Survival Mom

October 31, 2011
In this impressively comprehensive manual, suburban mom Bedford helps readers learn about, prepare for, and respond to all manner of disasters, such as job loss, catastrophic weather events, and medical emergencies. Bedford’s transformation into a preparedness expert was gradual: at the dawn of Y2K, the married mother of a toddler bought extra toilet paper; later, she stashed blankets and water in her car. She got serious in the wake of America’s economic woes, but online resources were written by and for men, not suburban moms like her. In 2009, she launched the SurvivalMom.com blog and, now, this book. Information is presented in a variety of digestible formats, from “Instant Survival Tip” sidebars to a list of “Lessons from the Great Depression.” But while Bedford offers a valuable roadmap to storing tangibles like food and supplies, she advocates situational awareness and staying healthy and fit. It’s sobering stuff, to be sure, but Bedford’s matter-of-fact yet supportive tone will help keep the willies at bay.

January 1, 2012

Given the recent prevalence of floods, tornadoes, and power outages, this book (a companion to Bedford's blog, thesurvivalmom.com) comes at a good time. Bedford, mother of two homeschooled children, lists skills to learn (e.g., tying knots) and items to buy (e.g., extra toiletries). She discusses how to handle emergencies, from purifying water and storing food to making lists of financial records and establishing a safe room. The appendixes contain a wealth of checklists and resources. While readers may be overwhelmed by all the possible disaster scenarios, they would do well to prepare for any type of upset to the daily routine. [See also Bonnie Schneider's Extreme Weather: A Guide to Surviving Flash Floods...and Other Natural Disasters, reviewed on p. 129.--Ed.]

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.