Here Are The Top 5 Things People Would Grab In An Emergency Crisis

September is National Preparedness Month.  The government launched it three years after 9/11 to encourage us to be ready for ANY type of emergency crisis.

For a lot of families it has become normal to have what is called in the "prepper" world, a "go bag" which is always at the ready in time of an emergency crisis. The bag may contain anything from a fire arm to cash and id cards and passports.

What used to be a fringe part of our society has now grown into the mainstream and more and more people are making plans for any contingency that would requiring getting out of town.

A new poll for it looked at the top things we'd grab if we had to evacuate in five minutes.  Can you guess what #1 is?  And is it the first thing YOU'D grab?

1.  Your phone.  74% said it's one of the first things they'd grab.  (Phones didn't work for a while on 9/11 though because the network was overloaded.) This is a no brainer for everyone. Without our phones we are unable to stay in touch with loved ones and what is the current situation.

2.  Your wallet or purse. For most of we still carry our essential identification cards, credit and debit cards too. It’s also a good idea to carry cash in the event of a network shutdown that leaves you unable to use a card.

3.  Important documents, like passports and Social Security cards. You will have to prove who you are with the authorities. Make sure you know where these are at all times in case you need to grab them in an emergency crisis.

4.  Prescription medications. For most household’s at least one person is in need of these prescription medication’s. They can be a lifesaver or at least very essential. Otherwise we wouldn’t be prescribe them. Always make sure you’re up-to-date and have enough to get you by for at least a two week period.

5.  Family photo albums. This comes in at number five because without our family photos it’s very hard to keep our memories alive. The fortunate thing now is our pictures have been posted to social media sites for at least the past 15 years. It’s the photos that were taken pre-social media, that are the most difficult to replace.

As we gear up for the first big weather event of 2024, here are a few winter storm tips to help you get through it all.

Earlier this week, we looked ahead at the impact that the storm is likely to have on not just the Boston metro, but the region and the Atlantic coast. We've been tracking Winter Storm Ember over on Weather.com for updates. Of course, here in New England, the weather is the news, so pick your favorite local meteorologist. The locals and nationals agree, however: we're getting inches this weekend.

So what's your approach when there's snow in the forecast? Do you use salt or sand? Are you a shoveler or a snowblower? Are you lucky enough to have a neighbor who plows? I have two, and for years they've been generous to me and saved my back a bit of wear and tear. No matter your winter routine, I think the tips I've shared below will help you weather this storm and the others yet to come.

The seed for this piece was planted by the Neponset Stormwater Partnership. They recently posted a call on their blog to use greener ice melt. As they put it: "Some de-icing chemicals harden the soil and make it too salty for plant growth, others overload it with nutrients that can reduce oxygen levels in nearby streams and ponds. Still, other products corrode concrete, roadways, bridges, and cars."

So let's talk about how we can keep our walkways and driveways clear of snow while also protecting our land. And let's talk about how we can do all of that and keep our bodies healthy in the process. Winter in New England can be a beasts, but there are ways that we can tame it.

The Neponset Stormwater Partnership advises against using rock salt, as sodium chloride is bad for our soil, water, plants and pets. They advise looking for ice melts marked "pet safe" and "CMA."

Ice melt melts ice, right? So you sprinkle it on the ice, right? Yes and yes. But, if you put it down before snow starts falling, it's harder for ice to form on the surface, making it easier for shovels and plows later on.

That old, wooden-handled, metal-spade shovel you've been using for years might be reliable, but it's not efficient. Do a little research to find the right, modern model for you and your shoveling needs.

Our usual instinct when shoveling is to stoop. Don't do that! That's how you injure your back. Years ago, I started having back problems, so I started seeing a chiropractor. Here's his video on how best to shovel snow and save your back. This is where I have to mention that this is not a paid endorsement of any kind; I'm just sharing the information because it's helped me and I think it can help you, too.