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Fire Prevention: Top 10 Residential Fire Sources

Posted on July 24, 2016 at 6:00 am.

In This Article

411: Fire Facts
Residential Fire Statistics
Cooking
Heating
Electrical Malfunction
Open Flame
Appliances
Intentional / Arson
Smoking
Exposure
Natural
Playing with Heat Source
Conclusions

To survivalists, fire has the potential to be both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, a single precious ember can be painstakingly nursed into a campfire in the wilderness. This sort of fire can stave off hypothermia, and also provide the means to cook food, purify water, and deter predators. We've said time and time again how making fire in a survival scenario is one of the most important skills humans possess.

At the same time, fire has the potential for destruction on an immense scale. Wildfires reduce scenic landscapes to barren ash, vehicle fires can turn a car or truck into a blazing inferno in seconds, and structure fires kill thousands of Americans each year. The same spark that sustains life can just as easily end it.

411: Fire Facts

If you pick up a copy of Issue 15 of our printed magazine, which goes on sale August 12th, you'll be able to read more statistics about fire in our 411 column. There, John Schwartze shares the number of total fire-related deaths per year, and compares them to the other most common causes of death—heart disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory diseases, and accidents. Additionally, he lists the top three most common causes of residential fires.

Due to the format of our one-page 411 column, we didn't have room to go into detail about these causes of fires. But, don't worry—we'll be doing so right here and now. We'll outline each of the top ten common causes of residential fires, and discuss fire prevention methods that apply to each of the ten.

Residential Fire Statistics

Residential fires, deaths, injuries, and dollar loss over time. Source: usfa.fema.gov

While you may think that your home won't be affected by a structure fire, the statistics paint a different picture. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) estimates that 379,500 residential buildings were affected by fire in 2014. This led to…

2,765 deaths
12,075 injuries
$6.9 billion in damage

So, it's quite clear that fire poses a serious threat to both your property and your safety. Statistically, it may not be as high of a health risk as heart disease or even vehicle accidents, but it's still something every home preparedness plan should address. Otherwise, all your carefully organized survival gear and stockpiled resources could go up in smoke.

The danger of residential fires is obvious, but in order to prevent them, it's crucial to understand why residential fires happen. Therefore, we need to study the leading causes of building fires. Here are ten of the most common causes of home structure fires, according to the USFA:

As you can see (and as we mention in our 411 column in Issue 15) cooking, heating, and electrical malfunctions are the three most common causes of residential fires. However, there are many other dangers to be aware of, including open flames, appliances, smoking, and even arson. For the sake of simplicity, we included a few remaining causes in the “other” category—unintentional, careless, other heat, equipment malfunction (excluding electronics and appliances), cause under investigation, and other equipment.

In the following segments, we'll discuss each of these ten noteworthy causes of residential fires, and offer some tips on how to prevent each one from damaging your home.

Cooking

According to the USFA, this category includes “confined cooking fires, stoves, ovens, fixed and portable warming units, deep fat fryers, and open grills”.

Cooking-related fires are by far the most common type, resulting in half of all residential fires. These fires often start when items are left in the stove, oven, or toaster unattended, and can accelerate rapidly due to oil and other flammable materials nearby. Here are some tips from the American Red Cross on how to avoid kitchen fires:

Never leave cooking food unattended, even for a second. If you need to leave the room, turn off the heat.
Set a timer, in order to remember to check on your food regularly throughout the cooking process.
Clean cooking surfaces thoroughly on a regular basis, to prevent the accumulation of flammable grease.
Keep any flammable items far away from heat sources. Don't leave items on top of the toaster oven, or hang anything above the stove.
Always double-check that all kitchen appliances are turned off before going to bed or leaving home.

Heating

According to the USFA, this category includes “confined chimney or flue fire, fire confined to fuel burner/boiler malfunction, central heating, fixed and portable local heating units, fireplaces and chimneys, furnaces, boilers, and water heaters”.

Unsurprisingly, fireplaces, heaters, and furnaces are near the top of the list of residential fire sources. According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), half of home heating equipment fires occur during the coldest months—December, January, and February. The NFPA recommends keeping a three-foot safe zone around any heating devices, and not placing any flammable items within this area. Also, fireplaces should be cleaned and inspected by professionals every year, and should be fitted with sturdy screens to block embers from drifting into the room.

Electrical Malfunction

According to the USFA, this category includes “electrical distribution, wiring, transformers, meter boxes, power switching gear, outlets, cords, plugs, surge protectors, electric fences, lighting fixtures, and electrical arcing”.

Here's a PSA video from the NFPA that shows what not to do:

Inspect extension cords and cables, and avoid running them across doorways or under rugs. If there's any doubt about your home's wiring integrity, call an electrician for a full home inspection. Be especially careful around the following appliances, as they are the leading causes of residential fires:

Electrical distribution or lighting equipment (responsible for 48% of electrical fires)
Washers and dryers
Fans
Portable space heaters (see heater category above)

Open Flame

According to the USFA, this category includes “torches, candles, matches, lighters, open fire, ember, ash, rekindled fire, and backfire from internal combustion engine”.

Candles account for a large portion of this category, with over half of candle fires occurring due to combustible material being left too close to the flame. So, be sure to keep candles far away from anything that can burn, and always blow them out before leaving or falling asleep. Carefully extinguish matches or leftover embers with water if necessary, and have a fire extinguisher on hand.

Appliances

According to the USFA, this category includes all major home appliances, from TVs and clothes dryers to electric blankets and phonographs (yes, USFA actually lists these).

Most home appliances produce heat, and poorly maintained or positioned appliances can easily act as a source of ignition. Check your dryer lint trap frequently, because a thick layer of lint in a hot environment is a recipe for disaster. Turn off and/or unplug appliances that generate large amounts of heat, such as heating blankets and hair dryers, before leaving them unattended.

Intentional / Arson

According to the USFA, this category is applicable when the “cause of ignition is intentional or fire is deliberately set”.

The NFPA states that three of every four intentional fires are started outdoors. These fires may grow into wildfires and affect homes (see exposure category below). However, most property loss and casualties result from fires set inside buildings. The statistics show that most arson or intentional structure fires happen…

In the bedroom at home
In the bathroom at public properties (apartment complexes, stores, offices, or schools)
Between 3pm and midnight

Defending your home against hostile arson may prove difficult, but smoke alarms and security cameras can assist with this task. Also, have fire extinguishers on hand and properly maintained. For more information about intentional fires in homes, read the NFPA Intentional Fires Report.

Smoking

According to the USFA, this category includes “cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and heat from undetermined smoking materials”.

Smoking-related fires declined 30% between 2003 and 2011, likely as a result of new “fire safe” cigarette materials. However, they are still prevalent, especially among adults over the age of 65. NFPA recommends smoking only outside, using a sturdy ashtray on a non-flammable surface, and dousing the ashes with water or sand after smoking. Be extra cautious if you're around individuals who are sleepy or have been drinking alcohol, as they may forget to fully extinguish smoking materials.

Exposure

According to the USFA, this category includes residential fires “caused by heat spreading from another hostile fire”. For example, a home that burned down as a result of a wildfire in the surrounding area would be included in this category.

This is the single most difficult category of residential fire to avoid, as it's often entirely out of the control of the homeowner. If an entire neighborhood is engulfed in flames, there is little that can be done to save a residence. Nevertheless, be extra vigilant about keeping dry and flammable materials to a minimum on your property. Cut down dry grass, remove loose wood and debris, and be sure your roofing material is fire-resistant. Old wood shingles should be replaced, as they may catch fire easily.

As always, keep many fire extinguishers and water sources around your home to prevent small outdoor fires from growing.

Natural

This category designation seems vague at first, but the USFA defines it clearly. The category includes fires “caused by the sun’s heat, spontaneous ignition, chemicals, lightning, static discharge, high winds, storms, high water including floods, earthquakes, volcanic action, and animals”.

Natural fires can occur through innocuous sources like sunlight or static electricity. Spontaneous combustion of chemical products, oily rags, trash, or abandoned materials is also a major risk. To prevent this, store all flammable materials safely:

Agricultural products, like fertilizer, should remain dry and well-ventilated. Check temperature regularly.
Rags soaked in oil should be thoroughly dried and stored in a covered fire-safe metal can.
If you have an older vehicle or are transporting flammable materials, consider parking outside your garage or on the street.

Playing with Heat Source

According to the USFA, this category includes “all fires caused by individuals playing with any materials contained in the categories above as well as fires where the factors contributing to ignition include playing with heat source. Children playing with fire are included in this category.”

As the saying goes, if you play with fire, you're going to get burned.

Playing with fire is a major problem among children and teenagers, and generally occurs due to unsupervised use of lighters, matches, or fireworks. Most of these fires occur during the month of July, and during the hours of 2pm to 8pm. Older male children are statistically most likely to start these fires, although 43% were started by kids under the age of 6.

The solution to this problem is somewhat obvious. Any child who enters your home should be educated about fire safety, and always supervised while handling fire sources. Remove and secure matches, lighters, torches, and other sources of temptation. As for adults, take care handling fireworks and other fire sources—and whatever you do, don't be like this guy:

Conclusions

If most of these tips seemed like common sense, that's because they should be. While home fires can and do occur unpredictably, it's very possible to improve your odds by following basic fire safety procedures. Of course, you'll also want fire extinguishers, fire alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors on hand and properly serviced. A family bug-out plan is also key, in case fire prevention measures fail. By adhering to all these suggestions, you'll be prepared in case you ever find yourself in the line of fire.

Infographic: Home Gardening Cheat Sheet

Posted on July 23, 2016 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

Home gardening is an excellent tool for emergency preparation, since it provides a sustainable and nutrient-rich food source. It also saves you money in the long run, and makes you less reliant on mass-produced vegetables and fruits from the grocery store. It's obvious that starting a small garden is advisable in many cases—but this is also easier said than done.

There are many potential roadblocks along the way to cultivating a successful yield of veggies. You'll need to know what to grow given your environmental conditions, where to plant each variety of produce, how to maintain the plants, and when the ideal growing seasons are. For a beginner, this can seem like a steep learning curve. Fortunately, there are many excellent home gardening resources available online.

The following infographic comes from Anglianhome.co.uk. It illustrates types of vegetables to consider planting, garden spacing, sunlight, pot size, pests, and growing season, among other variables. Scroll down to check it out, or click here for a printable version.

If you're still confused what to grow in your region, Good to Be Home offers an interactive tool that suggests personalized planting suggestions according to region and climate. Check it out, and enjoy your healthy harvest.

Open Building Institute: Modular Off-Grid Housing

Posted on July 21, 2016 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

Today, houses are built quite differently than they were centuries ago. If you wanted to have a custom home built today, you'd likely end up hiring an architect to draw up some blueprints, and then paying a number of contractors to complete the build. It takes time and money, but not a lot of direct hands-on involvement from the homeowner.

In the past, the opposite was true—home-building was extremely hands-on, and often incorporated family and friends rather than hired contractors. Think of the concept of a community barn-raising, and you'll start to get the idea. You didn't need architects to build a log cabin on the American frontier, you simply needed a game plan, some extra muscle, and plenty of determination.

A group known as the Open Building Institute has begun a Kickstarter campaign to return to this community-oriented and affordable home-building approach. At the core of this plan is an open-source library of housing module designs, from foundations and walls to doors and roof panels.

This open-source system would allow any ordinary individual to use CAD software to plan the layout of a dream home, then build or purchase the components, and assemble the home themselves. Alternatively, the Open Building Institute hopes to train and license professional contractors on these systems, so they could help home-builders with more difficult parts of the process.

It's an interesting concept, and one that founder Dr. Marcin Jakubowski—a Princeton graduate with a Ph.D in fusion physics—feels is ideal for living off-grid. In fact, he tells us it was one of the primary goals of the Open Building Institute. He and his wife started the project to “make off-grid eco-housing widely accessible”. As a result, the building modules include designs for solar panel arrays, mini solar greenhouses, and even an hydroponic gardening system. These items could make it possible to build a small sustainable home in a remote area, without reliance on the electrical grid or grocery stores.

The Open Building Institute is currently crowdsourcing funding on Kickstarter, and is already well on its way to its $80,000 initial goal. For more information on this innovative home-building project, visit OpenBuildingInstitute.org or check the group's Kickstarter page.

Join Paracord with the “Manny Method”

Posted on July 19, 2016 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

Paracord is an amazing material, especially if you're using the real mil-spec 550 variety. It acts as strong, lightweight, and extremely versatile cordage for survival situations. As a result, it's one of the key elements to a bug-out kit, whether it's found in your backpack or around your wrist.

If you've ever tried tying complex knots or weaving with this material, you may encounter a common problem: running out of loose strand to work with. Traditionally, this can be avoided by melting the end of a new piece of paracord, and fusing it to the existing piece through heat. It might seem relatively strong, but it looks sloppy, and requires delicate burning to accomplish correctly.

A melted paracord bond. Even if you're skilled at this technique, it's going to look a little messy.

Fortunately, there's a better way to join paracord, and it doesn't even need a flame. It was developed by a guy named Manuel Zambrano, and it's known as the Manny Method. The Manny Method pulls each piece of paracord through the other's outer sheath, resulting in a strong and smooth bond. The exterior sheath of mil-spec 550 cord is rated to hold 305 pounds, so theoretically this bond should hold close to that much weight.

The Manny Method looks neater, and can still be burned together if you're looking for even more strength. Source:...

The only downside to this method is that it will require a needle or other long sharp metal object to pull through the paracord. So, you'll probably want to do this at home, before you're stuck out in the field without a proper needle. Here's a video that shows how it works:

For a complete step-by-step guide with images, check out this article from Paracord Guild. And, for more tips on how to work with paracord correctly, refer to our previous article on paracord best practices.

Tree Branch Water Filter Developed by MIT Scientists

Posted on July 18, 2016 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

In the survival world, we sometimes have a tendency to reinvent the wheel. Rather than focusing on learning the tried-and-true survival methods used by primitive survivalists for centuries, we rely on technology to solve our problems. There's nothing wrong with this per se, since technology has a substantial potential to make our lives easier. Rather than rubbing sticks together, we can now spark a fire with a lighter in seconds. However, it's also reassuring to see much of the survival community focusing on getting back to basics.

A colorized electron microscope image showing green E. coli bacteria trapped on the surface of sapwood. Source: MIT News

One interesting development in this vein came from an unexpected place: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). This prestigious school has nurtured some of the finest scientific minds of our generation, including numerous Nobel Prize winners. A study performed by a team of MIT researchers has established that the plant xylem found in sapwood can serve as an effective survival water filter, blocking more than 99 percent of E. coli bacteria.

Illustrations from the MIT study. Source: journals.plos.org

If you're not too familiar with plant physiology, the implications of this discovery may be unclear at first. In simple terms, this means that the core of a sap-producing tree branch or twig can be used to filter water and prevent illness. Here's how it works:

Find a pine tree, and cut off a small branch.
Peel away the bark and discard it, so only the inner xylem remains.
Plug or cork a water container with this tree branch water filter, and seal to prevent leaks.
Invert and/or pressurize the container, forcing clean water through the wood, and filtering out bacteria.

A diagram showing the construction of a tree bark water filter. Source: journals.plos.org

According to the study, this simple system can produce up to four liters of clean water per day. The scientists used a plastic tube and hose clamp, then applied 5 psi of pressure to the water vessel to increase flow rate. We imagine this could also be done with a plastic water bottle, some duct tape, and a squeezing motion—just be sure no dirty water seeps around the edges of the wood.

Purpose-built water filters from companies like LifeStraw and Sawyer are great to have in a survival setting, but if you don't have access to these modern conveniences, remember this simple tree branch water filter method.

Breaking News: Ongoing Military Coup in Turkey

Posted on July 15, 2016 at 6:57 pm.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

A large-scale military coup is currently underway in Turkey, evidently in an attempt to overthrow the controversial administration of Islamic president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Amateur videos show tanks and soldiers flooding the streets of Ankara and Istanbul, with audible gunfire and helicopters in the background. There have also been reports of bombs detonating at the Turkish parliament building and at Ataturk airport.

Below: In May, fistfights began in Turkish parliament after heated debate over the possible criminal investigation of certain politicians. The tensions have only worsened since then.

Mainstream media sources within the country attempted to cover the military coup at first, but military members allegedly took control of several of these outlets. In one case, a CNN Turk live broadcast was halted on air, as soldiers stormed the room and took broadcasters hostage. As a result, official reports are sporadic and inconsistent at the present time. CNN stated that there is currently “little independent confirmation on anything coming out of Turkey”.

Below: Turkish protesters gather in the streets, as military members fire weapons into the air and attempt to disperse the crowd.

According to the Turkish Press Office, president Erdogan told the media, “the ring leader who plotted all of this will pay the price in front of the nation.” Erdogan has declared members of the coup as terrorists, and laid the blame on followers of political rival Fethullah Gulen, who resides in a remote compound in Pennsylvania. However, Gulen has denied any involvement in the military coup. Erdogan also says that law enforcement has started arresting military officers of various ranks.

Update: The Turkish Prime Minister has told CNN that the the coup has failed, that “the government is in full control”, and that “rogue military aircraft have been shot down”. Other sources say it's still unclear who has control.

For more updates on the military coup in Turkey, check the CNN Live Feed. Alternatively, you can refer to the Reddit live feed for instant updates (note: some of these updates may be inaccurate or may contain graphic content, as they are user-submitted).

Unboxing and Tasting a 1952 Food Packet MRE

Posted on July 15, 2016 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

Modern MREs, or meals ready to eat, are typically well-liked by survivalists. These compact military food rations are self-contained, long-lasting, and calorie dense, making them an excellent source of food for civilian bug-out bags. An average MRE today contains a veritable cornucopia of munchies: an entree, side dish, dessert, cracker and spread, beverage mix, candy, flameless heater, utensils and seasonings.

At the same time, many of us poke fun at MREs due to their less-than-gourmet taste and tendency to cause gastrointestinal distress (“meals ready to excrete“). However, we shouldn't forget how good we have it these days. Back in the 1950s, MREs were nowhere near as sophisticated as they are now. In fact, back then, a military ration wasn't called an MRE—it was known simply as a food packet.

Back in 1952, rations included not one but TWO types of cigarettes.

If you need some evidence to prove how far military food rations have come, we have just the thing. In the YouTube video below, host Steve1989 unboxes an extremely valuable mint-condition food packet from 1952. Unboxing this time capsule in a tin shows all the contents, and Steve then proceeds to taste-test some 64-year-old cookies—don't try that part at home.

Here's a recap of the contents:

Date cookie bars
“Cocoanut” cookie bars
Apple cookie bars
Sweet chocolate bars
Jelly bar
Chicks candy-coated chewing gum
Phillip Morris cigarettes
Camel cigarettes
Matches
Bouillon powder packets
Coffee and tea packets
Sugar cubes
Waterproof plastic bag
8-page survival manual

We'll admit we cringed a little seeing Steve consume crumbling, ancient ration bars. Still, it's pretty interesting to put our modern MREs into historical perspective. We'd take modern beef stew in a plastic pouch over chalky food bars any day of the week. Even if smokers miss the free cigarettes, it's hard to deny that survival food has clearly come a long way in the last six decades.

If this sort of thing interests you, Steve has dozens of other vintage military ration videos to watch. Check them out here.

Learn to Love Backpacking in the Rain

Posted on July 14, 2016 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

Rainy weather can be a real drag—but only if you let it. On one hand, if you're in a cotton t-shirt, jeans, and flip-flops, you're going to be drenched and uncomfortable. On the other hand, with the right level of preparedness, gear, and mindset, being outside in the rain can actually be a fun experience. You just need to think ahead and make a point to be ready.

Dave Collins of CleverHiker.com posted a video on YouTube titled, “Learn to Love Backpacking in the Rain”. This 9-minute video is packed with helpful tips about staying warm and dry. However, Dave also recognizes that there are some cases where it's OK to get a little wet. For example, wearing thick rain pants and heavy waterproof boots can slow you down and trap sweat against your skin.

One point in this video that we'd take issue with is the suggestion to wear damp wool socks for multiple days. If possible, you should always dry out your socks, or at least ensure your feet can air-dry thoroughly overnight. Keeping your feet in a constantly damp environment can lead to pruning, blistering, cracking, or even trench foot (which can develop in as few as 13 hours).

The most important point that Dave makes in this video is to keep a positive mental attitude. This decision can make the difference between being miserable and actually enjoying your time outdoors—regardless of what Mother Nature has in store.

Infographic: 12 Tips for Sleeping Outdoors

Posted on July 13, 2016 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

In a survival or bug-out situation, you won't have access to a nice cushy king-size mattress and a roof over your head, unless you're lucky enough to bug out in an RV. Realistically, you probably won't even have access to a tent, since they can be too heavy or bulky for most bug-out bags. So, it's fairly likely you'll end up sleeping under the stars—not that there's anything wrong with that.

Few of us have access to this sort of bug-out setup.

When you're sleeping outside, it may be difficult to get a good night's rest, especially if you're unprepared for the challenges this poses. Fortunately, Therm-a-Rest has composed this useful infographic that shows 12 tips for sleeping outdoors. Some are more obvious than others, but if you combine all of them, you should be able to get some proper shut-eye and awake feeling refreshed.

Tiring yourself out shouldn't be a problem, unless you're really doing something wrong. However, we like the tips about regulating your temperature by wearing a hat, sleeping in a light base layer of clothes, and giving your sleeping bag time to expand after unrolling. Choosing a flat campsite also makes a substantial difference.

If you're looking for a lightweight alternative to lugging around a tent or sleeping on the ground, check out our previous articles on hammock camping. A hammock is fast to set up, only weighs a few pounds, and can be stuffed into your bug-out bag with relative ease. Of course, hammock camping brings its own difficulties, too—read more about how to sleep well in a hammock here.

Survival Scenarios: Flashlight or Firearm?

Posted on July 10, 2016 at 6:00 am.

Written by Patrick McCarthy

In This Article

The Location
The Setup
The Decision

Welcome to another entry of Survival Scenarios, where we ask you how you’d handle a difficult choice in a hypothetical survival situation. Previously, we asked whether you'd go barefoot in order to keep your bug-out bag, and also whether you’d rather be adrift at sea or stranded in the barren desert. Today we'll be posing another difficult survival choice, and asking your opinion in a poll at the end of this article.

How would you rather survive for one week: with a loaded handgun and no light source, or with a flashlight and no dedicated weapon?

You may think this sounds like an easy choice, but don't jump to conclusions just yet. Before you answer, we’ll provide some more information on the circumstances. As with previous Survival Scenarios, in either case, you’ll need to survive for 7 days (and nights), and you’ll be alone.

The Location

When the weather is clear, the Seattle area can be beautiful. However, it's also notorious for heavy rain.

You will be surviving on the suburban streets of Everett, Washington, just north of Seattle. Our scenario takes place in December, so there only will be approximately 8 hours of usable natural light each day. The remaining 16 hours will be twilight or total darkness.

During the short days of winter, residents of the northwest rely heavily on the power grid to provide light.

Also, even if you've never visited the Seattle area, you'll surely know its reputation for rain and inclement weather. In this scenario, that reputation will be taking full effect, as a major rainstorm has been drenching the region for days. Even when the rainfall lets up briefly, the skies remain gloomy and dark grey. Widespread flooding and power outages have begun to affect much of the Everett area, and the storm appears to be rapidly getting worse.

December is also typically the coldest month in coastal Washington, so temperatures will be hovering in the mid-40s during the day, and dropping to the mid-30s at night (plus wind chill). It's not snowing, but it's still freezing cold, windy, and wet outside.

The Setup

It's 3:30pm and your flight just landed at SEA-TAC airport. As a result of the weather, it was a rough landing, but you're relieved to be on the ground.

You'll be in town all week for a business conference, which is located just north of Seattle. Your stingy employer didn't want to spend extra to get you a hotel room in the city, so they got you a cheap sub-compact rental car and booked a hotel room in Everett. It's over 20 miles from the conference venue, but they were able to save a few bucks on T&E—figures.

After grabbing your luggage from the baggage carousel, you check in with an apathetic employee at the rental car desk, and head out to find your car. Stepping out into the damp parking structure, you notice it's already getting dark, and it's not even 4:00 yet. A raincoat-clad woman directs you to your rental car, cautioning you about the incoming weather, and you drive away into the rain.

On the freeway, your rental car is buffeted by sheets of driving rain. At this point, you're navigating more by your phone's GPS app than by road signs, since visibility is minimal. After a nerve-racking 40-minute drive, you eventually exit the freeway, which is practically devoid of vehicles at this point. After a few empty blocks, you notice the street lights are out and the water level on the road keeps getting deeper.

You enter an intersection, planning to turn around, only to feel your rental car's engine sputter and stall. The headlamps and dashboard lights cut out, leaving you stranded in darkness, with only the sound of rain hammering your windshield and roof. You realize you need to get out of here, and the car certainly isn't going anywhere under its own power.

Opening the car door, you watch as water rushes in around your ankles. That can't be good. You step out of the car, and slosh through knee-deep water in the twilight to unlock the trunk. Lifting your luggage under one arm, you wade to the side of the road, and climb onto an elevated brick wall to evaluate your situation. It's still pouring rain, your cell phone battery is nearly dead, and you haven't seen anyone else on the road for several miles.

Worst of all, you're stuck in unfamiliar surroundings at night, and you're not sure how to get to your hotel—which is probably already flooded like the other nearby buildings.

The Decision

In this survival situation, you're left with the following resources:

The clothes on your back—jeans, a long-sleeved shirt, a pullover jacket, a light raincoat, and some high-top boots (thoroughly soaked)
Your nearly-dead cell phone (now showing “No Signal”), rental car keys, a pen, and about $100 cash in your wallet
In your suitcase: several sets of dress clothes, a toiletries kit, phone wall charger, and a laptop

None of these items will do you much good at this point. However, there's one thing in your suitcase that will help:

Either your concealed-carry handgun (a loaded 9mm semi-auto) or a powerful waterproof LED flashlight.

One way or another, you're going to have to find your way to somewhere dry, and weather the storm. With the current state of your surroundings, and what you heard of the weather forecast earlier, you could easily be stuck here for days.

The Firearm

On one hand, the concealed pistol will provide immediate security. Wandering dark and unfamiliar streets in a flood zone is dangerous enough on its own, not to mention the risk of looters and opportunistic criminals noticing your presence. You recall reading that this area has a moderate violent crime rate, but theft is a major problem in some parts of town, and there's a substantial homeless population.

However, if you choose the firearm, you'll find that you left your flashlight at home. Target acquisition at night will be nearly impossible without a light source, and the power appears to be out for miles in all directions. No streetlights, and virtually no moonlight due to thick cloud cover. You'd be flying mostly blind, but at least you'd be able to protect yourself with deadly force if it came down to it.

The firearm will certainly be more useful during the daylight hours, but remember that those 8 hours pass quickly at this time of year.

The Flashlight

On the other hand, a flashlight will provide an immediate advantage for navigating to a safer location. If you can wade through the flood waters for a few blocks, you might be able to find a safer spot to hole up for the night.

The flashlight will almost certainly draw the attention of anyone nearby, for better or worse. If that individual is friendly, they may be able to help you to safety. Then again, if that individual has less benevolent intentions, you'll be forced to defend yourself as best you can.

In a confrontation, the light can temporarily disorient attackers, or can be used as a striking implement up close. It's certainly better than fighting with your bare hands, but it's not nearly as effective as a gun would be. Physical confrontation may seem unlikely, but there's no telling what could happen if a desperate person sees you as a vulnerable tourist.

So, make your choice of either flashlight or firearm in the poll below, and feel free to justify your decision in the comments section.

Survival Scenarios is a recurring feature on OFFGRIDweb.com, and will ask you to make a difficult choice between two or more hypothetical situations.

We don’t just want you to read our posts silently—we want to hear what you have to say. That’s why we’re working hard to provide more interactive content like quizzes, polls, and giveaways. Got any suggestions? Post them in the comments below, or head over to our Facebook page.