Are You Ready for a Storm Emergency?

It was a crazy hurricane season and thankfully, it is almost over.  Over the last several months, people have had to leave their homes due to hurricanes, fire, and tornados.  Now some of us are starting to think about winter – the Farmer’s Almanac says it will be a bad one.  UGH!  I am not one for cold weather but I am gratefully I work from home so I can stay snuggled in on those cold winter days.

If you were a Girl Scout or a Boy Scout, you have always been told “be prepared” and we want to help you.

The truth is “Be Prepared” should be your motto.  I mean who wants to be in the midst of the “craziness” when an evacuation  or storm warning is issued.  We have all seen the news when a storm is forecast, right?  People running to the store for bread, eggs, milk and maybe some batteries.  I am grateful hubby is BIG on being prepared and we are well stocked.

No matter where you live, there is always the potential for an emergency situation to arise and it’s infinitely better to prepare ahead of time rather than having to scramble at the last minute. So here’s some steps process for preparing.

#1 Make a List

What kind of emergencies are you likely to face in your area? Maybe it is hurricanes, or tornadoes, or blizzards.  Whatever it is, create a list of items you might need.  Yes, there are the basics like food and water, but how about those unusual things?  Maybe a pocket charger for your phones, LED or solar lamps (in the event of long-term power outage and the need to work in the dark to repair something, etc.), baby wipes and perhaps the most essential emergency supply: chocolate.

#2 Gather Items Into One Location

Maybe you have the emergency supplies on hand,so you figure you are all set. The next question is but can you find them quickly?  If not, they won’t be much help to you or your family. You can keep items in a closet like we are now, or in plastic totes in an accessible area of your garage.

Have kids?  What about a Go Bag, or an emergency backpack for each them. A variety of things they might need based on their age if you need to leave your home in an emergency.

#3 Rotate Your Supplies

You’re all stocked, right?  You have everything you need, right?  Did you know canned goods and bottled water don’t stay fresh forever?  They have expiration dates on them.  So be sure to check your supplies at least once a year to rotate out the about-to-expire goods and replace them with fresh items.

#4 Develop a Preparedness Mindset

This is a great time of year to check out the clearance and sale items to add to your emergency stash. Camping goods (portable stoves, lanterns, etc) are in the Fall.  Backpacks at the end of the back-to-school season. Canned goods are often cheaper around the holidays and you can stock up on candles at Christmas. You can also find many emergency supplies at the dollar store.

So…………

Will you be ready when an emergency hits?

If the answer any of these questions are a resounding NO, then you need to get it together. It is never too late to start. Batteries should be a mainstay in your home. Candles, extra food with important papers & medications easy to grab if you need to evacuate.  Do you have a list of all of the medications and supplements you take available?  I have one in my purse, one in my planner and one on my phone with the name of my doctors so if there was an emergency, I am ready.

What are your best tips for being prepared in an emergency?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

 

Plan for a Storm Emergency

I know, you think I am a little crazy, right?  Hurricane season is almost over here on the Jersey Shore and we are a long way from a blizzard (hopefully).  If you were a Girl Scout or a Boy Scout, you have always been told “be prepared” and we want to help you.

The truth is “Be Prepared” should be your motto.  I mean who wants to be in the midst of the “craziness” when a hurricane or blizzard warning is issued.  You know what I mean, the ones who run to the store for bread, eggs, milk and maybe some batteries.  I am grateful hubby is BIG on being prepared and we are well stocked.

No matter where you live, there is always the potential for an emergency situation to arise and it’s infinitely better to prepare ahead of time rather than having to scramble at the last minute. So here’s some steps process for preparing.

#1 Make a List

What kind of emergencies are you likely to face in your area? Maybe it is hurricanes, maybe it is tornadoes, or maybe it is blizzards.  Whatever it is, create a list of items you might need.  Yes, there is the basics like food and water, but how about those unusual things?  Maybe a pocket charger for our phones, LED head lamps (in the event of long-term power outage and the need to work in the dark to repair something, etc.), baby wipes and perhaps the most essential emergency supply: chocolate.

#2 Gather Items Into One Location

Maybe you have the emergency supplies on hand,so you figure you are all set. The next question is but can you find them quickly?  If not, they won’t be much help to you or your family. You can keep items in a closet like we are now, or in plastic totes in an accessible area of your garage.

Have kids?  What about a Go Bag, or  an emergency backpacks for each them. A variety of things they might need based on their age if you would need to leave you home in an emergency.

#3 Rotate Your Supplies

You are stocked, right?  You have everything you need, right?  Did you know that canned goods and bottled water don’t stay fresh forever?  They have expiration dates on them.  So be sure to check your supplies at least once a year to rotate out the about-to-expire goods and replace them with fresher items.

#4 Develop a Preparedness Mindset

This is a great time of year to check out the clearance and sale items to add to your emergency stash. Camping goods (portable stoves, lanterns, etc) are in the Fall.  Back packs at the end of the back-to-school season. Canned goods are often cheaper around the holidays and you can stock up on candles at Christmas. You can also find many emergency supplies at the dollar store.

So…………

Will you be ready when an emergency hits?

If the answer any of these questions are a resounding NO, then you need to get it together. It is never too late to start. Batteries should be a mainstay in your home. Candles, extra food, important papers & medications easy to grab if you needed to evacuate.  Do you have a list of all of the medications and supplements you take available?  I have one in my purse, one in my planner and one on my phone with the name of my doctors so if there was an emergency, I am ready.

What are your best tips for being prepared in an emergency?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

 

A Gift Giving Solution

Happy Saturday Everyone!  Can you believe that is just 18 days it will be Christmas?  YIKES!  How many of  you have all of your shopping done?  Is your house all decorated and ready to receive guests?

I have to admit that my tree is not up yet!  It is on my list to do but I vowed not to rush through it this year.  You know the “I have to do this so let’s get it done”.  I want to treasure the memories of each ornament as I get ready for the girls to come home for Christmas.

With that being said, we will be doing a lot of running around during the 6 days they are here.  Family and friends to visit with.  Shopping to finish up.  Grocery shopping to do.  Then the trek to my best friend’s house for Christmas Eve.  The one bag that will be with me through ALL of this is my Thirty One large utility tote.  Okay, so maybe I will have more than one…

Not only will I look organized but it makes packing the car so much easier.  I know you are probably thinking, my large utility tote doesn’t stand up like that unless it is packed full, right?

The secret is a “Stand Tall Insert“.  No, you can’t find them in the catalog.  They are on special this month for $15 with a $35 purchase.  So, if you buy a large utility tote for $35, you can get the insert for $15.  PLUS you can pick TWO, yes I said TWO more of the customer specials for a total of THREE with a $35 purchase.  No, I haven’t been sipping wine already this morning, it is the BEST monthly customer special yet!

So whether you need a large utility tote for the athlete in your family

Or maybe you are a realtor that recently sold a home or know someone who is moving into a new home:

Or maybe you want to help someone be prepared for whatever storm may come their way

The Large Utility Tote is a perfect solution.  Remember that if you want to be guaranteed Christmas delivery, be sure to order by December 10th.  Save on wrapping, packing and trips to the post office by having your gift shipped direct to that special someone.  Their Thirty One gift will arrive in our special holiday wrapping:

What is your favorite use for your large utility tote?  Or who do you know that could use one of these?  Share your thoughts with us.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!