Friday, August 21, 2015

January 2015 Newsletter

Is your Family ready for a long winter storm?  Winter storms can cause power outages that can last from a couple hours to several days.  Do you have plenty of food, fuel and light and a way to cook without power?  There are many powerless cooking options but most cannot be used indoors.  You should have more than one way to cook without power.  If you live in an apartment, find something that can be used on a deck or balcony.

Update your 72 hr kits:  As part of the November Newsletter I sent a suggested 72 hr kit list.  This list is a good place to START but most likely will not contain everything you could need.  Customize your kits for the needs of your family and situation.  Now that the Holidays are over and there is no yard work, it is a great time to take out your kits and update the food and clothing.  If food is really old, throw it away. If it will expire soon or has recently, go ahead and use it up.  Add new food to your kits that family members will eat.    Now is also the perfect time to check the clothing sizes for everyone in the house and to buy or add winter clothing.
We recently bought winter clothing that was on sale, and some was on clearance.  Look in the Sporting Goods department for great deals on outdoor and cold weather items.  We bought ours at a Big Box store but Farmer’s Supply stores and recreation supply stores such as Recreation Outlet can also have great deals.  Most stores will also have all of their winter clothing on clearance starting as early as late January.  I will list some things that we bought that were very affordable and practical, warm and comfortable.  Keep these in your kits at all times.
At least 1 pair of sweat pants and a long sleeve sweat shirt.  I would rather have them a little too big, rather than tight.  This way they are comfortable and you can always layer other things under them.  They can also be used as pajamas.
A warm hat.  Some even have earflaps.  (Sorry this is not a fashion show!).
A pair of warm gloves.   The more water resistant the better.
A pair of snow pants, if possible.  Navy blue and black are unisex in color so you can get the most use out of them and pass them down in the family.
A balaclava or other face mask.
Wool or wool blend socks.   Hand or feet warmers.  Emergency essentials sells re-usable ones called ‘Hot Spot”.  My outdoorsy kids love these.


Food Suggestions:  Think of non-perishable, easy to prepare, your kids will eat it and will give you protein and energy.  Some of the things we include are, canned meat soups, meats, chili, pastas, heat and eat meals, MREs, jerky, high protein granola bars, nuts, and trail mix and dried fruits.  The jerky, nuts, trail mix and bars should be rotated at least once a year.  They WILL go bad!

Full Disclosure on ANY of the items and businesses that I highlight:  Please be aware that I do highlight preparedness items and the occasional business and website for your information only.  These are my PERSONAL recommendations of people and things that I have used and had a good experience.  I am sharing this with all of you so that you can choose for yourself to help your family, or not. I am in no way compensated for these little highlights and I am in nowise associated with these businesses other than I have been a customer or I took a class from them or saw their website and thought it might help others.  I do this to give you info and options.

Safe Harbor Alliance Company with Jim Phillips    www.safeharboralliance.com
Jim Phillips lives right here in Northern Utah and is a world-known expert in cold weather survival.  He also specializes in his Cold Weather clothing system called PALS and for his knowledge regarding Sanitation.  He has been a frequent guest speaker at Preparedness Expos and he has a newsletter and weekly radio podcast. Jim occasionally teaches FREE classes on his DIY cold weather clothing system.  He has been in this business for well over 30 years.  He also sells books and DVDs on his website.
To listen to any of Jim’s radio podcasts, go to his website and click on “education” and then “radio show”. To listen to a LIVE broadcast, they air every Tuesday night at 8pm MST.  At the BOTTOM of the page, click on the “archived shows” in blue.  They have archived ALL of his radio shows.  Or try this link www.shbroadcast.com/radio-show.html
Jim will be teaching a FREE class very soon on his cold weather clothing system.  This class will be on Saturday Jan. 17th 10am-3pm.  (There will be a lunch break). Location:  In the Executive Suites Bldg at 2975 Executive Parkway, behind Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, Utah.  At the end of his class he will be giving away copies of his Pattern and DVD on his DIY cold weather PALS clothing.  He will have some supplies for sale on site that day for this PALS system.
                              




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