What is the Finite Pool of Worry?

Mar 03, 2018 Posted by: Stuart Warshaw Did you know,  Psychology of preparedness

Just as it sounds, humans have only a given capacity to worry. The upshot? As paradoxical as it may be to human nature, the best time to get prepared is when preparedness is lowest on your worry list. <Read More>

Do You Live in a Flood Zone?

Mar 03, 2018 Posted by: Stuart Warshaw Being prepared

A recent article in Houston Public Media caused us to wonder "how many people don't realize they live in an evacuation zone?" <Read More>

Food - What to Put in Your Go Bag and In Your House

Mar 03, 2018 Posted by: Karina Warshaw Being prepared,  Emergency supplies

There's a rule of thumb that we can go three minutes without air, three days without water and three weeks without food - but who wants to test that rule? <Read More>

Cash is King

Mar 03, 2018 Posted by: Stuart Warshaw Being prepared,  Emergency supplies

Put cash in your go bag, in your top drawer, hide some in your car - and don't dip into it! When the power goes out and the digital world is useless, you'll be glad you have it. <Read More>

Storm Coming? Just Add Water

Mar 03, 2018 Posted by: Stuart Warshaw Being prepared,  Did you know

When there's a storm on the way, and you don't need to leave, it's a good idea to fill your tub with water. <Read More>

The Hayward Fault and Cascadia Subduction Zone

Jan 31, 2018 Posted by: Stuart Warshaw Did you know

Both San Francisco and Seattle are statistically well overdue for a major quake. <Read More>

Do This One Thing Now

Jan 31, 2018 Posted by: Karina Warshaw Being prepared

There’s one thing you can do to prepare for emergencies right now. Sign up for this web site: http://do1thing.com/

<Read More>

Duct Tape Can Help Save Your Life

Jan 30, 2018 Posted by: Karina Warshaw Did you know,  Emergency supplies

Many people wonder why the VLES GO-bag has a full role of duct tape in it. Well, for one thing, duct tape can hold together almost anything, including hems, fencing (we've experienced this), torn bags, etc. But, it also can save your life.  <Read More>

New Year's Resolution #1 - Make or Update Your Plan

Jan 30, 2018 Posted by: Karina Warshaw Being prepared

Last week we updated our emergency plan - something we do periodically. This time, we decided to start from scratch and to time it - including making copies of the documents we wanted in our GO-bag. We took out our Readiness Playbook, grabbed a pen, took a look at our watch and got started. <Read More>

What is Optimism Bias?

Jan 17, 2018 Posted by: Stuart Warshaw Did you know,  Psychology of preparedness

Optimism bias "the tendency of individuals to underestimate the likelihood they will experience adverse events." <Read More>

Beware the River

Jan 17, 2018 Posted by: Stuart Warshaw Did you know

Forty million Americans are at risk of having their homes flooded - more than three times as many people as federal flood maps show. A group of US and UK scientists have presented their findings at the American Geophysical Union meeting. An important read for our river dwelling communities. Read more from the BBC.

Plan. Prepare. Practice.

Jan 05, 2018 Posted by: Karina Warshaw Being prepared

When it comes to getting your family ready for emergencies, you need to make a plan, prepare an emergency GO-bag with your personal and essential items, and practice how you will evacuate your home and what route you will take to gather your family members. <Read More>