The flash of light and the crack of thunder can be scary and impressive, but it can also be deadly. Do you know what to do if a storm approaches?
Many of us still don’t know the danger posed by thunderstorms. The National Weather Service reports an average of 49 lightning fatalities per year, with 27 in 2015. Florida leads the nation in lightning deaths, followed by Texas. Many hundreds of others survive a strike, suffering varying debilitating injuries, some for the rest of their lives.
Lightning strikes the United States more than 25 million times a year. It is one of the most erratic and unpredictable elements of thunderstorms. Most victims aren’t struck during the most intense part of a storm; they are usually injured right before or after the main part of the storm passes. This is because a bolt can strike as far as 10 to 25 miles away from the parent thunderstorm and most people don’t seek shelter until the storm’s full fury. That’s why the lighting safety slogan goes, “When thunder roars, go indoors.” It’s recommended that you stay indoors until 30 minutes after the last thunderclap is heard.
Oh, and the myth that lightning never strikes the same place twice is false. Any tall tree, structure or tower that is isolated can be struck over and over. The Empire State Building is reportedly hit nearly 100 times a year.
It’s imperative that you and your family know what to do when a storm approaches. The National Weather Service has these important safety tips:
No place outside is safe
Seek immediate shelter inside a building or a vehicle (open-sided stands or vehicles like golf carts don’t offer any safety, neither do convertibles, even with the top up)
Don’t seek shelter under trees
Get out of and away from bodies of water immediately
Stay away from objects that conduct electricity like metal towers, barb wire fences, power lines or windmills (these cows were killed when an electrical discharge traveled through the fence where they were lined up)
Even in your home, lightning can still be a danger. Here are safety tips for when you are indoors during a storm:
Stay away from windows and off porches
Don’t touch or stand near metal pipes and plumbing, don’t wash your hands, take a shower, do dishes or laundry
Avoid using corded phones (most home lightning injuries come through charged phone lines)
Stay away from electrical devices like TVs, washer/dryers
Lightning damage to property and homes can be costly. Make sure you are covered.
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There are a lot of decisions that come into play when deciding which vehicle best suits you. Some say that your car reflects your personality, especially the color. Car color expresses to the world what we want others to think of us. Gender and age can influence this choice as well.
Nancy Lockhart, a color marketing manager, says “color preferences change throughout time and may differ by region or vehicle type.” She that a luxury sedan is more attractive in black and white colors, and sporty versions are more likely red and colorful shades.
-White looks fresh, young, modern look to the world.
-Black declares itself as important, sophisticated, and classic.
-Silver is the color of security and style.
-Red projects action, power, and masculinity.
-Blue is practical and happy.
-Beige exudes quiet and peace.
-Yellow is positive attitude and joy.
-Green is a tie with an interest in nature.
-Orange says that you are comfortable with value and saving money.
Trends can rapidly change across the U.S. and regionally. The latest research predicts that brighter and bolder colors are becoming more and more popular with consumers. What does your car color say about you? Share with us in the comments.
ReadWorks provides research-based units, lessons, and authentic, leveled non-fiction and literary passages directly to educators online, for free, to be shared broadly.
The ReadWorks curriculum is aligned to the Common Core State Standards and the standards of all 50 states. Most importantly, ReadWorks is faithful to the most effective research-proven instructional practices in reading comprehension. Science/Health
If you’re looking for information you can trust about kids and teens that’s free of “doctor speak,” you’ve come to the right place. KidsHealth is the most-visited site on the Web for information about health, behavior, and development from before birth through the teen years.
On a typical weekday, KidsHealth gets as many as a million visits. One of the things that make KidsHealth special is that it’s really four sites in one: with sections for parents, for kids, for teens, and for educators.
Science World connects current science news with essential biology, chemistry, earth science, and physics concepts. With dynamic digital learning features like videos, lesson plans, and games, Science World is your complete print & online science nonfiction program.
CNN Student News is a ten-minute, commercial-free, daily news program designed for middle and high school classes. It is produced by the journalists at CNN. This award-winning show and its companion website are available free of charge throughout the school year.
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Edmodo is an easy way to get your students connected so they can safely collaborate, get and stay organized, and access assignments, grades, and school information.
Khan Academy offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empower learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom. Subjects include math, science, computer programming, history, art history, economics, and more.
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And, for educators looking for personal learning networks that offer great resources at NO Cost, check out these four recommendations from Graphite:
The Teaching Channel, teachingchannel.org – Chock full of video resources on classroom practices as well as ways to provide feedback
Digital Is, digitalis.nwp.org – Created by the National Writing Project to provide grassroots professional development for teachers
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Summer is here and the adventure of the road is calling. If you are thinking of a road trip, Wallet Hub has their annual recommendations for the best states to visit. After factoring in the cost of fuel, lodging and tolls, road conditions and the number of fun and scenic attractions you can see, Oregon was determined to be the best summer destination in the U.S. The rest of the top ten were:
Nevada
Utah
North Carolina
Minnesota
Washington
Idaho
Colorado
Louisiana
Vermont
Before you load the car and head out, make sure your vehicle is ready for the rigors of the road. The dog days of summer can take a toll on your vehicle so here are some summer car care preparations to help you avoid a breakdown on a sweltering day:
Periodically check and test batteries for proper charging (summer heat drains batteries faster than the cold of winter)
Be sure your cooling system has the proper anti-freeze/coolant and all belts, hoses and the water pump are properly working (never open a hot radiator cap; the liquid inside is a scalding 200 degrees or hotter)
Check the air conditioning system for leaks and proper coolant
Verify the viscosity of your motor oil will stand up to hot weather days (10W-30 or 10W-40)
Check the tires for tread and proper inflation
Make sure the spare tire is inflated and there is a jack and tire changing tools
Test your windshield wipers and change them if they are streaking
Consumer Reports advises that you should also have a basic safety kit that consists of:
Cell phone and spare battery
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
Warning light or reflective triangles
Tire gauge
Jumper cables
Foam sealant for flat tires
Things you should know how to do in case you have a roadside emergency:
Some repairs may be more complicated. That’s why it’s important to have a reliable backup. Whether the battery let you down, your spare tire went flat or you locked the keys in the car, for as little as $1 a month California Casualty’s towing and roadside assistance pays for:
Fighting fire in a rural environment is much different than fighting fire in an urban or suburban environment. Firefighters face many challenges in the rural setting, like lack of water, extended response time, and lack of manpower, just to name a few. Unlike urban or suburban area, rural areas do not have hydrants so this means firefighters must bring water to fight the fire. Many rural fire departments depend on volunteer firefighters, which in many cases respond from home to the fire station and then go to the fire. This factor and distance from the firehouse can lead to extended response times. Finally, and almost most importantly, is the lack of manpower. Volunteerism is unfortunately slowly dwindling away putting a strain on volunteer fire departments.
According to the United States Fire Administration, volunteer firefighters have declined by 13% or more. This has caused many fire departments to resort to hiring fire and EMS personnel to staff the station during the day or around the clock. This leaves many departments struggling to operate. Many volunteer or part time fire departments struggle to purchase or replace needed equipment due to tight budgets. Federal resources are drying up and taxpayers are less likely to approve higher funding for fire departments. This leaves these volunteer or part time fire departments in a bind.
Many firefighters can attest that they often don’t have the proper tools to do their job, but in a job where you improvise, adapt, and overcome, they make it work. There are many newer tools and equipment that can make firefighting more efficient or time saving. In a job where seconds counts, wouldn’t you want your fire department to have those newer, more efficient tools? That’s where Brothers Helping Brothers steps in. Brothers Helping Brothers specializes in helping the small and rural departments who are struggling to operate.
Brothers Helping Brothers is a 501c3 non-profit organization that works with firefighting equipment manufacturers and distributors to obtain tools and equipment at a lower rate, and grants them to struggling small and rural fire departments. Brothers Helping Brothers is completely funded by private donations. You can help struggling fire departments by donating to Brothers Helping Brothers.
By donating just $10 per month, you can put a new axe or hand tool in the hands of a firefighter that needs it to battle a blaze. That’s only 33¢ a day.
By donating just $25 per month, you can outfit a firefighter with a new set of boots, which may have been desperately needed to be replaced. That’s only 83¢ a day.
By donating just $50 per month, you can purchase the Jaws of Life enabling that department to save a victim from an auto accident. That’s only $1.66 a day.
Donating just $100 per month can purchase a new SCBA air pack for a department who maybe using out dated one and with that air pack a firefighter could perform a rescue during a fire safely. That’s only $3.33 a day.
To learn more about Brothers Helping Brothers, or to how you can help. Please visit their website at www.brothershelpingbrothers.org.
Nick Magoteaux has been in public safety for over 15 years. Nick has experience in law enforcement, dispatching, firefighting, and emergency medical service. Nick currently works for four different fire departments in Southwest Ohio, including the busiest fire department per capita in the state. Nick is also the founder and co-executive director of Brothers Helping Brothers, a fire service 501c3 non-profit that specializes in equipment grants to small and rural fire department in the U.S. Contact Nick at nmagoteaux@brothershelpingbrothers.org.
Nick Magoteaux has been in public safety for over 15 years. Nick has experience in law enforcement, dispatching, firefighting, and emergency medical service. Nick currently works for four different fire departments in Southwest Ohio, including the busiest fire department per capita in the state. Nick is also the founder and co-executive director of Brothers Helping Brothers, a fire service 501c3 non-profit that specializes in equipment grants to small and rural fire department in the U.S. Contact Nick at