Seven Tips For Fire Safety

Seven Tips For Fire Safety

Its easy to think a house fire wont happen to you. But dont be fooledhouse fires are more common than youd think. All it takes is a spark, a flammable substance, and some oxygen to cause a tragedy. Dont let yourself be caught unpreparedfollow these safety tips to prevent fires in your home, and get out safely if one occurs.

Keep your fire alarms in working order. Make sure you have working fire alarms on every floor of the houseespecially the kitchen and near your bedroom. You should change the batteries twice a year. Dont ever turn off or remove your fire alarms for any reason. People most often do this when theyre cooking and creating a lot of smokethat fire alarm can get annoying when it keeps going off while youre trying to cook. Dont smash the alarm with a broom handle, tempting as it isdont even turn it off. Its easy to forget to turn it back on. Instead, open the windows and turn on the kitchen fan before you start cooking. Its also best not to trust that your fire alarms work, even if they have fresh batteriestest them by lighting a match underneath.

Have a just-in-case plan. Make sure your kids know what to do if the fire alarm goes off. They should hold hands and stay together, and one parent should be in charge of leading them out to a safe place. They should know how to get in formation and follow orders, even when half asleep. They should understand that they cannot be allowed to stop to find their favorite toy or pet. Pick a prominent place safely away from the houseunder a certain tree, by the swing-set, or at the end of the driveway, for examplewhere the family will meet in case of a fire alarm. You should keep a strong flashlight by your bed in case your power fails, as it often will during a fire. Rehearse your escape plan several times a year.

Know how to get out. If youre upstairs and the fire gets to your stairway before you do, you could be in serious troubleif you dont have an escape plan. Be sure all your windows open easily, and keep some escape ladders in your upper floors. Make sure both spouses and older children know how to unfold, safely attach, and use the ladders. Practice escaping from any upper floors of the house a few times a year.

Keep fire extinguishers in the house. Most guides will suggest that you have one on each floor in your house, especially in the kitchen and in the basement near the furnace and water heater. Be sure that all your fire extinguishers will work for wood, chemical, and electrical firesnot all brands do. Make sure both spouses and all older children know how to use the fire extinguishers.

Remove obvious fuels. Keep dry leaves and other detritus at least thirty feet away from your homethey are very flammable. If you have a fireplace or wood stove, store the wood in a wood shed at least thirty feet from your house. If you have a wood shop, make sure sawdust is not allowed to build upits extremely flammable and can ignite with enough force to blow a hole through a wall!

Get a fireproof safe. Its extremely important never to run back into a burning building, for any reasonit could be a death sentence. If theres something you really dont want to losevaluable documents or jewelry, for examplebuy a fireproof safe or cabinet to keep it in. That way, you wont worry about leaving something important inside the house, and you wont be tempted to run back inespecially if the fire doesnt look that bad yet. Even if it doesnt look that bad, it can still kill you. Keeping your most important belongings in a fireproof safe or cabinet could save your life.

Do a routine fire safety check. There are a lot of little things you can do to lessen your risk of a fire. Never leave a candle burning when you leave a room. Check your electrical wires and extension cords for signs of wearand never let them lie under rugs or furniture. Never leave anything that could catch fire near a heat source, like an oven, a radiator, or a portable heater. Regularly clean the lint from your dryers lint trap and tubing. Empty ashes from fireplaces, wood stoves, and ashtrays into a metal container, not a plastic garbage bin. Never smoke in bed.

You can protect yourself from fires just by making a few safety checks part of your routine, and being aware of fire safety in the home. Dont be caught unawarescheck in with your local fire station for their advice on how to fireproof your home, and follow these simple tips to make sure a fire never happens to you.

7 Reasons Why You Need A Shake Flashlight

7 Reasons Why You Need A Shake Flashlight

You’ve seen them on T.V. many times. Shake flashlights-just shake one for a few seconds and voila! Instant, bright light. But besides the novelty of it all, are these things for real or even practical? The answer is yes, they are for real and extremely practical for everyday application. Here are seven good reasons why you need a shake flashlight:

1. Needs no batteries. A flashlight with dead batteries is useless. An old stick is just about as useful as a dead flashlight. And there’s probably nothing more frustrating than reaching for a flashlight, only to find out it is completely dead. With a shake flashlight, dead batteries are never a problem. A shake flashlight needs no batteries because it uses the Faraday Magnetic Method to recharge the flashlight again and again. Different brands and models of shake flashlights vary in effectiveness but some of the better ones can give light for hours with just a few seconds of shaking.

2. Rugged construction. There are several different brands of shake lights, and they are not all constructed equally, but it’s fair to say that many of them are built for rugged use. While it’s probably not a good idea to use one as a hammer, shake flashlights can nonetheless take some abuse like being dropped on the floor without damage. Housed in a clear shatterproof high-tech casing, a shake flashlight can operate in extreme hot or cold environments without diminishing performance.

3. Water resistant. Drop a regular flashlight in the water and it won’t work anymore, at least not until the batteries, bulb, and other components are dried out. That’s not a problem for a shake flashlight however, which is water resistant to 20 feet or more.

4. Long Life LED bulb. The long-life LED bulb illuminates up to a 30 ft. radius or more, depending on the model and can withstand light drops and bumps. Because the LED lamp consumes very little energy, it doesn’t generate heat, which is the enemy to standard light bulbs.

5. Set it and forget it. It doesn’t need batteries, so you can store your flashlight and literally forget about it until you need it. Put one in your car’s glove box, one in your kitchen, one in the tool box, one in the garage, one in your R.V., one in your boat etc.

6. Environmentally friendly. In many areas batteries can’t be thrown away with the common trash, even though many people do so. Batteries contain toxic chemicals that can leach into the ground and cause contamination of the soil and ground water. Because there’s no batteries in shake flashlights, there’s not the disposal problem you have with regular batteries. This makes shake lights more environmentally friendly than battery powered flashlights.

7. Because they’re way cool! These aren’t you grandfather’s flashlights (although your grandfather may have one by now). A shake flashlight is one of those items that always gets attention, a real conversation piece. Models that come in various translucent colors look especially cool when they’re on. Why settle for one boring color when you can have several!

7 Top Camping Safety Tips

7 Top Camping Safety Tips

No doubt about it, camping can be fun. But, if you don’t pay attention to safety, your fun camping outing can turn into the camping trip from Hell. What are some of the most important camping safety tips you should know?

1. Plan Ahead. Do your research. Make sure the campground you’ve chosen is a safe one. Make sure there are no current fire dangers. Check out the weather. Any health alerts in the area, such as dangerous bacteria count in the water, or outbreak of any rodent-carrying viruses?

2. Pack the Emergency Kit. Be prepared for cuts, bee stings and allergic reactions. Bring antihistamines, antiseptic, bug sprays and insect repellents, pain relievers, bandages, sunscreen and if possible, a snake-bite kit.

An emergency kit should also include the following items: Whistle, flashlight, compass, a small Swiss Army knife, razor blades, tweezers, magnifying glass, sterilized water packets for cleaning wounds, emergency blanket, thermometer, cold pack, and a mirror. A mirror can be helpful when signaling for help. Some people also use a CD. If you can afford them, a pair of night-vision goggles can also be a help in an emergency.

3. Arrive at the Campsite Early. Arriving early, with ample daylight, allows you to examine the entire campsite and set up while there’s still light. Be on the lookout for sharp objects, broken glass, huge ant beds, branches, poison ivy, hazardous terrain and bees.

4. Build your Tent on a Safe Spot. Make sure your tent is flame-resistant and keep it at a safe distance from the campfire. Try to pitch your tent on elevated land so it doesn’t flood in case of rain. In order to keep the bugs out, make sure you close your tent immediately upon entering and leaving.

5. Go Over Safety Issues with Family Members. Make sure family members are aware of poisonous plants in the area. Be sure the children understand that they should never drink from any stream or river, regardless of how clean it may look. Finally, issue each member of your family a whistle for emergency use only.

6. Be Fire Safe. Make sure there are no current fire restrictions before building any fire, and don’t build a fire if there are strong winds. When you do build a fire, keep it in the fire ring, and make sure there are no flammable items near the fire. Do not use heating devices or candles inside the tent.

Never leave your campfire unattended, and keep the area clear of leaves and twigs. Before going to bed, make sure the campfire is property put out by drowning it with water.

7. Be Aware of Wild Animals. Be sure to familiarize yourself and your family with safety concerning wild animals. Wild animals have acute senses of smell. Make sure you keep your campsite clean and free of food or garbage which might attract them. It is best to store all food, garbage and strong-smelling items (such as soap or toothpaste) in bear-resistant containers or your vehicle. Keep your sleeping bag and tent completely free of food and food odors, and set up your cooking and eating area at least 100 yards from your tent. Do not go to sleep in the same clothing you cooked in, as even the cooking smells can attract bears and other wild animals.

While it may seem like attention to safety takes the fun out of camping, in reality it helps ensure that your camping vacation is a fun time for the whole family. And, isn’t having fun the point of camping?

Pump Up The Value Of Your Rehab Real Estate Investment

Pump Up The Value Of Your Rehab Real Estate Investment

There are two legal ways to increase your wealth.

1. Keep more of what you have (e.g., tax strategies, rehab efficiencies, cost savings)

2. Add value to something (e.g., a real estate investment, stocks, bonds)

Let’s focus on adding value to your rehab investments.

The most obvious is certainly bring it back up to standards. We HAVE to do the obvious things such as:

– Ensure there are no plumbing leaks and the entire plumbing system is in good working order, including potable water and sewage/septic and water heater.

– Ensure the electrical system is safe and working. This may require an upgrade. This includes all outlets, breakers, heat and AC.

– There can be no leaks in the roof! Obvious, but sometimes this is hard to determine if it isn’t a rainy season. You might have to take a garden hose to the roof to be sure. Station someone in the attic with a flashlight.

– Get rid of any rotted wood or termite damage, repair walls, etc.

Those items I’ve listed and others like it are no-brainers. But how do we really add value to the eye? We make it pretty!

– We paint all walls and ceilings (usually bright white)

– We replace flooring, or if there is acceptable carpet or tile, we professionally clean and restore it.

– We hang mini blinds on the windows.

- We trim trees and bushes, paint the outside make the exterior look fresh.

Now, to get the sale, or to get it rented immediately we do some of these things that really make a difference (notice the emphasis on kitchen and bathrooms!):

– Replace or refinish the kitchen cabinets, sink and countertop.

– Replace the toilet, vanity, and resurface or replace the tub.

What if we want to really make OUR property stand out on the market? What if we want there to be NO question as to what a great house this is in the buyer’s mind? What if want TOP DOLLAR? Try these inexpensive upgrades!

EXTERIOR

– Put a decorative fence in front. Plant some shrubs along the front of the house with attractive landscaping bark around it for color

– Replace the front windows with something more attractive.

- Install lighting along the walkway

– Plant a tree

– Install a new mailbox

– Build a deck in the back

– Increase the exterior lighting. Motion sensor lights are a nice touch.

INTERIOR

– Install a security system. Sometimes the system is installed free with a year’s monitoring. Make the first year of free monitoring (prepaid by you) a selling point.

– Install a garage door opener

– Install a used hot tub. You might be surprised the amount of folks who no longer want their hot tub!

– Include a microwave.

– Buy new appliances. Kind of expensive, but a deal maker. Try making this an incentive for a full price offer.

– Lay ceramic tile instead of vinyl.

– Go with snap-and-lock hardwood flooring instead of carpet especially in a great or living room.

– Upgrade the faucet to something sleek and modern. There are hundreds to choose from. Go with an extra large sink.

– Replace the cabinet and drawer hardware to something extra fancy. This can make an average kitchen POP for little extra cost!

– Add ceiling fans instead of just new overhead lighting fixtures.

– Add chair rail molding in the dining and living rooms.

– Buy the attractive switch and outlet covers instead of the basic contractor grade covers.

We, as investors, need to make the rehab fit our strategies. If we want to rent the property, you probably won’t add as many upgrades. If you are looking to sell, and you need to get that property noticed, you should add as many of the upgrades as possible within your budget, especially the visual upgrades.

I hope this list has got you thinking creatively about how to pump of the value of your next project!

Dark Passage – A Moonlit Journey Through Urban Decay

Dark Passage – A Moonlit Journey Through Urban Decay

Urban Decay
Slowly descending
The spiral staircase
Into urban decay
On this night long journey -
Preceded by flashlight
And followed by the full moon,
Whose eyes hold us all in
His view as the street light
Flickers in and out in orange shades.

Spirit of the Past
The spirit of the past
Lives in
The whispers of the wind and
The hoot of the hoary owl,
Which echoes sadly evermore
Against the lonely trees -
Who for days uncounted
Have seen the endless journeys of men
Come to and end beneath them -
This final respite
Marked by names and dates
On lonely tombs.

Ghost Hunting
There is a ghost in the shell
Of every old place -
Whether the unclaimed metal skeleton
Of an abandoned steel mill,
Or the spirit that lingers
On the grounds of a historic graveyard.
These ancient places carry
The immortal remnants
Of old civilization.

Exploring them to
Examine their secrets
Like an urban archaeologist -
Chasing down the answers
To urban legends
And ghost stories -
Simply to know
What came before.

Abandoned Factory
Once full of life,
This old building;
With memories locked away
Under layers of dust.
Cigarette butts and broken beer bottles
Litter the lonely lot.

Once vital and active
In the world of mortal men,
Now immortal in its skeletal frame -
The ghost in the shell of the
Abandoned factory
Speaks secrets of long misused tools,
Broken cinder blocks,
And locked away rooms -
Modern ruins and electric tombs
Long left behind
On this hidden highway.
And evermore in urban legend.

Stomping Ground
Traversing the rural fringes
Of urban reality,
Haunting the spirits
With lamps and curious minds.

Marble City
I know when you were born and died,
But I want to see beyond the moss
On your gravestone.
Who were you in life?

Old Church

I. Cathedral.
I go back in time as I brush webs of dust
From the stained glass window,
Wondering what secrets this
Old church buried with its dead.

II. Esoteric.
As stained as memory,
This old window yet reflects light
Like the sermons once held
In the holy hall.

Farewell Party (Leaving the Old Church)
The ravens on the roof
Stand guard like gargoyles -
These grim feathered ghouls
Perch atop the once proud passages
That they now pretend to own,
And sing a sad a cappella
In mockery of memory.

To End a Journey
I leave as the morning light
Lifts the late night’s velvet veil
And the moon bids farewell
To the starry sky,
Wondering if warning signs
Will be like hieroglyphs
To a future age.

Into the Light
Walking at the crack of dawn on
This early morn,
Through fresh cut grass
And beside foggy fields,
My shoes soaked with dew -

I stop to take a drink
And pause to think:
This simple heavens
Greatern
That urban hell.

Atalaya
Dark watch tower
Overlooking the lonely beach
Built without blueprint -
Summer home sculpted
From brick and mortar,
Its plans first and solely sketched
In the dreams of a genius and poet.

Ordered chaos – artistic anarchy;
The sculpture room seems to
Summon the spirit
Of the poet’s late wife -
As if the ghost
Of the lady sculptor
Haunts the mossy halls
Just to finish her last work.

Manifest Destiny
How wild was the west?
How true rang the gold,
That men sought and killed
For it?

How mighty the steed,
And how much mightier
The man who rode it
And held the law on his hip?
How long the roads of those days?
How deep the secrets?
Would the spirits of
Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp
Speak to us in the old saloon?

Key Elements Of A Good Fishing Trip

Key Elements Of A Good Fishing Trip

What are the key elements of a good fishing trip? The obvious answer is fish and preferably fish that are biting your bait. While fish that are biting is the key element in a good fishing trip there are several other elements that help to enhance your fishing experience.

One of the elements is a wide comfortable space, a location where you can securely place all the items you will need and reach them comfortably. This is particularly important if you are fishing from a high rock ledge. You do not want to reach for something and have it slip into the water, or worse you slip into the water. When fishing from rocks in the ocean it is also important to pay attention to the high tide mark on the rock. You need to ensure that your location is above the high tide mark and above the height of the spray from the waves, so that you are not washed off the rock. You should also verify that you have a route off the rock that does not involve wading through water at high tide. The strength of the water can be deceptive at high tide.

When fishing from a boat ensure that you have adequate fuel to take you to your desired fishing llocation and back to the launching spot. Also ensure that you have a personal flotation device for every person on board, in the event that anyone ends up in the water.

Good company is important. It is pleasant to have someone to chat with during those periods when the fish do not seem to be biting. Good company however is not necessarily someone who talks incessantly as that can cause you to miss the feel of the nibble on the line. Having a friend along is also important in the event that something bad happens. In such a situation there would be someone to provide help or get help.

Liquid refreshment is necessary, especially if you are fishing in the daytime. If your refreshment is of the alcoholic kind, limit consumption so that you do not miss the nibbles of the fish on the line. Also remember that you usually have to drive home after fishing and you need to be able to concentrate on the road.

Having extra of everything is important. You will want to have extra hooks, lines, floats and sinkers so that if your fishing line becomes entangled or stuck on a rock, you can easily replace it and continue fishing. You should carry different size hooks because although you planned to catch really big fish, it may be that only small fish are around. Having different sized hooks allows you to switch sizes to suit the size of the fish that are biting. It is also a good idea to have different weight sinkers to suit the strength of the currents that may be in that area.

If you are fishing at night have a flashlight or lantern with spare batteries. A knife is important as you may need to cut your line, slice your bait, prepare snacks and many other tasks.

Having a cellular phone with you is very useful, as you may want to call someone to share the excitement or call someone in case of trouble. Carry a Zip Lock plastic bag to place the phone in, so that it does not get wet.

Having bait to attract the fish is vital and equally important is having the right type of bait. To ensure that you have the right type of bait, try to find out what type of fish is biting in the area and what they are feeding on. To learn what the fish are feeding on you can ask the residents in the area. If the area you plan to fish does not have any residents or is far from where you live, carry an assortment of bait.

Choose the correct time to go fishing. Early morning and early evening are usually good times to go fishing. While fish can be caught at all times with the right bait and being in the right location, many species feed at dawn and dusk and then hide during the rest of the day. The changing of the tides is also a good time for fishing. Larger fish tend to come closer inshore at the high tide.

Following the above tips should ensure that you have an enjoyable fishing trip. Now all you need is for the fish to bite.

The Basics Of Emergency Planning

The Basics Of Emergency Planning

Emergency planning is something that no one really wants to think about. However, the reality is that today it is important to make plans that will work in the face of any emergency. The bottom line is that many times we just do not know what is going to happen, so it is always best to have a plan.

First of all, your emergency planning should be geared towards each situation that you are going to be in. Remember that emergencies do not occur at times that are convenient for you and fit into your schedule. Therefore, having several emergency plans is always a good idea.

An emergency plan for your place of work is crucial. Base this around the emergency plan that your employer has set down for you. However, remember that in the face of a real emergency, you need to do what is best for you and for your family. Therefore, keep a small emergency pack in your work place. Be sure to include a change of clothes, good shoes, bottled water, and a flashlight.

If an emergency occurs, you should have a good idea of what the emergency is, and whether it is safest to stay at work or head home. Keep in mind that you might not be able to drive, so know how to get home both driving other routes, and walking if need be. Often, in an emergency, you will need to walk a long distance. Therefore, think about this route ahead of time.

Your emergency plan for traveling should be extensive, but should be such that it can be changed at a moment’s notice. A good thing to have is an emergency kit that you can keep in your car. Keep extra clothes, flashlights, food and water, as well as medical supplies and emergency radios in a kit that you can access no matter where you are. This will help you to be prepared in the event of an emergency.

The emergency planning for your home should be the most thought out. Keep an emergency pack near the door if you need to evacuate your home quickly. This should include high protein food, bottled water, first aid kits, a flashlight and an emergency radio, and any special supplies you might need, such as medicines. Also, keep copies of important documents, such as birth certificates and passports, in this kit as well. The goal should be to have a kit that you can grab as you leave the house, and hypothetically the kit can contain everything you need to survive in an emergency situation.

Your plan must include a strategy for your family, as well. It is very rare that everyone you love will be in the same place at once, and emergencies will probably occur when one of more of your family members is gone. Therefore, you need to discuss plans with your family, and make sure that you stick to them. First of all, your plans should include situations where you will remain at home and situations where you will leave. That way, your family can decide whether to come home or to meet you at another location.

For situations where you will be leaving home, have a safe point where your family can all meet together. You should have a number of these, based upon the type of emergency and how large it is. For instance, have a spot near your home to use as a meeting place in the event of an emergency in your home, such as a fire. That way, your family can all converge in the same area, which should be within site of your home.

You should also have a neighborhood gathering point. This can be someone else’s home, or even a neighborhood park. If family members return to your home gathering site, and no one is there, they can go to the neighborhood gathering point. Include instructions in your emergency plan about how you will leave notes or information at the neighborhood gathering point, if you are moving on, so that your family can meet you. From that point, it is a good idea to have a community gathering point. This should be a place in the center of town where all of your family members can gather if they need to find you. Also, it should be a place where information can be left for one another, if you need to move on.

Lastly, you should have an overall gathering point for your family, if the emergency is such that you need to leave town. This can be the town where your grandparents live, or some other place that is accessible by highways, but away from where you currently are. This can be a place for your entire extended family to gather in the event of an emergency. It can also be a place where everyone can wait for the family to gather, before you decide what to do next.

Remember that cell phones, land lines, and electricity might not work during an emergency. Therefore, be sure to have an emergency plan that everyone in your family can follow. If everyone understands what to do in an emergency, there will be no question about it, and everyone will be able to survive.

Halloween Celebrated Around The World

Halloween Celebrated Around The World

As one of our planet’s oldest holidays, Halloween is celebrated in many ways, dependent upon which part of the world is being considered. The primary language group of a particular country or culture seems to be an important clue as to the nature of the festivities.

Let’s take an alphabetical wander around the world:

AUSTRIA – Before going to bed for the night, Austrians will leave bread, water, and a lighted lamp out for visitors from the spirit world in the hopes that those items would offer hospitality to the dead souls coming back to Earth at a time the Austrians considered to be vital with powerful cosmic energies.

BELGIUM – Belgians seem not to care for black cats around Halloween; they feel it is extremely unlucky for a black cat to cross one’s approach or if the cat should walk into a home or voyage on a ship. The memory of dead relatives is honored with lit candles.

CANADA – Our neighbor to the north, Canada, began celebrating Halloween upon the arrival of Scottish and Irish settlers in the 1800s. Very much like the festivities in the United States, Canadians carve Jack O’ Lanterns, have parties, go trick-or-treating, and decorate their homes and yards in rustic, harvest themes of pumpkins and corn stalks.

CZECHOSLOVAKIA – On Halloween night, Czechs arrange chairs around the family fireplace, leaving one for each member of the family and one for each depaeted family member’s spirit.

ENGLAND – In times gone by, English children used large beet roots to create “punkies”, carving designs of their own choosing. Carrying the “punkies” along the streets (like our plastic Jack O’ Lanterns/flashlight combos?), the children sing the “Punkie Night Song”, knocking on doors and asking for money. Out in the countryside, lanterns made of turnips were situated on gateposts to enable the homes to be liberated from the free-roaming Halloween spirits.

Another custom involved lightly throwing items such as small rocks, vegetables, and nuts into an open-air fire in an attempt to scare off the malevolent spirits and also used as fortunetelling tools. If a stone was neither visible in the morning nor if it had been moved, it was the accepted belief that to whom the pebble belonged would die within the year.

Most importantly, upon Martin Luther’s posting of the 95 Theses of the Protestant Revolution on Halloween, October 31, 1517, England’s celebration of Halloween trickled off. The British saw no reason to celebrate the Eve of All Saint’s Day since they no longer believed in the Saints of the Catholic Church.

In recent times, English children have joined their American cousins in wearing costumes and going trick-or-treating from door to door. Unfortunately, many older British adults do not understand this “new” custom and are often caught ill-prepared in showering their young visitors with sweets.

FRANCE – The French do not celebrate Halloween with the purpose of ancestor worship foremost in their minds. The holiday is considered an American festivity and as such, it was literally unknown in France until about 1996.

GERMANY – Germans put their knives away on Halloween night so that accidental risk will not visit upon returning spirits.

IRELAND – Ireland is believed to be the birthplace of Halloween and the holiday is as popular in Ireland as it is in the United States. Bonfires are lit as they were in ancient times and children go trick-or-treating in costume around their own neighborhoods. At the end of the trick-or-treating, families and friends attend parties where many games are played. The popular “snap-apple” involves an apple tied to a string which in turn is tied to a tree or doorway; party goers try to get a bite out of the dangling apple. Some say this practice is unsanitary but it certainly is fun. Card games hiding prizes are popular with the children.

One of the favorite traditional Irish foods eaten on Halloween is “barnbrack”, a kind of fruitcake which is either baked at home or can be store-bought. A treat that has been wrapped in muslin is baked inside the cake and it is said that it will foretell the future of the person finding it. If the treat is a ring, a wedding will soon take place and if a piece of straw is hidden, a prosperous year will visit upon the lucky winner.

SWEDEN – The Swedes call Halloween “Alla Helgons Dag” and extend its celebration from October 31st to November 6th. “Alla Helgons Dag” Eve is either celebrated at night or it became a shortened working day. The Friday before All Saint’s Day is a shortened day for universities and younger, school-aged children have a day of vacation.

Halloween practice in Asia puts definite emphasis on ancestor worship.

CHINA – The Chinese celebrate the Halloween festival of “Teng Chieh”. On that night, offerings of food and water are arranged in front of photographs of deceased family members and bonfires and lanterns are ignited or lit to mark the path s of the roaming ancestral spirits as they journey the Earth on Halloween night. At Buddhist temples, the faithful shape paper “boats of the law”, some of which are extremely large, and then burn them during the evening. This custom serves two purposes: to remember the dead and to free the spirits of the “pretas” so they will be able to rise up to Heaven. “Pretas” are the sprits of those relatives who met with a harsh death due to an accident or drowning and whose bodies have yet to be buried. The Chinese believe the presence of “pretas” among the living to be dangerous. Guided by Buddhist temples, societies are created to perform ceremonies for the “pretas”, including lighting lanterns. Sacred verses are recited by monks and offerings of fruit are made.

HONG KONG – “Yue Lan” (Festival of the Hungry Ghosts) is the name of the Halloween celebration in Hong Kong. Residents believe that spirits rove the world for twenty-four hours. Pictures of fruit or money are burned at this time in the hopes of reaching the spirit world and offering solace to the ghosts.

JAPAN – Instead of Halloween, the Japanese celebrate the ” Obon Festival” (otherwise known as “Matsuri” or “Urabon), celebrating the spirits of ancestors. There is preparation of special foods and bright red lanterns are hung everywhere. Lit candles are placed into the lanterns which are then set afloat on rivers and seas. During the “Obon Festival”, a fire is ignited every night to illuminate where the departed ancestors might find their families. There are two main occasions during the Japanese Halloween, “Obon” being one of them, when it is believed the dead return to their birthplaces. Community dances are performed and memorial stones are cleaned. The “Obon Festival” takes place in July or August, rather than in October.

KOREA – Koreans celebrate “Chusok”, a festival similar to Halloween. Families take the time to thank their departed ancestors for the fruits of their labors. Families visit their tombs, making offerings of fruits and rice. “Chusok” takes place during August.

Spanish-speaking countries, such as Mexico, those countries in Latin America, and Spain celebrate ‘El Dia de los Muertos” – the “Day of Death”. Instead of being a sad occasion, family and friends gather together to remember those who have died. Although it is officially commemorated on November 2nd (All Soul’s Day), the celebrations last three days, beginning on the evening of October 31st. Believing the dead return to their homes on Halloween, it is a common practice for families to construct a home altar and to decorate it with candy, flowers, photographs, fresh water, and small portions of the deceased’s favorite foods and beverages. Often, a wash basin and towel are left out so that the spirit might be able to wash up before enjoying the feast. Incense and candles are burned to help the departed spirit find his or her home. Families also spruce up the gravesites of the deceased by clipping weeds, painting, and making general repairs. Once tidied up, the grave is decorated with flowers, wreaths, or paper streamers. Frequently, a live person will climb into an otherwise empty casket which is paraded through the streets, vendors tossing fruit, flowers, and candies into the coffin. On November 2nd, families assemble at the gravesite to have a picnic and to reminisce about the dearly departed. Some of these gatherings become so involved they might even include tequila and a mariachi band. The Fall season in Mexico is the time when untold numbers of Monarch butterflies take shelter in Mexico’s oyamel fir trees; the Aztecs believed these butterflies carried the spirits of dead ancestors.

10 Items Every First Aid Kit Should Contain

10 Items Every First Aid Kit Should Contain

An accident is an unexpected and unfortunate event that occurred as a result of a series of unforeseen negligence, lack of care and keenness to details and unmindfulness to consequences of actions. Of course, no one wants an accident to happen. No one admits to planning or even welcoming it. Something planned to cause hurt or accident is whole different story.

Like it or not, accidents do happen to the best of people and if it occurs, the only thing a person can do is to lessen the damage done. In diseases, of course, an ounce of prevention has always been better than a cure. But since accidents are inevitable events in ones life, one should always be ready to minimize the hurt caused by it.

Small but terrible, first aid kits are usually the saviors of people in pain if an accident struck them. These are compact kits that contain life- saving items from scissors, tweezers, bandages, gauzes, antibiotic creams, ointments to medications.

Most conscious people keep first aid kits wherever they are – at home, in their cars and at their workplace. Moreover, in events that are accident prone like camping and backpacking trips, sponsored missions (like medical missions), hunting and kayaking or simple field trips.

Of course, keeping first aid kits is not as easy as ABC. You have to know the rules and the essentials in keeping an effective first aid kit. The first you should bear in mind is the context of where and when you will use your first aid kit. If the kit will be based at your home, of course, you should be familiar with the kind of accidents that usually occur at home. If its for other purposes, the environment and activity will determine the contents of your kit and the number of people participating. In some other instances, improvising is very important in administering first aid because you just cannot have everything inside your kit.

It is also helpful to learn the three mechanisms of injury for the effective application of first aid. These are – trauma, environmental and medical. Having all these in mind, you are ready to start putting together your first aid kit.

The first in consideration is the kit itself. Again, environment plays an important role in identifying the kind of kit you need – its material and size. But the basics you should keep in mind are -

- Size – Is it roomy enough to carry all the items, keep it organized, not interchanging them?
- Durability – Is it strong enough to carry all the contents? Can it stand through harsh conditions?
- Handiness – Can it be carried anywhere without the hassles?
- Accessibility – Can it easily be opened?

Second to consider is the contents of the kit. Try to think of the most common accidents that may occur anywhere – at home, in night outs, roads and accident prone missions. The most common to occur is wounds and splinters. Your kits should include items that can attend to cuts, wounds and blisters of varying degrees -

- Wound care and cleansing materials – bandages, dressing (for traumas, those that would keep wound dry in wet environments), gauze pads, bandage strips, tapes and other kinds of tapes. Pre- soak pads should be well kept in appropriate containers. You also need to be familiar or review medical history before applying such first aid methods.

- Blister care – this can be prevented by administering care immediately. At the first sign of a hot spot, items such as molefoam, moleskin, first aid tapes should be within reach as these can prevent blisters from forming.

First aid kits also carry protection for those administering first aid like gloves, CPR masks and airways. Hardware too should be present such as -

- Thermometer
- Stethoscope
- Survival gear
- Tweezers
- Shears
- Whistle
- Mirrorsignal device
- Pins
- Plastic bags
- Lighterwaterproof matches
- Flashlight headlamp
- Survival blanket
- Heatcold packs
- Parachute cord
- Flagging tapes

Medications, as well, should not leave the kits as these are important to help wounds subside or treat other conditions -

- Antihistamine
- Glucose
- Antidiarrheal
- Antifungalyeast
- Dental medications
- Dental filing materials
- Antibiotic creamsointments
- Anticonstipation
- Antacid
- Other special needs and medications

If you are simply starting to organize your first aid kit at home, you will need the 10 basic or essential contents such as -

- First- aid manual
- Gauze pads
- Bandages
- Butterfly bandages
- Medical adhesive tape
- Alcohol prep pads
- Iodine or similar prep pads
- Antibiotic ointment
- Aspirin andor non- aspirin pain relievers
- Tweezers and pins

After collecting all these items for your very own home- made first aid kit, organizing them in the container will be the next step. Ziplocks or other dividers that are waterproof will be a great help in organizing them. It would not hurt also if you can label them properly or color- code them so that they can be easily retrieved in case of emergency to lessen mistakes.

If you have successfully done all these, here are some additional precautionary steps you should take

- Review your medical history so that you will know what other items you can include in your kits.

- Read thoroughly your first- aid manual to understand the functions of all the items inside your kit and how to use them.

- First aid kits should be kept in an accessible place for adults to retrieve it as soon as an emergency arises but out of childrens reach.

- Periodically check the kits and be cautious of missing items that need to be replaced or expired medicines that need to be changed and purchased.

After learning all these, you are now ready to get started with your life- saving journey with the help of your first aid kit. You will see how you make life much easier and with a little less pain.

Waste Prevention At Work

Waste Prevention At Work

If every California home followed some waste prevention techniques, the state would still not meet its goal of reducing waste by 50 percent by the year 2000.

That’s because 61 percent of the state’s 45 million annual tons of waste is produced by businesses. If California is going to respond to the challenge of the state’s waste reduction targets, then lots of creative thinking and waste reduction is going to have to be done while on the job.

Luckily, California’s entrepreneurial spirit is reflected in innovative programs instituted at a variety of different types of commercial and industrial enterprises. Firms like Mag Instrument, Inc., producer of the Mag-lite flashlight since 1979, have reduced the amount of packaging in its products and reuses packaging received from suppliers.

All corrugated cardboard is baled and recycled, as is the computer paper. They also close the loop by purchasing recycled-content paper products and using recycled products in manufacturing their flashlights.

One of the best ways to understand the benefits of waste prevention is through a little research. In almost every field, there are a few firms that have active waste prevention efforts. Your business may realize economic savings or public relations gains through a new waste prevention program.

One option is to get your company to adopt an environmental policy reflecting how the firm sees itself in relation to the environment, neighbors and the people it employs. Today, more companies are adopting environmental policies. A typical goal is zero waste.

Some of the things to look for when evaluating the benefits of waste prevention are the waste disposal costs you avoid by reducing the company waste stream; the reduction in energy and water utility costs; the reduction in raw materials; the reduction in storage costs; and the reduction in printing and postage costs.

The most effective way to communicate the value of waste prevention is person-to-person communication. Seek volunteers in each work area who are willing to be trained “waste reduction pros.” These pros can become friendly sources of waste prevention information and provide ongoing feedback. Train new employees. Let them know they are expected to use resources carefully and fully participate in waste reduction programs. Finally, use all-employee gatherings to promote waste prevention. Show what is being done and what areas need improvement. Document and verify waste reduced and money saved.

For example, Eat Your Vegetables restaurants in Sacramento are now diverting 88% of their waste. The owner chopped his annual waste bill from $4,200 to just $400. These numbers can be useful in showing the environmental and economic benefits of waste prevention.

The first step in a company wide waste prevention campaign is a waste audit or waste assessment. It helps you understand the waste stream and the major areas that need attention. A good strategy is to pick one area of waste where you can reduce, donate, reuse, recycle or compost. Do one thing at a time and use common sense. The bottom line: follow up and follow through!

After implementing thorough waste prevention techniques, there will typically still be some material that can be recycled. Small businesses often do not generate enough of these recyclables to attract hauling services. But forward-looking entrepreneurs have teamed up with neighbors to form co-ops. Through such partnerships, small businesses may be able to save money by sharing equipment such as balers, sharing space for collection and loading of materials, and collectively generating enough recyclables to make collection profitable for both the hauler and the small business. By sharing these expenses, small businesses are preventing waste while they are recycling.