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3 Predictions For The Season Finale Of The Walking Dead

And so, just like that, we’re once again at the finale of another Walking Dead season. After the skull-crushing cliffhanger from this time last year, what exactly can we expect from this Sunday’s send-off?

With as many loose ends as Negan has enemies, the extended episode should at least tie up a few of those and so, too, a lot of burning questions will be answered: Will Dwight and Daryl ever see eye-to-eye? Who exactly can Rick, and indeed Negan, trust? And, most importantly, will Rick ever snare a darn deer?!

Whilst the comic will inevitably throw up a number of theories as to how the season will close, here are some of the best bets for the storylines that will keep fans on tenterhooks until its return in October:

Friend or Foe? No longer will Dwight kneel. Not for Negan anyway. After uncomfortably kowtowing to the Savior leader for the whole of the season, it seems a tad unfair on the guy that the first request of his new savior, Rick, is for him to ‘get on his knees’. At gunpoint, no less. Having said that, he did launch an arrow through Denise’s eye – albeit accidentally – so fair’s fair. Not that that’s any consolation for Daryl, his intended target. It remains to be seen whether Dwight really has switched allegiances or whether he is some kind of dastardly double-agent, but the finale should go some way to clearing that up.

All Hell breaks loose: It’s safe to say that this finale – as with every preceding edition – will be action-packed, blood-soaked and yet, hopefully, cliffhanger-free. Ever since the mid-season finale, Rick has been on a relentless crusade to recruit numbers for Alexandria’s cause: to dispatch of Negan and his cronies. While that is - let’s be honest - unlikely, we’re still likely to see a fight unlike any that has gone before. With Alexandria, Hilltop, The Kingdom, Oceanside and the Scavengers all heeding the call to ‘rise up’, the Saviors could be about to get a taste of their own medicine. Negan, however, may be more prepared for the impending chaos than any of those groups would like to believe…

Divided loyalties and ‘little birdies’: In the penultimate episode of the season, Negan divulged to Sasha that a ‘little birdie’ had told him that Rick and his gaggle of cohorts were ‘up to no good’. With so many divided loyalties right now – Eugene and Dwight being the prime examples – it is unclear as to who Negan’s snitch is. Or indeed if he is simply bluffing. Could it be one of Alexandria’s allies? A Kingdom know-it-all, perhaps? Possibly a gossiping Gregory? Or maybe, just maybe, a Judas in the form of Jadis, the Scavengers’ leader? One thing’s for sure, as the old adage goes: snitches get stitches

With a six month break between the upcoming finale and Season 8, now is the perfect time to kill two birds with one stone and fill that zombie-shaped hole in your summer.

Fun, but functional, The Walking Dead Survival Kit and ZPAK combo is perfect for Walking Dead fans. Contained within a high quality military style messenger bag, the survival kit could prove to be invaluable in a Zombie apocalypse or, indeed, more generic emergencies, providing 72 hours worth of supplies.

Supplementing the survival kit in this value-for-money combo is the ZPAK or, to give it it’s full name, the Zombie Preparedness Apocalypse Kit. Contained within a ZPAK branded water bottle are the perfect additions to the survival kit. Contents include a custom carabineer, emergency whistle and other essential survival items, while there’s even Walking Dead-inspired ZPAK artwork included to tide you over until Rick and his pals return in the Fall.

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!