I’m a firm believer that to make a change regarding personal preparedness, we must do more than just talk about it.  Changing behaviors and attitudes regarding personal preparedness was the entire reason #30Days30Ways started seven years ago.  I have found one of the best techniques in changing attitudes of adults is by getting their kids on board.  Last year we introduced this challenge, and it was highly popular.  We asked you to create a kit in a bottle for a kiddo in your family.  This year we want to build on that.  If you happen to live in Vancouver, WA  this challenge should be super easy if you attend our annual CRESA EXPO today.

DAY 10 ACTIVITY:  

2 Pts –   Create a Water Bottle Emergency Kit for a kiddo in your family.  Even better if you create it with them together, explaining what it is and the uses for each item.

Bonus:  Pay it Forward.  Gift a bottle or two to neighborhood kiddos or at a local school.

LETS START A CONVERSATION!  Add the following “Twibbon” to your Facebook, or Twitter Profile Picture!!  Thanks to our friends at Sacramento County Office  Emergency Services, with a couple clicks you can show your support for National Preparedness Month!!  Click the picture to add the Twibbon to your accounts!!

PROOF OF COMPLETION:  There are 4 ways you can complete this task:

1. Leave a comment with your answer in it on our blog below
2. Email us at info@30Days30ways.com
3. Put your answer on our Facebook Fan Page or
4. Provide the answer on Twitter (Please include @30Days_30ways or hashtag #30Days30Ways in any tweets.

You Have until MIDNIGHT on September 30th to complete this task. Contest rules and more information on the #30Days30WaysChallenge  can be found here:

Note:  If you are receiving this via email, go to www.30days30ways.com to answer

Its something we all do, yet we all pretend we don’t.  It’s something no one talks about, yet it is something, no matter our age we all have in common.  When we talk about personal preparedness, we think about food, and water, but we rarely talk about what happens if the toilets don’t flush.  As I speak with folks about preparedness, I often bring up the earthquake in Christchurch New Zealand.  I use it as an example of how long some services take to return.  In some areas of the city, it took over 3 years to repair all of the services.  What would you do if you didn’t have flushing toilets for a week… let alone 3 years?

DAY 9 ACTIVITY:  

2 Pts –  Create or share what is in your sanitation preparedness kit.

Bonus:  Create a basic picture/video message around having something for sanitation in your emergency kit… include items, how many buckets, etc.

LETS START A CONVERSATION!  Add the following “Twibbon” to your Facebook, or Twitter Profile Picture!!  Thanks to our friends at Sacramento County Office  Emergency Services, with a couple clicks you can show your support for National Preparedness Month!!  Click the picture to add the Twibbon to your accounts!!

PROOF OF COMPLETION:  There are 4 ways you can complete this task:

1. Leave a comment with your answer in it on our blog below
2. Email us at info@30Days30ways.com
3. Put your answer on our Facebook Fan Page or
4. Provide the answer on Twitter (Please include @30Days_30ways or hashtag #30Days30Ways in any tweets.

You Have until MIDNIGHT on September 30th to complete this task. Contest rules and more information on the #30Days30WaysChallenge  can be found here:

Note:  If you are receiving this via email, go to www.30days30ways.com to answer

Almost a day doesn’t go by without us hearing about some system that is suppose to keep our secure data… well secure, being hacked.  From major stores and companies to email servers, to social media accounts, the list goes on.  Identity theft cases are on the rise, as we become more and more accustom to hearing about  personal data being compromised.  So what an we do to help keep our information secure?

DAY 8 ACTIVITY:  

2 Pts – Update all of your online passwords. Share with us recommendations of what makes up a good password and how often you should change passwords.

Bonus: Do you use a password keeper?  Share suggestions for others in how to keep all the passwords we need secure OR Learn about 2-factor authentication, or take a class at the local PD on online safety.

LETS START A CONVERSATION!  Add the following “Twibbon” to your Facebook, or Twitter Profile Picture!!  Thanks to our friends at Sacramento County Office  Emergency Services, with a couple clicks you can show your support for National Preparedness Month!!  Click the picture to add the Twibbon to your accounts!!

PROOF OF COMPLETION:  There are 4 ways you can complete this task:

1. Leave a comment with your answer in it on our blog below
2. Email us at info@30Days30ways.com
3. Put your answer on our Facebook Fan Page or
4. Provide the answer on Twitter (Please include @30Days_30ways or hashtag #30Days30Ways in any tweets.

You Have until MIDNIGHT on September 30th to complete this task. Contest rules and more information on the #30Days30WaysChallenge  can be found here:

Note:  If you are receiving this via email, go to www.30days30ways.com to answer

Today’s challenge will take a little research.   Over the years, we have several ideas come and go about what are the best ways to survive a disaster.  Today we want your help in busting some of these myths.  Help us smash out myths and help share proper information regarding personal preparedness for disasters and emergencies.  Find misconceptions, myths, false information, and flat out lies regarding preparedness and surviving a disaster.

DAY 7 ACTIVITY:  

2 Pts – Find and debunk mis-information on anything related to preparedness or what to do in an emergency.

Bonus: We will be awarding bonus points for creativity and the funniest responses we get to this challenge.

LETS START A CONVERSATION!  Add the following “Twibbon” to your Facebook, or Twitter Profile Picture!!  Thanks to our friends at Sacramento County Office  Emergency Services, with a couple clicks you can show your support for National Preparedness Month!!  Click the picture to add the Twibbon to your accounts!!

PROOF OF COMPLETION:  There are 4 ways you can complete this task:

1. Leave a comment with your answer in it on our blog below
2. Email us at info@30Days30ways.com
3. Put your answer on our Facebook Fan Page or
4. Provide the answer on Twitter (Please include @30Days_30ways or hashtag #30Days30Ways in any tweets.

You Have until MIDNIGHT on September 30th to complete this task. Contest rules and more information on the #30Days30WaysChallenge  can be found here:

Note:  If you are receiving this via email, go to www.30days30ways.com to answer

Water….  In the past we have talked to you about how much water each person should have on hand, (1 gallon per person per day) and challenged you to identify some different sources for emergency water.  I will never forget the conversation regarding the toilet tank and draining the hot water heater… ( thanks TinFoilT), but have we talked about the shelf life of water?  Does it have a shelf life?  What about if its exposed to extreme heat or cold? Does the container make a difference?

DAY 6 ACTIVITY:  

2 Pts – Today we not only want you to tell us how often your different sources of water are rotated… We want you to actually rotate your water supplies.

Bonus: Find a useful link/video on how to purify water and share with your post.

LETS START A CONVERSATION!  Add the following “Twibbon” to your Facebook, or Twitter Profile Picture!!  Thanks to our friends at Sacramento County Office  Emergency Services, with a couple clicks you can show your support for National Preparedness Month!!  Click the picture to add the Twibbon to your accounts!!

PROOF OF COMPLETION:  There are 4 ways you can complete this task:

1. Leave a comment with your answer in it on our blog below
2. Email us at info@30Days30ways.com
3. Put your answer on our Facebook Fan Page or
4. Provide the answer on Twitter (Please include @30Days_30ways or hashtag #30Days30Ways in any tweets.

You Have until MIDNIGHT on September 30th to complete this task. Contest rules and more information on the #30Days30WaysChallenge  can be found here:

Note:  If you are receiving this via email, go to www.30days30ways.com to answer

In most communities and counties across this country it is the Emergency Manager who has the role of  preparing for, mitigating against, recovering from, educating about hazards and potential disasters.  Emergency Managers can be located in several different areas of local government from its own department to an individual in Public Works or under the Fire Chief.

No matter where they may be located, emergency managers do their best to engage their communities regarding disaster preparedness, and each year we ask you to find your local emergency manager.  This year is no different, but with a different twist.  (Oh and this could take you a few days to arrange to gather your task proof!)

via GIPHY

DAY 5 ACTIVITY:  

2 Pts – It’s time for a scavenger hunt!!  We want you to connect with your Local Emergency Manager, and not only let them know you are playing #30Days30Ways but we want you to snap a video or picture of your adventure in finding them.

Bonus:  Share one new item you learned regarding your local Emergency Manager, public safety in your community or what message your local Emergency Manager would like you to share.

IF You Are an Emergency Manager: If you are and Emergency Manager taking this challenge with us, we aren’t giving you a pass on this.  We want EM’s to create a video introducing themselves to their communities, and urge community members to join them in the #30Days30Ways Preparedness Challenge!

LETS START A CONVERSATION!  Add the following “Twibbon” to your Facebook, or Twitter Profile Picture!!  Thanks to our friends at Sacramento County Office  Emergency Services, with a couple clicks you can show your support for National Preparedness Month!!  Click the picture to add the Twibbon to your accounts!!

PROOF OF COMPLETION:  There are 4 ways you can complete this task:

1. Leave a comment with your answer in it on our blog below
2. Email us at info@30Days30ways.com
3. Put your answer on our Facebook Fan Page or
4. Provide the answer on Twitter (Please include @30Days_30ways or hashtag #30Days30Ways in any tweets.

You Have until MIDNIGHT on September 30th to complete this task. Contest rules and more information on the #30Days30WaysChallenge  can be found here:

Note:  If you are receiving this via email, go to www.30days30ways.com to answer

One of my favorite new commercials is the new Google Photos ad in freeing up space.  I love the simple reminder of backing up all those precious memories.  When it comes to preparing for emergencies, there are of course a few other items that need to be backed up.

DAY 4 ACTIVITY:  

2 Pts – What have you done to store precious family photos?

Bonus:  Share at least 2 other items that should be backed up, and suggestions on how? Do your best not to repeat items already listed by someone else.

LETS START A CONVERSATION!  Add the following “Twibbon” to your Facebook, or Twitter Profile Picture!!  Thanks to our friends at Sacramento County Office  Emergency Services, with a couple clicks you can show your support for National Preparedness Month!!  Click the picture to add the Twibbon to your accounts!!

PROOF OF COMPLETION:  There are 4 ways you can complete this task:

1. Leave a comment with your answer in it on our blog below
2. Email us at info@30Days30ways.com
3. Put your answer on our Facebook Fan Page or
4. Provide the answer on Twitter (Please include @30Days_30ways or hashtag #30Days30Ways in any tweets.

You Have until MIDNIGHT on September 30th to complete this task. Contest rules and more information on the #30Days30WaysChallenge  can be found here:

Note:  If you are receiving this via email, go to www.30days30ways.com to answer

In today’s fast past world, many of us spend countless hours sitting in our vehicles as we commute, travel, and just to run errands.  Each year we see stories of folks stuck in their vehicles for hours due to accidents, severe weather, and even trying to evacuate an area.  If you happened to be one of those sitting for hours or more, would you be prepared?  Do you have what you need to survive the long haul?

DAY 3 ACTIVITY:  

2 Pts – Option 1: What is in your vehicles Emergency Kit, and what are items you rotate in and out depending on the season?

2 Pts – Option 2: If you use public transit, what are items you keep with you?

Bonus:  Find an article or video traffic jams in your area caused by a weather emergency.  How long were individuals stuck?

LETS START A CONVERSATION!  Add the following “Twibbon” to your Facebook, or Twitter Profile Picture!!  Thanks to our friends at Sacramento County Office  Emergency Services, with a couple clicks you can show your support for National Preparedness Month!!  Click the picture to add the Twibbon to your accounts!!

PROOF OF COMPLETION:  There are 4 ways you can complete this task:

1. Leave a comment with your answer in it on our blog below
2. Email us at info@30Days30ways.com
3. Put your answer on our Facebook Fan Page or
4. Provide the answer on Twitter (Please include @30Days_30ways or hashtag #30Days30Ways in any tweets.

You Have until MIDNIGHT on September 30th to complete this task. Contest rules and more information on the #30Days30WaysChallenge  can be found here:

Note:  If you are receiving this via email, go to www.30days30ways.com to answer

Maps are a part of our daily lives even if we don’t actually even realize it.  Although many folks today do not actually carry a map with them, we use maps daily in a majority of the apps we use. From Google Maps to Wise, even Social Media apps like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram use locations within your phone to identify your neighborhood vicinity. This summer we saw this play out even more in the Pokemon Go.  This got our attention and we can’t wait to see where this technology takes us and how it can be used possibly in disasters.  With all the online apps and technology we have, maps are an important role in your emergency plan, and apps do not replace the need to have them available.   Maps will always play an important role and we encourage you to have a paper copy just in case.  

DAY 2 ACTIVITY:  

 2 Pts: Use your favorite mapping program to find the nearest fire dept, police dept, and hospital.  Identify how far away you may be from each and how many potential bridges, overpass’ etc you would have to cross to get there.  Map and collect those locations for your emergency kit in both digital and paper form.

Bonus:  Use same program to locate potential evacuation routes if needed. Draw these out or mark on a paper map to add to your emergency kit.  Be sure to add important phone numbers of marked locations.

LETS START A CONVERSATION!  Add the following “Twibbon” to your Facebook, or Twitter Profile Picture!!  Thanks to our friends at Sacramento County Office  Emergency Services, with a couple clicks you can show your support for National Preparedness Month!!  Click the picture to add the Twibbon to your accounts!!

PROOF OF COMPLETION:  There are 4 ways you can complete this task:

1. Leave a comment with your answer in it on our blog below
2. Email us at info@30Days30ways.com
3. Put your answer on our Facebook Fan Page or
4. Provide the answer on Twitter (Please include @30Days_30ways or hashtag #30Days30Ways in any tweets.

You Have until MIDNIGHT on September 30th to complete this task. Contest rules and more information on the #30Days30WaysChallenge  can be found here:

Note:  If you are receiving this via email, go to www.30days30ways.com to answer

Today we kick off National Preparedness month all across the United States. It also marks our 7th annual #30Days30Ways Preparedness Challenge.  As this month progress’, we Don’t Want You To Be Scared, But Be Prepared!  Over the past several months we have seen topic after topic that has driven home that putting off preparing for an emergency till tomorrow.  The entire reason behind the #30Days30Ways concept was to change behaviors toward preparedness.  This year we want you to help us in spreading the word and starting a conversation about how simple it can be to start becoming better prepared.  It doesn’t need to be something scary and overwhelming. It’s a change in how we look at things, and can be built upon.   As someone who talks about this subject on a daily basis, its hard for me to not go anywhere without seeing a sign that reminds me in some way of the importance of being prepared.  Little signs of past emergencies and disasters not only can remind us of the hazards but small steps we can take to be ready for the next potential disaster.

DAY 1 ACTIVITY:  

 2 Pts: Find and share an article about a Disaster (In your area if possible) that happened before 1985.

Bonus:  What changes have been made since that disaster?  What is different today??

LETS START A CONVERSATION!  Add the following “Twibbon” to your Facebook, or Twitter Profile Picture!!  Thanks to our friends at Sacramento County Office  Emergency Services, with a couple clicks you can show your support for National Preparedness Month!!  Click the picture to add the Twibbon to your accounts!!

PROOF OF COMPLETION:  There are 4 ways you can complete this task:

1. Leave a comment with your answer in it on our blog below
2. Email us at info@30Days30ways.com
3. Put your answer on our Facebook Fan Page or
4. Provide the answer on Twitter (Please include @30Days_30ways or hashtag #30Days30Ways in any tweets.

You Have until MIDNIGHT on September 30th to complete this task. Contest rules and more information on the #30Days30WaysChallenge  can be found here:

Note:  If you are receiving this via email, go to www.30days30ways.com to answer