.

It might be a combinatiion of a hard rain and the slope of your yard that caused your basement to flood–or it might be a natural disaster such as a hurricane or flood that caused the bottom floor of your home to resemble a dirty swimming pool.

Whatever it was, you’ve got a mess.

Not only is there water, there’s most likely debris–mud, silt, leaves, even sewage or other types of waste.

What to do first–if your basement floods:

The first step is to stop the flow. Sometimes this includes turning off the water valve to your house. Other times, during a natural disaster, it may include waiting on the waters to recede and county or government officials taking action before you can.

Remove the mud and debris while it is still moist. This is best achieved by a sump pump, and you may want to also use a wet-dry vac.

Wipe down the walls to remove as much water/depress as possible before it dries.

How do portable pumps/sump pumps work?

Portable pumps come in various sizes and motor power and can be fitted with a garden hose or a larger type drain hose. You’ll want to get the largest one you can if you have a big clean up job–and make sure the hose is long enough to pump the water completely away from your house and preferably, down a hill so the water won’t reenter the house.

The goal is to pump the majority of the water and debris out of your basement. Once that’s done, you should only be left with a few puddles and less than a 1/2 of water–if your pump has done its job.

Don’t think that just because the standing water is gone that you’re in the clear–you have a serious moisture problem to monitor. Mold and mildew can grow quickly–within 48 hours–so now is the time for dehumidifiers.

Dehumidifiers can be purchased at most hardware/home improvement type stores, and just as with portable pumps, price range and motor capability are perhaps your two most factors to consider.

You’ll need to leave on your dehumidifier 24/7 for several days, but you will need to check on them every few hours. Most dehumidifiers have a switch that will shut off when the catch bucket is full. Some allow you to attach a garden hose and simply drain it continuously, but be careful of electrical issues.

This entire process is going to take anywhere from 3-7 days, and the damage may be so extensive that you might want to consider professional water restoration companies. Why? Moisture damage can ruin the integrity of your home, put your health at risk, be expensive to repair if not done properly–as well as be time and labor consuming. Flooding may also be covered on your homeowner’s policy, so check to see what you are entitled to.

Professionals will use a disinfecting solution. They will also use equipment to measure the mildew levels and monitor it throughout the drying process and have the proper equipment to test your home and assure you that your hoe is once again safe and dry.

Helpful Sites:
www.wateroutnow.com
www.fema.gov/pdf/rebuild/recover/fema_mold_brochure_english.pdf
www.myhomeimprovement.com/?page=prev_list&cid=60&m=24 - 52k

When someone asks the question, who is the most charitable givers in our country, several names come to mind. Oprah, Bill Gates, and Angelina Jolie top the list, but according to the The Chronicle of Philanthropy, there’s more to consider than merely writing a check to a pet cause. It seems that every celebrity wants to make sure that his/her own mission is presented to the public. George Clooney’s and Mia Farrow’s interest in Darfur is one prime example.

“I think there needs to be greater skepticism about celebrity involvement than I see in the media right now,” said Stacy Palmer, the editor of The Chronicle.

The Chronicle doesn’t not consider publicity stunts as acts of charity. They ask the hard question: ‘How much are you personally contributing to a cause?’”

Celebrities such as Angelina Jolie finally convinced the public that her humanitarian efforts were genuine. Most stars do not divulge how much they personally give, and surprisingly, most celebrities are not as charitable a one may think. Only one, Oprah Winfrey gave $58.3 million in 2006 while Warren E. Buffett topped the list, pledging $43.5 billion, according to Parade Magazine Ms. Winfrey’s charitable contributories are given through The Oprah Winfrey Foundation and Oprah’s Angel Network for education, health care, and women’s/children’s rights.

Other big celebrity givers include: Barbara Streisand with $11 million (The Streisand Foundation: environment, women’s rights, civil rights, AIDS research), Paul Newman with $10 million (Scholarship for Kenyon College), and Mel Gibson with $9.9 million (Holy Family Church). Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie who ranked sixth with $8.4 million (The Jolie-Pitt Foundation: Hurricane Katrina reconstruction, refugee aid, cross-cultural understanding).

Other celebs who made the top 30 include Lance Armstrong, Michael Jordan, Rosie O’Donnell, Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Hefner, Tiger Woods, Andre Agassi, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Adam Sandler, Steven Spielberg, and Denzel Washington.

But celebrities aren’t the only big givers to charities and disaster aid relief.
Most Americans, in fact 90% state they make charitable contributions and 60% give to disaster relief. Those who travel abroad are particularly drawn to donating to international disaster relief.

“The findings of this survey confirm that Americans have good intentions when it comes to assisting international disaster victims and that many Americans are making the best choice by giving cash donations,” said Suzanne H. Brooks, director of the Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI).

The giving breakdown includes seventy-six percent donate cash most often to international disaster relief and more than 50 percent believe that money is more useful than goods when it comes to donations. People aged 18 to 34 are the most likely to help relief efforts in countries they had visited, compared with 54 percent of people over 35 who had traveled abroad. Only 10 percents of Americans give donations online and 47 percent state they give directly to a person or to a cause or charity someone is collecting on behalf of. Women give more than men, and people who live on the east and west coasts of the US are more generous than the mid-states according to a survey of 1,002 adults commissioned by the CIDI.

“With these research findings, we can assess how to educate the public on appropriate international disaster relief strategically and more efficiently,” Brooks said.

It doesn’t matter who you are, or how much–or little you have to give–disaster relief aid is ultimately the responsibility of everyone.

The Department of Homeland Security was created after 9/11, and although the term was used in government reports years before, it didn’t become fully operational until after the terrorist attacks in 2001.

In one sense, the Department of Homeland Security was created in response to the fact crucial information that might have averted the 9/11 attacks did not make it up the necessary channels. One of its clearest purposes is to unite the various components (governmental organizations) so that information and direction flows efficiently and effectively to prevent or respond to any terroristic activity or in the event of a natural disaster.

In September 2001, President Bush appointed Tom Ridge, governor of Pennsylvania to head what was then called the Office of Homeland Security. One year later, it became the Department of Homeland Security with a $34 billion budget and is now the federal government’s largest cabinet-level agency.

The Department of Homeland Security’s mission is to “…prevent and deter terrorist attacks and protect against and respond to threats and hazards to the nation. We will ensure safe and secure borders, welcome lawful immigrants and visitors, and promote the free-flow of commerce.”

This Department of Homeland Security’s charter also includes preparation for and response to all hazards and disasters. The Department has created a 2008 Strategic Plan with a mission to sharpen operational effectiveness, which focuses on delivering services in support of Department-wide initiatives. This process aligns the Department’s priorities and links programs and operations to performance measures, mission goals, resource priorities, and strategic objectives.

The Department of Homeland Security’s website states:

We seek to harmonize our efforts as we work diligently to accomplish our mission each and every day. Americans are a resilient people. We have overcome great adversities in the past, and we will do so again. Regardless of what challenges may come, we will work tirelessly to protect our country. In the face of national challenges, we are one Nation. And here at DHS, we are one Department, unified to ensure the security of the American people – a Department that will continue striving to protect our homeland while ensuring the strength of our economy and preserving our cherished American freedoms and liberties/ The Strategic Plan will continue to be revised as needed to guide a dynamic Department and its ever-changing requirements.

(Read the Department of Homeland Security Strategic Plan, September 16, 2008 (PDF, 44 pages - 963 KB)

To fully understand the Department of Homeland Security, it’s helpful to know the various components that fall under its umbrella.

These Department of Homeland Security Components Are:

The Directorate for National Protection and Programs works to advance the Department’s risk-reduction mission. Reducing risk requires an integrated approach that encompasses both physical and virtual threats and their associated human elements.

The Directorate for Science and Technology is the primary research and development arm of the Department. It provides federal, state and local officials with the technology and capabilities to protect the homeland.

The Directorate for Management is responsible for Department budgets and appropriations, expenditure of funds, accounting and finance, procurement; human resources, information technology systems, facilities and equipment, and the identification and tracking of performance measurements.

The Office of Policy is the primary policy formulation and coordination component for the Department of Homeland Security. It provides a centralized, coordinated focus to the development of Department-wide, long-range planning to protect the United States.

The Office of Health Affairs coordinates all medical activities of the Department of Homeland Security to ensure appropriate preparation for and response to incidents having medical significance.

The Office of Intelligence and Analysis is responsible for using information and intelligence from multiple sources to identify and assess current and future threats to the United States.

The Office of Operations Coordination is responsible for monitoring the security of the United States on a daily basis and coordinating activities within the Department and with governors, Homeland Security Advisors, law enforcement partners, and critical infrastructure operators in all 50 states and more than 50 major urban areas nationwide.

The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center provides career-long training to law enforcement professionals to help them fulfill their responsibilities safely and proficiently.

The Domestic Nuclear Detection Office works to enhance the nuclear detection efforts of federal, state, territorial, tribal, and local governments and the private sector and to ensure a coordinated response to such threats.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) protects the nation’s transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce.

United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is responsible for protecting our nation’s borders in order to prevent terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the United States, while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel.

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services are responsible for the administration of immigration and naturalization adjudication functions and establishing immigration services policies and priorities.

United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security, is responsible for identifying and shutting down vulnerabilities in the nation’s border, economic, transportation and infrastructure security.

The United States Coast Guard protects the public, the environment, and U.S. economic interests—in the nation’s ports and waterways, along the coast, on international waters, or in any maritime region as required to support national security.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) prepares the nation for hazards, manages Federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, and administers the National Flood Insurance Program.

The United States Secret Service protects the President and other high-level officials and investigates counterfeiting and other financial crimes, including financial institution fraud, identity theft, computer fraud; and computer-based attacks on our nation’s financial, banking, and telecommunications infrastructure.

Is “Homeland Security” helpful in keeping American people safe?
If the basic criteria for safety is that we have not had a major terroristic attack on American soil (and yes, there have been threats) since 9/11/2001, then the answer is yes.

Helpful Sites:
http://www.dhs.gov/index.shtm
www.redcross.org/article/0,1072,0_1_1418,00.html

Why wait until a storm, hurricane, flood or tornado to talk to your kids about natural disasters?
Chances are, if you live in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, or Texas, you and your family has had to deal with hurricane/disaster preparedness already. Many parts of the country have their own “weather issues,” so whether you live in an area that’s hit with mudslides, fires, or blizzards, it’s smart to talk to your children beforehand.

Your child knows that his parents get anxious, gather their supplies, watch the local news or listen to the radio when a storm is approaching. They also receive disaster prepreparedness instruction at school, so they know what’s going on.

Let them know you have a plan. They will find this reassuring.
Children like to know that their parents and guardians are looking out for them–and they also like to be a part of what’s going on.

One of the easiest ways to discuss disasters, is to get a book from the library or bookstore. FEMA has compiled this great list for kids. There’s everything on here from tornados to ice storms.

You’re not trying to scare your child, and by giving them the scientific facts of how a storm develops, what course it usually takes, and how people respond and help one another will give a child a sense of knowledge, safety, and power.

Here are some helpful books to check out that will help children cope with disaster:

Tornadoes by Seymour Simon. Ages 4 - 8. How and why tornadoes form, how they behave, how scientists predict and track them, and what to do to protect yourself.

The Big Flood by Wendy Pfeffer and Vanessa Lubach. Ages 4 - 8. How one community responded when the Mississippi River flooded in 1993.

Hurricane by David Wiesner. Ages 4 -8. A giant storm is experienced through the child’s perspective. How two boys turn their hurricane-torn backyard into an adventure land.

The Magic School Bus Inside a Hurricane (Magic School Bus Series) by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen. Ages 4 - 8. A tropical storm catches the Magic School Bus inside the eye of its hurricane, providing firsthand information on changes taking place in air, sea and land.

Fire Truck by Peter Sis. Ages 4 - 8. A little boy wakes up one morning to discover he’s turned into a fire truck. The book focuses on his imaginative rescue missions.

No Dragons for Tea: Fire Safety for Kids and Dragons by Jean Pendziwol and Martine Gourbault. Ages 3 - 8. A low-key approach to fire safety for kids.

Emma and the Night Dogs by Susan Bivin Aller and Marni Backer. Ages 4 - 8. Inspired by the Connecticut Canine Search and Rescue, Inc., the book presents a touching view of search dogs in action through a fictional story about a lost boy.

Boy and a Bear, The Children’s Relaxation Book by Lori Lite. Introduces 3-to-9 year old children to a relaxation technique called circular breathing, an effective technique for helping children decrease anxiety levels and manage stress associated with traumatic incidents.
AGES 9 - 12

Blizzard: The Storm that Changed America by Jim Murphy. Ages 9 - 12. Historical account of the blizzard of 1888 that hit the East Coast and how people survived.

Forest Fires: Natural Disasters by Luke Thompson. Ages 9 - 12. Fact-filled book that explains how and why forest fires occur.

Terrorism (Crime, Justice and Punishment) by Austin Sarat and Ann Graham Gaines. Young adult. Focuses on terrorism in the Middle East and shows how it has affected America. Examines history, mentality and goals of terrorists.

Floods (Restless Planet) by Emma Durham and Mark Maslin. Ages 9 -12.

I Know What to Do: A Kid’s Guide to Natural Disasters by Bonnie S. Mark, Aviva Layton and Michael Chesworth. Ages 9 - 12.

Rescue (Dorling Kindersley Eyewitness Books) by Claire Watts. Ages 9 - 12. A reference book that teaches children about emergency rescues. Includes information on how to survive until help arrives.

***
If you’ve already experienced a disaster, then choose a book to read that will open the lines of communication. Be sensitive to what you pick and watch your child’s reactions. They may “relive” the event, and feel uncomfortable, or they may be extremely curious. Don’t avoid the subject completely. Some families act like nothing ever happened. Counselors and psychologists who deal with disaster victims don’t recommend this. Talking, and feel comfortable enough and safe enough to talk is healing. It may take some time, and books can start the journey.

Helpful Sites:

http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/lkstmpl.asp?url=/content/libraries/kidsite/coping.asp (Great list of books on all kinds of disasters and traumas)

Helpful Sites and Information:

Disaster Relief workbooks, including My Earthquake Story, My Tornado Story, My Flood Story, My Fire Story and My Hurricane Story.

To order, go to: http://www.cphc-sf.org/disaster_books.htm

http://www.fema.gov/kids/tch_bks.htm

www.aarp.org/family/grandparenting/articles/helping_children_cope_with_trauma.html

www.fema.gov/kids/teacher.htm

www.fema.gov/pdf/library/color.pdf

www.selfhelpmagazine.com/article/for-children

Whether you’re hit with a flood, hurricane, mudslide, or fire, your concerns immediately turn to your family and your pets. Because natural disasters often strike suddenly, it’s a challenge to get everyone out safely. Disaster Preparedness should include the safety of your pets.

How Do You Keep Your Pets Safe?

By having a plan.

Most families go over their family plan–to meet at the mailbox if there’s a fire, or they have a secret password so that no stranger can lure them away–but you also need a pet plan. No one wants to add the heartbreak of losing a beloved pet on top of devastation of losing your home and belongings.

Pets suffer if they are separated from their human families.
Pets experience fear and anxiety just like humans, and they become upset when they’re separated from those they consider their pact. A poignant example of how much an animal can be affected by a natural disaster is the hundreds of dogs and birds that were found dead from heart attacks after the 1997 earthquake that hit the Northridge area of Los Angeles.

When a Natural Disaster Occurs:

At the first sign of a threatening storm or fire, make sure all your pets are inside with you.
Speak to them in a calm voice. Try not to alter your routine too much. While some extra petting and reassurance are fine, your pet might become even more upset if you alter your behavior too much.

If your pet tends to have accidents when upset, go ahead and be prepared for that to happen. Don’t scold them since this isn’t something they can control. They may already act upset or agitated since animals can sense danger and read their environment better than humans, so expect to see some unusual behavior such as panting, hiding, or excessive grooming. They might try to hide or run away, so keep a good eye on them. Animals that take an anti-anxiety medication for separation might be given a dose as a precaution.

If it’s a dire emergency, you may sadly have to choose to leave without your pet–even if you believe they’re in danger. Be prepared for this emotionally, but realize that you may have to make the choice to get your human family out alive.

If you think you’re going to have to evacuate, go ahead and get their crates and collars ready.

If you don’t already have pet supplies packed, now is a good time.

Suggested Items to Pack for Pets:

Keep a photo of your pet with you and list all your pets, their names, breed, sex, color, age and any special characteristics.

Also list their favorite hiding places–in case you do get separated, this could give rescue people a good idea where to look.

Be sure your pet always wears a collar that fits properly and has current I.D. and rabies tags affixed securely. Some people opt for micro chipping. Proof of ownership is very important, so also copy adoption or purchase papers, including microchip information. You will need this information if you need to claim your pet at a shelter.

Keep your pets’ medical records, including rabies, distemper, kennel cough and other inoculations, up to date. Emergency kennels or animal shelters may require them.

If you’re evacuating and taking your pets with you, research pet friendly hotels and shelters ahead of time.

Some shelters allow pets, but they’re usually designated, so watch or listen to the news or call ahead of time

Have a lightweight, strong carrier

Consider a muzzle since and upset pet could bite

Carry several wallet photos of each pet

Be sure to take any pet meds with you–and the name and number of your vet in a waterproof container

It’s smart to have both printed and digital photos of your pets, in case a rescuer needs to post it on the Internet

Pack one week’s worth of food and drinking water for you and your pet. Don’t forget pet food, a can opener and bowls

Your pet’s favorite blanket or toys, if you have room

With planning, you can have a good chance to escape a disaster–with your family and pets safe and out of harm’s way. It’s worth it to take a few minutes to save the lives of those you hold so dear.

Helpful Sites:
www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_604_,00.html
www.prepare.org/animal/petprepare.htm
www.epa.gov/hurricane/pdf/pets_brochure2.pdf
www.hsus.org/hsus_field/hsus_disaster_center/resources/disaster_preparedness_for_pets.html -

Disaster victims have a new challenge ahead. Even though their lives have been impacted by a natural or manmade disaster, they must now begin their second journey–one of recovery and healing.

Disaster victims are placed in the same category with those who have fought in combat. They experience post traumatic stress syndrome, and only time and emotional work can begin to heal these wounds.

At first, those who experience a flood, earthquake, terrorist attack, or are missing a child are in a state of shock. This physical state suspends reality and protects the body so that it can function during the worst of times.

After that initial danger is over, there is an adrenaline dump and all that energy drains out and leaves them feeling like a rag doll. Psychologists are seeing the emotional fall out and how it affects a person’s life for years to come.

”The common belief that people recover after a few weeks from disaster is based on mistaking denial for recovery,” said Dr. Mardi Horowitz, a psychiatrist at the University of California medical school at San Francisco.
Delayed Psychological Reactions.

Dr. Horowitz’s research shows that the major symptoms that occur during the disaster recovery are:

Difficulty concentrating
Depression
Insomnia
Anxiety

As psychologists and psychiatrists study the impact of natural disasters, they find that its psychological impact mimics that of a person who has witnessed a brutal crime. Even bystanders can feel the emotional fall out.

”Whenever someone becomes victimized by a disaster, whatever its nature,” said Ronnie Janoff-Bulman, a psychologist at the University of Massachusetts, ”their most basic assumptions about themselves and the world are undermined. Psychological recovery, to a large extent, requires rebuilding those assumptions.”

Put simply, trust crumbles. We believe basic things in life–that we are safe to walk out our front door and get in our car, that our roof will stand over us as we live–that our loved ones will be safe when we lay out heads on our pillows at night.

When that is no longer true–when the roof crashes, when a loved one is injured or has died, when we’re not safe in our homes or cars–a basic trust element has been broken. We can’t even trust our environment.

Dr. Janoff-Bulman states, ”The assumption of invulnerability begins very early in life, as early as the first two or three years of age,” Dr. Janoff-Bulman said in an interview. ”That is when the child forms a sense of basic trust, the feeling that the world is a predictable place in which good things will come to you. And from that the child comes to see himself as worthy of that kind of care. These beliefs are at the core of a person’s most basic sense of himself and the world.”

”A catastrophe attacks those deeply held beliefs,” Dr. Janoff-Bulman continues, ”Suddenly all the world seems malevolent. And because the two beliefs are so intimately linked, you lose not only your sense that the world is safe for you, but that you are worthy of that safety.”

It takes sometimes as long as 10-15 years to process a catastrophe and no longer feel a sense of diminished sense of self-worth. ”When you’ve been victimized,” Dr. Janoff-Bulman said, ”it leads you to ask, ‘Why me?’ You may start looking at yourself to find something in you to blame it on, to justify and make some sense out of such a horrible fate. That leads you to highlight the negative aspects of yourself, which lowers your self-esteem.”

This isn’t a new phenomenon. Samuel Pepys wrote about the effects of the Great Fire of London, which destroyed most of London in 1666. He recounted what many psychologists still see today: disbelief, forgetfulness of the disaster, insomnia, disturbing dreams, and extreme anxiety.

And like those who experience post-traumatic stress syndrome after serving in a war, the list of symptoms includes: recurrent dreams of the traumatic event, the numbing of emotions, and guilt about surviving when others didn’t.

How does a person recover from the psychological wounds of a disaster?
Dr. Horowitz outlines some methods in his book ”Stress Response Syndromes.”

At first, it’s normal to feel high levels of fear, rage or sadness. This is your body and mind’s way to cope with the initial shock. You may also feel as if you are numb. That’s shock. Shock keeps you safe and alive in those early hours and days, and it wears off with time.

You may also feel a sense of denial, and even ignore or “forget” what happened. You may feel this for weeks or even years and block out the facts. This too, is your mind’s and body’s way of coping. Slowly, it will all come back. You will have to face–and deal with your tragedy–but trust the body’s process. Don’t force it.

Unhealthy Ways to Deal with the Disaster:

If the initial reaction of, say, distress and fear is not relieved, the person may sink into a state of total exhaustion or the feelings may escalate into outright panic.

Dr. Horowitz found in his study that people go to one extreme or the other–they completely deny the event to the point of it being unhealthy, or they become obsessed with the event and are bombarded with memories and fixations.

Extreme denial includes:

a numbing of emotions
serious loss of the ability to concentrate or to follow a train of thought
avoidance of topics even vaguely associated with the event.

Or…
Memories of the event are constant and the person takes on an excessive alertness of dangers that do not exist
Panic, anxiety and sudden waves of uncontrollable emotion
Bad dreams–reliving the event
Obsessing about the event to the point that they can’t work or enjoy other relationships months or even years later

What are some proactive steps to take during recovery?

Find someone safe you can talk to–the Red Cross, your house of worship, or psychologists trained in trauma recovery are all good choices
Return to work, even if you don’t feel like it. It may take a little time, but work toward that goal. We need something to do, some place you have to be each day.

Let your family and friends “into” your life. Talk to them when they call. Eventually, consider returning to family events around the holidays. It may take some time, but don’t isolate yourself forever.

If you need help, ask for it. If you need anti-depressants to get you through for awhile, then consider them. It doesn’t have to be forever, but it can help.

Get out and move–take a walk, join a gym. It may all feel useless, but you need to move and use your body.

Get a journal. You need a place to put your thoughts, fears, and memories. Writing a little each day is like lifting the lid off the pressure cooker. It lets a little of the anxiety and hurt escape.

Sometimes it takes years for symptoms to emerge.
A recent report in The American Journal of Psychiatry tells of a World War II veteran who had no post-war problems until, 40 years later, he became haunted by a repeated nightmare of an incident from the last days of the war. He had shot German soldiers who turned out to be teen-age boys in uniforms with imitation rifles. Now, 40 years later, he was dreaming that each of those boys were his grandson. That was his mind’s way of finally processing this staggering event and gave him the opportunity to deal with the guilt and sorrow.

There is hope.

Most people cope with disaster. Yes, it’s challenging, and they may experience some sleeplessness, worry, and depression, but their lives go on. They also have a heightened awareness of life. We cannot escape life. We cannot live in a bubble and not have some trauma come our way. It’s inevitable. In the end, it’s how we face it, how we work through it–that’s where we do have a choice.

It may take a disaster victim some time before they lay down their victim status. But with help, with people to talk to, with taking a proactive approach, life can get better. Meaning and purpose will return. Hope and trust will resurface.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas, and in small amounts, it’s not dangerous.
But that’s not the end of the story, because carbon monoxide claims thousands of lives a year.

Carbon monoxide poison occurs when levels of this deadly gas build in the blood and stops the body’s ability to use oxygen–tissues begin to die, and it can be fatal.
People literally suffocate in their own bodies.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can occur while people are sleeping, and they simply don’t wake up.
They don’t have a chance–and can’t save themselves or those they love.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is particularly hazardous in the winter months when houses are shut up tight and people use various fuels to stay warm.

Carbon monoxide can build up from any gas–kerosene, methane, or gasoline.

In 2006, a family in Seattle Washington succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning.
They city had its power knocked out for nearly two weeks and many families stayed warm and cooked by generators and camp stoves. Sadly, hundreds were poisoned, and seven people died due to carbon monoxide –a family of four was found in their beds–all victims of this deadly gas.

What causes carbon monoxide poisoning?

Smoke from fires is a common cause–particularly when the fire has not combusted.

Carbon monoxide poisonous gases can occur if there’s not proper ventilation in automobiles, furnaces, hot water heaters, gas heaters, kerosene heaters, and stoves (including wood stoves and stoves with charcoal briquettes).

Even inhaling tobacco smoke can produce carbon monoxide in the blood, and in extreme cases of a small room or car with no ventilation, poisoning can occur there as well.

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Mild Carbon Monoxide Poisoning:

Headache
Drowsiness
Vomiting and nausea
Decreased coordination–imbalance

These symptoms will decrease if they’re are given oxygen–a window or door is opened or they are moved to fresh air.

Victims of mild carbon monoxide poisoning can recover in several weeks, but can be left with confusion, memory loss, bladder incontinence, and imbalance.
Some people can live in a toxic environment for months or years–and think they have the flu, a gastric condition, or a chronic condition that can go undiagnosed.

Moderate to Severe Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Includes:
All the symptoms above plus–
Marked confusion
Chest Pain
Shortness of breath or asthma-like symptoms
Unconsciousness
Coma

If a person is exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide gases, they can pass out and not be able to save themselves. Severe poisoning can be fatal.

Treatment and Prevention for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning:

Fresh air is the first and easiest way to treat carbon monoxide.
Severe poisoning will require high concentrations of oxygen at a hospital or other medical setting. Some physicians recommend a hyperbaric chamber.

Preventative methods include proper care and maintenance of gas space heaters, hot water heaters, and wood stoves. Even a cracked window can help. Exhaust pipes should be attached to furnaces and other heating appliances. Appliances should be inspections for cracks and leaks.

Who is Most at Risk for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

Unborn babies
Infants
Elderly
People with chronic heart disease, anemia, or respiratory problems

Each year, more than 500 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning, and more than 2,000 commit suicide by intentionally poisoning themselves.

Carbon monoxide detector kits are now available for homes and work places.
They are battery operated kits that are as easy to install as your fire detector–and run on batteries, so they need to be checked each fall and spring as you change your clocks.

How do I vent my gas appliances properly?
All gas appliances must be vented so that CO will not build up in your home, cabin, or camper.

Never burn anything in a stove or fireplace that isn’t vented.

Have your chimney checked or cleaned every year. Chimneys can be blocked by debris. This can cause CO to build up inside your home or cabin.

Check your refrigerator’s cooling unit if it runs on gas. An odor from the cooling unit of your gas refrigerator can mean you have a defect in the cooling unit and could emit carbon monoxide at dangerous levels.

What Not to Do:
Don’t patch a vent or pipe with tape–not in your home, cabin, or camper.
Horizontal vent pipes shouldn’t be perfectly level, but should angle upward so the gas won’t build up in the joints.

Don’t use a charcoal grill or a barbecue grill indoors–even when you’re without power–place it on the back porch.

Don’t burn charcoal indoors
Don’t use camp stoves indoors.
Don’t use a generator indoors.
Don’t run your car for a long time in your garage with the door shut.

Where to Install your Carbon Monoxide Detector:

In the house (not garage), away from fireplace, a door, or near or the kitchen.
You want to choose a hall near the bedrooms—a place out of drafts, but near where you sleep.

Top-rated Carbon Monoxide Poison Dectectors: (rated by Consumer Reports)

FIRST ALERT Plug-in Carbon Monoxide Alarm with Digital DisplayAmerican Sensors CO920
Kidde Nighthawk KN-COPP-B: Battery powered, named a CR Best Buy
Kidde Nighthawk KN-COSM-B: Battery powered smoke and CO alarm combined

Helpful sites:

http://www.cdc.gov/co/faqs.htm
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16420108/
http://www.redcross.org/static/file_cont170_lang0_74.pdf
http://www.lungdiseases.about.com/od/buyersguides/tp/top_codetectors.htm

Sometimes disasters end in disaster.
Someone dies, and telling a child that a loved one has died is something no adult wants to have to do, but there are ways to help a child cope with death and grief.

The loss of a loved one can have a profound effect that can even last a lifetime.
If grief is talked about and a child is given the proper coping tools, is surrounded by love and support, then the negative impact can be lessened.

Emotional, psychological and physical trauma can occur and effect how a child views the world.

But too often, adults are at a loss. They’re grieving themselves, and they don’t know what to say or do to comfort a child.

They don’t know how to tell a child that someone they love has died.

They don’t know how much to share with them–they either tell too much or too little.

Adults can simply “freeze” and stop communicating, and the child is left to grapple with their sorrow alone.

They can also insist that the child be happy and move on–because it makes them feel less guilty. They try to live life through their child–but children also have their ups and downs when it comes to grief. They can’t be puppets that we demand to be “okay,” because we need them to be.

It’s difficult to know what to do–to encourage a child to get back to a normal routine–or to spend some time quietly dealing with grief and the changes in their life. Each child and each situation is different. You have to really listen and observe and get professional adivice if a counselor is available.

Children have so many issues to deal with–growing up, adolescence, fitting in, weight issues, pressure to smoke or smoke pot, divorce, family issues, academic and social issues–and it starts at a very young age.

How Do You Tell a Child That a Loved One Has Died?

Keep it simple. Use “died”, not “He is sleeping.”

Allow your child to express raw feelings freely or ask questions.

Answer questions honestly and simply. Do not go into detail, unless asked.

If the death was due to a violent crime, explain that they are safe now, nd you will do all you can to make sure they stay safe.

Offer a comfort object–blanket, doll, teddy bear. Even if they’re “older,” something cuddly can reduce anxiety.

If the body is suitable for viewing, allow the child to see your deceased loved one, if requested. Prepare the child for what he or she will see.

Tell your child what will be happening in the next few days.

Give your child choices in what to do. Some children want to go to school the day of the death–it’s comforting and feels “normal.” Give them a choice. Whenever they return, inform the school of the death before your child returns.This makes their teachers and classmates more sensitive. Most schools have a school counselor that can also assist and be made aware of the situation.

Reassure your child that he or she will be cared for and explain the plan.

Children sometimes open up easier if they’re doing something with their hands–playing cars or helping bake cookies–it can take awhile for them to feel safe–and they feel less on the spot if they don’t have to look at you but can pretend to be “busy” with their hands.

Don’t Know How to Talk To Your Child?
Here’s some Easy Conversation Starters:

I’m sorry your grandmother/papa/mom/dad/sister died.

What was your dad/mom/brother like?

Tell me about your__________.

What was his favorite food/book/thing you did together?

What do you miss the most? What is the hardest time of day for you?

I cannot know how you feel, but I remember how I felt when my __________ died.

Whenever you want to talk about it, I’m here.

I’m thinking about you especially today because I’m aware that today is your mother’s birthday (anniversary of the death, your birthday, etc).

If you don’t want to talk, we can still spend time together.

WORDS THAT CAN HURT:

I know just how you feel. I know just how you feel…my dog died last year. Lick your wounds and move on. You’ll get over it. It will be okay. Don’t think about it. You are better off without him. Don’t cry. It’s your fault. God took him so he wouldn’t be in pain. Tears won’t bring her back. Be strong. Forget about it. You are the man/woman of the house now. You should feel ….(proud, relieved, happy, sad, etc.)

Children May Express Grief Differently Tnan Adults:

Their emotions may experience highs and lows. They may laugh inappropriately–even at the memorial service. Don’t think this is because they don’t care. It’s difficult for a child to figure out how to handle their emotions. They may avoid sleep–or a teen may sleep all the time. They may zone out and not seem to hear anyone talking to them.

Become clingy and panic if you’re not home on time or don’t pick them up on time. Act rough or violent toward a sibling or friend. Defiantly disobey.

Teens may become daredevils–drive fast, extreme sports, breaking and entering–anything to feel “alive.” They may even try to “test” your love.

When Do You Seek Professional Help?

When the symptoms (lack of sleep, depression, agression) continue for weeks or months and grow in intensity.

When they can no longer function in school or around other people

When they isolate themselves for too long

When they become dangerous to themselves or others

They fixate on death, experiment on animals, or are exhibiting cruel behavoir

What do you do if you suspect your child or teen is not handling grief well?

Talk to the school counselor, your pediatrician, or clergy

Get a recommendation for a therapist who has helped children through grief.

Don’t settle for just a prescription. Talking and expressing their emotions is crucial to the healing process.

Don’t go just one or two times and think your child is “better.” Follow through and be consistent.

The Best Advice?

Be patient. Expect some some highs and lows.
Share your own grief journey. Listen. Reassure. Be there. Provide help if or when it’s needed.
Let them know it’s okay not to be able to handle this all by yourself–we all need each other.

In the United States, approximately 4.8 million children under 18

are grieving the death loss of a parent.

Helpful sites:

www.opentohopefoundation.com

www.beyondindigo.com/children

www.griefnet.org

www.childrensgriefnet.org

www.kidsaid.com

If you and your family experience a disaster, then you as a parent want to do everything you can to help your child through this experience.

Disaster recovery isn’t just about getting a check and rebuilding your home–it’s about rebuilding your life.
Children (and adults) can experience stress and anxiety after a flood, fire, hurricane, earthquake tornado or other natural disasters.

What are common symptoms of “storm stress” in children?

Nightmares
Anxiety
Won’t leave your side–follows you everywhere
Inability to focus
Picking fights with siblings for no reason
Small issues become large ones and can bring on a crying jag or pitching a fit
Or–an inability to show any emotion at all, even when it’s normal to laugh or cry

If you’ve recently been in a disaster, there should be counselors provided by FEMA or the Red Cross available to you and your family. Attend a few sessions together if they offer family counseling–and encourage your children to go to a kid’s session.

What happens in a children’s counseling session?

They meet other kids who have gone through what they’ve gone through
There might be an art project–or music–something that helps children express themselves in positive ways
Children are encouraged to say things they might not feel comfortable saying in front of other family members–that they feel guilty, or they miss their school, or they’re constantly afraid or angry.

What can you do as a parent to help your children after a disaster?

Be patient. Do a lot of listening.
Don’t pay more attention to your “to do” list (calls, paperwork) than being with your kids.
Take a few minutes to “play” with them every day. Go for a walk or to a park or throw the ball.
Offer them a comfort object–a toy, blanket, or doll can give them a sense of warmth and calm their frazzled nerves.
Don’t worry about their dependency on these objects–or their need to be with you constantly. This is a natural way for children to cope with stress and is much healthier than prescriptions.
Talk about adult issues privately. Don’t let them hear that you have no money and no place to stay. If you need to have that conversation, and then do that later after you have all your facts, you’ve made decisions, and you talk to them calmly and rationally.
Do let them know that you’re stressed and that this is hard. They know that, so don’t treat them like they’re not intelligent enough to grasp this–they are. But do let them know that you’re strong and all of you will get through–together.
Reassure them that you will rebuild your life and that it will be good. Give them hope.

Let them cry–and even cry with them. You’ve all suffered a great loss. It’s okay to feel it. Hold each other. Listen. Cry. And then reassure.

Spend time together before they go to sleep. This is a stressful time and children need the structure of a bedtime ritual. Read to them, sing songs, and tuck them in. Let them know you’ll be there in the morning. Expect for sleep to be disrupted or difficult and be patient.

Talk about the future–let them think about their birthday in six months or Christmas. This reassures them that life goes on and good times are coming–but don’t promise things you might not be able to deliver. Don’t promise you’ll be in your new house by a certain date–these things are out of your control.

After the initial danger is over, ask your child what they need the most. Are they missing something in particular? Do they need to carry a photo of their family with them? Do they need to call someone? What makes them feel safe? Do everything you can to meet some of these basic emotional needs.

Do let your children participate in the family’s recovery activities. This gives them power. Let them sort and organize or help make dinner or fold clothes. It’s important that they have something meaningful to do and lets them know that families have to pull together in times of need.
Your response during this time may have a lasting impact.

What are children’s most common fears after a disaster?

The event will happen again.
Someone will be injured or killed.
They will be separated from the family.
They will be left alone.

Advice to Parents:

Keep the family together as much as possible during the rebuilding process.
While you look for housing and assistance, you may want to leave your children with relatives or friends. Sometimes this is a necessity, and yes, you may work faster and get more done with your children being taken care of somewhere else–but this can also feed into their anxieties. Stick together as much as possible in those early weeks and months.

Make your children a part of what you are doing to get the family back on its feet. Children get anxious, and they worry that their parents won’t return. It’s natural and healthy to be “clingy” after such a traumatic event. By being together and reassuring them, you’ll prevent a lifetime of “abandonment issues.”

Most older children want to go back and see the remains of their home. When safe, consider this. It may be a way to have closure. It may be a necessary part of your–and their grief.

As housing arrangements and other decisions are made, calmly and firmly explain the situation. Sometimes families have to move or kids have to go to a different school. This is hard for children, so be ready for some resistance.

Explain every step along the way. Keep them updated and let them know their input is important, but that you have to make the best decision you can for everyone.

Explain what will happen next. For example, say, “Tonight, we will all stay together in the shelter.” Get down to the child’s eye level and talk to him or her.

Try not to spoil them during this time–in ways that are unhealthy. This experience can help a child become aware of the needs of others, and it can help to make them feel needed. Don’t take these valuable lessons from them by making them the center of attention.

If your child begins to “lose it” repeatedly, and if they become dangerous to themselves or others (behavior such as banging their head against the wall, cutting, beating up other kids, stealing, over the top and repeated temper tantrums), then seek professional help from a mental health specialist or a member of the clergy.

For a complete list of print children’s materials available from the American Red Cross, please visit the Publications section of our site. For information from the Department of Homeland Security, visit www.ready.gov/kids.

Visit “Helping Children Cope With Disaster” at http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_602_,00.html for more great advice on helping children deal with disaster recovery. A coloring book for developed by the Red Cross is available at:
COLORING BOOK: http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/eduinfo/colorbk.pdf

A few years ago, some dear friends were hit by a F-5 tornado in the foothills of North Georgia.
Not just their house was hit. They were.

Mary Ross’s husband had just left for work–a little after 5 am.
She had woken up because of the storm–something didn’t feel right.
It stopped hailing, and just as the sun was coming up, Mary noticed how green the sky looked.
Her “mommy alarm” went off.

She ran down the hall and pounded on the doors of her children’s bedrooms. Rousing kids out of a deep sleep isn’t easy, but she was screaming and they woke up. She grabbed her toddler out of his crib and the four of them huddled in the bathroom, wedged between the toilet and the bathtub.

The tornado hit, and that’s the last thing she remembers.

I met her at the hospital about five hours later.
She looked like a woman from a domestic abuse case–her face and arms bruised and riddled with scabs from splinters. She had a black eye.
She was in a hospital gown.
She had nothing but a bathrobe left to her name, and it was in shreds.
Several of us friends had stopped quickly at Wal-Mart and bought a few clothes for her and the kids.

It didn’t seem to matter, though.

Her toddler had to life flighted to the hospital and was in surgery.
The tornado had ripped him from her arms.

She didn’t remember, but found him thrown in a clearing with a deep gash on the side of his head.
A firetruck happened to be driving by looking for tornado victims just as she found her son.
Her two other children were battered, but fine.

None of us could believe this happened.
This wasn’t Oklahoma or Kansas–not “tornado alley,” but this deadly storm had hit fast and hard.

Their brick home was completely gone.

Their son recovered, and is now eleven years old and plays soccer.
He has a three inch scar in his hair above his ear. He says he doesn’t remember that day.
He was too young.
But her two daughters remember–they were eight and thirteen at the time, and this day, this time in their life is etched in their memory.
It holds both a time of tragedy–and of miracles. Their brother survived. They survived.

The Ross’s were featured on a national news show and their son’s recovery was cheered by all.

And perhaps the one with the deepest scar is their dad.
He wasn’t there. He had already left for work.
He suffered for years with guilt–that he wasn’t there to protect his family.
“I should have been there,” he’d tell you.
That’s what families have to deal with–years later.

Could you and your family survive a F-5 tornado?

Part of it is about disaster preparedness–and part of it is beyond your ability to control.
But you should–for the sake of your own safety–and your love one’s safety. You have to do what you can.

Tornado Safety for Kids: (more can be found at http://www.fema.gov/kids/knw_tor.htm)

Listen to a radio or watch television for weather updates. If a tornado is coming you MUST seek shelter. An underground shelter is best, such as a basement or storm shelter. If you don’t have a basement, find an inside room or hallway or closet on the first floor AWAY FROM WINDOWS.

If you are at school during a tornado, listen and do what your teacher says.
If you are outside and cannot get inside, lie flat in a ditch or ravine. Lie face down and cover your head with your hands.
If you are in a car, take shelter in a nearby building.

After a tornado, watch for broken glass and power lines that are downed.
If you see people who are injured, don’t move them unless they are in immediate danger. Call for help right away!
Tornadoes can be very scary. If you are scared, be sure to talk to someone about it.

Warning Signs of a Tornado:

Dark, often greenish sky
Wall cloud
Large hail
Loud roar; similar to a freight train

Who Are the Most At Risk?

People in automobiles
The elderly, very young, and the physically or mentally impaired
People in mobile homes
People who may not understand the warning due to a language barrier

Tornado Watch–or Warning. What’s the Difference?

TORNADO WATCH: Tornadoes are possible in your area. Remain alert for approaching storms.
TORNADO WARNING: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. If a tornado warning is issued for your area and the sky becomes threatening, move to your pre-designated place of safety.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH: Severe thunderstorms are possible in your area.
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING: Severe thunderstorms are occurring.

Safety Measures to Take If A Severe Storm or Tornado Approaches:

In a home or building, move to a pre-designated shelter, such as a basement.
Go to an interior wall or closet. If you can, grab a pillow and your shoes on the way.
If an underground shelter is not available, move to an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor and get under a sturdy piece of furniture.
Stay away from windows.
Don’t go looking for your pets–if you can grab them on the way to your safe place, then do–but don’t put your own life at risk.
Afterward, be careful and watch out of broken glass, building materials such as boards or roofing that may continue to fall, down and “live” electrical lines, and falling trees.
If you’re in an office or school, take a head count and begin to figure out if anyone is missing.
Get out of automobiles.
Do not try to outrun a tornado in your car; instead, leave it immediately.
Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes and should be abandoned.

Tornados are one of nature’s most deadly forces. All you can do is to be prepared.

Helpful Sites:
www.tornadoproject.com
www.fema.gov/kids/tornado.htm
www.nssl.noaa.gov/NWSTornado/ -
discovery.com/stormchasers
www.tornadoproject.com/fscale/fscale.htm