I spend a lot of time talking with individuals about the importance of being prepared for emergencies. In doing so, I am constantly thinking about ideas,and techniques which may resonate with folks to help them change behaviors.  I have this little ambition of creating something viral that will catch on an get people actively preparing.  When I saw the video below of the President using humor to try to get folks to register to vote, it immediately made me think of 30 Days, 30 Ways and if we could do something around Preparedness.   Today we want you to help us out and  to test your creativity. You get to show us, what things are harder than “Being Prepared.”

DAY 23 ACTIVITY:  

2 Pts –  Create Your Own Video sharing at least 1 thing harder than being prepared!  Please keep videos under 90 seconds.

Bonus: Can you think of 5 things harder than being prepared?  Share in your video 5 things harder than being prepared.  Please keep videos under 90 seconds.

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

It doesn’t matter if you live in hurricane, tornado, severe weather, earthquake, volcano, or even in zombie country… Being able to stay informed and receiving alerts is an important part of anyone’s emergency plan.  When it comes to staying informed, there are many options out there.  Across the Country, systems like, EAS (Emergency Alert System) which pops up on your TV or your radio, and WEA (Wireless Emergency Alerts) like those used during an Amber Alert that notify your through your mobile phone, may be the most common but they are not the only systems.  Emergency Managers also rely on other notification systems that allow them to send specific messages to designated areas down to even a block radius if needed. Because more and more individuals only have mobile phones instead of traditional landlines, these emergency notification systems rely on individuals to register their number and address to be included in the alerts.    Today we want focus on these “other” Emergency Notification Systems. We want you to determine if these systems are available where you live and if you would be included if the system was used.

DAY 22 ACTIVITY:  

2 Pts –  We want you to identify if there is an Emergency Notification System in place where you live.  Please share the link to registering, and tell us ” As part of my emergency plan, I am registered for alerts!”

Bonus:  We want you to share with your family and friends the importance of being registered for alerts.  We want you to share with your family and friends the link to register in your area, and encourage them to register also!

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

Growing up in Montana on a farm and ranch, I learned from an early age about raising a lot of our own food.  We had a large garden, fruit trees, raised cattle, and I even milked cows twice a day.  I remember my mother and grandmother spending tireless hours canning during the summers to store all the produce raised to help get us through the winters.  I picked up a few of these techniques, but will admit, they can be labor intensive.

When we went to “town’ to get supplies, it was maybe once or twice a month.  As i got out on my own, and moved to the PNW, I found myself transitioning a bit.  Partly because of storage, but also because of ease, I found easier to be able to run to the grocery store daily.  Now I do not do this often.  I still usually shop only once a week or so.  But there are days when I really do not feel like cooking, that it’s easier to run to store.

In the past couple years, I have tried to get back to my roots a bit more.  I started raising a garden, I added some storage shelves in the basement, and purchased a small chest freezer.  My shelves now have home canned vegetables, the freezer has proteins I have been able to purchase in bulk, and during the late summer, early fall my home is filled with my own produce.

I will admit, I am spoiled.  Some of those canned vegetables on the shelves, are from my mother.  She still loves to can, and shares with me yearly.  But I have starting making and freezing my own items too, including pickles, and marinara sauce.

Each year my garden gets a little better as I add something else that I decide to tackle. Besides the simple joys of knowing I raised my food myself, knowing what is in the foods I eat has also been a win for me.  It doesn’t take a lot of room to grow a few vegetables, and I have seen more than one container garden on patios of apartments.

DAY 21 ACTIVITY:  

2 Pts – How self resilient are you?  Show us and share what types of activities you have done to improve your disaster resilience.

Bonus:  Share a trick of your trade in how it helps you be resilient.

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 once again partner with our friends across the pond. With school back in session, and fall is just around the corner, we soon will start hearing about nasty viral virus’ popping up.  We all have been taught from an early age, that good hand washing can stop the spread of these little bug, Yet each year, so many nasty illnesses start with poor hand hygiene. Salmonella, campylobacter, MRSA, flu, diarrhea and sickness, the common cold, impetigo, – these are just some of the viruses and infections passed between people who do not wash their hands.  Some germs can stay alive on our hands for up to three hours and in that time they can be spread to all the things we touch – including food and other people.  The best way of preventing infection passing from one person to another is by washing our hands regularly throughout the day.

DAY 20 ACTIVITY:  

2 Pts –  Your challenge for today is to share with us the importance of proper hygiene and how it can impact during a disaster. Be sure to use the #30Days30Ways hashtag in your response as we want to track the “viral” activity between us and our UK partners!

Bonus:   Create a small video showing your other sanitation items in your emergency kit. Share why you have what items and why they are important. A large portion of this game is to use Social Media- try to be innovative and make your post creative and have the potential to create a social “buzz” or “viral” effect

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 all th’ years o’ doin’ #30Days30Ways, today always seems t’ be one o’ me favorite, by Davy Jones’ locker. That’s because today be National Talk Like a Pirate Day!! Yaaarrrrr! I love seein’ no matter what our challenge has been this day, th’ creativity and th’ laughs this day brin’s t’ all o’ us at 30Days, 30Ways. This year be no different other than we be includin’ our four legged, our feathered, and even our scaly maties t’ be part o’ this fun day.

DAY 19 ACTIVITY:  

2 Pts – Pets be members o’ our families and they need t’ be prepared fer disasters also. Show us yer pet emergency kit. Be sure t’ include yer pet in yer pic/video arrr and even get them into th’ Pirate theme!!

Bonus: Not only do we want t’ see ye be tellin’ us about yer pets and their emergency kit, we want ye t’ share while, what else… Talkin’ like a Corsair!! Here be an easy English t’ Pirate translator.     http://funtranslations.com/pirate

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

As you may guess, I am a bit of a techie… I love my smartphone, and electronic devices. From music players, electronic readers, televisions, streaming video players, today’s electronic world requires a power source.  It only takes a small power outage to realize how dependent we have all become on electronic power.

As our seasons change, and we start spending more time indoors,  some of our activities change, including using more of those electronic devices.  But what if that power outage lasted more than a few hours?  What if that power outage was part of something bigger? How would you keep yourself, your kids, and family entertained to pass hours or even days with no electricity?

DAY 18 ACTIVITY:  

2 Pts –  What type of items do you have in your emergency kit for entertainment that do not require electricity?  Share what type of items you have in your emergency kit to help pass time.  Share any hobbies that could also help pass time… and don’t just ‘type’ them in a comment.. we would love to see them in a video or a picture!!

Bonus:  What are some of your favorite comfort/snack foods?  Do you also have any of these in your kit?

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 task should be pretty simple if you are taking our Day 16 challenge of 3-Days Without. Now I am not one that goes out and buys specialized food items for my preparedness kit. I buy items that I will use routinely, so most items get rotated out regularly.  I usually grab a couple extra dollars worth of these items about every other time I go grocery shopping, so I never really run out.  There are always at least 4 cans of this, and 4-5 cans of that in my pantry.  I also watch when there is a sale on certain items and I will buy an additional case. I have on occasion purchased items I know I can eat, but don’t often and keep them on hand also for an emergency.

It’s surprising what you find in your cupboards when you clean them out.  A few weeks back, I had a little burst of energy on a weekend, and the next thing you know, I had cleaned out, wiped down everyone of my kitchen cupboards.  I threw out a few dry goods, I just didn’t trust any longer as I realized they had been open for a while. As I went through the different items, I found myself noticing the expiration dates… Some were easy to spot, while others not so easy.

DAY 17 ACTIVITY:  

2 Pts – Take a marker pen and go through your pantry and clearly mark the expiration dates on your items!

Bonus:   Honestly share what you found or any revelations you stumbled upon as you completed this task.

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

How many of you have ever tasted the foods in your emergency kit?  Have you tested cooking a meal without that electric can opener or the electric range?  The Microwave?  For a good portion of those taking this challenge, we have already created our emergency kits, but I am guessing very few of us have ever had to “survive” off of our emergency kit. That is until now…  We do not want the first time you need your emergency gear, to be the first time you’ve ever used it!!   Last year OPB in Portland, OR actually asked a few couples to take that challenge.  Some of what they learned can be found in this article.  Today’s challenge will take some extra effort, and days to complete.  Because of that, we are also awarding extra points for this challenge!!

DAY 16 ACTIVITY:  

25 Pts – Take the 3 day challenge for yourself and your family.   Record your findings throughout the three days and share that small video or blog posting as your challenge answer.

Bonus:  Share 4 lessons or things you learned about your emergency kit during the three days!

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

Each year we try to incorporate at least one Pop Culture challenge into our game, and today is that day!!  Recently someone shared movie releases for the month of September with me.  It didn’t take long to see a connection between the films and a preparedness message for several of those movies…

• Sully – Pack Sully Style… pack your TSA friendly emergency kit.
• Snowden – You seriously still are not using 2-factor authentication?
• Deepwater Horizon – environmental disasters,impacts, and  long-term recovery

We all have a few favorite movies, and I’m sure at least a couple of those have a theme that could be tied back to preparedness and safety.  Today we want you to use your creativeness an link a favorite movie with a preparedness message….

DAY 15 ACTIVITY:  

2 Pts –   Share a favorite movie and the preparedness tie in…. Create your campaign and take a pic and share it with us.

Bonus:   If you are in the Portland/Vancouver area, join us tonight for our Disaster Movie Night!!!  If you live outside the Portland metro region, we want you to attend a preparedness event in your community.  Take a selfie and share it with us from your event. Be sure to tag #30Days30Ways in your photo.

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