A Last Minute List of Halloween Safety Tips

This year has flown by--I can't believe it is Halloween already!  If you are sending your kids out to trick or treat this year, here's some safety tips to consider.

• Make sure your kids can see and breath well in their costumes.
• Make sure your kids are easy to see by drivers and other trick or treaters.
• Give your kids the "how to cross the street safely" lecture.  Most kids are so busy paying attention to their friends, their costumes, and their candy that they forget the basics of looking both ways before they cross the street and staying out of the way of cars on the roadway.
• Always make sure your kids go trick or treating with a group and a parent (although each year I get trick or treaters that look like college basketball players on my doorstep so if your kids are that big, they may not need the parent but they should still never go out alone).
• Make sure your kids each carry a flashlight to light their way.
• Make sure your kids only trick or treat in areas you deem safe (I've seen some ghetto areas I wouldn't let my kids walk through during broad daylight...).
• Host a Halloween party at home instead of having the kids trick or treat if necessary.
• Don't let your kids eat the candy they collect until they get home (and until you've had a chance to check out the candy first).
• Some areas are just too unsafe to trick or treat in, if this is the case, check to see if a local mall or business district is hosting a Halloween night complete with candy for the kids to trick or treat for at each store.
• Make sure your kids are aware of basic stranger danger safety tips (ie: don't go into a stranger's home no matter how nice the person seems, don't give out personal information, don't walk around behind the back of a house even if the sign on the door says to, don't go off with someone who asks a kid for help--if the person needs help, they should be asking an adult not a child; etc).
• Make sure each of your kids carry a cell phone with them.
• Set a curfew for your older kids to come back home by if you are not going with them.
• Have a zero tolerance policy for violence either on your kid's part or their friends (no real guns with their costume even if it is just a BB gun, no real knives, no egging or TPing houses, etc).

18 Twitter Feeds to Follow for the Superstorm

Twitter is becoming the de fact way to get breaking news.  Here's 18 Twitter feeds to follow to get the latest news on Hurricane Sandy:

1. National Weather Service
2. National Hurricane Service
3. FEMA
4. Red Cross
5. CNN Breaking News
6. NOAA
7. The Weather Channel Breaking News
8. CNN Weather Center
9. CDC Emergency
10. AccuWeather Breaking News
11. NASA
12. USA Today Weather
13. Breaking News Storm
14. FEMA Region 1
15. Chaser TV
16. Weather Underground
17. Flight Advisor
18. CNN Live

50 Prep Tips for the Superstorm

Within the next 24 hours, many parts of the east coast of the US are expected to be hit by a "super storm".  If you are in the storm's path--and even if you are not (air travel)--consider these tips:

1. Stay glued to the news.  Information about what is happening could save your life.
2. If your house is in the storm's path, consider sandbagging and boarding up windows.
3. If you are told that you should evacuate, do so.  A few days away from your home could save your life (and the lives of rescuers who invariably get called to rescue people who didn't heed the evacuation warnings).
4. If you have travel scheduled, check with your airline (or Amtrak).  Many flights will be cancelled (even if you aren't in the area, flight delays often impact airports across the country).
5. Be prepared for power outages.  It is estimated that 10 million people could be impacted by power outages before, during, and after the storm.
6. Find out if your kid's school will be open or closed.  Some schools have already cancelled class for the next few days.
7. Public transportation will also be impacted.  The New York subway system has been shut down and no doubt many other community transit systems will be shutdown or curtailed.  If you rely on public transportation, check the company's website before you go.
8. Wall Street will be shut down but online trading will still be available.
9. Have you stocked up on the basics to shelter in place in your home?  Many stores are reporting a glut of last-minute customers stocking up on water, food, diapers, etc.
10. Be aware that when something is in demand (generators now, possibly construction supplies, etc later) there are often shortages, prices may be jacked up, theft may become a bigger issue, and scams will abound.
11. Cell service may be lost if cell towers go down.  A hardwired land line phone may work when cell phones don't.
12. Cell service may be overloaded.  Note that when cell calls can't go through, text messages often do.
13. Consider how you will entertain the family when there is no electricity.
14. Know where your local shelters are located.  In the event that you must evacuate, know where to go (in this case it will be to higher ground as flooding is predicted in many areas).
15. Be careful with flood water--it is more dangerous than it looks and any time there is a flood, people end up getting killed in the rushing water.  Don’t walk in flooded areas, don’t drive on flooded roads.
16. Do you have clean up supplies on hand?  If you are in the path of the storm, clean up will be a necessity afterwards.
17. Beware of downed power lines.  Never drive over downed power lines, touch them, or touch anything that is touching them (like tree limbs across power lines).
18. Check on your neighbors.  Make sure that those who need to evacuate know how to do so and after the storm, check to make sure that everyone is OK (medical emergencies uptick during and after a disaster, additional problems can be caused by an extended power outage or cold temperatures).
19. Break out your communications plan.  Know who and how to call to let them know that you and your family are surviving the storm.
20. Do you have a full tank of gas in your car?  You may end up driving a distance to evacuate or to seek food/help/etc so make sure your car is ready to go.
21. Do you have enough water on hand?  You should have plenty of bottled water/canisters of drinking water.  Also consider filling up the bathtub.  Often flooding makes water systems (especially wells) malfunction and you won't be able to drink tap water.
22. How will you heat your home?  In many areas, snow and cold weather is predicted so during a power outage you will need to be able to keep warm.
23. You may need to make alternate plans for Halloween.
24. If you have things in your yard (lawn furniture, etc) be sure to tie it down or bring it in to keep it from flying around in the storm.
25. It's always a good idea to have tarps and rope on hand in case pieces of your roof fly off or a tree falls into your home.
26. Stay away from the beaches.  With storm surge and extra high tides, playing near the waves is just too dangerous.
27. Check your local department of emergency management website for information specific to your area.
28. If you have medical concerns, take care of them before the storm starts (make sure you have enough prescription medication on hand, enough oxygen, the ability to keep the power on if that is necessary, and ask your doctor what you should do if you need critical medical treatment such as dialysis).
29. Ask your employer what their plan is during the storm.  Many businesses in the path of the storm are closing up.  
30. Know that you may need to protect youself and your property.  Disasters tend to bring out looters and other people looking to take what they can get.
31. If you have plans made for the next few days, check to see if they are still a go.  Many political rallies, sporting events, etc have been cancelled.
32. If you live at higher elevations, be prepared for snow.  Snow is forecast in many of the higher areas from the Appalachians into Canada.
33. Do you have your BOBs ready?  Even if you don’t plan to evacuate, things could change and you may have to leave on a moment’s notice.
34. Keep paper, markers, and tape on hand.  If you need help and can’t call or otherwise seek assistance, post a message on your front window.  Generally after an area is hard hit, local first responders will drive through neighborhoods checking for damage and looking for people who need help. 
35. Be sure to keep your gutters, downspouts, and drainage covers free of debris so that water can flow away from your home.
36. Make sure your phones are charged (bonus points if you have a car AC/DC adapter which would allow you to charge your cell phone and other small items if you have a power outage).
37. If flooding is predicted in your area, move stuff from the first floor to the second floor if possible to save it from potential flood water.
38. If your basement has a sump pump, make sure it is in working order.
39. Take a few minutes before the storm to look up important numbers (electric company, gas company, water company, etc) so that you can report an outage or emergency if necessary.
40. Unplug appliances—especially your computers and TV—so they won’t get jolted if the power goes out then comes back on.
41. Keep all of your valuables and important papers in one big waterproof Ziploc bag which you can grab in a hurry if you need to leave.
42. If you are caught in the eye of the hurricane, seek shelter in the basement or an interior room during the height of the storm.  If you are near the beach or flooding is possible, head for the attic (make sure you have an ax in the attic in case you need to go through the roof to escape).
43. You do have extra cash on hand don’t you?  Banks may be closed and ATMs may not work during and after the storm.
44. If you haven’t done a home inventory, break out your digital camera or cell phone video recorder and make a quick sweep through your house to document the things that are in your home; you may need to file an insurance claim afterwards.
45. Stay off the roads during the height of the storm.
46. Take care with your pets.  Keep them inside until everything has settled down as they may panic and run off if left outside.
47. Plan for not only the hurricane but for flooding and potentially cold or freezing weather and/or snow (thus the term “super storm”).
48. If you have a weather radio, leave it on for up to the minute storm information.
49. After the storm, take photos and videos to document what happened to your area (may come in handy for insurance claims, etc).
50. Be extra careful to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.  Make sure your generator doesn’t exhaust into your home, don’t use outdoor cooking appliance to cook inside your home, etc.

10 Things for This Weekend

A quick roundup:

1. If you live on the East Coast, you should be prepared for the "Frankenstorm".
2. The CNI website will undergo and overhaul this weekend but it should be all fixed up by Monday.
3. Did you vote yet?  Many states offer early voting which allows you to avoid long lines at the polls.
4. For those not in the eye of the storm, this may be one of the last nice weekends to throw together a garage sale.  This will give your emergency fund or your Christmas fund a nice boost.
5. Late hunting season will be picking up pretty soon.  This is a great way to fill up your freezer.
6. Many stores are offering layaway for Christmas.  Start your Christmas shopping early and skip the last minute rush.
7. A late fall weekend camping/backpacking trip is also a good idea--the views are great and the people are sparse.
8. Even if you can't get away for the weekend you can get outside an play.  Exercise outside is a good thing for everyone.
9. Check out your local grocery store's loss leaders--now is a great time to stock up on baking supplies.
10. Get out and explore your city.  If you have a local Volksmarch organization you can take a walk with them and learn about some amazing/hidden/interesting trails around your city.

10 Alternatives to Using Firearms in Self Defense

First, let me tell you that a firearm is my preferred method of self defense in a life and death situation.  In such a dangerous situation, all other tactics pale in comparison when it comes to effectiveness.  However...there are a number of reasons where you will not/can not/do not want to use/have a firearm.  What happens if you find yourself in a dangerous situation then?  Here's some ideas:

1. Escape the scene.  As this girl's experience shows, no confrontation is the best outcome of a dangerous situation.
2. Hide.  Another good alternative.  In the case of burglars who are looking for a quick score, they probably won't be looking in the attic or the crawlspace when they break into your house so if you/your kid can get into the crawlspace and move as far away from the entrance as possible you may escape detection. Note that hiding in a closet is not a good idea since that is a common location for burglars to check.
3. Run.  Probably the oldest self defense option in existence, running away from trouble may be your only option in some circumstances.
4. Have an alarm.  A loud, audible alarm will scare off most people who are looking to steal something quickly (it probably won't do much for an assailant who is purposely coming to get you).  Having a home alarm system with a panic button and a car alarm system that you can activate from your key chain is a good idea.
5. A well trained guard dog is another good idea.  Most people won't go through a snarling, vicious-looking dog to get to you.  Besides that, just the sound of a barking dog is often a good enough deterrent for your average burglar.
6. Have a "panic room."  While a hardened, nearly impossible to access room in your house can be an extravagant expense, it will also keep an intruder from getting to you before help arrives.
7. Take steps to stop a dangerous situation before it even develops.  This is pretty much common sense but it bears repeating: keep your doors locked when you are driving, don't drive in sketchy neighborhoods at night, don't go to an out of the way ATM at night, reinforce your doors and windows to make it more difficult to break into your home, make your home look active and lived in at all times, etc.
8. Use what is at hand.  Pull a fire alarm, throw sand in your attackers eyes, pick up a cast iron frying pan.  Sometimes you will have no other option but to use what you can easily grab so consider your immediate options on a regular basis by playing "what if."  What if someone suddenly breaks in right now, what would I do?  And watch the Home Alone series of movies. Yes, I know it is fiction, but the principle is the same--what can you use when you don't have regular defensive options?
9. Taser/Pepper Spray.  These items are better than nothing in a self defense situation but certainly not optimal.  With a taser you get one shot (and that one shot may not make contact with the assailant, their jacket may be too thick, etc) and pepper spray can be blown back to you which would not help at all in the situation.
10. Using a knife, baseball bat, or hand-to-hand combat in a self defense situation is one of the least optimal method of defense.  Unless you are exceptionally skilled in these defensive arts and (hopefully) the assailant doesn't have a firearm, the possibility of a good outcome using any of these methods isn't great--you don't want to have to get this close to an assailant.

Finally, read this.

This Could Have Ended Badly

You may have already heard about this story where the 12 year old girl was able to shoot an intruder who broke into her home.  I was kind of cringing as I read the article because there were so many ways this could have gone wrong.  While I am happy that the outcome was as it is--the kid was able to defend herself and and bad guy got caught--here are some qualms I had as I read the post:

• It is common for potential burglars to ring the bell or knock on the door to determine if someone is home before they break into a house.  When no one answered, the burglar assumed no one was home and broke in.  A better option would have been for the girl to yell through the door that her dad was asleep and he would have to come back later.
• A gun was available to a 12 year old.  Yikes.  There are a handful of 12 year olds that I would trust alone with a gun (and my boys aren't included in this group because at 12 years old their judgement could be mature and stable one day, childish and "what the Hell were you thinking?" the next).  So while allowing unsupervised access to a firearm saved the girl in this situation, more often than not, kids getting their hands on a firearm without adult supervision is a stupid--and often deadly--thing to do.
• The girl called her mom first.  In a scary or dangerous situation, everyone should know to call 911 first.  You want help on the way ASAP.
• The girl shot the intruder through the closet door.  Yes, I know she had a reasonable assumption that it was the bad guy that she was shooting at but it could have ended up that the bad guy left and her mom came home and went to the closet where she told her daughter to hide and this would have turned out very badly.  tldr; shooting through a door or anything else that doesn't give you a clear view of your target is a bad idea.

The bottom line: yes it is a good idea to teach your kids how to shoot a firearm.  As soon as your kids are able to, they should learn about firearms, know how to take care of them, and know how to handle them safely.  However...you want to take as many precautions as possible so that a child would never find themselves in the above situation including teaching them what to do when a stranger comes to the door, having a security system with a panic alarm, and having a "safe room" that would be difficult and time consuming for the burglar to get into.  Fortunately this story had a happy ending...

Let's Prepare for...Getting Sick

Hopefully you won't get sick this cold and flu season, but you should be prepared for that eventuality nonetheless.  Here's some things you can do to prepare for that possibility:

• Get a flu shot.
• Add some extra money to your emergency fund (especially if you don't get paid sick leave).
• Put together a "sick kit".  Include a thermometer, cough drops, Thera Flu, Tylenol, Sudafed, a box of Kleenex, Zinc lozenges, a bottle of Vitamin C, acidophilous tablets, Carmex, Vicks Vapo-rub, and some echinacea, 
• Put together a small stock of food that you would want to eat and drink if you get sick: canned soup, Pedialite, Gatoraid, teabags, etc.
• Have a small stock of these germ-buster products: nitrile gloves, face masks, Clorox wipes.
• If you have children add children's pain reliever/fever reducer to your sick kit.  Also keep on hand coloring books and crayons as well as other activities that children can do while they are recuperating.
• Know that the best way to treat your average cold or flu is to rest quietly and sleep as much as possible.  Don't forget to stay hydrated which is also very curative.
• If you get sick and have a chronic illness which requires daily medication, be sure to ask your doctor what to do in the event that you either vomit up your medication or forget to take it.  Ditto if you are taking birth control pills.
• Don't automatically reach for an antibiotic if you become ill.  Many of these seasonal illnesses are caused by viruses not bacteria so an antibiotic won't help (unless you have strep throat which is a bacterial infection).  Overusing antibiotics encourages antibiotic-resistant infections and illnesses. 
• For a severe case of the flu which causes a very high fever, dehydration, severe dizziness, shortness of breath, or other life-threatening symptoms, don't hesitate to call 911 or go to the emergency room.