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.

Wendi Pickford

Founding Contributor

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

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?

• 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

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

Let’s take a couple of minutes to address some unique concerns, specific to this season, to keep your family and community safe and prepared.

Light up the Night! – Winter means more hours of darkness. Have you given thought to the types of lighting you have access to in the event of power outages? This is where modern technology has provided excellent, efficient sources of light. I’m a big fan of my LED camp lanterns – lots of light, long runtimes, compact size, reasonable cost and they run cool and safe.  Be sure to have an ample supply of batteries for your lighting. Avoid the candles and open flame as light sources. It’s just not worth the risk for a little illumination. Be sure to have multiple, good light sources in your vehicles too.

Dress for Success! – The t-shirts and shorts in that ‘go bag’ are not so useful in -10° F. temps. Think about dressing for exposure to the elements. Having the right garments, stored in the right places, is essential. When you are protected, warm, and dry, you are better able to deal with all the other challenges you may face in an emergency situation. Again, this is a place where technology is helping out. Many advanced fabrics are now available at reasonable cost. These water repellent, efficiently insulated and durable products are really good options and can seriously outperform more basic garments.

Seasonal Stuff! – Coats, lanterns, batteries, backpacks, shovels, kitty litter, ice scrapers, weather radios, flashlights, first aid kits, knives, multi-tools, gloves, fire extinguishers, boots, socks… Holiday shopping is a great time to build your kit, and a great time to help friends, family and neighbors get started building theirs. All things I listed are great gifts, but the best gift of all is sharing the preparedness message. This is a great time of year to get families and communities thinking and preparing.

These are just a few things to think about as we head in to the winter season. Keep thinking about preparedness and share what you know. Help to build strong, prepared communities and always pledge 2 Bee Ready.

- Chuck W.

Founding Contributor 2BeeReady.org

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:

• 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.”

Happy Halloween from all of us at 2 Bee Ready!

These groups can enhance preparedness. Also important is the role of groups to be a part of a recovery effort if a wide scale crisis strikes. The better prepared the community the less demand will be placed on the first responders and those that need the most help will get it in the most efficient way. Strong communities, fostered by engaged civic groups, can be a game changer in a time of crisis.

Getting the conversation started is the hardest part. After that it’s all about getting creative. Discuss options for creating events where preparedness is a topic. Get the topic on the agenda then plan ways to engage within your group.  Then take your message to other groups of your community. Talk to your neighbors and start the dialogue.  For information to build your planning around you can always start here at 2 Bee Ready, in addition to our posts we have a ‘links’ section that will point you toward quality information and resources.

We at 2 Bee Ready ask you to be the person who not only prepares yourself and your family, but take that next step to bring what you know to your neighbors. Most folks instinctively know that preparedness is a good idea, but too few take action. Be the catalyst to get preparedness started in your community!

-Chuck W.

@g1159bw

http://www.2beeready.org/links/

You hear it every year:  “Check on your neighbors, especially the elderly” during extreme heat or cold.  As you get older, you become more susceptible to being overcome by extreme temperatures, due to a variety of causes.

• Fixed Incomes:  The elderly are more likely to be living on a fixed income, and reluctant, or unable, to pay for higher cooling or heating costs.  If this is the case, many states and power companies have assistance programs to help pay or reduce the cost of heating and electricity.

• Overall Health:  Due to medical conditions, or medications, the tolerance to heat or cold can be reduced.  What would seem comfortable to a healthy person, could lead to dehydration in heat, or hypothermia in colder weather.  Also, anyone that has lost a substantial amount of body fat has lost their natural insulation, and will get colder quicker.  Persons with heart and lung conditions are also at a higher risk of heat related illnesses.

• Personal “thermostat”:  As we age, our body can lose the ability to self regulate in temperatures.  When caring for my grandmother, it was not uncommon for it to be 80ºF in the house, and her to complain about being cold and needing a blanket.  This becomes a delicate balance to maintain comfort, while also assuring she did not become dehydrated or overheated.   She would also have liked the bathroom to have been heated to a toasty 90+ during shower time; otherwise she would complain of getting chilled.

What can you do?

A neighborhood watch style plan:

Plan a simple visit with your neighbors – bring a pitcher of iced tea or cup of coffee and a deck of cards, or simply sit down for a good old-fashioned chit chat.  Coordinate with other neighbors to check in on them periodically throughout the day.  This is a great way to build community and get to know your neighbors better.

Invite them to activities in cooled locations – a trip to the library, mall, see a movie, or go to a museum.  If there are limitations on mobility, find out how much they are comfortable with and plan accordingly.  If your neighbor is homebound, ensure they are keeping the house adequately cooled or heated for the weather.

What to watch out for:

Heat related illness:

Heat Exhaustion:

• Fatigue, nausea, excessive thirst, muscle aches and cramps, confusion, drenching sweat with clammy skin, dizziness, fainting

Heat Stroke:

• All of the above and Hot, flushed dry skin, decreased sweating, shortness of breath, increase in body temp, convulsions, rapid or dramatically slow heart beat.

Symptoms for hypothermia (low body temperature)

• Shivering, lack of coordination, slurring or mumbling, confusion, drowsiness,  poor decision making (such as taking off warm clothes), weak pulse, slow shallow breathing

Heat stroke and hypothermia are both life threatening conditions and 911 should be called immediately.

Let’s help keep each other safe!

Contributed by:  Gina Stone – contributing founder

With the majority of the nation under extreme high temperatures, it is important to keep our faithful companions safe in the hot weather.

Never, ever, ever leave your dog (or cat, or rabbit, or bird, or llama) in the car in the summer. We all know that keeping your pet in a car is deadly in a matter of moments, even if you have the windows down.  There have been a number of cases this year where even civil service dogs have been left in cars during the hot day, and did not survive.  Do not leave your dogs in the car, not even for a “quick moment while I run in the store and grab…..”  It only takes a quick moment for your pet to be overcome by the heat.  In addition to the overwhelming guilt you will feel, you will also face prosecution for animal abuse.

One thing that isn’t discussed often is how hot the sidewalks and roads can get.  If the sidewalk is too hot for your feet, it is too hot for your pet’s feet as well.  100 degree days can quickly lead to excruciatingly painful burns on the pads of dogs and cats feet.  Do not walk you dog during the peak heat of the day; plan your walks early morning or late evening when the surfaces have cooled down. Be sure to pay extra attention to your pet’s feet during the hot summer months.

If you pet does sustain burn injuries, apply cold water to the paws as quickly as possible and transport them to the vet. Burns can quickly become infected and need proper treatment as soon as possible.

Dogs don’t sweat to cool off like we do; their cooling system relies on panting. As such, fans don’t really do much to cool them off since there is no evaporation of sweat. Never do anything that will keep your dog from panting.  If you suspect your animal is over heated, cool water on their chest and stomach will help cool them down, and follow up with your veterinarian.

Dehydration is a major concern for animals in hot weather.  Keep an extra bowl of water around the house, just to make sure they have enough to drink at all times.  I have been known to put some ice in the bowl during extreme heat waves.  I keep two water bowls in the house and one outside during the summer, and it’s amazing how quickly they drink it all.

Contributed by:  Gina Stone – contributing founder

1. Do you have a family emergency plan?

2. If you answered yes, when was the last time you reviewed it? Did you review alone, or was the whole family (and maybe friends and neighbors) involved?

3. Do you have an emergency kit?

4. If you answered yes, are the supplies fresh? Have you thought of adding or deleting items as necessary for your family? Do you have adequate supplies for potential events?

5. Do you need help in preparing a plan and/or a kit?

6. If you answered yes, take a few minutes to look around here at 2BeeReady.org and you will find a wealth of information, links and support.

Just a quick post to help you get thinking about preparedness. If you are on top of your preparedness, we salute you! Be sure to spread the message among your friends and family. Your support can build stronger, more resilient communities, and that can make a real difference. If you are new to preparedness, we are certainly glad you are reading this! Be sure bookmark us and follow us on twitter at @2BeeReady

-Chuck W.

Be sure to monitor air quality reports on local news stations, through the EPA at http://airnow.gov, or the NWS (www.weather.gov).

Be aware of shifting winds, and prepared to take precautions if the smoke blows over you.

In smoky conditions:

• Stay indoors as much as possible, with windows and doors closed.
• Keeps the air conditioner or central fan running to filter out smoke particles
• Keep the filter changed or cleaned regularly to improve air quality
• DO NOT use an evaporative cooler (swamp cooler)
• Keep on eye on the elderly and children; they are particularly susceptible to smoke problems.
• Dust Masks do not provide adequate filtration; HEPA masks are not appropriate for those with lung disease
• Don’t add to the indoor pollution
• Don’t Smoke
• Don’t Vacuum
• Don’t burn anything (wood, candles, gas logs or stoves)

Be aware of complications from smoke:

• Coughing
• Irritated throat
• Irritated sinuses; sinus pressure or pain
• Shortness of breath
• Chest Pain
• Chest pain, tightness in the chest, difficulty breathing should be treated as a cardiac emergency. Women may experience slightly different symptoms, such as pain in the back near or between shoulder blades.
• Headaches
• Stinging eyes
• A runny nose
• Asthma exacerbations

Cardiac patients may experience rapid heartbeat, chest pain, difficulty breathing/shortness of breath, and fatigue.

If the smoke conditions do not improve, or you do not have adequate filtration, it is best to leave the area and get to a smoke free environment, until the smoke dissipates.

Post by Gina @twnstar2