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.

Earthquake May Cause Anderson Dam To Collapse

A new study shows that Anderson Dam could collapse in a major earthquake. It is also the largest dam located Santa Clara County holding 90,000 acre-feet of water when full, which is more than the other nine reservoirs in the county combined.

The new study points to an area of the dam's foundation that contains sand and gravel, which could liquefy in a big quake. Most of the dams foundation was scraped down to bedrock when the dam was built in 1950.

Though the dam which sits on the Calaveras Fault was designed to with stand earthquakes when it was built it was not designed to withstand what is being called the maximum credible earthquake.

According to the study the dam would likely not collapse suddenly or completely but, if completely full, could slump and begin to erode away from the top, giving people a day or so to evacuate, according to Dave Hook, an engineering unit manager for dam safety with the water district.

In the worst case, a complete failure of Anderson Dam could send a wall of water 35 feet high into downtown Morgan Hill within 14 minutes, and eight feet deep into San Jose within three hours, under state emergency scenarios.

More studies are being conducted on the dam since the new findings have been discovered and are being watched carefully by local officials.