After the Disaster IV

What to Throw Away:
Almost any textiles, like carpet, mattresses, bedding, clothing, stuffed animals, etc., that have been submerged in water for some time should probably just be thrown away. The dirt and odors that are imbedded in the fabric will most likely never come out. Also, they have the potential of containing mold spores that could cause serious risks to your health. The safest thing to do is to just replace them. Textiles that weren’t in water, but were exposed to the combination of heat and humidity, may have had the opportunity to grow mildew. Do what you can to remove it, but in the end, these too might have to be thrown away.


What to Do With Your Food:
Frozen food: If the meat still contains ice crystals and feels as cold as if refrigerated, it’s okay to refreeze it. However, if it’s thawed or has been in forty-degree temperatures or higher for more than two hours, throw it away. Fruits are pretty salvageable. Unless there is mold or sliminess, it’s okay to refreeze juices, and home or commercially packaged fruit. Vegetables can be refrozen if there are still ice crystals, but if they are thawed, they belong in the trashcan. You can refreeze most breads and pastries unless they contain custard or cheese fi llings, likes cake and pie, which you should get rid of.
Refrigerated food: If meat is still cold or has been in forty-degree temperatures or lower for less than two hours, it’s okay to keep. Anything over two hours should be thrown out. Just like meat, dairy products are good if still chilled, but anything else goes in the garbage. The exceptions are butter and hard cheeses, which are safe to keep if they are exposed to warmer temperatures. All fruits and vegetables are safe to keep, unless they have been cooked. Breads are generally safe, except pasta—especially if it is in a sauce.

After the Disaster III

Assess the Damage:
Go through your house and thoroughly inspect everything from top to bottom. Check for cracks or erosion in the foundation, make sure major systems like the air conditioning work, and check appliances to make sure they operate. Make a written list of damage in addition to taking photographs.
If you have any photos of your house from before the disaster, the extent of damage done is much easier to identify for insurance purposes. When the adjuster comes to assess the damage, be ready with documents, receipts, photos, and anything else to help prove the extent of damage that has been done.

Make Temporary Repairs:
Do what you can to prevent any further damage from happening to your home by making minor repairs. Be careful, however, not to remove any evidence of the damage so that an adjuster is able to make a correct assessment. By making an effort to avoid more damage, an adjuster is more likely to approve the claims you make than if you let your home get even worse.

After the Disaster II

Call Your Insurance Agency ASAP:
Even if you don’t have insurance that covers the particular damage, some policies cover living expenses while you are out of your house. If you don’t have insurance, call the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at 1-800-621-FEMA to apply for federal disaster assistance.


Protect Yourself:
When returning to your damaged home, take a few cautionary steps to prevent harm. Wear protective clothing, like gloves, boots, and long pants, which will protect you from debris, chemicals, and bacteria. If there is any sort of water damage there is a possibility of mold spores in the air, so wear a face mask to keep you from inhaling them. If you smell gas, open a window and leave immediately. If it’s possible, turn off the main gas valve from outside, and then call the gas company.
If your appliances are wet, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box, unplug the appliances, and let them dry out before using again. You may want to have them inspected by a professional.

After the Disaster I

I plan on sharing excerpts from an outstanding article I found online. I hope you find it informing and helpful. I adore the motto of the BSA, Be Pre*ared.

After the Disaster: Now What? by Ashley Evanson Tuesday, from LDSLiving, online magazine, full article found at http://www.ldslivingmagazine.com/articles/show/1615
There’s a lot to be done and a lot to cope with after a natural disaster has hit. It’s a stressful time, and a lot of people don’t even know where to start. If you ever find yourself in a traumatic situation like this, let the following be a guide to help you deal with the disaster.

Drink Clean Water:
This is by far the most important thing. Access to clean drinking water after a natural disaster is critical to survival, but water can be a challenge to get a hold of. Different disasters affect water sources differently; however, in all cases, consider water from wells, cisterns, and any other delivery systems contaminated until tested and proved safe for drinking.
In an emergency, it’s best to use bottled water if at all possible. If it is not available, it’s safe to use water from neighboring municipalities that weren’t affected by the disaster. Also, if plumbing fixtures in your house weren’t damaged, you can get water from your water heater or water pressure tank. Make sure to boil water that could possibly be contaminated in order to get rid of microorganisms and bacteria. However, make sure your local water supplier or health department has given an official boil order before doing so. Otherwise, the water could still contain harmful substances that boiling doesn’t get rid of.

Temple Grounds/Flowers

Click on this website http://www.vincentfam.net/2008-05-05_Flowers/ to see the beautiful gardens and grounds surrounding Temple Square in Salt Lake City. Just glorious. Thanks Dana N. for sharing this with me.

Dear Reader, will you let me know if you enjoyed this please.

Summer Reading Plus

My thanks to Alaina for lending me this series of books. I should finish the last in a week or two. This is something I can highly recommend.

What are you reading and would like to share with me?

In an ancient land in a time foretold by prophets, a babe was born beneath a shining star. Thirty years later, Jesus of Nazareth began teaching a message of hope, peace, and love. He claimed to be the Son of God, and his words - and his life - would change the world.
In Fishers of Men, the first volume in the new series The Kingdom and the Crown, best-selling author Gerald N. Lund transports us to the days of Christ's mortal ministry and invites us to experience the emotions and events of those extraordinary times.
Reports of Jesus of Nazareth have reached the ears of David ben Joseph, a merchant in Capernaum, who has waited and watched for the Messiah ever since a special, starlit night thirty years ago. He and his family decide to see for themselves whether or not the rumors are true and journey to hear Jesus.
Though David is quick to accept Jesus as the Messiah, the rest of his family is more cautious. His wife, Deborah, and his son, Simeon, leaders in the rebellious Zealot movement, look for a Messiah that will crush the Romans with power and the sword, not one preaching a message of love and forgiveness.
Meanwhile, reports of Jesus have reached into the very heart of Jerusalem, and both the powerful Sadducee Mordechai ben Uzziel and the Pharisee Azariah are growing uneasy with the news. Though they hold opposing political views, both agree that something must be done to stop this man from Nazareth before he gets out of hand. However, in Mordechai's own household the influence of the carpenter from Nazareth begins to create conflict.
Fishers of Men is a sweeping epic filled with memorable characters who bring to life an extraordinary time in the history of the world. It is a story about the importance of family, the power of faith, the miracle of forgiveness, and the strength needed to follow your heart.

Douglas Coy Miles

Do you recognize that name? Brother Miles created this amoung many other church awards-How many CTR rings have you owned in your life. How many have you lost or your kiddos lost in their lifetimes. Some people have expressed to me their dislike for this ring but NOT ME. I love it. I love what it stands for. I love how it can remind children, for whom it was created, or any age person to CHOOSE THE RIGHT. Thanks Brother Miles for this rings.

Brother Miles just passed away; you can go here to read about his life http://www.ldslivingonline.com/article.php?articleId=63390, I think it was worth my time.