Do you know what to do before, during and after a quake? If you haven’t experienced a large earthquake for some time, it’s easy to forget about them. However, they affect almost everyone. Don’t believe me? See my last post about earthquake awareness if you need convincing.

Now let’s talk about preparation. Even if you never experience a major quake, your prep is helpful in almost any disaster. Here are a few practical ways you can get ready:

Preparation starts at home

• Most injuries come from falling items. Secure bookshelves, televisions and other belongings. Don’t forget to strap your water heater to the wall. If it falls, it could disconnect your gas and water lines.
• Create a disaster plan and practice it. Your family should know how to react and where to meet if you’re separated. Don’t rely on cell phones for communication.
• Prepare an emergency kit that includes non-perishable food, a fresh water supply, medications, first aid kit, flashlight and a battery powered radio.

Spring into Action

During any quake, don’t forget four simple words: drop, cover, hold on.

• Drop to the floor
• Find cover under a sturdy table or desk
• Hold on to prevent your cover from moving

After the quake, depending on its severity, remember there could be aftershocks, broken glass, or downed power lines. Be sure to meet up with your family as discussed in your disaster plan.

To act on your newfound awareness, look no further than the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut. Visit www.ShakeOut.org/centralus to see how you can participate in this state-wide earthquake drill spanning nine states. To learn even more, the South California Earthquake Center’s website has seven steps to earthquake safety.

Don’t discount the threat of earthquakes. Not only is the prep simple, but it can also protect you against other natural disasters as well.

Batten down the hatches

Let’s start with the easy tasks indoors. They take only a minute, but they’ll go a long way to keeping you warm throughout the season.

• Check the batteries in your carbon monoxide alarm and smoke detectors, and test them to ensure they’re working.
• Reverse the direction of your ceiling fan to run counterclockwise on low. This pushes the warm air that has risen back down to the floor.

Ready to roll up your sleeves? Set aside time on the weekend, crank up the music, and tackle some tougher winterizing steps.

• If you have storm windows, put them in. This is a good time to install film over older, leaky windows. Check for obvious air leaks. Do windows or doors need caulking? Does the sweep on the bottom of your door need adjusting?
• Service your furnace. A technician can give it a complete annual checkup.
• Have a chimney sweep inspect and clean your chimney before using your fireplace.

The ins and outs of winter prep

Like the indoors, there are a few easy chores outside to get you started.

• Unhook your garden hose from the faucet and drain it to avoid damage during the freeze and thaw cycle.
• Check the oil in your snow blower or generators and fill them with fresh gas now instead of after you’re buried by the first major snowstorm.

Feeling adventurous? Well, then I’ve got a task for you.

• Clean your gutters. Hating cleaning them? Me, too, but it’s important so rain and melting snow can drain. Also, make sure your downspouts direct water away from your foundation.

A Saturday spent preparing could save you time repairing later. So, who’s still procrastinating on winterizing? Is there anyone who’s already done?

You’re in one of the most powerful earthquakes in U.S. history. The New Madrid quake was so powerful it reversed the flow of the Mississippi river! This was only the first in a series of three earthquakes over three months in the New Madrid seismic zone.

Fortunately, the Midwest was not heavily populated at that time. There were only 5,700 people in the St. Louis-Memphis region compared to its current population of 11 to 12 million. An earthquake of that magnitude today would be catastrophic.

The risk continues today

Today marks the 200^th anniversary of these New Madrid earthquakes. We are fortunate that we have not had a large earthquake in the central U.S. for some time. That doesn’t mean the risk has disappeared.

The New Madrid seismic zone is still very active. Last week, there were three small earthquakes in this zone. Although I’m emphasizing Midwest earthquake risks, almost all areas of the country are at risk. Last week alone, there were 774 earthquakes with a magnitude greater than one in the U.S. – and not just in the west.

Prepare for the unexpected

So what can we do? During national earthquake awareness month in February, I’ll talk in-depth about preparing your home for an earthquake. But, there’s plenty you can do now to get ready.

• Learn more about earthquakes. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has great earthquake information as does COUNTRY Financial on earthquake safety.
• Determine your risk. The USGS also has earthquake resources for each state. You can learn about recent quakes and see if you’re at risk.
• Take action. If you’re in the Midwest area, take part in the Great Central U.S. Shake Out by participating in an earthquake preparedness drill.

Depending where you live, earthquakes might be the farthest thing from your mind. However, the risk is real, so make sure you’re ready!

This is Fire Prevention Week. This year’s theme is “Protect Your Family from Fires.” It focuses on protecting your family from any source of fire – a daunting task. Here are some tips to ensure you’re protected overall and prepared.

Step 1 – Be alarmed

Getting a smoke detector is obvious, right? But, are yours in the right place? Install them in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on each floor. Most fire deaths happen in houses lacking alarms or homes without operational ones. Check out these tips for installing smoke alarms.

Also, don’t forget to maintain them. Test each monthly, switch batteries yearly and replace alarms every 10 years.

Step 2 – Practice makes perfect

Fire drills aren’t just for school children. According to a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) survey, less than 25 percent of Americans have an escape plan and practice regular drills. Create a plan and practice it. Include your children in the creation process, too.

Step 3 – Don’t PASS on a fire extinguisher

Buy a fire extinguisher. Educate your family on where it’s stored, and when and how to use it. I keep one in my kitchen, basement and by my garage door. When using an extinguisher, remember PASS. Pull the pin, Aim low, Squeeze the trigger and Sweep the nozzle side to side at the base of the fire.

Also, know when it’s time to call the pros. If a fire is too large to contain, leave your home and call 911. Even if it’s a small one, calling 911 ensures you’ll have backup in case the blaze grows. Remember, fire extinguishers are suited for small fires like a stovetop or garbage can fire.

This week is an important time to brush up on the dangers of home fires and preventative measures. For more fire safety tips, head to the COUNTRY Financial webpage or check out NFPA’s info on Fire Prevention Week.

Also, share this post with friends and family to get them prepared for household fires.

Where did all of that snow go? For many Americans, the excess water seeped into their homes and basements. That’s right; the Great Thaw is upon us! However, there are a few simple ways to protect your home.

First line of defense

Now’s a good time to make sure your sump pump is working optimally. The combination of the ground thawing and increased surface water from melted snow means your sump pump has been working overtime this week and will likely continue in the coming days.

To accommodate this influx and ensure your basement stays dry, I’d recommend installing a backup sump pump, or a battery operated or water-powered backup. To prevent electrical problems, your pump should be on its own electrical circuit. You don’t want a circuit breaker or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlet outage to interrupt its power supply.

Attack from above

The problem might not be indoors, but on your roof. Examine gutters and downspouts for blockages. Let’s face it; we’re all busy in the fall (watching college football in my case). Leaves could still be clogging gutters and downspouts.

As snow melts and spring storms loom, your gutters might soon be overflowing with water, which pools at the foundation of your house and can enter your basement. Therefore, keeping gutters clean is a simple way to ensure water is redirected away from your home. Likewise, if large snow drifts are against your house, shovel them back several feet to prevent basement seepage.

If all else fails…

Sometimes, whether it’s too much rain or a surplus of melting snow, water buildup can’t be prevented. However, I recently remodeled my basement into a man cave, and I’d be distraught if water damaged all of my work.

If you’re like me, you’re going to want to remember most insurance policies exclude coverage for this damage unless you have a sump pump or sewer back up endorsement on your policy.

According to Punxsutawney Phil, spring is around the corner, meaning more rain on top of the already-saturated ground. If you remember to keep water away from your home and check on your sump pump, you’re going to have a great (and dry) spring time!

How’s everyone enjoying this “heat wave” so far?

Except an hour later, the top hat on your plastic Frosty catches on fire. It was probably a bad idea to plug 11 cords into one outlet. Before he melts, the flame could spread and ruin more than just your holiday décor.

Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence. For far too many people, the holidays turn tragic due to fires caused by attempts to spread holiday cheer.

Trees – artificial or natural?

Before you head into the wild and chop down the nearest evergreen, check out this video. The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) and Underwriter Laboratories produced it to show how dangerous dry holiday trees can be.

If you have a real tree, make sure it’s fully watered at all times. At the first sign of dryness in the needles, throw it out. The NFPA estimates that 12 people needlessly die each year from holiday tree fires! The NFPA has a lot of great information on tree safety: Holiday Fire Facts and Safety Tips.

Overloaded outlets

When the sun goes down, homes everywhere begin to shine. The holidays wouldn’t be the same without the glow of lights. If you’re going to use decorative lights, make sure you use properly rated outdoor extension cords and do not overload electrical circuits

Also, don’t decorate alone; involve the family! Nearly 5,800 of Santa’s elves visit an emergency room each year with injuries from hanging holiday decorations. Get help when stringing lights on those hard-to-reach places. For more information, check out this Consumer Product Safety Commission brochure.

Roasting on an open fire

Even though the holidays are magical, you can’t forget the candle safety tips you practice year-round. In the U.S., a candle fire is reported every 30 seconds. Candles are a common holiday sight, but they are usually too close to combustible decorations. Watch this COUNTRY Financial video and see how dangerous unattended candles can be.

Heating is also very important during the chilly holiday season. Be safe with space heating devices, and don’t forget to check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Take a look at this information from the NFPA to put a freeze on winter fires and get fire safety tips from COUNTRY.

The holidays can be the most wonderful time of the year, as long as you remember to be careful during all the celebrating.

How did I get here? Apparently, we were racing.  When I sped through a patch of tall grass, I hit a deep washout, and the ATV overturned.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t wearing my helmet.  After a concussion and hours of forgotten memories, I was left with nothing but a stark reminder of the potential hazards of reckless ATV driving.

When I heard the theme of this year’s National Farm Safety Week was “ATVs: Work Smart.  Ride Safe,” it certainly hit home.

Typically, farmers do a good job of using ATVs safely, especially since checking fence lines and feeding cattle aren’t injury-prone jobs.  However, ATVs can also be used for fun, and that’s when injuries occur.

To ensure you’re safe while riding, every ATV rider should remember the following tips:
1. Always wear a helmet (a lesson I learned the hard way).
2. Do not allow passengers (unless the ATV is designed for more than one rider).
3. Make sure the vehicle is age-appropriate for the driver.
4. Do not allow anyone to operate it without proper training.
5. Avoid riding it on roads.

Also, not all ATVs are created equal.  If you have a big, heavy farm ATV, don’t allow anyone to use it for recreation.  For pleasure riding, buy one specifically designed for that purpose.

When used properly by responsible riders, ATVs are a valuable asset on the farm.  In fact, in many operations, they’re the most used piece of equipment. The key is to treat them properly, not like a toy.

And don’t forget, National Farm Safety Week, sponsored by the National Education Center for Agriculture Safety, is Sept. 19 to 25.  You can find more information at www.necasag.org. Remember, work smart and ride safe!

While we can’t control where and when storms will strike, we can control how we react and prepare.  A few tips, especially at this time of year, could keep you from getting caught off guard and risking your life in severe weather events. 

Is it a watch or a warning?

The terms always confuse people, so don’t feel alone if you don’t know the difference between a watch and a warning.   Here’s the deal.  Whether it’s a severe storm, tornado, flooding, or wildfire, a warning is always worse then a watch.

A watch means conditions are right for a severe weather event; it’s likely that it COULD happen.  If you hear a watch on the radio or see it on the TV, you should be cautious and keep paying attention to weather reports.

A warning means an actual weather event has been sighted in your area and you are at immediate risk. This means it IS happening! If you see a warning, you should take all precautions relevant for the type of weather event, including taking cover.

Get a kit

Do you have an emergency kit prepared in case you get stranded without power or communication? Your kit should include:

• A three-day supply of non-perishable foods
• Bottled water
• Battery operated radio
• Flashlight
• Extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Simple tools
• Medications you need
• Important documentation like family and doctor phone numbers.

Also, in a power outage, your cell phone may not work!

Watch those lines!

Never ever go near a downed power line. If it is energized, it will kill you immediately.

If you are in an auto accident, a power line is knocked down, and if there is no immediate threat in your car (like fire), call 911 immediately and STAY IN YOUR CAR until help arrives.  Some people say it’s safe to hop like a bunny, shuffle your feet, or jump free of your car and the power lines and you’ll survive. But you are risking your life if you try any of these techniques.

If you come up on an accident and there are downed power lines, do not attempt to help any injured parties or move the power lines. Some people think you can move a power line with a board, or a wooden broom handle, NEVER attempt this. Wait for the authorities to de-energize the lines.

Resources available

All kinds of resources are available to help you prepare for weather emergencies and to protect your property from weather related losses.  We recommend our own and another offered by The Institute for Business & Home Safety.

Take my advice – prevent damage to electronics with surge suppression. 

Surges aren’t just caused by lightning.  They’re also caused by motor driven appliances like air conditioners, dishwashers, and refrigerators. Eighty percent of temporary power surges originate from inside your house.   

You probably already know it’s a good idea to use surge protector power strips for all your expensive electronic devices.  But there are two more places where surge suppression is necessary.

• First and foremost, call your power company and ask to have a surge protector installed on the electric meter of your home. This will help guard your appliances and electronics against surges that come from outside of your home, like lightning.  This might run you 175 bucks – the price for peace of mind.
• Next, have an electrician install a whole house surge protector on your breaker box to help protect your electrical system against surges from inside your house and anything that gets past the protection on the meter.  This can run about the same price as the meter protector.  Many newer homes already have this protection installed, so you might already be covered!

Following this advice means you’ll have a wall of protection.  If lightning strikes, you’ll have protection at the meter to knock down the strength of the surge.  After that, you have a defense at the breaker box that will either stop it or take away more strength.  Finally, you have the outlet strips that should take the final surge away.

Hope that info helps.  Have a great Spring and watch out for those storms!

For every tragic accident involving a passenger vehicle and a farm implement on the road, there are thousands of near misses.  Today’s modern farm equipment takes up most of the road and, because of its massive size, it’s often difficult for the operator to see what’s behind it.  Take a look at the photo below.  Look at how the entire right side tires of the combine are in the ditch to get over far enough to leave the other lane open. Imagine if that was a more narrow country road!  

It is imperative to be alert on the road.  If you approach a piece of farm equipment from either direction, SLOW DOWN.  The fastest farm machinery out there only goes 30 mph, so be alert. 

Early morning, dusk, evening, and foggy days are the most dangerous times to share the roadway with farm equipment.  Visibility of the equipment is a major issue that all manufacturers and safety groups continue to focus a lot of attention on.  Not only is it difficult to see the equipment and realize how much space it’s taking on the road, it’s also challenging to see around it to see if it’s safe to pass.

If you’re passing a piece of farm equipment from the rear, do not attempt the pass near an intersection, who knows if the farmer plans on turning.  The farmer may not be able to see you.  Here’s a scary story about a farmer we know who almost died in this situation.

Farmers are only on the roads for a few months out of the year and what they do is a necessity for us.  Please show a little extra patience when traveling this harvest season so you, your family and the farmer can all make it home safely.