There are some skills you hope you never need to use, but having them could be a matter of life and death.

Remember when you bought a new can opener because you thought you lost your old one? What do you plan on doing with that half-used roll of duct tape that's collecting dust in your garage? The last time you used that flashlight in the kitchen junk drawer was to pretend to be a jedi, wasn't it? These are all items you probably have lying around that you can consolidate into a home emergency kit. It might just save you and your family's lives.

We hope you never have the experience of being in a serious car accident with your kids. But it's good to be prepared, and this tip from a parent could help emergency responders during a rescue.

Due to the current state of the world, and nonstop media coverage of tragic events, we're more on edge in public spaces than ever before. But reacting before you think can be just as dangerous to yourself and others as the perceived threat - especially when you're in a crowded environment.

Video: Earlier this month, Tesla CEO Elon Musk took to Twitter to offer his help to rebuild Puerto Rico's power grid, damaged by Hurricane Maria. True to his word, the company provided a solar panel and battery storage array to Hospital del Niño, a children's hospital in San Juan.

Hey there preppers! Remember when we talked about Doomsday Prepping for Non-Paranoid People? About how, in these uncertain times, we should all have a well-stocked emergency kit, or in my case, an emergency cabinet? If you acquired the basics of water, food and gear six months ago, now is the the time to open your kit and check that your supplies are still functional, edible and potable. You don't want to want to be mid-disaster and realise your batteries leaked corroded crusty goo all over the Kind bars.

Video: Back in the '50s and '60s, your home wasn't complete if you didn't have your own fallout shelter. This classic educational video shows you how to build your own.

Hurricane categories range from 1 (119km/h winds) to 5 (252km/h and up). There is no Category 6, not even for record breaking storms such as Irma.

The Earth is getting warmer. That's a fact. And as the Earth gets warmer, we expect to see larger and stronger hurricanes. Also a fact. But there are folks denying these facts, even to the point of blaming the liberal media for the fact that hurricanes are in the news.

It happened. Bright, white light flashed before your eyes, the power of the sun licked your skin, and you felt a shock wave of dust and debris plow through the city you call home. You're one of the lucky ones, for now, but your struggle isn't over yet -- not even close.