Friday, May 4, 2012
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Have You Installed Your Carbon Monoxide Alarm Yet?
You could be subjecting yourself and family to a silent killer if you have not installed your working carbon monoxide alarm yet. According to the CBC television this morning an Ottawa family just missed such a death this morning.
Some family members were found unconscious after one of their children started throwing up and the Ottawa, Ontario firemen found a reading of 300 ppm in the house. A normal reading is 10.
You don't hear about such things in the news that often but according to officials carbon monoxide kills over 500 persons every year in America and accounts for another 15,000 emergency hospital visits. I don't have the current Canadian statistics for this right now but the rates must be quite high.
What you have to remember with carbon monoxide poisoning is that even if you do survive the initial poisoning and recover through some type of oxygen therapy -- involving breathing pure oxygen through a mask or being treated in a special hyparbaric chamber, you can still suffer debilitating after effects. So it is not something you want to take for granted.
What you have to remember with carbon monoxide poisoning is that even if you do survive the initial poisoning and recover through some type of oxygen therapy -- involving breathing pure oxygen through a mask or being treated in a special hyparbaric chamber, you can still suffer debilitating after effects. So it is not something you want to take for granted.
For more information on this case involving the Ottawa family click on www.cbc.ca
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Detect Possible Stalker or Trackers
If you are concerned about the possibility of been tracked by either stalkers or professional surveillance practitioners of some ilk you can counter their efforts in a number of ways.
When you are driving for instance (of course this works just as well in many cases when you're on foot) keep an eye open for that vehicle or person who keeps a certain distance behind your for a long period of time.
Then at a convenient and safe spot suddenly turn on your flashers and pull to curb to let that persons pass. Watch carefully to see if the person is paying undue attention to you when he or she passes or pulls off to the side of the road too further down to the road.
As they pass also try to have your cell phone camera ready so you can take a quick shot of the rear licence plate in case you need to pass the plate number on to the police later.
You can't use any such hand-held device legally in many areas of North America now when driving, but your cell phone should still be kept on the seat beside you or in an easily accessible pouch in case you need it in instances like this other other emergencies.
When you are driving for instance (of course this works just as well in many cases when you're on foot) keep an eye open for that vehicle or person who keeps a certain distance behind your for a long period of time.
Then at a convenient and safe spot suddenly turn on your flashers and pull to curb to let that persons pass. Watch carefully to see if the person is paying undue attention to you when he or she passes or pulls off to the side of the road too further down to the road.
As they pass also try to have your cell phone camera ready so you can take a quick shot of the rear licence plate in case you need to pass the plate number on to the police later.
You can't use any such hand-held device legally in many areas of North America now when driving, but your cell phone should still be kept on the seat beside you or in an easily accessible pouch in case you need it in instances like this other other emergencies.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
Don't Open The Window Much.
If you are parked and sitting in your vehicle alone (especially women) and somebody approaches your vehicle to speak with you do two things before they're near you.
The first is to make sure that all your doors are locked. Then direct them to the passenger side of the car where you can keep the person some distance from your face. Then make sure the window is opened just enough to speak to them -- not wide open.
Remember you are a sitting duck in your car. It is easy for somebody to try and stab you or grab you by the throat and you're in a very awkward position to respond quickly to any attack. So open the windows just a little. Also. start and keep your car idling when speaking to the stranger -- with the car in gear and your foot on the brake in case you have to leave quickly.
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The first is to make sure that all your doors are locked. Then direct them to the passenger side of the car where you can keep the person some distance from your face. Then make sure the window is opened just enough to speak to them -- not wide open.
Remember you are a sitting duck in your car. It is easy for somebody to try and stab you or grab you by the throat and you're in a very awkward position to respond quickly to any attack. So open the windows just a little. Also. start and keep your car idling when speaking to the stranger -- with the car in gear and your foot on the brake in case you have to leave quickly.
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Wednesday, April 25, 2012
What Dangers Surround You?
The massive explosion and fire storm which destroyed a Prince George B.C. mills two days ago is a tragic warning of the need to be constantly monitoring our surroundings -- whether you are working in such a complex -- your own home.
The latest word about the possible causes this fire which killed two workers so far is that it could have been caused by too much dust -- and bad housekeeping in the mill.
What the complete investigation will reveal remains to be seen but the mill fire, the second in B.C. in three months, is a reminder that we are constantly surrounded by dangerous environments.
Two other examples of this recently are two families we know were the victims of gas leaks in their homes. In one case it appears that the gas leak caused or contributed to the death of one family member the crippling of another. And in yet another instance family members became very ill before the gas leak was detected.
So -- without becoming paranoid -- it is a good idea to be vigilant for possible assailants around you in the form of both other persons as well thins like natural gas, carbon dioxide, and radon leaks.
More information on this topic can be found either on the Google News Web site, of The Toronto Star, April 25, 2012 which has an excellent picture of the widespread fire destruction. Click on www.torontostarnews.com
See: "Protecting Yourself From Home Invasions" below
The latest word about the possible causes this fire which killed two workers so far is that it could have been caused by too much dust -- and bad housekeeping in the mill.
What the complete investigation will reveal remains to be seen but the mill fire, the second in B.C. in three months, is a reminder that we are constantly surrounded by dangerous environments.
Two other examples of this recently are two families we know were the victims of gas leaks in their homes. In one case it appears that the gas leak caused or contributed to the death of one family member the crippling of another. And in yet another instance family members became very ill before the gas leak was detected.
So -- without becoming paranoid -- it is a good idea to be vigilant for possible assailants around you in the form of both other persons as well thins like natural gas, carbon dioxide, and radon leaks.
More information on this topic can be found either on the Google News Web site, of The Toronto Star, April 25, 2012 which has an excellent picture of the widespread fire destruction. Click on www.torontostarnews.com
See: "Protecting Yourself From Home Invasions" below
Protecting Yourself from Home Invasions
Home invasions are not the most common type of crime but when somebody strikes it can have traumatic --even tragic consequences.
Some things you can do to ward of such attackers or at least be more prepared to defend yourself include:
Some things you can do to ward of such attackers or at least be more prepared to defend yourself include:
- Plant thorny security bushes around ground floor windows. Most of these can add to the attractive landscaping around your home and small birds often seek shelter in such plants.
- Hand a bell or chimes on the door that will alert you to anyone trying to sneak up on you.
- Create a safe room you and other can retreat to in dangerous situations.
- Something to defend yourself. This can be stored -- along with a good flashlight in the safe room -- which should have a secure door with a lock.
Having something to defend yourself is a crucial consideration. You have to know the local laws about what you can use to defend yourself. Hand-guns in Canada for instance, are -- in most situations strictly prohibited for private citizens.
There are, however, other things you might be able to use -- such a hand-held fire extinguisher or pulsating flashlight which you could use to blind somebody trying to attack you.
Check with your local police department first before planning to use anything though to make sure that using things like a fire extinguisher wouldn't make you a criminal as well.
In Canada you are going to have to prove that you had no other alternative than to use force; that you started at no more force than necessary to protect yourself; and that you never exceeded what was necessary. You are accountable under law for the results of all of your actions.
For additional information on this topic check out the February 2012 edition of Popular Mechanics.
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