Local Stuff

We ran into Professor Tinkermeister at the Florida Home-School Convention this summer.  While we had fun creating tornadoes in Coke bottles and such, the professor really encouraged us to get a family disaster plan.  We believe the entire family should be involved in the disaster planning process.  The Florida Department of Emergency management sponsors a wonderful planning website for kids, Get A Plan.  We encourage you to visit with your kids, and “get a plan”.

Youth sports are now in full swing.  An unfortunate injury, though, can derail the fun.  We ran across several good tips from HealthChildren.org about preventing injury.  Here are a few:  take time off to rest, use the right gear, strengthen muscles, use good technique, stop when there is pain, and hydrate.

Wait a just a minute.  These tips are good for us grown ups too.  A sprained ankle or twisted knee is no fun for us either.  Learn more >>

We want to thank one of our partner homeowner insurance companies, Florida Family Insurance, for reminding us of the importance of lightning safety.  It seems like we are getting storms every day this time of year. Here are a few  quick reminders:

• Go inside when you hear thunder because lightning can strike up to 10 miles away from the actual storm.
• Don’t shower, take a bath or wash dishes during a storm.  Water conducts electricity.
• Unplug sensitive electronic equipment even if connected to a surge protector.  A typical surge protector will not protect  equipment from a direct strike.  Your homeowner police does cover lightning damage but only after the deductible is applied.   Damage prevention is recommended.
• Don’t lie on the ground.  This may actually increase your chances of being struck.
• Provide immediate medical treatment if someone near you has been struck.   Did you know that 90 percent of lightning victims survive the encounter?