Wildfires

Larry Zolna asked:


An Emergency Preparedness Kit can sustain or save your life until assistance arrives.

Hardly a day goes by that we don’t hear of some kind of natural disaster — tornadoes, wildfires, hurricanes and floods.

I have found myself sitting in front of my TV watching stories of people whose lives have suddenly been turned upside down and whose very survival is now threatened!

However, there are many ways we can prepare ourselves to cope with disaster. I believe one of the most important ways is to have an Emergency Preparedness Kit ready.

Our community in South Jersey was recently exposed to the threat of a wildfire, and it made me realize “it can happen to anyone”. Having an Emergency Preparedness Kit ready can assure you of a 2-3 day supply of food, medicine and important equipment you would need in the event of a disaster.

Kits vary in content but generally include such important items as batteries, flashlights, food bars, water, a radio, rescue blanket, scissors, utility knife and various medical supplies, among other things.

You can put your own kit together but the kits available on the market are very complete, organized, affordable and save you a lot of time. A large selection of First Aid Kids are also available to be used alone or as a supplement to an Emergency Preparedness Kit.

Please don’t ever think it can’t happen to you. Plan for an emergency! Get your family together and establish meeting places in the event you are separated in a disaster. Make plans for your pets. Make provisions for special needs of family members. Make sure important documents are in a safe place, and so on.

There are many other tips that can help you, but don’t wait — start putting together your emergency plan now. Begin with an Emergency Preparedness Kit. It could save your life!

Get prepared for any disaster NOW!

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JESS

Mike Taylor asked:


The recent surge of wildfires in California has started people thinking about what they would do in the event of a wildfire. If you live in a high-risk area, how can you prevent something like this from happening? If you can’t prevent it, how can you protect yourself and minimize the property damage?

Wildfires generally begin in more remote areas, going unnoticed until someone spots them. Usually by this time, they have ignited nearby trees and buildings. They are generally placed into two classes: surface and ground, and the more advanced, crown fire. Surface fires are often caused by negligence, such as cigarette ***** thrown into dry brush, or untended campfires. Ground fires are usually started by lightning. By the time a fire reaches the Crown fire stage, its being spread by the wind through the tops of the trees.

Making Your Home More Fire Resistant

- Keep your roof and gutters, and areas around your house free of debris, and clean your chimneys at least once a year (inspecting at least twice).

- Make certain your chimney or stove pipe meets local requirements and building codes. Deposit the ashes in a metal bucket, soak in water for 2 days, and then bury the cold ashes.

- Apply 1/2 inch mesh screen beneath porches, decks, floors or any other openings.

- Install protective shutters or extra-heavy fire-resistant drapes.

- Landscape with fire-resistant plants such as hardwood trees, and use more native vegetation. Trim your trees to create a 15-foot space between tree crowns and remove limbs 15 feet from the ground.

- Consider boxing in the eaves, fascias, soffits and subfloors with fire-resistant materials.

- Use double-paned or tempered glass for exterior windows and fire-resistant roofing materials on the roof.

Creating a Safety Zone

- If you have branches overhanging power lines, call the power company to have them cleared.

- Remove vines from the walls of your home.

- If you have a wooden fence, do not connect it directly to your home.

- Clear a 10-foot area around propane tanks and the barbecue.

- Store gasoline, oily rags or other flammable materials well away from the base of buildings.

- Stack firewood at least 100 feet away and preferably uphill from the building. Clear an area within 20 feet of the wood.

- The distance between your house and the closest tree should be greater than the height of the tree or a minimum of 10 feet. The same rule applies for sheds or other out-buildings. Planning Water Requirements

- Determine where your closest water sources are and maintain them.

- Have a garden hose(s) handy that will reach any area of the home.

- Consider purchasing a generator in the case of electrical power loss.

Personal Safety Measures

- Ensure your home address is clearly marked for identification by emergency vehicles.

- Post fire emergency numbers, and ensure family members know where to find the fire extinguishers and how to use them.

- Plan a home and neighborhood escape route.

- Have working smoke alarms installed on each level of your home; test them monthly and change batteries twice a year.

- Keep fire tools handy such as an approved ladder that will reach the roof of the building, buckets, chainsaw, shovel, rake, and an axe.

- Keep a battery-operated radio nearby, with charged batteries.

Neighborhood Safety

- Organize neighborhood meetings to discuss wildfire safety, ways the group can work together in the event of a fire, and invite guest speakers from the local fire department.

- Have those interested in helping to fight fires attend training sessions.



LAVERNE

Eddie Frank asked:


There is never a time when services for board up in Colorado Springs can sit back and relax.  That is because there is always a threat of wildfires in and around this green and beautiful city.  Aside from the usual board up situations, wildfires could create problems at any time. 

One of the problems is that the area surrounding Colorado Springs is so aesthetically pleasing; people want to live in its natural setting.  When they do this, though, they face a higher danger of wildfires reaching their homes.  Being nearer to nature may mean that they will need board up Colorado Springs services at some time. 

It does not take much to start a wildfire, either.  A campfire can emit a spark that reaches an area of slightly dry grass.  This can start a wildfire that can encompass many acres.  With little or no notice, people rush from their homes to escape the flames that are coming upon them.  They are not thinking of board up Colorado Springs services at the time it happens, but after it is all over, they may need to call one of these companies. 

Often, a homeowner will have notice of wildfires in the area.  When this happens, they might set up sprinklers on top of their roof to keep it from burning.  With the roof wet, it is protected to a point.  However, the sides of the house may still be vulnerable.  Then board up Colorado Springs may be called for afterwards. 

People sometimes do not know all the tricks of protecting their homes in the case of wildfires.  For example, flimsy curtains can spread fire quickly.  If homeowners do not know to take them down, the curtains can provide easy-burning material to carry the fire into the house.  Board up Colorado Springs services will be needed when everything is over. 

Sometimes, no matter what precautions a homeowner takes, they will eventually end up calling out board up Colorado Springs services.  The wildfires can burn too hot and cover too much area.  It might be impossible to protect the home completely. 

However, with the sprinklers going on the roof, all doors and windows firmly shut, and flammable furniture moved to the center of rooms, the overall integrity of the structure may be maintained.  Board up Colorado Springs companies can come out and protect it from weather and wildlife. 

If your home is in a woodland area away from the city, you may feel that you do not need board up Colorado Springs services to protect your property from vandals and thieves.  The truth is that there is crime everywhere now.  People who go out to the woods to camp are not necessarily happy-go-lucky family groups.  Some are malicious invaders.  You will want to secure your home with board up Colorado Springs services.   

You may go your whole life without the need of a board up Colorado Springs company.  No wildfire may ever reach your home.  However, it is nice to know that there are services available should you ever have an emergency. 

 



FREDDY

Lee Bell asked:


Nobody wants to contemplate the tragedies that can overtake a family in the aftermath of a natural disaster. But after listening to the anguish of victims of Hurricane Katrina, preparing for a natural disaster should be on everybody’s mind. Even if you do not live in an area likely to experience hurricanes, there are still many different natural disasters to prepare for, including floods, wildfires, tornados and earthquakes. Any one of these natural disasters can cut off electricity and water and leave you and your family stranded. Having an emergency plan and supply kits really can signify the difference between an annoying situation and a catastrophe. Preparing for a natural disaster is as easy as buying groceries at the supermarket. The fundamental point is to know what your family needs and for how long.

Begin Getting Ready for a Natural Disaster Right Away

The good thing about preparing for a natural disaster is that you can do it rather quickly and economically. To begin with, select a cool, dry place to store supplies. Your first priority should be food and water. Purchase containers of water from supermarket, so you won’t have to be concerned about bacteria or other cross contamination. You should have a three-day store of water for each person in your family. Fit adults require at least one-half gallon of water a day. Children, nursing mothers and sick people will require more water. If the temperature is rising, you will also need extra water per person. Food in your emergency supply kit should be canned or other non-perishables-nothing that requires cooking or have water mixed in it. Good selections include granola bars, peanut butter and jelly, canned juice, trail mix and ready-to-eat meats, vegetables and fruits. And don’t forget the can opener!

Alongside food and water, you should also have a well-stocked first aid kit with ample bandages, antiseptic, thermometer, tweezers, soap, latex gloves and sunscreen. You should also put in some pain reliever, antacid and an emetic substance (to induce vomiting). You also need at least one entire change of clothing per person, outer wear, blankets or sleeping bags and sturdy shoes or boots. To aid in keeping everything and everyone as clean as possible, don’t forget to put in toilet paper, antiseptic, soap detergent, garbage bags with twist ties and other personal hygiene articles in your natural disaster supply kit.

Don’t Forget to Allow for Any Particular Needs of Family Members

Infants and anyone on special medication or with other medical needs require extra emergency supplies. For infants, you should pack formula, bottles, diapers, pacifiers, diaper rash cream and any medicines. Normal medications many adults need include blood pressure medication, prescription medication, insulin, contact lenses or glasses, denture products and hearing aid batteries.

You should also always deposit a copy of significant documents in a safe place that you can access in case of a natural disaster. This includes wills, insurance policies, contracts, stocks, bonds, deeds, photo IDs, social security cards, credit card information and bank account numbers. Store these articles in a waterproof/fireproof strong box that you can move easily. You may also want to pop in some cash, in case you cannot access your ATM or bank in the aftermath of a natural disaster.



TAYLOR

Swayam Bhattacharya asked:


The latest fire in San Diego County, in Southern California, burned 400,000 acres of land reducing 1300 homes to the ground. The President declared a state of emergency and mass evacuation was forces as the fire spread across San Diego, Long Beach, Malibu, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Burbank and Santa Barbara.

Well, like all natural disasters the San Diego Wildfire has probably by now taken complete control over the space on your television, newspapers, magazines, & even your computer. If you’re annoyed at being so bombarded by information about the fire—here’s something interesting for you. Statistics reveal that 7 out of ten wildfires are caused strictly by human activities. The wind (Santa Ana, in this case) only plays its role in spreading the fire.

Crazy as it is that a single human act can cause such a natural disaster, there is hardly anything you can do about it!!

Every year a number of people migrate to California in United States. The number of immigrants to California increased from 1.3 million to 8 million between 1990 to1995 and further increased by a few more millions in 2000. That’s a whooping number of people in one state!

In October 2003, a wildfire originating near San Diego engulfed 273,000 acres and destroyed around 4000 structures. The 2003 fire claimed 15 lives. The San Diego fire was one of 15 fires that started around the region. The cause of the fires was a hunter!!

In November 1993, Malibu Los Angeles witnessed a fire resulting from arson. The fire burned for two weeks and killed 25 people. Other devastating fires in the California region include the San Francisco Bay fire of October 1991, San Bernardino Mountain foothills fire of November 1980, San Diego mountain fire of September 1970 and Los Angeles national forest fire of November 1966.

Well there is hardly anything you can do about stopping people camping in the woods from lighting fires. The firefighters are doing their bit in stopping the fire. What you can do for yourself and your family is have a evacuation kit ready especially for forced situations like this. And, that includes:

Social Security Numbers and Identity Cards. Also throw in your documents—legal, educational, medical—whatever is most important. By the way, don’t forget your insurance papers. That often turns out to be the most important.

Take your time to note down the most important contact names, addresses, and contact numbers.

Apart from this you would of course put a first aid kit, hi-calorie food, water, flash lights, and blankets.

Keep this evacuation kit ready and handy for just such a situation. This is about what you can do apart from cursing the government, the TV channels, and specters of hunters in forests.



ADOLFO