The recent swine flu outbreak, while seemingly over-hyped by the media, is certainly something we should be concerned about. Although there have only been 12 confirmed cases of human swine flu between 2005 and 2009, the virus is transmitted easily through human contact, particularly by children with hand to mouth contact after exposure on the skin (usually from sneezing or coughing) from an infected person. I have found that the best place for accurate information about the swine flu outbreak is the Center for Disease Control (CDC). General information and facts about swine flu can be found on their website.

With all the economic chaos going on around us, I felt that being prepared in case of an emergency was perhaps one of the best things I could do for my family.  It seems that it wouldn’t take much (i.e. another terrorist attack on US soil, a breakdown of critical infrastructure, or further eroding of the economic crisis) to push society over the edge into civil unrest.  I ask myself what would happen if our family were to not have the benefit of electricity for a three months.  Would the grocery stores be empty?  Would you be able to purchase gasoline?  I have purchased 2-person disaster emergency kits for my family members along with a large supply of freeze dried food and bottled water to deal with just such an emergency.  Preparing on such a scale for a family of four cannot be done overnight, but with time and planning, the proper store of food, water, and other survival items can be built up. 

2-Person Deluxe Survival Kit

I keep one of the backpacks in my car at all times, just in case I were to become stranded while at work.  Being prepared gives you a sense of security, even in the face of uncertainty.