CERT

About Community Emergency Response Volunteer Teams

An emergency could strike at any moment. Being part of a community that's proactive and prepared increases everyone's chances of survival in a disaster situation. Many communities have existing CERT teams you can join. This blog will provide information about the purpose of CERT, how you can join a team and how SOS Survival Products serves CERTs across the country.

What is CERT?

CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Team. The CERT program helps to educate ordinary citizens about disaster preparation for a wide range of natural and man-made emergencies.

CERT members are volunteers that serve to support professional responders in times of extreme disasters when resources are in short supply. During an emergency, trained CERT members will assist professional firefighters, EMT responders and more, taking on non-technical tasks such as assessing and communicating the needs of the community, putting out small, manageable fires, turning off gas supplies and organizing light search and rescue efforts.
CERT volunteers are highly valued members of the community as they free up trained professional responders to focus on the bigger tasks at hand. The teams will self-deploy when the region in which they are located is affected by a disaster, assessing any immediate losses and implementing the skills they've learned to help first responders minimize further loss of property and life. One of the main tasks of the team is to locate mass-casualties that will require professional response and rescue teams to be deployed. CERTs will also assist in evacuations and more long-term functions such as helping to create temporary shelters.

CERT teams coordinate with all levels of emergency authorities within an overarching system that governs emergency response. This system is referred to as the Incident Command System (ICS), and it allows members to easily fit into the emergency assistance architecture. CERT enhances the capabilities of the ICS by allowing professional responders to focus on complex tasks without facing distractions that could be delegated to citizens with minimal training.

When members of a Community Emergency Response Team aren't actively engaged in response, the team organizes fundraisers, engages with the community by holding teaching and recruitment events, and practices emergency response exercises.


How Do I Get Involved?

LA Community Response Team

Currently, there are hundreds of thousands of trained volunteers all across the nation actively engaged in their local CERT chapter program, but in order to keep these efforts going new volunteers are always needed. Most major cities have an existing CERT chapter, which may contain hundreds of members or just a few.






CERT can refer to one of two entities:

1. FEMA's National program, which uses a set of standardized training procedures to train large groups of community members
2. Local chapters that train emergency volunteers with the help of basic disaster response skills that can vary from location to location.

If your city has a CERT program that's been established through FEMA, you can find it here.
If your search via the FEMA link does not return any results for your city, that does not mean your city does not have a CERT program. You can expand your search by browsing your city's official government website, or by performing a quick Google search.

CERT training is designed to help you serve your community, but also to protect your family, friends, neighbors or coworkers if a disaster suddenly strikes. When properly trained, members of the Community Response Program are able to provide critical support to victims and first responders by mobilizing teams to disaster sites quickly and effectively.

During your CERT training, you'll learn a variety of skills designed to mitigate the effects of a disaster as quickly and easily as possible. While FEMA's CERT training abides by a nationally established curriculum that delivers the same core content across all states, your local CERT training may vary. In both instances, CERT training will be free and you are under no obligation to become a part of the program after completing your hours.
The official FEMA CERT training program consists of nine separate units:

1. Disaster Preparedness (2.5 hrs)
2. Fire Safety (2.5 hrs)
3. Disaster Medical Operations part 1 (2.5 hrs)
4. Disaster Medical Operations part 2 (2.5 hrs)
5. Light Search and Rescue Operations (2.5 hrs)
6. CERT Organization (1.5 hrs)
7. Disaster Psychology (1 hr)
8. Terrorism and CERT (2.5 hrs).
9. Course Review and Disaster Simulation (2.5 hrs)

Products for CERT Teams

We carry a wide range of products designed to fulfill the needs of specific duty assignments in evacuations, light search and rescue, first responder assistance and more. This includes command guides and other literature, safety equipment such as hard hats with accompanying identification stickers, identifying safety vests, identification patches, notebooks, backpacks, duffel bags and kits.
Our CERT kits are designed to help volunteer associates make the most of their training. Basic kits include an identifying vest, hardhat, essential protection from dust and debris, a whistle and flashlight. The intermediate kit provides a more utilitarian vest with pockets and reflective stripes as well as a duffle bag and more supplies. The deluxe kit contains materials for marking and containing utility problems as well as handling

Severe Weather Safety Preparation

Spring is a time for transformation and the anticipation for new beginnings. It's also a time for changing weather patterns, from increased rains and melting snow to sudden storms like tornadoes. And just as is true for all types of weather, spring weather brings with it a certain sense of unpredictability; it's a time when a sunny hike can quickly become dangerously cold and thunderstorms can bring unusually high winds, flooding or hail without much warning.

It always pays to prepare yourself for weather extremes, particularly during spring and summer when severe weather can hit suddenly. Educating and preparing yourself and your family will dramatically decrease your risks of injury or death in the event that an extreme weather event should occur. Let's talk about some essential items you'll want to add to your preparedness kits this spring, to ensure you're safe from floods, tornadoes and severe storms.

Equipping yourself with the right knowledge is at the foundation of proper emergency preparedness. Knowing what to expect, how to react and which tools are appropriate for the job are absolutely crucial to your safety and survival during any disaster, be it weather or otherwise.
If you're located in the Van Nuys area, we strongly recommend participating in one of our emergency planning and/or first aid training courses. These classes are ongoing and are designed to help you build or refresh the skills necessary to keep yourself, your family and your pets safe in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.

Additionally, check out our Disasters by Region blog to learn, statistically, which natural disasters are most likely to impact you at home or while traveling.

Finally, our selection of affordable pocket manuals offer a handy guide for laymen, volunteers, parents and pet owners to basic preparedness and recovery for disasters including floods, earthquakes and school incidents.


Knowing your risks and how severe weather can impact you will help you to develop a useful action plan that includes proper in-home preparation, family communication, potential evacuation routes and necessary emergency supplies.

A NOAA weather alert radio should be near the top of your list of emergency preparedness item. This versatile tool will help you to stay up to date on all types of severe weather warnings all across the nation. We recommend this radio in addition to keeping severe weather warning apps on your phone since it'll far supersede the capabilities of cellular technology during a long term power outage.
This particular radio includes hand crank as well as solar technology to charge the lithium ion battery when power outlets are disabled or unavailable. The 130-Lumen flashlight can be activated to flash the SOS Morse Code signal, in the event that you are stranded. This radio is a must-have for all homes, homes away from home, recreational camper vehicles and car emergency kits.


A flood can be one of the most damaging natural disasters, both to your safety and in the after effects when you're trying to rebuild your life. Flood waters move quickly, picking up tons of debris along the way. When preparing for the possibility of a flood, your priorities should always lie with your safety and that of your family. Remember to heed warnings early and evacuate immediately if prompted. Never take risks around water, during a floor or otherwise. It takes just a few inches of moving water to displace a car or loosen your footing. If water is flowing across roadways, turn around. Don't drown!

If you live in an area that's prone to some flooding during heavy rains from unusual spring weather patterns, consider first and foremost adding flood insurance to your home insurance plan. Preparation begins with anticipating all possible potential outcomes of a situation, and having the proper safeguards in place can save you from any future financial hardships that flooding can cause.

In addition, protect your home with barriers or flood walls, or at the very least with the help of DIY sandbags. Sandbags are affordable and designed to be long-lasting, whether they are a temporary or permanent fixture in and around your home. It takes about 100 sandbags to create a one-foot high wall that’s 20 feet long, so plan accordingly. Stay on alert during using NOAA or a cellphone app as your resource; if warnings are issued, heed them.

If severe weather, such as large influxes in rain, impacts your city's water safety and you're not able to boil water due to power outages, you'll need to rely on your emergency water stores to get you through the day or days ahead. Don't wait until an emergency is declared to stock up on water; this is your most precious resource, and a water shortage can quickly devolve into mayhem.

If you know that a water shortage is imminent, use your time wisely to fill emergency drinking

barrels or plastic bottles with clean water from the tap while it's still available. Make an airtight drinking water barrel an essential item in your home; adding water preserver will allow you to store your emergency water for up to five years.
Keeping individually sealed water pouches handy, whether you're at home or away, will give you the peace of mind you need when water stores are limited. Adding water pouches to your go-bag is a quick, easy and affordable way to take preventive life-saving measures.

Use your drinking water wisely. Never use drinking water to wash, flush the toilet or clean your home.


Quick Tips:

• Prepare yourself with knowledge.
• Make a plan and practice it.
• Never drive through flooded areas.
• Keep your car's gas tank full.
• Stay up to date on warnings and news with NOAA.
• Heed warnings and seek shelter or evacuation straight away if prompted.
• Prepare a go-bag for everyone in your household, including your pet. Plan now so no one gets left behind.
• Move livestock to higher ground sooner rather than later.
• Prepare one gallon of drinking water per person per day.
• Never ration water for drinking. Dehydration kills.
• Never try to outrun a tornado in your car. If you happen to be in your car when a tornado approaches, seek shelter under a bridge or overpass and cover your head and neck with your arms
• Stay indoors during lightning storms, and consider purchasing surge protectors and lightning rods for your home.
• Turn off propane to reduce the risk of fire.
• Get flood insurance.
• Use flood prevention walls or bags to keep damage to a minimum.

good better best products

Good, Better & Best Emergency Preparedness & Survival Essentials

Our customers often ask us for recommendations, particularly when it comes to the basics of emergency preparation. We believe that everyone can and should be adequately equipped to handle the unexpected, and that proper preparation can start with just a few essential items.
We offer a wide range of emergency supplies at various price points. Here's what should be on your list:

Drinking Water Preparation

Good:
Datrex Drinking Water Foil Pouches

Water is essential for life. When preparing for the worst, stock water first and foremost. Datrex drinking pouches contain just over four ounces of water per serving. Each portioned package of water has a five-year shelf life and is Coast Guard approved for safety. Keep these affordable water pouches in your home, car or cabin in the event that other sources of water are not available.

Better:
Water Purification Tablets

If water is available but isn't safe to drink, these affordable tablets are a must. Packaged drinking water will eventually run out in a large-scale disaster, and if you're preparing for the worst, make sure you stock these tablets to treat water when water treatment plants aren't.
These tablets are also pragmatic in camping and hiking scenarios where clean drinking water may become scarce. 
Treat up to 25 quarts of water against giardia and most other microorganisms.


Best:
Rain Collection Barrel

In an emergency, water may be difficult to come by. A true survivalist knows that using the resources that are naturally available are a best bet for long-term sustainability. If a disaster turns into a nationwide or a global crisis, running water will likely be an uncertain commodity. Collecting runoff in a barrel during a rainfall will allow you peace of mind during a crisis.
During a heavy rainfall, you'll be able to collect up to 600 gallons of water with the proper equipment. A functioning gutter or downspout will funnel water to your storage containers, while a filter on top keeps out leaves and debris. Keeping wildlife including birds and lizards out of your water will prevent collected water from becoming contaminated.

Fire Protection

Good:
ABC Fire Extinguisher

Every home should have one ABC fire extinguisher in every major room of the house, including the bedrooms and the kitchen. An ABC extinguisher can tackle all three classes of the most common household fires, which is important since only one class of fire can be tackled using water. Fires fueled by grease, gasoline or electrical equipment cannot and should not be quenched with water, making an ABC extinguisher the only safe solution.


An ABC extinguisher uses monoammonium phosphate, which won’t conduct electricity or scatter grease fires further. These fire extinguishers meet nationally recognized standards for safety and come with a 10-year warranty.



Better:
10-Year Ionization Smoke Alarm

In addition to a fire extinguisher, every home should have a functioning alarm system to help you and your family detect and escape fires before they burn out of control. An ionization smoke alarm is the most affordable smoke detector option on the market, and should be installed in every major room of the house.
First Alert's 10-year alarm contains a lithium battery that's designed to last 10 years without maintenance. Test your alarm once every six months to ensure it's functioning properly.


Best:
10-Year Photoelectric Smoke & Co2 Combination Alarm

Since most deaths from fires occur due to smoke inhalation, installing the right kind of smoke detector is of the utmost importance. A photoelectric fire alarm such as this First Alert alarm detects smoke using a light sensor. This means that when smoke particles scatter the light inside its chamber, an alarm immediately goes off.
Most homes contain ionization detectors, which are cheaper to install and therefore more popular. These types of detectors respond to smoke when particles disrupt the flow of ions in its chamber.
Both types of smoke alarms work well in high-heat, fast-flame fires, however, when it comes to the more common smouldering fires that produce the kind of smoke that kills, an ionization detector falls behind.
Keep your family safe day and night with a combination alert that sounds as soon as a danger is present.

Emergency Communication

Good:
NOAA Emergency Crank Radio with Flashlight

When other modes of communication fail, Midland’s hand-crank radio will allow you to stay up to date on important weather and emergency information in real time. This radio receives alerts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and can additionally be used to receive AM and FM radio signals.
To send messages, this radio offers a built in Morse Code beacon, which can be activated to flash a continuous SOS signal.


Better:
Midland Two-Way Radios - 22 Channel

These short-range walkie talkies can connect with other FRS or GMRS two-way radios via 22 channels. Use the channel scan to check for activity during an emergency, or communicate freely with your family or response team.
Each walkie talkie includes a rechargeable power pack. Four AAA batteries can be used to back up power for longer usage when traditional power sources aren't available.
Connect easily and effectively during all types of events. These walkie talkies remove background noise, offer call alerts and use a roger beep to maximize communication.

Best:
Midland GMRS 50 Channel Radios

Get even more out of your walkie talkie with these radios.
A clear battery indicator lets you know when you can talk freely and when it's time to conserve power. Each radio comes with one rechargeable battery pack, which can be backed up with four AA batteries. Each battery pack is designed to provide up to 12 hours of life.
With a clear communication range of up to 36 miles, these radios offer a safe and affordable solution for a wide range of applications. Each radio features 50 GMRS channels and 28 channels with pre-programmed privacy codes.
Keep up with weather alerts and important emergency news with the built in Weather Scan feature, which finds and broadcasts your nearest NOAA station.

Emergency Kits

Good:
1-Person Fanny Pack Kit

Stocking an emergency kit is a quick, easy and affordable way to take charge of your preparedness and planning. A fanny pack kit contains several convenient items that everyone should keep on hand.
This kit is designed to sustain one person for three days in the event of a sudden emergency. In addition to a 2,400-calorie food bar and 25 ounces of water, the kit also contains one emergency blanket and a range of first aid essentials such as alcohol wipes and non-aspirin pain killers.
Supplement this kit with additional water pouches to ensure you can stay adequately hydrated longer.


Better:
Individual Auto/Emergency Survival Kit

A more robust version of the fanny pack, this auto emergency kit contains everything that's already included in our basic pack, plus a few other extras. In addition, you'll get important essentials such as a flashlight and emergency radio. Everything is contained in a convenient nylon over-the-shoulder bag. Keep it in the trunk of your car in the event you'll become trapped or stranded. Supplement this kit with additional items such as jumper cables to complete your safety kit for the road.
Check out our road trip blog for a complete list of traveling tips.



Best:
1-Person Deluxe Emergency Survival Kit

This affordable pack contains everything you'll need for the first 72 hours of survival. Each Deluxe kit contains 3,600 calories and 76 ounces of clean drinking water. In addition to a variety of first aid products such as alcohol wipes, antibiotic ointments and bandages, this kit also contains waste bags, light sticks, rain gear, gloves, a utility knife and more. We've thought of everything when preparing this emergency kit for you.
The Deluxe kit includes everything you'll need to sustain one person for three days, from hydration to items for proper warmth and visibility. Stow it in your car, at home or at your desk at work.

Red Cross Month

Emergency Preparedness with the Red Cross

March is Red Cross month. It’s a time to remember heroes and disaster survivors, and to generate awareness for just how easy it is to make a difference in your community.
The Red Cross functions globally with a mission to provide free emergency assistance without discrimination, whether during natural or man-made disasters, in times of war or in areas affected by chronic poverty.
The organization was founded more than 130 years ago and has offered training and certifications to the average citizen since the early 1900s.

You might associate Red Cross with nurses, and that’s because nurses have been at the root of the Red Cross since before the turn of the century, and continue to make up a large portion of the volunteer force. On average, about 15,000 nurses are involved with the American Red Cross to provide disaster relief services and develop teaching courses for volunteers and citizens. But you don't need to be a nurse to find your volunteer position with the Red Cross. The Red Cross offers a broad range of services and accepts volunteers with many different skill sets.




Volunteering at the Red Cross

Spending your time volunteering for any organization, local or worldwide, is a commendable and
worthwhile endeavor. With the Red Cross, your time commitment will help families and individuals of all ages find care and comfort during difficult times and emergency situations.

Donating time goes a long way, so don't let the amount you're capable of giving deter you. Consider if just a small percentage of the population gave one hour of their time each month: Millions of man hours could be used toward setting better volunteer efforts into motion.


Donating

We don't all have the extra time to make volunteering a part of our lives. If time is short, offering a donation to your favorite charitable organization goes a long way. Contributions to the American Red Cross are tax-deductible, as are any donations made to registered 501(c) non-profit organizations.

How and how much you donate is up to you. The Red Cross encourages donating online, by mail, by phone or via text.  Recurring monthly donations are how organizations like the Red Cross survive. The Red Cross is not a government agency. It depends entirely on volunteers and donations. Unlike some other charitable organizations, the Red Cross can pride themselves on using $.91 of every donated dollar toward humanitarian services, not toward things like administrative fees and salaries.


They Want Your Blood

The Red Cross offers a wide range of services but is probably best known for its blood donations. And that's with good reason: Its blood drive program has been an integral part of the Red Cross since the Second World War, and today the Red Cross still distributes more than a third of lifesaving blood products in the United States.

Giving blood is quick and easy, and there are only a few restrictions to doing so. Because blood transfusions can pass on certain kinds of illnesses, it's important that the donor doesn't have any acute infections or blood-transmissible diseases. This includes a bloodborne illness that likely did not affect you, but may live in you undetected: mad cow disease. If you lived in certain parts of Europe in the 1980s or 90s, check out this eligibility criteria document for more information on whether or not you can donate.


Take a Class

One of the best ways to empower yourself and others is through knowledge. Having life-saving skills in an emergency situation makes you a valuable asset both to your friends and family as well as your community.

SOS Survival Products and the Red Cross offer a range of comprehensive training courses with and without certification. Prepare yourself for a minor event as well as major natural or man-made catastrophes including earthquakes, fires, floods and active shooters with our local classes year-round. Learn CPR and First Aid, outdoor and wilderness survival skills, pet safety and more. Our classes are affordable and many are free. Check out our calendar now.

Emergency preparedness works best when everyone’s on board. Organizations like the Red Cross can mobilize a wide range of rescue efforts during a disaster, and by contributing to the cause you’re part of a solution. Taking just a few hours this month to volunteer in your community adds up. Your time and money will benefit your local and global community.

Disaster Preparation for Everyone

September is National Preparedness Month, which makes this the perfect time to review your emergency plans. Even if you live in an area that is not commonly struck by natural disasters, it's still crucial that you always take a proactive approach to protecting yourself and your family. After all, the number of worldwide natural disasters has risen from less than 100 annually to approximately 400 per year during the past four decades. This means that everyone has an increased risk, regardless of where you live.
Fortunately, there are many steps you can take that will greatly reduce your odds of suffering from a personal tragedy during a natural disaster.

The Importance of Making a Plan and What To Include

According to FEMA, 80 percent of U.S. residents live within a county that was hit by a natural disaster within the past decade. Despite this, fewer than 40 percent of these households have put together an emergency plan.

Emergency Plan Steps:

1. Gather Necessary Supplies

Pack a change of clothes for everyone, spare medication, flashlights and batteries, nonperishable

food, fresh water, some cash and copies of your identification, insurance policy and any other relevant documentation. If you have a pet, be sure to pack food and water for them, along with leashes and bowls. These supplies should be packed and ready to go in easy to grab backpacks.

Be sure to rotate the food and water so that it will still be fresh when needed. A satellite phone and radio will also be useful, along with paper maps of your area. You may want to download emergency weather apps.

2. Plan Your Evacuation Route

Many areas have designated evacuation routes. Familiarize yourself with them, and also make sure to scout out alternative options. Whenever possible, leave immediately so that you can get ahead of the inevitable traffic jam.

3. Assign a Meeting Place

It's important to assign a family meeting place in case you get separated. Make sure everyone knows how to get there, and select a backup spot in case the first one isn't accessible.

4. Take First Aid and CPR Classes

You cannot rely on medical assistance to reach you quickly during an emergency. Taking a first aid and CPR class will give you a better chance of survival.

5. Practice for an Emergency

The American Red Cross recommends practicing all practical aspects of your emergency plan. This includes driving the emergency route, meeting family at the assigned gathering spot and getting out of the house in a quick, orderly manner. Every family should do this at least once per year, but you may want to start doing it quarterly if your children are too young to retain a lot of details.



How to Deal with Common Natural Disasters

Now that you understand the basics of putting together an emergency plan, let's take a closer look at a few common natural disaster scenarios.

Fire

More than 3,500 Americans perished in a fire in 2016. To cut your risk dramatically, be sure to practice what to do if the smoke detectors go off. You can also take important preventative steps, including:

• Never leave candles unattended.
• Always use a timer when cooking.
• Unplug hot curling irons and other similar items.
• Keep your chimney clean at all times.
• Only use your fireplace if you understand exactly how it works and can monitor the fire.
• Install smoke detectors and sprinklers; make sure to test these systems annually.
• Keep all flammables away from the stove.

You should also make sure every family member knows how to use a fire extinguisher, call 911 and escape the home. If you have upper levels, place a window ladder in each applicable room. Include your pets in your escape plan, and consider placing a 'pet inside' sticker on your windows to help firefighters.


Flooding

In 2015, 176 Americans died in a flood. There's not a lot you can do to prevent a flood, but you can implement a property protection plan.

• Waterproof your basement and elevate all essential utility components.
• Keep your downspouts and gutters clear of debris.
• Obtain a backup battery-powered sump pump.
• Purchase sand bags.
• Get flood insurance.

It's best to evacuate when a serious flood is imminent instead of waiting to see what happens. Go to higher ground or a designated shelter. Take your emergency supplies with you and be prepared for at least 72 hours away from your home. If you get stuck in a flood, never drive on a water-covered road; turn around, don’t drown. Go to the highest area in your home until the water recedes.


Earthquake

Experts estimate that 40 California residents die annually in an earthquake. The best way to prepare is to make your home as safe as possible.

• Keep beds away from windows.
• Tether appliances and bookshelves to the wall.
• Use latches on all cabinets.
• Buy emergency plug-in lights.
• Never place glass objects where they could easily fall.
• Get your home and chimney inspected for earthquake-readiness.

When an earthquake strikes, remember to do three key things: Drop, cover and hold on. Run preparedness drills with your family to ensure you're all aware how to quickly drop to your knees, cover up your head and neck and then move underneath a sturdy table. Waiting out the earthquake in that position will give you the best odds of survival. If you have to drive after the earthquake, be alert for aftershocks and damaged roads.





Power Outages

Severe weather can cause power outages, which may lead to issues with heat stroke, hypothermia, spoiled food and unsafe drinking water. To make your home safer during a power outage, you can do a few simple things:

• Keep enough fresh water and non-perishable food on hand for 72 hours.
• Invest in a generator.
• Use your grill to cook.
• Wear light-colored clothing to reduce the risk of heat stroke.
• Wear several layers and wrap up in blankets to avoid hypothermia.
• Have lots of batteries and flashlights available.

If possible, go to an area that has power until electricity is restored to your home. Remember to never touch any downed power lines, and don't drive through any roads that are covered with water. Most power outages are caused by severe weather, so it's also critical to keep an eye on weakened trees and other debris that could fall or get in your way while you evacuate.

With a bit of planning and regular emergency drills, you and your family can be prepared for any type of natural disaster. Don't wait; put your emergency kit and other plan specifics in place today!

School Emergency Preparation

In any emergency, the key to your survival success is preparedness. By preparing for a range of potential emergency events and equipping yourself or your home with proper emergency essentials, you'll be able to maximize your success whether you need to evacuate your home, stay while an emergency passes, or you become trapped. You don't have to purchase thousands of dollars with of survival products to maximize success in an emergency. The foundation of preparedness is simply a plan.

You and your family may already have a plan in the event a disaster should occur and you're all at home or on the road together, however, it's just as important to have a plan should you not be in the same area. While you might initially find it difficult to begin the conversation about emergencies with our children, having these conversations early and regularly will equip them with essential knowledge for survival when you're not around.

The end of summer brings a range of changes, and one of these is the start of a new school year. Your child might be starting school for the first time or returning for his or her second, third, or fourth year already. Regardless of age, now is a good time to help your kids prepare for emergencies. Power begins with knowledge, so to start it's important to simply teach your children about disasters that could occur in your area.
Your family should already have a fire emergency evacuation plan in place at home and practice drills at school, however, many drills neglect to prepare children fully for a range of emergencies in ways that help them to think critically about their own safety or the safety of others when an event occurs.
Teach your children about natural hazards that can occur while they're at school in ways they can understand, then make a plan they can follow and practice its steps regularly. It's important not to overwhelm or frighten your children with information; break your lessons about emergencies up into small increments to help them first learn about the disaster and then how to appropriately respond to it.
There is a wide range of literature and other media available for parents and their children, including this fun game powered by ready.gov, which lets children test their natural disaster knowledge online.


Involving your children in every step of the process will allow them to feel a sense of pride and responsibility. By giving your children digestible and age-appropriate information, and allowing them to help in each step of the planning process, you will help them to act safely and responsibly should an emergency occur.
Together with your child, create an official communications plan, identify what should go into an

emergency kit and practice and revise your plans and kits to improve them along the way. Help your child create proper responses for a range of emergency cases such as fires, earthquakes or extreme weather, including how to find alternate routes for escape or what it takes to staying in place if escape isn’t possible.
A simple emergency kit such as this one provides 43 oz. of water, an emergency blanket, one glow stick, nine wet wipes and a 2,400-calorie food bar. This affordable kit can easily be stowed in a locker or desk and made accessible should an emergency occur.

Talking to your child about an active shooting scenario is an unfortunate but necessary part of today's student life. While this type of emergency situation is doubtlessly not comparable to a natural disaster and may be much more difficult to talk about, preparing for it is not dissimilar to preparing for an earthquake or a tornado. Learning about natural disasters has significant applications for managing an attack caused by humans. The key for both is to be prepared.

This situation in which your child may be locked down with other students for extended periods of time can be unsettling for children and parents. Listen to your child’s fears and validate his or her responses. Teddy is Ready provides information for parents regarding how to prepare children for active shooters.

Talk to your school about providing lockdown kits to each classroom in order to minimize additional trauma case of classroom confinement. These affordable all-in-one kits provide bathroom essentials when regular facilities are unavailable.
For any disaster, it's important to create a plan that takes various possible obstacles into account and practices a safe evacuation for each. Your plan should look at alternate routes for escape as well as safe meeting places to reunite with teachers or family. A good communications system will keep everyone updated and away from danger. Finally, discuss the possibility of sheltering in place, if evacuation isn't possible or too risky.

SOS Survival Products Awards

Welcome to the 2018 SOS Product Awards! We think it's about time that some of our products get the recognition they deserve, so we've selected a few of our favorites (and yours) to ensure everyone gets a chance to see what all the buzz is all about. Without further ado, we present...

Best Visual Effects!

The Streamlight Strion features three easy-to-control brightness settings and one strobe functionality.

To ensure your safety, whether you're stranded roadside or use your flashlight for tactical purposes, the LEDs on this torch produce 500 lumens on the high setting, the equivalent of a 33-watt incandescent lightbulb. On this setting, the Streamlight Strion is capable of running for one continuous hour. Its low setting produces a comfortable 125 lumens and will provide you with light for more than three hours.
Because the torch is rechargeable, you'll never need to worry about stocking up on batteries or finding them in the dark. The Strion recharges within just three hours.
This bright flashlight earns its spot as number one in the visual effects category because of its lumens. A lumen is a measurement of total visible light. When the Strion's lumens are concentrated into a tight beam, they produce 10,000 candela reaching up to 200 meters.
For a more concentrated beam, try the Streamlight SL-20L. This rechargeable flashlight can't compete with the Strion in terms of lumens, but with an astonishing 60,000 candela at its disposal, its beam reaches 490 meters!

Not sure how lumens and candela differ?

A lumen is a unit of measurement used to describe how much visible light is produced by a light source such as a flashlight or a lightbulb. Because light scatters, a flashlight's lumens aren't necessarily indicative of how far its light will reach.
A candela is a unit of measurement that describes how far away you can be from a light source and still see it. The more concentrated a beam of light it, the more candela, or candlepower, it will have.

Best Design!

At SOS Survival Products, we're all about functional living, preparation and survival. We know that

in the event of an emergency, the more minimal your dependence on outside resources, the better your chances of success. Check out our blog about collecting rainwater here.
The Goal Zero Yeti 150 Solar Generator is an alternative solution to small gas-powered generators. This unit is perfect for the home or for camping trips. The Yeti stores 150 watt hours of power, and can be charged using an AC wall adapter or solar panels.  This gas-free, noise-free and fume-free power generator is ideal for smaller devices such as lights, cooling fans, phones and laptops. An indicator display lets you know how much time and power is left at all times.
With two USB, one 12V and one AC outputs, it's easy and convenient to plug in several devices at one time.  Power it up in preparation for a storm to keep all of your electronic devices readily charged during an outage. This unit is incredibly easy to use, easy to setup and easy to understand.


Best Sound!

During an emergency or extreme weather event, it's critical to stay informed. These days, most of us largely rely on our phones, computers or televisions to stay up to date on weather alerts and emergency broadcast.
The Midland ER200 radio is there for you when other sources of communication fail. During power outages, when your stock of batteries has unexpectedly been emptied or when cell towers are overwhelmed, this hand-crank NOAA radio will be by your side.
The Midland includes a powerful three-setting flashlight, AM/FM radio, NOAA Weather Alert Radio, USB and headphone jacks and an SOS beacon which uses Morse code to signal for emergency assistance. Although it contains a rechargeable battery and a small solar panel, it is also fully functional when cranked by hand. Attach it to a larger solar panel for quicker and more efficient charging in an emergency situation.


Most Original!

Sometimes originality comes in small, simple packages. The LuminAID PackLite lantern started out as a project designed to provide light to earthquake victims in Haiti. Today, LuminAID accompanies hikers, backpackers and emergency aid workers alike.
This uniquely powerful little lantern has come a long way since 2010. Designed to fold flat for easy and convenient storage, it features five brightness settings, adjustable straps and a microUSB charge port. As always, the LuminAID lantern remains 100 percent waterproof. On its highest setting, it puts out an impressive 75 lumens.





Lead Product!

Emergency planning starts with just a few essentials. Although we rely heavily on a variety of basics including food and proper shelter, we can't survive long without water. Up to 60 percent of the human adult body consists of water, powering our cells, lubricating our joints, regulating body temperature, converting food to energy and more. We are so reliant on water, that it only makes sense that our most-ever purchased product is, well, water.
We carry a variety of water pouches, water containers, water collection barrels and water purifiers. To start, we recommend every household contain an absolute minimum of 25 ounces of clean emergency drinking water for every person. Just six single packages will be enough for this. These pouches are tough and will store safely for up to five years, so keep them in your emergency pack, in your car, your camping gear or at your desk at work.
Looking for a bit more? A kit such as this provides the most basic essentials for only $8! This three-day kit contains six single Datrex drinking water pouches, one emergency blanket and a 2,400-calorie food bar.





Best Overall!

Emergency planning encompasses a variety of aspects. Creating an emergency plan and stocking up on the right products can turn a disaster around into a success. If you're not sure quite where to start, or your funds are limited, we recommend one of our kits. The two-person Deluxe kit is designed to offer the biggest bang for your buck, with products including water, emergency lighting, emergency blankets, rain ponchos and a wide range of first aid products all in one place. Everything is neatly contained in a convenient Everest backpack and is designed to provide for two people for three days.
Prepping for an emergency can become an involved process. While it's important to consider your ultimate goal when putting your emergency prep plan into action, we recommend beginning with the basics: a plan, water, shelter, first aid and emergency communication. It takes just a few products to provide some initial peace of mind in an emergency situation. From there, the sky's the limit.

NOAA’s National Weather Service Saves Lives Every Day

The National Weather Service was established on February 9, 1870 and we have President Ulysses S. Grant to thank for it. However, he wasn’t the first person in our country’s history to recognize the importance of weather tracking. Weather patterns are so critical to our daily life and survival that even our Founding Fathers made regular weather observations and recorded temperatures. In fact, Thomas Jefferson owned one of the only barometers in America at that time. Unfortunately, there was no way of making large scale, impactful insights until the invention of the telegraph.

Momentum started building in 1849, when the Smithsonian Institution provided basic meteorological instruments to telegraph companies like Bell. With the help of telegraphs, 150 people that year were able to record weather patterns and temperatures side by side, and then share them with the network to create the very first weather maps. Just over a decade later, there were roughly 500 weather stations set up throughout the US, all tracking weather observations on a daily basis. For the first time, enough people were measuring weather patterns at the same time to be able to chart the data and make predictions about the weather.
During the next decade, the first national weather service – later officially called The National Weather Service, grew from a volunteer network of various weather stations. Back then it was a division of the Army, but by 1890, Congress passed legislation that reassigned weather services to the U.S. Weather Bureau in the Department of Agriculture. In the next year, they started issuing the first flood warnings.

Just at the turn of the century, cable connections were made between U.S. and Europe, allowing for weather warnings to be passed back and forth at greater distances. By this point, communication was beginning to be so expansive that the Weather Bureau could actually forecast events up to three days in advance. Having already established a hurricane warning network in the West Indies, the Weather Bureau was able to start the hurricane warning service in 1935.
With the growth of the Weather Bureau came the realization that weather services weren’t just an invaluable tool for farmers and workers in the Agriculture industry, so the whole assembly was transferred to the Department of Commerce in 1940. In 1950, the first official tornado warning service was established, and in 1960 the first weather satellite started orbiting our stratosphere.
By 1970, the Weather Bureau was renamed to the National Weather Service after being absorbed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). What started out as 150 volunteers sharing weather observations was now a major national organization with over 11,000 weather stations.

Today, the National Weather Service is more accurate and expansive than ever. A person can easily check weather forecasts, storm maps, and local Doppler radar information on the National Weather Service website.

More importantly, even during emergency situations with power outages, it’s still possible to receive weather updates on radios with hand crank or solar powered functionalities. The National Weather Service makes it possible to get weather updates and check the weekly forecast from your phone by downloading the National Weather Service app. However, critical weather alerts in your area are sent to your phone via SMS, regardless if you have the app installed.
Every year, the National Weather Service saves thousands of lives with their weather alerts. Prior to their detailed forecasts, the population had little to no warning of severe weather or storms. Today, thanks to major technological advances, strong communication, and better forecasting than ever, the National Weather Service can predict and broadcast alerts about major events such as Hurricane Harvey, which resulted in fewer than 100 casualties last year.

Winter Preparedness

The first few weeks of a new year can feel like the start of something fresh and exciting, but for many U.S. residents, this is merely the halfway point. Winter is just beginning, and several states have already seen record-breaking low temperatures.

Meanwhile, the West Coast has been rocked with wild fires, mudslides, earthquakes, and drought.
We recommend reviewing your emergency preparedness plan often, particularly with changing seasons that can bring extreme weather conditions. Let's examine some steps you can take to keep you and your family prepared this winter.

Winter Storm Planning

When extreme weather is in play, there's no such thing as over-preparedness. Facing conditions below freezing can mean the difference between a snow day and a disaster situation, particularly if other factors such as power outages are involved.

In general, winterizing your home keeps energy costs low, but in the event that you've lost power, the additional insulation adds vital protection against the cold.
Keeping a small generator on hand – and the fuel to run it –  will allow you to power a space heater, the effect of which can be amplified through the use of cheap solar blankets. If your home has a fireplace, use it. However, ensure that you know how to build and tend a fire in advance. If you plan on using a fireplace or wood burning stove, make sure that it’s clean and ready for use. Never leave a fireplace unattended.
Ensure your car is stocked with antifreeze, windshield washer fluid, oil and gas, and that everything in your car is working as expected. If you don’t already have winter tires, then it’s time to upgrade them.
Don't leave pets outside under any circumstance.

Checklist:

• Winterize your home & car.
• Cover windows.
• Store additional fuel.
• Invest in a windshield scraper.
• Keep a battery-powered weather radio on hand in the event you lose power.
• Map out and practice your safety evacuation route. 
• Consider marking a map with a preferred and secondary route as well as safe locations.
• Keep your emergency kit fully stocked.
• Ensure you have alternatives such as firewood or a generator for keeping warm. A small heater such as this uses a propane tank and can accommodate a 100 sq. ft. area.
•  Fuel
• Generator
• Solar blankets
• Make extra blankets and warm clothes readily accessible.
• Bring animals indoors and provide adequate shelter and blankets to livestock.

General Planning

Not all parts of the country are affected by extremely low temperatures. For any emergency situation, you and your family should have a plan of action in place. For example, determine who is going to carry important documents, how you'll load the car and which route you'll be taking in case of an evacuation. It’s important that in addition to your own family plan, you are also aware of your town’s evacuation plans and routes.

Checklist:

• Sort out the chain of command, meeting places, and other important details for ensuring your family sticks together. 
• Run practice drills with your family, particularly if you have younger children.
• Keep a list of important contacts and other information readily available for any disaster situation. That includes the police, fire department, insurance, utility service companies, and loved ones. 
• If you or anyone in your family takes medication, be sure to keep a detailed list of what they take, how much, and why.
• Make sure that important documents, like birth certificates and property deeds, are kept in a fireproof safe so they can survive any disaster.
• Keep your emergency kits stocked and go-bags ready and up to date. 
• Stock at least three gallons of water per person.
• If you have pets, make sure you create an emergency action plan to ensure their safety  in case of a disaster. Account for additional water your pet will need. 
• Stay up to date on weather alerts with local stations or an emergency weather radio.

Earthquake Planning

If you’re one of the tens of millions living in an earthquake-prone area, we recommend practicing readiness frequently. Earthquakes can escalate quickly, causing heavy objects around you to fall. It’s as important to avoid these spaces during an earthquake as it is to secure items prior to such an event.
Practice drills are vital when preparing for an earthquake. Find safe places in each room of your house.
Be prepared for how you’d react to an earthquake in your workplace, at a friend’s house or in public, and talk to your children about what they should do away from home.

The CDC recommends that you drop to your hands and knees immediately if an earthquake starts. Crawling is safer than running as it eliminates falls and potentially serious injuries.
Once on all fours, move to cover. For example, crawl under a strong, sturdy desk or table.  The
stronger the shelter you find to hide under, the better.

Checklist:

• Before an earthquake, take precautions by protecting your home by securing heavy items that could topple over.
• Reinforce lighting fixtures.
• Consider organizing your shelves so that larger, heavier, and breakable items are closest to the floor.
• Secure items on your walls, such as pictures or mirrors.
• Install latches on cabinet doors.
• Know how to shut off your gas valve.
• Keep a flashlight ready. 
• Every person in your home can benefit from a flashlight by their bed at night.
• Stock an emergency radio to keep you updated in the event of a power failure.
• Map an evacuation route and practice evacuating with your family.
• Keep an emergency kit stocked and on hand.
• Establish your safe places for cover at home, workplace, and/or school – practice DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON in your safe places.

Wildfire Planning

Checklist:

• Ensure you have home insurance protecting your assets. 
• Regularly trim foliage and other flammable objects around your property. 
• Clean your gutter and roof of dried leaves or anything that might work as kindling.
• Consider building walkways and other “fuel breaks” to stop wildfires from spreading to your home.
• Set aside any tools that could be used to help extinguish a fire. This includes rakes, shovels and buckets.
• Water down your roof so it’s less likely to catch fire.
• Keep an extra-long garden hose around that can stretch to any part of your house and property.
• Fill garbage cans, the bathtub, and any other large container with water. 
• If you can afford to, consider installing a pool or pond in your yard – any extra water source will help protect your home. 
• Keep your windows, doors, and vents closed. 
• Shut off anything pulling air in from the outside so that the air inside stays clear of smoke and dust.
• Shut fireplace screens and open the dampers if you have a fireplace.
• Stay tuned into your radio for updates. 
• Evacuate if you're advised to.
• Make sure that your car is ready for an evacuation – the tank is full, there’s an emergency kit, and extra clothes in the car.
• Check appliances that could be explosive when exposed to fire and take the necessary precautions.

Emergency Preparedness Kits

SOS Survival Products offers a wide range of emergency preparedness packs. We recommend an emergency preparation kit for every home, office and dorm room. Here, we'll break down four of our most popular kits and their purpose.

Basic Emergency Survival Kit

This survival kit is intended to sustain one person for three days. This kit does not contain first aid management products. It is ideal for situations where a person may become stranded without access to clean water, food or shelter. We recommend every home stock at least one of these affordable packs for every individual in the household.



Included in this basic kit is one Mylar thermal blanket, 2,400 calories of food and just over three cups of individually packed drinking water satchels. The food and water in this kit have a 5-year shelf life, giving you long-lasting assurance whether at home or away.




How do I use this kit?

Drink water regularly to ensure dehydration does not occur. Eat if you are hungry.

A Mylar blanket's reflective silver side can be turned inward or outward to offer protection in hot or cold conditions. You may use it to reflect heat toward you or away from you. Wear the sheet like a blanket, tucking in loose ends, make a makeshift shelter to keep out rain or sun, or cover your home’s or car’s windows.


1-Person Deluxe Emergency Survival Kit

This kit contains nearly ten cups of water, 3,600 calories and an emergency blanket. This is a more robust and complete 1-person solution to basic emergency preparation, whether at home or on the road. In addition to food, water and shelter, this kit also includes a variety of first aid products to stop bleeding and infection. This kit also includes emergency lighting, a whistle to help you get noticed, an emergency radio to help you receive important updates, rain gear, a knife, heavy-duty gloves and more. This selection of vital emergency products is stored neatly and conveniently in a bright red Everest backpack. Keep it in your trunk or under the bed for easy access no matter where you are.

This kit is also available for two or four people.



Pet Emergency Kit

We strongly recommend that your emergency stock includes enough supplies to support each member of your household for three days. In an emergency situation, when you may have no access to clean drinking water, you shouldn't have to face difficult choices like how to divide your resources appropriately.


This pet emergency kit gives you the peace of mind you'll need should disaster strike. Each kit contains 100 ounces of clean, individually-packaged drinking water, a dish, universal lids for canned food (you supply your own favorite brand), can opener and emergency blanket. Additionally, your pet kit supplies a variety of first aid products for minor injuries such as cuts, scrapes or splinters.

Pro Tip
In an emergency situation, you want each member of your family to feel as comfortable as possible. We recommend speaking to your vet about a carefully dosed NSAID you can add to your pet’s emergency pack. Never administer medications intended for human consumption.



5-Person Trauma First Aid Kit

This kit is a perfect addition to your family’s three-day food and water emergency preparedness kit. This 5-person bag provides a variety of products to clean, treat and bandage wounds ranging from eye injuries to bleeding. This pack contains everything needed for first response, but also offers an excellent solution for family homes or small businesses. The included first aid manual provides instructions and information to help remind you how to provide basic first-aid in the event of an emergency.

When disaster strikes, knowing the basics can be the difference between life and death. This emergency pack and its handbook are designed to help you put to use the skills you've already learned during an emergency course. We recommend preparing yourself for a real-life emergency with a hands-on course in first aid, CPR or both. If you reside in the Van Nuys area, check out our upcoming schedule for classes in first aid, pet safety and outdoor survival.

This kit is also available for 15 people.

Hurricanes

Where Do Hurricanes Occur

Hurricanes are a threat to those living along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts in the South and, less often, along the Northeast coast. Hurricanes that affect the United States develop in the Atlantic Ocean, travelling at roughly 15 miles per hour across the sea. These windstorms can be several hundred miles across and often pass through a number of Caribbean countries before making landfall.

According to CNN, 117 hurricanes have touched down in Florida there from 1851-2017. That's almost twice as many as the second state on the list: Texas (64). Third and fourth on the list of most frequent hurricane hits are Louisiana (54) and North Carolina (51).


Every state that borders the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico, with the exception of Delaware, was affected by at least two hurricanes during the surveyed period.


Anatomy of a Hurricane

Hurricane winds move around an eye, the central part, in a counter-clockwise direction in the Northern Hemisphere and a clockwise direction in the Southern Hemisphere. This occurs because air moves from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas.

Once a hurricane hits land, it begins to decrease in strength because its source of fuel, warm and moist air, is diminished. However, a hurricane's damaging winds can be powerful enough to cause significant damage even hundreds of miles inland.

Types of Damage

In addition to heavy rains and winds, hurricanes cause storm surges. The storm surges caused by hurricanes usually cause the most damage because of the amount of flooding that can result. Storm surges result from winds pushing seawater to much higher levels than normal, similar to how a tsunami causes immense waves.

How to Prepare

First, stay alert to news and emergency broadcasts for the latest forecasts and warnings. Ensure that you know right away whether government officials have made any evacuation orders; if you are asked to evacuate, do so. 

Have a go-bag ready if you do need to evacuate. This can include:

• Water 
• Medications 
• Flashlight 
• Batteries 
• Radio 
• First aid supplies 

Prepare your home or place of business for the hurricane. 

• Trim nearby trees that could fall on the property
• Bring in any potential projectiles such as trashcans and patio furniture
• Ensure that rain gutters are clear of debris to minimize water damage
• Use permanent storm shutters or board up windows

If you are remaining in the area, be prepared for power and water outages.

• A portable generator can keep food cold and provide a light source
• Keep it at least 20 feet from all doors and windows 
• Turn your refrigerator on the coldest setting possible and keep it closed once the power goes out 
• Keep a supply of non-perishable foods
• Don't attempt to drive or walk anywhere until roads are cleared
• Never drive through moving floodwater

Evacuating with Elderly or Immobile Persons & Pets 

• Prepare essential medications
• Utilize a cooler if any medications need to be stored cold
• Transfer prescriptions refills, if necessary
• Ensure hotels offer easy disability access & are pet-friendly
• Remain calm and positive