Disaster Tip of The Week: Staying Safe In the Summer Heat

Heat is a major killer. In fact heat is the number one weather related killer. During a heat wave in 1980 there were 1250 heat related deaths. In 1995 during a heat wave 700 people in Chicago died. In 2003 during the EU summer heat wave 50,000 people died. In France alone the number of lives lost was about 15,000 people.

The temperatures in my area has been over 100⁰ F for the last week and looks to continue that way well into this weekend. While this is not out of the ordinary for where I live there is another factor that coupled with this can cause issues. As of today there is a major transportation strike and many more cars are out on the road.

During such times the National Weather Service will issue heat related warnings. These warnings are as follows:

• Excessive Heat Watch - Conditions are favorable for an excessive heat event to meet or exceed local Excessive Heat Warning criteria in the next 24 to 72 hours.
• Excessive Heat Warning - Heat Index values are forecasting to meet or exceed locally defined warning criteria for at least 2 days (daytime highs=105-110° Fahrenheit).
• Heat Advisory - Heat Index values are forecasting to meet locally defined advisory criteria for 1 to 2 days (daytime highs=100-105° Fahrenheit).

Heat-Related Illness Symptoms and First Aid

HEAT CRAMPS

• Symptoms:
  • Painful muscle cramps and spasms usually in legs and abdomen
  • Heavy sweating
• First Aid:
  • Apply firm pressure on cramping muscles or gentle massage to relieve spasm.
  • Give sips of water, if nausea occurs, discontinue water

HEAT EXHAUSTION

• Symptoms:
  • Heavy sweating
  • Weakness
  • Cool, pale, clammy skin
  • Weak pulse
  • Possible muscle cramps
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fainting
  • Normal temperature possible
• First Aid:
  • Move person to a cooler environment
  • Remove or loosen clothing
  • Apply cool, wet cloths
  • Fan or move victim to air conditioned room
  • Offer sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue water. If vomiting continues, seek immediate medical attention.

HEAT STROKE (or sunstroke)

• Symptoms:
  • Altered mental state
  • Possible throbbing headache, confusion, nausea, dizziness, shallow breathing
  • High body temperature (106°F or higher)
  • Skin may be hot and dry, or patient may be sweating
  • Rapid pulse
  • Possible unconsciousness
• First Aid:
  • Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency. Summon emergency medical assistance or get the victim to a hospital immediately. Delay can be fatal.
  • Move the victim to a cooler, preferably air-conditioned, environment
  • Reduce body temperature with a water mister and fan or sponging
  • Use fan if heat index temperatures are below the high 90s
  • Use extreme caution
  • If temperature rises again, repeat process
  • Do NOT give fluids

Safety and Social Media - Before You Post That Read This

Before You Post To Social Media Read This Post

I'm a big fan of Social Media. I use it to engage with my fans, clients, potential clients and keep up with friends. What you never really see me doing is posting pictures of my family, sure there are a few but I limit how much I post. If I had kids, I would never post publicly viewable photos of them.

Another thing I do not do on Social Media is post photos with my home in them. I also never discuss where I am. At least not at the time I am away or anything like that. Some of you may call me crazy, paranoid and some may even laugh. That's fine. Most of you also don't have thousands of strangers reading what you put online and trying to connect with you either. Don't get me wrong, I'm not famous by a long shot. But let me explain a few things.

First, there are people out there who look for these things. They will track you down, they will find you, and when they do, they will likely break into your home. I'm not kidding. There are many reports of this occurring. Also, when we purchased a new home a few years ago we had a break in and were robbed. The good news. There wasn't much to take, just a few things that we had just purchased and placed in the garage for safe keeping. 

I've since turned the house into a fortress, got an alarm system (we were getting anyway, but waiting till the move took place), and a nice beautiful living alarm/deterrent we call Luna. Anyway, that is not what this post is really about.

You see, my wife knows someone that was recently robbed. This person posts frequent pictures of the inside of their home. Also, those of you with kids, taking those innocent photos of them playing sports, or in front of their school, or wearing the team jersey. It seems to me the internet has made it easier for the nefarious would be stalker who is looking to do something evil.

Sure, I may be paranoid. But, paranoid and being safe never really hurt anyone. So next time. Before you post something. Think. Am I exposing myself to harm in a way I would never do if I knew someone was watching me?

Choosing The Right Bug-Out-Bag Can Be The Difference

There are humdreds of posts out there on putting your Bug-Out-Bag together. What to include in it, what not to include in it, essentials, just-in-case, and so on. I've even done a few posts like that including - The most important Thing You Should Consider When Creating a Bug-Out-Bag. What few do talk about is how to choose the right Bug-Out-Bag for you.

First, should come fit and with fit comfort. You don't want to lug around a bag weighing 50, 70, 80 or even 100 pounds of weight without it being comfortable. Also, you want it to fit right. The most practical choice for many is the backpack and you want to be certain you can wear it and be able to move freely with it on.

Second, You want to be able to access at least some items rapidly and easily. Certain bags lend themselves to this category easily, others do not. Also, depending on your size and body type it may be easier for you to use one type of bag but the same bag for someone else they may have difficulty reaching an item.

With both of these thing in mind, going out and trying different types of bags on for size may be best. This is especially true if you have never tried one before. If you are unsure, go to a camping goods or outdoor store and ask for help. Many of the stores have people trained to help you find the right fit. A good idea is if you find one that you would be comfortable hiking or camping with, it will likely make a good Bug-Out-Bag. The only exception here is that I would not choose a brightly colored bag.

The next thing to consider is what you need to place into the bag, and how much the maximum weight you want the bag to be at. Then find ways to reduce the pack load any way you can.

Finally, make sure that you are able to carry everything you need inside that Bug-Out-Bag that you would need to reach your destination. Another good idea is to have places with items cached along the route you will be traveling.

Below are some of the types of bags I use. Yes, I have different ones, but I also use them to show other people. The most important thing about choosing the right Bug-Out-Bag is picking the right one for you.

Free Home Inventory App - Exactly What You Need to Document Your Items In Case of Disaster

I’ve recommended a variety of products on this site in the past. This is the first time I am going to recommend an App. After a disaster or any event where you incur a loss it is often hard to remember every item that you no longer have.

Trust me, even if you have a good memory like I do, it is hard to remember everything. Recently I came across a free app from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) that helps you create a scrap book of the items in your home. The App is called myHome Scr.APP.book.

I have been preaching that people list items in their homes for a long time. Let’s be honest though, it is difficult to list and catalog everything. Having this app makes it easy and convenient to photograph, list and make notes on your most important items, if not everything.

Since installing the myHome Scr.APP.book I have documentied everything in my master bedroom and office. Next is the garage and that will be a big task, believe me.

While the App does not have every feature one would want, it does make the cataloging easy and convenient. Considering most Americans do not have a home inventory list this is one of the easiest ways I have seen to create one. Plus it is free, so there is no reason not to give it a try.

For more information on creating a home inventory just click on the link. To get the App for an Apple product – go here:

myHome Scr.APP.book

For an Android product go here:

myHome Scr.APP.book

Get Started on your home  inventory today.

What You Really Need To Know About Solar Storms and How To Protect Against Their Impacts

The Solar Storm Threat has been a very big topic for quite a while. In fact it has been the top searched and read topic of all my posts in the last year. The latest post I did here on this subject has over 300 views just this month alone. 

That post is: Protecting Against Solar Flares, Electromagnetic Pulse, and Geomagnetic Storms

While that post is a good one I wrote in haste almost a year ago now and could not get into the topic as in depth as I would have liked. I was however able to write a 2 part series on this topic that explains in more detail how these events occur and what kind of impact they produce. 

There is still so much misconception out there on this topic and many of it reproduced by well meaning people. Though I can't copy these articles since when I wrote them and they were published I no longer own the copyright to them. I can however provide links to the actual articles.

Please take the time to read them if this is a topic that interests you and I am sure you will learn a great deal. In Part 1 I discuss how these events happen usually, but not always starting with a massive solar flare. Still in Part 1 I also talk about the effects and impacts.

Then in Part 2 i mention actual ways to protect against the electromagnetic or geomagnetic storm that is produced. It does not cover everything by any means and I suggest you purchase the book I reference for further reading.

I present to you:

The Solar Storm Threat | Part 1: How Solar Flares & CMEs Can Impact Your Business

The Solar Storm Threat | Part 2: Basic Steps You Can Take To Protect Your Business

Let me know your thoughts, any feedback, and if you have tried experiments on your own. Also, in case you are not aware. These same protections are effective to protect against an EMP as well.