Get Prepared, Stay Prepared.
As average people, we shouldn’t need an end-of-the-world scenario to show us the importance of disaster preparedness. This past year reminded us how much devastation natural disasters can cause and just how frail we are as human beings. Unfortunately, for many, preparedness is of utmost importance during or after an emergency situation, not before. But for the thousands of people who have been affected by life threatening emergency situations like hurricanes, fires and earthquakes, proper disaster preparedness proved to be a lesson they’d likely never forget.
“I really think that we have a long way to go to create a true culture of preparedness within our citizenry in America. No American, no citizen, no visitor to this country is immune to disaster.” - Brock Long, Chief of FEMA
If you think the natural disasters that occurred in 2017 are unlikely to repeat in 2018, you are alarmingly mistaken. Natural disasters are unpredictable, and those who take the time to prepare before a disaster occurs will have a significant survival advantage over those who do not.
Preparing for Threats
We are thrilled to announce that our 4-Person Premium Survival Kit with 72-Hours of Emergency Preparedness and First Aid Supplies was ranked #4 in Wiki.ezvid.com's 2018 list of the 10 Best Survival Backpacks.
A representative from Ezvid Wiki explained the scope of what they do, and its impressive.
“Compiled with twenty-eight hours of research, this newly published Wiki in the outdoors category is a broad-ranging, impartial assessment of survival backpack options available to consumers in the United States.”
This is a true honor and further assurance that our mission to provide customers with the very best in the emergency preparedness industry is being achieved.
“Founded in 2011, Ezvid Wiki was the world's first video wiki, and is now among the top 3,000 websites in the United States. Our YouTube channel has 265,000 subscribers, 156 million views since founding, and we have informed over $200 million in purchasing decisions to date."
The 4 Person Premium Survival Kit Breakdown
For those who may not be aware, lets take a deeper look into our 4-Person Premium Survival Kit. Our kit is broken down into two bags and designed to address 5 unique categories in emergency preparation.
- FIRST AID: When disaster strikes, minor injuries can quickly become major problems. Our disaster preparedness kit comes equipped with a 85-piece first aid kit, glowsticks, 5-1 emergency whistle (compass, flint, signal mirror, whistle and carrying case), leather palm work gloves and medical face masks
- WATER: In an emergency, one of the most important things to have on hand is clean drinking water. First My Family emergency kits are equipped with a 72-hour supply of emergency water, per person.
- FOOD: Time is of the essence during an emergency, and food is often forgotten. Our disaster survival kit comes with four 2400-calorie food rations packaged in easy grab-and-go bags for added convenience. Food is nut-free and produced from non-GMO ingredients for allergy sensitivities.
- SHELTER: When displaced by an emergency, you need the right tools to keep your family safe and sheltered. Our disaster preparedness kit includes emergency ponchos, mylar blankets, a Lifeline LED flashlight and a multi-function pocket knife.
- WARMTH: Disasters can leave you exposed to the elements, which is why survival preparation is vital. Our emergency kit for natural disasters contains body warmers and waterproof matches to keep your family warm.
Come fire, flood, storm or quake you will have a great base of preps to assure you are ready to face these threats. We all need to pay emergency preparedness the attention it deserves. This is particularly true of those with families.
The Importance of Personalized Emergency Preparedness
Of course, your survival kit doesn’t have to stop with the items our seasoned emergency and disaster professionals packed into it. Our team set out to create something that would carry a family of 4 through a common disaster, and the kits' contents include a broad range of base items that people from all walks of life can benefit from.
Of course, there is no way we could have personalized our kits for each one of our customers - that is where you come in. It takes personalization and an understanding of your unique personal qualities to truly create a survival kit that meets all your needs.
To do this effectively you must look at each living creature in your home and compile a list of their needs. What does it take to keep your dog Fido healthy? Do you have a child with eczema? You must store all the items you need in quantities that will standup to a disaster. How about medicines for special conditions and vision care?
You need to also consider entertainment. In this electronic age, must have options for when the lights go out and even when the batteries we packed drain away. Pack up your favorite books and your children’s favorite toys to keep the whole family busy until help arrives.
Use our survival kit to create a solid base for your emergency preparedness then add your personal touches to assure you have piece of mind in a disaster. Get prepared, stay prepared!
Thanksgiving 2016: Family Communication Equals Family Safety
Thanksgiving 2016 is finally here! Thanksgiving is a wonderful time for friends, family, and loved ones to spend quality moments together and make new memories to last a lifetime.
Unfortunately, natural disasters and emergency situations don’t take days off. Although Thanksgiving is for enjoying one another and spreading the love and cheer that encapsulates the holiday season, it is important that everyone takes advantage of the togetherness and uses this time to discuss important family safety topics.
Here are three major topics you should find time to discuss with your family this Thanksgiving.
Family Communication Plan
Do you have a family communication plan established should a natural disaster or emergency situation occur? Who will contact whom? Do you have everyone’s contact information and is the contact information you have updated, correct, and accurate?
Your family communication plan should include what to do and where to go should an emergency occur. Determine a collective meeting place in case of an emergency, and ensure everyone is on the same page as far as next steps.
Family Contact Information
Do you have the current contact information of family, friends, and loved ones? Do you have updated addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and so on?
It’s important to regularly update this information since such items tend to change frequently. Take a few moments now that the family is together to share everyone’s contact information so everyone has the most current information possible.
Emergency Preparation Kits
Do you have an emergency preparation kit to utilize in a potential emergency situation? Preparedness kits are of course one of the most important items for survival during an emergency situation because they have everything you need in one place and ready to go.
Don’t have a prep kit? Take a look at the First My Family 4 Person Survival Kit - Disaster Preparedness Kit today.
You and your family will benefit endlessly from having a comprehensive preparedness kit in your homes and cars throughout the holiday season and over the course of the entire year. You never know when disasters may occur or when a potential emergency situation might arise, so you’ll need to be prepared in all instances.
This Thanksgiving and holiday season, let safety be one of the things you are most thankful for. Ensure that you and your loved ones have all the resources they needed in the case of an emergency.
Wishing you a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving from our family to yours!
Labor Day Safety & Preparedness
Labor Day weekend is the last weekend of summer and we’re sure you’ll want to celebrate with the entire family! Everyone is relaxed and happy to be off of work on a Monday, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared for the many emergency situations that could occur at any moment. With outdoor activities like grilling, swimming, and more, it’s important that you remember a few key things for your holiday.
Grilling Safety
Barbequing is a tasty and memorable way to spend the holiday; after all, it’s not summer without some of our favorite summer foods. But, we must still keep in mind that the grill can be very dangerous. When cooking, make sure you to keep family members a safe distance away from the fire and keep a fire extinguisher near your side. Also, do not grill underneath an awning or covering, as it may be easy to catch on fire. Lastly, if you’re using propane, ensure that both the tank and grill are working properly before using. Keep in mind that barbeques are a major cause of house fires, especially in the summer months. Don’t let this fact stop you from grilling, but for the well-being of the entire family, practice safe grilling and enjoy your labor day feast.
See more burn first aid tips here.
Burn Supplies
Even the safest of families have accidents from time to time. Consider this scenario: You’re flipping burgers on the barbeque during holiday relaxation mode, then suddenly burn your hand on the grill...whoops! Time to bring out your first aid kit. First, identify how severe the burn is; If you believe it’s severe seek medical treatment immediately. If the burn is minor, run room temperature water (not cold water or ice) over the burn and dab dry with a towel or cloth. Follow-up with burn cream or aloe vera serum on the minor burn and keep the wound open while it breathes and cools down.
Sunscreen
When you’re out in the sun all day it’s really easy to get a sunburned or even severe skin damage. To prevent this you’ll want to use a high SPF sunscreen and reapply throughout the day. If swimming in the pool or at the beach you’ll want to get a water resistant version so it won’t wash away once you step in the water. Without sunscreen, you can pave the way for major skin issues like heat rashes and burns, so come prepared and reapply. After you come indoors at the end of the day, we suggest rubbing lotion or aloe on your skin to help rehydrate any sun exposeded areas.
Water
Get out your TWDZPAK and keep it filled with water throughout the entire weekend. The TWDZPAK is the perfect water bottle to carry your favorite thirst-quenchers in; safe by the pool or near the grill, and even has an easy-to-carry carabiner. Are you drinking enough water? Don’t forget keep several water bottles full throughout the day to stay hydrated and avoid over-heating. It is very easy to forget how important hydration is on a hot day, but the TWDZPAK can serve as a friendly reminder to keep drinking water.
From our family to yours, Happy Labor Day!
Stay Prepared While Traveling
The summer months are a perfect time to travel - the kids are out of school, the weather is great, and it’s a great way to spend some quality time with your family. We know you’re prepared at home for a disaster or emergency, but are you prepared while traveling? Whether you’re flying, road tripping, or going somewhere close to home, it’s important to always stay prepared for the unexpected, check out some tips below.
Always Carry a First Aid Kit
Wherever you’re traveling, be sure to carry a small first aid kit with you with items like band aids, over-the-counter remedies, and any other common items you feel you might need. Sure you may get the help you need if a problem arises, but take as much action as you can by being prepared. Afterall, at the very least it can help you feel much more comfortable and at-ease when traveling. Did you know our TWDZPAK includes several emergency and first aid supplies and doubles as a water bottle? Check it out here.
Keep Emergency Cash and Back Up Cards
When you’re traveling it’s important to have back up cash and credit cards in case your belongings get lost or stolen. Remember the unexpected happens at the worst times, prepare yourself from as many situations as you can. Stay prepared and make sure you have the means to get your family home.
Have Travel Insurance
A great preparedness step you can take is to get yourself and your family travel insurance. Travel insurance will cover you in case you or a family member gets injured, your belongings get stolen, in many cases of emergencies, if you have to head home early, or if there are any unforeseen cancellations in your itinerary. If you can, try to get a high coverage limit on your policy that also covers emergency evacuations or care if you happen to be hiking in the woods.
Mosquito Protection and ZIKA Awareness
Mosquitos are everywhere in the Summer, but areas near water are their favorite place to hang out. If you’re traveling to an area you believe might have some sort of mosquito population, it’s important to wear bug spray repellent and to wear long pants and shirts in order to protect your skin from bites. Usually, you’ll just get an uncomfortable lump that can itch, but will go away in a few days. Right now however, there is an outbreak of Zika Virus that you have to be very careful about if you’re traveling anywhere in the Caribbean, Central and South America, and The Pacific Islands. There also have been cases in the Wynwood neighborhood of Miami, Florida. It is often advised that pregnant women should NOT travel to those places - the most common effect of the Zika Virus is severe birth defects of unborn children. If you are traveling to these places use powerful bug spray, and again, wear long pants and shirts, sleep with the air conditioning on and make sure there are screens on every window. Zika is extremely dangerous and should be avoided as much as possible.
Have fun and stay safe for the remaining of the summer!
5 Emergency Preparedness Tips from Dad
Just in time for Father’s Day, we wanted to honor all those amazing dads out there who prepare their families for emergency situations through sharing the skills and knowledge needed to stay safe. Over the years, our Dad knew when something was on our mind, what to do to make us feel happy when we were sad, but also shared the importance of being prepared. Our dad continuously shared what steps to take in order to prepare for a disaster, so here are a few preparedness tips we’ve learned from the head of our household.
Make a plan with your family before disaster strikes
Always have a plan for your family before an emergency occurs so when one does you know exactly what steps to begin taking. Have a location and connection plan so you’ll know how to reconnect with your loved ones. Dad always said having a point person who lives out of the area to check in with is a good idea because making long distance calls are usually easier to do in a location-based emergency.
Have a Kit and Know What’s In It
It’s not enough to just have a disaster preparedness kit on hand if you have to know its contents or how to use them. The last thing you’re going to want to have to do in an emergency is figure out how to use your equipment properly. Familiarize yourself now and you won’t be sorry later. Take a look at our survival kits here.
Prepare For Pets
Pets are part of the family too and our dad always made sure to prepare for them ahead of time as well. You’ll want to customize a prep kit for them that includes food, leashes, bedding, and anything else you think they will need to evacuate the home.
Prepare an Emergency Contact Card for Each Family Member
Having an emergency contact card that you put in your wallet or purse can be very helpful and potentially lifesaving in any sort of emergency. For small children, a contact bracelet may be a good idea. Make sure the contact card includes all past medical history, allergies, as well as a local and out of town contact. This will make sure rescue workers have all the information they need during or after an emergency situation.
Practice Makes Perfect
Another important tip that our Dad gave us is that practice always helps make a plan go as smoothly as possible. He would suggest to practice any fire, evacuation, or emergency drill at least twice a year. If you know exactly what to do in an emergency you will be able to stay focused and clear, and feel more confident in quick decision making. Remember, less stress always leads to better results.
Stay safe and happy this Father’s Day and check back for more tips soon!
Survival Lessons from Season 6 of The Walking Dead
Season 6 of the Walking Dead was a rollercoaster of emotions for all zombie-loving fans from across the nation. During these long months we witnessed some of our favorite characters face and overcome unimaginable survival odds leaving us to ask: “What would we do in this situation?”
It’s likely that you’ve uttered the same sentence with a friend, family member or loved one while watching the show, after all, the show’s characters are ordinary citizens of the world prior to the zombie outbreak.
As emergency and disaster preparedness pro’s and TWD fanatics, we took some survival notes on Season 6 of The Walking Dead to help you strengthen your skills in emergency prep, and increase your odds of survival. Take a look and stay safe:
Learn Key Skills
Learning skills in carpentry, masonry, gardening, and farming can prove to be extremely useful when building a survival shelter and living in remote areas for extended periods.
Learning CPR & First Aid can mean the difference between life and death; these skills can be used to help yourself and others during and after a disaster.
Learning to make your own ammunition may be put on the back-burner for some, but you may want to consider learning the skill now. After all, ammunition during a survival situation is key for protection.
- Helpful resources on CPR & First Aid from The American Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/cpr
- Helpful resources on ammunition from Off The Grid News: http://www.offthegridnews.com/self-defense/what-will-i-need-to-make-my-own-ammo/
Food & Water
Drinkable water is often hard to find and can be quite heavy to carry. Consider investing in a Lifestraw water filter so you’re able to filter filthy water into clean, safe drinking water (Lifestraw water filters take out more that 99% of bacteria).
Stockpile high-calorie, long-lasting foods and seeds for planting, we can think of more than a few moments during Season 6 where they were concerned about the food they stockpiled.
- Stockpiling tips from Skilled Survival: http://www.skilledsurvival.com/stockpiling-food-might-be-your-best-investment/
Customize Your Prep Kits
Every Emergency Prep kit should be customized to accommodate every member of your household. Special medications and supplies should be included in your kits (don’t forget: all of our FMF kits have enough room for extra survival supplies). Make sure to always include more than enough emergency medication that you know is critical to you and your entire family.
Emergency situations and natural disasters happen without warning, prepare accordingly to increase survival for you and your loved ones. From our family to yours, stay safe!
Stay Safe This Christmas Day
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from First My Family! Here are some safety tips for the entire family on this very special holiday- stay safe!
1. Holiday Lighting
If you’re like many families in the U.S., you have holiday lighting in and outside your home. Be sure to unplug those lights when you leave your home or go to bed.
2. Outdoors
It’s great to play outdoors on Christmas Day. But whether you live in a snowy place or not, make sure you and your kids are dressed appropriately- sweaters and scarfs are a must if it’s chilly!
3. Toy Safety
Many little ones’ toys may contain tiny and or sharp particles. To avoid choking or other toy-related injuries, keep an eye on children every time they are playing, and take the time to explain to them how to properly (and safely) play.
From our family to yours, stay safe and Happy Holidays!