Name: 2BeeReady
Posts by 2BeeReady:
- Donate – let it do some good for the charity of your choice
- Yard Sale – recoup some of the cost, raise some funds – check with community newspapers to see if they offer free advertising for yard sales, or participate in a community rummage sale
- Make sure costumes fit properly, they aren’t too long, or create a trip hazard.
- Dress for the weather, it’s starting to get a bit chilly in some spots. A cold Princess is a grumpy Princess.
- Masks limit your peripheral vision, avoid them at all costs. You might not see the car that doesn’t see you
- Flashlights, glow sticks, glow necklaces and bracelets all help keep our little goblins safe and visible
- Many malls and community centers provide for a safe trick or treating experience, check with your local shops and city centers. In addition, there are usually costume contests
- If you are out driving on Halloween, reduce your speed, and be extra mindful of children darting across the streets – they only have candy on their mind, not oncoming traffic
- Just say no to candles. You can use the LED light up “candles” for your jack-o’lanterns, and the bonus, you can leave them on all night
- Many hospitals still offer free x-ray of candy to avoid any foreign objects. Go through your children’s candy and remove any that look like they have been opened, or tampered with. (This also gives you a chance to snag something you like)
- Make sure your pets are safely out of the way and not able to dart out the door when passing out candy. Costumes can also upset pets known to you, be vigilant against agitated animals.
- Keep your yard and walkways free from debris. Be watchful for trip hazards such as garden hoses, or dips in the lawn that could twist an ankle.”
Spring Forward! – Home Safety
February 28th, 2013As we close out February and welcome March, the Spring season is in sight. That means it is time to Spring Forward!
On March 10th at 2:00am local time, it is time to change our clocks for Daylight Savings Time (except in some areas like Arizona). Traditionally this is a time to replace Smoke and CO alarm batteries, and whole units that are near the end of their service life. We certainly advocate checking those batteries EVERY month. If you are a twitter user, the good folks at the Los Angeles Fire Department have 2 accounts, @SmokeAlarm and @COalarm that give a simple reminder tweet once a month. The time change is an opportunity to bring attention to these critical, life saving devices!
Need more information? Check out our post on Home Safety.
Founding Contributor
Fun and Games – Adding Stress Relief To Your Kit
January 30th, 2013We often talk about all the basic things you need in an emergency kit. You need water, food, medicine, clothing, flashlights, and so on. These basics are very important, but have you thought about what you might want to have in your kit to pass the time during an emergency?
Many situations involve long periods of patiently waiting. This can increase stress. Unfamiliar people and surroundings add even more. Situations like this require an outlet. Simple games can go a long way towards easing stress levels. They help reduce fatigue by giving you something outside of the crisis to focus on. They also can help you build comforting relationships with other folks that you may be around.
We are used to electronic games these days, but power is a premium commodity in many disaster/emergency situations, so think ‘old school’ simple games. Think about adding things like a deck of cards, a travel backgammon/chess/checkers set, or if space permits, board games. Be creative and have options for all age groups.
These game items can be a great comfort in a time of stress and are an inexpensive, lightweight addition to your kits. In addition, you may want to consider adding a stuffed toy or two for the little ones to help ease their anxiety in stressful times. I hope this quick post gives you some ideas.
-Chuck Wilson
The Clutter Conundrum
December 13th, 2012How’d I get all this STUFF??
I’m sure I’m not alone in wandering around my household asking the question… how did I get all this STUFF? Of course, I know the answer, I had to have this… got this for the kids… oh that’s where that went…. Problem is now I’ve accumulated so much of what was supposed to make life easier; my house seems to be bursting at the seams. Ironically, I find most of the magazines I have stacked up seem to be focused on organizing and minimizing clutter.
Clutter isn’t just a source of frustration and stress, it poses an actual safety hazard, and you don’t have to be a hoarder, pack rat or live in a Collyer’s Mansion (as it’s referred to in New York) for it to be a problem.
Most accidents are suffered at home. Keeping walkways, stairways, and living areas clear, not only minimizes the chance for tripping or falling, if emergency services were needed at your home, it allows the responders room to treat and transport your loved one.
In case of a fire, you need to have at least two clear ways out of your rooms and home (doors and windows) to get outside. The more “stuff” in a room, the more combustibles you have- the more likely any fire will be devastating. Clutter could also hide fire hazards such as frayed wires, or overloaded outlets. Clutter also poses a hazard for any firefighters that enter your home, impeding their progress, giving them more areas to search to make sure your home is clear.
I wish I had the magic answer to the clutter and “stuff” issue, but really it is just a matter of going through and getting rid of stuff. As I’m getting ready to move, it has become apparent that some… a lot… of this stuff has got to go. While most people are indoors more during winter, this is a good chance to start going through and seeing what can be parted with. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for items that can be part of your emergency kit – spare flashlights, work gloves, extra cooking vessels and the like.
So, what to do with all this stuff?
Selling online should be taken on with care. Whenever possible, ship items instead of meeting in person. As popularity increases with some of the free listing websites, so does the chances of theft or violence. High value items increase your risk, it would be advisable to handle those items with reputable dealers only, and not be listed on the free advertising online sites. If you do choose to meet an online buyer in person, do so in a public place, and never alone. Happy de-Cluttering!
Contributed by: Gina Stone – contributing founder
Winter Wise – Winter Preparedness
November 30th, 2012It’s that wonderful time of year when the weather turns brisk (or downright cold), the days are short and we all seem to be busy with the approaching holidays. Winter brings its own set of challenges for emergency preparedness and safety. Read the rest of this entry “
Spooky Special Edition – Halloween Safety
October 27th, 2012It’s that magical time of year when the young and young at heart embrace all things ghoulish and great. From the buckets of sweets to the neighborhood haunted house there are frights a plenty and some very REAL dangers too. Let’s take a minute to address the safety concerns of this fabulous fall tradition so we can make it memorable for the right reasons.
Here is an excerpt from our outstanding 2011 post by our resident Halloween fan, the Elvira of emergency preparedness, the one and only, Gina Arnold-Stone, AKA @twnstar2:
“Some things to keep in mind and keep the fun rolling:
Happy Halloween from all of us at 2 Bee Ready!
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