Plastic pollution is out of control, Bottles, Bags, and Diapers+, plastic beads are now in the human body Its all in this article.

There is a car in a field not far from here rusting away, the first time I saw it was 15 years ago, it is now almost completely reclaimed by the earth. The few items I recognize and are still in near perfect shape are all made of plastic. My Grandkids Great Grandkids will be able to see them in that exact spot as well. 

This is a lot of Plastic Waste.

For many of us, recycling of materials has been ingrained into our belief systems, metals, plastics, wood, glass, and paper. Most of us have been to a recycling center, some are large and accept all materials, others specialize in one type. Black plastic garbage bags stuffed like a wood tick are often seen in trailers, the back of pickup trucks and being hauled by others on bicycles or grocery carts. All are headed in the same direction, towards the cash-in place, it is depended upon for supplemental income for many people.

Plastic is, as we all know, a widely used product in almost everything that we use. Being flexible, and lightweight it makes a perfect container for any liquid, toxic or benign substances. Buckets, and Automotive Parts. Plastic may also be recycled, however, it cannot be re-used eternally as it has its limits. Some of the material is re-recyclable up to 9 times, others no more than 1-2 and still there are some that not re-usable at all, except to be re-purposed in its original state. During the year of 2008 2.1 million tons of the waste was recycled, it accounts for a grand total of 6.8% of the total generated in the United States during that year. During 2015 the picture improved, 9.1% of that year's total was recycled, 15.5% was used as fuel to produce energy, and 75%, unfortunately, ended up in landfills. Three years later, in 2018, things are improving, currently, 27% of plastic bottles are being recycled.

Oil, 1.6 million barrels of the non-renewable is used just to produce plastic water bottles, 75% as mentioned above makes its way to landfills. Plastic assemblies take far too long to decompose, up to 1.000 years in a solid waste facility, bottles will take at least 450 years. Bags, (102.1 billion each year) you know like the ones we use every day and are seen throughout the world blowing in the wind, holding our household waste, and notoriously used for picking up pet waste will endure for 10-1000 years left undisturbed in a landfill. Eighteen billion disposable diapers are tossed in the receptacles every year, each and every one will take in the range of 250-500 years to decompose. We all love babies, however, it's hard to love the 6,000 disposable diapers each one uses and disposes of from birth until the age of two and one-half years, that's two tons of either incinerated or buried plastic. 15 billion of the handy disposables are used each year in the U.S.A. alone, equalling 2-1/2 million tons of waste, Canada disposes of 1.5 billion of them, not in weight but in individual units.

Plastic and as it is in the Ocean: 

There are several Garbage Patches in our Oceans.

* One out of ten items collected during the International Coastal Cleanup in 2009 was a plastic bag.

*  Eight million metric tons, (one metric ton equals 2,204.62 pounds) finds its way into our oceans every year. Note the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (Link)

* Plastic wastes in our Oceans are responsible for the deaths of up to 1,000,000 sea animals annually.

* Micro-Plastics are what remains after the waste breaks down, it is found in nearly every animal on earth and has recently been discovered in human waste. There is no idea of the long-term health effects of the beads circulating in our bodies.

* Multiply by 10 the number of plastics currently in our Oceans today, by the year 2020 that is how much will be there, and 2050 there will be more plastic in our Seas than fish.

* One estimate by the scientific journal Plos One is that 5 trillion, (one trillion is one billion billion) pieces of plastic weighing in excess of 250,000 metric tons is circulating right now in the Oceans of the world, and it is increasing daily.

The Economy is impacted as well:

* A single person uses one ton (2,000 pounds) of oil every two months, and by recycling one ton of that waste the energy use of two people for one year will be saved.

* Re-Cycling plastic reduces energy use by 66% in relation to processing new materials.

* A savings of 1,000-2,000 gallons of Gasoline is realized by re-using one ton of the not so disposable waste.

* The resell value of recycled bags is two times the production costs.

* More than 1700 business organizations in the U.S. alone are engaged in the re-use of plastic items of all kinds.

* 80% of us have access to at least one recycling program.

* Two million tons of scrap plastic, $810 million dollars worth is shipped from the U.S. yearly.

* Few bottles are recycled, two huge users (Coco-Cola and Nestle's) average just 6.5%.

* These are sobering facts when realizing the global production of plastic increased from 225 million tons to 311 million tons, from the years 2004-2014.


We must get a handle on all of this, plastic is destroying our world. Some people believe there may have been advanced civilizations millions of years ago preceding us on our planet. (I don't count that as one of my beliefs but it's interesting to read about.) If there was perhaps Archaeologists should be looking for ancient micro-beads and buried plastic bottles, I suspect it may have poisoned more civilizations than just the one we currently refer to as being our modern world.

China until January 1, 2018, was the waste collector of the world, after that date the acceptance of the waste of the world has been stopped. Excessive amounts of it were not the main concern, what was coming with the stuff was. The authorities responsible for the programs cited when some of the containers were opened or burst open during processing, toxic material spewed forth. China's main concern is the health implications experienced by the people employed in the industry. It's a nasty business, one of which they have no interest in partaking of any longer.

(Link to my blog on China's decision to stop collecting the trash of the world).

What in the World can be done?

There is a bunch of problems listed because there is a bunch of plastic produced, it is such a universally useful commodity. Plastic is used for many products from sewer piping to sanitary equipment in clean rooms. Being on that huge of a scale it impacts every Country, City and Creature (not only human) on our planet it is of a planetary concern.

What are some solutions?

* Corporate responsibility tops the list from my perspective, the companies producing and the final users should be regulated to deal with all of the waste. A deposit on each piece of plastic produced, much like the soft drink industry was tasked with during the pre-1980's years.

* Developing Countries must be pressured into developing trash collection policies, you are reading it correctly, many third world countries have no garbage collection, most of the trash they produce is thrown into waterways. The garbage that is not in the water is tossed into ditches, ravines, and other low lying areas to be swept away during a heavy rain, normally ending up in our Oceans. The following video is indeed jaw-dropping.

* Governments need to step up to the plate and develop scientific projects to determine uses for recycled plastics, how to make them bio-degradable, and finding new raw materials that are able to be re-used infinitely or those that will break down in an acceptable amount of time.

* The Citizens of the world need to be made aware of the impact these handy made for humanity items have on our environment, health, and the longevity of our home planet.

(Follow this Link to my blog on what some States are doing to combat plastic pollution)

Our focus should be on saving the only planet in our known cosmos that is custom made to support life, dreaming of blasting off to Mars and building another one is a fools folly. Invest whatever energy, resources, and knowledge we have into making sure our planet is able to sustain life for thousands of years into the future, it must be the goal.

Soiling our nest is a trait shared by no other species other than humans, picking up after ourselves would go a long way. Enforcing littering laws, and making the fines so outrageous for illegal dumping works as well. Free day at the dumps would encourage illegal dumpers to use the landfills, at least the plastic would be in a contained area.

During the flu season last year a frustrated nurse in Florida made a statement that went viral, perhaps you saw it, so many people were getting sick she declared on national television, "For Gods sake people, wash your hands to stop the spread of germs," The statement "For Gods sake people just pick up after yourself, control your waste stream." may be useful in this situation.

Plastic waste is a big problem and it is growing, there are times when I'm not sure if it's the products that are the problem. Awareness of the issues may be the biggest hindrance in dealing with the stuff, some people are unaware of the Garbage Patch, Whales dying from eating plastic, and how it is now invading our human bodies on a global scale.

Thanks for reading, now share this blog on all platforms, Plastic Pollution is far too important to ignore. Thanks again.

I have opened a page on MeWe, it may be accessed here Link, uring the move from G+ consider following me and join my page.                       

JacquesandKate   Natural Self Reliance 

Taking the Boat out in the Fog, bad choice read a few reasons why.

Fog has a way of not only clouding our vision but our brains as well, it is one of those weather events that makes us want to stay in bed all day until the grey clears and our minds wake up, the squirrels don't venture out in it, is that a sign or a warning?

Fog, typically three days after a heavy rainfall and true to form this morning is shrouded in a grey, cool, and moist blanket. July and August are foggy month's for San Francisco Bay, the central valley experiences it beginning in November and ending around February. There are times when the entire valley is "socked" in from Redding to Bakersfield, the impact to travel by vehicle, trains, and aircraft is well known. Fog is many times nearly as wet as an overnight rainfall, as it was this morning, all that is exposed to it is dripping wet. Visibility is all but gone, sounds are dampened as well, life takes on a slower pace. Lighthouses, fog horns on ships and trains, vehicles equipped with special lights, have all been created to assist us in the gloomy reality. Waking in the morning to the sight of a foggy landscape alters ones entire day, allocating extra time in the morning, and hoping it dissipates by the time the evening commute starts are winter rituals.

Evening arrived and although the sky is clearer the thick haze continues to linger before the sun sets. Dusk brings cooler temperatures to the air, the fog begins to form as the cooler atmospheric air glides over the warmer moist ground. Each year the Yacht Club on the small Island sponsors a lighted boat parade, there are normally around a dozen boats. Participants work hard to present the vessels, donning lights, moving displays, and Christmas music adding a bit of spice to our lives. Six events color our lives throughout the year, New Years Eve with an abundance of fireworks, New Years Day is "The Frozen Bun Run" a waterskiing competition in the cold water, Opening Day Boat Parade around April 1st, Fourth of July, A 50's Bash takes place in August or September for 3 days, and the Boat Parade.

Let us get back to the fog.

(Follow this Link to my Boat Parade Video)

Saturday night I set my camcorder up on the levee, the goal was to video the parade, edit it, and post it on the Islands Facebook page, which I did and it ended up pretty good. I am not by any stretch of the imagination an accomplished movie maker, but I do alright and improve with each video I make. Fog remained in my viewfinder, I then had Fog, Moisture, Wind, and Cold air to contend with, my biggest concern is always the moisture. My camera is not moisture resistant let alone waterproof and I am not sure if there are any video cameras in my price range that are. The video was completed, posted and commented on by the locals, several others had the same idea, 4 were posted in total.

When Fog shrouds the river and Islands navigation is difficult, at night or when the sun is up it matters not, luckily all of the participants of the parade know their way around the Island. One mile north of where the video took place is the end of the housing, the wilderness begins, the three sloughs are winding, deceiving with shadows, and unlighted, with no landmarks the bank is almost impossible to make out. Normally the boats stay in a tight group as they traverse the 5 miles of total darkness, many boats have ended up on and over the levees due to miscalculations. A one-way flow of traffic makes the excursion easier to maneuver it is a relief to make it to the other side and the lighted homes that line it. I appreciate the efforts of the participants to ensure a successful boat parade.

There are times boats must go into the gloom unrelated to a good time, people get themselves into predicaments on the river and they need help. Not many boats venture out at night into the foggy 1500 miles of sloughs, rivers, and swamps that make up our California Delta, but once in a while, I see one chugging by. Making for a dangerous situation if the Captain does not know what he/she is doing, sometimes overindulgence of alcohol is a factor. Taking the wrong slough is easy when it is dark, and it is almost unavoidable when it is dark and foggy. We get lost, no matter how long one has been on the river, we get lost, not only at night and not only in the fog but all of the time.

One night during a light rainstorm our local Tow Boat company went out to assist a distressed vessel, the pilot of the Tow Boat was a professional. He was almost to the point of being a living legend, we have one or two and it's an accurate description. On this particular night, the Tow Boat Captain was speeding down a slough that is commonly used to access the main San Joaquin/American River channels when he struck a buoy at full speed, resulting in a disaster that defies description, our island was in mourning.

Ocean-going vessel frequent the channels, and they are big commodity transporters, tankers, and bulk haulers of farm products. Spending a night on the water in the fog is incredibly dangerous in the fog, it is difficult to locate the buoys as they are socked in as well. Bells and horns are utilized but sounds can be disorienting and muffled. Anchoring out of the channel is the responsibility of the Captain of the vessel, the big ships are unable to see us, and even when they can the right of way belongs to them. Locating the channel and staying out of it could be the difference between life and death, catching a big wake and capsizing is one real possibility. One hundred yards or so behind these vessels is typically a vortex, you know a whirlpool. With a diameter of more than 30 feet, ( 7 meters) they are capable of taking a boat down in the spiraling column of water. Unseen in the fog and darkness crossing the stern of one of these ocean-going ships is the stuff nightmares are made of, search and rescue are tough in the fog.

Human factors come into account as well, the fog sometimes doesn't slow some boaters down. Parties and boating go hand in hand, there are several party bars on the various islands with a lot of dancing, eating, and drinking. Whether in the fog or not, there is a rush to get home at 2 am, at times it causes problems. One night in the fog two men were at one of the localities having a good time, and make no mistake the fun is overflowing at these places. They were in a new boat, it was owned by one of their wives, in a hurry to get home they flew down our own Taylor Slough. A miscalculation was made and they took a trip onto the levee top and slid for a distance before nosing back down towards the river. If the boat would have made it to the water it was in such a terrible condition it would have sunk, along with the two severely injured occupants. Making matters worse they were about 3 miles from their dock, but the decision was made to walk down the levee back to the Gin joint, 10 miles away. They both made it home eventually, neither went to the hospital, one was and most likely is still in trouble with the wife even after it being almost a decade since the incident. Her boat was replaced, one man left the island and has never returned, the other is still a resident and remains to this day a friend.

The Fog is no fun to drive in.

Driving in the Fog is common throughout the U.S. as well as most countries I am assuming. Vehicles in the dense shroud are more predictable than when on a boat, roads are laid out with reflectors, street lights, warning flashers, and Highway Patrol traffic breaks all assisting us while on the road. Waterborne there are Maps, GPS, Flashlights, and Channel markers at our disposal, knowledge of their use is paramount for success. Speed is one of the only aspects we are able to adjust, and ramping it up is not the answer. Nothing is comparable to moving slowly while piloting a large boat, especially in the Fog, or heavy rain. Motoring slowly while picking our way through this maze at night is the standard accepted by almost everyone with the exception of the partying boats mentioned above. Taking our time affords the Captain time to think and digest the surroundings, a flashlight illuminating the shoreline, and an eye on the depth is a two-person task.

Not often but it does happen a telephone call asking for help is received, we are all willing to assist our friends and neighbors when they are in distress. Two types of boaters live on the Delta, those who have been stranded, and those who are going to be stranded, in other words, we help because who knows if they will be next? Safety in the fog when embarking on a mission to assist someone is the most important factor, at least two people must be on the vessel, three is better. Calling other neighbors and friends in the middle of the night to help is then in order, many times there are plenty of people in the house to help. All of the preparation in the world cannot predict if the trip will be successful or not, it is incredibly difficult to find someone on a river, in the middle of the night, complicated with the addition of Fog. Leave the beer at home, we need coffee, flashlights, warm clothing, GPS, and Maps, and last plenty of luck.

By far staying out of the Fog on a river is the smartest thing to do, but on occasion, a person has to venture out, some live on islands and emergencies happen forcing them to leave. A night on the town is most likely safer by road, better yet pay for a ride or go with a friend, motorboating in the fog is not worth taking the risk just for a party night.

Thanks for reading my blog, now share it on Twitter, Facebook, and give MeWe a look it's a lot like Facebook but more controlled. Thanks for reading and stay off the water in the Fog, do yourself a favor.

JacquesandKate  emergencykitsplus.com 

What is your reaction when it is raining, sometimes it's just rain and others it is rain, read the difference.

Rain may extinguish the problems of the day, but if we are not careful, it may wash everything away. 

The Western States rainy season often is the cause of flash floods, mudslides, sinkholes, and washouts. But the rain isn't really the problem, we get good rainfall like this year is shaping up to be every 7-10 years and that is a problem.

Two heavy rain years in a row are not typical, but not all that unusual either and after the cycle is completed a new drought will most likely begin. During the lack of rainfall during the following years causes the entire state to dry out completely, it may be why the motto is "The Golden State". Debris piles up in the drainage canals, river and lake shores. It all floats downstream and clogs something up, then water backs up and voila, a washout, or a flood.

When excessive rain has fallen on the farms of the central valley dikes are built along the roads and rural highways. Water is diverted down them to the Central Valley Bypass, or into ponding basins created by the farmers, too much water is far from being a blessing. If it would perk down to the water table that would be a solution, but because the big valley has two layers of clay, known as "hardpan" it takes a long time for it to make it to that level. Instead, the liquid lays on the top of the underground dams forcing it to rise to levels just below the surface. Selenium (salt) rises to the top of the soil and will continue to for the summer. Selenium will kill any crops planted in the fields, to answer this dilemma underground drains are laid to enable the water to be directed off the fields into ponding basins, that creates another problem. Toxic water is expensive to deal with, it contains not only the natural salts but chemicals used in the fields such as fertilizer, pest, and weed control.

On the 3 miles long dead-end road our house is on, three huge eucalyptus trees (3-4 foot diameter) fell across the road during a particularly brutal storm. People on the wrong side (both sides are the wrong side if you think about it) had a 3-hour delay waiting, and helping to clear the road. That's when it pays to have a kit in your trunk, water, granola bars, and extra clothes as a minimum.  A sleeping bag, flashlight, water, jumper cables, and collapsible shovel are a few items a person may stage. In this case, a few people had chainsaws in their trucks, that is not so rare in rural or country areas.

In a situation like the fallen trees, one goal is to be in a position to help, some communities like ours are self-sufficient, county services take a long time to respond. Sheriffs Deputies, EMT, and Fire responses are all fairly quick, but road service and utility responses take a considerable amount of time.


House fires are a different cut altogether when the fire is between where traffic is stopped and our homes, we are stuck until it is extinguished, there is one way in and one way out. That has happened to me, there is nothing that can be done, it's a night in the car in most cases. It's important to determine the difference between predicaments and plan accordingly, we cannot predict when an event like home fires may occur but we can certainly prepare for them. In the tree situation, it's OK to park your car and walk home in the rain if there is somewhere to park it, and only if you are prepared for a long walk in the rain.

Though it is within no more than 3 miles from home the situation has the ability to become a life or death predicament. In a driving rainstorm walking next to a river, in the dark with no lights may be a terrible choice. During a snow stranded situation it's best to not to attempt to walk out, even if it's a short distance. I parked in a lot of the Post Office during one house fire, which afforded me a clear view of the fire across a pasture which is more than a mile wide. Others parked there as well, neighbors most of us knew one another, and met those new to us. We got word within a few hours that a path had been made for cars to get by the emergency vehicles and make it home.

 An inexpensive source of heat to keep in the trunk is a candle, a small clay flower pot and the basin that goes under it. Place the candle on the basin, light it and cover it with the pot. Make sure to have a gap under the pot to allow air to flow. It may keep a person from freezing. The candle will consume oxygen, however just to be safe crack a window. When running the engine of the car to maintain warmth lower two windows at least one inch to aid in air circulation.

Last year in a rural California County, a school bus carrying children was driving down a state highway in the rain, this is a road in the middle of nowhere. It divides huge farms on the west side of the valley. A power pole fell over with the conductors draped over the bus, bringing nine more poles down with it, the domino effect. The bus driver had all the kids stay in their seats not touching anything metal until the Utility arrived and cleared the lines. That bus driver may have, and most likely did, keep the kids safe and alive, he is an extremely astute man. I know that area well, I worked for an electrical producing station not far from that near disaster. Some of those electric lines carry 15,000 volts, terrible in any conditions but much worse in the rain with deep puddles everywhere. It's best to assume every electrical line is "live", 15 kilovolts can jump a long way to ground. The ground may be through a person. Stay well clear of downed power lines, if a person is down with a line over them, do not touch the wire, or the person, he may have been electrocuted. Water and Electrical current are not a good combination.

(click here for advice on power line safety.

The rain is a blessing out in the Western U.S., back East they seem to always get more than the lions share, the Midwest rains are often combined with Tornadoes or sleet. Driving through Nebraska during a summer cloudburst will definitely make a person realize how important it is to be prepared for it.

As with every emergency, even if it seems minor, an hour or two of pre-planning and then taking a survey of the situation when it is underway may be a deciding factor in making a choice to avoid it becoming deadly. Each Catastrophe' is unique, preplanning, then taking a few seconds to size up what is happening is a good way to keep from panicking and stressing out by using a logical plan. Planning and practicing it builds confidence, and adds to our self-awareness, which is the ability to know our limitations, and when to find help.

I am thankful I don't have to work in it any longer except during emergencies, but even at that, I'm not a big help. Placing ourselves in the position of being able to help victims during a disaster is a goal we should be working towards. Most disasters that occur are isolated and affect few families for the long term, in the case of house fires one family suffers for about two years until the home is rebuilt. The rest of us, however, are inconvenienced for several hours, until we return home and maintain our normal lifestyle. It is prudent to build a plan, pack a commuter kit for your trunk, most of us are more prepared for a delayed commute than we realize, and learn to recognize the severity of situations to determine whether to sit it out or look for other alternatives.

Thanks for reading now spread it far and wide, this is important stuff, it may save our lives. Thanks again.

JacquesLebec           emergencykitsplus.com  

So how safe do you think your tree is? Here is how to determine if it is continue to read for good information.

This is a classic Christmas Tree arraignment.

The Holiday season is upon us, bringing a coniferous tree into our living rooms is an annual event. Artificial trees are common, I remember when I was young seeing one made of aluminum, that seems a bit unsafe due to the electrical conductivity of the metal. Plastic trees look amazingly like the real McCoy, they come in a box and unfold a lot like an umbrella. Cutting the tree from a farm is often a family outing, a big day during this time of year. Living trees are also an option, we started using one last year. During the remainder of the year, it lives outdoors next to the stairs leading to the front door. Keeping it watered and fresh is handy, although when the hot months of July and August arrive special attention is paid to it, drying out is a challenge.

We have that coniferous tree in our living room, it's a pretty potted tree that my wife planted two years ago, it has grown amazingly. Rapidly growing it was planted at about 2 feet tall, reaching around 5 feet the climate here is good to it, sporting lights and Christmas tree ornaments on it. I was pretty adamant about using it. There is a lower fire risk when using a live tree, I am more comfortable with that than I am having one become more of a safety hazard as each day passes.

The city I was raised in would have residents stack their trees at the High School, in the middle of the football field then shoot a flaming arrow at it to ignite it. A fantastic spectacle for a teenager, and a truckload of fun, but I dought if that is still done. When we place them on the curb to be collected and hauled away generally they are used for mulch, ground cover or wood chips for boiler fuel. They dry out rapidly, the dryer they become the more dangerous they are.

When I was very young, (1956) my Grandfather age 85 at the time, put out a Christmas Tree fire inside his and my Grandmothers house with his bare hands. His hands were badly burned, as I recall it must have been second-degree burns, I remember his hands were bandaged for a what seemed like a long while.

Remembering the lights that were on it, if you are ancient like I am maybe you recall seeing the "bubbler" lights. These lights were neat for a 6-year-old kid to look at, the bulb would heat up some sort of liquid in a test tube looking verticle glass, then bubbles would form. The bubbles started at the bottom of the glass, (clear plastic was rare then) and rose to the top, over and over again. They were powered with 110 volts all strung together, warm to the touch, a lot of people had them like I said they were cool looking. I remember my mother telling me "don't touch those lights they are hot!" (what were they thinking?) The lights were terribly dangerous as well, especially when strung on a drying out coniferous tree. Well, Grandpa put the fire out and saved the house, my Grandma passed away shortly after that, unrelated to the fire.

These are still available for purchase, they must be made
safer now, I would imagine.

The trees can be dangerous, during the years 2011-2015 as reported by the National Fire Prevention Association, the first point of ignition in the study group of 200 structure fires was the Christmas Tree, resulting in 6 deaths, 16 injuries and $14.8 million in property damage from the resulting fires. One in 32 reported Christmas Tree fires resulted in the death of one person, this is in comparison to 143 total deaths from reported home fires. Christmas Tree fires are actually not very common, but when they do occur they are much more likely to cause deaths than other home fires. 42% of Christmas Tree fires take place in December, (OK, that's a no-brainer) another 37% were in January, 21% in the months of February through November. Lighting causes 40% with the related electrical distribution equipment, extension cords, multi-plug adapters, and bare cords causing18%, wiring 13%, and cords and plugs 6%. Electrical failures are responsible for 25% of the incidents, electrical failures are unpredictable. 24% of the fires were arson, 48% of arson fires occur in January. 15% were caused by heating equipment, 6% caused by someone playing with matches, and candles accounted for 8% of the fires in homes. Many years ago, people would decorate the trees with candles, what the heck was the thought process involved in that? 37% started in the living room or den, with 72% of the deaths and injuries taking place in those areas of the house, 6% were chimney fires.

Christmas Tree fires have been on the decline since 1980 extending through the 1990s, overall the occurrence of the fires dropped 80% from the peak in 1980 of 850 to 170 in the years of 2014 and 2015. It must be mentioned home fires fell 50% overall in the same time period. Fires involving natural trees as compared to artificial trees are at a ratio of 3 (natural) to 1 (artificial), further the ratio of 20-1 for injuries (again natural to artificial) and 5-1 for property damage, it appears the artificial trees are safer. Zero deaths have been reported as being related to artificial trees, naturals are bought at a ratio of approximately 2-3, with the artificial being used more than one year. This is a little confusing but 78% of U.S. citizens said they would have a Christmas Tree in their homes, (100 million homes) with 19% being real and 81% being artificial. The math doesn't seem to work out however when taking into account the artificial trees are used many years it does make sense.

I began writing with the expectation of Christmas tree fires being more common, perhaps it is due to the short time period they are in use, typically two months. Though the fires are relatively rare, to the households that experience them they are a life-changing event. What can we do to lessen the chances of a cut tree catching on fire in our homes and places of assembly?

*  Purchase a fresh tree, choose one with green needles with none falling off, look for brown needles, the limbs should be bendable if they snap off the tree is drying.

(Follow this Link for tips on choosing a tree)

*  Water every day, when watered daily testing shows the moisture content of the tree can maintain 70%.

*  Read the information accompanying your lights and other decorations, check to be certain they are flame-retardant, tested by a reputable testing lab.

*  Inspect your decorations for compromised wires, lights, and plugs, limit the number of extension cords in use, if fault interrupters are not on the plugs use an adapter. Allowing the cords to cross the room creates a dangerous tripping hazard if it must be done using duct tape to hold it to the floor or carpet will eliminate the hazard. Use a continuous strip to cross the entire span and inspecting closely to be certain it is fixed tightly to the floor.

*  Do not connect more strings of lights than what is recommended by the manufacturer, do not use more than 50 bulbs on one strand if they are of the screw in style.

*  Make sure your tree is a safe distance from the fireplace, wood stove, and any other open flames. (a minimum of 3 feet is recommended). Candles are open flames, never leave them lit close to the tree, snuff them before retiring for the evening.

*  Don't block doorways with the tree, we must have a way out.

*  Turn the lights out prior to going to bed, it's a bother sometimes, but it is prudent not to leave them plugged in all day and night.

Now to choose that perfect tree, make sure it's fresh.

*  Remove the tree as soon as possible after Christmas day, the day after New Years is a good target. If the needles start falling off, get it out of the house asap, even if it is prior to Christmas, purchase of a new one may be a good idea.

*  Last but not least, install a new battery in your smoke detector, if you don't have one, it is advisable to get one. Fire safety advocates suggest doing so every New Years day, the batteries last a long time, we have a tendency to forget about them.

Christmas Trees are safer than I initially thought, however, safety precautions are what has caused them to become less of a threat. Vigilance on the part of homeowners played a substantial part in the reduction, informational campaigns, improvements in the lighting, and abandoning old style dangerous lighting are some of the key components. Watering the tree daily is not a surprise, it is one of those suggestions that may have made a huge difference.

My neighbor watered an outdoor tree (25-foot tall scotch pine) to rid it of pollen, it saved her house, and her life, when her neighbors home caught on fire, that tree did not burn even though it was 20 feet from the totally engulfed structure with a flame temperature exceeding 2,000 degrees F. (1093 C) That is hot enough to melt steel, and it did do so in the totally involved structure.

I read an account of a man that survived the Earthquake that struck Alaska last week. A question was asked of him how his evacuation went, and if there was anything he would have done differently in hindsight. His reply was that he did not remember what he was supposed to do when a shaker of this magnitude took place. Finalizing his answer he said that his family should have had a plan written down, and practiced. Very good advice for all of us to take heed of.
(Link to FEMA's planning templates)

A Manzanita bush is used as a Christmas Tree in the Western
United States by some people.

A home fire is a bit different than a widespread catastrophic event such as an Earthquake, however, it is still to our advantage to have next to the door an emergency kit with some basic supplies in it. Medication, water, lighting, and extra clothing are some of the supplies considering setting up. Standing outside in our nightclothes while the spray from the fire hoses engulfs us does not make for an enjoyable experience. Flip flops, tee shirts, and nylon nightgowns do not make effective firefighting clothing. Realize that relief will not be arriving for at least an hour, it pays to be prepared with warm clothing and solid footwear.

(Follow this Link to U.S. Fire Administrations page on Fire Safety during the Holidays.)

Leave the firefighting to the experts, that 3/4 inch hose (2 cm) is no match for a 2,000 F fire, the water evaporates before striking the flames. Staying out of the way and not attempting to help extinguish the flames is the best way for the homeowner to combat the blaze.

If there is a Red Cross in your locale a representative will show up, actually quite rapidly, normally blankets and coffee will be available, a warm spot often a Van type of vehicle will be offered.

From the time the insurance company is contacted until the house is rebuilt normally takes two years, a seemingly long time. Six years ago on the three-mile road, our house is on, six houses burned down in the year prior. Four of them have been rebuilt, two remain burned out hulks, referred to as "attractive nuisances".

Thank you for reading and sharing my blog, I have always worried about the tree igniting in the middle of the night, giving us 3 minutes or less to grab our emergency kit and getting the heck out of the house. Share this on Facebook and all social media to help raise the awareness of the potential of a disastrous fire in our homes.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, have a great holiday season.

jacquesandkate  emergencykitsplus.com

A new invasive species has entered North America, spreading rapidly since August 2017, read all about it.

The Asian Longhorned Tick back.

The Asian Longhorned Tick underside.

Invasive species enter the United States in untold numbers every day of the year, whether it be in fruits and vegetables or clinging to clothing. It's impossible to catch them all, many are carried in by unsuspecting hosts, others smuggled in for profit. Striped Bass and Turkey's on the West Coast, Wild Hogs, and Swallows were all carried in by people with the intent of sharing the goodness. Unfortunately despite noble intentions often their intent is overshadowed by the destruction caused. Rabbits inundated Australia years ago, the country also became the host of the failed experiment to eradicate the sugar cane destroying beetle. The Asian Carp experiment in the United States is an ongoing dismal failure like the others introduced to control an out of control native plant, animal or insect.

The species don't always come from far-away exotic countries, as in the case of the Striped Bass with an origin being the East Coast. They are a desirable game fish first introduced in 1928 it is considered to be one of the most successful introductions of a none native species. Brought by rail car by the thousands they were planted in the California Delta at the city of Martinez, 25 miles west of where I am sitting now. They were introduced due to their desirability of being a game fish, and the Delta fishing community accepted them with open arms. The California Striped Bass Association are strong advocates and protectors of them, unfortunately, the fish has become a pawn in the California water war.

Striped Bass can grow to be large.

Some travel longer distances, the Cane Toad, for example, was introduced from the Amazon to Australia during the year 1935. The intent was to eradicate the native grey-backed cane beetle (Dermolepida albohirtum) and French's beetle (Lepidiota frenchi) that was decimating the countries sugar cane industry. The introduced population of just 102 toads quickly multiplied due to no natural predators to an astounding hundred of millions covering that entire isolated continent. Wiping out a full 1/2 of the Water Monitor population within 5 years, it wasn't through yet. Crimson Finches, a main food source of the Monitors experienced a survival rate increase from 55% to 81%, knocking that eco-system out of balance.

Introduction of a non-native species is not the only negative way to impact a native thriving environment, eradicating native species are at fault as well. Wild Wolves were wiped out by settlers in Yellowstone Valley, the result was an increase in plant-eating animals, causing a decrease in the native plant population which in turn caused a decline in birds. We often hear of the domino effect, invasive species are many times the first to topple the beginning tile.

The United States is experiencing another invasive species introduction, we normally hear about them after the overpopulation and havoc is well on its destructive course. The Asian Longhorned Tick was first spotted in New Jersey, 2017. As of October 2018, they have been spotted in Arkansaw, Maryland, Connecticut, North Carolina, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

They were initially spotted in 2017 when a sheep farmer went to the Hunterdon County Health Office with thousands of them covering her body. The U.S. State Department had no idea where they had come from, but regardless they spent all of the remaining months of 2017 in a fruitless attempt at eradicating them. There have been 53 reports from people who have spotted the pests (H. longicornis) 38 on animals of which 23 were domestic, 13 wild animals, and 2 humans spanning one year from August 2017 thru September 2018. 15 other ticks were found in traps set out to monitor them, and some picked out of the grass.

They spread fast, and multiply faster, they are a fairly unique tick as a female is able to fertilize her own eggs, no male is needed, it makes me wonder why they still create males. Laying 2.000 eggs to a clutch, a multiplication table is not needed to imagine how widespread they are able to become in a short period of time. Up to now, there have been no reported instances of diseases being inflicted by these pests to humans, but the clock is ticking.

Potentially they are capable of carrying and transmitting several disease microbes as well as at least three deadly viruses.

*  Anaplasma, causing high fever, chills, muscle aches, and headaches.
*  Babesia, a malaria type of parasite it infects the red blood cells.
*  Borrelia, 52 known species of the parasite, some are known to cause Lyme disease
*  Ehrlichia, a cause of the Ehrlichiosis infection of which animals are the main carriers
*  Rickettsia, causing Rickets and Typhus in humans.

There are 3 deadly viruses carried by the ticks as well: The thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), the Heartland virus, and the Powassan virus.

( Follow this Link to the CDC informational page)

In its native habitat bites from them have caused humans to become seriously ill, in South Korea during 2013, 36 cases of bites were reported resulting in 17 deaths. Research is ongoing as the full scope of the dangers presented by this invasive species as they apply to North America is at this point unknown. But there are measures we can take;

1)  If one is spotted remove it immediately, save it in a jar or plastic zip-lock bag with alcohol, then contact the local Health Department.

2)  Protect ourselves while outdoors by wearing long trousers, long sleeve shirts, full shoes, and closing pants cuffs with tape or rubber bands.

3)  Treat clothing and equipment with 0.5% permethrin, pretreated clothing is available which is capable of withstanding several machine washings successfully.

4)  Use EPA registered insect repellents, but do not use them on children younger than 3 years, read the labels and directions completely.

5)  Check clothing completely upon re-entering the house, disrobe directly into a washing machine, then a dryer is effective, inspection of the area where the clothing is removed must be done. Tossing the articles into the dryer will kill the pests lingering in the folds and creases.

6)  Inspect the entire human body, then take a shower and while doing so continue to perform a full body search.

Perform a full body search for Ticks.

The Asian Longhorned Tick has not been in this country for a long period of time but during that short time, they have been prolific, spreading like wildfire. Being different than any other tick we have experienced it is prudent for us to stay on the lookout, especially if livestock or pets are around the home.

Thanks for reading and sharing, the Asian Longhorned Tick is a newly discovered invasive species and is being taken extremely seriously by Federal, State, and Local Government agencies. I am confident a plan to combat this pest will be established and pursued head on. We must not let our guard down, any one of us has the capability of finding the first sample in our immediate areas, if we do it must be reported immediately to the local Health Department, they will take it from there. Thanks again.

JacquesLebec  EmergencyKitsPlus.com

Ravens, Crows, and Cackles observances and differences here's what it's all about.

The Pean Tree is big, the animals love it.

There is a big pecan tree out my window facing North, it has not been trimmed in many years, during high winds it shakes like a long-haired patron at a Rock and Roll concert. There are numerous squirrel nests as well as an owl nesting box in it. I find it amazing they ignore each other for the most part and just go about their daily activities. Of course, the Owl is pretty inactive during the day, She being a creature of habit or instinct, I saw her one day on a branch staring down a squirrel. The Raptor was within five feet (1.5 meters) of the fluffy-tailed invader, they had moved into the Owl box. A lot of animals have moved into it during the brief time the young birds leave and a new brood is started. Prior to the squirrels a swarm of honey bees took it over, they left after a few days, I don't know why. I tried to have them removed by a beekeeper but it is too dangerous as it is about 30 feet off the ground.

The Squirrels spend a good part of their day chasing each other and repairing the nests. I wonder how they stay dry in there, it looks like a basic survival shelter, extremely well built. Some of the nests have been in that tree for several years, I'm sure they have been completely rebuilt over time. The Owl will sometimes spend all day under the eave of the house, watching them.

It has been raining hard for the past three days, it was needed earlier when the Campfire first started but it was not in the forecast. The fire is out, that's the silver lining, unstable ground laid bare by the flames is now vulnerable to mudslides and flooding is the dark side. During the rain yesterday the tree was completely hidden by the deluge, those squirrel nests may be the design we need for housing in disaster-prone areas.

Crows and squirrels get along well, even though they compete for food.

A mob of crows occupies the tree most of the spring, until early summer, then return when the pecans are ready. They returned to the tree today in great numbers, a few have been visiting it for the past week or so, but today marked the big migration, it's time to set up my video camera and capture the activity.

Interesting birds they are, I was watching them one day when a peculiar thing happened. The tree is on the North side of us, about 100 feet away, in plain view through a large window. One particular day I was sitting on my porch that faces West, just watching all the activities taking place on, in and around the river that flows by.

It's a slough, some call them Bayous, there is a fine line between the two, swamps are a totally different entity. Our slough flows and has a good current of about 3 miles per hour.

I watched one crow fly by with a pecan in its beak. Flying West about 400 yards, there the Power lines extend North to South, starting at the Hydro projects on the Columbia river hundreds of miles North they continue down the I-5 corridor (15 miles east of here) to Los Angelos, (350 miles South) they are the structures clearly visible for most of the drive. The crow turned due South after passing the first tower, obviously, it was on a mission. At the same time, it executed a sharp 90-degree turn South. At that exact moment, another crow flew past me, again with a pecan in its beak. This bird repeated the exact path the first one took, then amazingly a third, then a fourth and they just kept passing by. I stopped counting as there were so many, perfectly spaced, it appeared to be a deliberate plan or strategy.

I did not see them return, this time, but I have seen them do similar patterns. Most of the time they will make a huge sweeping circle, returning from the East to the tree, that is a sight to behold also. The following crow did not take off until the lead Crow turned South, deliberate and sure. I wonder if that is a display of subjective reasoning, do they know how their actions impact their future? Maybe it's just instinct, but it appears to be much more than that. Planning, communication, and reasoning, does it all work into that? I don't know, but it sure makes a guy wonder. We can learn a lot of survival skills by watching the animals among us.

These guy's make interesting neighbors.

There are always at least a few of the blackbirds in and around Taylor Slough, they are not Ravens, although some appear to be as massive as their cousins of the avian world. They look alike, sound alike, eat many of the same foods, but a few differences separate them.

To begin they will not share habitats, they co-mingle and typically ignore one another but they don't tolerate living together.

The Ravens have huge beaks in comparison and it is noticeable when up close, but it's not only the beaks.

Ravens are big birds, larger than Crows they are about the same size as a male Red Tailed Hawk, surprisingly big.

A Cackle, not a crow.

The last obvious trait is Ravens will soar, or glide, Crows, on the other hand, don't. It makes identifying them while in the air easy, they do share the same wing stroke pattern, but they don't play while flying as their smaller relatives do.

One regular resident of the slough is a Crow that displays a unique play activity, it was a bit bewildering the first time I saw it (male or female, I can't tell them apart). Flying past me and continuing over the river suddenly he dropped like a rock, I had thought I witnessed a bird die in mid-flight. He fell 10 meters or so, (30 feet) to about one foot above the water, spread it's wings and began pumping them hard to gain altitude, he came within inches of the water. Continuing Westward the bird continued to display this unusual activity every 100 feet or so. It was with a flock of 5-6 other birds who were acting "normal", it has been around here for a number of years and I am assuming it's the same animal, but it may be an activity shared by others after all these guys are fast learners and smart.

But not smart enough to avoid the smaller birds, it's rare to see a Crow flying when there is not a squadron of smaller birds literally on its tail. The bigger birds are predators constantly raiding the nest of Red Wing Blackbirds, and the thousands of Swallows lining the banks. The small birds are relentless causing the Crows to land on fences and even the ground to avoid their attacks, which to this observer does not work well for the bigger bird at all. Appearing to be no escape for them they typically will take to the air again and beeline it for the nearest tree and get behind branches.

Ravens are much larger than Crows.

The critters are a display of self-reliance, but not so much self-awareness, they are food oriented, everything they do is in the search for nourishment as most wild animals. I believe they as well as other large birds, recognize humans, and other animals that frequent their environment. I don't feed them, harass them, or attempt to drive them away, I'm merely a part of their world as they see it. I'm not professing to have any special abilities, knowledge, or talent when it comes to interacting with them, I do believe they realize I am harmless to them. In most ways I am a part of their world, I am the guest.

Thanks for reading and sharing, sometimes writing about the wild ones that I share the world with is enlightening for me, and I hope for the readers as well. I was taught from an early age to watch the animals, sitting quietly observing them will teach a person everything there is to know about people. Nature and Reality are the same to me, I have difficulty telling them apart.



JacquesLebec           Emergencykitsplus.com 

Catastrophic events require plans for pets here is a plan to make a plan to plan to do just that, keep reading.

We make a promise to our pets when we take them on, it's unwritten but it is a serious commitment, we are beholden to protect and care for them, in every situation.

It's started to rain, finally, the last time we received it was May 2018, that long of a pause is not unique for us. Drought is the norm in the Western United States, we all know that but effectively fooling ourselves into believing the opposite. All in all the rain isn't a problem, we need it, if it had not arrived when it did the Campfire would still be burning nearly out of control. The problem is we only get rain like this every 10 years or so, It would be nice if this is the new "normal", we won't hold our breath. It made me start to think about the impending floods and mudslides which are likely just around the corner. One of the victims of flooding are the families pets, in the case of my dog, she won't go out the door in weather that is even just mildly weather, like Rain, wind or blustery? Forget about it, she won't leave the house. So what if it floods? Will I get her to do anything? I fear she will run off and never be seen or heard from again.

Skunkpuppy waiting for the next explosion.

That's not the only panic-inducing event for them, we must include tornadoes, hurricanes, and violent storms as well. Cats react to catastrophic situations in a different manner than their canine nemesis. One difference is Cats have more of a tendency to hide versus running off in a panic. Many of them have been discovered hiding close to home in bushes, and outbuildings after the episodes are drawing to a conclusion. Exposing themselves only when the coast is clear and activities have settled down they saunter out from under a bush as if nothing has happened. Showing themselves after a week or longer of hiding out in a safe spot is when they are at their most vulnerable, for one they have not eaten for several days if not during the entire adventure.

It's not exactly the kind of emergency kit they will need but they
deserve an "A" for effort.

Dogs, on the other hand, will respond in a different manner, they panic and run far, fast, and for a long time, making themselves hopelessly lost. Normally running 10-15 miles per hour (16-25 km) they are capable of covering a lot of ground in a short while, in 15 minutes 3 miles is in the realm of possibilities. Some return home, some are found, and others are never seen again, the later is far too common. We are seeing the results from the Northern and Southern California fires, the various animal protection services have full houses while desperately seeking owners. Some of them will not be found, in that case, new owners are sought by placing ads in newspapers, and on the internet.

My partner "Skunk Puppy" is a "country dog", Heinz 57 variety, having the distinction of possessing DNA from every canine that has ever walked the face of the earth. She was rescued from under a dumpster in Fresno, afraid of everything and extremely defensive. She's never had a collar around her neck, thickening the plot. She snarls and growls at everyone. having little toleration of being "messed around with", or being near her. I'm confident she has a severe problem in her head like a bat's in the belfry style. She may merely be overprotective of me. after all, they protect us from other dogs and we them from people. I place her in an at-risk position if anything out of the ordinary takes place, she will panic and I must make sure she is safe. Taking on a pet we also take on the responsibility of providing them safety and solace. When they run off and return, we need to be prepared to receive them.

FEMA's suggestion is to take a picture of yourself with the animal. People will be able to put the two of you together, as most of the neighbors are familiar seeing you with her, as the theory goes. If she runs off into the hinterland it may improve the chances of finding her. If the animal, whether dog or cat, has medical issues (as does Skunkpuppy) the urgency to locate them is increased. Creating a flyer and placing them (make plenty of copies) in along with the family emergency plan and evacuation kits will place us steps ahead to help a speedy recovery of the animal. (Link to FEMA's planning templates)

A survival backpack for the dog/cat is important as well; 7 days food, clean water (never ever use flood water for anything), medication and a couple of familiar toys will add a few comforts of home. Include a blanket, small pillow, or another item with their scent on it as a comforting medium for them. A lesson I need to learn is to keep a collar on her that fits, partnered with a stout well-built leash, and the most important thing is to use them.

They can carry their own stuff.

While constructing our emergency plan we would be wise to plan for a longer period of time than what is expected, most disasters extend long past our planning. A contingency to plan for is in the case of disabled people, we may be evacuated due to an inability to walk, few first responders will take the animals. Then what?  I would not be able to leave her here, a more extensive plan is in order, other than "swim girl swim!". It will take a bit of research but there are facilities that will accept them, one of the keys is to arraign for the interim, that day or two when we are not with them and the shelter receives them. A good solution, if it is possible, would be to make a list of hotels, motels, or evacuation centers that will let animals stay with the owners. The further away from the predicament the more likely rooms will be available, search far and wide extending the search miles beyond the affected area. Place the contact numbers in your seven-day kit which is sitting by the door, take a look, there it is.

An emergency plan for the animals is the beginning It will morph into an evacuation plan for the entire household I'm quite confident of. The dog generally kind of does what I tell her to, the people here, however, are a different story. Bossing them around doesn't work well most of the time, we're all connected here, river, dog, levee, and people. Including all of the household members in the planning will increase the chances for it to be successful. Children have valuable contributions to be made and paid attention to when we appreciate and use their contributions acceptance of the plan by them is a good way to increase their self-confidence and co-operation. Having them add a few items to their pack will go a long way towards putting them a ease.

Practice the plan, read it over as a group, it is a living document and may be added to or edited as needed, life is constantly changing. Walk through all of the steps making sure we all know where to evacuate to, what to do if we are home alone, the contact number out of the area, and the seven- day kits. The recommendation from first responders and governments planning entities (FEMA being the most prominent) is to have on hand 3-days of supplies in a portable kit that is easy to handle. It is great advice, however, in the spirit of preparing for longer, I am an advocate of keeping 7-days supply on hand. Adding to the 3-day kit is all that is needed, add more water, one 24 pack of pint bottles are needed for each person which will last the 7-days for drinking only. One of the kits may be a rolling bag, and the other a backpack, the pet's kits will be considerably lighter making a good weight for a knapsack style. Some animals are capable of carrying their own, it may worth exploring as there are several ways to accommodate all we need for one week.

Planning for us and our pets in advance is prudent.

I won't be able to save the worm farm I maintain or my guitar, and a lot of the other stuff we claim is valuable, but most of it isn't as important as Grandma, Wife, Kids, Pets, and Me, it will be missed but it isn't worth risking a life for. Thanks for reading and sharing leave a comment, I'd like to hear your input. Thanks.

JacquesLebec      emergencykitsplus.com