Bolger

The value of knowing how to respond to an emergency has never been so clear, with one of the worst hurricane seasons ever behind us. Educating yourself on what to do in a flood, therefore, is one of the key disaster preparedness issues. Here are some valuable tips homeowners should be aware of when cleaning up damage left behind by a flood.

Dont Go Near the Water: Floodwaters can be some of the most contaminated water you will ever come in contact with. Seek medical attention right away if you or a family member has been exposed to flood waters for any length of time. Topical floodwater contact could lead to serious infections. If you believe you or anyone else has drunk floodwater, seek medical care at your local hospital or clinic as soon as possible, as the dangers of infection are even worse.

Tread Lightly: Stay out of any buildings or structures that still have floodwaters encircling them. Dont underestimate structural damage floodwaters can cause. A structure's foundation can be significantly weakened by floodwaters in relatively short periods of time, especially in older structures. Foundations can sink and become unstable, causing cracks and gaps in the flooring, even a house total collapse without warning. An apparently sound structure may also have suffered gas leaks, electrical damage, or water line damage, so you should steer clear of such buildings until local officials have declared them safe .

Wait Until the All-Clear: Just because the rain has stopped and the floodwater seems to be withdrawing, doesnt mean its safe to go home and start cleaning up. Of course youll be anxious to find out what damage if any has been done to your property, but sometimes, floodwater damage creates many a hazard that requires professional clean up before the area is cleared as safe to local area residents. Keep watching for information on the weather if you have access to local radio or television stations, which will inform you of any threat from incoming storms, or other floodwater-related dangers in your area.

Handle with Care: You should inspect flood-damaged buildings cautiously once local officials have judged the area safe. Start with examining your house carefully. Tread carefully; flood damage can weaken structures. Do not smoke inside the building. (gas leak hazard) Bring battery-operated flashlights or lanterns as electricity may be cut off. Study the floors, walls, doors, staircases, and windows closely to make sure the house is not in danger of collapsing, using the flashlight to look at the foundation for cracks or other signs of damage.

After you've examined the structural integrity of the building, check for damage to the utility systems. Find and note down damage to the building's gas, electrical, and sewage system. Check for gas leaks by listening for a small hissing noise and smelling the gas in the air. If you suspect a gas leak, shut off the main valve immediately and contact the gas company.

I grew up watching Ozzie and Harriet, I Love Lucy, and Leave it to Beaver, all in living black and white way back in the fifties. Although they were married couples, they NEVER shared a bed and always went to sleep fully dressed. They had children and so we assumed that they had done it at some point, but sex was never mentioned or even hinted at. As a pre-teen, I figured that I would learn the basics through osmosis or at school. After all, my parents didnt try to bring up the subject. There were few ads or commercials that used sex to sell in that era called the Dark Ages. But, once I went away to college in the late sixties, it all changed. The Beatles brought forth free love and everyone was doing it at Woodstock. We were no longer sexual virgins.

I was a college freshman and a girl invited me over to see her dorm room. After spending an hour together, seeing her stuff, I left to go to dinner. Months later I was told by one of her close friends that she was expecting me to have sex with her. Looking back, I then recalled that we had spent a lot of time talking to her on her bed. Boy, was I naive. But I didnt know all the new rules of seduction. Instead, I continued to remember the morality of the fifties where sex wasnt discussed in private, let alone in public. So I fumbled my way through my first real sexual encounter a year later and learned as I went along. Sure, I had seen Playboy Magazine and even thumbed through the National Geographic in my youth. I was an art student and experienced life drawing classes. I knew anatomy and what went on between adults. But sex was still just something that was both secret and mysterious.

Enter the Seventies. I began to have a girl friend. We bought some sex position books and gave them a try. We even tried oral sex. It was okay but not great. We were tentative and not very good. But now sex was on the front page of Cosmopolitan Magazine and on every talk show. Bikinis and thongs were common and Victoria Secrets and Fredricks of Hollywood showed up at the malls. Younger kids were having sex and the music of the times had more explicit lyrics. The abundance of liquor and drugs probably helped as well.

Years later, I married and became aware of family members and friends issues with relationships. My former relative Ill call Fred left my other female relative because of sexual incapability he claimed. In other words, she wouldnt give him enough BJs, as he put it. Therefore he sought and found a much younger woman that would. So much for loyalty and emotional attachments. I also saw other couples break up because of sexual differences. Usually one wanted it more than the other. Now its the next millennia and nothing much has changed. Sex is everywhere and love is secondary. Its still a taboo subject in many places and yet rape is up and molesting skyrocketing. Where do we go from here?

I am remarried but I am also a widower and I do not believe in divorce. My wife is also a widow. We have a terrific sex life, but thats because we (a) have grown children who live on their own, (b) work out of the home, (c) are old enough to know what we want and what pleases us, and (d) know we dont need to find sex elsewhere. Most sexual problems are just that. They can be worked on with education and communication. There are therapists, online discussion forums, sex shops for toys and clothing, and supportive family members and friends. Looking for fresh sex outside the home means that there is a sexual disfunctionalism that needs attention. In this current world of sexual openness, there are no excuses any more. The answers are out there if you can only take the time and trouble to seek them and perhaps save your marriage at the same time. Im a husband and dad, so dont forget about another great fifties show, Father Knows Best. Class dismissed.

Jeffrey Hauser was a sales consultant for the Bell System Yellow Pages for nearly 25 years. He graduated from Pratt Institute with a BFA in Advertising and has a Master's Degree in teaching. He had his own advertising agency in Scottsdale, Arizona and ran a consulting and design firm, ABC Advertising. He has authored 6 books and a novel, "Pursuit of the Phoenix." His latest book is, "Inside the Yellow Pages" which can be seen at his website, http://www.poweradbook.com Currently, he is the Marketing Director for http://www.thenurseschoice.com a Health Information and Doctor Referral site. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffrey_Hauser

The value of knowing how to respond to an emergency has never been so clear, with one of the worst hurricane seasons ever behind us. Educating yourself on what to do in a flood, therefore, is one of the key disaster preparedness issues. Here are some valuable tips homeowners should be aware of when cleaning up damage left behind by a flood.

Dont Go Near the Water: Floodwaters can be some of the most contaminated water you will ever come in contact with. Seek medical attention right away if you or a family member has been exposed to flood waters for any length of time. Topical floodwater contact could lead to serious infections. If you believe you or anyone else has drunk floodwater, seek medical care at your local hospital or clinic as soon as possible, as the dangers of infection are even worse.

Tread Lightly: Stay out of any buildings or structures that still have floodwaters encircling them. Dont underestimate structural damage floodwaters can cause. A structure's foundation can be significantly weakened by floodwaters in relatively short periods of time, especially in older structures. Foundations can sink and become unstable, causing cracks and gaps in the flooring, even a house total collapse without warning. An apparently sound structure may also have suffered gas leaks, electrical damage, or water line damage, so you should steer clear of such buildings until local officials have declared them safe .

Wait Until the All-Clear: Just because the rain has stopped and the floodwater seems to be withdrawing, doesnt mean its safe to go home and start cleaning up. Of course youll be anxious to find out what damage if any has been done to your property, but sometimes, floodwater damage creates many a hazard that requires professional clean up before the area is cleared as safe to local area residents. Keep watching for information on the weather if you have access to local radio or television stations, which will inform you of any threat from incoming storms, or other floodwater-related dangers in your area.

Handle with Care: You should inspect flood-damaged buildings cautiously once local officials have judged the area safe. Start with examining your house carefully. Tread carefully; flood damage can weaken structures. Do not smoke inside the building. (gas leak hazard) Bring battery-operated flashlights or lanterns as electricity may be cut off. Study the floors, walls, doors, staircases, and windows closely to make sure the house is not in danger of collapsing, using the flashlight to look at the foundation for cracks or other signs of damage.

After you've examined the structural integrity of the building, check for damage to the utility systems. Find and note down damage to the building's gas, electrical, and sewage system. Check for gas leaks by listening for a small hissing noise and smelling the gas in the air. If you suspect a gas leak, shut off the main valve immediately and contact the gas company.