Vertical Gardens

10 Tips To Go Green That Save You Money

February 16, 2019 by chris

In a report done by CBS news, if all households in the U.S. switched out just one standard, incandescent light bulb with one certified as green, it would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of 800,000 cars. Those are some pretty amazing statistics, and of course, it does not stop there. By paying close attention to your energy use habits and usage, you can save a pretty penny during the year, maybe even enough to open a low risk, no load mutual fund for yourself. When you think of it in a common sense, practical manner, it becomes quite obvious that reducing your carbon footprint means cash savings for you. Here are 10 tips to go green that can save you money:

1. Save Money by Using Less Water

You can most assuredly save money annually by switching to low-flow water fixtures such as faucets, toilets and showerheads. You’ll be able to spot a low-flow water fixture by its WaterSense label. If this is all new to you, and you don’t know where to begin, we suggest you check out the EPA’s WaterSense Calculator. This calculator will aid you in the type of fixture to choose for your particular needs.

For instance, a toilet with the WaterSense label will save you around $90 or more each year alone according to the EPA, and if you purchase an inexpensive low-flow toilet for around $100, that toilet will basically pay for itself after one year.

However, we know that not everyone currently has the budget to switch out their toilet for a more efficient model, but that shouldn’t stop you from saving money each time you flush. Simply place a brick in your tank. this causes water displacement which in turn, means less water used per each flush!

Many older homes still have pre-1980’s toilets installed, so if you’d like more information on how installing a newer model can benefit, check out the EPA’s pamphlet, “Flush Fact Vs. Flush Fiction“.

Next, you should consider having any and all leaky water fixtures, pipes and hot water tank repaired or replaced immediately. In fact, according to energy.gov savings, the simple process of heating our water is number two when it comes to energy expense. They also warn that a faucet or pipe that leaks one drop/second means you’ve wasted up to 1,661 gallons of water at a cost of $35 per year.

When it comes to faucets and shower heads, the fix is extremely cost effective and simple. Many older homes have pre-1992 faucets and shower heads. To reduce your kitchen or bathroom flow rate, simply purchase and install an inexpensive aerator. This is a very simple procedure and will not require a plumber. These aerators will keep your kitchen faucet flow rate to 2.2 gpm or gallons per minute, and bathroom faucets to 1.5 to 0.5 gpm.

Another way to save money on water is to only use your Energy Star Certified dish and clothes washers only when full. You can also save money on outside water usage by getting yourself a rain barrel or two to collect water from your downspouts to water your garden. If you can’t afford a rain barrel simply use an old rubbish container.

2. Washing and Drying Your Clothes

Did you know that most dryers do not have an Energy Star Rating? That’s true, so if you have an older dryer, there are still a few things you can do to save some money. First, consider using an inexpensive drying rack or rig up a clothes line outside so your clothes can air dry. This will definitely save on energy costs.

When it comes to the dryer itself, make sure that you keep it on a warm setting, and are right there to to put the next load in. This way, the dryer drum is still hot. Dry balls are a great addition to your drying cycle, as they keep your clothes separated during the drying process, while sopping up some extra moisture.

By taking a few of the following tips under advisement, you’ll be able to save money on washing clothes as well. For instance, be sure to only wash when you have a full load, use cold water as much as possible to save on heating costs, and make sure that your laundry loads are the right size for your machine. To save money on dryer expenses, use the high-speed spin cycle on your washer, if you have it, to really drain your laundry of as much water as possible.

3. Reduce Your Overall Energy Costs

According to an article in Money.usnew.com, the very act of temperature regulation can gnaw a huge chunk out of your pocketbook each month. Fortunately, you can gain some control over the situation by following a few basic, common sense tips.

In the winter time, for instance, you can simply snuggle up in some nice, warm jammies, or daywear. At night, consider purchasing an inexpensive sleeping bag to use instead of a blanket. Sleeping bags are designed to be easy to maintain, and by zipping yourself up at night, you’ll be able to use your own body heat to help keep you warm as toast, so you can turn that thermostat down.

Ceiling fans may be a surprise to you, but they actually increase air circulation through your home, and work for both summer and winter seasons, while closing off the doors of areas you don’t use frequently can help keep the air circulation and temperature right where you need it. Don’t forget that a properly maintained furnace will also reduce energy consumption as will insulating your attic.

Other things, such as insulating your hot water tank and piping can save you much in the way of energy usage costs over the long run. Switching to LED lights will result in savings, as will applying new or fresh weather stripping to all of your windows and doors so the cold does not enter and the heat does not escape. By installing a programmable thermostat, it’s estimated that you can save up to 10 percent a year on both heating and cooling costs. During the winter, program your thermostat to 68 degrees and lower for when you are asleep.

4. Go Vegan, Vegetarian, or Eat Less Meat

When it comes to greenhouse gas emissions, the meat industry is one of the major contributors. The meat and dairy industries also are responsible for using land to farm and feed livestock, as well as massive amounts of water. As a matter of fact, watercalculator.com alerts us to the reality of the water footprint. They state that 6 ounces of beef steak uses up 674 gallons of water, while a salad only uses 21 gallons. Remember, that in order to feed the cow, you have to plant and water the grains, plus provide water to the animals, and use water for any cleanup of supplies.

An article in Time found that those who eliminated meat from their diet, replacing it with healthy plant-based proteins, fruits, grains, and vegetables not only had a healthier diet, but also saved up to $750 per year in food costs.

If you’re concerned about protein intake, don’t be. Today, there are many vegan and vegetarian athletes in the world, including world-class bodybuilders. So, when you have a meat-free Monday, or better yet, become a vegetarian or vegan, you’re not only creating a healthier you, but you’re saving money and your children’s future as well.

For an in depth account of how a couple saved up enough money being plant-based to visit Greece, check out this article in cnbc.com.

5. Save Money on Transportation

So far, we’ve seen how going green can not only benefit the planet, but save you a huge chunk of change, and a big part of being green is using your car or truck a little less or more efficiently. There’s a lot going into this topic, so we’ll start right where the rubber meets the road: your tires. Ensure that your tires are fresh, healthy, inflated properly and rotated on a regular basis.

Also, Consumer Reports collaborated on a study with Michigan State University, and found that using low-roll resistance tires can save you up to $78 a year on fuel costs.

Finally, there are a few common sense approaches you can take regarding transportation which can save you some big bucks in the long run, such as using public transportation or ride sharing. Also, if you think that turning your car on and off uses more fuel than idling the engine, then you’re mistaken, as your car uses more fuel to idle.

If you’re into the urban lifestyle, save money commuting on smaller trips to using a personal transportation vehicle, such as an electric scooter, bike, or skateboard. Lastly, if you elect to use your vehicle on a consistent basis, remember to take it in for regular, routine maintenance checks. This ensures your vehicle will run smoothly and efficiently.

6. Grow Your Own Produce

It’s no secret that purchasing groceries is one of the most expensive things we do for ourselves. In order to cut down on that expense, you can either frequent farmers markets, or better yet, grow it yourself. If you don’t have a green thumb, or are hesitant to begin, stick with the easy to grow, tried and true produce, such as tomatoes, squash, melons, green beans and bell peppers, as these can basically take care of themselves. If you have room, it can’t hurt to add an apple or nut tree into the mix!

Now that we’ve got your attention, you’re going to love this next part: growing produce from scraps. That’s right, there are currently people who have been eating on the same cabbage for many months, by simply planting cabbages, and cutting off what they need when they need, and giving the cabbage time to grow again.

Other produce which is easy to grow from scraps include: lettuce varieties, onions, garlic, and root vegetables. Don’t fret if you don’t have a yard, as many people are experimenting with year long indoor gardens as well as having terrace gardens. Finally, remember to chop and freeze your vegetables, so they can be available during the winter months.

With all of these money-saving, home grown vegetables, it may be a good idea to skip on the expensive, store-bought fertilizers and create your very own compost. You can craft a compost bin yourself, or purchase one. When you compost, you’re taking your left over produce scraps, and garden waste such as grass clippings, and turning them into fertilizer.

Now, when you look at growing and freezing your own produce, creating your own compost, and reducing the meat in your diet, you have most definitely created a grocery budget you can live with!

7. Buy Only Energy Star Certified Appliances

When an appliance has the ENERGY STAR certification, it means that they’ve been certified by the U.S. Department of Energy, and designed to use up less energy than past models. While they can cost a bit more initially, ENERGY STAR certified appliance will save you some serious money in the long run if used properly.

For instance, an ENERGY STAR certified washing machine will use around 25 percent less energy than those which are not certified, and a dryer up to 20 percent less energy. The top appliances which you should look out for are clothes washers and dryers, refrigerators and dishwashers.

8. Recycle, Repurpose and Reuse

Our electronics provide us with much in the way of usefulness and entertainment. The problem is, many of our electronic items become obsolete quickly and are discarded. You can help save money for yourself as well as go green for the planet by unloading them to sites such as Gazelle and NextWorth. For more information on how to recycle your previously used electronics, visit the EPA’s site here.

Recycling is not only environmentally friendly, but can also save you money. For instance, if you have a pair of jeans that have seen better days, just cut off the legs and turn them into shorts or a carry all bag. When you join groups such as freecycle.org, you can save huge sums by taking items off of other members, free of charge.

9. Save Money Doing Household Chores by Going Green

By going green when it comes to household chores, you can save yourself some dime at the grocery store by eliminating paper towels and making your own ‘green’ household cleaners. For example, by halting the purchase of paper towels in lieu of microfiber towels you can cross another item off your grocery list.

Microfiber towels are very inexpensive, and can be found online and in dollar stores everywhere. A stack of these tough, absorbent, and durable towels are capable of doing everything from sopping up spills and washing your car to drying the family pooch after a bath. Indeed, the amount of money you’ll save phasing out paper towels from your kitchen duties and subbing them with microfiber towels can really add up.

Unless you purchase a household cleaner that is marked as sustainable, you are not only spending extra money, but also hurting our environment. When you make your own household cleaners, such as white vinegar and baking soda, you’ll not only save big, but be saving the environment as well.

For example, you can probably take a trip to the dollar store and purchase a bottle of white vinegar and a box of baking soda for around $2.00 or less. This $2.00 can be used to create several bottles of household cleaner! In fact, in order to make all of the different varieties of household cleaner, all you’ll need is white vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, olive oil, castile soap, and essential oils to freshen the air. There are many different recipes online, with the most basic being simply white vinegar and water

10. Perform an Energy Audit

Contact a professional to perform an energy audit on your home or business. While you do have to pay for a professional to come and check out your environment, their findings will help you save much in the way of unnecessary energy expenses in the long run.

These professionals will look into what generates energy, as well as the type of behaviors you’re engaged in that are causing you extra cash. Once they provide you with your energy score, you’ll be advised on how you can improve your score. For more information on how to perform your own energy audit for free, check out the recommendations at energy.gov for more information.

Conclusion

When it comes right down to it, going green can definitely save you a good amount of money. Whether you’re doing it for the planet or for your pocketbook, by doing simple things such as weather stripping your home, purchasing low-flow water fixtures, growing your own produce, cutting down on transportation expenses, you can help yourself out considerably. It’s also recommended that you look into how to perform your own energy audit, or better yet, hire a professional to give you a score to you know where you stand.

References:

https://www.kiplinger.com/article/saving/T063-C011-S001-12-ways-to-save-money-by-going-green.html
https://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/my-money/articles/2017-07-26/6-ways-climate-change-will-negatively-impact-your-wallet
https://www.smallfootprintfamily.com/how-to-save-money-by-going-green

This article first appeared on offgridworld.com Check it out here

Understanding Your Growing Zone To Prepare For Spring Gardening

February 16, 2019 by chris

A significant part of off-grid living is producing a wide variety of food that will add to, and satisfy, your meal planning. With spring approaching, you should already be planning your garden for the coming growing season. It’s the perfect time to decide what changes to make from the last season. Producing an abundance of food involves knowing what kind of plants will grow well in your area. You can do this by understanding your growing zone to prepare for spring gardening this year.

Identify Your Zone

The first step to understanding your growing zone is to research the conditions in your area. A handy tool is the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. This map will help you identify your zone’s number as well as a letter that designates what plants will thrive in your area.

Growing zones are not equally divided on the map. Some transitional areas where two growing zones meet can offer varying conditions. There are also spots around the country that include micro-climates.

Someone living on a mountaintop or in a valley may have an entirely different zone designation than surrounding areas. Growing zones depend on climate as well as your surroundings. Nearby bodies of water or mountains can drastically affect your zone.

Growing zone map — USDA plant hardiness zone map

If your off-grid home is a mountain cabin that gets a good deal of snow, don’t rule out planting a winter garden. Onions and shallots can handle a harsh winter. Garlic, broad beans, and asparagus will grow year-round with several harvest dates.

Some varieties of spinach will provide you with enough to harvest over the winter and early spring. Pak choi is also an excellent winter crop. This Asian vegetable is an excellent choice for winter salads. The succulent stems also go well in a stir-fried dish in the spring.

Keep in mind; these winter vegetables don’t always survive in an area with scorching heat and constant summer sun. Once again, it’s crucial to know your growing zone.

Keep Past Weather in Mind

You are the best source of information when it comes to the typical weather conditions in your area. The long term forecast may help, but you’re the expert on what to expect during certain months of the year.

If you’ve had a mild winter, you may be comfortable starting to prepare your garden earlier in the spring than you have in previous years. However, if your winter has been quite cold, you may want to hold off a little longer, so you don’t lose an entire crop to frost. Taking note of the past seasons is essential when planning for spring planting.

Know Your Frost Dates

Your growing zone will have specific dates by which the last frost usually occurs in the spring. This date is essential to maximize your growing time and produce a bountiful harvest.

Off-grid residents in the south will experience much earlier final frost dates than those in the north. Some southern gardeners may live in an area where frost isn’t a problem, making it possible for them to plant year-round.

You also need to anticipate the first frost date of the fall. Counting the days between your last frost date in the spring and the first frost date in the fall will give you an idea of the length of your growing season. Some plants require more than 90 days to mature. This doesn’t rule them out; it just means you’ll have to start the seedlings in indoor planters.

Watch Temperatures Closely

Since those frost dates are merely estimates, you need to prepare yourself for a sudden drop in temperatures. Even the best forecaster needs to check the thermometer at night to get an idea of when it’s safe to plant.

Once you’ve sown seeds, continue to monitor temperature changes that could rapidly occur with spring thunderstorms. Make sure you keep the seeds and young plants warm if the temperature drops below freezing. Consider covering these areas overnight, to maintain a warm temperature for the soil as well as the plants.

Choose Cool and Warm Season Plants

Cool season vegetables thrive in the spring and take advantage of the cooler temperatures that cool mornings and nights can bring. These types of plants include peas, broccoli, lettuce, beets, and beans. As long as you plant these after the first frost, you’ll reap the benefits by the end of spring.

Many off-grid gardeners choose to begin warm season plants by starting seeds in a greenhouse or windowsill. This works well with tomatoes, melons, and vine vegetables like cucumbers that need a little more time to mature. You can then transplant these sun-loving plants in the latter part of the spring once the ground has warmed.

Save Your Seeds

Many growing areas will see a short, cool season in the early spring followed by a longer warmer season during summer and then another short, cooler season in the fall. Save the seeds from cool-season plants and plant them in the fall. This will extend your growing season for a few more months and produce enough seeds to replant the following spring. Understanding your growing zone will help you reap the maximum benefit from your vegetable garden.

Living off the grid means being eco-friendly and using fewer resources. You can do this by also saving the seeds of your warm season fruits and vegetables. You’ll need to dry them out and place them in a container for storage. You won’t be able to use these seeds until the following summer, but it’s an excellent way to save money and keep the variety in your garden.

Eating freshly harvested food without additives or pesticides is just one of the many benefits of living off the grid. However, the independent lifestyle we enjoy comes with a responsibility to work with Mother Nature.

Understanding how your soil responds to different weather conditions will help you reap a bountiful supply of produce to last throughout the year. Consider all of these tips when understanding your growing zone to prepare for spring gardening.

***

Natalie Baker is a freelance writer who enjoys splitting her time between her Denver apartment and an organic farm near Steamboat Springs, Colorado. She spends much of the year growing her own vegetables and raising chickens.

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This article first appeared on offgridworld.com Check it out here

Off Grid Shipping Container Home In California

February 15, 2019 by chris

In the high desert of Joshua Tree, California, ‘The Haven’, a cozy shipping container home with a rooftop deck, sits completely off the grid on 5 acres. When deciding which type of home to build on their land, owners Aram and Elisabeth decided a shipping container home would best suit the quirky culture around Joshua Tree National Park.

The home was built by Alternative Living Spaces in collaboration with Container Guys Intl. Its remote location, accessed by a long drive down a dirt road, necessitates off grid living. This project demonstrates that living off the grid in a climate with less-than-ideal conditions is not only possible, but can be stylishly comfortable.

We featured one of Alternative Living Spaces’ luxury shipping container homes in a previous article, and it has remained one of our favorite container home builds to date. The Haven is another beautiful example of luxury living in a tiny space.

This home is built from a 20 foot used shipping container, for a total of 143 square feet of indoor living space. It includes a rooftop deck, bathroom, bedroom, small kitchen area, and patio.

The 12 foot sliding glass doors brighten the interior and open up to the spacious, partially-covered patio deck.

The interior features shiplap walls, bronze fixtures, a barn door leading to the bathroom, and a small kitchen and seating area with a granite countertop.

The full bathroom holds a corrugated steel shower, toilet, and vanity with a mirror. A septic system on the property handles the wastewater.

The rooftop deck, accessed by a ladder, is enclosed by cable fence rails and gives the family a place to enjoy the incredible views of the night sky – a perk that Joshua Tree Park is well-known for. The rooftop and the ground-level deck offer plenty of outdoor living space to complement the home.

Because their property is surrounded by nature preserves, Aram and Elisabeth chose to leave as small a footprint as possible for their living space. Instead of digging a well, they haul water in to a large holding tank, from which a pump feeds the water to the house.

Solar panels power the home, including the lights and an air conditioner to offset the intense summer heat. A fireplace heats the home when nights get cold.

A second shipping container serves as the family’s storage space and holds the three panels in the solar array.

This residence is ideal for full time off grid living, a getaway home in the mountains (or desert!), or as an Airbnb rental. See the video below for a tour of the home and an interview with the builders and owners.

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This article first appeared on offgridworld.com Check it out here

5 Ways Weather Stations Can Benefit Your Garden

January 22, 2019 by chris

Have you ever had a season where you feel like you do everything right, but the weather just doesn’t cooperate with you? Weather plays an important role in gardening. Vegetables and flowers aren’t going to grow without water and sunlight. At the same time, high winds and frost can be devastating to some plants.

With so much time and effort spent on your gardens, you should consider utilizing technology to your advantage. More specifically, home weather stations can provide great benefits to a garden, not to mention they’re fun and handy to have around for other reasons too.

But how can a weather station actually help your garden? Here are 5 specific ways they can be used to ensure you make sound choices during the season.

(This post contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase through the link. There is no additional cost to you. See the disclosure here.)

1. Knowing When and How Much You Should Water

This is probably the most obvious, and most important, benefit home weather stations can have on your garden, lawn, and flowers. In most home weather stations, rain water is collected in a rain gauge and self-emptied once it’s measured. Weather data stored in the cloud can tell you when it rained last and how much you received. Some weather station models also have optional soil moisture sensors that can be utilized to know soil has the optimal water content.

By knowing this information, you can make better decisions on when your garden needs a supplemental watering, and how much to water. Most models can store and graph up to a year’s worth of data, which should be more than enough. If you’re really savvy, you might be able to use the weather station to measure how much water you put on the garden when watering, too!

2. Planning Assistant

We all know that weather has a great effect on our gardens, but often times, we’re not sure how to plan timing for planting, weed pulling, and harvesting. Let me give you a few examples. If it has rained over the past few days and the soil is still wet, it becomes compacted and the space that normally hold oxygen is gone. These present poor conditions for planting.

The opposite is true for weeding, however. Wait a bit after a good rain so the soil is no longer muddy, but while it’s still wet and soft is a great opportunity to pull weeds with much less effort than usual.

One final example is soil temperature sensors. Especially when it comes to early season planting or cold climate areas, being able to have soil temperature alerts notify you when conditions are best for germination are invaluable.

3. Hyper-Local Forecasting

Another great feature most new home weather stations include is a forecast. Of course, rather than the forecast covering the entire bi-state area and coming from 100 miles away at the nearest airport, it’s specific to your backyard. These forecasts can be very accurate for the next several hours to a couple days, making it much easier to decide whether you should pick early in the day or later in the day.

4. Confirmation Expert

By using the cloud storage and logging features in your weather station, you can confirm what’s worked in the past and what hasn’t. You’ll learn techniques and tricks that have proven to yield good results based on certain weather conditions. Many new models can log your weather data for up to a year or more, accessible via your PC from the cloud.

5. Avoid Catastrophic Damage to Your Plants

Another great feature on a personal weather station is the capability to push notifications to your mobile phone. Of course, the benefit here is that you can set them so that you know immediately when temperatures approach the freezing point or winds reach damaging speeds. This would allow you to cover plants to avoid frost damage and bring potted plants into the garage if too windy.

How to Choose a Home Weather Station

Obviously, there’s no guarantee that just because you have a weather station, you’ll be an expert gardener. But it’s another tool in your toolbox to making better decisions when it comes to the weather. There are lots of choices and feature/benefit sets that can make choosing a home weather station daunting. Here are a few tips that should simplify the process.

TIP 1 – Know What Weather Sensors You Need

Temperature and water (precipitation) are going to be the most important factors in a garden. Thermometers and rain gauges are common instruments on home weather stations, along with sensors for relative humidity, barometric pressure, and wind speed and direction. Additional sensors that often come as option, if applicable, include leaf and soil moisture sensors, UV sensors, and solar radiation sensors.

TIP 2 – Remote Monitoring

Many of the latest weather station models now include options for remotely monitoring your weather data that’s stored in the cloud. It’s often accessible via smartphone apps or through an internet browser on your PC. This can be a great feature if you’re wondering what’s happening at home when you’re away. It’s also a great way to use a weather station at a vacation home.

When using this feature to upload weather data to the cloud, not only does it give you remote access, but it can log and graph your historical data. This can be great for using previous years’ data to plan out this year’s garden. You can use this data to know which plants will thrive in your area based on average temperatures and rainfall, among other things.

TIP 3 – Know Your Budget

Basic weather stations with several of the instruments listed above start around $100-$200. Spending less than this will likely get you a poorly built model that will lack the features you need. More professional models with some of the optional sensors and data logging features from above can run between $500-$1000 or more. Knowing your budget and which features you need can ensure you don’t waste time researching models you can’t afford.

Make Weather Stations Fun

As much as a weather station can benefit your garden, you shouldn’t take it too seriously. They are a great tool to improve your experience, but like mentioned above, it won’t make you the world’s best gardener. There is no reason to fret over the selection process. There are many great options available to consumers. As long as it fits your criteria from the tips outlined above, you’ll be fine. Not only will it assist you in gardening, but you’ll find it fun to use for other reasons. You’ll always know the temperature outside your home, and you can share links to your data with friends and family.

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5 Must-Have Items You Need in Case of a Pandemic

December 14, 2018 by chris

Living off the grid is a great way to decrease your carbon footprint and lower energy costs. But what happens when there’s a global emergency, like a pandemic of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), the bird flu, or another disease?

The World Health Organization defines a pandemic as the spread of a new disease around the world. A global pandemic of a previously unidentified strain of influenza or another illness can spread quickly and take weeks or months to get under control with medication or vaccines.

You need to know how to protect yourself and your loved ones, whether you’re living near a big city or on the side of a mountain range. But basic survival preparedness isn’t enough when you’re dealing with a global pandemic.

Even though there hasn’t yet been a global pandemic up to this point, health experts warn that it’s not a matter of if, but when one will strike. A pandemic could wipe out millions of people around the world.

Whether it’s triggered by a mutant strain of an existing virus or the result of bioterrorism, the only way to survive the devastation of a global pandemic is by making sure that you’re prepared with some practical advice and the right supplies.

How to Prepare for a Pandemic

You may not be able to prevent or control a pandemic, but you can take measures to stay protected if one strikes. Your first step in pandemic preparation should be to talk with your family about the possibility of a pandemic and enlist them to help you create an emergency plan.

Discuss gathering up important paperwork and health records in a safe place that’s easily accessible. You’ll also want to make sure you have plenty of necessary prescription medicines on-hand and talk about how your family members want to be cared for if they fall ill.

Next, you should stock up on at least two weeks’ worth of non-perishable food items, such as oatmeal, canned meat or fish, and granola bars. If you’re not already growing your own supply of fresh food in a garden on your property, you might want to consider planting one to ensure that you won’t run out of things to eat during a disaster.

You also need to make sure you have access to enough clean drinking water. Either store plenty of bottled water in your home or consider learning about how to make your own survival water filters if you don’t have the storage space.

Remember that you can only survive three days without water. Staying hydrated is key to surviving in any emergency, but especially during a pandemic. If you’re suffering from the flu or another disease, having plenty of water could mean the difference between living and dying.

While having basic survival items like adequate food, water, and shelter are crucial when it comes to making it through an emergency, there are some especially important supplies you need to have ready for surviving a pandemic.

5 Must-Have Items for Surviving a Pandemic

To keep your family safe and healthy during a pandemic, you need to keep airborne contagions out of your home. Preventing the invading disease from infecting your loved ones is critical, which makes stocking up on these top 5 pandemic survival supplies a vital part of your preparedness plan.

1. Disposable Gloves

Latex or nitrile exam gloves are an important part of your pandemic survival kit. They should be kept in an airtight container to prevent them from being exposed to germs, bacteria, or other illness-causing pathogens.

During a pandemic, you should wear disposable gloves any time you’re coming into contact with something outside of your home, which will help to keep disease out of your safe haven. This is especially true if you’re taking care of someone who’s already sick or when exposed to any bio-hazardous materials.

2. Eye Protection

Just as gloves will keep your hands from being exposed to possible contagions, you also need to protect your eyes from any exposure to disease. Goggles or a face shield will protect the mucous membranes in and around your eyes from the infected droplets that enter the air any time someone coughs or sneezes.

This is especially important if you’re caring for a family member who has already fallen ill or if you need to leave your home and venture out into a populated area. Remember, the more people that are around, the higher the risk of becoming infected yourself.

3. Respirator Mask

A reusable respirator is an excellent defense against contracting everything from the common cold to a virulent strain of the flu. They’re also a great way to prevent spreading germs if you’re the one who has become sick.

Look for a respirator mask that’s both lightweight and designed to create a complete seal once it’s in place. During a pandemic, you might need to wear a respirator much more frequently than you think, so look for one that’s comfortable, durable, and capable of being locked into place for a custom fit.

In case you need to leave your home for any reason, you should be sure to have enough pandemic respirator masks on hand for every member of your family, in order to keep them safe from the contagious dangers of the outside world.

4. Disinfectants and Antiseptics

Disinfectants are another key part of preventing the spread of disease during a pandemic. You should keep plenty of antibacterial cleansers and liquid sanitizers on hand to keep surfaces free from bacteria, viruses, and mold. This is especially important for areas where food is prepared and where people will be relieving themselves.

Antiseptics do for the skin what disinfectants do for hard surfaces. You need to stock up on antiseptic wipes and hand sanitizers as well as antibacterial hand soap. These are crucial for times when you’re handling food or caring for sick family members, or any other time your hands could be in contact with your eyes, nose, or mouth. The mucous membranes in those areas are gateways for disease, so be sure to sanitize your hands before touching any part of your face.

5. Medical Supplies

You also need to keep some key medical supplies on hand in the case of a pandemic. Your emergency medical kit should include some staples like bandages, antibiotic ointment, and other essential wound care items. Do your best to make sure your first aid kit is as complete as possible, while also keeping it lightweight enough to be portable.

Stock up on basic over-the-counter medications, such as pain relievers and fever reducers, cough suppressants, and anti-diarrheal medicine. In the case of a pandemic, there is going to be a rush on these items, and they will be some of the first things to become unavailable, so you want to make sure you have enough for you and your loved ones.

Another item you might want to add to your stash of medical supplies is a probiotic supplement, which contributes to healthy immune and digestive system functioning. Making sure that you’re getting enough of the good bacteria that are found in probiotics can help your body fight off bad bacteria and viruses that come with a pandemic event.

The future is always uncertain, but the right means of preparedness can make all the difference when disaster strikes.

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Jordan McDowell is a writer and content strategist. He specializes in technically oriented B2B and B2C content and frequently writes about health and safety for companies like Moldex.

This article first appeared on offgridworld.com Check it out here

This Little Cabin With Living Roof Is An Impressive Design Studio

November 27, 2018 by chris

Every so often we come across designers who flawlessly actualize the vision so many of us hold of the perfect off grid cabin. This little cabin with a living roof from David Coulson Design Studio is an excellent example of that. It mixes salvaged and new elements into a stunning Japanese-style design.

Built on his property on Vancouver Island, Coulson uses the cabin as a design studio. Not a bad place to work, right?? From outside, two unique features immediately draw your attention: the living roof and the salvaged iron staircase leading up to it.

The 900 square foot roof is planted with a variety of vegetation surrounding a serene seating area. Water runoff is designed to trickle down several recycled log boom chains around the perimiter to the potted bamboo plants below.

The cabin itself is constructed from Douglas fir beams taken off the property. These make up the main components of the studio and are visible inside as well as out. Many large windows throughout the cabin bring the outdoors in to this comfortable living space.

The kitchen is finished with gorgeous black granite countertops and vertical grain bamboo cabinets. These, in addition to the shoji screens throughout the home, add to the Japanese-inspired ambience of the space.

As you can see, this little cabin holds all the essentials for comfortable living. While it makes an envy-worthy workspace, it is perfectly suitable as a full-time residence for off grid and cabin enthusiasts.

The floor to ceiling windows provide 360-degree views of a forest of green. The studio’s small footprint, living roof, and plantings around the cabin blend it seamlessly into the landscape. It truly is picture perfect, don’t you think?

Visit David Coulson Design Studio to see more of this impressive studio and to see Coulson’s other projects and green building initiatives. This one has definitely earned itself a spot on our list of favorites!

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This article first appeared on offgridworld.com Check it out here