The Pros And Cons Of Alternative Energy Sources For Your Home

Wind Power1Solar panelsMore than ever before, people are considering alternative energy solutions for their homes.  There are many reasons for this.  Some people are tired of the constantly increasing cost of electrical power.  Others want to do something positive for the environment. 

Whatever the reason is, alternative energy is here to stay, and this article will examine some of the pros and cons for some of the most common alternative energy solutions out there today.

Wind Energy

Wind appeals to a lot of people because it is a very clean source of energy.  There are no harmful emissions, so it is one of the most environmentally friendly sources of energy in existence.

Two of the best things about wind energy are that we will never run out of wind and a typical wind energy system does not require much maintenance.

However, wind is only a practical solution in certain areas.  If you live in an area without constant windy conditions it may not make sense for you.

In addition, the blades of some windmills are a threat to birds and other wild life.  Also, wind is not an energy source that can be counted on (Read more....)

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4 Tips For Cold Weather Survival

5742Sorel Caribou Winter BootsExtreme cold weather can be one of the most intimidating challenges that anyone can face.  If you are caught out in extreme heat you are likely to survive at least for a while as long as you have water.  However, if you are caught in extreme cold you can die quite quickly if you are not prepared and you don’t have the proper equipment. 

The following four principles will serve you very well if you find yourself trying to survive in a very cold situation…..

Disaster_by_nadja_garnet

Disaster By Nadja Garnet

#1) Keep Yourself Covered – If you do find yourself caught outside in very cold weather, it is important to capture as much of your own body heat as you can.  Did you realize that you lose almost half of your body heat from an unprotected head?  It is crucial to have your head, neck, wrists, and ankles all covered up in extreme (Read more....)

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What To Do If A Hurricane Is Coming

2007hurricane_5006a00d834515b2069e200e54f55b0328834-800wiThere are few natural disasters that can be as frightening as a hurricane.  After the catastrophic damage that Hurricane Katrina caused, none of us has an excuse for being lazy in our preparations.

Preparing for a hurricane can literally mean the difference between life and death.  The following are some simple guidelines that you can use to help get yourself prepared for a hurricane…..

If you live in a hurricane prone area, begin to prepare for a storm even before hurricane season starts.  Trying to get prepared once you hear a storm is coming can be difficult and can lead to mistakes.

Prepare an emergency disaster kit in case you must evacuate.  Make sure that your kit includes a first aid kit, any medications that your family will need, drinking water, sleeping bags, canned food (with a can opener), flashlights and a radio. 

In addition, it is a very good idea to have your most important documents ready to take with you in a waterproof container.  You don’t want them getting destroyed by the (Read more....)

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9 Steps To Starting A Survival Garden

freshfoodtillerIn a time of economic uncertainty and rising food prices, it it always a good idea to have a garden to provide extra food for you and your family.  Besides providing a source of food in an emergency, a garden is also a great source of wonderful vegetables which are MUCH healthier to eat than most of the food you can get at the supermarket.

So how do you begin?  The following are 9 steps that you can take to get your garden started…..

#1) Decide What Your Goals Are – Do you want to grow enough just to add a few vegetables to your dinner once in a while?  Do you want it to be able to provide enough food for your family if there is a major emergency?

Some people who want to live “off the grid” end up building a garden large enough that it will provide almost all of the food that their family needs.  It is important to have an idea of what your goals for your garden are BEFORE you get started.

#2) Evaluate Your Land – Once you know what your goals are, you need to evaluate the land that you are currently living on.   Is it big enough?  Does it get enough sun?  Will you need to put (Read more....)

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