most also feature a magnet and compass.
Additional items
What other items can be found in a soldier’s backpack? Here are seven…
- Ammunition for guns they carry
- Gun-cleaning kit
- Body armor they’re not currently wearing
- Folded one-person tent (or part of a larger group tent)
- Compass
- Sleeping bag
- Extra clothing (especially clean, dry socks)
Food & water filtration at your fingertips
Take a quick look back at some of the items I’ve mentioned. Like food and water. Plus a tactical flashlight, first-aid, etc. Having these same types of items in your personal survival supply is important.
You may never find yourself out on a battlefield. But it might feel that way when disaster strikes. Wouldn’t you rather be over-prepared than under-prepared?
As promised, here’s a way you can ensure that with just one decision. You can get a 3-month supply of great-tasting, nutritious, and long-lasting survival food. Plus $752.30 in free bonuses.
Our Veterans Day special includes a free countertop water filtration system, free freeze-dried beef and chicken, free mini survival food kits & more.
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Wave Goodbye to Single-Use Batteries
Have you ever wondered where old batteries go to die?
The final resting place for far too many of them is a landfill. But most of them die first inside the devices we’re counting on them to power. Including flashlights, remotes, smoke detectors, and other electronic devices.
And in a vast majority of cases, we have no idea they’re about to give up the ghost. It’s impossible to tell. Even if you open up your device and look directly at them.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could count on our batteries to keep working? Even if it meant we had to perform a little maintenance here and there? Today I’m going to tell you how that can happen. And I’ll steer you to your best choice.
Standard batteries can’t compete
Batteries make life a lot more convenient. They allow us to operate devices without plugging them into an outlet. So, we can easily carry the devices from one room to another. And even take them when we go for a walk or a ride in the car.
But there’s a downside to everything, right? The main problem with batteries is they eventually stop working. They run out of “juice.”
In the past, our only option when it came to a dead, disposable battery was to throw it out. Then we’d go buy a new one because the kitchen drawer contained every battery imaginable except the one we needed.
These days, we have another option. We can use rechargeable batteries. But are they really better? Let’s take a look.
Weighing pros and cons
As with most decisions, it’s a good idea to weigh the pros and cons. Perhaps the top “pro” for disposable batteries is their upfront cost. They are cheaper than rechargeable batteries.
Perhaps you need batteries for a variety of items. You’ll spend less money upfront by buying disposable batteries.
But if you wish to save money over time, rechargeable batteries are much more cost-effective. Disposable batteries will eventually die, at which point they are useless.
On the other hand, a rechargeable battery can be used repeatedly. Not forever, but it can be recharged hundreds of times.
Not all draws are alike
Another factor to consider is the power draw. It’s different for various devices. A flashlight or TV remote’s draw is not particularly strong. Disposable batteries in those types of devices should last a while.
Digital cameras and game controllers, however, have a faster power draw. Batteries in those devices will not last very long.
Another “con” regarding disposable batteries is they are not environmentally friendly. They can cause fires. And most end up in landfills.
With rechargeable batteries, you might use a dozen or so through the years. That’s compared to the hundreds of disposable batteries you’d use.
Save money, time, and the environment
None of us thinks twice about recharging our battery-operated devices when they get low on power. The principle is the same, so why not charge our batteries as well?
That doesn’t work for disposable batteries. But it does work for rechargeable batteries. With them, you can power everything you need on a single set of batteries.
Such as phones, flashlights, radios, clocks, and TV remotes. Plus toys, small electronics, digital cameras, electric razors, and much more. Not to mention laptops and tablets.
In fact, you’ll never need to buy traditional batteries again. It’s a great way to save money, save on trips to the store, and help the environment.
How to dispose of dead batteries
Please make sure to dispose of old batteries properly. Negligently tossed batteries are said to cause about 700 fires per year.
They can explode or ignite when crushed and compacted in the presence of flammable materials. Such as plastic, paper, and cardboard.
And even when millions of these single-use batteries that get thrown away every year don’t cause fires, they help fill up landfills unnecessarily. And if they leak, some can spread lead, cadmium, and mercury.
Depending on where you live, it may be illegal to dispose of old batteries in the regular trash. In California, for example, it’s illegal to throw away all types of batteries.
Battery recycling options
Some people choose to recycle their single-use batteries. Even when they’re not legally required to do so. Here are several ways to do this. You can call your local solid waste district. Your community might have a collection program. Or an upcoming event.
You could do a search in your area for recycling centers that accept single-use batteries. These centers grind batteries into three different products. They are a paper, plastic, and brass fraction. Plus a steel fraction and a zinc manganese concentrate.
Or you could find a mail-in recycling program that accepts batteries. Most programs sell a container to store used batteries that can be mailed when filled.
To prep a single-use battery for recycling, you can bag each battery separately. Or place non-conductive clear tape over the ends to prevent a current transfer. A single-use battery incapable of running a device might still produce electricity.
Next, store the batteries in a plastic or cardboard container. One that doesn’t conduct electricity.
Better yet – get rechargeable batteries
Once you’ve disposed of your old batteries – or sooner – I hope you’ll make the change to rechargeable batteries.
Standard batteries have a bad habit of dying just when you need them most. And when you open that kitchen drawer, you find every type of battery except the one you need.
Why depend on single-use batteries? They could die at the worst possible time. Especially when you could use batteries that recharge up to 500 times.
My suggestion is the 4Patriots USB-Rechargeable AA Battery Kit. And this is the perfect time to get yours. For a very limited time, we’re offering a BOGO deal on this Kit.
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