Making Tea from Pine Needles:
Spruce needles have high levels of Vitamins A and C.
Gather fresh pine and spruce needles Spruce needles are sharp and slightly square completely surrounded by their twigs, and they can prick your fingers. (Follow animal tracks to water, if you’re not by a stream or river. Also follow the stream as it may help you find your way out) Crush the needles with a rock and drop into boiling water. Remove the mixture and steep for five to ten minutes.
Edible Plants for Food:
Maple trees have many edible parts including the sap which is sweet.
Dandelion leaves are tasty and nutritious, the plants are ubiquitous.
Acorns are abundant and are easy to gather. Blackberries, raspberries and even mulberries are easy to find in season.
Avoid the following:
Any plants, with bitter or soapy taste and plants with mildew or fungus.
Toxic flowers like foxglove, monkshood, buttercup bluebonnet and the highly toxic death camas and lupines.
White berries, mushrooms, toadstools, and red plants unless you know for certain they are safe, like rhubarb.
Castor been seeds found in the wild.
Horse chestnuts/ buckeyes
Any plant growing in contaminated/ stagnant water.
Plants with milky or off colored sap. Plants with pods that have beans, seeds or bulbs inside.
Plants that smell like almonds in the stems or leaves may contain cyanide.
Animals to Shun:
Toads, box turtles/ poisonous flesh, insects with bright colors: likely toxic and wasps: very aggressive and they love to sting.
Animals that are Nourishing:
Adult females are the best as they have good flavor and an abundance of meat.
Young animals are lean. Older animals will be tough.
Relatively easy to catch and a high protein content are insects.
Porcupines have tasty meat and are easily killed.
Birds and bird eggs, fish can be caught with a little ingenuity.
Except for those under leaves, grubs are good to eat.
Tips from the experts:
Do not assume that because one part of a plant is edible, other parts are, too. Likewise, do not assume that if cooked plant matter is edible, the raw matter must be, or vice versa. Finally, note that different people may have different reactions to the same point. U S ARMY
Friday, January 7, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Making a Shelter for Severe Weather
In a Forest in the winter, it’s usually easy to find shelter, such as fir and spruce, provide natural canopies of green boughs that shield the soil near the trunks. Break or hack off boughs from other evergreens and layer them at one angle for the bottom and another for the second layer. This provides a bed to lay a tarp on and helps keep you dry. Try to use non sappy boughs.
Now gather other longer boughs and stand or lean them against the trunk of the tree at an angle to provide a lean-to, closing off the ends. To provide a further means of cutting a cold wind. A tarp can then be placed across the limbs to keep out rain or snow. Angle you entry at 45 degrees away from the wind to keep snow from building up at the entrance.
Any one who has built a snow fort knows that snow is an excellent insulator. You can also build your cave by digging into a snow bank or drift that is large and deep. Avoid snow banks that are new and fresh, soft or powdery, again angle your entry away from the prevailing wind to keep new snow from building up and blocking your entry. Stay away from potential avalanche areas. Your space should not be too big as a smaller one will keep you warmer. A larger one is great for groups rather than a group of small ones. Be sure to partially block the entrance with snow or a backpack(s) once you are in with a ventilation hole by the floor for fresh air also poke a hole in the roof to release Carbon monoxide. If you have a candle this will help provide heat. Sleeping platform(s) can be made with evergreen boughs.
Hazards to be aware of:
Excessively cramped construction, air circulation is inadequate.
Buildup of Carbon Monoxide, too much heat will cause weakening of the roof and walls. Wet clothing and socks in damp boots that will cause illness or foot trouble. Avalanches. Your breaths condensation inside your tent because of improper tent layers causing loss of thermal insulation.
Now gather other longer boughs and stand or lean them against the trunk of the tree at an angle to provide a lean-to, closing off the ends. To provide a further means of cutting a cold wind. A tarp can then be placed across the limbs to keep out rain or snow. Angle you entry at 45 degrees away from the wind to keep snow from building up at the entrance.
Any one who has built a snow fort knows that snow is an excellent insulator. You can also build your cave by digging into a snow bank or drift that is large and deep. Avoid snow banks that are new and fresh, soft or powdery, again angle your entry away from the prevailing wind to keep new snow from building up and blocking your entry. Stay away from potential avalanche areas. Your space should not be too big as a smaller one will keep you warmer. A larger one is great for groups rather than a group of small ones. Be sure to partially block the entrance with snow or a backpack(s) once you are in with a ventilation hole by the floor for fresh air also poke a hole in the roof to release Carbon monoxide. If you have a candle this will help provide heat. Sleeping platform(s) can be made with evergreen boughs.
Hazards to be aware of:
Excessively cramped construction, air circulation is inadequate.
Buildup of Carbon Monoxide, too much heat will cause weakening of the roof and walls. Wet clothing and socks in damp boots that will cause illness or foot trouble. Avalanches. Your breaths condensation inside your tent because of improper tent layers causing loss of thermal insulation.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Pop-Ups
Do you own a website and E-commerce business?
Do people who pull up your site keep getting pop-up games?
I'm about to file a class action suit against the following:
AOL, HP, Mozilla Firefox, and others et al.
A class action suit filed in Federal Court for 3-5 Trillion US Dollars.
I'm having the F.C.C. investigate these companies who willfully
interfere with e-commerce around the world.
If you want to join this suit and are an e-commerce business owner who this has hapened to
send your name and company information to:
N. Johnston
P.O.Box 1583
Lancaster, CA. 93536-5629
Do people who pull up your site keep getting pop-up games?
I'm about to file a class action suit against the following:
AOL, HP, Mozilla Firefox, and others et al.
A class action suit filed in Federal Court for 3-5 Trillion US Dollars.
I'm having the F.C.C. investigate these companies who willfully
interfere with e-commerce around the world.
If you want to join this suit and are an e-commerce business owner who this has hapened to
send your name and company information to:
N. Johnston
P.O.Box 1583
Lancaster, CA. 93536-5629
Friday, November 5, 2010
Going skiing, snow boarding or cross country?
When traveling to your base camp in your car, how is it equipped for an emergency? I have a daughter who lives in Idaho. She suggested I write about the items you should have in the car before you leave on your trip.
Warm blankets, flashlight,(LED) recommended and bottled water and food bars.
Have snow tires put on the front wheels and chains on the rear wheels. If a have front wheel drive put the chains on the front and your winter tires on the rear. your spare tire should be a snow tire. Bring flares these can be seen if you place them 150' back , 75' back and 50' back, so that anyone coming from behind you will understand to slow down and move over. If you have more flares put them in between the others. Don't forget to bring your Cell phone charger with you. Both types: car battery and wall plug-in types.
If you have kids along don't give them fruit bars and water. This will result in a Metamucil problem!
If your car is buried in an avalanche turn off the engine to avoid asphyxiation by Carbon monoxide. Some people say to carry candles and crack your window a half-inch. This is good advice, but only if your just stalled on the side of the road! Doing this if the car is buried you might as well leave the engine running and die.
Don't forget extra batteries. If you can see faint or brighter light out the windows during the day then you're not as deep as you think. However don't try to open the door on the uphill side. Honk you horn, does it work? Save the battery, bring along a portable radio, crank or battery-powered. If you have a cell phone, try it, try texting. Do not turn on the car radio as you'll run the battery down. Make sure the lights are off.
RECAP: Plan winter trips with these thoughts in mind: If traveling where it snows heavily or there are frequent blizzards especially when traveling across a flat highway in the Northern States is necessary to reach your destination for Thanksgiving or Christmas. write yourself a check list, and unplug the iron!
Have a safe Thanksgiving and Christmas!
Warm blankets, flashlight,(LED) recommended and bottled water and food bars.
Have snow tires put on the front wheels and chains on the rear wheels. If a have front wheel drive put the chains on the front and your winter tires on the rear. your spare tire should be a snow tire. Bring flares these can be seen if you place them 150' back , 75' back and 50' back, so that anyone coming from behind you will understand to slow down and move over. If you have more flares put them in between the others. Don't forget to bring your Cell phone charger with you. Both types: car battery and wall plug-in types.
If you have kids along don't give them fruit bars and water. This will result in a Metamucil problem!
If your car is buried in an avalanche turn off the engine to avoid asphyxiation by Carbon monoxide. Some people say to carry candles and crack your window a half-inch. This is good advice, but only if your just stalled on the side of the road! Doing this if the car is buried you might as well leave the engine running and die.
Don't forget extra batteries. If you can see faint or brighter light out the windows during the day then you're not as deep as you think. However don't try to open the door on the uphill side. Honk you horn, does it work? Save the battery, bring along a portable radio, crank or battery-powered. If you have a cell phone, try it, try texting. Do not turn on the car radio as you'll run the battery down. Make sure the lights are off.
RECAP: Plan winter trips with these thoughts in mind: If traveling where it snows heavily or there are frequent blizzards especially when traveling across a flat highway in the Northern States is necessary to reach your destination for Thanksgiving or Christmas. write yourself a check list, and unplug the iron!
Have a safe Thanksgiving and Christmas!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Family Emergency Plans
Emergencies can happen at any time, often with no warning. Some emergencies can force a family to evacuate their home. Others may force whole neighborhoods to be evacuated, while still others may require families to stay in their homes for days. Emergencies don’t always happen when families are at home. They may occur while you are at work and children are at school. If you were forced to evacuate your home or basic services such as water, gas, electricity or telephones were cut off, would you and your family know what to do?
Families are best able to cope with emergencies by preparing emergency plans in advance. Everyone needs a plan for work, school and home, because knowing what to do is your best protection. It is an important responsibility.
Create an Emergency Plan
Discuss what types of emergencies are most likely to happen in your area. Discuss what to do in each case.
Determine the best escape routes from your home. Find two ways out of each room.
Learn about your community’s warning signals: what they sound like and what you should do when you hear them.
Pick two places to meet:
1. Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, such as a fire.
2. Outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return home.
Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to be your family “emergency contact”.
Everyone must know their emergency contact’s addresses and phone numbers.
After a major disaster, it’s often easier to call long distance. Family members should call their emergency contact and tell them where they are. NOTE: if cell towers are down you can still “text”.
Ask about animal care during and after a disaster. Pets are not allowed inside emergencies shelters or in some hotels. Contact your local humane society for additional information. Plan how to take care of your pets.
Discuss any special needs family members may have. For example, the elderly and persons with disabilities may need additional assistance evacuating or may have special needs once at a shelter.
Find out about the emergency plans at your workplace, your children’s schools or daycare centers and other places where your family spends time. Make sure all family members are aware of the different plans.
Post emergency telephone numbers (fire, police ambulance, family contact, etc,) near all telephones.
Teach children how and when to call 911 for emergency help. We’ve all heard how even three-year-olds have saved family members by dialing for help.
Show all responsible family members how and when to turn off the water, gas and electricity at the main switches.
Note: Electricity must be shut off with the circuit breakers first and the main switch last, because the biggest power surge is at the main. If you turn it off main switch first, you will get the entire surge directed to you and severe burns or worse will happen.
Keep the necessary tools near the gas and water shut-off valves. Only shut the gas shut off if you smell or hear the gas. If the leak is underground, you may see dirt being sprayed into the air. If you turn the gas off, you’ll need a professional to turn it back on.
Teach family members how to use a fire extinguisher, and show them where it’s kept. NOTE: Stand back from the flames and direct the stream at the base of the fire. At the same time, yell for someone to call 911. Move forward cautiously and keep spraying until the fire is out. If you run out of the retardant, back away and call 911 if no one else is home. Then, leave the house.
Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms.
Conduct a home hazard hunt.
Assemble an emergency supply kit
Take an American Red Cross First Aid and CPR class.
Practice and Maintain your Plan
Practice your fire and emergency evacuation plans at least twice a year. Replace the water in your emergency supply kit every six months. If you have 30 or 55 gallon water drums treated with water preserver, then replace the water every five years. Otherwise, the water will deteriorate and be unsafe. Replace the food in your emergency supply kits according to the expiration dates.
Post a reminder
Check electrical outlets. Do not overload outlets.
Install smoke alarms. Clean and test smoke alarms one a month. Change the batteries at least once a year.
Keep a whistle in each bedroom to awaken household members in case of fire.
Purchase a fire extinguisher labeled “ABC”.
Have a collapsible ladder on each upper floor of your house.
Consider installing home sprinklers.
Most home builders will have these installed if you ask when buying a newly built home that is not yet completed. Some counties now require these to be installed on all new construction.
Fire Safety
Plan two escape routes out of each room.
Teach family members to stay low to the ground when escaping from a fire.
Teach family members never to open doors that are hot. In a fire, feel the bottom of the door with the back of your hand. If it is hot, do not open the door. Use your second way out of the room.
In a fire or other emergency, you may need to evacuate your house, apartment or mobile home on a moment’s notice. You should be ready to get out fast.
Develop an escape plan by drawing a floor plan of your residence. Indicating the location of emergency supplies (Emergency Supplies kit), fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, collapsible ladders, first aid kits and utility shut off points.
Next, use a color pen to draw a broken line charting at least two escape routes from each room Mark a place outside your home where family members should meet.
Practice emergency evacuation drills at least two times each year.
Important Family Documents.
Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container.
Wills, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, plus stocks and bonds.
Passports, social security cards, immunization records.
Bank account numbers.
Credit card account numbers and companies.
Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers and photos of items that are valuable.
Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates).
Hazard Hunt
In a disaster, ordinary items in the home can cause injury and damage. Anything that can move, fall, break or cause a fire is a potential hazard.
Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections.
Fasten shelves securely to wall studs.
Place large, heavy objects on lower shelves.
Brace overhead light fixtures.
Secure water heater. Strap to wall studs.
Repair cracks in ceilings or foundations.
Store weed killers, pesticides and flammable products away from heat sources.
Place oily polishing rags or waste in covered metal cans.
Clean and repair chimneys, flue pipes, vent connectors and gas vents.
Don’t hang heavy pictures or mirrors above beds.
When Disaster Strikes
Remain calm and be patient.
Put your Emergency Plan into action.
Check for injuries. Give first aid and call 911 only for life-threatening emergencies.
Follow the advice of local emergency officials.
NOTE: If you have a local CERT group, ask the Fire department where to get the training. This includes first aid training, and helps your community in disaster emergencies.
Listen to the radio or television for news and instruction. Having a portable radio on hand is best if you lose power.
Evacuate, if advised to do so. Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes.
Check Your Home for Damage
Use flashlights in case of gas leak. Do not light matches or candles.
Do not turn on electrical switches until you rule out damage to your gas lines.
Shut off any other damaged utilities.
Check for fires, fire hazards and other household hazards. Sniff for gas leaks, starting at the water heater. If you smell, hear or see gas, or suspect a gas leak, turn off the main gas valve, open the windows, and get everyone outside quickly. NOTE: Only your gas company should turn the gas back on as they will test for leaks along the pipes from the street through the house.
Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline and other flammable liquids immediately.
Remember to:
Confine or secure your pets.
Call your family contact. Do not use the telephone again unless it is a life-threatening emergency.
Check on your neighbors, especially those living alone or those who are elderly or disabled.
Stay away from downed power lines.
Families are best able to cope with emergencies by preparing emergency plans in advance. Everyone needs a plan for work, school and home, because knowing what to do is your best protection. It is an important responsibility.
Create an Emergency Plan
Discuss what types of emergencies are most likely to happen in your area. Discuss what to do in each case.
Determine the best escape routes from your home. Find two ways out of each room.
Learn about your community’s warning signals: what they sound like and what you should do when you hear them.
Pick two places to meet:
1. Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, such as a fire.
2. Outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return home.
Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to be your family “emergency contact”.
Everyone must know their emergency contact’s addresses and phone numbers.
After a major disaster, it’s often easier to call long distance. Family members should call their emergency contact and tell them where they are. NOTE: if cell towers are down you can still “text”.
Ask about animal care during and after a disaster. Pets are not allowed inside emergencies shelters or in some hotels. Contact your local humane society for additional information. Plan how to take care of your pets.
Discuss any special needs family members may have. For example, the elderly and persons with disabilities may need additional assistance evacuating or may have special needs once at a shelter.
Find out about the emergency plans at your workplace, your children’s schools or daycare centers and other places where your family spends time. Make sure all family members are aware of the different plans.
Post emergency telephone numbers (fire, police ambulance, family contact, etc,) near all telephones.
Teach children how and when to call 911 for emergency help. We’ve all heard how even three-year-olds have saved family members by dialing for help.
Show all responsible family members how and when to turn off the water, gas and electricity at the main switches.
Note: Electricity must be shut off with the circuit breakers first and the main switch last, because the biggest power surge is at the main. If you turn it off main switch first, you will get the entire surge directed to you and severe burns or worse will happen.
Keep the necessary tools near the gas and water shut-off valves. Only shut the gas shut off if you smell or hear the gas. If the leak is underground, you may see dirt being sprayed into the air. If you turn the gas off, you’ll need a professional to turn it back on.
Teach family members how to use a fire extinguisher, and show them where it’s kept. NOTE: Stand back from the flames and direct the stream at the base of the fire. At the same time, yell for someone to call 911. Move forward cautiously and keep spraying until the fire is out. If you run out of the retardant, back away and call 911 if no one else is home. Then, leave the house.
Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms.
Conduct a home hazard hunt.
Assemble an emergency supply kit
Take an American Red Cross First Aid and CPR class.
Practice and Maintain your Plan
Practice your fire and emergency evacuation plans at least twice a year. Replace the water in your emergency supply kit every six months. If you have 30 or 55 gallon water drums treated with water preserver, then replace the water every five years. Otherwise, the water will deteriorate and be unsafe. Replace the food in your emergency supply kits according to the expiration dates.
Post a reminder
Check electrical outlets. Do not overload outlets.
Install smoke alarms. Clean and test smoke alarms one a month. Change the batteries at least once a year.
Keep a whistle in each bedroom to awaken household members in case of fire.
Purchase a fire extinguisher labeled “ABC”.
Have a collapsible ladder on each upper floor of your house.
Consider installing home sprinklers.
Most home builders will have these installed if you ask when buying a newly built home that is not yet completed. Some counties now require these to be installed on all new construction.
Fire Safety
Plan two escape routes out of each room.
Teach family members to stay low to the ground when escaping from a fire.
Teach family members never to open doors that are hot. In a fire, feel the bottom of the door with the back of your hand. If it is hot, do not open the door. Use your second way out of the room.
In a fire or other emergency, you may need to evacuate your house, apartment or mobile home on a moment’s notice. You should be ready to get out fast.
Develop an escape plan by drawing a floor plan of your residence. Indicating the location of emergency supplies (Emergency Supplies kit), fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, collapsible ladders, first aid kits and utility shut off points.
Next, use a color pen to draw a broken line charting at least two escape routes from each room Mark a place outside your home where family members should meet.
Practice emergency evacuation drills at least two times each year.
Important Family Documents.
Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container.
Wills, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, plus stocks and bonds.
Passports, social security cards, immunization records.
Bank account numbers.
Credit card account numbers and companies.
Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers and photos of items that are valuable.
Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates).
Hazard Hunt
In a disaster, ordinary items in the home can cause injury and damage. Anything that can move, fall, break or cause a fire is a potential hazard.
Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections.
Fasten shelves securely to wall studs.
Place large, heavy objects on lower shelves.
Brace overhead light fixtures.
Secure water heater. Strap to wall studs.
Repair cracks in ceilings or foundations.
Store weed killers, pesticides and flammable products away from heat sources.
Place oily polishing rags or waste in covered metal cans.
Clean and repair chimneys, flue pipes, vent connectors and gas vents.
Don’t hang heavy pictures or mirrors above beds.
When Disaster Strikes
Remain calm and be patient.
Put your Emergency Plan into action.
Check for injuries. Give first aid and call 911 only for life-threatening emergencies.
Follow the advice of local emergency officials.
NOTE: If you have a local CERT group, ask the Fire department where to get the training. This includes first aid training, and helps your community in disaster emergencies.
Listen to the radio or television for news and instruction. Having a portable radio on hand is best if you lose power.
Evacuate, if advised to do so. Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes.
Check Your Home for Damage
Use flashlights in case of gas leak. Do not light matches or candles.
Do not turn on electrical switches until you rule out damage to your gas lines.
Shut off any other damaged utilities.
Check for fires, fire hazards and other household hazards. Sniff for gas leaks, starting at the water heater. If you smell, hear or see gas, or suspect a gas leak, turn off the main gas valve, open the windows, and get everyone outside quickly. NOTE: Only your gas company should turn the gas back on as they will test for leaks along the pipes from the street through the house.
Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline and other flammable liquids immediately.
Remember to:
Confine or secure your pets.
Call your family contact. Do not use the telephone again unless it is a life-threatening emergency.
Check on your neighbors, especially those living alone or those who are elderly or disabled.
Stay away from downed power lines.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Electrical Safety
Circuits
The wiring or paths electricity travels in your home are called circuits. One circuit may provide electricity to several wall outlets, or it may be for just one major appliance. Each home has many circuits.
How Electricity Can Hurt You
If the line or wire on which electricity normally travels is broken or interrupted, and you touch it, you can become part of the pathway. You become a conductor for the electricity to travel to the ground. If you touch a live power line, an electric shock will travel through your body to the ground. Never touch a power line, even on the ground, it can cause sever burns or death.
Short Circuits
Electricity may also find a new path to the ground if an appliance or a wire is broken. This is called a short circuit, or short. If you touch a wire with damaged insulation, or try to use a broken appliance, electricity can use your body as its new path to the ground.
Indoor Safety
Wiring
All the inside wiring should be insulated with material. Rubber or plastic are common used as insulation material on wiring. The current cannot travel to ground through the insulation. When you are adding or repairing wiring, it is important to have a qualified person do the work. Faulty internal wiring can cause home fires.
Electrical Fires
If you see smoke or fire, or smell a strange odor coming from wires, appliances or electric motors. Turn off the appliances and the main switch at the circuit breaker or fuse box and call the fire department. Never throw water on an electrical fire! Use a fire extinguisher recommended for electrical fires. You can also use baking soda to put out electrical fires.
Repairing wiring
If you have an electrical problem such as flickering lights, your electric company employees will check their equipment. Their equipment includes the power lines, transformers and meters. They will make repairs that may be necessary. If the problem is not theirs, you are responsible for checking or repairing your homes electric panel, circuit breakers, fuses and internal wiring.
Outlets and Safety Caps
Make sure that all outlets and wall switches have cover plates. If you have any unused wall outlets, cover them with plastic safety caps that are available in the electrical section of most stores. These will help prevent small children from pushing objects into the outlet openings.
Overloaded Circuits
Avoid octopus plugs. When too many cords are connected to an outlet, they can overload an electrical circuit and cause a fire hazard. Also, plugging too many appliances into one circuit can overload the circuit and trip the breaker or blow a fuse.
Three-Pronged Plugs
Moisture-resistant, three pronged plugs have a grounding prong that should never be removed. The grounding prong used in a three hole outlet is designed to safely ground electricity.Power tools and major appliances should have three pronged plugs. If you do not have a three-hole outlet, adapters are available.
To Be Continued...
The wiring or paths electricity travels in your home are called circuits. One circuit may provide electricity to several wall outlets, or it may be for just one major appliance. Each home has many circuits.
How Electricity Can Hurt You
If the line or wire on which electricity normally travels is broken or interrupted, and you touch it, you can become part of the pathway. You become a conductor for the electricity to travel to the ground. If you touch a live power line, an electric shock will travel through your body to the ground. Never touch a power line, even on the ground, it can cause sever burns or death.
Short Circuits
Electricity may also find a new path to the ground if an appliance or a wire is broken. This is called a short circuit, or short. If you touch a wire with damaged insulation, or try to use a broken appliance, electricity can use your body as its new path to the ground.
Indoor Safety
Wiring
All the inside wiring should be insulated with material. Rubber or plastic are common used as insulation material on wiring. The current cannot travel to ground through the insulation. When you are adding or repairing wiring, it is important to have a qualified person do the work. Faulty internal wiring can cause home fires.
Electrical Fires
If you see smoke or fire, or smell a strange odor coming from wires, appliances or electric motors. Turn off the appliances and the main switch at the circuit breaker or fuse box and call the fire department. Never throw water on an electrical fire! Use a fire extinguisher recommended for electrical fires. You can also use baking soda to put out electrical fires.
Repairing wiring
If you have an electrical problem such as flickering lights, your electric company employees will check their equipment. Their equipment includes the power lines, transformers and meters. They will make repairs that may be necessary. If the problem is not theirs, you are responsible for checking or repairing your homes electric panel, circuit breakers, fuses and internal wiring.
Outlets and Safety Caps
Make sure that all outlets and wall switches have cover plates. If you have any unused wall outlets, cover them with plastic safety caps that are available in the electrical section of most stores. These will help prevent small children from pushing objects into the outlet openings.
Overloaded Circuits
Avoid octopus plugs. When too many cords are connected to an outlet, they can overload an electrical circuit and cause a fire hazard. Also, plugging too many appliances into one circuit can overload the circuit and trip the breaker or blow a fuse.
Three-Pronged Plugs
Moisture-resistant, three pronged plugs have a grounding prong that should never be removed. The grounding prong used in a three hole outlet is designed to safely ground electricity.Power tools and major appliances should have three pronged plugs. If you do not have a three-hole outlet, adapters are available.
To Be Continued...
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