A favorite on the infomercial circuit, Space Bags bring many benefits to preparedness-savvy shoppers. Space Bags are used for reducing the space needed for storing clothes and bedding: with them, your emergency clothes and bedding take less space. They also provide protection from moisture, dust, smells, and bugs — very handy for emergency clothes in the trunk of a car. Some bags are designed to be rolled by hand to squeeze the excess air out, while other bags work best with a vacuum cleaner pulling out the air. Space Bags range from a cube large enough to store comforters and pillows, to smaller pouches that fit clothes for a day or two.

If you need more space in your emergency go-kits or if you just want better protection for your clothes consider adding Space Bags to your preparedness toolkit!

Tip: Space Bags can also be used for items that do not compact, such as papers and electronics. It’s a simple way of protecting items in a see-through package.

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March 21st, 2011 | Tags: clever, go kit, Off-the-Shelf, protect, shopping, skip kit, space, storage, supplies | Category: 2011, STAT, STAT 5MM | Comments (5)

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July 15th, 2009 | Tags: Evacuation, map, neighborhood, space | Category: 2009, STAT | Leave a comment

Many preparedness items that will prove valuable to you could be tempting for others, too. Storing a few key items in secret places can help you feel doubly safe – you’ll have access to what you need and won’t have to fear losing it.

This could be something as simple as putting some money inside the sole of your shoe! Paper, cash or spare keys can be stored in tiny spaces: inside seat cushions; sewn into fabric lining; or taped under or behind innocuous objects.

One piece of paper can hold much valuable information: contacts; medical needs; financial accounts; and even passcodes. That single sheet can then be rolled, folded or stashed where no one would ever think to look.

Look for secret spaces in your life. Feel safer by knowing others won’t find your secret safety places!

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June 29th, 2009 | Tags: Information, space, supplies | Category: STAT 5MM | Leave a comment

For people living in small spaces, one concern is the lack of space for storing disaster supplies. This is shared by nonprofits, faith agencies and businesses of all types. Emergency supplies – extra whistles, flashlights, water pouches, printed material, etc. – can often fit in oddly shaped or dead spaces. Spend five minutes looking for spaces that can hold emergency supplies, or where other things can be stored to free up space for safety gear.  Some found spaces:

-    inside suitcases/roller-bags.
-    inside shoes and boots that sit in a closet.
-    wheel-wells where spare car tire is stored.
-    behind desks or furniture not flush against a wall.

Use these oddly shaped, awkward or dead spaces to store things that you won’t need to quickly grab and go. Save prime real estate for kits that can be accessed immediately!

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June 22nd, 2009 | Tags: space | Category: STAT 5MM | Leave a comment

One often-overlooked resource your neighborhood might have is simple open space.  Parks, parking lots, golf courses, fields and similar areas provide a place to gather during evacuations or for longer-term sheltering.   Take note of all open spaces near you, and mark them on your local area map.  You can use maps to look up new locations, but this is a great opportunity for staff and volunteers who know the neighborhood to contribute to agency preparedness.

Visit these sites, so you know exactly what you can expect.  Make a point of talking to the owners, caretakers or managers of any space you include in your planning.  There may be other planned uses for the space, safety hazards to consider, fees to pay, or additional resources they can share. Remember: other groups may also be planning on using the space.

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June 15th, 2009 | Tags: Evacuation, map, neighborhood, space | Category: STAT 5MM | Comments (1)