Looking for ways to take advantage of this month to get your preparedness efforts in gear or more fine tuned for your family, company or community? 

This website is like an encyclopedia of ideas on how to use ICE to do just that. 

Here are a just a few  ideas for you:

Take some of the Preparedness Best Practice Posters and post them at work or use them to generate some conversation at home or with friends.  

Practice Drills for an emergency like the professionals do regularly - only the emphasis will be on helping yourself weather a storm or some representative short term emergency.  24-72 hours without power/water/utilities/internet etc can bring you that much closer to reality than what you are accustomed to.

Send for free ICE Cards/Stickers and complete your Emergency Medical /Contact Form and carry it with you and provide to your contacts.

Sponsor the adoption of ICE as an Emergency Action Plan tool.

Educators can get children into the act by holding ICE Poster Contests that recognize the importance of being prepared.  We can feature them here online if you like.

Take 15-20 minutes a day to Prepare an Emergency Kit for your home/office which can include shopping online for supplies/food/tools or getting some items squared away and working properly like flashlights, batteries, fuel, water, clothing, generators...plenty of ideas onthe blogs here and Google (www.ice4safety.blogspot.com) .
 
More to follow....... stay tuned.

Promoting ICE and need something in a hurry?  Want to place your logo or name on the poster to tell others who is sponsoring the event or ICE giveaway?  Here is one way that can make that happen in about 1-2 minutes.  There is ample room for your own messages to be inserted on the template and additional directions as well.  We offer quite a bit of latitude on how you get the message across.  Use good taste of course.....

Download the file add your logo and print.   Download the Event Poster Template HERE. 

If you want poster size it will work on 11x17 size paper if you want an office supply copy center to print up a color version.....black and white or grayscale works too if you have an office copier.  You can mount or hang or insert in a plastic holder as you see fit.   Let us know if you need a hand or some more ideas. 

Taking a Trip?  Got Your AAA Map, picnic gear, bags, sleeping bag, tent and all that gear?  Forget anything?  

Well don't forget to outfit your ride with an ICE Sticker, ICE Cards, Program Your Cell Phone using E.123 and carry your Medical Info Forms for everyone in your party! 

C'mon, how long will that take now...to save you hours or days....or your life later? 
Get it done. 

Enjoy Summer.  

ICE4SAFETY has not only just lowered prices for ICE Stickers and ICE Cards but also is in the process of expanding the list of items available for organizations to help them promote the preparedness concept through the use of an ICE image embedded into products like E.123 USB Drives, Phone Carriers, Water Bottles, Polo Shirts, Hats with more to come. 

We are starting simple - mostly because it works so well. 

To access the online ICE4SAFETY Catalogue select customer login using "ice" and password of "ice4safety".  Wait until you see what is coming up next.

Been in a car accident?  Got a little shaken up - or worse?  Maybe you lost your bearings after the incident and were a little confused, angry or were trying to figure out what to do or when the police were going to arrive. 

In most states it is mandatory that when motorists are involved in an accident involving property damage or injuries that there is an exchange of information.  That would include license/registration and insurance company data so you can report appropriately. 

In keeping with our "keep it simple" policy here, we have placed another preparedness tool on-line for you to print out and carry in your vehicles - MVA Info Exchange Form.   The ones you get from the insurance companies are so small you cannot read them and you cannot enter names and info in the limited spaces they provide.  Not optimal in an emergency.  

No problem here....and you can make up all you might need for the whole family and have them prefilled if you are so disposed. Variants of this version have been in use by the police for years and certain folks we know had a hand in some revisions a while back.  Since it works so well we placed  the ICE image on it so there is no confusion what it is meant for. 

So, next time the kids or the folks get in an accident with the family car (or their own away from home), make sure they have something that will guide them in the information gathering process - BEFORE the witnesses leave the scene.  

Keep several in the car, use it!  Simple instructions are embedded in the bottom of the form...use the back for extra notes.  You will save time and may not need to wait for the police in minor scrapes....once again learn to take care of yourself.

If you want to get fancy (and practical) print this on waterproof paper.
Don't forget the pen. 

They come two on a page so cut them in half print out in black/white - make copies .....

       
OK, so you have decided to take the time to create a likely disaster scenario for you and/or your family and the best solution for your safety was determined to be a "bug out" or evacuation of your dwelling - or a location you are staying temporarily like a college dorm or apartment.

This is an extremely difficult decision to make, leaving what has (for most) come to represent security in your life - your home. Not to mention all the time and effort creating your suitable domicile and the ubiquitous "stuff".

Needless if you were not overly prepared you will have discovered that maybe this survival/preparedness idea is considerably more complex and difficult than you first thought.

We certainly appreciate that. Remember - this is an ongoing process - not a one size/one time fits all event.

Some things to discuss....

How long did it take after deciding to leave did it take? Under 5 minutes? 10 minutes? 20 minutes? More? How long? Did you actually leave?

Was the planned conveyance - car-boat-motorcycle-bicycle-bus-atv-plane - able to accommodate all your critical gear? Was there an alternative means available? What changes would need to be made before you could use the alternative and how fast could you switch your means of egress?

Were you actually able to carry your evac bag (assuming you had one or more) any distance or was the kitchen sink too heavy (humor)? Were you prepared to carry on by foot if your vehicle failed you?

Did you have a destination goal that was safer than the place you were leaving? If so, in what way and for how long?

Were you accompanied by others or just yourself? What might be some difficulties with injured family members or neighbors (or yourself). Did you consider your known physical limitations?

How far away did you travel? Did your vehicle have sufficient fuel to make the trip or did you have to refuel enroute?

Was the time you held the drill realistic? If another time was more difficult, would you have fared as well as you did this time or worse?

What were the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) presented by the execution of your plan ? Did you encounter challenges you never thought existed or did you exploit opportunities you had considered in your planning stage? What would you do differently and in what (realistic) situations would your pre-planning not work?

Would have sheltering in place (SIP) been a better alternative? If so, why and for how long?

What are some other preparations would you make knowing what you know now? Would your home and the contents be "safe" for short periods of time knowing alarms and police protection would be non existent? Have you considered that?

More food? More water? Better ride? Safer means of carrying documents? Money? Firearms?

Did you find that in fact under certain scenarios you actually had no realistic expectation of being able to remove yourself safely in time to preserve your safety and that of your family? In this case would shelter in place (SIP) be the only option? Should you prepare instead for that response?

This post can go on for hours with a variety of questions and ideas on how you might have, should have, could have...but it was an exercise and exercises are meant to create ideas and evaluate plans and processes.

So, if you developed more questions than answers - do not despair because that is what this was meant to do.

Some of you will undoubtedly throw up your hands and say "if it was meant to be then it was meant to be"......but WTSHTF your flight or fight response will kick in and that previous philosophical lament will quickly become a moot point - so how about "I will prevail" as your mindset instead?    Good.

Sheltering In Place was ridiculed a while back when people laughed at the notion of putting up plastic and duct tape walls in your home to prevent toxic chemical and bio-hazards from entering your home in a terrorist attack or industrial accident.  It actually works but government was reluctant to promote something people scoffed at - but the professionals knew it had merit all along.

Well it turns out that this tactic is in fact a realistic way of surviving some situations and you should add it to your repertoire of survival plans. 
Many of us might not have many options but to Shelter in Place (SIP) because of physical limitations, location or other restrictions. Granted, if the water is rising and it is at your door...SIP is not your immediate answer. 

Typical SIP situations might be Tornado, Hurricane, Social Unrest, Power Outage, Minor Flooding, Snow Storms, Terrorist Attack, Earthquake to name a few.  In some areas where crime is prevalent it may be less advantageous to venture out or look like you are evacuating because you will certainly attract considerable unwanted attention. Looking like a refugee on the roadway will get you picked off for sure.

So for the minimum 72 hour stay in place what would you need?
Depending on where you are - rural homes would likely have considerable more resources geared toward extended self reliance whereas an urban or suburban home/apartment may not be so oriented.  The list of what you could have may different from what you only need to survive and the season or climate where you are.

Clothing - sufficient to withstand daily rigors of working to secure/fix your structure and keep you warm/dry. Inner wear/ outerwear / durable hiking shoes NOT flip flops!
Food- freeze dried meals or MRE's if you are accustomed - otherwise a mixed store of canned precooked balanced meals you could eat cold if you had to. You will need heat to cook your food and maybe keep you warm.  Suitable backpacking stoves exist with fuel canisters or liquid.  You may feel most comfortable with butane/propane stoves and tanks.  Easy to use.
Water - 3 Gallons per day per person.  More if you can store it.  In fact you may never really have enough water on hand. Treat it/Date it/Store Cool-Dark location. 
5 Gallon containers are best bet. Most people are not good at rationing. Cheapest treatment is chlorine bleach - non scented ONLY.
Sanitation- Systems may be out of order so having a pre-positioned asset such as a 6 gallon container/seat with portable toilet digester and toilet paper sealed in plastic will do.  Sanitizing spray liquid ready to mix (lysol).  Wrap in a plastic garbage bag.
Security - Personal option here but if you are alone or protecting your family from marauding gangs or less than friendly neighbors weapons are needed.  Polite conversation is not going to work.  Having a plan to shelter with others who prepare as you do would be an option, but having weapons and knowing how to use them effectively is better.  Reality sucks.
Shelter- If your home/apartment is dmaged you may need to refit some windows with plywood or similar cover including plastic to keep out the elements. Have a tool kit designed for this purpose on hand prepacked - nails, screws, drill/driver(battery) hammer, saw, roll plastic, wood stored conveniently.  Think about what you would have to do to secure a temporary shelter within your home if damaged but still livable.
Communication - Normal systems may likely be overused or out of service including cell phones and land lines. Battery powered CB or UHF Family Radios may offer some comfort and short range utility. 
Lights - It wouldn't be right if we didn't include what the government always says which is to have a flashlight and spare batteries on hand.....yes plenty of them and some damn good LED or Halogen lights or headlamps rated for at least one watt.
Evacuation - Be prepared to leave at a moments notice if rescue comes or you are forced out by weather or some other circumstance.
More to follow....

We can all thank this paramedic fellow here - Bob Brotchie of the U.K. and the East of England Ambulance Trust, with conceiving the idea of ICE.
 
Bob took some time to give us the background on how that all came about during the Summer of 2005 - specifically during the July Terrorist Bombings in London. 

Bob has graciously given EMS-Options and ICE4SAFETY his support for their efforts to continue bringing ICE to everyone.

You can read all of Bob's account HERE.

GASOLINE IS TOXIC, HAZARDOUS AND HIGHLY FLAMMABLE!
FLASH POINT OF GASOLINE IS -45 DEGREES F

That being said, it is understood that many of you are contemplating or already storing gasoline for use in snow blowers, generators, tractors, chain saws etc. and are using many different means to do so. Some methods are hazardous and can cause a calamity.

Consider some basic safety facts when making your decision to store gasoline:

Many local codes prohibit residential storage of Gasoline in excess of 5 gallons.

Gasoline is explosive.

Transporting over 50 gallons of Gasoline on a highway requires permits and equipment.

Personal Protective Equipment is Recommended for Handling Gasoline - Gasoline Resistant Gloves - Safety Glasses or Face Shields

Never fill Gasoline Containers inside the bed of a truck or trunk - especially if it has a plastic liner - always place container on the ground when filling at a service station.
 

Do not get in and out of your vehicle when pumping gasoline - a static charge buildup and resulting spark can ignite gasoline fumes.

Do Not Store Gasoline inside your residence.

NEVER siphon gasoline by mouth using a hose.

NEVER store Gasoline in Glass Containers

Stored Gasoline develops tar, gums and degrades when stored for long periods and can impede proper engine performance.

Like survival food stores - Stored Gasoline needs to be rotated to ensure it will work.
Fuel Stabilizers need to be used if fuel is stored for any period of time over a month.
Gasoline absorbs water (hygroscopic) and can be detrimental to engine components and metal storage containers over time.  If you are not using an internal combusion engine for extended  periods (3 months) it is advisable to "fog" the engine with a specially formulated spray oil to protect the cylinder(s).

Spilling Gasoline into the ground in large quantities can be detrimental to the environment - especially if groundwater is used for drinking! Not very earth friendly. It is the only one we have.

OK, so you know all that right? Good.

But you have already assessed that you can't survive long on just 5 gallons of gasoline and gas does not last long in storage - especially the gasoline purchased in summer months that is less volatile than that made with extra butane in Winter season.

You have decided that you want to store more without posing a substantial hazard to the community. That might be difficult to do and depending on how much you want to store and where - dangerous.
 

We can't recommend that you violate any laws or common sense. There are some standard industry practices you should be aware of and storage containers that are considered safe. One is pictured here.

The other is a larger volume idea - a 30 gallon drum with a non sparking pump and non sparking drum lock to keep honest people from pilfering your supply. This is an investment of maybe $100 locally. Locks can run about $40.  Buying online is more expensive due to shipping costs.

Larger drums can be difficult if not impossible to move around when full for the average homeowner. You will likely not get a code variance to store this much gas on your property in typical residential areas.

Pickup truck mounted construction fuel tanks or underground storage sound plausible but may also be prohibited and obvious in most neighborhoods. Vandalism is a reality as well so any tank not secured from opening is at risk. New tanks for underground storage are available in 100 gallons and up.....consider a vault if doing this so you can inspect the tank and remove it if need be.
 

If you ever have seen a boat explosion you will be very wary of storing large volumes of fuel - especially if unsafe. Gasoline evaporates in heat and storing fuel out of the direct sun in well ventilated areas is a must. Small quantities in explosion proof containers and storage cabinets is done in commercial environments - generally not homes.

Multiple 5 gallon cans will work if you decide to accept responsibility for more than 5 gallons of stored fuel. One for immediate use, one for storage and one to fill up to top off the others. Transferring fuel between containers requires a grounding and bonding procedure to ensure maximum safety. The US Forest Service has a suitable article about this that anyone can understand LINK HERE

Make sure your portable containers are RED for GASOLINE - BLUE for KEROSENE - YELLOW for DIESEL otherwise you will have serious problems. Make sure you understand the physical characteristics of Gasoline by reading the MSDS LINK HERE

If you need to relocate with some fuel then make sure the containers are DOT approved - not because anyone will be checking labels and issuing citations in an emergency, but for safety sake. If you can secure them on your vehicle or trailer all the better. Jeeps have had these aftermarket features for years and military gas cans are readily available and durable.
 

One other way to ensure you have some gas (20 gallons?) on hand is to keep your vehicle full at all times - especially in winter when water absorption can combine and cause starting and operating problems. Too bad you won't be able to readily siphon the fuel out of the tank because of new anti-siphon devices.

You might reasonably consider using diesel for electric generators and kerosene for standby heaters as those fuels less volatile but have some particular long term storage considerations as well. Natural gas and propane are other viable alternatives.
 
Having options during a failure of your primary heating system can be important in cold weather.  We can attest to that just last week.

Amsoil, Sta-Bil and Pri-G all market fuel stabilizers and Pri-G says it can restore old gas to a useful state and preserve volatility up to 2 years. One Pri-G bottle can preserve around 250 gallons or more.

Always have a suitably large (10lb) dry chemical fire extinguisher on hand to extinguish incipient (small) fires.

We will add to this post - for now you should have some food for thought when considering this idea.

Bottom line....if you need to store more fuel....please do it safely - this is dangerous stuff.

ICE lends itself to a variety of uses as many of you already know.  If you have a Smart-Phone you can use the smart-ICE® Applications designed for them, if you have an older phone (like the Samsung above) you can upload the image onto your phone from a Micro-SD card or copy from the website.  The ICE Image will display any time you touch a key to access your emergency contact info.

ICE4SAFETY designed this concept to be flexible so anyone with a cell phone can immediately establish a minimum level of preparedness without having to subscribe to an expensive service - especially when you can easily do everything yourself.  

After the holiday many people will have new phones so it is a good time to update the features and make sure they include ICE. 

If you need some new stickers and cards....you can send a self addressed stamped envelope to the website address and get your free ICE KIT.  Happy New Year!

 

Hard to miss the new ICE Banner - even in dreary late fall weather in CNY! 
This 3 x 3' version ( we have a variety of sizes up to 16 ft long!) looks sharp on this park building and can look even better at your fire station, school, ambulance station or workplace.

Best part is that it can be customized to reflect the name of the organization that is sponsoring it and helping promote preparedness.  We lent this one out to the paramedic in NJ to help him with his wellness fair ICE Project......

More pictures to come.....we just keep making it easier!

Is your motorcycle group or safety oriented group looking for ways to improve safety awareness on a personal level?

ICE4SAFETY will be adding a series of poster designed to raise awareness of personal responsibility to make sure you have contact lists and medical information on hand when riding.

As you can see, just like with the ATV and Snowmobile......ICE fits perfectly.

By the way, these two pics were taken by one of the very paramedics that someday might have to save your life if you were involved in an MVA.....getting the picture?

Download them on DIY Page

Don't forget to have an ICE Sticker (1x1") on your off-road approved helmet with a card(s) in your trailering vehicle (Truck/SUV etc.) and a Medical Info Document on your person!

Take the time to watch this informative documentary about the potential scenario surrounding the detonation of an atomic device in the Washington, DC area and how that would be managed by our government emergency response agencies.   Next show is Friday Oct 16, 2009

The realistic discussion may surprise and shock some of you that have come to expect the television movie versions of disaster management in such an event.  Not happening.

You need to consider this information when making your preparedness plans and how you will plan and react in such an event - assuming you have that chance. 

The planning document that helped producers create this documentary is in print form on the DIY
Page.

Link to: History Channel Page