| Disaster preparedness is a lot more than safe refuge
Natural disasters cause loss of life, disruption in economic activities, especially for low-income groups and severe environmental damage. The severity and occurrences of natural disasters are increasing everywhere. The Fiji Islands are vulnerable to natural disasters such as tropical cyclones, flooding, landslides, storm surge, tsunami, earthquake, drought and sea level rise. The main volcanic islands have numerous streams and rivers that become deadly during heavy rainfall. The low coastal fringe is vulnerable to storm surge and tsunami. Outer islands are devastated as they are of low elevation and surrounded by open sea that gives tropical cyclones, storm surges and tsunamis more dance floor space'. In the short term, preparedness is very important in the event of disasters.
Disaster preparedness is a lot more than safe refuge
Natural disasters cause loss of life, disruption in economic activities, especially for low-income groups and severe environmental damage. The severity and occurrences of natural disasters are increasing everywhere. The Fiji Islands are vulnerable to natural disasters such as tropical cyclones, flooding, landslides, storm surge, tsunami, earthquake, drought and sea level rise. The main volcanic islands have numerous streams and rivers that become deadly during heavy rainfall. The low coastal fringe is vulnerable to storm surge and tsunami. Outer islands are devastated as they are of low elevation and surrounded by open sea that gives tropical cyclones, storm surges and tsunamis more dance floor space'. In the short term, preparedness is very important in the event of disasters.
Arundel teen's achievements belie tag of 'average person'
Every morning, Arundel High School senior Kelly Kidwell wakes up at precisely 5:55 a.m. No kidding. "It's a nice number," the Crofton resident said. "I can sleep in a little because I drive to school."
Kelly, 18, is the oldest of three kids. Her 16-year-old brother Joe is a freshman at Arundel, and Steve, 14, attends Crofton Middle. Their father, Brad, a Coast Guard retiree, works for Homeland Security. Their mother, Michelle, is a substitute at Crofton Middle. Mrs. Kidwell keeps the family on track with a weekly Microsoft printout posted on the fridge that logs everyone's activities.
While Mr. Kidwell was in the Coast Guard, the family moved from Florida, where Kelly was born, to Chicago, to Indiana, to Cape May in New Jersey and to this area twice.
Despite all the packing and unpacking over the years, Kelly has remained a pretty stable teen.
Be safe when dealing with a power failure
— Only use battery-powered light, like a flashlight, for emergency lighting. Due to the extreme risk of fire, do not use candles during a power outage.— Turn off electrical equipment you were using when the power went out.— To keep perishable food cold, avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer.— Do not run a generator inside a confined space, like a home or garage, due to the extreme danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.— If you use a generator, connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator. Do not connect a generator to a home's electrical system unless you have an approved power transfer switch installed.— Listen to local radio for updated information.— If possible, check on neighbors who are elderly or may need assistance.Before a blackout happens— Obtain or assemble essential supplies in a central location.
Yankee Candle “Lights a Candle for Your Heart”
For more information about the Yankee Candle "Light a Candle for Your Heart" Program including how you can help, please go to either www.yankeecandle.com or www.goredforwomen.org. About Yankee Candle The Yankee Candle Company, Inc. is the leading designer, manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer of premium scented candles, based on sales, in the giftware industry. Yankee has a 37-year history of offering distinctive products and marketing them as affordable luxuries and consumable gifts. The Company sells its products through a North American customer network of approximately 17,400 store locations, a growing base of Company owned and operated retail stores (420 located in 43 states as of December 30, 2006 including 16 Illumination Stores), direct mail catalogs, its Internet websites (www.yankeecandle.com, www.aromanaturals.com and www.illuminations.com ), international distributors and to a European customer network of approximately 2,500 store locations (through its distribution center located in Bristol, England).
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