In an emergency four eyes are always better than none

I am blessed to be fairly functional without my glasses. I've even arrived at work more than once without them. I do need mine for reading, fine detail and computer work. My husband, on the other hand, can't do anything without his. A long term loss of our glasses and we'd both be sunk.

Are you backing up your home computer?

I've owned a computer longer than most people, and I've never lost a large amount of data.  Certainly, I've misplaced files, hit the power button before saving was complete, or forgotten to click "Save As" a few times, but I've never faced the total loss and devastation of viruses, lightning strike or hard drive failure... until now!  This week I said a sad farewell to my long-lived desktop computer.  This PC was ancient as computers go these days, but it plugged along just fine.  I was about to hand it over as "the kids' computer" when POW! Blue screen. Diagnosis - hard drive failure. 

Gross! Where did these pests come from?

We agree that bugs, lizards, snakes, and rats are bothersome as uninvited house guests.  But even sweet, furry woodland creatures are a catastrophe in your home.  There are a host of creatures that seem to be creeping into residences all over the US right now.  What's going on?

Bugs and other animals are influenced by many of the same weather disasters we have been facing here in the US.  Over the past few months, flooding and wildfires have forced many bugs and animals out of their natural habitat, often into residential and suburban areas that are build above flood plains.  Drought in other areas pushes wildlife to travel great distances seeking water that is often found in parks, fountains, pools, well watered lawns and possibly your bathtub.  Severe heat creates desperate situations for insects and animals that must seek any shelter, and some smaller creatures may find your home a comfortable fit.

Functional Friday: 10 Things To Know About Flooding

Flash flooding can happen anywhere. Any location that might collect water and drain after a strong shower can flood.

Never walk or drive through moving water.Submerged debris, strong currents and compromised bridges and roadways claim the lives of flood victims every year.  Stay away! Evacuate before you are stranded or seek the highest ground you can find without crossing water.

Avoid standing water, as well. Flood waters contain chemicals and bacteria picked up from sewers and storage tanks. Even in still water, submerged items and compromised ground can present unseen hazards.

If you evacuate, don't count on going back soon. Take everything you plan to need for weeks.  Take your pets, medications, and other important items. Even if they advise a short time frame, there are no guarantees with flooding.

Flood insurance is available even if you don't live in a flood plain.Call your agent for details. Also, flood insurance doesn't include sewer backup.

Never enter standing water in your home, and plan to leave your home if it fails to drain immediately. Once the water rises to sufficient levels, it could contact electric wiring, hazardous chemicals, sewer backup, or even extinguish gas/propane pilots.

When the water recedes, you have about three days to get fabrics and absorbent materials clean and dry, or they must be disposed of.  Contaminants, mold and mildew cause a great health risk.  Get furniture and carpet professionally cleaned or pull it out immediately.  Launder clothes and fabrics.  Consult with local authorities and experts for your local situation before beginning.  Drywall and voids (like under the floor) often need powerful fans to dry these areas quickly.

Flood plains and building zones and codes are often reset immediately after a local flood.  Check with your city hall or flood recovery office before beginning expensive rehab.  Three weeks after the Nashville area floods of 2010, the rehab construction project that I worked on was halted and canceled.  After the first inspection, the location was no longer approved for new construction. All our work and expense was for naught.

Don't expect businesses to reopen soon.  Local flooding often affects business owners' homes as well, and they must care for their family first.  Many times receipt of inventory is slowed, too.  And many businesses never recover from the financial strains caused by lost revenue and weighty recovery costs.

Talk to your insurance agent before, during, and after a flood (or other disaster) to confirm exactly what is covered, what is out of pocket, what is reimbursable. Be creative with you questions.  Imagine and list every item and expense you need covered.  (Temporary hotel? Business supplies in garage? Jewelry? Work you do yourself? Recommended mitigation steps?)

What would you save?

In emergency management, there are three priorities for every incident. Listed in order, they are - life safety (victims and responders), incident stabilization (getting the problem under control), and property preservation (saving what can be saved.) As we delve into preparedness, these priorities hold true as well. But in this very moment, you have the benefit of time to spare. Until the first crisis hits, you can prioritize, plan, and organize to our heart's content. At Everyday Providence, we spend a lot of 'real estate' on life safety and incident stabilization.  Let's take a look at some steps we might take to save some important items during a disaster. 

What would you save, if you could? Old photographs? The family bible? Jewelry? Your kids 'art' collection? Your wedding dress (or Mama's)? A hope chest? Your Pez dispenser collection? Books? An antique? Power tools? Your computer? A bottle of wine? And what about information lost? How easily could you compile financial, medical, insurance and historical details? Although fire is the most common household disaster, don't forget the damage caused by flooding (flash floods can hit any area), storm and wind damage, backed up sewers, theft (looting and vandalism), or sudden evacuation.

Take a minute to consider what and how you might save important and precious items in a fire, earthquake, flood or evacuation. Keep copies of legal records in a fire safe, at a bank safety deposit box, in another location, or on a flash drive. Scan photos, albums, and scrapbooks and save them on online. Anchor large items to walls to prevent them overturning in an earthquake (or onto a mischievous child.) Prioritize antiques and irreplaceable items now, so that you aren't forced to think it through under the pressure of an evacuation. You may also consider home safety monitoring, home fire suppression (sprinklers), and a talk with your insurance agent about coverage needs.

Talk to your family (and neighbors?) about these needs and desires.  You may not be home when disaster strikes.  Your husband, children or babysitter may not value the same things you do.

Always keep safety first and never re-enter an unsafe building. Fire, earthquake, major structural damage, water, hazardous fumes and gas may all prevent you from safely entering your home.  I know a woman who, after assuring that her family was safe, returned inside her raging, burning home to rescue old photos and grandma's handmade quilt. Her house was a total loss, and these are basically all she has left. But what a terrible price she could have paid.