How To Make A Knife

Here's how to make a sharp useful knife made from a butter knife:

Here's how to make a hunting knife from a butter knife by rubbing it on wet pavement and wrapping the handle with cord. It looks and feels good in the hand.

This project was inspired by a family I stayed with in Kenya. The only utensil they had was a sharpened butterknife shared by about twenty people.

Select your "blank":
Test your butterknives by bending the blade with your fingers. The farther you can bend it without it staying bent, the better it is.
Instead of a butter knife, you could use a saw blade or any piece of metal.

WARNING: I will be showing a bunch of OPTIONAL steps using tools.
For purist "no-tool" knifemaking, just skip all the steps using tools.
Or just substitute "with a rock" for the name of the tool.
Your knife will be fine.

Read More:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Knife-Making-Without-Tools/?ALLSTEPS

SGT KNOTS® 550 Paracord - Black - 1,000 Feet50 Buckles 3/8" (10mm), Mix of 10 Colors (5 of each)

550LB Nylon US Paracord Rope 50 Feet (Neon Yellow)Paracord Planet 100' 550lb Type III Black

Rothco 550-Pound Safety Type III Paracord (100-Feet, Orange)Multi Cam Parachute Cord Nylon 7 Strand 550lb Tested U.S MADE 100'

How To Make A Paracord Belt

How to make a Paracord Rescue Belt

This is my first Instructable and i would appreciate your votes in the Paracord Contest!

I will be showing you how to create a Paracord Rescue Belt. While bracelets can be useful they simply do not contain enough cord for a real emergency. 8-12 feet can certainly be handy in some situations but think of what you can do with 50 feet!
Rothco Type III Commercial Paracord (Camo, 550-Pound/100-Feet)

The belt essentially has two main functions.
1. The buckle is a high decibel whistle for attracting attention
2. The Belt section itself is a single length of 550 Paracord which can be unravelled literally in seconds for a whole manner of rescue techniques.

In my opinion speed is what makes the difference in a survival situation. You can unravel the entire belt with one pull, there is no need to undo a whole series of knots or weaves.

Depending on the method you use to weave and the size of your waist, the belt can supply you with a length upwards of 70 feet of cord, This particular belt used 50 feet for my 32" waist  however i will explain how to increase or decrease the amount of cord you can carry while maintaining the same length of belt.
Although the side release buckle means that the belt is not adjustable, there is about 15% elasticity in the belt so you need not worry if you put on a little holiday weght, your belt should be able to acommodate you.  The elasticity also means it will remain tight but flexible if you are wearing it during  outdoor pursuits.

Its worth noting that this same technique can also be used to make a bracelet which i have pictured at the end of the instructable.

Step 1

Materials

For best results use genuine 550 Paracord.
As with anything in life you get what you pay for, if you are intending on using this as a rescue belt you want to have the best cord available and with suplycaptain they guarantee the quality and authenticity of their cord. Many online retailers sell similar looking but poor quality cord with no guarantees on the breaking strains.

1. 550 Paracord 
Rothco Type III Commercial Paracord (Camo, 550-Pound/100-Feet)    You can use any colour you like. You will need approximately 50 feet of cord for the belt shown.

2. Fastener
Black & Orange Plastic Side Release 5/8" Whistleloc Tactical Whistle Buckle    Im using an emergency whistle side release buckle which can be picked up online or in any good outdoors store.

3. Scissors
    To cut the cord

4. Lighter
    To seal the ends of the cord so they dont fray.

5. Forceps (optional)
    Depending on your dexterity you may benefit from using forceps or needle nose pliers to help pull through the cord, i managed the whole belt without.
   

Step 2

Threading Your Buckle

FIrst of all make sure youve sealed the end of your cord with the lighter so it doesnt fray.
You do not have to cut the length of cord to size beforehand as the weaving method used means the cord doesnt need to be cut from the reel until the desired length of belt is reached, this saves wasting cord.



Take your buckle and from left to right make 4 loops through the belt loop..
Ensure that the loops are loose enough to pass some cord through the centre.

Leave a tail of cord on the end a few inches long and secure this to the buckle to prevent the cord working loose during the next steps.  ( i passed it through the small hole on the orange section of the buckle to hold it in place)

Ive highlighted the 'working end' of the cord in the picture, This is the piece you will be using for all further knots.

Step 3

Your First Loop

Take the working end and make a loop in your hand.

Now thread this through the centre of the 4 loops you made on the buckle.
Leave a couple of inches sticking out the end on the right.

Once you have fed this through then tighten up the 4 loops round the buckle. For consistency you should tighten them from RIGHT to LEFT.

Step 4

More Loops

Gently ease apart the 4 loops you have around the buckle.

Using your fingers or your forceps,  pull through the running end of the cord to form a total of 4 loops.
This should consist of three that you pull through and the loop left from the end of the last step.


Twist the loops slightly in an ANTI-CLOCKWISE direction (so the left side of the loop is to the front)

Feed the running end of the cord through all 4 loops as before leaving a few inches sticking out the end again.

Step 5

Complete your first row

To complete the first row simply lighten the loops from RIGHT to LEFT

Once you get to the left you pull on the loop sticking out of the end on the right to tighten completely.

IMPORTANT NOTE

Because of all the loops we are putting in the cord it naturally becomes twisted. You need to un-twist the cord as you are tightening each loop. If you dont do this the finished weave will look  very messy.

Also do not over tighten your loops. If you do, it will distort the final weave pattern and again your belt will look a mess. Over tightening will also make it harder to pull through the next row of loops.

Step 6

Repeat Repeat Repeat.................

To continue your belt simply repeat steps 3,4 and 5 over and over and over until you get your desired length.

This 6.5 inch length of belt used 10 feet of cord. So for an average 32inch waist you will use approximately 50 feet.

Step 7

Finishing your belt

Once you have reached the desired length of belt you can cut your cord from the main reel.
Pull the working end all the way through so its sticking out from the right.

Seperate your loops again slightly


Get the other half of the buckle (make sure its orientated the correct way for fastening)

Loop the working end through the buckle then back through the cord you exposed when seperating the loops. Once you have looped it through the buckle and belt 4 times you are ready to finish the belt.

You have two options for finishing.

1. You can thread the end through any of the loops you like and using the lighter, melt it in place onto the belt.

2. Thread the end through any loop you like and tie an overhand knot in the end to stop it passing back through,

The benefits of the second method are that you do not need scissors or any other item to release the end of the cord if you need to unravel it in a hurry, you simply untie the overhand knot.

Step 8

How to use your belt in an emergency

To utilise your cord in an emergency simply untie the overhand knot on the end of your cord.

Undo the loops around the buckle ( keep the buckle for attracting attention)
Pull the length of cord back through the first 4 loops to release your working end

Pull hard on the working end and the whole belt will begin to unravel. From start to finish you can undo the entire belt in about 20 seconds (a painful thought when you realise how long it took to make)

Alternatively if you have a knife or a pair of scissors simply cut where shown, remove the end with the  buckle and pull on the cord you cut to unravel.

Dont forget to use your emergency whistle to attract help if you need it!
Paracord is fantastic stuff but its no substitute for another pair of helping hands!

Step 9

Bracelet and knot diagram,

As i mentioned at the start of the instructable you can utilise more or less cord to make the belt.

If you would like a longer length of cord and more width in your belt simply use 5 or 6 loops in each row instead of the 4 i used. In theory you can use as many loops as you like as long as your buckle is wide enough.

Similarly, if you would like a thinner belt with less cord use 3 loops as demonstrated in the bracelet i made.

I made my belt after finding this diagram on the internet. I would recommend anyone interested in paracord crafts buy some of the many books on decorative and functional knots available.

Also if your interested in more of my paracord crafts check out my website. Its still under construction but it shows a lot of the custom items ive made for people in the past.

Source:

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-Paracord-Rescue-Belt/?ALLSTEPS


                                                                   

Ultimate Survival Skills Guide

     When it comes to survival everyone knows that you must have essentials.Water shelter and food. But what would you do if you were caught off guard and ended up in a survival situation without any of the basics?
     Craig and Pete share how to survive in ANY situation! This is really a must see. I had to pass it along for you to check out for yourself.
     See their amazing survival tricks and ask yourself if you would have thought of that!

See All Of The Secrets To Surviving Any Situation
***Check It Out Here

ULTIMATE SURVIVAL SKILLS GUIDE

“It wasn’t raining when Noah built the Ark.”

Howard Ruff (born 1931)

     Howard Ruff is a leading author on finance and he has focused mainly on survival during his entire career. While considered paranoid by many of the skeptics, there can be little doubt over this quote of his. Whether you talk about earning money, or fighting your way out of a depression, good preparation can really allow you to survive beating all the odds.  Planning beforehand for dealing with any crisis situation can actually be the difference between life and death. 

      Although an emergency may arise the very next second, but already preparing for it could easily enable you to overcome the problems and to minimize the damage.  There can be countless examples of precaution when it comes to dealing with danger. We install fire extinguishers and smoke detectors in our offices and homes to make sure that we can effectively detect and put out a fire. Fire fighting services operate in almost every city of the world just to fight this frequently occurring hazard. And this is just one example.  Our world is full of risks, which could potentially jeopardize our very lives. And in a way, it is a blessing that we are aware of the dangers that could be encountered by us, because it gives us an opportunity to prepare for them and to make all the efforts to fight the odds when living does not remain as comfortable as our everyday lives.

     We have seen a number of examples in the recent past that people were hit by disasters when they least expected them. Let it be the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks in New York and Washington D. C. in 2001, let it be the 2005 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami disaster or the recent earthquake in Chile which occurred in late February 2010. Thousands lost their lives just because they were not prepared.  And just knowing about the coming disaster does not help at times as well. Consider the Hurricane Katrina tragedy in New Orleans in 2005. Millions knew that the worst storm to hit the area in a century is heading

straight their way, but many of them could do nothing but to wait for the worst parts of storms to hit their homes.

Click On: 

This Link For More Information

Co-Authors - Craig Stringham and Pete Lawson

© Copyright 2011 , All Rights Reserved


***Check It Out Here

$25-a-gun sales tax approved in Chicago area

By NBC News

A controversial "violence tax" on guns in the Chicago area was approved Friday by Cook County commissioners, NBCChicago.com reported.

Follow @NBCNewsUS

The $25 tax on every gun purchased in the county -- city law prohibits gun sales in Chicago -- is meant to offset health care and other costs of gun violence, Board President Toni Preckwinkle said.
"Gun violence is a real problem for us," she said. "It's a problem for us in our criminal justice system and it's a problem for us in our health care system, and I make no apologies for the proposal."

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Preckwinkle said the average shooting victim cost taxpayers $52,000 in acute care because nearly 70 percent of the victims don't have health insurance, NBCChicago.com reported.

The vote follows a violent Chicago summer, when some weekends left multiple people killed and dozens of others injured in shootings, NBCChicago.com reported. The city's murder rate is up 25 percent for the year, and the Cook County Jail is near capacity with 9,000-plus inmates.
Watch US News crime videos on NBCNews.com
The National Rifle Association ahead of the vote said the "misguided and burdensome" gun tax "continues to penalize law-abiding gun owners for exercising their fundamental right to keep and bear arms."
The gun tax, which takes effect April 1, was passed as part of Cook County's $2.9 billion spending plan for 2013.
As part of the budget, commissioners also approved a $1 tax increase on each pack of cigarettes, making the county's $6.67-a-pack tax the second-most expensive in the country, behind New York at $6.86, NBCChicago.com reported. The new tax will push the price of a pack to more than $10 when it goes into effect March 1.
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A gambling tax increase that commissioners also approved will impose $1,000 annually on slot machines in the county and $200 on video gambling machines. Rivers Casino in Des Plaines would be affected as well as establishments that approved video gaming.

Check This Out: Make Money On Autopilot From Home

White House website deluged with secession petitions from 20 states

Urban Survival
   

     How would Old Glory look with 30 stars instead of 50? As far-fetched as it may sound, the White House might soon be forced by its own rules to examine the question. On Nov.7, the day after President Barack Obama was re-elected, the White House’s website received a petition asking the administration to allow Louisiana to secede. If 25,000 people sign the petition by Dec. 7, it will “require a response” from the
 Obama administration, according to published rules of the White House’s online “We the People” program.
     The Louisiana petition has collected more than 12,300 signatures in four days. A separate effort from Texas has 15,400 supporters. Similar petitions from 18 other states began arriving Nov. 9, bringing the total — for the moment — to 20. The White House website publicly displays petitions that have attracted at least 150 signers.
      “Michael E” from the New Orleans suburb of Slidell penned the initial proposal — the website doesn’t provide last names — in which he asked the Obama administration to “[p]eacefully grant the State of Louisiana to withdraw from the United States of America and create its own NEW government.” His entire petition consisted of excerpts from the Declaration of Independence.
      “Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,” one portion read, “that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and institute new Government.” “Micah H” from Arlington, Texas submitted the petition on behalf of the Lone Star State. “The US continues to suffer economic difficulties stemming from the federal government’s neglect to reform domestic and foreign spending,” he wrote. Texas, he added, “maintains a balanced budget and is the 15th largest economy in the world,” making it “practically feasible for Texas to withdraw from the union.”
     What began as a pair of parallel stunts appears to have gathered steam. Other than Louisiana and Texas, states with secession-related petitions pending on the White House website now include Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina and Tennessee. Three states — Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina are each represented by two competing petitions. Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2012/11/11/white-house-website-deluged-with-secession-petitions-from-19-states/#ixzz2C374BinQ

Government "we The People Website"
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petitions

Urban Survival

Obama Supports UN Gun Ban Right Away After Election

Well, this didn't take long...

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Hours after U.S. President Barack Obama was re-elected, the United States backed a U.N. committee's call on Wednesday to renew debate over a draft international treaty to regulate the $70 billion global conventional arms trade.

U.N. delegates and gun control activists have complained that talks collapsed in July largely because Obama feared attacks from Republican rival Mitt Romney if his administration was seen as supporting the pact, a charge Washington denies.

The month-long talks at U.N. headquarters broke off after the United States - along with Russia and other major arms producers - said it had problems with the draft treaty and asked for more time.

But the U.N. General Assembly's disarmament committee moved quickly after Obama's win to approve a resolution calling for a new round of talks March 18-28. It passed with 157 votes in favor, none against and 18 abstentions.

U.N. diplomats said the vote had been expected before Tuesday's U.S. presidential election but was delayed due to Superstorm Sandy, which caused a three-day closure of the United Nations last week.

An official at the U.S. mission said Washington's objectives have not changed.

"We seek a treaty that contributes to international security by fighting illicit arms trafficking and proliferation, protects the sovereign right of states to conduct legitimate arms trade, and meets the concerns that we have been articulating throughout," the official said.

"We will not accept any treaty that infringes on the constitutional rights of our citizens to bear arms," he said.

U.S. officials have acknowledged privately that the treaty under discussion would have no effect on domestic gun sales and ownership because it would apply only to exports.

The main reason the arms trade talks are taking place at all is that the United States - the world's biggest arms trader accounting for more than 40 percent of global conventional arms transfers - reversed U.S. policy on the issue after Obama was first elected and decided in 2009 to support a treaty.

'MONTHS AWAY' FROM DEAL?

Countries that abstained included Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Sudan, Belarus, Cuba and Iran. China, a major arms producer that has traditionally abstained, voted in favor.

Among the top six arms-exporting nations, Russia cast the only abstention. Britain, France and Germany joined China and the United States in support of the resolution.

The measure now goes to the 193-nation General Assembly for a formal vote. It is expected to pass.

The resolution said countries are "determined to build on the progress made to date towards the adoption of a strong, balanced and effective Arms Trade Treaty."

Jeff Abramson, director of Control Arms, a coalition of advocacy groups, urged states to agree on stringent provisions.

"In Syria, we have seen the death toll rise well over 30,000, with weapons and ammunition pouring in the country for months now," he said. "We need a treaty that will set tough rules to control the arms trade, that will save lives and truly make the world a better place."

Brian Wood of Amnesty International said: "After today's resounding vote, if the larger arms trading countries show real political will in the negotiations, we're only months away from securing a new global deal that has the potential to stop weapons reaching those who seriously abuse human rights."

The treaty would require states to make respecting human rights a criterion for allowing arms exports.

Britain's U.N. mission said on its Twitter feed it hoped that the March negotiations would yield the final text of a treaty. Such a pact would then need to be ratified by the individual signatories before it could enter into force.

The National Rifle Association, the powerful U.S. interest group, strongly opposes the arms treaty and had endorsed Romney.

The United States has denied it sought to delay negotiations for political reasons, saying it had genuine problems with the draft as written.

Source:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-arms-treaty-unbre8a627j-20121107,0,2655886.story

Back Online

Power and internet back on.  We had 10'' of heavy wet snow bringing down trees and power lines here in WV. Our power was off from 10/30 - 11/03. Many on the East coast lost their homes and some have lost their lives. My thoughts and prayers go out to them.

Disaster Preparedness

Disasters can affect any part of the United States at any time of the year, swiftly and without warning. Most people don't think of a disaster until it is too late; then they suddenly realize how unprepared they are for the massive changes it makes in their lives. Local officials can be overwhelmed and emergency response personnel may not be able to reach everyone who needs help right away.
Each type of disaster requires clean-up and recovery. The period after a disaster is often very difficult for families, at times as devastating as the disaster itself. Families which are prepared ahead of time can reduce the fear, confusion and losses that come with disaster. They can be ready to evacuate their homes, know what to expect in public shelters and how to provide basic first aid.

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Family Disaster Supply Kit

One of the first steps toward preparedness is the creation of a family disaster supply kit. This will help families get through the first few days after a disaster. Public shelter after a disaster may not offer some of the basic necessities. The development of a kit will make a stay in a public shelter more comfortable, should it be necessary. Store the kit in a convenient place known to all family members. Store items in airtight bags or containers. Replenish the kit twice a year.
Include six basic items:

1. Water

• Store water in clean plastic containers such as thoroughly washed and rinsed soft drink bottles with tight fitting screw-on caps.
• Store 1 gallon per day per family member (2 quarts for drinking, 2 quarts for food preparation/sanitation). Children, nursing mothers and ill people will need more
• A 3-day supply of water should be stored for every family member.

2. Food

• Store at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno.
• Rotate these foods into the regular diet frequently to keep the supply fresh. In a disaster supply kit include:
  • Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
  • Canned juices, milk, soup (if powdered, store extra water)
  • Staples such as sugar, salt, pepper
  • High energy foods such as peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix
  • Vitamins, infant food and food for special diets
  • Comfort/stress foods such as cookies, hard candy, instant coffee, tea bags

3. First Aid Kit

Assemble a first aid kit for the home and one for each vehicle. An approved American Red Cross kit may be purchased, or one may be assembled with the following items:

• Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
• 2-inch and 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6 of each)
• Hypoallergenic adhesive tape
• Triangular bandages (3)
• 2-inch and 3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls each)
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Needle
• Moistened towelettes
• Antiseptic
• Thermometer
• Tongue blades (2)
• Sunscreen
• Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
• Assorted sizes of safety pins
• Cleansing agent/soap
• Latex gloves (2 pairs)
Non-prescription drugs

• Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Antacid (for stomach upset)
• Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center)
• Laxative
• Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)

4. Tools and Supplies

Various tools and supplies may be needed for temporary repairs or personal needs. Include these items in your disaster supply kit:

• Battery operated radio and extra batteries
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Non-electric can opener, utility knife
• Map of the area (for locating shelters)
• Cash or traveler's checks, change
• Fire extinguisher: small canister, ABC type
• Tube tent
• Pliers
• Tape
• Compass
• Matches in waterproof container
• Aluminum foil
• Plastic storage containers
• Signal flare
• Paper, pencil
• Needles, thread
• Medicine dropper
• Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water
• Whistle
• Plastic sheeting
• Mess kits or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
• Emergency preparedness manual

Sanitation

• Toilet paper
• Soap, liquid detergent
• Feminine hygiene supplies
• Personal hygiene items
• Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)
• Plastic bucket with tight lid
• Disinfectant
• Household chlorine bleach

5. Clothing and Bedding

Your disaster supply kit should include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person. Items to include are:

• Sturdy shoes or work boots
• Rain gear
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Hat and gloves
• Thermal underwear
• Sunglasses

6. Special Items

Family members may have special needs. Other items you may add to your kit include:
For Babies:

• Formula
• Diapers
• Bottles
• Powdered milk
• Medications
For Adults:

• Heart and high blood pressure medication
• Insulin
• Prescription drugs
• Denture needs
• Contact lenses and supplies
• Extra pair of eye glasses
Entertainment

• Games and books
Important Family Documents:

Keep these in a waterproof, portable container.

• Wills, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds
• Passports, social security cards, immunization records
• Bank account numbers
• Credit card account numbers and companies
• Inventory of valuable goods, important telephone numbers
• Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)

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4-Step Family Preparedness Plan

In addition to your family disaster supply kit, develop a family preparedness plan. This plan needs to be known to all family members. A basic preparedness plan has four steps: - Do your homework. - Create a family disaster plan. - Make a checklist and periodically update it. - Practice and maintain your plan.

1. Do your homework

Find out what disasters could happen in your area. Contact your local emergency management or civil defense office and American Red Cross chapter to:

• Learn which disasters are possible where you live and how these disasters might affect your family.
• Request information on how to prepare and respond to each potential disaster.
• Learn about your community's warning signals, what they sound like, what they mean and what actions you should take when they are activated.
• Learn about local, state or federal assistance plans.
• Find out about the emergency response plan for your workplace, your children's school or day-care center, as well as other places where your family spends time.
• Develop a list of important telephone numbers (doctor, work, school, relatives) and keep it in a prominent place in your home.
• Ask about animal care. Pets may not be allowed inside shelters because of health regulations.

2. Create a family disaster plan

Discuss with your family the need to prepare for disaster. Explain the danger of fire, severe weather (tornadoes, hurricanes) and floods to children. Develop a plan to share responsibilities and how to work together as a team.

• Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to occur and how to respond.
• Establish meeting places inside and outside your home, as well as outside the neighborhood. Make sure everyone knows when and how to contact each other if separated.
• Decide on the best escape routes from your home. Identify two ways out of each room.
• Plan how to take care of your pets.
• Establish a family contact out-of-town (friend or relative). Call this person after the disaster to let them know where you are and if you are okay. Make sure everyone knows the contact's phone number.
• Learn what to do if you are advised to evacuate.

3. Make a checklist and periodically update it

• Post emergency telephone numbers by phones (fire, police, ambulance, etc.).
• Teach your children how and when to call 911 or your local EMS number for help.
• Show each family member how to turn off the water, gas and electricity at the main valves or switches.
• Teach each family member how to use a fire extinguisher (ABC type) and have a central place to keep it. Check it each year.
• Install smoke detectors on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms.
• Conduct a home hazard hunt.
• Stock emergency supplies and assemble a disaster supply kit.
• Learn basic first aid. At the very least, each family member should know CPR, how to help someone who is choking and first aid for severe bleeding and shock. The Red Cross offers basic training of this nature.
• Identify safe places in your home to go for each type of disaster.
• Check to be sure you have adequate insurance coverage.

4. Practice and maintain your plan

• Test children's knowledge of the plan every 6 months so they remember what to do.
• Conduct fire and emergency evacuation drills.
• Replace stored water and food every 6 months.
• Test your smoke detectors monthly and change the batteries once a year.
And... In conjunction with the preparedness plan, working with neighbors can save lives and property. Meet with neighbors to plan how the neighborhood could work together after a disaster until help arrives. Members of a neighborhood organization, such as a home association or crime watch group, can introduce disaster preparedness as a new activity.
Know your neighbors' special skills (medical, technical) and consider how to help neighbors who have special needs, such as disabled and elderly persons. Make plans for child care in case parents can't get home.


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Preparing Children for Disaster

As you develop your preparedness plan, include children in the planning process. Teach your children how to recognize danger signals. Make sure they know what smoke detectors and other alarms sound like. Make sure they know how and when to call for help. If you live in a 9-1-1 service area, tell your child to call 9-1-1. If not, check your telephone directory for the number. Keep all emergency numbers posted by the phone.
Help your children to memorize important family information. They should memorize their family name, phone number and address.
They also should know where to meet in case of an emergency. If children are not old enough to memorize the information, they should carry a small index card to give to an adult or babysitter that lists the emergency information.

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Special Preparations for People with Disabilities

People with disabilities may need to take additional steps to prepare for disaster. If you are disabled or know someone who is, the following precautions should be taken.

• Ask about special assistance that may be available to you in an emergency. Many communities ask people with disabilities to register, usually with the fire department or emergency management office, so needed help can be provided quickly in an emergency.

• If you currently use a personal care attendant obtained from an agency, check to see if the agency has special provisions for emergencies (e.g. providing services at another location should an evacuation be ordered).
• Determine what you will need to do for each type of emergency. For example, most people head for a basement when there is a tornado warning, but most basements are not wheelchair accessible. Determine in advance what your alternative shelter will be and how you will get there.
• Learn what to do in case of power outages and personal injuries. Know how to connect or start a back-up power supply for essential medical equipment.
• If you or someone in your household uses a wheelchair, make more than one exit from your home wheelchair accessible in case the primary exit is blocked.
• Consider getting a medic alert system that will allow you to call for help if you are immobilized in an emergency.
• Store back-up equipment, such as a manual wheelchair, at a neighbor's home, school or your workplace.
• Avoid possible hazards by fastening shelves to the wall and placing large, heavy objects on the lower shelves or near the wall. Also hang pictures or mirrors away from beds. Bolt large pictures or mirrors to the wall. Secure water heaters by strapping them to a nearby wall.

Special Preparations for the Hearing Impaired

Deaf or hearing impaired individuals will have a more difficult time communicating after a disaster. People may not realize you can't hear warning signals and instructions, and may leave you behind. If there is a power failure, your teletypewriter will be useless, and communicating in the dark will require a flashlight.

To avoid potential problems you should:

• Make sure you have a flashlight, pad and pencil by your bed at home.
• Ask a neighbor to be your source of information as it comes over the radio.
• Remind co-workers that you can't hear an evacuation order.
• If you are trapped in a room, knock on the door or hit objects together to let others know you are there.

Special Preparations for the Visually Impaired

Blind or visually impaired individuals will have a difficult time after a disaster if surroundings have been greatly disrupted. In addition, seeing eye dogs may be too frightened or injured to be reliable.
Have an extra cane at home and work, even if you have a seeing eye dog. If you are trapped, make noise to alert others. Also keep in mind that, if electricity fails, blind people can assist sighted people and potentially save lives.


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Evacuation Procedures

- Evacuations during a disaster are a common event. Evacuation procedures vary by location and disaster. Contact your local emergency management or civil defense office for specific evacuation plans.
The amount of time you will have to evacuate depends on the disaster. Some disasters, such as hurricanes, may allow several days to prepare. Hazardous materials accidents may only allow moments to leave. This means that preparation is essential since there may not be time to collect the basic necessities.
Evacuations can last for several days. During this time you may be responsible for part or all of your own food, clothing and other supplies.


Preparing for Evacuation

Advance planning will make evacuation procedures easier. First, you should have your family disaster supply kit and plan ready. Additional steps that can aid preparedness include:

1. Review possible evacuation procedures with your family.

• Ask a friend or relative outside your area to be the check-in contact so that everyone in the family can call that person to say they are safe.
• Find out where children will be sent if they are in school when an evacuation is announced.
2. Plan now where you would go if you had to evacuate.

• Consider the homes of relatives or friends who live nearby, but outside the area of potential disaster.
• Contact the local emergency management office for community evacuation plans. Review public information to identify reception areas and shelter areas.
3. Keep fuel in your car's gas tank at all times. During emergencies, filling stations may be closed. Never store extra fuel in the garage.
4. If you do not have a car or other vehicle, make transportation arrangements with friends, neighbors or your local emergency management office.
5. Know where and how to shut off electricity, gas and water at main switches and valves. Make sure you have the tools you need to do this (usually pipe and crescent or adjustable wrenches). Check with your local utilities for instructions.

Evacuating

When you are told to evacuate there are four steps you need to take:

1. If there is time, secure your house.

• Unplug appliances.
• Turn off the main water valve.
• Take any actions needed to prevent damage to water pipes by freezing weather, if this is a threat.
• Securely close and lock all doors, windows and garage.
2. Follow recommended evacuation routes. Do not take shortcuts, they may be blocked.
3. Listen to the radio for emergency shelter information.
4. Carry your family disaster supply kit.


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Returning Home After the Disaster

1. Do not return until the local authorities say it is safe.
2. Continue listening to the radio for information and instructions.
3. Use extreme caution when entering or working in buildings-- structures may have been damaged or weakened. Watch for poisonous snakes in flooded structures and debris.
4. Do not take lanterns, torches or any kind of flame into a damaged building. There may be leaking gas or other flammable materials present. Use battery-operated flashlights for light. If you suspect a gas leak, do not use any kind of light. The light itself could cause an explosion.
5. If you smell leaking gas, turn off the main gas valve at the meter. If you can open windows safely, do so.

• Do not turn on lights--they can produce sparks that may ignite the gas.
• Leave the house immediately and notify the gas company or the fire department.
• Do not reenter the house until an authorized person tells you it is safe to do so.
6. Notify the power company or fire department if you see fallen or damaged electrical wires.
7. If any of your appliances are wet, turn off the main electrical power switch in your home before you unplug them. Dry out appliances, wall switches and sockets before you plug them in again. Call utility companies for assistance.
8. Check food and water supplies for contamination and spoilage before using them.
9. Wear sturdy shoes when walking through broken glass or debris, and use heavy gloves when removing debris.
10. After the emergency is over, telephone your family and friends to tell them you are safe.

Source:
http://www.ag.uidaho.edu/disaster/prepare/why.html