Tag Archives: thunderstorms

General Safety Issues

GILLECE DETAILS HOW TO PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR THE STORM SEASON (GUEST POST)

Storms can hit throughout the year in the United States, wreaking havoc on your home and threatening to cause damage to your property and personal belongings. In parts of the Northeast, thunderstorms are most common and frequently occur in the summer. When a storm hits, no matter where you live, you can be prepared and protect your home from potential damage.

Prevent Sewer Backup

With heavy rain may come backed-up drains. Sometimes storm drains can’t handle a large amount of precipitation in a short period of time, and storm water can overload the main lines of a sanitary sewer system. When this happens, backups may occur in both the street and your basement. The chances of a backup occurring are greater if your drains and sewer are already clogged.

While you may not be able to control Mother Nature’s showers, you can practice drain and sewer maintenance to help prevent backups:

  •         Keep certain things out of your drains like fats, oils, and grease, and clean them regularly with natural items like baking soda to relieve buildup and clogs.
  •          A plumber can snake your drain once or twice a year to remove more intense buildup that can cause clogging.
  •           Have your main sewer line inspected to detect for obstructions such as tree roots.

Protect Against Flooding and Water Damage

Part of preventing sewer backups involves having a plan if water or sewage does enter your home. Heavy rainfall increases the risk of basement flooding, which can damage property including carpeting, furniture, and personal belongings. Moisture in the air can also lead to mold formation, which can be damaging to both your home and health. A snowball effect is often the case when water finds its way into your home.

What you can do:

  •         Clear gutters of leaves and debris so they can adequately collect storm water.
  •         Make sure downspouts drain away from your foundation by at least a few feet.
  •         Install a sump pump as part of an interior drainage system.
  •         Use a sump pump with a battery backup in the case of electrical loss.

Prevent Electricity Loss

When a thunderstorm hits, you might start lighting candles and checking flashlight batteries to prepare for a power outage. To prevent the loss of electricity for any length of time and at any time of year, a backup generator may be the best solution. It provides both convenience and safety by keeping important parts of your home running, especially heating and air conditioning. During a storm, losing power for a long period of time can mean inconvenient and unsafe conditions for you and your loved ones.

Benefits of a backup generator:

  •           Turns on automatically within 10 seconds of a power outage.
  •           Keeps major appliances and other devices running for as long as electricity is lost.
  •           Provides protection at any time of year to keep your home and family safe.

Protect Against Power Surges

Power surges occur when an increase in voltage greatly surpasses the designated level in a flow of electricity. When this happens, depending on the intensity, damage is caused to your electrical devices either immediately or over time. Lightning is a commonly known cause of power surges and the most intense. If it strikes in the right place during a storm, you may be facing an electrical fire or serious, irreversible damage to your electronics.

What you can do:

  •           Invest in an individual or whole-home surge protector that provides protection by detecting for spikes in electrical currents and diverting them to the grounding wire of an outlet.
  •           Unplug computers, televisions, phone chargers, etc. during a storm to prevent electrical damage.
  •           Upgrade your home’s electrical capacity to meet the demands of your electrical needs. The operation of high-power devices such as air conditioners and refrigerators can cause brief power surges that may lead to significant damage over time.

Taking steps to prepare your home before a storm hits can help to keep serious, costly damage and dangerous conditions from happening. Having an emergency supply on hand is also important for the safety of yourself and loved ones. Supplies like water, nonperishable food, a safety first aid kit, and a battery-powered radio can help you to stay safe in the case of a severe storm.

For the latest home safety and maintenance tips you can follow Gillece on Twitter @GilleceServices.

General Safety Issues

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF WHEN MAY ARRIVES?

 For most of us, the first thing we think of is Mother’s Day. For me, the month of May reminds me to not forget several friends who have birthdays this month.  Every Mother’s Day, when I was young, we wore a red rose to church if our mother were living, and a white one if your mom was deceased.  That was a long time ago, and it seems that tradition is one that has fallen by the wayside.  I would love to see it renewed. 

Everyone of us has a different opinion of just what their mother means to them.  Mine was not a strong lady, as she had rheumatoid arthritis beginning at a young age.  My dad did almost everything for her that she was unable to do.  But for many years, she was a wonderful cook, and I still remember some special dishes that I regret not having the recipes for.  Today would be not only Mother’s Day for her, but her birthday, as well.

Also in May, we think about getting our flowers and vegetable gardens planted and hope it doesn’t storm.  Thunderstorms are also a “gift” from Mother Nature to us, that we must be prepared for.  Between our guest authors and us, we hope you have your care pack stocked with staples, water, flashlight, cell phone handy, and of, course, supplies for Fido and Felix the cat.

Toward the end of May is the end of school!  God bless all the Moms and Dads that will be keeping little ones entertained; there’s plenty to do.  Encourage them to play outside and get some sunshine and exercise in your yard or a safe place.  May also brings graduation, a happy time for parents.  You’ve watched your children grow up and become young adults.  Now is a new time for them: to step out into the real world, go to college, or find a job.  They want to try their wings, and let’s hope that they have the background and training to not try them too much!
Mayday is an emergency code word used internationally as a distress signal in voice procedure radio communications, derived from the French venez m’aider, (1927)g “come [to] help me.” It is used to signal a life-threatening emergency by many groups, such as police forces, pilots, the fire brigade, and transportation organizations. The call is always given three times in a row (“Mayday Mayday Mayday”) to prevent mistaking it for some similar-sounding phrase under noisy conditions, and to distinguish an actual mayday call from a message about a mayday call.

A Mayday situation is one in which a vessel, aircraft, vehicle, or person is in grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance. Examples of “grave and imminent danger” in which a mayday call would be appropriate include fire, explosion or sinking. Mayday calls can be made on any frequency, and when a mayday call is made no other radio traffic is permitted except to assist in the emergency. A mayday call may only be made when life or craft is in imminent danger of death or destruction.
‘Mayday’ calls are made by radio, such as a ship or aircraft’s VHF radio. Although a Mayday call will be understood regardless of the radio frequency on which it is broadcast, first-line response organisations, such as the coastguard and air traffic control, monitor designated channels: marine MF on 2182 kHz; marine VHF radio channel 16 (156.8 MHz); and airband frequencies of 121.5 MHz and 243.0 MHz. A Mayday call is roughly equivalent of a morse code SOS, or a telephone call to the emergency services.

Always remember why we observe  Memorial Day, (U.S.)  This is a national holiday, but the importance of this day is to honor those who have fought and died in past and existing wars.  Let us never forget those who gave their lives for their country.

 Thanks for letting me be a little melancholy today.  We hope this month will reap sunshine and roses for all of you. Stay safe.

Source: Yahoo answers

General Safety Issues

HOLIDAY REVIEW: HIGHWAY ACCIDENTS AND BAD WEATHER

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Between highway accidents and bad weather, this Christmas holiday season resulted in many bad reports; final statistics on highway accidents are not available yet, and there’s  New Year’s Eve to deal with.  That is why we want to remind you once again:

NHTSA released 2011 state-by-state drunk driving statistics showing that in 2011, 9,878 people were killed in drunk driving crashes, including 395 during the second half of December alone.  “The holiday season can be an especially dangerous time on our nation’s roadways due to drunk drivers – that’s why law enforcement officers will be out in full force,” said Secretary LaHood. “Our message is simple: drive sober or get pulled over.”

NHTSA’s new 2011 state-by-state drunk driving statistics show declines in 27 states, with four states leading the nation in declines in alcohol impaired driving fatalities. Texas had the greatest reduction with 57 fewer fatalities. New York, South Carolina and Tennessee followed, all with more than 30 fewer fatalities. Conversely, the three states with increases of 30 or more were Colorado, Florida and New Jersey. All 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have outlawed driving with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or higher.

“Thanks to the hard work of safety advocates and law enforcement officers across the country we’re seeing declines in drunk driving deaths in many parts of the country – but there is still more work to do,” said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. “Ultimately, personal responsibility is critical to improving roadway safety and we urge all motorists to be responsible this holiday season and never, ever drive drunk.”

This year’s winter holiday enforcement crackdown is being supported by more than $7 million in national TV and radio advertising featuring NHTSA’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. The ads, which first premiered last summer, feature “invisible” law enforcement officers observing alcohol-impaired individuals and then apprehending them when they attempt to drive their vehicles. The ads are designed to raise awareness and support law enforcement activities in every state in an effort to reduce drunk driving deaths.

“High visibility enforcement efforts, like the ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ ad campaign, are a critical part of MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving,” said MADD National President Jan Withers. “MADD is proud to join with NHTSA and law enforcement in urging everyone to make a sober designated driver a part of their plans this holiday season.”

NHTSA also offers the following safety advice:

  •          Plan ahead. If you will be drinking, do not drive. Designate a sober driver or arrange another safe way home.
  •          If you are impaired, find another way home. Use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, use public transportation or contact your local sober ride program.
  •          Be responsible. If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel. If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may save someone’s life, and inaction could cost a life.

In addition, Mother Nature unleashed her fury a few days before Christmas, and brought 34 tornadoes,  formed out of severe thunderstorms, proving that tornado season can be “anytime.”  A man died south of Houston, when strong winds downed a tree branch onto him.  Crockett, Texas also experienced a tornado that destroyed and damaged several buildings.  Powerful thunderstorms and tornadoes have left southeastern Texas, and are marching on to eastern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and the Southeast coast as of yesterday, Wednesday, December 26.  These tornadoes injured at least 14 persons.

For those who still have to travel back home, or plan to travel over the New Year’s Holiday, please pay attention to weather forecasts, and have a travel safety kit and extra blankets in your vehicle, along with extra food.

Keep the cell phone charged, but don’t talk or text while driving; you  need all your concentration focused on the weather and/or other drivers.  If you plan to go to a New Year’s Eve Party, by all means, follow the above suggestions by NHTSA.

Drive Friendly – Sober – Safe!  We can’t control the weather, but we can control the condition we are in when we get behind the wheel.

Source: NHTSA, AccuWeather

 

 

 

 

General Safety Issues, Weather Protection

WEEKEND OF DEADLY TORNADOES IN THE UNITED STATES

The “family of tornadoes” actually began their deadly trip across the southeastern U.S. last Thursday night.  This storm system struck parts of Oklahoma that night, and eventually traveled through 13 states, leaving 45 persons dead, and several others injured.  The tragedy was compounded by the destruction of homes and businesses.  A total of 241 tornadoes were reported, with 50 tornadoes confirmed.  These twisters were various sizes, with some as wide as a football field.  Communities that were hit are now facing the reality of what has happened, beginning with the huge task of cleanup. 

Because the National Weather Service continuously broadcasts updated weather warnings and forecasts that can be received by NOAA Weather Radios, it is recommended that persons who live in vulnerable parts of the country purchase one of them.  Having a battery-operated weather radio would be invaluable in the event of a dangerous thunderstorm or other natural weather occurrence.  You probably already understand these warnings, but we will review them, just in case: 

  • Tornado WATCH: Tornadoes are possible in your area. Remain alert for approaching storms.
  • Tornado WARNING: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar.  If a tornado warning is issued for your area and the sky becomes threatening, move to your pre-designated place of safety.
  • Severe Thunderstorm WATCH: Severe thunderstorms are possible in your area.
  • Severe Thunderstorm WARNING: Severe thunderstorms are happening. 

Tornadoes occasionally develop in areas where a severe thunderstorm watch or warning is in effect.  Stay alert to signs of an approaching tornado and seek shelter if threatening conditions exist.  Sometimes, tornadoes develop so quickly that advance warning is not possible.  Watch for signs of an approaching tornado, such as dark, often greenish sky; wall cloud; large hail; and loud roar – similar to a freight train. 

 It’s up to you!  Many people are killed or seriously injured each year by tornadoes despite advance warning.  Some did not hear the warning while others received the warning but did not believe a tornado would actually affect them.  Being prepared and having timely severe weather watches and warnings could save your life if a tornado threatens your area.  You must make the decision to seek shelter before the storm arrives.  It could be the most important decision you ever make! 

Certain citizens are more at risk than others.  This includes:

  1. Persons in automobiles;
  2. The elderly, very young, and the mentally or physically impaired;
  3. People in mobile homes;
  4. People who may not understand the warning due to a language barrier. 

In our next article, we will go over disaster plans for all scenarios: home, school, work, and other facilities, such as hospitals or nursing homes.  Start thinking of things you need purchase to build your supply kit.  It pays to be prepared!  Put the safety of you and your family first!

Source: NOAA