With rains, floods, and mudslides in the west, spectacular snow storms in the northwest, blizzards across the northeast, tornadoes in the Midwest, and even snow in the southern belt winter has arrived with a bang.
During this time it is important to consider doing some simple things to assure safety and security for you, your family, and your community.
In areas that experience heavy snow, ice, and wind, power is often interrupted by tree limbs falling on the electrical wires. So the time to prepare for lost power is now, before the interruption.
If your home or business is not protected from power outage by a backup generator it is important to ensure that there are plenty of flashlights and batteries around the house or business. Ensure that your car also has a strong flashlight with extra batteries.
Although many like to use candles during a power outage, always think safety first. Many house fires in winter are caused by candles falling over during the day or evening. Fighting house fires in any circumstance is a differcult job, but in winter it is compounded by delays due to street conditions (fallen power lines), ice, snow, and even automobile accidents. Play it safe by avoiding candle usage.
Before the storm arrives make sure you have plenty of water. Whether purchasing bottled water or filling bottles from the sink ensure that there is several gallons of water per person available. I like to keep at a minimum five (5) gallons per person in the house during a storm period.
Food supplies for a minimum of a week for each member of the house is important. Keep in mind how you can cook if power is out for a week. If you rely on microwave ovens, and electric stoves for cooking you may be out of luck. A barbque may not be feasible in blizzard conditions unless you have a covered deck or screened porch, always keep in mind that fumes from charcoal is poisonous and can only be used in an open air environment. Every year there are countless deaths associated with carbon monoxide poisoning, an easy proventable tragady.
Talking about carbon monoxide poisoning, if using your cars heater for warmth and if in a garage, make sure that the door is open to allow the exhaust to dissipitate into the air, again every year people die due to not following this simple instruction.
If you have a woodstove, ensure that there is enough fuel for a week or more kept and stored in a dry, easy access location.
In our house we are able to cook soups, stews, pasta, really anything that needs to be boiled or cooked in a pot on our woodstove. This past week I made delicious "grilled" sandwiches by wrapping the sandwich in aluminum foil and placing on the top of the stove for several minutes.
Our wood stove and fireplace also supplies heat for the house and with the BioBricks I wrote about previously we are warm and comfortable even in the harshest of winter tempuratures.
For your car prepare an emergency supply kit in case you have differculty getting to where you need to be or the car gets stuck for any reason.
If you have an old blanket or two, neatly fold and place in the back seat, if you do not have an old blanket to use, go to a discount store and buy several, do this before the storm, by being prepared before the need arises you won't have to go out during the storm event. Have at least a gallon container of water in the car, and when leaving the car, take the water into work or the house with you so the water does not freeze during the time the car is sitting.
In an old duffle bag, small box, or paper/plastic sack, place a first aid kit, extra batteries for your flashlight (kept in the glovebox of your car), some dried fruit, nuts, trail mix, anything that you can eat that will not be affected by freezing.
Place a battery-operated radio in the car so that you do not have to use the cars' battery in case you are stuck for more than several hours. Always ensure that your cell phone has a full charge during winter when you are driving.
Also place an extra pair of gloves, scarfs, and hats in the bag, remember if stuck in the snow or due to icy conditions on the roads, the most important thing is to be able to keep warm without having to use the cars heater for long periods of time. If you do need to use the car heater while at the side of the road, ensure that the car exhaust is not blocked by snow. Do not keep the heater on continuesly, keep in mind not exhausting the car battery, wrap yourself and others with you in the blankets and turn the heater on and off as needed.
Surviving a winter storm, blizzard, or flooding is just about being prepared ahead of time and having the ability to sit out any condition. If your home or work place is well supplied to keep you warm, provide food and water, then its less of a chance you would have to be out driving.
Stay pro-active in your home supplies, survival is about food, water, and warmth. If power is out at home, and there is no TV, no computers, or video games, prepare to have a good time with board games, reading, and old fashioned story telling.
Being smart by being prepared is a very good thing and a very good thing to teach to our children.
Brett
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
New Year Ushers In New Decade
As we usher in the new year, we also begin a new decade. What does this new decade offer? Only time will tell.
I think of the past decade, little did we know as we entered the first decade of the 21st century what changes would be in store for us.
As we entered the year 2000, it seemed our major concern was Y2K.
Computers stopping, satellites and planes falling from the sky, financial markets tanking. Not to be, Y2K proved to be nothing more than an opportunity for computer manufacturers and programmers.
But within two years of our new decade our world changed forever, and before the decade would end America would suffer greatly.
Terrorism killing thousands on American soil, two wars would cost thousands of American lives, tens of thousands of wounded, and financial and economic disasters.
We learned that the American dream had nightmares too. Millions lost their homes to foreclosure, millions more lost their jobs, hopes, and futures.
What is in store for us in this next decade? What will be the catalyst of the next major change?
I could not say.
What I do suggest is this.
Continue to reevaluate your life and material needs.
Teach yourself and your children the joys of sustainable living.
Learn to be as self sufficient as possible.
If able, plant fruit trees and berry bushes, plant a garden, grow organically if possible.
If able, put a small chicken coop in your backyard, harvest your own fresh eggs.
Seek alternative heating for your home, water, and cooking requirements.
Recover rain water for gardening purposes, and possible gray water uses.
It is not impossible to achieve, we have done all the above at our home.
Make a commitment to yourself that this year, the very first year of our new decade, that you will become more self sufficient. Teach your children the importance of self-reliance and self control.
All it took was one day in September of 2001 to change the world forever, what will cross our paths this new decade?
I wish all of you peace, goodwill, and hope. Have a very blessed New Year and decade to come.
Brett
I think of the past decade, little did we know as we entered the first decade of the 21st century what changes would be in store for us.
As we entered the year 2000, it seemed our major concern was Y2K.
Computers stopping, satellites and planes falling from the sky, financial markets tanking. Not to be, Y2K proved to be nothing more than an opportunity for computer manufacturers and programmers.
But within two years of our new decade our world changed forever, and before the decade would end America would suffer greatly.
Terrorism killing thousands on American soil, two wars would cost thousands of American lives, tens of thousands of wounded, and financial and economic disasters.
We learned that the American dream had nightmares too. Millions lost their homes to foreclosure, millions more lost their jobs, hopes, and futures.
What is in store for us in this next decade? What will be the catalyst of the next major change?
I could not say.
What I do suggest is this.
Continue to reevaluate your life and material needs.
Teach yourself and your children the joys of sustainable living.
Learn to be as self sufficient as possible.
If able, plant fruit trees and berry bushes, plant a garden, grow organically if possible.
If able, put a small chicken coop in your backyard, harvest your own fresh eggs.
Seek alternative heating for your home, water, and cooking requirements.
Recover rain water for gardening purposes, and possible gray water uses.
It is not impossible to achieve, we have done all the above at our home.
Make a commitment to yourself that this year, the very first year of our new decade, that you will become more self sufficient. Teach your children the importance of self-reliance and self control.
All it took was one day in September of 2001 to change the world forever, what will cross our paths this new decade?
I wish all of you peace, goodwill, and hope. Have a very blessed New Year and decade to come.
Brett
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
The Original BioBricks - Pictures
Easy to store, stack and use. The Original BioBricks offers a clean, sustainable, 100% natural (wood) alternative for fireplaces, wood stoves, and fire pits.No more splitting wood, sore backs, bugs or spiders for me.
Friday, December 10, 2010
The Original BioBrick Proves Good Things Do Come in Small Packages
This past week I had the pleasure to meet with the partners and visit the factory of The Original BioBrick company, a Connecticut based company. (http://www.biopellet.net/).
Currently selling in the Northeast, from New Jersey to Maine, this sustainable energy (product) company is growing leaps and bounds.
As always, my disclaimer is that I have no financial interest in this company or product, have received no incentive for this article, and have purchased my test "bricks" at retail price.
So what is a BioBrick? Partners Steven Lanata and Jason Blakeslee describe this all natural product as "the cordwood alternative". The BioBrick is 100% wood, manufactured from recycled sawdust acquired from such sources as mills, and hardwood flooring manufacturers. The BioBrick uses no glues or artificial binders, being formed into a brick by the molding process and natural fibers and oils from the wood itself.
But what makes this product so good to use?
First I would say the ease of use. Since starting to use BioBricks in my wood stove and fireplace, I have not had to split and pile any wood, which has been very good for my back. Packaged into a 38 lb wrap (recycled plastic), each wrap contains 20 bricks, it is easy to carry into the house, and easier to store, as one 4' X 4' X 3' pallet equals a cord of wood.
Ease of use and packaging leads to another benefit to the homeowner, cleanliness, not having the dirt, dust, bark, insects and spiders associated with my wood pile of the past is actually a pleasure. No longer do I have a trail of debris following me to my wood stove or fireplace.
Cleanliness is also evident from the small amount of ash that the BioBrick produces, and Partners Steven and Jason have shared with me that commercial users of the BioBrick (restaurants that use wood burning brick ovens) have also noticed less creosote from using this product. They also like the consistent burn the BioBrick offers, allowing them to use only the bricks needed to arrive at the temperature required for their ovens, taking the guess work out of the equation of using wood.
I have noticed the same consistency of heat within my wood stove, and have particularly have enjoyed the fact that I can load the wood stove when I go to bed and find enough hot coals available in the morning to easily restart my stove. Steve and Jason told me that this is due to the density and uniformity of the brick, important to maintaining that consistency of burn.
Besides wood stoves and fireplaces (I highly recommend) other uses for the Original BioBrick are camping (many State Parks no longer allow the gathering of wood on site), RVs (again ease of carrying, use, and cleanliness), and cooking (wood burning brick ovens).
Like any great product, copycat companies and products are springing up. These copycat products come in different sizes, grades and quality, so don't be fooled, look for the package that says The Original BioBricks, The Cordwo0d Alternative. It is printed right on the recycled plastic wrap along with instructions for use.
Because of this consistency, density, and manufacturing quality, The Original BioBricks are endorsed by wood stove manufacturers around the country.
I have always been careful not to bring politics into my articles. I have always maintained that sustainable living is not political left, right, republican or democrat issue, but an individual, family, community, state, national, and global issue to address. However, one sad note about this sustainable and natural product has been the lack of interest and support from the local and state political community.
Even though partners Steven Lanata and Jason Blakeslee have made a substantial investment in manufacturing and labor to bring us this recycled product (saving countless trees in doing so), there has been no excitement or interest by local and state politicians here in Connecticut.
Maybe its not high tech enough or even glamorous enough to peek the interest of the politician, I don't know. I do know is that in my opinion, it is the only product that a homeowner should use in their wood stoves and fireplaces, I know from this moment on, it will be the only one in mine.
Brett
Currently selling in the Northeast, from New Jersey to Maine, this sustainable energy (product) company is growing leaps and bounds.
As always, my disclaimer is that I have no financial interest in this company or product, have received no incentive for this article, and have purchased my test "bricks" at retail price.
So what is a BioBrick? Partners Steven Lanata and Jason Blakeslee describe this all natural product as "the cordwood alternative". The BioBrick is 100% wood, manufactured from recycled sawdust acquired from such sources as mills, and hardwood flooring manufacturers. The BioBrick uses no glues or artificial binders, being formed into a brick by the molding process and natural fibers and oils from the wood itself.
But what makes this product so good to use?
First I would say the ease of use. Since starting to use BioBricks in my wood stove and fireplace, I have not had to split and pile any wood, which has been very good for my back. Packaged into a 38 lb wrap (recycled plastic), each wrap contains 20 bricks, it is easy to carry into the house, and easier to store, as one 4' X 4' X 3' pallet equals a cord of wood.
Ease of use and packaging leads to another benefit to the homeowner, cleanliness, not having the dirt, dust, bark, insects and spiders associated with my wood pile of the past is actually a pleasure. No longer do I have a trail of debris following me to my wood stove or fireplace.
Cleanliness is also evident from the small amount of ash that the BioBrick produces, and Partners Steven and Jason have shared with me that commercial users of the BioBrick (restaurants that use wood burning brick ovens) have also noticed less creosote from using this product. They also like the consistent burn the BioBrick offers, allowing them to use only the bricks needed to arrive at the temperature required for their ovens, taking the guess work out of the equation of using wood.
I have noticed the same consistency of heat within my wood stove, and have particularly have enjoyed the fact that I can load the wood stove when I go to bed and find enough hot coals available in the morning to easily restart my stove. Steve and Jason told me that this is due to the density and uniformity of the brick, important to maintaining that consistency of burn.
Besides wood stoves and fireplaces (I highly recommend) other uses for the Original BioBrick are camping (many State Parks no longer allow the gathering of wood on site), RVs (again ease of carrying, use, and cleanliness), and cooking (wood burning brick ovens).
Like any great product, copycat companies and products are springing up. These copycat products come in different sizes, grades and quality, so don't be fooled, look for the package that says The Original BioBricks, The Cordwo0d Alternative. It is printed right on the recycled plastic wrap along with instructions for use.
Because of this consistency, density, and manufacturing quality, The Original BioBricks are endorsed by wood stove manufacturers around the country.
I have always been careful not to bring politics into my articles. I have always maintained that sustainable living is not political left, right, republican or democrat issue, but an individual, family, community, state, national, and global issue to address. However, one sad note about this sustainable and natural product has been the lack of interest and support from the local and state political community.
Even though partners Steven Lanata and Jason Blakeslee have made a substantial investment in manufacturing and labor to bring us this recycled product (saving countless trees in doing so), there has been no excitement or interest by local and state politicians here in Connecticut.
Maybe its not high tech enough or even glamorous enough to peek the interest of the politician, I don't know. I do know is that in my opinion, it is the only product that a homeowner should use in their wood stoves and fireplaces, I know from this moment on, it will be the only one in mine.
Brett
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