Nov 14
The past several years have been really hard on California with the wildfires that burn thousands of acres before the firefighters can get them under control. Last year there were horrific fires in northern California as well as southern California. This year we have had a large number of fires, too, especially this past June.
There’s [...] [...more]
Posted: under Health, House & Yard, News.
The past several years have been really hard on California with the wildfires that burn thousands of acres before the firefighters can get them under control. Last year there were horrific fires in northern California as well as southern California. This year we have had a large number of fires, too, especially this past June.
There’s a fire just north of L.A. that is being fueled by heavy winds today. There are mandatory evacuations again, and hundreds of homes are at risk of being wiped out. There is even a chance that the rest of the city will have a problem with loss of electricity because of this fire.
We all need Mother Nature to give California a break.
Nov 01
I like the way most of the major papers have embraced the internet and make a version of their printed newspaper available online.
I have to say that my local paper’s website is not close to the same as what is available on the newsstands but it give a good snapshot of local and national happenings.
There [...] [...more]
Posted: under Internet, News.
I like the way most of the major papers have embraced the internet and make a version of their printed newspaper available online.
I have to say that my local paper’s website is not close to the same as what is available on the newsstands but it give a good snapshot of local and national happenings.
There are a few newspapers that do a spectacular job with their websites and I find myself checking them daily for a good overview of what is happening in the real world, each with their own particular attitude and view of what’s news.
San Francisco Chronicle
Chicago Tribune
New York Times
Oct 10
With so many people affected this year by natural disasters and emergency situations, I can’t help think that more households need to be more prepared to survive several days in extreme situations. Assembling disaster supplies kits is an important measure for every household. When a disaster hits, you don’t have time to shop or search [...] [...more]
Posted: under Health, Life, News.
With so many people affected this year by natural disasters and emergency situations, I can’t help think that more households need to be more prepared to survive several days in extreme situations. Assembling disaster supplies kits is an important measure for every household. When a disaster hits, you don’t have time to shop or search for supplies. Gather supplies in advance and keep them in an area of your home that can be easily accessed quickly.
If you have not put together emergency preparedness kits for your family, you can review the checklists below and use them to get a start on your kits. In the event of an evacuation, such as a highway spill of hazardous materials, an uncontrolled wildfire or a tornado, place the supplies you’d most likely need in a container that is easy to lift and take with you in a car or truck.
Water
Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments and intense physical activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers and ill people will need more.
• Store one gallon of water per person per day (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for food preparation/sanitation)
• Keep at least a 3 day supply of water for each person in your household.
Food
Store at least a 3 day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation, or cooking and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno. Select food items that are compact and lightweight.
• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
• Canned juices, milk, soup (if powdered, store extra water)
• Staples—sugar, salt, pepper
• High energy foods—peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix
• Vitamins
• Foods for infants, elderly persons or persons on special diets
• Comfort/stress foods—cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags
First aid
Assemble a first aid kit for both your home and one for each car. Include the following:
• Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
• Two-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
• Four-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
• Hypoallergenic adhesive tape
• Triangular bandages (3)
• Two-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
• Three-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Needle
• Moistened towelettes
• Antiseptic
• Thermometer
• Tongue blades (2)
• Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
• Assorted sizes of safety pins
• Cleansing agent/soap
• Latex gloves (2 pair)
• Sunscreen
• Non-prescription drugs
• Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Antacid (for stomach upset)
• Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center)
• Laxative
• Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)
Tools and supplies
Don’t forget day-to-day supplies that could help make a crisis situation safer and/or more comfortable. In addition to food, water, and medical supplies, include these items:
• Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
• Emergency preparedness manual
• Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Cash or traveler’s checks, change
• Nonelectric can opener, utility knife
• Fire extinguisher: small canister, ABC type
• Tube tent
• Pliers
• Tape
• Compass
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Aluminum foil
• Plastic storage containers
• Signal flare
• Paper, pencil
• Needles, thread
• Medicine dropper
• Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water
• Whistle
• Plastic sheeting
• Map of the area (for locating shelters)
• Sanitation
• Toilet paper, towelettes
• Soap, liquid detergent
• Feminine supplies
• Personal hygiene items
• Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)
• Plastic bucket with tight lid
• Disinfectant
• Household chlorine bleach
• Clothing and bedding—include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person.
• Sturdy shoes or work boots
• Hat and gloves
• Rain gear
• Thermal underwear
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Sunglasses
• Special Items—remember family members with special needs, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons.
• For babies—formula, diapers, bottles, powdered milk, medications
• For adults—heart and high blood pressure medication, insulin, prescription
drugs, denture needs, contact lenses and supplies, extra eye glasses
• Entertainment—games and books
• Important family documents–keep these records in a waterproof, portable container.
• Will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds
• Passports, social security cards, immunization records
• Bank account numbers
• Credit card account numbers and companies
• Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers
• Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
More Suggestions
• Store your kit in a convenient place known to all family members. Keep a smaller version of the disaster supplies kit in the trunk of your car.
• Keep items in air-tight plastic bags.
• Change your stored water supply every six months so it stays fresh.
• Rotate your stored food every six months.
• Re-think your kit and family needs at least once a year. Replace batteries, update clothes, etc.
• Ask your physician or pharmacist about storing prescription medications.
Oct 09
My brother lives down on the Gulf coast and he is always exposed to the threat of hurricanes. That goes along with living the good life on a beachfront. He has learned over the years to respect the weather forecasts and when a serious hurricane threat comes along, he has no problem loading up the [...] [...more]
Posted: under Life, News.
My brother lives down on the Gulf coast and he is always exposed to the threat of hurricanes. That goes along with living the good life on a beachfront. He has learned over the years to respect the weather forecasts and when a serious hurricane threat comes along, he has no problem loading up the Jeep with a few of his things and his dog and heading inland. Usually he would come up here to stay with me for a few days. This time he left with the threat of Hurricane Gustav and went to stay with our sister’s family outside of Memphis for a few days. It’s not such a big deal for her to take in his dog, as with me my dogs have not taken real well to his dog coming to visit.
Turns out that Gustav was not as bad as we expected, so that’s a blessing. And my brother had the chance to visit my sister and her family for a few days. So that was good, too.
Sep 13
Well my brother dodged the bullet with Hurricane Gustav but it looks like Galveston was not so lucky with Hurricane Ike.
The news has been bad for Galveston and most of Houston. A lot of wind damage but mostly the flooding has been devastating.
I hope the good people of Galveston did the smart thing and evacuated [...] [...more]
Posted: under Health, Life, News.
Well my brother dodged the bullet with Hurricane Gustav but it looks like Galveston was not so lucky with Hurricane Ike.
The news has been bad for Galveston and most of Houston. A lot of wind damage but mostly the flooding has been devastating.
I hope the good people of Galveston did the smart thing and evacuated the city. From the damage shown on the cable news shows, anyone who stayed behind was probably killed.