This week’s batch of must-read articles covers a wide range of topics and plenty of valuable advice — from unusual uses for soap to home security measures that will also protect you from Mother Nature and more in between.

The reality is you can never be careless when you start a fire in the wild. Even in a survival situation, you need to consider the ramifications of starting a fire you might not be able to keep under control. Here are five important considerations you MUST remember when picking a safe spot to build a fire.

Whether it’s hurricanes, tornados or wildfires — we are being inundated with devastating natural disasters. Even though timing and trajectories can be predicted for many of these disastrous events (or you may live in an area that won’t be affected), there is one deadly force that does not discriminate its victims.

This week, I received several reader questions about free services or no-cost DIY tricks to protect your wealth and privacy. Now, I’m all for saving money where I can, but sometimes it’s worth it to pay for quality.

It’s important that you establish a communication plan with your family BEFORE a disaster so when the time comes, everyone knows exactly what to do to stay in contact. This piece from Modern Combat & Survival runs down seven communication strategies most people don’t know.

The Equifax hack isn’t the only major breach to have been exposed this month. Although it affected significantly fewer people, the hack I’m going to tell you about today is potentially far more damaging.

Take a look at this piece from our friends over at 4Patriots. In it, Robert Boyd discusses the potential effects of an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) blast — and reveals one critical way to prepare.

This week’s roundup of must-read articles includes the No. 1 item every bug-out bag should contain (but probably doesn’t), five survival items you should never skimp on and an offer for a lifesaving bundle of SEAL-approved tools. But first up is a great piece from a first responder on important lessons learned after Hurricane Harvey.

Plowing a large vehicle into a dense crowd of innocents is the latest method of destruction used by terrorists — and it’s becoming increasingly common. If 10 tons of truck is headed your way, here’s what to do.

The bottom line is there are now three sure things in life: death, taxes and getting hacked. But I’m not sweating it. Here’s why.

Another week… another batch of reader mail… another great set of questions. Read on below to find out how to prevent car break-ins, where to get ammo on the cheap, the truth behind a common battery storage myth — and more.

In the wake of the Equifax hack, we reached out to online security expert Mike Leahy to tell you exactly what you need to do to ensure your online accounts are protected from hackers.

I have a special offer for you at the end of today’s alert. But first, I want to share an amazing rescue story — and the surprising piece of survival gear that saved lives.

Today’s article is brought to you by my buddy Caleb Lee of Prepared Gun Owners. Check out his advice for choosing a concealed-carry holster and be sure to take note of his No. 1 recommendation. It will probably sound familiar…

As if we don’t have enough natural threats to worry about, let’s add a colossal man-made hazard to the list. One that could spell out disaster on an unfathomable scale. Take a look at the first of this week’s must-read articles and you’ll see what I mean.

It’s no secret that governments around the world are continuously spying on other nations. Today, I want to give you a rundown of the top five countries that are probably spying on American citizens at this very moment and — believe it or not — at the top of the list is our very own government.

One of the most stressful aspects of losing power is that you also lose the ability to communicate with the outside world. Check out the following article from our friends over at 4Patriots which runs down 10 ways to make your cellphone last during a blackout.

In this edition of the Weekly Drop, you’ll learn how to survive a tsunami, two effective practice drills to take to the range, a great home security tip from a retired police officer that’s so easy, you could implement it today.

In an emergency situation you never, ever want to rely on the government. You have to be self-sufficient and able to provide enough food and water for your family to outlast the crisis. Here’s how.

Unfortunately, as victims of Hurricane Harvey return to their homes and businesses to face the daunting challenge of rebuilding their lives, there will be fresh dangers waiting for them. To avoid being duped, watch out for these three common scams.

Last year, combat Marine, police officer and security expert Danny Lane wrote a piece on “stand your ground” or “no duty to retreat” laws. As Danny notes, these laws and doctrines are not without controversy — something I think Jeff Anderson of Modern Combat & Survival would agree with. In this article, Jeff debunks three myths about these laws that — if you fall for them — could ruin everything you risked your life to save.

Right now, various parts of the United States are consumed with fire and flood. Your town could very well be next. Please take a look at this week’s must-read articles. There are several urgent warnings, along with valuable survival advice.

When making emergency preparations, water should be at the top of your list. If you’re prepared with these four items, you won’t have to worry about having clean drinking water for your family during a crisis.

Welcome to the Weekly Drop. I received a lot of thoughtful feedback on the topic of implanting microchips in humans, including an important question regarding current applications of microchipping in animals.