Posted on January 12, 2012
USA.gov – A Valuable Resource
www.USA.gov has 14 sections with information ranging from health, money, jobs, education, environment and consumer guides. While there is a wealth of valuable information to discuss, for this newsletter we will focus on the sections that provide information about emergency preparedness, replacing vital documents and preparing for travel. 1. Are you prepared for when an emergency strikes? The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other state and local government agencies work hard to protect and prepare our nation for emergencies. The Public Safety and Law section provides guidance on how to prepare for and recover from disasters. The Vital Records PortaVault is the perfect solution for emergency disaster planning. It is designed for situations that would require you to transport all your documents easily, in the event you need to quickly evacuate your home. Visit our website for more details on the Vital Records PortaVault. 2. Information on Replacement Documents: The Family, Home and Community section includes a link to the CDC website which provides information on how to contact various state agencies to obtain replacement birth, death and marriage certificates. 3. Learning about a country before you travel: The Department of State's Consular Information sheets are available for every country of the world. These information sheets describe entry requirements, currency regulations, unusual health conditions, crime and security situation, political disturbances, areas of instability, and special information about driving and road conditions. They also provide valuable information on U.S. embassies and consulates. The Consular Information sheets describe conditions to enable travelers to make informed decisions about upcoming travels. Visit the Travel and Recreation section for detailed information on how to prepare for a trip. And be sure to check out this site before you plan any major trip out of the country!
Posted on January 5, 2012
The Shredding Mistake – A little humor!
A young officer is working late at the Pentagon one evening. As he comes out of his office about 8:00 p.m. he sees a General standing by the classified document shredder in the hallway, a piece of paper in his hand. "Do you know how to work this thing?" the General asks. "My secretary's gone home and I don't know how to run it." "Yes, sir," says the young officer, who turns on the machine, takes the paper from the General, and feeds it in. (PAUSE) "Now," says the General, "I just need one copy....."
Posted on January 2, 2012
Personal Property Inventory
An inventory of your personal property is one of the most important things you can do to prevent problems, in the event you need to file an insurance claim. This inventory is also useful when reviewing your policy for adequate coverage of your personal possessions. To help you get started reference the Household Inventory Form and Valuables & Collectibles Form, included with your PortaVault. Key Points to remember when taking inventory:
- Be organized. Go room to room listing your possessions.
- Be creative. Photograph or video each room and its contents
- Be complete. Don't forget to open closets, drawers and cabinets and document the existence of items, even if you cannot determine their purchase price.
- Be specific. Record serial numbers, brand names and model numbers if available.
- Be honest. Use receipts to record purchase price or use your best recollection of the cost if you no longer have the receipts.
- Be safe. Store the inventory and photos in the PortaVault and keep a copy in a safe place outside your home.
- Be current. Remember to update the inventory and photos at least once a year.
- Be proactive. Don't wait for a disaster to strike before you determine what possessions you own and what they are worth.
Posted on December 15, 2011
Too Many Laws! – A little humor for you
Did you ever find yourself thinking there are just too many laws!? Well, there are even more laws than you may think - laws that were created and then forgotten. I've highlighted a few forgotten laws that have made me smile and I hope they will do the same for you! Marshalltown, Iowa - It is illegal for horses to eat fire hydrants. Texas - When two trains meet each other at a railroad crossing, each shall come to a full stop and neither shall proceed until the other has gone. Florida - The law states that if an elephant is tied to a parking meter, it must pay the same fees as a car. Utah - A state law prohibits fishing from horseback. Rochester, Michigan - Anyone appearing in public wearing a bathing suit must be inspected by a police officer. Wyoming - It is against the law to take a picture of a rabbit in the months of January, February, March or April. Iowa- According to the law, kisses may last for as much as, but no more than five minutes. Holyoke, Massachusetts - It is against the law to water your lawn when it is raining. Las Vegas, Nevada - It is illegal to pawn your dentures.
Posted on December 8, 2011
Ideas for Gifts of Preparedness
All across the USA people's lives have been disrupted by events they didn't expect and were not prepared for. According to a survey conducted by The Ad Council, 91% of Americans agree that a little preparation can help protect their families in the event of an emergency. Providing a gift that helps your friends, neighbors and family members be prepared will mean a lot this year - and it could mean even more in the future. Gifts of preparedness have prices to fit most budgets and the supplies and products are easy to locate in stores or online. Tools and Supplies
- Flash lights with extra batteries
- Smoke detectors and batteries
- Camp stove with fuel
- Emergency gas shut off tool
- Fire extinguishers for home, garage, auto
- NOAA Weather Radio and extra batteries
- Cell phone charger for use in the car
- Map of local area
- Vital Records PortaVault
- Camera
- Prepackaged disaster supply kits for home, office and auto
- A case of non-perishable food
- A case of bottled water
- A pet disaster kit
- Earthquake fastening kit
- First aid kit
- Gift certificate for a CPR or First Aid class
- Gift certificate for enrollment in your Community Emergency Response Team training program
- Sponsor an emergency preparedness training program for your family and neighbors
Posted on December 6, 2011
Holiday Safety Tips
I wish you all all a fun and safe holiday season. Here are a few tips to keep you help keep you safe. Enjoy!
TRAVEL- Holiday traveling and winter can be a dangerous combination. Allow extra time when traveling. Monitor weather conditions carefully and adhere to travel advisories.
- Keep a winter storm survival kit in your car. This should include blankets, food, flares, chains, ice scraper, gloves and first aid supplies.
- Designate a driver. When attending a party, always designate a non-drinking driver. If you are the host of a holiday gathering, be sure there are non-alcoholic beverages available for guests.
- Buckle up. During the holiday months, people travel more than ever. Wearing a seat belt is the easiest way to prevent injury in a motor vehicle collision
- Never use lighted candles near trees, boughs, curtains/drapes, or with any potentially flammable item.
- Use only non-combustible or flame resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or non-leaded metals.
- Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory.
- Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections, and throw out damaged sets.
- Remember to turn off all holiday lights when you go to bed or leave the house.
- When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches and when bent between your fingers, needles to not break. The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin and when tapped on the ground. Because heated rooms dry live trees out rapidly, be sure to keep the stand filled with water.
- When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "fire resistant". Although this label does not mean the tree won't catch fire, it does indicate the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.
- When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces and radiators. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.
- Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child. Toys too advance may pose safety hazards for younger children.
- Before allowing your child to play with a toy that was received as a gift, read the instructions carefully.
- Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace, flash fires may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.
