Learn it once

Skills & Know-How

Stuff worth knowing before you need it: storing water, rotating food, basic first aid, running a generator safely. Learn it once and it's yours.

Three pages from the Family Emergency Binder on a desk: the Emergency Now tab divider on the left, the Power Outage page in front with the step that says to set a generator up outdoors at least 20 feet from windows and doors, and the House Fire page on the right.

How Far Should a Generator Be From the House?

The 20-foot rule for generator placement, what to do when your yard is too small for it, and how to run a generator safely in the rain without trapping carbon monoxide.

7 min read
A red fire extinguisher with a pressure gauge mounted on a kitchen wall near a window

How to Choose the Right Fire Extinguisher for Your Home

An ABC-rated extinguisher handles most home fires, but your kitchen needs a Class K and the right size you can actually lift and store correctly.

11 min read
Stacked slim water bottles and a clear storage bin on a closet shelf next to folded clothes

How to Store Water for an Emergency in a Small Space

Even a studio apartment has room for a 3-day water supply if you use slim containers, the hidden space you already have, and the right container material.

9 min read
A hand sharpening a pocket knife blade against a grinding wheel outdoors

12 Effective Ways to Sharpen a Pocket Knife

Twelve plain ways to put a clean edge back on your pocket knife, from a basic whetstone to a quick pull-through.

15 min read
Four handheld two-way radios from different brands lined up on a wood table

Do All Two-Way Radios Work Together?

Different two-way radios can often talk to each other once you match the frequency, channel, and privacy code, and here is how to set that up.

10 min read
8 Best Ways to Cook When the Power is Out

8 Best Ways to Cook When the Power is Out

Eight practical ways to cook a hot meal during a power outage, from a grill to a camp stove, with the safety steps that keep each one safe.

15 min read
A close-up pile of burned charcoal chunks and wood chips

How to Purify Water with Charcoal: The Ultimate Guide

A charcoal filter clears dirt, smell, and some chemicals from water. It does not kill the bacteria and viruses that make people sick, so pair it with boiling or a chemical disinfectant before anyone drinks.

9 min read
A homemade first aid backpack with a red cross patch and a cardboard "Medic" sign

Do First Aid Kits Expire? What to Check and When

Yes, parts of a first aid kit expire, so check it every few months and replace anything past its date or damaged.

13 min read
A man at a table unwrapping a water purification tablet next to a full glass of water

Do Water Purification Tablets Expire?

Most water purification tablets expire in 5 to 6 years, and heat, air, and moisture can cut that short.

6 min read
A close-up of a hand plugging an orange extension cord into the outlet panel of a portable gas generator

Can A Generator Damage Electronic Devices?

Standard generators can put out rough, unstable power that stresses sensitive electronics over time. Inverter generators fix that by producing clean, steady power.

9 min read

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