Emergency Preparedness Products for the Homestead or the 'Bug Out Bag'

If the last two years taught us anything, it’s to be prepared. From massive wildfires on the West Coast to frozen pipes in Texas, from a catastrophic derecho in Iowa to massive Nor’easters and hurricanes, the weather has become increasingly variable, unstable and unpredictable. And, in many cases, infrastructure and the government response to calamity, vulnerable or lacking.

While our completely solar-powered homestead, when combined with woodstove for heat in the winter, might tease us into complacency, we realize it’s impossible to predict the next turn of events in what seems to be Kunstler’s Long Emergency reality. My wife, Lisa Kivirist, and son Liam, and I are no stranger to disaster preparedness. We always have our stash of bottled water, stand-by flashlights and other lights, and even a solar-powered backpack for when we’re on the move. We have several go-to solar ovens that we use nearly every day in the warmer seasons to bake our zucchini bread or re-heat leftovers; in an emergency situation on sunny days, they can purify our water and cook our meals regardless the time of year.

But we’re always on the lookout for new items, to be better prepared. Ready for anything. Like survivalists, we prioritize water, shelter, electricity, and food. While some folks might consider “essential services” a delivery person or healthcare professional, we realize life can be turned upside down without water or power -- and that could be just one ice storm away.

Here’s a few of the latest findings contributed by John D. Ivanko.