Walt's Ruminations

Here is a quote from Science Daily about recreational runners:

Drinking too much fluid while running can cause a potentially fatal condition called exercise-associated hyponatremia. It occurs when runners drink even when they are not thirsty. Drinking too much during exercise can dilute the sodium content of blood to abnormally low levels.  Science Daily

It may pay to read this if you are a recreational runner or perform exercises which make you sweat a lot.

 

It looks like the Atlantic is getting busy storm wise.

Just a note for the proud new generator owners, think twice for safety!

• If you wire it to the house, do so properly! It is very unwise to say the least to use “suicide plugs”, In other words, have a qualified electrician install a proper load transfer system. This protects both yourself and those repairing the downed lines from electricution.
• Generators create quite a bit of carbon monoxide. Do not run your portable generator on a balcony, inside an attached garage, or anywhere directly next to your house. It is not unusual to hear about people dying from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by generators after events like hurricanes.
• Do not refuel the generator while it is running or just after shutting it down. Allow time for it to cool before refueling, and refuel carefully.
• Read the owner’s manual!! It goes without saying that you should know how to operate your generator and be able to shut it down in case of emergency.

There are many other things, but these are the ones that hurt the most people. If you are not sure how to safely operate a generator, it is best to not use one.

I do not run it 24/7 during a power failure, I keep the refrigerator and well pump on it, and a few other circuits for small loads like a TV and laptop computers. I mainly run it to keep the refrigerator cold (the family knows to stay out of the refrigerator when the generator is not running) and the well tank full of water. We fill water bottles for drinking water.

Managing your loads is a good way to save money. I had a friend tell me that the last time he lost power for two weeks, he used over $1000 of propane.  He has a whole house generator and I am sure he and his family went pretty close to “business as usual” while the generator was operating. The same goes with diesel and gasoline. Load management is also a good way to simply protect your investment.

I can say that I really appreciate having one, even if I have to practice restraint to save fuel! As a matter of fact, I am typing this on generator power. It is goooood being able to be online!! LOL

OK, so we had an earthquake yesterday, August 23, 2011. It certainly was not expected! This leads me up to a reminder about disasters.

We can predict hurricanes (ready for the possibility of Irene hitting the mainland?), storms and other predictable events. Even so, it is not 100% to predict a tornado in a severe storm but that is not the main reason I am writing this. We need to always be ready for something catastrophic at all times. I am not saying that we should go around paranoid of something happening, but we should always have water, non perishable foods, etc, in stock for whatever may happen. Also, flashlights, a radio, batteries and having some basic personal hygiene items available should be high on the list of being ready. Another good thing to have is a decently stocked first aid kit, and knowledge of how to properly administer first aid.

Do not count on being able to make a cell phone call either…. the systems will be overloaded at best or out of service at worst. It is easier on the cellular systems to send a text message or email instead of trying to make a voice call if you simply want to check up on somebody. As a case in point, Verizon was reported to be totally down in some areas for a short while after the earthquake. The site that serves where I live was affected. I was in an area where their system was working, but my wife and son were where nobody could do anything at all with their phones. I sent my son a text message, and the system held it until it located my son’s phone when the system near him was back online. One quick reply from him and I knew all was OK.

Tying up a cellular system with “OMG” conversations can prevent somebody who needs to call for help from getting help.

Don’t forget to check the batteries, too….there is nothing like going to put some batteries in a radio or flashlight and find that those batteries which have been sitting around for a decade dead! I usually cycle my emergency stock with my everyday use batteries so the stock stays fresh.

Simply stay prepared and make it a matter of common sense!

Just a reminder to those living where Atlantic hurricanes may strike, today, June 1 is the first day of hurricane season. There are already areas of mostly disorganized storms in the Atlantic. The ones currently shown are very unlikely to grow further, but conditions are present for something to develop.

Across the entire Atlantic Basin for the six-month season, which begins June 1, NOAA is predicting the following ranges this year:

• 12 to 18 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which:
• 6 to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including:
• 3 to 6 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher)

Each of these ranges has a 70 percent likelihood, and indicate that activity will exceed the seasonal average of 11 named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes. NOAA hurricane outlook page

Be sure to visit the National Hurricane Center site for preparedness and general information as well as a map of the Atlantic and what is happening.

Don’t forget to stock up on non-perishable foods, water, and batteries for flashlights and radios. I suggest looking at the new breed of LED flashlights as they are quite bright, easier on the batteries and you do not need to worry about the older style incandescent light bulbs burning out.

Be sure to listen for local news if bad weather threatens and take all local disaster preparedness and local emergency instructions seriously.

I apologize for not keeping things fresher here, but I have been trying to stay afloat in general. I have installed and am currently setting up a Content Management System on my Linux and open source site so that is taking up my time not spent either working or recovering for the next day’s work.

I doubt that I will use a CMS here, but I do plan to make a lot of changes so I can keep the general site fresher.