Code Green alert! It's an emergency - what do you do?
Being prepared for an emergency is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones. Hopefully you've already got your environmentally-friendly first aid kit, but there's a lot more you'll need in case of a big emergency. Beyond first aid, in an emergency you'll need to have the basics covered: light, communication, water, food, shelter and warmth. One of the best eco-friendly items to have is a windup flashlight. They don't use batteries, and they come with LED lights. Even better, you can get one with an AM/FM radio, an alarm to help with emergency rescues and even a cell phone charger.
You can also purchase used cell phones (without a minutes plan) that come equipped to call 911 in an emergency. It comes with free, unlimited 911 emergency calls and is made from recycled phones. If you have an old phone you can also send it in to the company for $5 cash or credit towards purchasing an emergency phone.
Many emergency kits come with a plastic water pouch. But when you have drank the water, the pouch becomes useless. Instead, invest in a water bottle equipped with an EPA-approved filtration system, so you can use and reuse the water available in nature. Unfortunately, when it comes to food, you are going to have to find a hermetically sealed emergency ration. You can't avoid plastic here, because without it, the food might get wet or spoil. A more eco-friendly option as compared to many small freeze-dried portions or aluminum cans, are emergency food ration bars.
For shelter, invest in an eco-friendly tarp. There are some made from 60 percent recycled plastic, which is a smarter choice than one made from new plastic. The tarps are waterproof and provide shelter and protection.
As for warmth, get a blanket made from recycled plastic, like the ones at Blue Lotus. These items won't make a fully equipped emergency kit, but it is a good start towards coping with disaster in an environmentally friendly way.
Source: BecauseAction.com
