Prep Tools - Hexagon Titanium Stove

Having options when your supply of traditional fuels run out is to have viable options in a survival situation. One practical option is to be able to burn wood. In many areas wood is plentiful and you may not need a rip roaring blaze to cook your food - or be able to get one going in bad weather....especially if back country camping.

This strong titanium stove weighs in at 4.1 oz and folds flat enough to place in a day pack or stored in your preparedness pack. The stove handles up to 1.5 liter cooking pots.

You could use this with jellied alcohol cans like sterno, scraps of wood, charcoal, firestarter logs - whatever you might find. This mini stove also reduces your impact on the environment and your visible signature if you are worried about attracting unwanted attention.

Downside - about $60 - Upside - well built and incredibly lightweight.

Find them here at http://www.campingsurvival.com/ or Vargo http://tinyurl.com/39kplw6

Mention coupon code "ICE" at campingsurvival.com and receive 5% off.

Improvised Emergency Shelter

In the event of an emergency where you might need to relocate to a safer location for a period of time depending on the nature of the emergency one consideration could be a variation of the storage container pictured here.

These 14 gauge all steel storage units come in 10-20-40 foot sizes and have a host of adaptations that can be installed that lend themselves to remote set ups including man doors, safety entrance and escape constructed doors, storage shelve options and secure locking devices. Of course they have a considerable storage capacity for whatever you think is essential to have on hand for your "camp" or relocation property.

The units can be shipped via truck/flatbed to your location and positioned strategically. Smaller units can be more manageable and while they normally are rented by construction firms and event organizer they can be purchased as well for about what you might pay for a stick built shed or garage depending on the condition.

Suffice to say the storage box is more secure and could be buried in sand or rocks to make it blend into the environment and do come in different colors as well. These units do come with vents to allow changing temperature condensation to evacuate as well as fumes from volatile compounds like gasoline.

We know you will attempt to store fuel of some sort in there so why beat around the bush. read other blog entries on that topic here. The tops are painted white to reflect sunlight in an attempt to keep the temperature down. Interiors are painted as well and have wooden floors.

Living in these things might be a challenge but less so that in a tent....plus you can store materials on top of the unit (not likely on your shed) and survival apparatus can be positioned inside as well as outside to accommodate your likely "outing".

Do they look appealing? Well, - a log cabin might be more appealing...but that would cost $25-30K and these are a fraction of that. Now they are looking better. You could apply board and batten or a fence to offset the dimensions of the unit and color coordinate. Security is provided by locking devices and heavy metal doors - you would need to have a cutting torch to get in.

Consider the various sizes that you could use and zoning regulations on temporary storage in your community. They also are heavy so before you think about dropping one off way up your mountain.....get your crane guy lined up first. The rest of us will do just fine on level ground up on treated blocks.

The A-Verdi Company in New York State has an extensive array of units and modifications they can create for you. You may have other vendors in your particular state who might do the same...these units are plentiful. No, we aren't related or have stock in this family owned company.

We think you should give this idea some thought in your planning stage.

Best part - if you don't like it after a while - sell it back or sell it outright. You can't (really) do that with a shed.

http://www.averdi.com/storage_containers.php

Visit http://www.ice4safety.com/

New ICE Cards - New Prices Stickers Too!

There will actually be a price decrease....no we haven't (yet) been shaken down by the government to lower prices - we did it the traditional way through hard work.

In any event the new card is based on the model used for construction workers as it gives some additional utility for those in work, school or that might have a language barrier.

Stay tuned for pricing changes shortly. Yes, we still provide kits for free.....SASE. Custom designs still same price - minimum 1000 count.

Check out the new prices effective 7-15-10!

ICE Sticker Prices Drastically Reduced as well! (1x1")

Visit: www.ice4safety.com/purchase.html

These are regular prices - not a fire sale - working on the other lines to reduce those prices!!

Flag Day 2010

Proudly Display Your American Flag Today - and Every Day!

Porter Hills Promotes ICE in Michigan!

Our friends in the State of Michigan at the renowned Porter Hills Retirement Communities had run an organization wide promotion using ICE and how it can be used to enhance safety in their communities and beyond.

As a part of that promotion, Porter Hills used custom made ICE Cards an ICE Banner as well as this unique adaptation of the ICE Image. Your organization can too!

Turn up your sound!

Learn more about Porter Hills at this link... http://www.porterhills.org/

Gratitude Campaign - Show Your Support!

Want to say "Thank You" but you feel awkward or not sure how?

Try using this method. Watch the video.

Or visit: http://www.gratitudecampaign.org/

Summer is Here - Enjoy!

Summer is here and for those of us active people who love the outdoors and run, jump, bike, hike, paddle or push the limits in some way out on the trail, it is time to take a minute or two to evaluate the environment where you are going to be exerting yourself.

If you are doing so in a local public park or trail system you may already have realized that services have been cut due to the massive government debt so your trails may or may not look all that well maintained.

You may also have noticed reduced park police presence this year for those same reasons. Even so, if you are doing these things yourself and find yourself all of a sudden taken ill or trip and fall injuring yourself or get caught up in a storm....you might be alone for a while. Hey, no problem right? Maybe....but then again folks have gone off trail just a few feet and been injured with no way to summon help.

Bottom line: If you are all alone recreating in some way make sure you let someone else know where you are going, when you anticipate being back or finished, take a cell or smart phone and know where the closest phones (public or private) are near your route. If you are late, call and advise your contact(s) so they don't mistake your lateness as your being inconsiderate - it could make a big difference.

Avid runners will run 5-10 miles and into some terrain where you would not anticipate others to follow in short order so if you take a header off the trail or bike it could be some time before (if) help arrives. If road running you could get hit by a car by someone texting their friends and they would never know it. Even if people do pass by there is no saying who they might be or if they would be able to help you in a medical emergency.

This strategy is part of the overall ICE concept of common sense. Don't count on a TV movie rescue via helicopter either....it is not likely to happen in most cases. Anticipate a long wait and a long ride to a medical facility if you are out in the sticks.

A small pack carried on your waist with some first aid and survival essentials taken with you or attached to your bike, canoe etc. can help save your life. A local map would be a great addition if you are not overly familiar with your area.

Also be alert for others who don't "fit in" for some reason - don't deny what your instincts tell you. Best bet run/bike in a group (many do) if you take a regular route at a specific time as predators would count on you to maintain your schedule. Park your vehicle in a well traveled or easily observed spot if you can.

Just take some time to look around and ask "what if" a few times....then take some common sense steps to make your summer an enjoyable one!