In honor of Mother’s Day, which will be celebrated in the U.S. on Sunday, May 9th, today’s post will recognize some great tales of mothers in emergency situations.

After centuries of tests and observations, scientists still speculate about the power of the human body under stress. We can look to incredible feats of athletic strength for answers to these questions, but the one piece of evidence cited most frequently, at least in casual conversations, is the famed ability of mothers to lift entire cars off of their trapped children. This ability is attributed by many to a phenomenon known as hysterical strength. The common belief is that adrenaline and the mothering instinct work together to produce incredible results, allowing mothers to perform in ways they’d never be able to under normal circumstances. But where does this claim come from? Is it all a rumor or urban legend, or is it based in reality? Where’s the evidence?

As you might imagine, claims like this are difficult to test or document. No ethical scientist is going to create a dangerous situation and place a child in harm’s way in order to gauge a mother’s strength (and on a related note, thank goodness for ethics). However, there are some authentic pieces of anecdotal evidence to consider. In 1982, in Lawrenceville, Georgia, a woman named Angela Cavallo lifted a ’64 Chevrolet Impala from her teenage son. The car had fallen off the jacks that were holding it up while the boy worked underneath the car. Mrs. Cavallo lifted the car high enough and long enough for two neighbors to replace the jacks and pull her son from beneath the car. In her late 50s at the time, Mrs. Cavallo guessed that she kept the car hoisted up for around five minutes and said she couldn’t have picked the car up under normal circumstances.

More recently, two mothers in England worked together to lift a 1-ton Renault Clio off a young boy who was run over outside of their homes. In June of 2009, Donna McNamee and Abigail Sicolo heard the screams of the eight-year-old and jumped into action. According to Miss Sicolo, “The car was so heavy. I bruised my arm and shoulder when we were lowering it.” Both were stunned at the strength they demonstrated in that moment.

And lest you think that hysterical strength only works on motorized vehicles, a tale from Quebec shows that it works on ferocious bears as well!

In 2006, a woman named Lydia Angyiou was watching as her son and his friend played a friendly game of hockey. When she saw a polar bear approaching the boys, poised to attack, she tackled the bear and wrestled with it while the boys escaped and called for help. Ms. Angyiou did sustain some injuries, but was ultimately okay. The polar bear, however, was not; in order to save Ms. Angyiou’s life, a neighbor swooped in and saved the day by shooting the bear. I love polar bears as much as anyone, but I have to say, that is one impressive story, and I applaud this mother’s protective instincts.

These heroic moms and others like them really make their mark by doing what’s necessary in tough moments. Most mothers will never need to rescue their kids from cars or bears, but they make sacrifices all the same. One sacrifice comes in the form of thinking ahead and preparing for tough times and unexpected events, whether that means building a food storage supply or practicing fire escape plans with the entire family. We’d like to thank all of the moms out there who help prepare their families, the moms who make lunches and go to soccer games, the moms who work hard at home and in the workforce. Have a great Mother’s Day!

Share your own stories of incredible moms in the comments section!

Taking care of yourself emotionally is vital at any stage of life, especially since your own emotional state has a profound effect on family members and anyone else you spend much time with. One person’s positive attitude or calm demeanor tends to rub off on others. Similarly, pessimistic or aggressive family members can create toxic situations for everyone in the home.

The importance of emotional health is only magnified when a disaster takes place. In the aftermath of a disaster, adults and children alike are prone to feeling stressed, frustrated, and drained. We hope the information we share today can help you to look after your emotional health and to recover quickly when unexpected problems come along.

What is a disaster?

“Disasters” can be anything from natural disasters, like the earthquake that’s caused so much devastation in Haiti, to car accidents or the death of a loved one. A “disaster” can be big enough make national news or small enough to only challenge one family. Even the long-term stress that comes from a dangerous job or caring for a sick child can create reactions like the ones seen in victims of traumatic events. It’s safe to say that we’ll all experience several disasters in our lives, and the ability to deal with those disasters in a safe way is key.

How do people react emotionally when disaster strikes?

As you might expect, there’s a wide range of emotions that can be inspired by a disaster. According to the Red Cross, here are some of the most common responses to difficult situations:

• Feeling physically and mentally drained
• Having difficulty making decisions or staying focused on topics
• Frustration that occurs more quickly and more often
• Arguing more with family and friends
• Feeling tired, sad, numb, lonely, or worried
• Experiencing changes in appetite or sleep patterns

Looking at this list, it’s striking to notice how important it is to know and understand your own behavior before you can evaluate your emotional health. For example, if you’re usually indecisive or if you tend to worry a lot, then those symptoms might not be as meaningful after a disaster. But if you’ve always been an incurable optimist and are suddenly feeling depressed, or if you’re starting arguments even though that’s completely unlike you, those symptoms are likely very telling.

What’s the best way to respond to these emotional troubles?

The Red Cross offers these suggestions:

• Take care of your safety. Find a safe place to stay and make sure your physical health needs and those of your family are addressed. Seek medical attention, if necessary.
• Eat healthy. During times of stress, it is important that you maintain a balanced diet and drink plenty of water.
• Get some rest. With so much to do, it may be difficult to have enough time to rest or get adequate sleep. Giving your body and mind a break can boost your ability to cope with the stress you may be experiencing.
• Stay connected with family and friends. Giving and getting support is one of the most important things you can do.
• Be patient with yourself and with those around you. Recognize that everyone is stressed and may need some time to put their feelings and thoughts in order.
• Set priorities.Tackle tasks in small steps
• Gather information about assistance and resources that will help you and your family members met your disaster-related needs.
• Stay positive. Remind yourself of how you’ve successfully gotten through difficult times in the past. Reach out when you need support, and help others when they need it.

In most cases, the symptoms pass quickly after a disaster. Once people have the chance to rest and regroup, they’re able to think clearly and recover. If unusual behavior persists for longer than two weeks, it may be a sign that the person should reach out for more assistance.

For more information on this topic, take a look at this Red Cross document: Taking Care of Your Emotional Health after a Disaster

There are many blogs and websites out there that address the need to prepare for the worst case scenario – namely, a situation of rioting, rebellion, and danger in our communities. In the food storage and emergency preparedness industry, a lot of attention is paid to this kind of concern. I often read warnings from educated and well-practiced individuals who say that one of the greatest threats in an emergency comes from mob mentality.

Mob mentality, also known as “herd mentality” or “group think,” plays prominently in some of the most disturbing news stories in recent times, from 1992′s Los Angeles Riots to the gang rape that took place last month at Richmond High School in California. Mob mentality is the idea that when human beings are faced with stressful or pressure-filled situations, they will often look to the behavior of others and mimic it, possibly out of the desire to conform.

It’s an unsettling thought: are our consciences and morals really so flexible, so influenced by outside forces? We all like to think that we’d be strong enough to think clearly and make the right decisions, regardless of what those around us are doing. Statistically speaking, that’s just not the case. The challenge for today is to consider the possible impact of mob mentality in an emergency situation and to prepare for the actions that others may take when the stakes are high. Though there are many times when we are wise to trust others and depend on their help, it’s important to recognize that this ideal doesn’t always fit the reality.

The vulnerability to mob mentality starts with the desire to form and join social groups. This instinct is extremely powerful and built into our nature as human beings. Some social groups, such as a family or a classroom full of students, come to mind immediately as groups that we gravitate towards. Studies have also shown a surprising willingness to form groups around the most trivial, passing things, proving our tendency to find others to whom we can relate. Groups help us to form a social identity and contribute to our sense of self. (more…)

Looking for our weekly giveaway? Click here and enter for your chance to win a fire starter and 16-piece cookset.

Halloween is a holiday that many of us look forward to all year long. Costumes, candy, jack-o-lanterns glowing in the night – what could possibly be better? In the midst of your time with all the little princesses, cowboys, ghouls, and goblins, be sure to take a moment to prepare for safety issues that are special to this holiday.

COSTUMES

Still searching for the perfect disguise? When working with your child to pick out or design a good Halloween costume, be sure to look for fireproof fabrics and eye holes that don’t interfere with the child’s peripheral vision. If the costume involves props, inspect any handles or sharp tips; in the excitement of Halloween night, kids are likely to trip and fall on these items, which could lead to injury.

DECORATIONS

It’s fun to turn your house and yard into a festive setting around the holidays. One staple of Halloween decorating is the classic jack-o-lantern. If carving a pumpkin is part of your tradition, you know how much the kids love to help! Small children shouldn’t use sharp knives, but they can still get in on the fun. Ask your little ones to clean out the pumpkin once an adult or older child has carved off the top; you can also enlist their help by having them draw the scary faces on the pumpkins and then carving out their patterns yourself.

If you have candlelit jack-o-lanterns or lamps in your yard, be sure to place them in spots that won’t be hazardous to costume-clad trick-or-treaters.

FOOD, DRINK, & CANDY

Inspecting the trick-or-treating candy that kids collect has become common practice. Taking this step will help you to weed out suspicious-looking treats and to monitor how much they eat in the coming hours and days. You can help your children resist the temptation to eat all their candy before arriving home by planning ahead and preparing a fun and filling Halloween dinner. If their tummies are full before the festivities start, they’ll be less likely to sneak a taste before you have a chance to check things out.

The unusual nature of Halloween might lead kids to forget their manners, so have a quick talk before heading out the door. Remind your youngsters to say “please” and “thank you,” as well as to be polite even if someone gives them less candy than they’d like.

If you’re throwing a Halloween party in your home, dry ice might be your answer for a spooky witch’s cauldron! Adding it to a punch bowl looks fantastic, but be sure that the person serving punch keeps ice chunks out of individual drinks. If ingested, dry ice can cause serious injury.

TRICK-OR-TREATING

The traditional activity of trick-or-treating around the neighborhood is quickly going the way of the dinosaur. Increased concerns over safety have led to parents working together and creating alternatives, such as church groups or community centers hosting supervised trick-or-treating options. Check your local newspaper to see if options like this exist in your area.

If you’re lucky enough to live in a safe and familiar area, a few simple precautions are all you need. The best option is to accompany your children through their entire route. This responsibility can certainly be transferred to a responsible older sibling or another parent you trust, but be sure to communicate your expectations to anyone who will be looking after your kids. It’s best to not ask anyone to look after more than four children at a time unless he/she has assistance.

In the case of older children who might be spending the evening with a group of friends, it’s important to be clear about what will be happening that night (the trick-or-treating route they’ll take, any parties or sleepovers they’ll attend, etc.). Halloween is a great time to have another talk about basic safety rules, such as staying away from strangers, exercising caution before crossing streets, and staying in well-lit areas. Another great topic to discuss is the difference between harmless tricks and vandalism. They might be pressured by friends to “decorate” a neighbor’s house with toilet paper or raw eggs; be sure to let them know why those decisions are unacceptable.

Whether you’ll be at home or out and about on Halloween, be sure to have fun and stay safe. We still have a few days before the big night, so if you have any tips that might help other parents to prepare their homes and families, please share! You can leave a comment at the end of the post. Thanks for reading!

It’s National Preparedness Month, and there’s no better time to add essential items to your family’s emergency kits. We often think of clothing, food, and water as the most basic items to have on hand in an emergency, but supplies for our hygiene and cleanliness are also important. Consider this short list of items as possible additions to your short-term emergency supply. All of these items can be found at Shelf Reliance, of course, and might already be in your cupboards at home. Through the end of September, all emergency supplies are on sale for 25% off! Get some essentials while the deals are at their best.

Remember to cover your dental needs in an emergency. For children, the consistency of brushing teeth in the morning and at night can give a sense of security when many other parts of life are interrupted. The Fresh & Go Toothbrush above is actually pre-filled with toothpaste, saving time as well as space in your kit. This is the sort of item that’s great not only for emergency kits, but for vacations and sleepovers as well. You can also find Toothbrushes and Fluoride Toothpaste here at Shelf Reliance. As part of our current sale on all emergency supplies, you can get great deals on these items! Our toothbrushes are currently just 15 cents a piece. Add a few to your next purchase or stock up! This sale will only last until the end of September, so don’t wait to save.

Moist towelettes like these Wet Naps are great for cleaning up quickly without using your precious water. You can also use baby wipes for this purpose or, better yet, real cotton cloths like our pre-moistened Go! Towels. Grab some hand sanitizer as well for even more convenience and protection against bacteria.

I can’t fault people for their attempts to make sanitary supplies seem a little less icky. Pictured above, we have Gotta Go Waste Bags. These bags just might be the best way to take care of waste when you’re away from the modern convenience of a bathroom. The bags are biodegradable and environmentally friendly. Other options include the Port-A-Potty and Wag Bag Sanitation Kits. Toilet paper is another must-have.

Shelf Reliance has two options for complete hygiene kits: the basic Hygiene Kit and the Deluxe Hygiene Kit (contents pictured above). Picking up one of these items will be a great start for your emergency kit, and you can add other items as necessary.

Thinking ahead about sanitation and cleanliness can cut out a lot of stress during an emergency, giving you some of the small comforts of home. Take some time this weekend to jot down some items your emergency kit might be missing, then follow through by ordering those items or finding extras around the house. Best of luck, and be sure to let us know about your plans by leaving a comment below!

When deciding on the items to include in your emergency kit, it’s important to take steps to make that kit personal and ideal for your specific needs. One group that tends to have a number of special needs is made up of senior citizens.

Seniors might need to plan for more medical needs than younger citizens, requiring them to have backup medication and supplies on hand in case it’s impossible or inconvenient to visit the pharmacy. In addition, there are transportation difficulties and financial needs to consider. Whether you’re a senior citizen or simply want to share some information with neighbors or family members, take a look at these tips for a more prepared home.

***

(more…)

A quick look at the website for the U.S. Geological Survey will show you that earthquakes are happening frequently and all across the world.  On August 10th, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake was registered in the Andaman Islands, located in the Bay of Bengal south of India.  The day before that, on August 9th, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake hit the Izu Islands, which lie southeast of Japan. Earthquakes are pretty common, and they don’t just happen in remote places. According to the Natural Hazards – Earthquakes page on the U.S. Geological Survey website, “Earthquakes are one of the most costly natural hazards faced by the nation, posing a significant risk to 75 million Americans in 39 states.”

There’s no way to know when or where an earthquake will strike, and furthermore, there’s no way to know how serious any given earthquake will turn out to be. Should this element of the unknown make us feel terrified? Should it make us feel apathetic? Clearly, the correct answer is a happy medium between these two extremes. Let’s talk about the little steps and, yes, the big steps you can take to prepare yourself for the possibility of an earthquake. (more…)