Post Topics

This is a test....to see who is reading this blog -- Just kidding!! But really, in order for this to be the MOST useful to all I want it to contain information you are interested in or have questions about. I can continue to pull topics 'out of the air' OR (this is where you come in) you can submit topics. I'll do your research and let you know what I find! What a deal!

So -- either leave a comment below, email me or hunt me down at church. Whichever. :-)

I'll be your personal emergency ask.com-er.

My name is Kate, how can I help you?

Fire Extinguisher 101

Source: http://www.fire-extinguisher101.com/ (bold and emphasis added)

With so many fire extinguishers to choose from, selecting the proper one for your home can be a daunting task. Everyone should have at least one fire extinguisher at home, but it's just as important to ensure you have the proper type of fire extinguisher. Fire protection experts recommend one for the kitchen, the garage and workshop.

Fire extinguishers are divided into four categories, based on different types of fires. Each fire extinguisher also has a numerical rating that serves as a guide for the amount of fire the extinguisher can handle. The higher the number, the more fire-fighting power. The following is a quick guide to help choose the right type of extinguisher.

Class A extinguishers are for ordinary combustible materials such as paper, wood, cardboard, and most plastics. The numerical rating on these types of extinguishers indicates the amount of water it holds and the amount of fire it can extinguish. Geometric symbol (green triangle)
Class B fires involve flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, grease and oil. The numerical rating for class B extinguishers indicates the approximate number of square feet of fire it can extinguish. Geometric symbol (red square)
Class C fires involve electrical equipment, such as appliances, wiring, circuit breakers and outlets. Never use water to extinguish class C fires - the risk of electrical shock is far too great! Class C extinguishers do not have a numerical rating. The C classification means the extinguishing agent is non-conductive. Geometric symbol (blue circle)
Class D fire extinguishers are commonly found in a chemical laboratory. They are for fires that involve combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, potassium and sodium. These types of extinguishers also have no numerical rating, nor are they given a multi-purpose rating - they are designed for class D fires only. Geometric symbol (Yellow Decagon)
Class K fire extinguishers are for fires that involve cooking oils, trans-fats, or fats in cooking appliances and are typically found in restaurant and cafeteria kitchens. Geometric symbol (black hexagon)

(Additional information - not from above source):

Where should you keep your extinguisher(s)?? In your kitchen? In your utility room? Seems like a great place for them...however, those are the places where your fire will most likely be. Instead, keep them NEAR the place your fire is most likely to occur (ie...in coat closet or near utility room). You don't want to go IN the fire to get your extinguisher.

Storing Your Emergency Supplies

I had heard this before and planned to do it..but when I found this other blog post...I knew I REALLY WANTED (aka NEEDED) to do it. Where do you store your Emergency items? Will you be able to access them if you need to??

Picture and Below Information is taken from: http://preparedldsfamily.blogspot.com/2008/09/coat-closet-becomes-emergency-supply.html
If a disaster strikes, I may not be home and I want my kids to have easy access to food and water, and emergency supplies. I moved coats out of the coat closet, and emergency supplies in. Before, I had these items in our Utah basement. But what if an earthquake or flood occurs? Did I really want kids (or me) running downstairs, and then trying to get out? After talking to several people who have actually lived through evacuations, easy access to emergency supplies makes more sense. Believe me. You don't want to run through your house looking for everything. The time to prepare for the disaster is before it strikes.

AN EMERGENCY PLAN (practice every 6 months, General Conference) - Every family needs to create an emergency plan with the thought that Mom or Dad may not be home when disaster strikes. Such as: In a smaller emergency, the kids will go to a neighbor's house for help. If my teen son has to drive to evacuate, they will go to their aunt's house in a neighboring town. If they have to go on foot, they will probably follow neighbors to the local school or church. Each teen needs phone numbers to a relative living in state, and one out of state. If cell phone lines are jammed, at least they have a contact number they can call, and you can also call. Eventually you will get connected. Post this plan on the wall, since people forget.

PORTABLE RADIO - It's important to have an AM radio with spare batteries to listen to local radio reports when disaster threatens. Your power may be out. I wrote the local emergency radio station channel on the radio with permanent marker. Then, I put it in a baggie with the batteries, and hung it on the edge of the closet shelf.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER - You can mount on a wall or stand on a shelf in the same area.

BEDDING - Consider storing your blankets or sleeping bags near emergency packs. I placed some of our blankets on the top shelf.

PORTABLE SAFE - The other day, a friend told me that a relative had to leave her home after an earthquake in China. She ran outside, and couldn't go back in. She had no ID! So, a small safe or a portable file box such as the one from MyLifeInaBox.com which can hold important documents and CD's with family photo's is a good idea to grab and go.
Include: emergency cash ($10's, $5's, $1's), home mortgage, insurance policies, home inventory, marriage certificate, birth certificates, immunization records, family medical history, driver’s license copy, passports, social security #'s of kids, automobile ownership, wills & other legal documents, bank account #'s, credit card companies & account #'s, etc.

EMERGENCY BACKPACKS - Each family member should have an emergency backpack. Lest expensive time to buy a backpack is the end of September during the school clearances. Items in the emergency packs should be updated yearly, as clothing sizes and needs change, and food can be rotated. I looked in my 3 year-old's backpack the other day, and found diapers, a baby blanket, etc. Items she doesn't even use anymore! Time to update. An easy way to remember when to update is every October General Conference or perhaps around somone's birthday.
Items should be stored in Ziploc baggies to protect them from moisture.

emergency rain poncho, thermal reflective blanket
jr. legal pad of paper, 5 x 8 and pen, small games for kids
medical & dust mask, comb, toothpaste, travel toothbrush, 4 antibacterial hand wipes, pocket tissues, lip balm
travel sized: liquid body soap, shampoo/conditioner, deodorant, lotion
toilet paper roll in Ziploc
Clothing includes shoes, socks, undergarments, sweat pants, long-sleeved-shirt, and sweat jacket. If an emergency happens in the summer, you can cut pants into shorts and cut off the long-sleeves. Buy at WalMart, K-Mart, or a used clothing store in a larger size than kids actually wear. Since this is a coat closet, we store our running shoes here all the time.
Food Packs - (store what your family will eat)
6 - 16.9 oz. bottles of water, 12 oz. enamel camp cup, 3 plastic spoons, 3 antibacterial hand wipes, 3 instant oatmeal packets, 3 packets hot cocoa, 2 Lowry's beef jerky, 2 granola bar, 2 Trail Mix bars, 2 Handi Snacks crackers 'n cheez, 2 fruit snacks, 1 package gum, 10 pieces of hard candy, 3 Del Monte fruit cups 4 oz., 3 Chef Boyarde Ravioli or Lasagna 7.5 oz. mini

FAMILY EMERGENCY BUCKET - A 5 gal bucket w/lid (can be used as seat, or toilet), First Aid Kit, Flashlight with 4 D batteries in a Ziploc, Portable Radio with 6 AA batteries in a Ziploc, 40 Coleman Waterproof matches, 50 Potable Aqua Water purification tablets, Can opener, Winchester 12-Function Army Knife, Rope, coil of 50 ft., Duct tape, Work gloves, 3 - large trash bags & 3 - 13 gal. plastic garbage bags (line the bucket for a toilet), wick chafing fuel, Map of city and vicinity, Disaster tips handouts, American Red Cross brochures

EMERGENCY PET BACKPACK (update every 6 months) - Each pet needs an emergency pack: Water, pet food, leash, collars with identification tags, medications, vaccine information, plastic bags for poop, name and number of veterinarian, toys

IDEAS FOR INFANT EMERGENCY PACK (update every 3 months) - water, food, juices, formula, bottles, pacifier, diapers, wipes, baby soap and baby powder, change of clothing including gloves, jacket, shoes, blankets, towel, medications, toys