When it comes to protecting our families from harm in our home, many of us in the gun community think in terms of buying a house in a safe neighborhood, home security systems, sturdy locks, outdoor lighting and yes, firearms, as a last line of defense should the unthinkable occur. But threats to our safety don’t just approach on two legs. Danger comes in many forms, and all too often it arrives in a manner that can’t be stopped. It arrives by way of a natural disaster or unavoidable calamity such as hurricanes, tornados, floods or even wildfires.

These destructive forces hit quickly and depart just as fast, leaving victims in survival and recovery mode first, followed by rebuilding mode sometimes long after the initial tragedy has passed. Those who’ve lived through disasters like the 2024 floods in western North Carolina or the wildfires that recently tore through Los Angeles know that real preparedness goes beyond mere prevention—it’s about adaptation and endurance in the aftermath.

When most people think of survival, they focus on the obvious essentials—food, clean water, shelter and protection. But true preparedness demands more. In many situations, it also requires us to consider first aid for injuries, communications, backup power and extremely important, the air we breathe.

You Are Your Own First Responder

There is a saying, “If you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything.” That statement has never been truer than in the aftermath of a widescale disaster, especially when injuries to loved ones may have occurred and emergency services are unable to respond due to being overwhelmed or cut off from reaching you.

When help isn’t coming, you become the first responder. A well-stocked first aid kit is essential, but even the best supplies are useless without the knowledge to apply them. First aid training should go beyond mere bandage application. Every prepared household should have at least one member trained in basic trauma care, CPR, and how to handle common medical emergencies like burns, broken bones and severe allergic reactions (and since you’re reading this, that person should be you). Many organizations, including the American Red Cross and Stop the Bleed, offer inexpensive online and in-person courses that teach life-saving skills, such as using a tourniquet to control major bleeding or treating shock. Get trained now, before you ever have to put such skills to use.

Having the right emergency equipment on hand is just as crucial, especially when stores and services are closed or cut off. Your medical supplies should be tailored to cover both immediate injuries and long-term health concerns. A fully stocked kit should include items for trauma care such as tourniquets, pressure dressings and chest seals; basic wound care such as antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointments, various bandages, Steri-Strips and medical tape; burn treatment dressings and ointments; respiratory support such as CPR masks and an airway kit; pain and fever management such as aspirin, ibuprofen and cold packs; allergy response medicines such as Benadryl and at least one EpiPen for severe reactions; wraps and splints for fractures and sprains; basic treatments for stomach upset and poisoning; and first aid tools such as tweezers, shears, a thermometer and even a sharp, sanitary knife or scalpel.

In disaster scenarios minor infections can turn deadly, and untreated chronic conditions can become serious threats. Sanitation and hygiene become crucial, so pay close attention to the basics in cleanliness and treatment to prevent small issues from becoming huge concerns.

Can You Hear Me Now?

In today’s world, cell phones have become essential tools. Not just for posting selfies on Instagram or ordering your next meal from DoorDash, phones have become our lifeline to the world, used for texting and calling those we need to reach, getting our news, checking the weather and even receiving urgent alerts. But what if cell service is knocked out? In some disaster situations, cell coverage can be out for days or even weeks, and often during the most critical times. You need an alternate method of communicating with the world.

Key options to consider include a battery-powered NOAA weather radio to keep informed of emergency broadcasts and weather updates. Two-way radios, like a home-based CB, walkie-talkies or HAM radios, provide direct communication when cell towers fail. (HAM radios offer the farthest range to reach others, but you will have to get licensed by the federal government to operate one.) Satellite messengers, such as the Garmin inReach or SPOT, allow you to send SOS signals and basic texts from remote areas. Even going old-school—like pre-arranged meeting points and written emergency plans—can be important in ensuring your family has a way to connect and find each other when technology fails.

Power Up

When the grid goes down or power lines are severed, darkness follows. Without power, even the most basic tasks—lighting a room, cooking a meal, or staying informed—become challenges. That’s why backup energy sources aren’t just convenient; they’re essential. A gas or propane generator can keep major appliances running, but they can be loud and both can also run out of fuel that may become hard to resupply following a major event. Solar-powered generators or portable power stations might be a better solution that can offer reliable electricity without the need for fuel (and all the noise). Pair these with solar chargers or high-capacity battery banks to keep phones, radios and other small devices operational when outlets go dead. A whole-home generator such as a Generac that runs off natural gas or liquid propane will keep your entire home, if still intact, electrically operational. Their one downside is they can be extremely costly to purchase and have installed.

Because survival and human activity doesn’t stop when the sun goes down, light is just as critical as power. A well-stocked emergency kit should include multiple light sources—durable flashlights, headlamps for hands-free work and lanterns to illuminate larger spaces. LED options last longer and drain batteries more slowly (they also cast a brighter, more even light), but always have extras on hand, along with rechargeable options if you have a way to power them. A weapons-mounted light on your firearm is also a solid idea when it comes to ensuring your physical security at night or in low-light situations. In any emergency, light is more than just a convenience—it’s security and visibility, which is critical for moving around and performing tasks safely when it’s dark.

Clearing the Air

As we’ve seen with the recent wildfires, in the wake of a disaster, air quality can deteriorate fast—smoke, mold and mildew, invisible airborne toxins and bacteria can pose serious risks long after the storm has passed or the smoke has cleared. Both outdoor and indoor air quality must be considered in these situations.

Because you will have to breathe safely when outside, having enough N95 or other NIOSH-approved particulate filtering respirators on hand for every family member is important, particularly in cases where airborne dangers (think wildfire smoke or chemical spill) suddenly inundate an area.

For indoor environments, a product like the WellisAir Hydroxyl Generator can serve a vital role. More than just a purifier, it actively eliminates contaminants, creating a safer breathing environment when every breath matters.

Bruce Somers, CEO of WellisAir and son of the late actress Suzanne Somers of Three’s Company fame, has a unique perspective on the importance of air quality as it relates to preparedness. Somers is both an ardent gun enthusiast and one of many people who recently survived the fires in LA.

Most people hear “air purifier” and immediately think of HEPA filters. That was Somers’ assumption, too, at first. But WellisAir is not a HEPA filter, which more people are familiar with. It is a hydroxyl generator—a technology first developed in 2008 for large-scale commercial applications, like fire and flood remediation. Traditional hydroxyl generators, while effective, had their drawbacks. These large machines produced what is called “hydroxyl negative,” which can corrode metals. They also produce a ton of ozone, which can be harmful to humans in large quantities, so people couldn’t be present in buildings when these generators were operating.

What WellisAir does is harness a safer, neutral form of hydroxyl technology—what Somers calls “nature’s immune system.”

“Our machine produces hydroxyl neutral,” Somers says. “Hydroxyl neutral doesn’t have the same oxidative properties.” Hydroxyl molecules are created naturally when sunlight hits water vapor in the air, breaking apart H2O molecules into OH radicals. WellisAir works on the same principle. The radicals created then convert harmful contaminants like viruses, bacteria, mold mycotoxins and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) back into inert harmless water (H2O) on contact. During independent testing, WellisAir was proven to eliminate 99.9% of Staphylococcus in three hours and 99% of COVID-19 particles in the air within two hours. Hydroxyls work on a molecular level, and once the OH molecules the unit generates finds another H atom, it replicates and progresses rapidly across a room or interior area.

“The unit produces this cascading effect,” Somers explains. “Because of the laws of gas, it will then expand to the size of the room … once it expands, it actually starts seeping into cracks in the walls and in your floorboards. So, it starts killing the contaminants in there as well.” One small unit can cover up to 1,000 square feet.

It’s like first aid for your air, whether you are sheltering-in-place in your home, a basement, a safe room, a bomb shelter or other structure. But you don’t need to be in an emergency situation to reap its benefits. WellisAir is already being used in assisted living facilities, nail salons and homes across the country on a daily basis keeping inside environments free from airborne contaminants.

Looking Beyond the Basics

Threats come in many forms and preparing to face them successfully takes more than a prayer and a gun (though both may be important parts of your overall defensive strategy). It takes planning, preparation, training and the mental and physical ability to execute when danger descends upon you. These are just a handful of preparations you should take and is not meant to be an exhaustive list. But they are a crucial start to building your foundation of preparedness and making a plan for keeping you and your family safe in any situation.

The Hidden Dangers of Wildfire Smoke

Following the recent wildfires in Los Angeles, WellisAir owner Bruce Somers has been reaching out to fellow Angelenos to share critical information about the dangers of wildfire smoke. While most people worry about the visible effects of smoke, the real danger lies in the invisible toxins it contains.

Wildfire smoke is filled with Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylenes and dioxins—dangerous carcinogens that traditional HEPA filters cannot remove. Hydroxyl generators actively neutralize these harmful compounds, making indoor air safer to breathe. It can also remove that “smoky” smell from the home.

WellisAir has miniaturized and patented hydroxyl generator technology for residential use. The units are nearly silent and are designed to work and protect 24/7 with one cartridge lasting up to three months of full operation. As part of their commitment to public safety, WellisAir is offering their air revitalizers at cost for Southern California residents affected by the fires, ensuring they have access to clean, safe air during these challenging times.

But you don’t have to live in Southern California or be a victim of forest fires to benefit from a WellisAir unit or receive available cost savings when purchasing a unit. As a gun owner who also believes in the value U.S. LawShield delivers to its members, Somers has extended a 20% discount to all U.S. LawShield members interested in buying one or more units (Use code: USLAW20).

The company also offers first responders and veterans a 30% discount—a testament to Somers’ commitment to those who serve.

“My mother and our family have always had the greatest respect for our military and first responders. This technology has been a game-changer for our family, and I want to see it in every home and office in America,” Somers says. To buy your own unit with the discount code, buy directly through the WellisAir website at WellisAirPure.com.