Stay Safe at the Beach

Monday September 7, 2009 Labor Day

Stay Safe at the Beach

I was at the beach two days ago and couldn't help noticing how unusual the waves were. They were rougher and from a different direction. As I stood there studying the waves, a family of tourists fueled up on excitement and alcohol rushed past me and straight into the water. I tensed and reached for my cell phone ready to call 911. I didn't have to make that emergency call because after only a minute or two the people decided that swimming wasn't such a great idea. I watched as they struggled out of the surf and up to their beach towels and beer cooler. Only after they were safely plopped down on the beach did I relax and go back to my study of the waves.

I was trying to see if I could detect any rip currents in the water. Many times rip currents can be difficult to identify. I have been taught to look for the out of the ordinary features within a body of water. Perhaps the abnormality will be a different color, a churning channel, a line of debris headed out to sea, or just an irregular wave pattern. If I have any doubts about the presence of one of these dangerous currents I don't go in. I am always more cautious after any big storm because I know that storms increase the risk of rip currents.

Here are a few important facts about rip currents.

If you are caught in a rip current don't panic or swim against the current.
You should swim parallel to the shore until you are free of the current and then swim towards shore.
If you are unable to break free of the current, float or tread water.
Try to draw attention to yourself by waving your arms and yelling for help.

Everyone have a safe and happy Labor Day!

Additional evacuation information is available at www.wineandchocolateplan.com

Tailgaters and Evacuations

Saturday September 5, 2009

Tailgaters and Evacuations

Today the college football season is starting and I couldn't be happier! I have been a fan of the sport for most of my life. This always seems to surprise people but it is the truth. I grew up in a football family and have spent many happy days and nights at various football fields cheering on my teams. These days I mostly stay home and watch the game from the comfort of my couch. On TV today there was a segment showing a group of excited tailgaters partying before the start of a game. As I watched them I realized that tailgaters are probably excellent at evacuation.

Seasoned tailgaters have the skill of compact packing down to an art form. They are adept at cooking and feeding large groups without the need of any power. Tailgaters always seem to be prepared for any sudden weather shifts with the necessary additional clothing, blankets, or rain gear. These are a group of people who have thoroughly considered what items will be most essential to them. They then drill week after week in the quick and efficient loading of their precious cargo. We can all learn some valuable evacuation skills by observing the tailgaters during this football season.

Additional evacuation information is available at www.wineandchocolateplan.com

Shoe Shopping is Required

Friday September 4, 2009

Shoe Shopping is Required

Today I started my walking routine again. I put on my tennis shoes and started trudging around my neighborhood with a scowl on my face. I hadn't gone three blocks when two of my decade younger friends whizzed by on their bikes. They were all tanned, toned flesh and cheerfulness. They recovered from their shock at seeing me out and upright this early in the day, called out words of encouragement and sped off. As I watched their firm legs pedal away I thought, "This is a lot to put up with first thing in the morning." However I resolved to remain persistent and just trudged on scowling and thinking.

I was thinking that shoe shopping should be part of evacuation preparation. Every natural disaster requires the wearing of sensible shoes to evacuate safely. Usually tennis shoes are the first choice for evacuations but hiking boots or walking shoes could also serve. A closed shoe with a rubber or non-skid sole is important. There could be dangerous debris on the ground which you wouldn't want to expose your feet to. It is also vital to not fall and injury yourself during the chaos of most evacuations.

Now that everyone realizes they need good walking shoes, you must next decide how many pairs you need and where you will store them. One pair might be fine if you will keep them in your car whenever they are not on your feet. If you are stranded on the road due to a disaster the tennis shoes at home won't help. This is a real concern if you spend a lot of time driving. It would only take one disaster (wildfire, flash flooding, earthquake, etc) combined with an unnavigable road system and you might have to get of your vehicle and walk to a safe location. So go shoe shopping and stick a pair of walking shoes and socks in your car.

Additional evacuation information is available at www.wineandchocolateplan.com

Sunset in the Country

Wednesday September 2, 2009

Sunset in the Country

I am not a country girl. I was raised in the city. My early childhood was spent in an urban apartment situated above my family's restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee. I was surrounded by good food, memorable characters, and amazing music but no safe place to play outside. Eventually my family did move to the suburbs where I became acquainted with this place called a yard. I learned that a yard contained many pretty things (grass, bushes, flowers, and trees) which had the ability to instigate horrible attacks of sneezing in me.

My allergies have gotten much better through the years. This is a good thing because, as luck would have it, I fell in love and married an outdoor, country boy. Most of the time everything is fine because I make him play outside without me. However last night he asked me to go on a drive with him and watch the sunset. I mean come on, who could say no to a romantic request like that? Not me.

So off we went to the country with the car windows down and all the fresh air rushing in. We drove up and down wooded lanes and past crop fields. Finally we pulled off the road, and the car bumped through a pasture and to the top of a hill for our sunset view. My husband jumped out of the car to view the huge orange globe descending in the sky. He excitedly called out for me to join him.

I tried. I really did but by this time I had sneezed 15 times and couldn't see. My mascara had turned into a toxic liquid substance which had blinded me. I started stumbling towards him sneezing violently and shedding copious amounts of black tears. My husband, glancing back to see what was taking me so long, blinked when he got a good look at me. There was my face with a red nose in the middle and mascara and snot smeared all around it. It must have been lovely in the full orange illumination of the setting sun. To his credit he didn't comment on my ravaged face. Instead he guided me back to the car where we finished watching a beautiful country sunset.

Later, after a hot bath and an allergy pill, I was recuperating on the couch when the news announced that the air quality in some of the wildfire areas had reached dangerous levels. It seemed to be an omen that I should share a little information related to air quality with you today.

Basically the air quality index measures the level of 5 major air pollutants in the air and how this air might impact your health. The measurements are from 0 (perfect) to 500 (find an air tank immediately!). Generally speaking, anything below 100 is okay. However, when the numbers go above 100 you need to take precautions. If the A.Q.I. (air quality index)is 100-151 there could be moderate danger to sensitive groups. A.Q.I. of 151-200 is unhealthy, 201-300 is very unhealthy, and 301-500 is hazardous. Special care should be exercised to limit the amount of outdoor exposure for active children and adults and people with lung disease and asthma.

Clean air is one of the most fundamental requirements for health. If you are living in an area where the climate has been impacted by the recent wildfires, please take care.

Additional evacuation information is available at www.wineandchocolateplan.com

WHERE ARE THE ANGELS?

Tuesday September 1, 2009

WHERE ARE THE ANGELS?

The name Los Angeles (as in the city and county where some of the major western wildfire are blazing) is Spanish for The Angels. I have also often read that the nickname for the city of L.A. is the city of angels. I certainly hope that the county and city are ready to live up to their name. All available angels are urgently needed to assist their namesake area through a difficult time.

The residents of the Los Angeles area are facing some tough times in the coming days. The wildfires just continue to grow despite the hard work and best efforts of the firefighters. The last report puts the number of acres burned at 100,000. More and more areas are threatened. More and more people have had to evacuate their homes with very little notice.

Several days ago I wrote about the danger to several critical communication towers. The fires are within a few miles of these towers now. There is very little which can be done to protect these towers because of the rough mountainous terrain. I urge everyone to make a plan now of how they would communicate with loved ones if phone reception is lost. Instead of heading back into a dangerous area to find family, you should pick a safe meeting place well outside the fire area for everyone to head towards. If you have to leave your home or work unexpectedly due to the fires, please leave a very visible note stating that you have gone and where. Many people are injured or lose valuable time searching for family or friends who have already departed.

Yes all the angels are needed. Perhaps you will encounter one in the midst of the dense smoke which is covering the area. If you don't see one materialize when needed then it is time for you to step up and strap on some angel wings. Many of your neighbors are in distress. You should aid and comfort them in any manner you are able to.

Here are just a few examples of how you could help.
-If you have time then volunteer at a shelter
-If you have money consider donating some of it to a local relief group
-If you have extra clothes or household possessions share them with a family who has been burned out
-If you love animals give a home or supplies to an animal shelter

Where are the angels? They are everywhere. All you have to do is catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror after an unselfish act of assistance and you will find one.

There is more evacuation information available at www.wineandchocolateplan.com

When a Firefighter Dies

Monday August 31, 2009

WHEN A FIREFIGHTER DIES


Today I can't be funny, humorous, or even witty. Yesterday 2 firefighters lost their lives while fighting the California wildfires. My heart is heavy. Fire Capt. Telmund Hall, 47, of San Bernardino County, and Firefighter Specialist Arnaldo Quinones, 35, of Palmdale, died after their vehicle rolled down a mountainside. They were trying to escape the intense flames of the wildfire they had been battling.

I didn't know these men but still I mourn their loss because I have known men like them. I have seen them in action during many emergencies. They are at their best when conditions are at their worst. These are the type of people who run towards danger when everyone else is running away. We do not have enough of these individuals on this earth. When a firefighter dies it is a loss to us all. My condolences to the Hall and Quinones families.

Also my sincere sympathy to all the firefighters who were a different type of family to these men. I know you hurt and the day will come when you will need to grieve for your firefighter brothers. Today is not that day. There is still a massive wildfire blazing out of control and you have to go back into the heat, smoke, and danger to battle it. This is what we need for you to do to keep us safe. This is what your fallen brothers would want you to do.


I will end this blog by listing actions you can do to help firefighters during an actual fire emergency. I first posted these on the August 14, 2009 blog but they are worth reading again.

STAY INFORMED
Keep a battery powered radio turned on for the latest emergency information

DON'T FEED THE FIRE
Remove anything close to the outside of your house which could fuel the fire
(example: bring in outside furniture)

Remove or open your curtains

Push any upholstered furniture away from windows and glass doors

Turn off the air conditioning

TAKE ACTIONS WHICH WILL HELP IN FIGHTING THE FIRE
If you have a ladder which reaches the roof you should put it in place

fill up a bathtub and some other containers with water

since smoke reduces visibility you should keep a light turned on in each room

close your doors and windows but don't lock them

EVACUATE BEFORE CONDITIONS BECOME DANGEROUS
secure pets for easy transport

disable electric garage doors so they can be opened manually

back your car into your driveway and keep the car keys on your body

There is more evacuation information available at www.wineandchocolateplan.com

Daughters

Sunday August 30, 2009

Daughters

My daughters live far away from me and I miss them. I am fortunate to able to talk with them frequently, but still I wish we were all closer and could be together more. However, I am very lucky to have a group of "girls" (young women from mid 20's to mid 30's) who I am friends with. I have decided that given my advanced age of 53 years I should be able to mother them whenever I am lonely, bored, or just want to. There was never a group vote that I would be allowed to assume this role. I just started getting into their business and so far they haven't kicked me out. Of course this might be somewhat influenced by the vast superiority of my wine to theirs.

Yesterday we celebrated four of the girls birthdays at my house. I had decided that we would pretend the girls were checking into a luxury hotel for the day. A real luxury hotel would have been nice; but, unfortunately, there was neither the money nor the means for a posh visit somewhere. Instead I dug out mementos from every great hotel I have visited and scattered them around my house. I tried to make the pool area look like the Beverly Hills Peninsula. I cleaned the area, put out wine and water, arranged and draped lounge chairs, and even placed small yellow flower arrangements on the tables.

Shortly before the party was to start I was considering the pool area. I was pleased with the results of my efforts (even though it honestly didn't look much like the Peninsula pool). Unexpectedly a huge black cloud floated directly over my neighborhood and I felt a few drops of rain. "Oh No!," was screaming inside my head as a ran around snatching up towels, flowers, and wine, "I wanted it to rain on the California daughter not here!"

My youngest daughter lives in Los Angeles and, because of the raging wildfires there, I have been concerned for her and many other Californians safety. I had been hoping and praying for rain to give this battered section of the country a much deserved break. If only it was that easy to change the course of a destructive weather system. No such luck!

The low humidity and record high temperatures of Southern California have supported the outbreak of multiple dangerous wildfires. One fire, which is being called the Station Fire, has already destroyed at least 7,000 acres, is threatening 2,000 homes, and is within miles of critically important communication towers. If these communication towers are lost things will become much worse in the fight to control the wildfires. TV and radio signals would lose the capacity to broadcast and update the public about current fire dangers. Also lost would be the ability to dispatch signals for emergency personnel and fire fighters in the field.

There were at last count 8 major blazes in California. Evacuation orders for La Canada Flintridge, Altadena, Glendale, and some areas of Big Tujunga Canyon have been issued. Still there is great reluctance among the public to make concrete plans for an evacuation. I am pleading with you to please wake up and realize that yes it could happen to you. I urge you to choose 10 things you would try to evacuate from your house before going to bed tonight. If you make this decision now you will know what to grab should you have to evacuate quickly.

Additional evacuation information available at www.wineandchocolateplan.com

P.S. The rain cloud at my home in Florida went away and we had a lovely time.