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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.

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.

New Year's Resolutions for Families

Have you established new year’s resolutions for 2017? Creating new year’s resolutions is a great method to hold yourself and your family accountable for the things you’d like to accomplish throughout the year ahead. Is improving your family’s safety among those resolutions? Have you developed a strong safety plan should an emergency or disaster situation occur? Even if you’re not a fan of setting new year’s resolutions, any step to help improve the safety of you and your loved ones should be implemented.

To strengthen your road towards family safety this year, you will want to:

• Get Informed
• Get Prepared
• Stay Motivated

Getting informed and staying informed on the many potential dangers within your area of residence is a key component to protecting yourself and loved ones this new year. According to a study by FEMA, “[only] one in three (32 percent) of the respondents reported being familiar with their local hazards.” These statistics indicate that a large percentage of families across the U.S. are simply unaware of the dangers their surroundings present. It remains that families of all sizes should be conscious of local hazards to able to prepare accordingly.

Since winter weather can change in an instant, it is also important to stay up-to-date with local weather changes as well. Not sure where to get the information you need? You are not alone. Structure your family’s safety and preparedness plan by utilizing information from trusted resources like FEMA and the American Red Cross.

As we know, natural disasters can strike at any moment. Right as we welcomed 2017, California experienced an “earthquake swarm” in Brawley, California where more than 100 earthquakes were felt across the region. The importance of being prepared for emergency situations like earthquakes is ever-increasing, yet still many Americans fail to take proper precautions. In the same FEMA study, they share, “52 percent of individuals reported having supplies set aside in their home for use during a disaster.” While we’re glad to be slightly above the halfway mark, as safety seekers, we should continue to work towards reaching the goal of 100 percent. Securing your home and vehicle with essential supplies not only increases family safety, but also increases the likelihood of survival should a disaster occur.

• Check out our First My Family’s 4 Person Premium Disaster Preparedness Survival Kit with 72-Hours of Survival and First Aid Supplies.

Strengthen your motivation to stay prepared throughout the year by setting a few safety-related new year’s resolutions. Keep in mind that emergency preparedness and family safety go hand in hand and do your part to stay prepared. Start the year off on a safe note, and continue that mentality all year-long!

We wish you a year full of safety for you and your entire family, we're here to help. 

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!   

Stay Prepared While Camping

Make sure your family is prepared for this year’s camping trips. Camping is a great way to spend time with family and take a break from city and suburb life. It can be truly relaxing to be away from the hustle-and-bustle of daily life and spend a few days in nature.  We must keep in mind that danger lurks in unexpected places. 

While in the outdoors, there are a few camping essentials we feel you’’ll need to make your trip as safe and prepared as possible:

Water
The number one thing you don’t want to run out of when you’re camping is safe drinking water.  The easiest way to transport water to your campsite is with a large reusable container (5 to 10 gallons) that you fill up prior to heading into the outdoors.  Remember to always bring more water than you think you’ll need. You can then conveniently fill your TWDZPAK water bottle throughout your trip with the larger container of water. The TWDZPAK even has a handy carabiner attached so you can hook it to your backpack or belt loop as a reminder to stay hydrated! It is easy to get dehydrated when spending all day outdoors, make sure to keep your TWDZPAK water bottle with you at all times.

Shelter   

When camping outdoors you’re going to want to have some kind of shelter whether it be a tent, tipi, or hammock.  Shelter is important because it keeps you out of the elements and away from potential threats coming into your camp. Remember to zip your tent up securely to keep unwanted bugs and critters from entering.

Food  

Campfire cooking can be a fun and tasty experience. Having all kinds of food when you’re camping is one of the best parts of adventuring outdoors because almost anything tastes better after a long day of exploring. Items like trail mix, protein-packed snacks, and sandwiches are great ways to fuel up during the day, and don’t forget the s'mores!   

Emergency Supplies   

Safety is of course critical when out camping and adventuring in nature.  Most campsites are far away from hospitals or even cell phone service, so your safety will depend on how well you prepare ahead of time.  Having an emergency kit with an extensive first aid box is a non-negotiable item to include in your trip. (Good thing our TWDZPAK is filled with supplies too!) You’ll want to also include extra supplies for burns, cuts, and bug bites since they are the most common injuries when camping.

Having everything you need is essential to a successful camping trip. It’s just you and your supplies out there so make sure you are prepared for any situation that may come your way.  We’re fans of camping here at First My Family, stay safe!

View our TWDZPAK in this 2016 Summer Gift Guide via Rebate Zone and pick one up today on our online shop!

Pet Preparedness Tips for Summer

According to recent statistics, about 77 Million people in the US include dogs as part of their extended family. Dogs are great companions for both indoors and outdoors activities. Whether it’s a trip to the beach, camping, hiking, or even just out to the park, pups love every second of being out-and-about. Taking dogs along during summer trips can be fun and memorable, but make sure to consider their safety and well-being during the sizzling summer months.

Our dogs can’t tell us when they are getting too hot, too tired, or are generally uncomfortable. This prompts the need for us to prepare for the many unforeseen emergencies that may occur when outdoors, for both you and they could be affected by them. Be aware of how to care for your pets during these long hot days, here are some tips on summer outdoor pet preparedness.

Water & Snacks

If you are outdoors all day you’re going to want to have some pet food on hand to give your dog a snack when they feel fatigued. Remember, just like humans get hungry from using up energy while outdoors, our dogs do too! It is also very important to give your dog access to plenty of water to drink during outdoor activities.  Having a collapsable water bowl or plastic tupperware to fill with water for your pup is an easy way to help with their hydration, make sure that’s added to your Pet Prep Kit.

Keeping Cool

Of course, summertime means it is likely to be hot hot hot!  While humans are able to wear summer clothing and go out for fresh air, our dogs are not able to take off their fur coats. So, it’s up to us to make sure they aren’t getting overheated.  To keep help keep them cool, again, make sure they are getting plenty of water, and be sure to never ever leave them in a hot car (overheating happens very fast). Also, don’t be opposed to a little mid-day water spritz, if they are getting too hot, spray them lightly with some water since water helps to cool their internal body temperature.  Lastly, keep a lookout: signs of heat exhaustion include heavy drooling, panting, very low energy, and little to no urination.

LED Light or Collar

Summer nights can be very relaxing for all family members, even pets. When outside during those summer BBQ’s or camping trips, it’s a good idea to attach an LED light to your dog’s collar so you can keep an eye on them when the sun has gone down. Remember that dogs love to explore and can get lost very easily especially if they don’t know the way home. Having a light on them will keep you from losing track of them in case they get distracted by any number of things. It also may be a good idea to keep an extra collar and LED light in your Pet Prep Kit.

Critter Control

If you are spending any time outdoors, keep in mind that you may be inevitably accompanied by uninvited animals, reptiles, and insects. The summer months bring dry, hot temperatures which happen to attract a plethora of critters. Consider getting a rattlesnake vaccine from your veterinarian, and keep plenty of insect repellent in your dog’s prep kit. Dogs love water activities, If your dog goes swimming in a beach or lake, you’ll want to make sure you dry your dog’s ears afterwards, especially if they’re floppy.  Keep in mind that ear infections are very common in dogs, keeping ears dry is the first step in prevention. Lastly, always check for ticks after coming home from an outdoor trip. Even if your dog takes a flea and tick solution regularly, one could still latch on, so it’s important to make sure.

Summer is an amazing time to have lots of fun in the sun with the entire family, that includes our pets. Make sure everyone is safe and prepared!

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!