Big Bags USA

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November, but peak season runs from mid-August to late October. With peak season quickly approaching, Big Bags USA® wants to make sure you're ready for the possibility of a hurricane or tropical storm affecting the area you live in. What steps should you take to prepare your home and your loved ones for a hurricane or tropical storm? Keep reading to learn more about what you can do to be prepared! 1. Stock Up On Emergency Supplies.  Hurricanes can cause damage that can affect you and your family for days. The electricity could go out, your house could become flooded and more. It's important that you have emergency supplies stocked up and ready for any emergency event that could occur. Use this checklist to ensure your emergency kit has all the essentials: Bottled Water (at least 1 gallon per person per day for at least 3 days)  Three Day Supply of Non-Perishable Foods Pet Food Manual Can Opener Flashlight and Extra ...

For the southwestern United States, monsoon season is here. On average, monsoon season runs from about July 7 to September 13. According to the National Weather Service, the monsoon is considered to have started when there are 3 consecutive days when the dew point averages 55 degrees or higher. Big Bags USA® wants to help you understand exactly what a monsoon is and how it can affect you. Keep reading to learn more about this shift in weather. What is a Monsoon?  Many people think a monsoon is some type of storm, but it's not really. A monsoon is actually just a seasonal shift in the prevailing wind direction. However, that shift in wind does tend to bring severe weather along with it. While serious monsoons occur in India and much of Mexico, the United States, particularly Arizona and New Mexico, can also experience this change. Arizona and New Mexico receive up to half of their annual precipitation during the monsoon season. How Does a Monsoon Occur?  For much o...

In 1988, an act was passed that provides legal authority for the federal government to provide assistance to states during declared major disasters and emergencies. Keep reading to learn more about this act and how it affects us today. What is the Stafford Act?  The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, also known as the Stafford Act, authorizes the President to issue major disaster or emergency declarations in response to catastrophes in the United States that overwhelm state and local governments. These declarations result in the distribution of a wide range of federal aid to individuals and families, certain nonprofit organizations and public agencies. How It Works Before requesting a presidential declaration under the Stafford Act, the governor of an affected state must first respond to the emergency event and execute the state's emergency response plan. The governor must certify in writing that the magnitude of the event exceeds the state...

Emergency Preparedness Tips When it comes to emergency situations, it's important to be prepared. While you're probably already familiar with emergency supplies like flashlights, bottled water, blankets and first aid kits, there are some everyday items you might want to make sure you have on hand. Let's take a look at some common household items that could come in handy during an emergency: 1. Bleach. While bleach is commonly used to disinfect countertops, bathrooms and clothes, it can also be used to disinfect your water. Often times in emergency situations, the water becomes unsafe to drink. According the the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you can add roughly 1/8 teaspoon of unscented household bleach to a gallon of water. Allow the water to stand for 30 minutes before drinking and make sure you follow the instructions to not add too much bleach. You also want to make sure your bleach is less than 6 months old to ensure its effectiveness. 2...