Dear Black Bag Confidential Reader,
If you need a good reason to get your rear in gear when it comes to prepping, check out any one if this week’s must-read articles…
You’ll learn why you should get ready for another brutal round of hurricanes, why you need to factor in a global epidemic to your emergency plans, why you can’t trust your smart home device and more.
Take a look.
1. Forecasters Predict Near- or Above-Normal Hurricane Season
Many Americans in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico are still cleaning up after last year’s record-breaking hurricane season. Unfortunately, this year is shaping up to be another intense season. Experts are forecasting 10–16 named storms, five–nine of which could develop into hurricanes, including one–four major hurricanes of Category 3 or above.
The Atlantic hurricane season begins on June 1 and lasts through Nov. 30. If you live in an at-risk area and have not yet begun to prepare, the clock is ticking…
You should have at least 30 days’ worth of food and water in your home along with flashlights, extra batteries, a survival radio and a first-aid kit. Of course, you should also have at least a half tank of gas in your car at all times and a bug-out bag for each member of your family packed and ready to go.
As with most natural disasters, tropical storms and hurricanes can be unpredictable. So make sure you’re prepared to hunker down or get out of town — depending on the situation.
2. Learn CIA Tradecraft in Your Living Room
With the right tools and instruction, anyone can learn how to pick a lock — and I mean anyone. The trickiest part is picturing what the inner workings of a lock look like. But with this unique tool, you won’t have to imagine anything. You can actually see what you’re doing — which will help you learn faster.
With the Escape & Evasion Training Lock and Lock Pick Set, you’ll be able to master this skill in no time. Plus, you can practice until you’ve got it down pat without worrying about damaging your real locks.
It's no exaggeration that this piece of tradecraft will save you time, money and unnecessary spikes in blood pressure. Click on the link above to claim your own set of training tools today. If you opt to upgrade to the Maximum Home Security Package, you’ll also get a special report that includes simple step-by-step instructions.
3. Ebola Patients Escape Hospital, Increasing Fear of Massive Outbreak
The Ebola virus is highly contagious, which means it can spread rapidly if proper precautions are not taken. Reports out of the Democratic Republic of the Congo last week cite three infected escapees who came into contact with hundreds of people before being contained.
Fears are running high in the port city of Mbandaka, which has a population of nearly a million. Only time will tell if this will turn into another large-scale outbreak like the epidemic that lasted from 2014–16.
Even if you think this could never happen here, remember: All it would take is one sick person boarding a plane to bring this deadly virus stateside. I strongly suggest stocking up on a few boxes of N95 respirator masks, a box or two of nitrile surgical gloves plus antibacterial soap, disinfectant wipes and bleach to add to your emergency supplies.
4. The 10 Rules of Emergency Food Storage
This article from Legacy Food Storage brings up some great points about stockpiling emergency food. You’ll discover why you should sample everything you store, the importance of labeling everything and a list of basics you shouldn’t overlook.
Building up food storage is the No. 1 thing anyone can do to prepare. But as this article points out, “When we have a big task before us, sometimes we can feel so overwhelmed that we stop before we even [begin].”
Even if it’s just putting away a couple of cans a week, you’ve got to do something so you’re still able to feed your family in a disaster. So click on the article above — these 10 tips will help you get started.
5. Amazon's Alexa Records and Shares Private Conversation
If you use a smart home device like Amazon Echo or Google Home, you are essentially welcoming a spy into your home with open arms — and giving them permission to record and report everything about you.
It’s so easy to activate these home automation hubs that sometimes it happens by accident. That’s why it’s so important to watch what you say around these devices. Other safety tips include turning off the microphone when you’re not using it, deactivating voice purchases and covering the camera lens.
I realize these smart home devices can be very useful and have the ability to make our lives simpler. However, they also pose numerous security concerns. If you’re skeptical, read the article above and imagine how horrifying it would be to have your private conversations recorded and sent to random contacts.
Stay safe,
Jason Hanson
