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Tsunami Preparedness: What You Need to Know

Tsunamis are powerful, terrifying and very unexpected. While they are sometimes triggered by landslides or earthquakes, they can also occur when seismic activity happens deep in the ocean.

Ready.Gov describes the tsunami as follows:

Tsunamis, also known as seismic sea waves (mistakenly called “tidal waves”), are a series of enormous waves created by an underwater disturbance such as an earthquake, landslide, volcanic eruption, or meteorite.  Earthquake-induced movement of the ocean floor most often generates tsunamis. If a major earthquake or landslide occurs close to shore, the first wave in a series could reach the beach in a few minutes, even before a warning is issued.

Planets Rotation

In 2017, a report by Forbes explored a link between the slowing of the earth’s rotation and increased seismic activity. These findings mention that in the near future, we could see seismic activity. i.e. earthquakes, in several previously unaffected locations.

Think you’re safe because you live in a notorious 'No Earthquake Zone'? Think again. You may need to brush up on your earthquake and tsunami preparedness, even if you live in an area that seldom experiences either.

Preparing for a Tsunami

A Tsunami Disaster Communication plan is critical and should include a quick evacuation plan for every member of your family. Copies of this plan should be kept inside your survival kits alongside important documents like deeds, ID, passports etc., and a list of important phone numbers.

Upon leaving your home and heading to higher ground, you must prepare to be away from your home for at least 72 hours. Our 4 person survival kit offers critical survival supplies and leaves room for you to include customized items to fit your family’s unique emergency needs.

Potential Threat: Poisoned Water

A tsunami will inevitably fill streets with water and may even damage water pipes as the rushing water makes landfall. As a result, this can significantly compromise the condition of local tap water. Survivors may then find themselves in the awful situation of being dehydrated and surrounded by water they can’t drink due to parasite and bacterial contamination.

Having a tool like a LifeStraw water filter on hand can be lifesaving in the aftermath of a tsunami. The LifeStraw is one of the most advanced compact water filters on the market, with technology that filters out pathogens to .02 macrons. Be sure to add one to your prep kit today!

Test Run

Don’t wait for a tsunami warning to give your Tsunami Disaster Communication plan a test run -- after all, practice makes perfect! During an emergency situation, acting quickly can mean life or death.

Making a plan and executing it perfectly can save lives and make the rescue process that much easier for first responders, be sure to practice your disaster communication plan at least twice a year.

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.

1. 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 
2. 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. 
3. 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.
4. 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. 
5. 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! 

Holiday Safety Tips

The holiday season is upon us and that means many of us are headed home to spend quality time with family, friends, and loved ones. 

No matter your location, it cannot be denied that this is a beautiful time of year. However, just because it’s the holiday season doesn’t mean emergencies can’t occur without warning. So, it’s again tremendously important to take precautionary measures should the unexpected happen.

Keep Everyone Warm

Everyone likes to be warm, pets included!

As the months get colder and the days get shorter, be sure to have a strong supply of winter essentials like blankets, water-proof candles, coats, and sweaters. Be sure to add them to your home and car prep kits to help you conserve heat during the harsh winter months.  

Stay Safe on the Road

Do you have an emergency preparation kit for your car? We sure hope so! For the many unexpected things that can happen while on the road, it's critical to have an up-to-date emergency prep kit at all times. 

The 4 Person Premium Disaster Preparedness Survival Kit from First My Family is a perfect option for families looking to stay safe on the road. Should an emergency situation arise while out-and-about, this survival kit comes fully-equipped with 72 hours of survival and first aid supplies.

Running out of gas? Stuck in the snow? Plan ahead and stay prepared. 

Great supplies may not be enough to stay fully prepared. Keep a list of emergency contact numbers in your vehicle should you need to call a tow truck, friend, or other emergency contacts.  

Check Holiday Lighting

One of the things that can be easily overlooked is safety when it comes to our beloved holiday decorations. Make sure each connection is secure and kept at a safe distance away from small children and pets. 

Additionally, keep an eye on the number of plugs you have from each outlet; overloading your outlets has the potential to cause a major fire emergency. 

Lastly, if you are burning candles, keep them away from flammable objects like trees, decorations and gifts. Be sure to also use items like hot-pad holders and never leave your home without out putting your candles out completely. 

Play Safe: Holiday Toy Safety

It is important to be safe when playing with toys this holiday season since there are many small, detachable parts that can be swallowed. Make sure to keep all toys away from small children and infants and/or monitor children when the toys are in use. 

Also, we all know opening packages during the holidays can be a difficult task. Toys are often packaged tightly, prompting us to use sharp objects to open them. Take extra precaution when attempting to open all packages. Keep sharp objects away from children and do not allow them to open toys without adult supervision. 

Be Prepared in Any Moment

Emergencies can occur at any time and in any moment, including the holiday season. Gather your family for a few moments to address your evacuation and safety plan for your home. Take the time now to prepare your family, and remember: there's no such thing and being too prepared! 

Wishing you and your family a safe and happy holday season! 

Survival Lessons from The Walking Dead's Glenn Rhee

On the season 7 premiere of The Walking Dead, we watched as one of our favorite and most beloved characters, Glenn Rhee, left the series. Known as a fighter, survivor, and ultimate caretaker, watching out for all his fellow partners (especially Maggie), Glenn was truly a symbol of hope and strength during the utmost of apocalyptic times.

During his time on the series, Glenn taught us many important invaluable lessons, many of which can be applied to potential disaster situations.Thanks to Glenn, we know what it means to be strong, to lead, to be clever, to never give up, and to always stay positive.

Let’s take a look at some of the best lessons Glenn taught us over the years:

Know your strengths

When we first met Glenn, we knew him as a professional pizza delivery boy, but he soon showed us that he was more than just that.

With his smart and savvy skills, Glenn was always able to find his strength in every situation and utilize his gifts for the greater good to bring about positive outcomes for the entire group.

If you are in an emergency situation, hold on to your strengths (and your TWDZPAK!). Take a few moments now to examine and analyze your strengths in potential scenarios and think of what you can do to empower your strengths even further.

Be Prepared to Lead

Glenn was a natural born leader. No matter what situation he found himself in, even when working together with Rick who was seen as the highest leader of the group, Glenn knew that he was capable of leading, so he took control when the circumstance called for him. Even Rick knew how strong Glenn was as a leader and he often worked together with him for advice and for the best outcomes.

Remember that given the right circumstance, you too can be a leader. Inside every survivor is the power to lead anyone in any occurrence; if you are finding yourself in an emergency, know that you have the ability to lead not only yourself, but others, out into the positive direction that is needed.

Be Clever

Glenn was a master of being clever. When the situation was dire, he knew just the right way to get out of it. Whether that meant collaborating with some sketchy partners or finding unique ways to attack, Glenn knew what it meant to be resourceful and how thinking outside of the box often led to positive outcomes.

Always keep your mind open to unconventional thinking. Especially when emergency situations call, you might not always have the resources available that you need, but you might be able to improvise with other tools and/or materials that you do have.

Allow your mind to remain open to new ways of thinking and always be ready to learn, no matter what the situation may call for.

Never Give Up

Throughout the series, Glenn was the epitome of perseverance and one of the best times his never-give-up-mentality shined through was with his relationship with Maggie. In Season 4, Glenn’s mission (in addition to surviving), was to get back to Maggie at all costs.

And his strength paid off.

Having the mindset of never giving up during a tough situation can be a deciding factor when it comes to survival. No matter what life throws at you, stay prepared, don’t quit, and never ever give up!

Stay Positive

Through all the pain and suffering, Glenn not only never gave up, but he always remained positive. In the face of adversity, Glenn held on to the positive and knew that there was always going to be a light at the end of the tunnel.

In your daily life and in any emergency situation, have the same mentality as Glenn. Stay positive!

Yes, sometimes it is much easier to say than to do, but remaining positive can really breathe good light into a bad situation. Remaining positive can also help keep others calm which can help manage stressful survival situations.

Thank you Glenn for all you have taught us. We will learn from you and we will carry on your legacy as emergency preppers and survivalists!

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.

Back-To-School Preparedness

Back-to-school season is here! You’ve enjoyed a long summer of relaxation, camping, and quality time with the family- now it’s time to put on those thinking caps and get back to studying.  We’re prepared at home and on the road, but have you thought about emergency preparedness at school? Schools are usually equipped with supplies, but making sure you’re prepared with your own supplies is very important.  Stay prepared by assembling a mini locker, desk, or backpack prep kit. Check out our suggestions on what to pack!

The Walking Dead TWDZPAK

Don’t know where to start? Our TWDZPAK has the perfect combination of items for emergency prep and everyday use; the custom water bottle comes with a light stick, emergency whistle, space blanket, poncho, and bandages.  You can use these products as a great starting point in building your school emergency kit and use the water bottle for everyday use! The custom water bottle is perfect for all day hydration and It even comes with a custom carabiner to attach the bottle to any backpacks or bags your kids might use for school.  

Emergency Drinking Water

Just in case an emergency situation results in a water shortage, and the water in your TWDZPAK has been consumed, it’s important to also have extra emergency drinking water in preparedness kits.  Although schools usually have a water reserve, when it comes to preparedness, one must never rely on others.  Adding drinking water to mini prep kits is a must.

Emergency Food

You never know how long an emergency situation will take to get resolved. It’s important to include food items like energy bars and rations in school prep kits in order to promote alertness and energy until help can arrive. Also, be make sure to keep an eye on product expiration dates to ensure freshness of the food items.

Emergency Contact Info

Including a card or sheet with all up to date emergency contact info is extremely important.  While schools have family contact information on file, in the event of an emergency, they might not have the time to access that critical information. Having that information ready in their prep packs could help speed up the rescue process.

Build you prep kit and stay prepared this back-to-school season!

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! 

Emergency Response At Your Fingertips: 3 Must-Get Apps

These days there’s an app for just about everything, even for emergency preparedness. But with thousands of high-tech iPhone and Android applications to choose from, how do can you know which ones can actually be useful for you and your family during an emergency situation?

Our team did some research, browsed through some of the top-rated apps on the market and came up with 3 apps we believe every family should consider downloading as an additional step in emergency/disaster planning.  

Check them out below and happy prepping!  

1. FEMA

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) app takes the number one spot. This comprehensive app includes:

• Alerts from the National Weather Service
• Disaster Reporter  
• Custom emergency safety information
• Maps of disaster resources
• Safety tips
• Access to apply for federal disaster assistance.
• Information in Spanish

Download here: https://www.fema.gov/mobile-app

2. Pocket First Aid & CPR.

Runner-up is the app from the American Heart Association. A few things this unique app offers:

• Detailed videos with life-saving information on how to respond in first aid situations like choking, CPR, seizures, cuts and wounds, and more.
• Device storage so a user can access information without cell phone reception
• ‘My Info’ tab to store family members’ medical information

Download here: http://appcomm.org/pocket-first-aid-cpr/

3. Shelter Finder by American Red Cross

Last but certainly not least, this application maps shelter locations across the United States. In the event of a natural disaster, a user can choose a location and zoom into a local area to view nearby shelters and details like who’s managing the shelter, how many people are there, and of course, the specific shelter address and location. Another great feature is that if you’re looking to make a contribution, they make it possible to donate and help the American Red Cross give aid to those in need.

Download here: http://appcomm.org/shelter-finder-app-by-american-red-cross/

Stay safe, but most of all, stay prepared! 

Things We’re Thankful For This Thanksgiving

The holidays are a time to be together with loved ones, but Thanksgiving especially, is a time for reflection. We at First My Family understand how important family is, here are three things we are most thankful for on this very special holiday.

Health  

The health of family members can sometimes be under appreciated, especially if a family is blessed to be in good health. But, however healthy a family may be, we must always appreciate good health and do our best to maintain each family member’s well-being.

Home

According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, there were 578,424 people experiencing homelessness on any given night in the United States in January 2014. That fact alone is enough to put in perspective the state of homelessness in our country today and emphasizes how grateful we are to have a home during the holidays.

Knowledge

We are proud to have over 30 years of combined Emergency and Disaster Preparedness knowledge. This important knowledge has made it possible for us to keep our family prepared for any emergency, and we are very appreciative that we are able to share our expertise to other families through the creation of First My Family.

From our family to yours, we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!