Disaster Tip of the Week: Some Safety Tips for The Holidays

Here are some great tips to help you keep safe during the holidays. I also want to take the time to wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and Happy New Year. Thank you to everyone who takes the time to read the blog. I will be taking a break and will be providing more great new content after the Start of the New Year.

Here are your tips:

1. Water, Water, Water your live tree. This time of year Christmas tree fires occur regularly, but they are usually avoidable. Start by trimming the base of the tree a bit and provide plenty of water. Most trees do not get enough, check it several times a day and keep the base filled with water.
2. Check your lights, especially before placing them onto your live tree. Broken, missing lights and cracked or frayed wires pose an additional fire risk, and a shock hazard. When it doubt, throw them out.
3. Don't overload your electrical outlets. This time of year we sometimes get caught up in the beauty of all the lights, but too many into one outlet or on the same circuit can be a serious problem.
4.  Reevaluate your escape plan incase of fire. With the added elements of live trees, candles and many other flammable items it is very important everyone knows how to get out and get out safely.
5. Now is the perfect time to check your fire and Carbon Monoxide alarms.
6. When using candles keep them away from flammable objects. A good rule of thumb is if it making the object hot, move the object or put the candle somewhere else.
7. Many candles come in containers that also get very hot and can burn someone if grabbed or even burn through a wood surface. Make sure children can't grab them and place the candle on a surface that will not burn (we use coasters in my home).
8. Wrapping paper can burn very quickly and cause a quick flash fire. Do not burn the wrapping paper it is not intended for that purpose. Reuse, recycle or just throw it out.
9. When setting up your tree, keep it at least three feet away from fireplaces, radiators, and other heat sources. I would even try for five feet if possible.
10. Keep cords out of the way where someone will not trip over them. Don't use tacks or staples to hang electric cords, and don't place them under carpets.

Have a safe and happy holiday season.

Evacuating During a Hurricane and other Hurricane Safety Videos

It is still officially hurricane season, and with tropical storm IDA in the Gulf it I thought I would publish some good materials on Hurricane safety and evacuations.

Evacuating the Area of a Hurricane

Preparing for a Hurricane

Electrical Safety During a Hurricane

Disaster Tip of the Week: Learn How to Shut Off Utilities

During a major disaster, knowing how to turn off your utilities properly is important for your safety and may just save your life and valuables.

Events like earthquakes, tornadoes and even floods can cause gas leaks and shutting these utilities off quickly is important. These same disasters can also cause water to become contaminated so you will want to shut off the water main valve at your home. 

 To shut off your Gas take the following steps:

1. Locate your gas meter and valve.
2. Have a wrench immediately available for turning off the gas supply. (you can buy a special wrench but any adjustable one should do the job)
3. Shut off gas only if you smell gas or hear a hissing noise. Contact the gas company to turn the gas back on.
4. If you smell natural or propane gas, evacuate immediately and leave the area. Go to where you no longer smell gas. Do not use matches, lighters or open flame appliances. Do not operate electrical switches because sparks could ignite gas causing an explosion.
   

To shut off your water take the following steps:

1. Turn off water at the main meter or at the water main leading into the house. This will prevent contaminated water from entering your water heater and plumbing.
2. Turn off the valve — turn to the right. This will require a special valve wrench, available from a hardware store. Make sure you have the tool readily available.
   
3. If there is an active leak and you cannot locate the valve call your local water department.

For more information try this How To Turn Off Utilities form northshorefire.com

ans Turning off your gas from PG&E

Woman Announces Shopping Spree at Burlington Coat Factory and Causes Riot

Imagine if someone showed up to your business and announced they would purchase items for everyone there. In fact they would be willing to spend $500 for each of your customers.

Sounds like it would be good for you and your customers, doesn't it? Now imagine all of your customers at that location each called five or ten other people and soon your store was filled with 500 people and another 1000 outside waiting to get in. 

The truth is, this really did happen, but it is only the first part of the story and it actually happened. However, the real problem began when the woman left to go to the bank and returned with no money.

After the woman didn't have the money, angry customers began throwing merchandise onto the floor and leaving the store without paying for them. Some people still wanted their "free stuff" and a riot ensued.

The woman Linda Brown, who rented a strech limo and stated she just won the lottery was arrested.

Now I ask you, what is your plan to deal with something like this?

There are a number of other emerging threats out there that are causing problems and potential problems for many businesses. We will be writing about them here in our new "Emerging Threats" category to highlight them and bring attention to them.

Embedded video from CNN Video

Review of NURU Emergency First Aid Card Deck, With Giveaway Contest

Recently I was asked if I could review a deck of Emergency First Aid cards that are sold by NURU.

The deck overall is full of useful information that you would need in order to help someone during a medical emergency. I also give my personal thumbs up for a job well done in getting all of the information needed onto just thirty cards, which I am certain was no easy task.

The information is easy to read, well thought out and and covers things like CPR reminders, Heart Attacks, Shock, Monitoring Vital Signs, and Working With EMS. As a former First Responder, the last one is my personal favorite that I wish would be taught in every school.

I must admit, I was a little skeptical at first in how good these cards would be, since stopping to read the cards during an emergency is not really productive. However, the first few cards cover this, and they recommend taking a first aid course, which I also recommend. They also suggest reading the cards while waiting in line, or on the bus and other such places. The cards make a great way to refresh the information, and take quick action.

If you do not have any first aid training these cards would best serve you if you read through them and perhaps refer to them if you must, but if you read through them, you should know enough to handle the situation until first responders arrive.

I recommend these cards to have on hand for reference during emergencies and to read at your leisure. At a cost of only $8.00 they are well worth the money and would make a great gift for someone you care about, or even a co-worker.

From the NURU Website:

WHAT'S INCLUDED:
* 30 ultra-thin cards, each fully illustrated
* Small, metal management ring to keep your cards together
* Unique serial code (to access your deck's content online)

Emergency first aid, now.
* CPR techniques
* Choking/drowning
* Burns and bleeding
* Heart and circulatory problems
* Poisoning
* Electric shock
* How to work with victims, bystanders, and EMS

Simple language. Simple illustrations.
Learn the vital, life-saving techniques you need, regardless of age or educational background. NURU's simple language and illustrations makes learning and retaining this knowledge easy for everyone.

Vital knowledge, NOW.
Because emergencies can happen at any time, we strongly encourage you to take advantage of the 3-5 minute breaks in your day (in the checkout line, on the bus, etc.) and get this knowledge IN YOUR BRAIN.

This item is currently available in NURU FastForm. Each card is printed on rich, full-color card stock, and is $8.00 DELIVERED to your door.

                                                      NOW FOR A CONTEST/GIVEAWAY:

Leave your Comments below and we will pick one person at random from the comments in this post and we will send you a new sealed deck of the NURU Emergency First Aid cards. Be sure to leave a valid email address when posting.

You must have your comments in before midnight 12:00 AM PST March 31, 2009 to be considered.

                                  Big Thank you to NURU for making this contest possible.