In our commercialized world, there are so many products begging you to buy them – especially around Christmas time. It can be difficult to find gifts for people who simply don’t seem to need anything!

No matter how many fun games, electronics, vacations, or furniture someone might have, none of that will benefit them in times of crisis. And preparedness is so often overlooked.

That’s why, this year, my family is planning to give emergency preparedness Christmas gifts. Join us and give the gift of life! From fire safety to food storage, the possibilities are endless. Keep reading to see what we’ve come up with.

Fire Safety Christmas Gifts

Fire Extinguisher

Yeah, I know nothing says I love you like a fire extinguisher, but it is a practical and fire safety conscious gift that you can give. Besides, every home is required to have them by code. Feel free to use our gift tag

Fire/Carbon Monoxide Alarms

These are great fire safety gifts for people that live in older model homes since building codes didn’t require them in every room until the 90’s (I assume since my home didn’t have them in every room). Many homes still don’t have any kind of carbon monoxide alarm either. Just one can save a life, and a home.

Feel free to use our gift tags

Fire Blanket

A fire blanket is a great alternative or addition to a fire extinguisher because it’s lightweight, easy to use, has no expiration, and no messy cleanup. They also make a very affordable and practical Christmas gift for the preparation-focused gifter.

Fire Escape Ladder

In the event of a fire, it’s especially dangerous for someone living above the first floor. A high fall can harm/kill you just as surely as flames can. That’s why an emergency fire escape ladder can make an awesome gift!

If you’re strapped for cash this year, this is the perfect gift to make at home. Here is our guide for a DIY Fire Escape Ladder.

If you’re strapped for time but have some cash, there are plenty of affordable emergency escape ladders on the market to choose from! We really like this one:

Fire Emergency Stickers

Most people don’t consider that firefighters have no way of knowing how many people need to be saved. Having stickers like these scattered throughout the house could mean the difference between some of your family and all of your family making it out.

Fireproof Cloak

This is another amazing survival piece that you can gift this Christmas. In a house/room with no escape, protection for those few precious minutes before the fire department gets there could mean everything.

Fire Safety Goggles

These fire safety goggles pair perfectly with the cloak for all-encompassing protection. The goggles can also be practical for friends and family who have hands-on hobbies like metalworking, woodworking, or home improvement.

Children’s Fire Safety Book

This cute fire-safety storybook would make an amazing gift for a family, especially bundled with the fire extinguisher. With so many things for kids to learn, parents agree that they’ll take all the help they can get!

Food Storage Christmas Gifts

Freeze Dried Food Variety Pack

Knowing that you have enough meals to survive and thrive through worst-case scenarios will give your loved ones a peace of mind that they didn’t even know they needed.

Water Purification Tablets

When preparing a food storage, many people overlook the resource that’s even more important: water. You never know the state of the water you’ll have access to when enduring an emergency situation. These tablets make the perfect, affordable Christmas present that might save lives.

We’ve written a whole article about water purification tablets – find it here.

Bulk Flour

Without access to a grocery store, your pantry flour supply would dwindle pretty quick – as would other essentials like oats, spices, cereal, milk, etc. Buying these basics in bulk would yield great emergency preparedness christmas gifts.

If you’re able to find even larger quantities of flour, check out our post here where we pack bulk flour for long-term food storage.

Mylar Bags With Oxygen Absorbers

Another great budget-friendly option gives your friends and family all the basics that they need to start their own food storage!

Survival Tool Christmas Gifts

Hand Crank Flashlight

One thing you do not want to go without in an emergency situation is a flashlight. There are lots of reasons why regulars wouldn’t work in an emergency – no batteries, electricity, etc. This one by FosPower has 5 different ways to charge, including hand-cranking. It also serves as a radio and phone charger, making it a perfectly useful and practical tool.

For more hand crank flashlight ideas, check out our post here.

Solar Generator

Possibly even more important than a flashlight is a generator that can power all of your needs in an emergency. You never know if you’ll have access to electricity or even gas in an emergency, so it’s important to only rely on the resources that won’t ever go away – like the sun.

Car Window Smasher

Plummeting your car into a body of water definitely constitutes an emergency, and too many are caught in situations like these with no escape. These little window smashers double as seatbelt cutters, and they are absolutely essential to have in the car at all times.

Emergency Survival Kit

Get them everything at once with this awesome, handy, very affordable tool kit. As you can see, it comes with all the basics that a person would need to endure an emergency situation – from shovels to fishing equipment to medical supplies. And, it all fits in a convenient backpack.

QuikClot Gauze

Everyone should have a first aid kit already (check out our guide to making Dollar Store first aid kits), but sometimes basic medical supplies don’t quite do it. Like it says, this incredible gauze is proven to stop bleeding 5x faster, which could mean the difference between life and death in an emergency situation.

Baby Choking Suction Device

Everyone knows that choking is a huge contributor to infant mortality, and it’s amazing that there are devices out there like these that can save a child’s life. Any parent would be thrilled to receive something like this (even if they already have one – the more the merrier for the car, different rooms, school backpack, etc).

Emergency Mylar Blanket

These are absolutely essential to have in an emergency kit – especially if you live somewhere cold. It doesn’t take much to freeze, and even just one winter night in the elements can be fatal. There’s no excuse for not making sure your whole circle has these super cheap heat-retaining blankets!

Personal Safety Christmas Gifts

Keychain Alarm

Many experts insist that, when attacked (by humans AND animals), it’s best to draw attention to your situation and encourage the attacker to flee. These keychain alarms make loud noise and flashing lights when unplugged, which definitely draws attention, and they’re super convenient to keep around.

Another perk to keychain alarms is for the elderly who could fall and not be loud enough to reach the ears of anyone close.

Pepper Spray and Stun Gun

Lots of people have keychain mace (including me), but not as many people know that you can carry a stun gun for self defense. It emits electricity to “stun” your attacker, causing “intolerable pain” – which is something you need when fighting for your life. This is the perfect affordable emergency preparedness gift or stocking stuffer!

Conclusion

Each holiday season, everyone endures the same stressful consideration of what to gift friends and family. The perfect solution is emergency preparedness gifts! They can be as simple or extravagant as you’d like, and, no matter what, you’ll feel confident in giving a meaningful (and possibly life-saving) product.

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Ultimate Guide To Starting Your Long Term Food Storage

Preparedness Mama and its collaborators have created a one-stop shop of critical resources for families looking to prepare for disaster. We know firsthand that getting ready for the worst with a big family poses some particular challenges.

 

We’ve learned from the past so that you don’t have to make the same mistakes again. Fear of the unknown is one of the scariest things in life, but we hope that Preparedness Mama’s treasure trove of practical advice will make that unknown less daunting and ultimately help take the scared out of being prepared for every single one of our readers.

It’s hard to think that anything will make you feel more comfortable after a disaster.

But remember the little things.  What are the things that can make things a bit more durable?

In the midst of a crisis, comfort items within a 72-hour kit can be the soothing balm that helps individuals navigate the emotional tumult that often accompanies emergencies. The psychological impact of these seemingly simple items should not be underestimated. While the primary objective of a 72-hour kit is to provide the essentials for survival, comfort items play a pivotal role in maintaining one’s mental and emotional well-being during challenging times.

When thinking about comfort items, envision the security of a soft blanket wrapped around you, the nostalgic aroma of a favorite snack, or the reassurance that personal mementos can bring in a time of distress. These familiar and cherished items offer a sense of normalcy, acting as emotional anchors that keep us grounded in an otherwise unpredictable situation. The act of snuggling into a cozy blanket or savoring a beloved treat can provide a comforting routine, which can be invaluable when the world around you feels chaotic and uncertain.

It’s hard to think that anything will make you feel more comfortable after a disaster.

But remember the little things.  What are the things that can make things a bit more durable?

Sleeping bags or Comfortable Blankets

-Every kit should have the reflective super blanket, but let’s face it, they’re like snuggling up to tin foil. An ultra-light sleeping bag or even a cheap light fleece blanket can be a small source of joy. An inflatable or ultra-light pillow would be heavenly.

Practical Purposes of Comfort Items

Moreover, comfort items can serve practical purposes as well. That soft blanket isn’t just for comfort; it can also provide warmth when the temperature drops. Favorite snacks can supply a quick energy boost when needed most, and personal mementos can offer motivation and resilience during tough times. The psychological comfort they provide extends beyond simple sentimentality; it is rooted in their capacity to improve our emotional state and, in turn, our ability to cope with adversity. So, while these items may not seem critical in the traditional sense, their significance becomes evident in their ability to offer solace, emotional support, and even practical advantages during a crisis.

Entertainment for Mental Resilience

One key aspect of the importance of entertainment lies in the need to reduce boredom and isolation during a crisis. Boredom can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and restlessness, and isolation can intensify the emotional toll of a disaster. Having entertainment items in your 72-hour kit can serve as a lifeline during these trying times, providing a means to stay engaged, maintain a sense of normalcy, and alleviate the stress that often accompanies emergencies.

Ideal Entertainment Items

So, what are the ideal entertainment items to include in your 72-hour kit? Remember your entertainment needs to be versatile so it can be repeated without losing interest and a portion should be family-oriented.Here are some suggestions:

1. Books: A well-chosen book can transport the mind to different worlds, offering an escape from the immediate challenges. Be sure the books are new and unfamiliar but similar to some beloved favorites. If your kids have a stack of favorites that they could read for hours – purchase a second copy and pack them as well. Familiarity is an important thing in helping them cope as well. Don’t forget school workbooks since it could be a while before schools open. Homeschooling will help establish a familiar routine and a sense of normalcy, which is vital for emotional recovery.
2. Playing Cards: A standard deck of playing cards is a versatile source of entertainment, offering a variety of games for individuals or groups.
3. Comfort Items: Every child seems to have that one ratty stuffed animal that they literally can’t live without. Don’t forget it! Pack a second in your pack, or get as close as possible. You are not going to be able to search your house looking for it. If their favorite changes frequently, just be sure to pack something. A security item is vital in helping them cope and gives them a feeling of security. Once again, a small dollar-store stuffed animal is a great way to go. Same with a small blanket which you can also find at dollar stores.
4. Puzzle Books: Sudoku, crossword puzzles, and brain-teasers provide mental stimulation and a sense of accomplishment.
5. Board Games: Compact versions of board games like chess, checkers, or travel-sized editions of popular games can provide hours of entertainment.
6. Notebook and Pen: Having a notebook and pen allows individuals to jot down their thoughts, maintain a journal, or engage in creative writing or sketching.
7. Musical Instruments: If anyone in your family plays a musical instrument like a harmonica or a ukulele, these can offer both entertainment and emotional comfort.
8. Art Supplies: Compact art supplies such as colored pencils, sketchbooks, or adult coloring books can serve as creative outlets.
9. Battery-Powered Radio: This will help you stay informed about the situation, receive critical updates, and even offer a connection to the outside world, reducing feelings of isolation.
10. Indoor Games and Rules: This site has it all; simply print a few and add them to your pack. www.fungameskidsplay.com– classic games, clapping games, etc
11. Scriptures: Individuals find solace and strength in including scriptures or religious texts. For many, these sacred writings provide a source of spiritual comfort, hope, and guidance during times of distress. Whether it’s a compact Bible, Quran, Bhagavad Gita, or any other religious scripture, these texts offer a connection to one’s faith and a source of reflection and inspiration. In an emergency, the power of faith and the soothing words of scriptures can bring solace, helping individuals find inner peace and mental resilience as they navigate uncertain and challenging circumstances.

These simple entertainment items are not only effective at passing the time but also offer a much-needed distraction from the challenges at hand, fostering mental resilience in the face of adversity.

Entertainment Items to Avoid

Opt for entertainment that is compact, lightweight, and has a broad appeal within your family or group. Avoid items that are excessively bulky, fragile, or require substantial power, such as large board games, heavy musical instruments, or electronic devices with limited battery life. You don’t want to carry 20 lbs of batteries, and they will go through them – FAST! Besides, we’ve all experienced the meltdown that accompanies being forced to turn something off or when the batteries die.

Additionally, items that may be overly distracting, controversial, or inappropriate for the circumstances should be omitted. The goal of your entertainment choices is to provide comfort and a sense of normalcy, so ensure that the items selected align with the overall purpose of maintaining morale and mental well-being during challenging times.

Hygiene

The importance of maintaining personal cleanliness during a crisis cannot be overstated. In these challenging times, personal comfort and well-being are paramount, and hygiene plays a pivotal role in preserving one’s physical and mental health. A well-rounded 72-hour kit should include personal hygiene items, such as soap, toothpaste, and sanitary supplies, ensuring that individuals can maintain a sense of cleanliness and self-care, even in the direst circumstances. While comfort and entertainment are crucial, they should not come at the cost of neglecting our personal hygiene, which is not only a matter of health but also of comfort and mental resilience in the face of adversity.

There’s nothing like being able to shower after a long day. Sorry, I can’t help you there unless you decide to pack a camp shower (possible but bulky). However, simple items for personal hygiene can go a long way towards making you feel human again

• • Deodorant
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Soap
  • Toothbrushes and toothpaste
  • Wet wipes

Contraceptives

– (BLUSH!) It may be the farthest thing from your mind now about what you’ll be doing after a disaster, but my midwife in South Dakota swears that any kind of blackout is always followed by a surge in babies nine months later. Just be prepared so you don’t have to fret or deal with morning sickness while trying to get your life back together.

Toilet paper

Even seemingly mundane items like toilet paper can make a world of difference. While the focus primarily revolves around sustenance and safety, the inclusion of toilet paper should not be underestimated. When faced with unexpected challenges, maintaining personal hygiene and a semblance of normalcy can significantly impact one’s mental and emotional well-being. Toilet paper, often taken for granted in everyday life, becomes a comfort item in emergency situations, providing a sense of familiarity and cleanliness. The inclusion of this basic necessity in a 72-hour kit acknowledges the importance of both physical and psychological comfort, ensuring that individuals are better equipped to face adversity with a little more dignity and peace of mind.

Basic Toiletries

Basic toiletries, such as soap, toothpaste, and sanitary supplies, are cornerstones of personal hygiene and should be integral components of any 72-hour kit. Soap allows individuals to cleanse their bodies, removing germs and reducing the risk of illness, which is particularly critical when traditional hygiene facilities may be unavailable. Toothpaste not only supports dental health but also offers the mental comfort of fresh breath and a sense of normalcy.

Sanitary Supplies

Sanitary supplies, such as feminine hygiene products or disposable diapers for infants, ensure that individuals can maintain a sense of cleanliness and self-care, even when confronted with adverse conditions. This is particularly important for the emotional well-being of women and parents who are caring for infants.

Feeling clean and refreshed can have a significant impact on morale, reducing feelings of anxiety and discomfort. When individuals can attend to their personal hygiene needs, they are better equipped to face adversity with a sense of self-respect and resilience.

Weather Protection

Weather protection, such as waterproof clothing, compact umbrellas, or emergency ponchos, should not be overlooked. These items not only shield individuals from the elements but also offer the comfort of staying dry and warm, a basic need that can significantly impact mental well-being.

Being prepared for adverse weather conditions ensures that individuals can stay comfortable and engaged, enjoying their chosen forms of entertainment in safety and security, even when nature’s elements are at their most challenging.

Building a Well-Rounded 72-Hour Kit

Creating a 72-hour emergency kit is a critical step in ensuring you and your family are prepared to face unexpected crises with confidence. A well-rounded kit should encompass not only the fundamental essentials for survival but also comfort items and entertainment options. This comprehensive checklist serves as a guide to help you build a 72-hour kit that strikes the ideal balance between meeting immediate needs and promoting mental resilience.

Regular Review and Updates

Your 72-hour kit should be periodically reviewed and updated. Check expiration dates on food and medications, refresh water supplies, and replace batteries. Update clothing and personal documents as needed, and ensure that your comfort and entertainment items are current and relevant.

Building a well-rounded 72-hour kit is a testament to your commitment to preparedness. It goes beyond surviving; it’s about thriving, even in the face of adversity. By striking the right balance between essentials, comfort, and entertainment, and by regularly reviewing and updating your kit, you’re not only safeguarding your physical well-being but also preserving your mental and emotional resilience during times of crisis.

Conclusion

Recognizing the significance of comfort and entertainment within 72-hour kits is a testament to the holistic approach to readiness, addressing both the physical and emotional needs of individuals and families during times of crisis.

As we mark National Preparedness Month, we encourage you to take the National Preparedness Month Challenge. Prepare your own well-rounded emergency kit, striking the ideal balance between essentials, comfort, and entertainment. By doing so, you’re not only securing your physical well-being but also fostering the resilience of your mind and spirit. The path to preparedness is a journey that empowers us all to face an uncertain world with confidence, determination, and unwavering strength.

Rekindle your preparedness kit romance. Get your 72-hour kits out of the closet, brush off the dust. Bring it back to the way things used to be.

Hello, February!! We’ve had many crazy snow and ice storm days here in the Pacific NW since the beginning of the year. As if I needed more than normal life to derail my resolutions. However, the storms certainly helped me accomplish a few. We’ve spent several days homebound due to icy hills, freezing temps, and howling wind. Oh,  and a few power outages. Lots of opportunity for preparedness practice at our house! It’s made me realize that I’ve fallen out of love with my emergency kits.

As we’ve learned from our power outages and tried to follow through with the goals we set, I’ve learned 5 lessons about how this happened and how to reclaim the preparedness relationship I used to have with my emergency kits.

Lesson 1: Making an Emergency Kit Isn’t Enough!

Keep the fire alive for your kit so it doesn’t die out and leave you stranded. We often assume the hard part of being prepared is getting started. I think keeping the kit ready for action may actually be harder than starting from scratch.

Things change, A LOT when you have kids. Growth spurts, new babies, potty training and diapers, the seasons, new school years, and activities!

All these variables affect our preparedness supplies as much as they influence our day-to-day lives. But since these changes usually have us rushing around before we’ve fully adapted we often neglect to update our kits, plans, and forms. So, a few years could go by before you get around to re-doing it and by then, half your kit has to be replaced, (A shameful cough) like mine. Which leads to…

Lesson 2: Set Biannual or Quarterly Dates With Your 72-hour Kits.

Refresh your memory for what’s in those bags, and update what is outdated. 

I like to think of my preparedness kit as my Survivor Alter Ego, my silent second life. Sadly it’s as messed up as anyone would be if they were locked up in a closet for a year at a time.

I have kids and limited space, so all the kits will not fit into one place. Instead, we stash the kits where kids can’t “enjoy” them and they are scattered throughout my house. I rationalize this as not putting all my eggs in one basket. Truth be told it just makes staying on top of things even harder. Get around this by setting regular dates with your kits. Like the doctors or the dentist.

Hopefully, you date your spouse more than twice a year. Include your kit in your conversations. Think about it, more than just a fleeting “I should look through that.” Date your kit!

LESSON 3: Store Your Stuff Together.

Long distance relationships are complicated and hard. 

You know what keeps me from starting to go through my kits? That I need to have everything out to go through it. With 8 people in my family that can be a LOT of work! Naturally, there’s always a reason we can’t get together.

Related Content: Building your Emergency Supplies without Stress

Not enough time, space, or the house is destroyed already. The easier your kits are to access, the more you’ll be able to connect with them. Not just to keep them stocked and rotated, but when you NEED them in an emergency. Close the gap!

Lesson 4: It’s a Family Affair!

No one really appreciates what others quietly do for them.

If you always get stuck with clean up, you resent it and eventually get a bit burnt out or apathetic about it. It’s not good for one person in a relationship to carry all the weight. Teamwork is important.

More importantly, what you don’t work on, you don’t think about. Preparedness is a mindset, a lifestyle! It needs to be a part of your regular life, and your family’s too! Involve them in your emergency kit preparations and updates, embrace it.

More importantly, listen to your family’s thoughts and opinions (unless you have small children than just smile and nod because their suggestions will likely be hilarious!). It’s their kit too, so help all family members be invested in the relationship.

Lesson 5: Make it fun! 

Hopefully, you don’t approach date night with a business attitude. “Hello hun, it’s time for our monthly dinner meeting. Here’s the agenda for the evening.”

I would find excuses to avoid that date night, and probably any of those dates in the future. So make it fun! Don’t just go through your checklist quickly try to get through it so you can do something else. Make it a scavenger hunt, a race, a look-and-find game. Laugh and talk together as you work.

Even just having old (not expired or moldy) food from your 72-hour kits while you watch a movie and sort through them makes the job more enjoyable. You may even want to have dates with your kit(s) more than once every year or so. 

This February, please rekindle that preparedness romance. Fish those kits out of the closet, brush off the dust. Open up your backpack and your heart to the way things used to be. It could save your life one day. 

Tell us, how did your kit date go? Did you rekindle the romance? 

Preparedness Mama and its collaborators have created a one-stop shop of critical resources for families looking to prepare for disaster. We know firsthand that getting ready for the worst with a big family poses some particular challenges.

 

We’ve learned from the past so that you don’t have to make the same mistakes again. Fear of the unknown is one of the scariest things in life, but we hope that Preparedness Mama’s treasure trove of practical advice will make that unknown less daunting and ultimately help take the scared out of being prepared for every single one of our readers.