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Handling Weather Emergencies: Part 1 - Forward Planning Makes The Difference
Introduction At some time in our lives, many of us will face an emergency. Most will involve personal illness or injury, but severe weather, including hurricanes, thunderstorms, tornadoes and heat waves, is a very common threat. Severe weather and its after effects, such as flooding, results in numerous deaths and injuries every year, together with major property damage and loss. But we are not entirely powerless in the face of these disasters - a little time and effort now will significantly reduce the risks of death, injury and property damage. It will also help you recover much faster. Planning for emergencies is complex subject, too big for a single article. Part 1 covers identification of the threats to you and your family, how to make sure your safety is protected, and making sure everyone knows what to do, even if you are separated. The second part considers those precious few hours before the the weather becomes really threatening. Preparation is crucial to make sure your family is safe, and your home and belongings are as secure as possible. Advance Planning - It's A Drag But It Pays Off One of the hardest things about preparing for emergencies is finding the time. But if you live in North America, your weather is arguably the wildest on the planet. Your chances of being threatened by severe weather are very real. So at some stage (soon!) why not set aside an hour or so to do a little groundwork and prepare for when things get nasty. Involve your family - the more heads the better, and it is possible that one of you may be incapacitated in a serious emergency. Four big questions need to be answered before you can regard yourself as reasonably well prepared. What Are The Biggest Risks? This sounds pretty easy, because you know where you live, and what sort of weather to expect as the seasons change. But when you get down to it, severe weather is often just normal weather become stronger, or bigger, or longer lasting. When considering your home, a great shortcut is to contact your local emergency management office or the Red Cross to see what information they have on your area. You should be able to find FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) hazard maps and other relevant material to help with your planning. It's also worth thinking about other places you regularly visit - the beach, the lake, relatives - and even where you go on vacation. Shelter and Evacuation Most severe weather emergencies arrive without much warning. You may need to leave your home and move to a safer area. Early warning and sound planning will reduce the stress of any emergency, and the first step is to be well informed. And there is no better way than to use the Weather Radio Service provided by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and the EAS (Emergency Alert Service). Advisories of threats and hazards are broadcast over dedicated radio frequencies (to avoid interference from commercial broadcasts) and can be received on specially modified weather radios. More information on the Weather Radio Service and equipment can be found at http://www.home-weather-stations-guide.com/weather-radio.html Evacuations can be a matter of choice or they may be mandatory. Becoming familiar with exit routes will reduce much of the stress of having to move out fast. In some cases, such as tornadoes, you may need to use a nearby shelter. Again prior knowledge of its location and easiest access will be invaluable. Communication Between Family Members Emergencies often happen at the most inconvenient times. Your family may be scattered between home, work and school when the weather becomes threatening, and you may remain separated for some time until things return to normal. Work out in advance what procedures are likely to be followed - does the school have an emergency plan and shelter? How about the work place? It will help if each family member knows what to do, and what others will be doing and where they are likely to be during an emergency. Prepare wallet sized summaries of locations and phone numbers for each family member, while cell phones should help you to keep in touch. Long Term Plans So far everything I've suggested assumes that you will, some day, need to act fast to protect yourself against a developing emergency. This section covers preparations which should benefit you regardless of whether an emergency arises. These include
OK. Now you're prepared for the worst, and you have significantly reduced the effects a major emergency will have on you. Part 2 of this article reviews what to do as the weather becomes threatening. ©2005, Graham McClung. This article is adapted from a free special report on weather emergencies. It can be downloaded from http://www.home-weather-stations-guide.com/tyvm.html While you're there, check out the rest of the site for more information on dangerous and spectacular weather.
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By the way, this leads to another topic-expect the device to be discovered someday. Don't leave your fingerprints on it. He found it and had it dusted, thereby producing some prints. My friend used this as leverage against the Private Investigator that planted it. Advice to Private Investigators, a word to the wise: if you do this part-time, hire someone who does this full-time. This P.I. lost his license and almost went to jail. The lawyer who recommended him got into a lot of trouble as well. He received some unwanted attention from the Feds because of his telephone dealings went across state lines and also happened to involve the Post Office. There is another budding field related to this topic called Protective Intelligence. Currently there are only a few experts who do this kind of work. A laser or an infrared beam can be used at a considerable distance from a target building. Conversational sounds can vibrate unto solid objects such as windows. The beam's reflection varies in relation to the movement to the window, which is received and converted back into something audible. To mask the sounds, you could attach a vibrating device (basically an altered electric razor) to the window. Of course if the window is open, then a laser can target another object instead of the window. A beam of light or laser can be directed to go through a window onto a solid object thereby nullifying such defensive measures again. Generally you really can't detect such attacks unless the laser, infrared or light beam is being used that moment. Certain materials can be used to detect IR emissions, as well as the use of passive night vision gear. Certain fabrics or even a curtain may actually show the spot where a beam of light or laser is being focused. Unless the room is dusty or you have an artificial can smoke, you can follow the beam up to a point and guesstimate it's location. One type of optical bug is an infrared transmitter. When placed in the area of interest for transmission of the conversation to an infrared receiver which will then translate the conversation into an audible format. Many of these same procedures used can be applied to locating hidden cameras. A relatively new device uses a series of lasers to seek out optics. This was originally intended to locate snipers by bodyguards. I have listed the techniques, counter-measures and then the counter to the counter-measures to prevent any false sense of security. Usually constant vigilance is your best weapon besides knowing what to look for. Even if you find a "bug sweeper" with good credentials, certifications and experience, ask them detailed questions. Not just to test them but also for your own peace-of-mind. This makes our job easier and we appreciate greatly when dealing with knowledgeable customers. Alarm Systems: Not Just For The Wealthy Anymore! Over the last 22 years that I have been involved in the security alarm industry, I have seen quite an evolution. Changes have not only taken place in what type of equipment is available, but also in how the consumer buys and use's the equipment. What is Your Security Awareness IQ? Are you aware of the need for security? Alarm System Keypads The keypad is the device you and your loved ones will interface with daily. It is typically placed at one or more of the following locations:
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