hurricanes

Disaster Emergency Kit
Work-Life Balance

What to Keep at Home to Prepare For Natural Disasters

Even if you don't live within Hurricane Sandy's vicinity, it's always smart to prepare for any natural disaster given how unpredictable nature can be.
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Even if you don't live within Hurricane Sandy's vicinity, it's always smart to prepare for any natural disaster given how unpredictable nature can be. Whether it be preparing for an earthquake, hurricane, tornado, or snowstorm, below are basic suggestions for what to keep in your disaster supply kit:

  • Water. It's recommended to have one gallon of water per day per person or pet. You should keep at least three gallons each per person or pet at home.
  • Food. You should have at least three day's worth of food. Concentrate on non-perishable food that doesn't require refrigeration or much prep and water. Consider cereal, ready-to-eat canned fruits, veggies, juice, and meat, energy-rich snacks like trail mix and granola bars. Remember to have vitamins and special supplies around for anyone with special needs, such as pets, babies, and the elderly.
  • Medication. Have some extra medication on hand for times when disaster strikes and you can't leave your home to refill your prescription. Remember to also store over-the-counter medication like painkillers, antihistamine, calamine lotion, alka seltzer, laxatives, anti-diarrhea medication, sterile eyewash, and contact lens (if you use them).

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Fillers For Hurricane Lamps
Accessories

10 Fab Fillers For Hurricane Lamps

From seashells to skeleton keys, I recently shared with you 10 fabulous fillers for apothecary jars.
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Fillers For Hurricane Lamps

From seashells to skeleton keys, I recently shared with you 10 fabulous fillers for apothecary jars. Truth be told, put any old thing in one of those pretty glass jars, and it'll work. Hurricane lamps, on the other hand, need to be filled with a more malleable collection of odds and ends to make room for their glowing pillar candles. Beyond that, the petite items must be able to withstand the heat of the flame — so jellybeans are a no-go. Thinking of lighting up your outdoor space with hurricane lamp this Summer? Consider these 10 fabulous fillers first.

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Vase Gems Sea Glass Dice Beans Marbles Sand Rocks
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Cool Decorating Idea For Antlers
Lovely Little Vignettes

Cool Idea: Take Antlers Off the Wall

Some may be over the whole antler trend, but a subtle twist can make them new again.
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Some may be over the whole antler trend, but a subtle twist can make them new again. Creating a lovely little vignette for my home, I came up with a new take on the horned décor. While it may be cool to mount hunting trophies on a wall, I quite like the look of these stags held in a glass vessel. Whether they're faux or the real deal, the contained bits bring a rustic look to a room without making them look cliché. Apothecary jars or hurricane lanterns can be the perfect candidate to hold them on a mantel or any bookcase.

Have you been accessorizing your own home lately? Be sure to share photos and tales in our Lovely Little Vignettes group!

Awww, Hurricane Ike's Tiny Bushy-Tailed Victims Need Help
cute animals

Awww, Hurricane Ike's Tiny Bushy-Tailed Victims Need Help

It's not just pets that need help in the aftermath of recent hurricanes, over 1,000 baby squirrels are undergoing care in what's best described as a "squirrel neonatal unit".
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It's not just pets that need help in the aftermath of recent hurricanes, over 1,000 baby squirrels are undergoing care in what's best described as a "squirrel neonatal unit". The Houston SPCA still receives 20 to 30 lil ones each day, causing these creatures to far outnumber all of the other animals there.

We’re feeding them puppy formula every three hours. . . . We’ve had a pelican and a couple of seagulls, but we’ve been overwhelmed by the squirrels, said Sharon Schmalz, executive director of the society’s Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center, who explained that this was the height of squirrel birthing season in Texas.

The orphans – many less than three inches long – are hand fed via these nipple-tipped syringes and will remain in the care of volunteers until they reach 12 weeks old. They will then be re-released into their natural habitats, places like rural areas outside city limits or tree-filled suburbs, with newfound strength to frolic freely and leap from limb to limb.

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How You Can Help Furry Victims of Hurricane Ike . . .
Humane Society

How You Can Help Furry Victims of Hurricane Ike . . .

Thankfully, there were improved plans in place before the recent hurricanes hit, but I'm reminded that plenty of pets still need help in the storms' aftermath.
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Thankfully, there were improved plans in place before the recent hurricanes hit, but I'm reminded that plenty of pets still need help in the storms' aftermath. Shelters including the Houston Humane Society and the Galveston Island Humane Society are working around the clock to photograph all the arriving animals to help keep track of the pets, and locate their owners. Much of the area is still without running water, electricity or gas . . . but the stray and injured animals keep on coming!

In addition to accepting monetary donations online, if you're local to these areas (or any place affected by the storms), don't be shy about stopping in to volunteer or bring by some much-appreciated goods. To see the items on the shelter's wish list, read more

How-To: Secure Your Home For a Hurricane
How To

How-To: Secure Your Home For a Hurricane

With Tropical Storm Gustav making its way through the Caribbean, I've got hurricanes on the mind.
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With Tropical Storm Gustav making its way through the Caribbean, I've got hurricanes on the mind. When I lived in New Orleans, to prepare for a storm, I'd basically move my bed to the center of the room away from the windows, and move things off the floor onto my mattress: pretty amateur and useless preparations. I lived in a rental then, so I guess I didn't really care about protecting the property. If that weren't the case, the most important precaution I'd take to reduce damage would be to protect the areas where wind can enter. According to recent wind technology research, you should strengthen the exterior of your house so wind and debris don't tear large openings in it. There are five critical areas of your home to protect and reinforce. To hear about them, and the steps you should take, read more

Have You Been Through a Hurricane?
Poll

Have You Been Through a Hurricane?

As Tropical Storm Gustav makes its way toward the Gulf Coast, practically three years to the day after Hurricane Katrina hit (which I myself experienced firsthand), I'm feeling pretty uneasy.
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As Tropical Storm Gustav makes its way toward the Gulf Coast, practically three years to the day after Hurricane Katrina hit (which I myself experienced firsthand), I'm feeling pretty uneasy. The storm has already killed 11 people in the Caribbean and is projected to hit Louisiana and the Gulf Coast on Monday. Yikes. I'm sure plenty of you have been through one hurricane, if not several. Have you? How do you prepare your home for an impending storm? Do you pack up and leave, or do you stick it out? Has anyone been affected by a storm this year?
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