Just another bit of info on storm damage and what to do. If power goes out, refrigerators and freezers, full of food, will have no way to remain at proper temperatures for extended periods of times. Go to the following site to get some info on keeping food safe during a power outage and on what can be kept and what should be thrown out.
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/FACTSheets/keeping_food_Safe_during_an_emergency/index.asp
The article also mentioned something I hadn't thought of. Many of us have picnic coolers that we use for outdoor adventures. They're a good tool to use when the power is out in the house.
Here's hoping we'll have to use none of this info, but just in case, better prepared than sorry.
Monday, October 29, 2012
When Old Technology is Needed
Prepping for the storm, what came up with many people was the fear that they would be without phones if the storm knocked out their electric power or disabled the city's cell phone towers. Many people have replaced those "old" phones with new electric plug-in models or use their cell phones instead of having a house number. No, we too have those electric models. However, we also kept one of the old Princess phones, which remains plugged into a phone jack.
The benefit of that old phone is that it is not affected by an electrical outage. Only if your phone lines go down will you not have phone service, and there are many areas of the city, such as ours, where phone lines are now underground precisely so heavy winds and rain can't rip them down.
A bit late to go shopping now for such an "old" phone, but it's something you might think of acquiring after the storm is over. Electrical outages in the NYC area don't require a major hurricane to occur--I can't remember a summer yet where we have not had areas of the city or the whole city without power for a while. Besides, think of the joy and fun of introducing your kids to some old technology that can nonetheless save the day when new technology is laid low. No, they (and you) won't be able to text on those phones or play games on those phones, but you'll be able to be in contact with others or summon help in an emergency--and isn't that really the point of a phone?
The benefit of that old phone is that it is not affected by an electrical outage. Only if your phone lines go down will you not have phone service, and there are many areas of the city, such as ours, where phone lines are now underground precisely so heavy winds and rain can't rip them down.
A bit late to go shopping now for such an "old" phone, but it's something you might think of acquiring after the storm is over. Electrical outages in the NYC area don't require a major hurricane to occur--I can't remember a summer yet where we have not had areas of the city or the whole city without power for a while. Besides, think of the joy and fun of introducing your kids to some old technology that can nonetheless save the day when new technology is laid low. No, they (and you) won't be able to text on those phones or play games on those phones, but you'll be able to be in contact with others or summon help in an emergency--and isn't that really the point of a phone?
Friday, October 26, 2012
Preparing for Sandy
Just when I was wondering if there would be anything to post about, given that the choices were becoming quite limited to old news--yeshiva tuition, the nutty shidduch system etc.--along comes a possible devasting storm that will hit us in the NE from Sunday to Tuesday. While there are some who are shrugging their shoulders and taking a wait and see attitude, that way could lie disaster.
Now is the time to do some thinking about how you will handle the storm and any complications it could bring. If you have to evacuate, how will you do so and where might you be able to go? If you are stuck at home, do you have the necessary storm equipment, such as flashlights for when the power goes out, food to eat that does not require cooking, in case stoves are unavailable, extras of any medications you must take and you may not be able to get to a drugstore, extra blankets in case the heating goes out etc..
Now is also the time to be a good neighbor and think of those on your block or in your area who may be alone during the storm, such as the elderly. There's safety in numbers is not just words on a page--bringing such a person to stay in your home during the storm could well be a matter of sakonos nefoshos.
Do you have any loose items in your backyard or on your porch or balconey? Time to get those things to an enclosed shelter so that they don't become airborne missles when the strong wind gusts arrive.
Are your street-side sewer drains covered with leaves and debris? Do yourself a favor and get out there and remove the leaves. Heavy rains need somewhere to go, and clogged drains don't help.
There's lots of helpful information about how to prepare for a weather a storm of this type available online, but it's only helpful if you actually access it and use it.
Let's hope that we all get through this storm in safety, but some of that safety is going to depend on what you do now.
A gutten Shabbos to all.
Now is the time to do some thinking about how you will handle the storm and any complications it could bring. If you have to evacuate, how will you do so and where might you be able to go? If you are stuck at home, do you have the necessary storm equipment, such as flashlights for when the power goes out, food to eat that does not require cooking, in case stoves are unavailable, extras of any medications you must take and you may not be able to get to a drugstore, extra blankets in case the heating goes out etc..
Now is also the time to be a good neighbor and think of those on your block or in your area who may be alone during the storm, such as the elderly. There's safety in numbers is not just words on a page--bringing such a person to stay in your home during the storm could well be a matter of sakonos nefoshos.
Do you have any loose items in your backyard or on your porch or balconey? Time to get those things to an enclosed shelter so that they don't become airborne missles when the strong wind gusts arrive.
Are your street-side sewer drains covered with leaves and debris? Do yourself a favor and get out there and remove the leaves. Heavy rains need somewhere to go, and clogged drains don't help.
There's lots of helpful information about how to prepare for a weather a storm of this type available online, but it's only helpful if you actually access it and use it.
Let's hope that we all get through this storm in safety, but some of that safety is going to depend on what you do now.
A gutten Shabbos to all.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Loopy but Living
Just in case any readers are wondering why there have been no postings, the cocktail of medications I'm on, including a goodly dose of codeine, are just not conducive to thinking and writing right now. Can't wait until this is finally over and I can go back to "regular" life.
Stay healthy all--it's really no fun the other way.
Stay healthy all--it's really no fun the other way.
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