Let this be a lesson

We had another major storm blow through our region Wednesday night. Several thousand people experienced power loss, including us. Ours was due to downed power lines. We think lightening struck a tree, caught it on fire and the limbs fell on the lines.  

This time we were prepared to deal with the power outage---or so we thought. Once the torrential downpour subsided, the hubbs wheeled out our generator that we purchased 4 years ago after the epic storm which resulted in a total loss of all of our perishable foods.  Gas generators are incredibly noisy. We have a Troybilt 8250/6000. We decided to enjoy the peace and quiet after the storm before cranking on the generator.

We had unfettered access to the sights and sounds of nature, normally masked by the visual and auditory pollution of modern civilization.We stood in back yard and breathed deep the smell of damp soil and rain. Did you know, there is a term for this specific smell? It is called Petrichor. We admired the beauty of a double rainbow. And we smiled as we watched the antics of wildlife spraying arcs of water droplets in their wake of hopping to and fro from wet branches.

Our sojourn into nature ended much too soon and the demands of modern life beckoned. So we set about running the lines to various appliances and fired up the generator. We cycled running both refrigerators, the chest freezer and charging our small electronics (phones, tablet and laptop). We didn't run our generator all night because it is very loud, smelly and honestly there was enough of a cool breeze we  thought we would enjoy having the windows open overnight.

What really happened... one of our neighbors ran their generator ALL night.  The echoing roar of a combustion engine several yards from our house. So that was lovely-not! By 4:15 am the power had not been restored, so I grudgingly forced myself out of bed. After getting ready to work, I went to the garage to wheel out the generator and quite nearly suffocated from the smell of gas fumes. I had to run outside to breathe from coughing and gagging. It took me several minutes and a few deep breaths then I ran into the big bay of the garage and flung open the garage door. I made such a clatter the hubbs really did look to see what was the matter. Hahaha, not the night before Christmas.

The hubbs in his hastiness (and fatigue) FAILED to shut the valve to the gas on the generator.

All night, while we slept, the gas leaked out of the tank puddling into a pool on the concrete and built up fumes in the garage. Think about that for a minute. IF the cat been in the garage he would have been asphyxiated.  IF the power surged back on, a spark could have detonated our garage into a explosive fireball.   

Oh.My. God!!!  

We are truly lucky, blessed and perhaps even charmed to have averted such a PREVENTABLE, POTENTIAL tragedy.

Always, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, be careful and think about your sequence of actions.

 Safety is of the utmost importance.

Once we managed to get over our shock of WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED, we sprang into action. The hubbs poured kitty litter on the gas puddle. Not sawdust,  because no additional combustible materials were needed. I made a quick trip to Kroger's and bought lots and lots of ice (and a new coleman cooler).

Upon returning home, I used the principles of thermal mass--err... I shoved all the frozen junk into the chest freezer and placed bags of ice on top. All the refrigerated items were sorted into the ice filled coolers to keep and things deemed not necessary were pitched. I had one 22 bag of ice remaining, I placed the non perishable beverages in the now empty refrigerator freezer with the bag of ice, utilizing it as a cooler.

Power was restored midday Thursday and life is "normal" again. We didn't lose our food supply, a pet didn't die, and our garage didn't explode. But we most definitely learned a very, VERY important lesson in safety.

Frankenstorm

Most of the time I think the general reporting of news is over hyped. However with the regards of  Sandy the Frankenstorm I will err on the side of caution. Given the havoc the last few storms have caused as far inland as Ohio I think we should take a minute to review our emergency preparations which I talked about previously HERE.

There is no need to panic and go willy nilly buying everything you can get your hands on. Otherwise you are gonna end up with a dozen packages of underwear that is 3 sizes to small, a pantry full of pickled beets or sardines and be out of your hard earned money.

.Just remember you need water, food, fuel, some cash, pack a bag and make a plan. I will highlight a few of the topics:

• Sanitation and Hygiene
• 1 gallon per day per person for drinking , cooking and sanitation. Don't forget water for your pets!
• Fill some old milk jugs, coolers etc w/ tap water and add a little bit of bleach (1/2 tsp per gallon) to use for flushing toilets. 
• Designate a fresh gallon (or 2) depending on the size of your family for brushing teeth
• Stock up of wet wipes/ baby wipes and instant shampoo. These items will allow you to save water for drinking and cooking.
• Food for you and your pets. 
• As far as human food goes, ready to eat type food and snacks are great for those who lose power and don't have a generator. Such as granola bars, peanut butter, crackers,dried fruit and jerky --no refrigeration or cooking needed.!
• Do NOT expect restaurants and stores will accommodate you.
• Stash an extra bag of food for your pets
• Get some fuel
• Fill the tank of your car
• If you have a generator, fill it and have an extra 5 gallon can of gas
• Have an extra propane tank (or 2)
• If you have a wood/pellet stove, make sure you have firewood/pellets
• Get some cash
• Even if it is $50, don't assume banks will be open and ATM's or credit card machines are operational
• Pack a BOB (Bug Out Bag)
• If it s bad enough you may need to evacuate
• Make sure you have items ready to go for you and your family (including pets)
• Change of clothes (or 2),a blanket, medications, first aid kit,  personal toiletries, weather radio, flashlight, pack of batteries, and car cell phone charger.
• Make a plan
• Where will you go if you need to evacuate?
• Do you have all valuable items secured?
• What about important documents-birth certificates, passports, bank books, etc..?
• Do have arrangements made for your pets?
• Don't assume you can leave them in their crates or turn them loose and they will be ok (Think Katrina)

Click on the link I provided which provides a direct to the government emergency preparedness sites for a more detailed plan. 

I am not trying to be the voice of doom and gloom; however, it is better to be over prepared than under prepared!

Be safe my friends!

Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda

SIIIGGGHHHH.....

Yep that is  exactly how I was feeling this weekend. There was a bad storm that rolled through the Midwest on Friday. We had straight line winds that blew through, toppling trees, tearing off shingles, shredding siding and knocking out power for approximately 40,000 people locally.

We were affected by losing our electric for 22 hours. While we had no damage to our house, there was debris everywhere. The worst part was no power in 104°F heat. We lost ALL of our refrigerated and frozen items. By the time we cleaned out both refrigerators and freezers it was the equivalent to a 72 gallon trash can full. All the breads I had baked, vegetables I had put up from my garden and all the meat...gone. It made me so sad to see all that food in the trash-- KNOWING people go hungry everyday. Because I didn't take the necessary preparedness precautions it was all a waste.

That chest freezer I could have bought. That generator I should have bought. BUT DIDN'T! Woulda, coulda, shoulda

I am EXTREMELY grateful that no one was injured. That our home wasn't damaged. And to have the return of my creature comforts.

As uncomfortable as the entire experience has been it has taught us some invaluable lessons, that as much as we thought we would be okay during an emergency--we  are woefully unprepared. We ARE getting generator. And next will be the chest freezer. I am also organizing our emergency supplies. I am re-visiting my original post on emergency preparedness  and following my own advice.

Friday night was exceptionally quiet. All the usual hum, buzz and clatter of a modern life surrounding us was eliminated. What remained was clear sky full of stars visible because there were no distracting lights to obscure the view. I was able to hear nature's orchestra-- cicadas, crickets and frogs occasionally punctuated by the rustle of the wind through the trees. The air was  cool after a 30°F temperature drop and perfumed with the smell of rain. I was able to sit on my porch and think about how lucky we were are despite what amounts to nothing more than an inconvenience.

Saturday morning dawned hot, humid and hazy punctuated by the sounds of chainsaws and generators.

The scenes that follow were common place all over town

All images courtesy of The Western Star

The good that comes from this type of event  is seeing a community come together and work towards a common goal.  I was out and about on Saturday to buy ice for coolers, checking what  business's were open and unsuccessfully trying to buy or rent a generator. (And to blissfully revel in my air conditioned car!) 

What I noticed during my scouting expedition,  instead of everyone avoiding eye contact and scurrying through their day, people were communicating. Talking, sharing stories and offering advice. We are so self absorbed (most if us anyway)  that we don't take time to enjoy the sights, sounds and people who surround us. I actually had the opportunity to talk with my neighbors. Real conversations. Instead  of the waving as you back out of the driveway. I was able to witness random acts of kindness as people helped neighbors move debris, load supplies and offer directions to complete strangers on where to find equipment. It reminded me of  days gone by when the world was much simpler and dare I say more kind?  Despite it all, this experience was actually a welcome opportunity for a little self reflection--even if I didn't recognize it in the moment as a gift. 

Emergency Preparedesness

What is the saying for March? "In like a lion, out like a lamb?"

topics.info.com

My Sunday post is normally  dedicated to all things garden, landscape, and plant related and while  I typically try to keep my content lighthearted I must acknowledge the catastrophic events that occurred this weekend. This past Friday (March 2) the Midwest experienced some awful weather as a tornado (or series of --waiting on the final determination) tore through towns to the east of  us with an evil ferocity.  Destroying property, homes and lives. There are several towns that were literally obliterated from existence.  I have family (near and extended) as well as friends in the affected areas. Miraculously-all are ok. My heart certainly goes out to all of those experiencing  the impact of this natural disaster.

These events got me thinking about what would I do in the event of an emergency. Would I be prepared?  Sadly , no.

I came across some great  references outlining steps we can take to prepare for emergencies.

The Family Handyman briefly touches on topics of wild animal, flood, kitchen fire, power outages and more.

http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Projects/Home-Safety/Home-Emergencies/home-emergency-preparedness-guide

Ready.gov provides in depth information for before, during and after an emergency.

http://www.ready.gov/

The CDC provides information for public health emergencies.

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/

Some of this is pretty scary intimidating reading. It also made me realize exactly how unprepared I am. Here's the gist to at least get started. Please go to CDC or Red Cross for specifics. What I am providing is  just a general overview.

1. Make an emergency kit

• Water—enough for each family member, pets and sanitation
• Food—non-­perishable, easy ­to ­prepare items (3 ­day supply for evacuation, 2­ week supply for home)
• manual can opener
• Flashlight with hand crank or batteries
• Battery ­powered or hand­crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
• Extra working batteries 
• First aid kit (you can get a basic kit for under $10)
• Medications  and medical items
• Multi­purpose tools
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Extra cash and copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies) Stored in watertight Ziploc bag.
• Cell phone with chargers
• Family and emergency contact information
• Emergency blankets/ sleeping bags and pillow (stored in a space bag or plastic tote)
• Map(s) of the area 
• extra set of keys
• Extra clothing and shoes appropriate for the weather (store in plastic totes)
• Candles and matches/lighter

2. Make a Plan

• Designate a meeting spot for all family members both within and outside of home in event of emergency
• Make a plan that encompasses your animals care and well being
• Create a checklist
• Practice your plan
• Check your supplies at least every 6 months . A great time to do this is when time change occurs in March and November

3. Be Informed

• Know the warning sirens and alerts in your area
• Know the local emergency services numbers
• Learn CPR and basic first aid measures
• Enable SMS on your cell phone. Voice service may not always be available but there is a good chance SMS (text) is available for limited operation.
• 2 way radio/ walkie talkies/ a CB for communication
• Know where shutoff valves and breaker box/ circuit breaker are located in your house

Lastly keep a positive mental attitude and try to maintain control of the situation. Believe that all will be okay and help is on the way.

These lists and articles can be overwhelming. If nothing else try to do a few items a week and in no time you will be on your way to being emergency prepared.

Stay safe my friends!