Emergencies of the Strangest Kinds

We all use technology as if it were stable and predictable. How often do most of us change our email address? Making sure our friends have the new address, trying to update mailing lists, remembering to change all of our online accounts... it can be a big pain. If you have an AT&T account that...

Pet Safety and Heat

Two quick reminders to help you keep your pets safe during these warm months. Too Hot to Trot Asphalt temperature and outdoor air temperature are two very different things. When the outside air temperature is 77°, the asphalt in the sun is 125°. A dog's foodpads aren't any thicker than our feet, and they are...

Temperature: 90° and Climbing

Weather reports are predicting near 100° temperatures in Northern California later this week. Extreme heat and storms can affect the power in your neighborhood. How do you prepare for this? Lots of practical suggestions about power outages and extreme heat are at Ready.gov, The following tips came from the power outages link. Prepare: If you...

CERT and Ham Radio Emergency Practice at Urban Shield 2017

This year Urban Shield has designed in a set of exercises for CERT (or NERT, CORE, etc.) teams and CERT-trained ham radio operators to participate. The event will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2017 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Here's the official Urban Shield 2017 CERT/NERT Team Invitation (PDF) with more detail. Interested...

Disaster Apps

Many people like to think we'll be able to check our phones for the latest news, instructions on what to do, and messages from our friends and family who may have been affected by a disaster. If the disaster is serious, those people may be surprised to learn that cell phone networks are jammed even...

About Privacy

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offered this bit of news about Privacy Awareness Week, which was May 8-12, 2017. It’s an annual initiative of the Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities Forum that combines the efforts of privacy agencies in the region to share information about privacy practices and rules. The article includes some helpful links: FTC...

CPR: Simple, Saving Lives

The Port of Oakland recently recognized the heroes of a life-saving adventure at the Oakland Airport. After a traveler collapsed from a heart attack outside the terminal, his life was saved by the quick response of other travelers who knew CPR (cario pulmonary resuscitation). CPR is easy to learn. The Red Cross notes that "most...

Refrig: How Long Without Power?

Let's say something just took your power out. No power, no refrigeration. What happens to the food? If you're like me, you won't be able (or want) to eat it all right away, and you may not have a working stove to cook it on. What should you expect? FEMA offers the following guidelines. Be...

Financial Readiness

In addition to the widely dreaded tax day (this year on April 18th), the month of April is Financial Readiness Month. To assist with your disaster readiness, FEMA is offering this great guide: Strengthen Your Financial Preparedness for Disasters and Emergencies (in Spanish) with fillable Checklists and Forms. You might also find the Consumer Action...