Shop Local- Find the benefits!

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I have always done business with local businesses whenever possible. However I have never given much thought to why it is such a good idea until I came across an article from the Gresham, Oregon Area Chamber of Commerce.

8 Reasons Why to Shop Local

  1. Significantly more money continues to circulate in our local economy when purchases are made locally.
  2. Non-Profit organizations receive an average three times greater support from smaller, locally owned businesses than they do from larger regional or nationally owned companies.
  3. Businesses in our local area generally use local suppliers.
  4. Most new jobs are provided by local businesses. Small, local businesses are the largest employer nationally and in our community.
  5. Most businesses in our local area are owned by people who live in our community. They are less likely to leave and are more invested in our community’s future.
  6. Local businesses require comparatively little infrastructure investment and make more efficient use of public services.
  7. A marketplace made up of thousands of diverse businesses is the best way to ensure innovation, high quality and fair pricing.
  8. When our dollars are kept locally, it increases the amount of tax dollars collected that support police, fire and other public services. Safer communities happen when we spend locally.

10 HOME FIRE SAFETY RULES

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  1. DO NOT JUMP UP Remember that smoke and superheated air is collecting on the ceiling and descending on you. Therefore the most breathable air will be close to the floor typically 2 to 3 feet above the floor. If you awaken and suspect a fire roll out of bed and move along the floor.
  2. CRAWL TO THE DOOR Crawl to your bedroom door, which should always be shut. If any part of the door is warm DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR AND DO NOT TOUCH THE DOORKNOB. Plan to use an alternate escape route.
  3. IF YOU OPEN THE DOOR If the door is not hot, while bracing the door with your foot open the door no more than 1 to 2 inches. Feel the air coming through the crack. If it is warm the HALLWAY CANNOT BE USED FOR ESCAPE.
  4. ESCAPE LADDERS Keep Fire Escape Ladders near bedroom windows that are not at ground level. Light weight collapsible ladders that can be stored under a bed can be purchased at most Home Centers.
  5. INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOUR CHILDREN Shout to your children instructing them to stay in their room with the door closed. Stay 2 to 3 feet above the floor and move to the closest window. Only open the window a small amount if necessary.
  6. IF THE DOOR IS HOT Do not open the door. If possible use wet towels and bed linens around the door to act as a retardant. Use a window to escape the house.
  7. NEVER JUMP FROM A WINDOW IN PANIC If you are injured in a fall you can no longer assist in the rescue of other family members. Use an escape ladder, mentioned earlier or tie bed linens together to form a rope you can use to lower yourself to the ground.
  8. OUTSIDE LADDERS TO AID IN RESCUE You should have a sturdy extension ladder accessible from outside the home to aid in the rescue of family members. Be sure to choose a location for this ladder that keeps it secure from burglars.
  9. HOW TO CRAWL SAFELY If you plan to use the interior of your home, hallways and other rooms as an escape route crawl along the floor with your head 2 to 3 feet above the floor. This is vital because the superheated air is collecting on the ceiling and descending towards the floor. Additionally, heavier-than-air poisonous gases produced by burning material tend to collect on the floor with a depth of 6 to 12 inches.
  10. MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL IS TO PLAN AHEAD Work out your escape plan, routes and alternate routes in advance with each family member. Give everyone, children included explicit instructions. Agree on a common rendezvous point that is safe and easy to reach. Common examples would be a neighbor’s driveway or a Fire Hydrant. Finally, once a family member reaches the rendezvous point NO ONE LEAVES THE RENDEZVOUS POINT UNTIL ALL THE FAMILY HAS ARRIVED.

Stranger Danger

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My 85 Year Old Father in Law was Robbed at Gunpoint this past Monday. Although this crime did not happen in the Kansas City Area it can happen anywhere. A stranger knocked on the Front Door claiming to be out of gas and needing help. Chuck, with a gas can in hand offered to drive the stranger to a Gas Station. A few blocks from home the Stranger instructed Chuck to stop the car, produced a Gun, took his money and keys and left on foot. Fortunately Chuck was not hurt.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • Be Suspicious of Strangers
  • Don’t Open Your Door If You Don‘t Recognize the Person at Your Door
  • Don’t Allow a Stranger in Your Car
  • Don’t Hesitate to Call the Police if You Feel Threatened

Shreveport Times News Article

Security System Month-to-Month Contract

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All Security System Monitoring Companies experience cost increases from time to time. Eventually these companies will increase the price charged to their customers. If you are locked into a 3 or 5 year contract and you don’t agree with the new price you are stuck until your contract comes up for renewal.

With a Month to Month contract you are in control of the relationship not some out of town company you can’t influence.

Waldo Area of Kansas City on High Alert for Home Theft

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The Waldo Area once again is in the news. Home Invasions and Assaults on Women seem to be capturing most of the Headlines. Obviously if you have a Security System – Use It. If your Security System has not been evaluated to assure your System is up to date and excellent working condition contact Security System Service Provider and schedule an evaluation and test of your system as soon as possible. Verify that all your Door and Window Locks are installed correctly and Locking Securely. Be  good Neighbor and report any suspicious activity to the Police Department.

 When you are Walking or Jogging in the neighborhood carry Pepper Spray or a Hand Operated Air Horn with you.

Consider adding an Outside Siren with a Strobe Light to your Security System along with a Wireless Panic Device connected to your System. 

Information Links: http://kcpdchief.blogspot.com/2010/01/police-release-sketch-of-suspected.html, http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/1706360.html, http://www.doorzipperusa.com/