The time to plan for a weather emergency is not while it is happening. So, how does now work for you?
HOME SAFE HOME
Ace Hardware's "Helpful Hardware Man" offers these hurricane preparation tips: Create an emergency kit with first-aid supplies, battery-powered radio, flashlights and lanterns, batteries, water, nonperishable food and a manual can opener. Designate a "safe" area, protected from flying debris, such as a basement or hallway. Move furniture to the center of the room to protect it.
Consider having a standby generator ready, but never operate it indoors. It can be dangerous. Ice-Qube emergency kits
Make your own kit or consider Ice-Qube Emergency Preparedness Kits, organized into sturdy cubes and small enough to be stored in cars, closets or used on-the-go.
Kits are available for different purposes including for the home, office, pets or babies, and contain water bags, nonperishable food, a battery-operated radio, lighting, ponchos and a first-aid kit. Cost starts at $19.99. Check ice-qube.com for free ICE (in case of emergency) plans and other safety-related resources. Fuel for thought
What if you lose power? Now that's scary! Medis Technologies' portable PowerPak Xtreme Emergency Kit, which includes a charger, flashlight, and adapters for portable devices such as cell phones, allows you to generate your own electricity at home or in your car.
Environmentally friendly and recyclable, the fuel cell does not require pre-charging prior to its first use. The flashlight delivers power for up to 10 days continuously. Cost is $24.99. Details: medistechnologies.com.
DID SHE READ ALL THOSE BOOKS?
The curiosity has been killing you: Has your friend really read all those books scattered throughout her home?
Really, she has enough hardcovers to rival a Barnes & Noble.
Here are three ways to tell:
1. Do all the book covers match the palette of the room in which they are displayed? If so, this might be a case of "judging a book by its cover," often used in decor as a way to impress guests.
2. Take note of the author or subject of a prominently spread book and make small talk about it. A confused look from your host or a mispronunciation of the author's name are not good signs.
3. Check the condition of her books. A collection of classics without a dog-eared page could mean she's hiding trashy beach reads in a junk drawer. Put her to the test — I'll be here reading before the guests I'm expecting arrive.
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(Write Martha Phifer at mphiferorlandosentinel.com.)
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(c) 2009, The Orlando Sentinel (Fla.).
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