(BPT) - Recent severe weather pummeled regions across the United States, bringing catastrophic flooding, destructive winds, and widespread, prolonged power outages that strained local infrastructure. These events arrive against a backdrop of mounting alarm over the stability of the nation's energy grid. With multiple states recently falling under official power grid emergency declarations and the Department of Defense rolling out its new power grid failure initiative, the vulnerabilities of our basic utilities have never been more apparent.
As forecasters predict an increasingly volatile climate season ahead, the conversation has shifted far beyond standard storm preparation. From hurricane-ravaged coasts to inland communities facing grid instability and cascading service failures, households nationwide are being urged to drastically shore up their own self-reliance and emergency defenses before the next major system or infrastructure disruption hits.
All emergency response experts agree, the time to prepare is now. There are many lists of what emergency supplies to have on hand, and some communities publish their own based on unique geographic needs, but it is universally agreed that at minimum households should have first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries and access to safe water.
LifeStraw is the leading manufacturer of water filtration devices that families can use in an emergency. LifeStraw products filter out over 30 water contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, dust, sand, debris, chlorine, lead and microplastics. The products range from personal water filter straws to high-volume dispensers and purifiers, designed to remove viruses. And for the first time in the brand's history, they have created Emergency Preparedness Bundles — the perfect addition to a family's emergency kit.
The United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) warns that "following a disaster, clean drinking water may not be available. Your regular water source could be cut off or compromised through contamination." To be properly prepared, you must have the ability to access safe drinking water without relying on your own water supply or the ability to sanitize it yourself through boiling.
LifeStraw products are user-friendly, do not require electricity or batteries and are lightweight and portable, allowing families to take their filtration devices away from home should they be required to evacuate. LifeStraw products also do not require the addition of chemicals, filtering the water through a unique membrane microfilter. Families can easily ensure every member has their own personal water filter straw, a household device such as LifeStraw Escape or LifeStraw Mission, or a LifeStraw Community water purifier that can support groups as large as 25 people per day.
Visit Ready.Gov/Kit to learn about what essentials you should have on hand as we enter the stormy winter months and purchase LifeStraw emergency products and replacement filters at LifeStraw.com.
