Friday Five for November 9, 2012

The U.S Presidential election has dominated much of the news this week. But for the attentive prepper there have been a lot of other good items in cyberspace. Here’s what we’re reading this week: 9 ways to make fire without matches, Hurricane Sandy victims are still struggling despite being forgotten by the news, 1 out of every 2 households in America receive government benefits, and 25 items for your bug-in-bag.

25 Additional Items for your Bug-In-Bag

As “Superstorm Sandy” blew by the New York, New Jersey, and other states in the Northeastern U.S., many people were caught completely unprepared. Hopefully this will turn people back toward self-reliance and preparedness. Amanda Warren of Activist Post shares 25 additional items that should be included in a Bug-In-Bug. What do you think? From Activist Post.

Making Fire Without Matches

The importance of fire in survival situations cannot be overstated. It’s vital for cooking, for warmth, for purifying water, and for keeping the boogieman away during long nights in the wilderness. Yet, we may not have the modern conveniences of matches or lighters when we need to make a fire. Jason Wiskerchen of Peak Prosperity shares 9 ways to make a fire without matches. Of course, you should practice these before you need them. From Peak Prosperity.

Lessons from Aurora

It can happen in the blink of an eye. A disgruntled employee, a jilted spouse, a teenager who’s played too many video games, can decide to go out in a blaze of glory and become an “Active Shooter.” After the Aurora, Colorado, shooting, there was a spike in handgun purchases and Concealed Carry license applications. But just having a weapon isn’t enough. You’ve got to know how to use. From Survival Mom.

Hurricane Victims: Out of Sight, Out of Mind

Life comes at us fast. Something as devastating as Hurricane Sandy dominates the nation’s news for a few days. Then it’s replaced with something else. In this case it was the U.S. Presidential Election. The nation has a short attention span. However for those affected, the power is still out, gas is still being rationed, and looters abound. People in New York and New Jersey are learning hard lessons about the need to prepare. From New York Daily News.

49.1% of American Households Receive Government Benefits

Look to your neighbor on your left. Now look at the one on your right. Odds are that one of them receive benefits from the government. That’s right 49.1% of American households receive some kind of federal assistance; that’s 1 out of every 2 homes. That’s up 44% from as recently as 2008. From The Wall Street Journal.