Winter is a dangerous season, often with unpredictable turns in weather and unreliable forecasts. We’ve chosen 10 top things to have on hand in case of a winter emergency, such as a blizzard or ice storm, or windy power-outage. With the ten things we’ve chosen, you may feel safe from the threats of this winter.

1. Food Storage & Emergency Stove: It is important to have good, reliable food storage on hand that is imperishable and can be prepared without power, given the chance of a power outage. Freeze dried and dehydrated food is ideal, which can be prepared by just adding water. Purchasing an emergency stove will heat the food and cause it to cook faster. It can also be used as a source of warmth.
2. Power Alternative Heater: During a winter storm, temperatures drop below freezing, and if the power goes out you will need a power alternative heater. If you have a fireplace, make sure to have a lot of dry wood on hand.
3. Water Supply: With temperatures below freezing, you may have to turn off your main water source to keep your pipes from freezing and bursting. This kind of damage can really cost you, so it is best to turn off the water and use an alternative clean water supply during a storm.
4. First Aid Kit: If the weather is bad and you are stuck inside, you will need a first aid kit for any injuries that may occur. Risking the intense weather conditions can be more harmful than helpful.
5. Candles and Flashlights: Make sure you have an alternative light source as well. Keep both candles and flashlights on hand, and if the flashlights are battery operated, make sure you have a good supply of batteries.
6. Medicine: Make sure you have some medicine stocked up, and check the expiration dates.
7. Powerless Radio: Keep a power alternative radio, battery or hand powered. It is vital to stay in touch with what is happening outside, so you know the threats and what the community is doing to help.
8. Communication: Keep your cell phones charged. Don’t lose communication with the outside world. Investing in a generator is a good idea, because it is impossible to know for sure how long a storm or power outage will last.
9. Snow Shovels: Obviously, there’s a chance you will have to dig your way out of your home once the storm passes. Keep a good sturdy shovel or two to help clear away damage.
10. Matches & Pocket Knife: These emergency essentials are a must-have.

With these items on hand, you can rest easy. And remember, the most important thing is to keep calm and stay inside. Winter storms pass in time.

Preparing for a disaster can be stressful, not to mention costly, and many people find it difficult to spend money on food storage and survival gear they may or may not ever use. What’s important to remember, however, is that these items give more than just peace of mind, they are an investment in your future and well being, and might just keep you alive someday. You can do some disaster preparation of your own that can give you what you need while fitting your budget.

The first thing to consider is prioritizing and deciding what to spend your money on. Once you start looking at survival gear it’s easy to get sucked into buying a whole lot of emergency supplies you probably won’t need. Take a look at this list of the important things you really need, so you can survive with the basics, staying within your budget.

1. Food – Food storage is a must-have. While a lot of disaster prep gear can be done cheaply, it’s a smart idea to spend money on good food storage worth your while. We would recommend at least a 3-6 month supply. Food storage doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult, our food storage subscription plans start at $61 and have the option to cancel anytime. Now you can start building your supply at a price that fits any budget.

Also, filler foods like our freeze-dried fruit and vegetables are perfect to keep you energized through the day. The quality of your meals is always important, especially during stressful disasters. Long term food storage is something you are going to need and that you will not regret purchasing wisely.

2. Water – Don’t depend on sinks or refrigerators. Invest in an alternate clean water source. Buying water in bulk can get pricey, especially if there are shipping costs, so look for a local seller. Other options are water treatment drops and filters. Some people even dig wells in their yards and buy water filters and bottles to keep costs down. If you need stackable containers check these out from WaterBrick.
3. Heat – You don’t need to spend a lot of money on a non-electric heater if you are on a budget. Just invest in a good amount of firewood and store it somewhere dry. You can find cheap blankets just about anywhere to layer up and keep warm. Blankets are also useful for stuffing around doors and windows to keep the cold outside.
4. First Aid – First aid kits aren’t very expensive if found in the right place. You can even put one together on your own, there are many websites available online to walk you through it. Make sure to have bandages, medicines, antibiotic ointments, latex gloves, and sterilized gauze. First Aid kits can be easy to put together and can save you money.
5. Light – There are many cheaper substitutes for big expensive lanterns. The obvious choice is candles, which you can buy cheaply in bulk. If you’re looking to be a little more creative, however, head down to a hardware store and pick up solar powered garden lights. These won’t put off as much light as expensive LED lanterns, and are not designed for disaster prep, but with enough of them around your house, you can see just enough without the danger of an open flame. You can buy these for as little as $1.00 each and you don’t have to waste money on batteries.

Preparing for a disaster can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Following these guidelines should make it easier for you to prepare without stretching your budget. Prioritizing with the basics and knowing where to invest your money gets you what you need, and gives you the opportunity to survive a disaster, and keep some money in your pocket.

Often, when I tell people I work in the food storage and prepping business, somewhere in the conversation that then tails this information, the so-called 'zombie apocalypse' is brought up. You'd be surprised by how many people actually consider this their number one motivation for prepping, or at least wanting to prep.

So, what's this whole zombie apocalypse thing really about? Let me try to explain. We've all heard of the media inspired walking dead with a cannibalistic taste for human flesh, and the domino effect of the infected. It's definitely been blown up in the cinematic spotlight reaching audiences all around the world who truly find this concept a worst case scenario/nightmare.

And really, the general idea of a zombie apocalypse is not that outlandish. It's about an infectious disease that spreads faster than a cure can be created and proven safe. This has happened a lot in history. It's about humans who lose their grasp of reality and start to eat each other (okay, not so common of an issue, but still, relevant to rabies and other such illnesses). The outbreak causes mass-panic and civilization erupts with anarchy; this has happened before.

Preparing for a zombie pandemic is like preparing for most crises: prepare so that you can hide out until it passes and trust only yourselves with the rations and supplies you've smartly collected independently of the government, since - let's face it - there's way too many people and not enough life boats. It's sort of like a societal fallout, when humans no longer behave like humans, and you can't risk being infected or killed.

According to the Zombie Response Team, bug-out bags are one popular and easy way to prepare for a pandemic of sorts (Keep an eye out for our new bags coming in 2019. We are partnering with some of the best tactical companies in the industry to bring you the best gear to keep you surviving.). Mylar pouches are the best containers and cans are the worst thing to have. Don't get slowed down by heavy cans of food, our freeze dried MREs are perfect for fleeing the panic and grab-n-go buckets make it easy to evacuate fast. Our Emergency Food Kits are perfect for short term needs. If you want to hide out longer, check out our Long Term Food Storage with a 25 year shelf life. All our meals are prepared by simply adding water.

Whether you're worried about zombies or not, preparing for chaos is always the best way to safeguard your role in the uncertain future. Please, don't eat people; eat My Food Storage meals!

American values include independence, safety and family. These are some of the many things we think about when providing our home-grown long term food to people like you, who just want to prepare for anything and keep their family safe.

My Food Storage aims to provide families with a long-term food supply that keeps you in mind. We're about protecting the American dream, keeping your family safe, and providing innovative solutions for the long haul.

This is why we offer what we do, a great product that will last you 25 years without hassle, whatever future troubles you may face. Our food is made with ingredients grown on farms across the United States, and is freeze-dried fresh to guarantee great natural taste and nutrition. It's packaged, not in the out-dated #10 can, but in efficient and safe Mylar pouches that lock in all that farm-fresh goodness.

We know that a lot of freeze-dried food is not kid-approved, some isn't even adult-approved, but our high quality meals have passed every taste-test and impressed. Kids love our Cheesy Mac and Stroganoff, and so will you. Don't believe us? Try a free sample.

Of course, even more important than the taste is what we put into the food, and where it comes from. All of our meals, vegetables and meats are made with only the best farm-grown ingredients, so you can eat well and live well without worry.

The food is freeze-dried, processed and packaged here in the U.S. as well, so you know you can trust in the quality. We don't use any mystery meat or fillers, and provide a wide variety of universally loved entrees and breakfasts to not only suit your needs, but please your taste buds.

We understand that you work hard, play hard and deserve to rest easy. Invest in long-term food you can trust, and enter the future with the security and comfort of an all-American meal.