Modern homeowners place a premium on security and self-sufficiency. Knowing that you can retreat to your private space when you need a break from the world can bring great peace of mind. But how can you create a safe property—without breaking the bank? This guide tells you how it’s done.
Continue reading A Homeowner’s Guide to Enhancing Safety and Security on a BudgetTag: Prepping
Solar Generator – Battery Bank & Solar Panel Expansion
This is an update to our DIY How To series on How to Build a Large Solar Generator. In this follow up post, I will show you how we can use the quick connects designed into our solar generator to expand both the solar charging capacity, as well as the battery bank for increased run times.
A lot of the feedback was asking how to expand the solar generator to an even bigger capacity system. When I designed the base unit, I wanted it to be very easily expandable using quick connects. There are two areas where we can easily do that with our system:
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Prepping 101
Prepping is a nickname for the act of preparing. Preppers is a label used to describe those who like to prepare for the unknown. This post will give a broad overview of the various components to a good, versatile survival plan, and hopefully start the wheels turning on your own preparation plans. A good strategy will also be beneficial to you and your family during everyday life, as well as actually save money.
Water Disinfection Guide
Fresh potable water is one of most important things you will need in any survival situation. Although it typically requires lab testing to be sure water is safe to drink, here are some water disinfection steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of consuming water you have obtained from your environment.
Water Purification Guide
Water purification, or to make water safe for drinking and cooking generally falls into two steps:
Water Filtration – the process of removing chemicals, particulates and some types of microbes and bacteria. There are many products on the market for this process, such as this Dual Ceramic Water Filter Bag. You can also learn to improvise filters with natural materials, such as a Sand Filter.
Water Disinfection – the process of killing of any remaining microbes and live bacteria to render them inactive. Read some great techniques for this here.
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Earthminded RainStation Rain Barrel
The Rain Barrel collects rain water from the roof and its drainage system. The water it collects is not potable, and should not be used for drinking or cooking without filtration & disinfection.
Besides the ability of providing a source of emergency reserve water, the rain barrel provides a great source of water to use to water your lawn and garden. Any way to reduce your dependency on the utilities is a great thing. The rain barrel is one such way to reduce that dependency and save money on your water bill as well. Continue reading Earthminded RainStation Rain Barrel
Alternative Energy
Our technologies have developed at an astounding rate over the last 200 years. Also astounding, is how rapidly we are becoming completely dependent upon them. Electricity was not even widely available in homes until 1910-1920. Now, when the power goes out for more than a day or two, people often leave their homes and stay with family / friends that have power.
Strikeforce Fire Starter
I decided to test out the UST StrikeForce Fire Starter. This is the best quality flint bar and striker we have seen. The outer construction is made of very sturdy ABS plastic and inside it contains a very large 1/2″ diameter flint bar. The striker is made from a thick piece of hardened steel. Together they produce nice large and very hot sparks.
Dual Ceramic Water Filter Bag
We recently picked up one of these gravity powered water filtration bags online. The filtration capabilities amazed me and I wanted to add it to my on hand supplies for emergency water filtration.