Safe & Ready: A College Safety Starter Guide for Fall
College is coming. Are you prepared—not just for class, but for life?
Latest
Change Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector Batteries: The 5-Minute Fix That Saves Lives
Don’t let a dead battery put your family at risk. Learn when to replace smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries, which ones to trust, and how this simple habit could save lives.
Safe & Ready - July 2025
This month, we’re focusing on practical summer readiness—how to protect your plans, devices, documents, and peace of mind before storms hit or travel takes you off your routine. Just a few simple steps now can make a big difference later—for you and the people you care for.
What Is a Go Folder? How to Create One Before You Need It
Learn what a Go Folder is and why every household should have one ready. This simple emergency grab-and-go binder holds your essential documents for fast, calm action in a crisis.
Travel Scams: How to Spot Them Before They Ruin Your Trip
Travel scams are more common than ever—especially during summer and holiday seasons. Learn how to spot fake vacation rentals, phony trip deals, and other common travel scams before they cost you time, money, or peace of mind.
How to Prepare Your Devices for Summer Travel
Simple, smart steps to keep your phone—and your data—safe on the road.
Storm-Ready: What to Do Before the Power Goes Out
A calm checklist to help you prepare in under an hour.
Should You Use Insurance for Roadside Assistance? What You Need to Know Before You Call
Using your auto insurance for roadside assistance might quietly count as a claim—raising your rates later. Discover safer, smarter options like AAA, cell phone perks, credit card benefits, and local services.
30 Days Ready: How to Build a Real-Life Emergency Pantry Without Panic or Prepping Out
A well-stocked emergency pantry creates calm in life’s literal and figurative storms. It lets you care for your people with quiet confidence—so you’re not the one racing to the store when things go sideways.
Emergency Pantries: Selfish Stockpiling or Stewardship?
When you build a pantry, you’re not building a bunker. You’re building a buffer—a margin of grace for the people you love.
16 Billion Passwords Leaked: What You Need to Know and Do Next
You don’t need a cybersecurity degree to feel the weight of this: Sixteen billion usernames and passwords—many from platforms we all use daily—have just been discovered circulating among cybercriminals. Apple. Google. Facebook. Even government portals. Here's what you can do.
Fake Invoice Scams: How to Spot Them Before You Pay the Price
Welcome to the fake invoice scam. Let’s unpack how this scam works, who’s being targeted, and how you can protect yourself and others—before a false bill turns into real regret.
Be Ready
Goal Zero: Portable Power You Can Trust—Starting with the Venture Series
Let’s take a clear, honest look at what Goal Zero does well, how the Venture line stands out, and whether it’s the right next step for your own preparedness.
Scam Watch
Tax Rebate Scams: That “Unexpected Refund” Is a Red Flag, Not Free Money
In this post, we’ll break down how the tax rebate scam works, why it’s convincing, and what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Scam Watch
Jury Duty Scams: What You Need to Know Before You Panic
This kind of con—known as a jury duty scam—has been making the rounds across the country. It’s one of the more convincing phone scams out there, because it plays on something most of us care about deeply: doing the right thing.
Digital Security
Free Download: Facebook Privacy Settings Checklist
If you're not 100% sure who can see your Facebook posts, find your phone number, or tag you in a photo… you're not alone. Here's help!
Scam Watch
Work from Home? Not So Fast. How to Spot a Job Scam Before It Hurts You
We’re living in a time when more people than ever are looking for flexible work, remote jobs, and extra income. And scammers know it.
Scam Watch
Facebook Romance Scams: How to Protect Your Loved Ones from Heartbreak and Financial Loss
Romance scams are sophisticated fraud schemes where criminals create fake online personas to build emotional relationships with victims. These scammers specifically target people seeking companionship, often through social media platforms like Facebook.
Scam Watch
12 Simple Rules to Outsmart Almost Every Scam (And Why They Actually Work)
Protect yourself from online scams, phone fraud, and identity theft with these proven prevention strategies.
Be Ready
Graduation Gifts to Help Students Stay Prepared and Safe
Here’s a list of physical, practical gifts that help new adults stay safe, be ready, and live wisely—on the road, at school, or wherever life leads next.
Be Ready
What to Pack in a Glovebox Emergency Kit
Simple supplies. Big peace of mind.
Digital Security
Bluetooth in Your Car? Watch Your Settings
If you’ve ever synced your phone with your car’s Bluetooth, you might have shared more than just a playlist. Many vehicles quietly store bits of personal data—like contacts, call logs, and recent text messages—to support hands-free features.
Scam Watch
Three Car-Related Scams and How to Shut Them Down
Scammers often target drivers—new grads heading out on their first solo trips, families traveling for summer vacations, or anyone distracted behind the wheel.
Be Ready
Should You Carry Pepper Spray? What the Law (and Wisdom) Says
In all 50 U.S. states, pepper spray is allowed in some form for civilian self-defense. But just like with many safety tools, the rules can vary more than you might expect.