https://completemarkets.com/Article/article-post/1925/CONTINUING-EDUCATION-CE-AT-A-REDNECK-FESTIVAL/
Continuing Education (Ce) At A Redneck Festival!
CONTINUING EDUCATION (CE) AT A REDNECK FESTIVAL! by Mike Manes Mike Manes' biggest challenge in this article is deciding what to explain first — CE (Continuing Education) or “Redneck Festival.” The core issue is what's more important: Learning about the things of life (CE) or living it (Redneck Festival). WARNING: If you're contemptuous of rednecks, don't read this article because it will be a waste of your time. Just skip to the end and read the lesson the article offers. For years, professional associations, licensing boards, and other groups have recommended or required that professionals (doctors, lawyers, engineers, mechanics, insurance agents, etc.) obtain a certain number of CE credits annually in order to retain their license or certification. In the 1990s, Peter Senge's book The 5th Discipline defined the learning organization. Today, many speakers/consultants discuss the need for continuous learning. In our fast-paced world, continuing education is all-important. The good news about CE is that it forces people to attend classes that are alleged to improve them as professionals. The bad news about CE is that all too often the classes merely reinforce what these professionals already know, are boring, limited to the profession, and don't provide insight into clients' needs or life. John Locke had it right, “No man's knowledge can exceed his experience.” Unfortunately our education systems, including CE programs, all too often focus on the information/knowledge. They attempt to force-fit what the instructor knows into the skull of the attendee/student. All too often, the attendees aren't learning, but just “passing time.” This system doesn't work unless the “brains” and experiences are identical. In my opinion, education should be about creating experiences in which knowledge is the product. Education should be about life — not books. It should be as much about scar tissue as it is about brain tissue. I can assure you that we learn more by falling on our butts than by sitting on them in a classroom. This is why I believe that a Redneck Festival is a great place to learn! If you need proof of this assumption, consider these two facts: • Robert Fulghum's book All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten was a best seller and college textbooks never are. • Go to the best business schools in the country (Harvard, Wharton, LSU, ULL, etc.) and meet the professors. Most of them couldn't survive very long in the real world of business! Enough about academics. Let's talk about life: Redneck Festivals. A festival — at least in this part of the country — is a party positioned somewhere between a celebration of life and celebrating life. Festivals can be about a crop (Sugar Cane, Rice, Yams, etc.), animals (Oysters, Frogs, etc.) a mixed event (Shrimp and Petroleum), a date (Willie Nelson's Birthday) or the arts (New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Blue Grass Music, etc.). Festivals are held at parks, fair grounds, racetracks, boulevards, barns, or city streets — anywhere. They can be one day to longer than a week. They can include arts and crafts, music, parades, dancing, eating, drinking, etc. They attract the young, old, and the in-between. Festivals are about life and the real people that live life! According to Webster (who wasn't a redneck), a redneck is a “white member of the Southern rural laboring class — sometimes used disparagingly.” It should be noted that this term is often used with pride by rednecks themselves or by “wannabes.” Jeff Foxworthy is probably a better authority than Mr. Webster on defining redneck. As a practical matter, I believe that redneck is more of an attitude than an issue of geography or race. Remove the words “white” and “Southern” from this definition and you'll discover that most of the nation is or comes from redneck lineage. I'm a Cajun. Among ourselves we're called “Coon Asses.” We're rednecks without all the pretentiousness and sophistication — and we're proud of it! Twenty-two years ago I went to a Polish wedding in Toronto and discovered by attitude and actions that they're rednecks too. Having spent much time in New Orleans, the most diverse city in the country, I now realize that we're lucky because most of the world is redneck! Recently, I was in Huntington, Texas on business. After the meeting Sundra (pronounced Sondra), Lynn (her husband), and I went to supper at a local restaurant. We had a great time. As I reflect back on the night, this was sort of a “mini” Redneck Festival. Evidence of this was everywhere. The parking lot had plenty of pickup trucks and very few BMWs. Everyone there understood “spit cup,” but few had ever used a “tea cup.” Considering how rednecks are perceived, I never heard a discouraging or inappropriate word; yet the polite conversation was full of “ma'ams” and “sirs.” The “surf and turf” special was ribs and catfish rather than lobster and filet. Willie, Waylon, and the boys would've been recognized and embraced; Eminem would not! We had plenty of rolls and “sweet” tea, but no croissants and hot tea. You get the picture. I could go on, but I'd rather spend the rest of this article discussing the continuing education program for the evening. Lynn was our instructor — yet all in attendance contributed something of value to this learning experience. Lynn works in the timber industry. His hands are hard, and his face and skin are rough, but talking to him you know that he has a soft heart and a good soul (rednecks are proud of their souls). Lynn shared his experiences, telling us a number of stories. I believe that two of these should qualify for CE credits for all professions. Unfortunately I'm reasonably certain that neither story would be approved. They're separate, yet linked. These experiences are about innovations that have saved millions (if not billions) of dollars in productivity costs, but have probably never been studied at the Harvard Business School. These were lessons learned in fields with weeds, not in buildings with ivy-covered walls. Lynn explained that when he first started in the timber industry, the companies would cut the timber, clear the land, and then replant new seedlings. The supervisor at each plant would stress the importance of lining the seedlings up in “perfect” rows so that the machine could cut them at harvest time. Lynn became curious because he knew that trees weren't cut with machines, but by men with band saws. One day he asked the supervisor about these new tree-harvesting machines. The “boss” explained that, although these machines currently didn't exist, if we planted the trees right — in perfect rows — the machines would be invented some day because straight rows and a large supply of trees would facilitate their invention. This supervisor understood the future. I'd bet all I own that this guy had very little “schoolin'” (brain tissue), but I'm equally certain that he had great experience (scar tissue). Lynn then took us back to the future. He told another story — and he's a master storyteller — about a timber contractor riding through south Louisiana during the sugar cane harvest. He watched as giant tractors equipped with diagonal cutting blades plowed through the field harvesting the cane (at harvest the rows of sugar cane stand more than six to eight feet tall and must be cut at ground level). The guy was mesmerized. He pulled off the road, crossed the fence, and asked how the machine worked and what it could do. He even had the driver show him how the blade could be rotated to cut higher above the ground. To demonstrate the possibilities, the driver snapped off the top of a fence post. The contractor went home and began the process that would result in the tree-harvesting machine visualized by the supervisor in the first story long before the technology existed. In my opinion, these simple stories provide textbook examples about what CE should include and who should teach it! CE should involve less time looking down at a textbook and more time looking up at the horizon: The future, the people that will live there, and the needs that they'll have. The instructors should not just be the ones who know what has already happened, but should include people with experience in the past and a curiosity about the future. Incest and inbreeding are some of the cruel jokes that academics use to disparage rednecks. But nowhere is inbreeding more of a problem than in the world of academics and bureaucracies! They rarely develop significant innovations in their fields (remember, the tree-cutting machine originated in the cane field where no trees exist!). The reason is simple: The academics who study a discipline and the bureaucrats who live and work in that field are too invested in the status quo to consider something new. They're in a comfort zone and progress ain't gonna happen. Never forget that necessity (discomfort) is the mother of invention! NOW FOR THE CLOSING LESSON: A CHANCE FOR REDNECKS TO LAUGH AT THE REST OF THE WORLD! Bubba was on his first flight and, as a novice passenger, he was very anxious. He was pacing and fidgeting as he waited for the plane to back out from the terminal. Sitting next to him was a Harvard professor, dressed in a $1,000 suit and looking calm, cool, and collected. The professor said to Bubba, “You look anxious. This must be your first flight.” When Bubba agreed, the professor suggested a little game to “pass the time.” He said, “Bubba, I'll ask you a question, and if I stump you you'll pay me $5.00. Then you ask me a question and if you stump me — because I'm so much more intelligent, educated, sophisticated, and worldly than you — if you fool me, I'll pay you $10.00. Also because of these advantages, I'll let you go first!” Bubba thought for a second and then agreed. His first question followed, “What's red, green, blue, has three wings and two legs and can't fly?” The bewildered professor responded, “Bubba you've got me on the very first question. Here's your $10.00.” Bubba, ever polite (rednecks are), took the money and said, “Thank you, sir.” The professor asked, “Well what is it?” Bubba answered, “I don't know. Here's your $5.00.” The professor has the brain tissue and lost $5.00. Bubba has the scar tissue and won $5.00! Michael G. Manes can be reached at Square One Consulting, 625 Weeks Street, New Iberia, LA 70560, cell 337-577-3885, e-mail
[email protected], or visit www.squareoneconsulting.com.
https://completemarkets.com/Exotic-Animal-Insurance/Storefronts/
What are exotic animal pets?
Any animal that you would normally associate with the wild could be considered an exotic pet. Most people want to secure adequate insurance coverage for their exotic animals and pets. Our planet is home to diverse species of animals that many people haven't even heard of!
Some of these exotic animals are becoming increasingly popular as pets in people's homes. The list may include and is definitely not limited to:
Guinea pigs
Rabbits
Ferrets
Foxes
Wallabies
Chimpanzees
Hedgehogs
Chinchillas
Frogs, toads
Sugar gliders
Hybrid cats such as the caracal & the serval
and even some species of spider!
Two Points you may want to consider before adopting an exotic pet.
Is it legal?
Pet ownership laws differ from state to state. For instance ferrets are popular pets, but it is illegal to own a ferret in California or a hamster in Hawaii!
Are you able to secure good veterinary care?
You are directly or indirectly the reason why the exotic animal is not in the wild but in your home. Your pet is totally dependent on you for its survival. Suitable accommodation, proper nutrition and diet and most of all regular and timely visits to the veterinarian will ensure that your pet stays happy and healthy. These visits to the vet can be expensive.
Specialized veterinary care is difficult to find and getting suitable insurance coverage can be even harder.
What does exotic animal insurance cover?
Most insurance plans cover unexpected visits to the vet as well as routine or wellness check-ups. It all depends on the type of plan you choose.
Your pet animal can be insured against theft, injury, illness and even death.
Your pet deserves the best, but you can avoid the financial burden of pet healthcare by taking out an insurance plan for as little as $9 a month.
Think smart, be responsible & buy peace of mind, knowing that we have your pet's best interest at heart.
Other types of related insurance - Insurance for reptiles, Insurance for Exotic Birds
Understanding exotic animal coverage
Exotic pet owners frequently look for policies that combine medical benefits with protection against liability exposures and theft. Coverage options and underwriting factors vary by insurer and by species; for an overview of dedicated marketplaces you can review Exotic Animal Pets Insurance to compare what different carriers offer.
Common considerations include exclusions for certain pre-existing conditions, limits on species or procedures, and whether routine care is included. Risk management considerations — such as proper housing, transport protocols and secure enclosures — often affect premiums. If your pet is a reptile, detailed information is available in the Reptile Pet Insurance Overview.
Transportation risks and specialist veterinary care are typical factors for exotic species; likewise, some plans impose surgical or hospitalization limits. If you own birds, see Does Pet Insurance Cover Exotic Birds? for specifics on avian coverage.
Risk scenario: an escaped exotic animal injures a visitor could trigger a liability claim, illustrating why many owners seek policies that combine medical reimbursements with liability protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is exotic pet insurance available for all species?Availability depends on the insurer and the species. Some carriers will cover small mammals and birds, while others may exclude large or high-risk animals. Check policy details for species-specific limits and exclusions.
What typical exclusions should I watch for?Common exclusions include pre-existing conditions, certain surgical procedures, pregnancy-related care, and claims arising from illegal ownership. Always review policy exclusions and ask for clarification from the insurer.
How do premiums get determined?Underwriting factors such as the species, age, medical history, geographic location, and intended use (pet vs. breeding) influence premiums. Risk management measures like secure housing and routine veterinary care may improve insurability.
Still have questions? Talk to a local insurance expert.
https://completemarkets.com/Article/article-post/309/Voodoo-Valuations/
Voodoo Valuations
People pay dearly for simple answers. And many insurance agencies pay dearly for 'voodoo valuations' because they offer a quick and inexpensive way to pacify an agency owner’s desire for a simple, quick answer. In this document, Chris Burand warns that you’ll pay dearly in the long run.
According to a Louisiana legend, a voodoo queen, Marie La Veaux provided simple but costly answers for people in search of hope. She’d concoct a potion that caused a man’s heart to change with just one short kiss from a girl’s lips. Forever after, he’d be devoted only to her. For 1,000 Spanish bits or possession of the woman’s first born, Marie would undo the spell. Marie became a rich woman.
Voodoo valuations aren’t easy to recognize; they often appear legitimate. Here are a few keys to recognizing voodoo valuations:
THE FINAL PRICE DOESN’T CONSIDER TERMS
I’ve seen many agents agree to such terms as '1.5 times commissions based on retention,' while earning less than 1.0 times. They never would’ve sold for 1.0 times even if the deal was cash. But they heard a favorable multiple and that was all they needed to hear. The answers they sought were simple. Unfortunately, the real answers were complex and required a complete valuation, thorough due diligence, and an analysis of cash flow and ROI based on a number of terms and scenarios. It’s funny how in the long run the complex answers would’ve actually earned these sellers a higher multiple.
I researched a group of sellers recently. They received excellent prices, but significantly less than they expected. They didn’t consider the terms of the deal and the result was great financial pain. None of them had hired anyone beyond their local accountant.
THE VALUATION ISN’T ACCURATE
We expect answers to be a mouse-click or phone call away. Many valuation practitioners pretend that valuations are simple affairs. They give agents a simple formula to follow, or suggest that agents complete a do-it-yourself valuation. The answers are quick, but seldom accurate.
Hardly a week goes by that I don’t get at least one e-mail from an agency owner asking, 'Is 1.5 (or whatever multiple) still the appropriate multiple?' I could get rich quick if I was willing to dispense sugar pills or Cajun spells!
Agents should recognize practitioners who don’t understand the complexity of valuations. For example, before you even start a valuation you must agree on the correct definition of 'value.' Consider it a warning sign if the practitioner never discusses the appropriate definitions. Seek assistance elsewhere.
I’ve helped several agencies dig themselves out of deep financial holes that resulted from a series of acquisitions. The consultants that these agencies hired used the wrong definition of value for the acquisition targets, failed to consider working capital (which caused the buyer to severely deplete their own capital), and did not complete adequate due diligence. Of course, the consultant did supply seemingly simple answers!
I once saw a sign in a retail business that read, '50¢ for an answer. $2.00 for the correct answer.' Why pay even 50¢ for an answer if it’s wrong?
THE BUYER’S FINANCIAL STRENGTH ISN’T CONSIDERED
Many agency sales involve a seller-carry loan and/or are based on retention. This means that sellers are incurring significant risk when they sell; yet they don’t adjust their price for this risk adequately. Again, this results from searching for simple answers.
If the buyer’s risk of default is high and they’re not paying cash up front, they should pay more to compensate for this risk. For example, a fair price for an agency with $750,000 in revenue might be $900,000 for a buyer with strong financials and a minimal risk of default. However, if the buyer has poor financials and is requiring a seller-carry note and/or a retention factor, then the price should be at least $1 million or more, depending on the buyer’s financials.
Two financial aspects worth careful consideration are cash flow and companies that stress EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization). I’ve recently met several buyers possessing what I consider extremely weak financials. They each touted their positive EBITDA while downplaying their negative cash flows. A January 24, 2002 Wall Street Journal described the risk well. The author wrote, 'A telltale sign of trouble is negative cash flow from operations while the company’s so-called EBITDA is positive.'
The SEC released a warning to investors regarding companies that report or stress pro forma earnings or EBITDA earnings. If a seller is carrying risk, then the buyer should have a positive operating cash flow. Otherwise, they probably have financial problems. When buying an agency, the buyer must achieve positive cash flow, not just positive income, within a very specific period to make the acquisition profitable.
THEY FOCUS ON GROWTH FOR GROWTH’S SAKE
Quite a few agency owners dream of going public. Others just want to get big. Still others are tired of running their agencies and/or selling insurance. Instead, they decide to go after bigger fish, so they begin acquiring other agencies. Acquisitions can be exciting. They drive the ego. One study of acquisitions involving publicly traded companies 'noted that the undeserved premium paid is linked to the number of magazine covers the acquiring boss has graced before the deal' (The Economist, January 9, 1999). It doesn’t require much skill to buy an agency if a person is willing to overpay (which a lot of buyers seem willing to do).
Disney CEO Michael Eisner recently commented, 'I spend my life being Odysseus. I tie myself to the mast, and I don’t listen to the Sirens. The Sirens in my business are agents, investment bankers, the media, people saying that your testosterone level is gone because you haven’t made an acquisition in the last ten minutes' (Fortune, January 7, 2002). Many agencies feel the same pressure to grow by acquisition regardless of profitability. This might explain why every study I’ve seen, read, or heard in the past 27 years has shown that 50% to 80% of all acquisitions fail. If being profitable concerns you, be strong in your convictions to grow profitably.
Marie La Veaux made a lot of money giving simple answers to desperate people. Her magic potions were hard to resist. Agency owners are often just as eager for voodoo valuations, but the cost for quick, easy answers is often steep. You have the experience, wisdom, and alternatives. Don’t purchase or practice voodoo valuations.
https://completemarkets.com/Article/article-post/1950/THE-PRODUCTION-WINNERS-CIRCLE/
https://completemarkets.com/Article/article-post/1660/SAFETY-AND-SURVIVAL-IN-AN-EARTHQUAKE-PART-1/
Safety And Survival In An Earthquake, Part 1
SAFETY AND SURVIVAL IN AN EARTHQUAKE, PART 1 THIRD EDITION-AMERICAN RED CROSS FOREWORD Planning for 'The Big One' is an idea that has finally arrived. All over the United States, the earth shakes many times during the year. There is some apprehension, but the disturbance is usually momentary, so most people tend to forget it quickly. The severity of the earthquakes that struck the San Fernando Valley in 1971, and Coalinga and Idaho in 1983 served to jolt citizens into the realization that disastrous earthquakes strike suddenly and without warning. In reflecting upon these recent quakes, we may ask: How many homes and possessions could have been saved? How many injuries could have been prevented? How many lives were disrupted temporarily or permanently? The resultant awareness has spurred an urgent and continuing interest in the need for education for survival. Your American Red Cross has been serving the American people for over 100 years, in all kinds of disasters. One of the most important aspects of its mandate is to provide disaster services and to help the community prepare for disasters. This handbook is a part of an earthquake preparedness course entitled Safety and Survival in an Earthquake. The American Red Cross has developed this book, and course, to promote more individual awareness and response to disasters, particularly to the potential of an earthquake in your community. You will also learn more about how to help yourself, your family, and your neighbors to survive a major catastrophe and to prevent unnecessary injuries and damages before they occur. Involve the entire family in becoming familiar with this book and keep it readily available. The life you save may be your own or that of someone you love! Introduction Earthquake! To many people, the word strikes fear. To others, it is a topic of conversation and speculation. 'Big' ones have happened far enough apart in the past to dull the memory. The idea that the next earthquake is only a remote possibility tends to create a false sense of security. But is the next 'big' quake only a remote possibility? Many prominent and world renowned scientists think not. Based on scientific research and historical records, geologists and seismologists now advise us that many areas of the United States could experience a damaging earthquake. In fact, the strongest earthquakes in United States history occurred on the New Madrid fault, in the Mississippi Valley. This series of earthquakes happened from December 1811 through February 1812, and were strong enough to damage chimneys 400 miles away, and ring church bells on the east coast. It is also interesting to note that the first record of an earthquake in the United States was in Rhode Island in 1568. We know that earthquake danger is highest in Alaska, California, and Hawaii, but is also greater than is commonly thought in the Puget Sound area of Washington, in parts of Nevada, Idaho, and Utah, in the Charleston, SC area, and in parts of New York and Massachusetts. Forty-four of our fifty states are now considered earthquake prone, although not all of these will experience damaging earthquakes. It is not possible to prevent earthquakes or change the likelihood of an earthquake occurring. However, you can greatly increase your chances of safety and survival, by being aware and prepared. Awareness is the first step. Preparedness is the key! WHAT CAUSES EARTHQUAKES? Very little has been known about the causes of earthquakes until this century. Geologists have concluded the crust of the earth consists of plates of layered rock which are in continual movement every so slowly. In some places, where these plates meet, one is forced under the other, creating faults and mountains. In other places, tow plates may slide past each other, with their boundaries forming a fault, such as the San Andreas in California. Faults also occur far from the edges of the Crystal plates, as in the New Madrid fault zone in the southeastern United States. Less is known about the creation and behavior of these faults. They may occur from compression of the crust as plates push together. Because the earth's crust is several miles thick, there is tremendous friction between the pieces which are trying to move. When the strain becomes great enough to overcome the friction, there is sudden movement, resulting in the ground motion and shock waves which we feel as an earthquake. The strength of an earthquake may be described in terms of 'magnitude' measured on the Richter scale. A 3.0 magnitude quake is easily felt, a 4.0 attracts attention over a wide area, a 5.0 may break windows, a 6.0 is capable of serious damage, and a 7.0 or greater is potentially a great disaster, if it strikes a densely populated area. There is rarely a single earthquake shock. There may be foreshocks, which are usually small, and there are numerous aftershocks of various intensities. Seismologists believe that someday they may be able to distinguish characteristics among the foreshocks that will enable them to detect early warning signals about the size and location of a pending large earthquake. However, prediction is still in its infancy, and you cannot afford to wait for a warning before beginning to make preparations for safety and survival in an earthquake. DURING THE EARTHQUAKE Stay Calm! Try to Calm and Reassure Others. If you are indoors, stay there! Get under a sturdy table or desk or brace yourself in a doorway or corner. Move to an inside hallway when possible. Choose a location which will allow you air to breathe in the event the building collapses around you. Stay clear of windows, bookcases, china cabinets, heavy mirrors, hanging plants, and other heavy objects. Watch out for falling plaster. If you are outside, move to an open area away from power lines, power poles, trees, walls, and chimneys. If you are on a sidewalk near buildings, duck into a doorway to protect yourself from falling bricks, glass, plaster, and other debris. In a crowded store or other public place, do not rush for exits. Move away from display shelves containing objects that may fall. In a high-rise building, get under a desk and stay away from windows. Stay in the buildings on the same floor. Avoid using the elevators, since the power may go off. Don't be surprised if the fire alarm or sprinkler systems go on. If you are in your car, pull to the side of the road and stop the car. Do not park under bridges or overpasses or overhead wires. Stay in your car until the shaking has stopped. Stay in your car if electrical wires have fallen across your vehicle. Do not attempt to cross bridges or overpasses that may have been damaged. AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE Expect aftershocks. Move carefully. Use extreme caution when entering damaged buildings, since aftershocks can bring them down. Continue to protect your emergency supplies from falling debris. Wear shoes for protection from debris or broken glass. Immediately check for injuries, trapped persons and handicapped persons in your family, neighborhood or among fellow workers. Do not attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. Immediately check for fires. Extinguish them with a fire extinguisher or baking soda. If unable to extinguish the fire, leave immediately. Immediately clean up spilled medicines, drugs, or other potentially harmful materials. Use a flashlight when searching for gas leaks or fire hazards. Do not use a lighted match. Do not use electrical switches or appliances if gas leaks are suspected because sparks can ignite gas from broken lines. Check gas, water, and electrical lines and check appliances for damage. If you smell gas or see a broken line, shut off main valve. If the utilities have been turned off or disrupted, have a qualified mechanic (plumber, electrician, or utility representative) restore the service. Never touch downed power lines or objects touched by downed lines. Confine household pets if walls or fences are down. Don't use your telephones except for emergency calls. Check water supplies. If water is off, use emergency water obtained from water heaters, toilet tanks, melted ice cubes, and canned fruit and vegetables. Don't drink the water from toilet tanks if a disinfectant chemical has been added to the water. Check to see that sewage lines are intact before flushing the toilet. Check closets and storage shelf areas, but open doors carefully and watch for falling objects. Turn on your battery-operated radio (or car radio) for damage reports and information. Do not spread rumors. Do not use your vehicle unless there is an emergency. Do not go sightseeing. Notify your out-of-town 'contact person' about your situation by mail if other communications are not available. When telephones become available, call your out-of-town contact. If telephone communications are difficult during daytime hours, try placing your call in off-peak hours between 1 and 6 a.m. Use outdoor barbecues, camping stoves, hibachis, chafing dishes, fondue pots, or fireplace for cooking. However, check the chimney for cracks and damages before using fireplace. Cooperate with public safety efforts. Do not go into damaged areas unless you have been requested to do so. Keep streets clear for passage of emergency vehicles. INSTRUCTIONS FOR GAS, ELECTRICITY, AND WATER Gas: Learn how to shut off gas: (do so only in an emergency). The main shut off valve is located next to your meter on the inlet pipe. Use a wrench and give it a quarter turn in either direction so that it runs crosswise on the pipe. The line is now closed. Electricity: Teach responsible members of your family how to turn off electricity, gas and water at main switch and valves. Water: The water shutoff valve is found where water enters the house. Also, the main water shutoff valve is found with meter in a concrete box in the sidewalk. HOME EMERGENCY SUPPLIES This suggested list consists of items usually available in a home and used regularly. It is designed to help your family identify and organize them for any emergency. Quantities of emergency supplies should be adequate for at least 72 hours. A two-week supply of water, food, medicine, and other consumable items is recommended as a minimum reserve. SURVIVAL Water 2 qts. to 1 gal per person per day First Aid Kit-ample and freshly stocked First Aid Book (American Red Cross, Standard First Aid & Personal Safety) Food Can opener (non-electric) Blankets, space blankets, or a sleeping bag for each member of family Radio-portable, battery-operated Spare batteries Essential medication and eyeglasses Fire extinguisher A-B-C type Flashlight Fresh and spare batteries and bulb Watch or clock-battery or spring-wound Smoke detector-battery operated Escape ladder-for second story of home Food for pets Money SANITATION SUPPLIES Large plastic trash bags for trash, waste, water protection, ground cloth Large trash cans Bar soap Liquid detergent Shampoo Toothpaste and toothbrushes Pre-moistened toilettes Deodorant Denture cleanser Feminine supplies Infant supplies Toilet paper Portable toilet chemicals-add to sewage to deodorize, disinfect, and keep away insects Newspaper-to wrap garbage and waste Household bleach SAFETY AND COMFORT Sturdy shoes-for every family member Heavy gloves for every person clearing debris Candles Matches-dipped in wax and kept in a waterproof container Clothes-complete change kept dry Knife or razor blades Garden hose-for siphoning and fire fighting Tent Hat or cap-protection from sun, rain, or cold Disposable face masks-protection from dust and smoke COOKING Barbecue-hibachi camp stove, chafing dish, fireplace, etc. Fuel for cooking equipment-charcoal, lighter fluid, fuel for camp stove, presto logs, sterno Plastic knives, forks, spoons Paper plates and cups Paper towels Heavy-duty aluminum foil Plastic food wrap TOOL AND SUPPLIES Ax, shovel, broom Crescent wrench-for turning off gas main Screwdriver Pliers Hammer Coil of 1/2' rope Plastic tape Pen and paper Plastic sheeting Deck of cards, toys for children Coil of baling wire Pail for carrying water or supplies CAR MINI-SURVIVAL KIT Non-perishable food-store in clean coffee cans Bottled water First aid kit and book Flares Fire extinguisher-A-B-C type Blanket or sleeping bag Sealable plastic bags Flashlight-fresh and spare batteries and bulb Essential medication Tools-screwdriver, pliers Short rubber hose-for siphoning Small package of tissues Premoistened toilettes Local maps Extra clothes, jeans, sweater Sturdy shoes or boots STORAGE OF EMERGENCY SUPPLIES Some families prefer to store their emergency supplies in one location. Choose a place in your home which would be relatively safe in time of an earthquake (such as a closet or under a bed). The perishable supplies will remain stable longer if stored in a cool, dark location. One suggested method for storing emergency supplies is to place them in a large, covered trash container. They can be layered as shown and all kept together in the large covered container. Note: It is best to store plastic water containers on top of the contents rather than on the bottom where they could possibly crack and leak from weight of heavy objects placed on top of them. DISASTER FOOD PLANNING Most people take an adequate food supply for granted. However, a disaster or an emergency can disrupt the food supply at any time. The emergency may be widespread or localized. It may be as large as an earthquake or as small as a blocked road or a power or water main failure. Whatever the emergency, the same stock of food will meet your family needs, and it can consist of preferred, familiar foods you use in daily meals. There is no need to rush out and buy large supplies of foods you have never tried. The canned foods, dry mixes, and other staples on the cupboard shelves in most homes are well-suited to emergency food plans. Familiar foods are important! They can lift morale and give a feeling of security in time of stress. Prepare an emergency food supply that will last two weeks, even though you probably won't be on your own that long. A two-week supply of water and food can relieve great deal of inconvenience and uncertainty during the immediate post-disaster period and until orderly services and systems are restored. You may already have a two-week supply of food on hand in the pantry or on the cupboard shelves. Maintaining it is a simple matter of use and replacement. As far as safety is concerned, commercially canned foods will keep almost indefinitely as long as the cans are not leaking or bulging. However, your emergency food supply should be of the highest quality possible (good color, flavor, and appearance). With this in mind, it is best if you rotate the supply once or twice a year. TIPS TO REMEMBER ABOUT FOOD STORAGE Choose foods your family likes. Keep food in the driest and coolest spot in the house and choose a dark area if possible. Keep all food covered at all times. Open food boxes or cans carefully so that you can close them tightly after each use. Wrap bread, cookies, or crackers in plastic bags and keep them in tight containers. Empty opened packages of sugar, dried fruits, or nuts into screw-top jars or airtight tin cans because insects and rodents may be a problem. Do not hoard. Don't forget canned and non-perishable foods for your pets! Date and rotate food supplies stored for emergency use. Foods in glass bottles and jars may break during an earthquake. Purchase emergency foods in cans whenever possible. POINTS TO REMEMBER ABOUT FOODS AND GOOD NUTRITION Make it a rule that you eat at least one square meal every day. Drink adequate amounts of liquid (water, soup, juices, beverage) to enable your body to function properly. Varieties may be limited, but calorie intake should be ample in order to meet energy needs and to provide protein to do important work. In your disaster planning, experiment by serving your family a 'disaster' menu. Practice by serving your family a disaster meal once a month so that they will be familiar with survival food preparation. Varieties may be limited, but calorie intake should be ample to meet energy needs and provide the protein needed to do important work. In your disaster planning, experiment by serving your family a 'disaster' menu. Practice by serving your family a disaster meal once a month so that they will be familiar with survival food preparation. GUIDE FOR RESERVE FOOD SUPPLY Shelf Life of Foods Here are suggested replacement periods for the kinds of food listed in the Guide for Reserve Food Supply: USE WITHIN 6 MONTHS: Evaporated milk Dried fruit, in metal container Dry crisp crackers in metal container Gum USE WITHIN 1 YEAR: Nonfat dry or whole milk, in metal container Canned meat, poultry, fish. Mixtures of meat, vegetables, and cereal products, in sealed cans or jars. Canned condensed meat and vegetable soups Dehydrated soups, in metals container Canned fruits, fruits juices & vegetables <