emergency guide 2010

EMERGENCY GUIDE 2010Page 8 — Albert Lea Tribune, Thursday, September 30, 2010

Auto accidents are unexpected and stressful. Even the most careful drivers may be involved.

The following suggestions come from State Farm Insurance:

Prepare the trunk of your car for a possible accident by making sure you have a set of cones, warning triangles or emergency flares.

Make sure you also have:A pen ♦A card with relevant medi- ♦

cal information for you and your family.

What to do after an auto accident:Stay as calm as possible. ♦Check for injuries. Life and ♦

health are more important than damage to vehicles. When in doubt, call an ambulance.

If the accident is minor and ♦there are no serious injuries, move

cars to a safe place, rather than risk being in moving traffic.

Turn on hazard lights. If war- ♦ranted, and possible, use cones, warning triangles or flares for safety.

Call the police, even if the ac- ♦cident is minor.

Notify your insurance agent ♦about the accident immediately.

Don’t sign any document unless ♦it is for police or your insurance agent.

Make immediate notes about ♦the accident including the specific damages to all vehicles involved. If the name on the auto registration and/or insurance policy is different from the name of the driver, estab-lish the relationship and jot it down. Get witness information, if possible, as well.

Be polite, but don’t tell the other ♦drivers or the police that the ac-cident was your fault, even if you think it was. Likewise, do not accuse the other drivers of being at fault at this time. Everyone is usually shaken up immediately after an accident, and it is wise to state only the facts. Limit your discussion of the accident to the insurance agent and the police. Even if facts are embarrassing or detrimental to you, be truthful.

If you have a camera handy, and ♦it is safe to do so, it may be helpful to photograph the accident scene.

If possible, do not leave the acci- ♦dent scene before the police officers and other drivers do.

Finally, remember that while ♦getting the facts is very important, investigating the accident should

be left to the police officers and the insurance companies.

Once you’ve collected the informa-tion refer it directly to your automo-bile insurance agent.

According to law enforcement of-ficials, drivers under the influence of alcohol often display certain charac-teristics, which can include:

Making wide turns ♦Weaving, swerving, drifting or ♦

straddling the center lineAlmost striking an object or car ♦Driving on the wrong side of the ♦

roadDriving at a very slow speed ♦Stopping without cause ♦Braking erratically ♦Responding slowly to signals ♦Turning abruptly or illegally ♦Driving with no headlights at ♦

night

Traffic Safety

TribuneAlbert Lea

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Keep all doors and windows ♦closed and securely fastened. An open window or door is an open invi-tation for burglars. Thieves are also quick to spot weak locks that may be easily forced open. Doors should have deadbolt locks with a 1-inch throw and reinforced strike plate with three-inch screws. All windows should have window locks.

Secure sliding glass doors. Place ♦a metal rod or piece of plywood in the track and install vertical bolts. These will help prevent burglars from forcing the door open or lifting it off the track.

Always lock the door to an at- ♦tached garage. Don’t rely on our automatic garage door opener for security.

Create the illusion that you ♦are home by using timers on lights, radios and TV’s. Making your resi-dence appear occupied, even when no one is home, will deter criminals.

Keep the perimeter of your ♦home well lighted. Installing low voltage outdoor lighting is a cost-ef-fective way to discourage intruders, as well as highlight a house.

Never leave clues that you ♦are away on a trip. Have a trusted neighbor collect mail and newspa-pers while you are away so deliv-ered items do not accumulate. You can also ask a neighbor to park in your driveway or parking place to make it appear that you are pres-ent. Also keep in mind posts you make on social network sites can easily let a burglar know you are out of town.

Keep some shades and blinds ♦up and curtains open to maintain

a normal, everyday appearance in your residence.

Never leave a message on your ♦telephone answering machine tell-ing people that you are away from home. A message that you will return at a certain time leaves your home vulnerable in the interim.

Keep shrubbery trimmed away ♦from entrances and walkways. While large, ornate hedges may be beautiful, they also provide a hiding place for burglars who need only a minute to break in through a win-dow or door.

Organize a community watch ♦program to protect your neighbor-hood. An alert community is a safe community.

Most people have been told that they need to conduct an inventory of personal possessions. Several methods can be utilized when developing a room-by-room house-hold inventory, including audio recording, videotaping, photograph-ing or a written inventory. Start at one point and go around the room. Don’t forget to open closet doors and drawers and check the attic, basement, garage and automobile trunks.

To make possessions less attrac-tive, more easily identifiable and harder to sell try these steps:

Engrave your driver’s license ♦number on valuables. Thieves find it harder to sell marked merchan-dise. You can borrow an engraving pen free of charge from many police departments.

Include the item, make, model, ♦color, size, style, features, unique characteristics and serial number in the inventory.

All items should be photo- ♦graphed or videotaped, and the receipt filed with your log. Attach photographs and appraisals for all items unable to be engraved (i.e. jewelry).

Have a family member pose ♦

with valuables and store the photos in a safety deposit box.

Don’t flaunt your belongings. ♦Leave burglars guessing at what they will find or where to find them. The more valuables inside your home, the more persistent burglars tend to be.

Display a sticker, which tells ♦would-be burglars that your prop-erty has been marked.

Make two copies of your in- ♦ventory, keeping one copy in your home and another in a safe location outside of the home. It will do you no good if the burglar inadvertently

takes the inventory along with him.Update and add to your written ♦

household inventory by utilizing a computer software program.

Be sure you have the right cov- ♦erage. You may need to purchase ad-ditional coverage to protect special items like expensive jewelry or rare antiques.

In the United States today, bur-glars enter a house, apartment or condominium every 15 seconds. Two out of every three burglaries are residential in nature and 60 percent of residential burglaries occur dur-ing the daytime.

Law enforcementMinnesota State Patrol: 507-285-7406Freeborn County Sheriff ’s Office:

Business office: 507-377-5200 ♦Records office: 507-377-5245 ♦Jail: 507-377-5267 ♦

Albert Lea Police Department:Business office: 507-377-5215 ♦Emergency only: 507-377-5210 ♦Animal Control: 507-377-5210 ♦

Faribault County Sheriff ’s Office: 507-526-5148Winnebago County Sheriff ’s Office: 641-585-2828Worth County Sheriff ’s Office: 641-324-2481Waseca County Sheriff ’s Office: 507-835-0510Steele County Sheriff ’s Office: 507-444-3800Lake Mills Police Department: 641-592-2188New Richland Police Department: 507-465-3240Northwood Police Department: 641-324-2611Wells Police Department: 507-553-5824

FireAlbert Lea Fire Department: 507-377-4340Alden: 507-874-3620Conger: 507-265-3415Emmons: 507-297-5720Geneva: 507-256-4748Glenville: 507-448-3916Kiester: 507-294-3563Lake Mills: 641-592-2188Northwood: 641-324-2721Twin Lakes: 507-852-2155Wells: 507-526-5148

MedicalAlbert Lea Medical Center: 507-373-2384

PoisonPoison Control Center: 1-800-222-1222

TravelMinnesota road conditions: 511, www.511mn.org

Child abuseIf you witness child abuse dial 911

SuicideSuicide prevention hot line: 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255), www.sui-

cidepreventionlifeline.org.

RunawaysNational Runaway Switchboard: 800-RUNAWAY (800-786-2929),

www.1800runaway.org

Consumer assistanceMinnesota Attorney General’s Office: 800-657-3787

Ground workCall 811 before you dig

News MediaNewspapers:

Albert Lea Tribune: 507-373-1411, www.albertleatribune.com ♦Television stations:

KIMT News 3: 641-423-2540, www.kimt.com ♦KAAL ABC 6 News: 507-437-6666, www.kaaltv.com ♦

Radio Stations:KQPR Power 96 (96.1 FM): 507-373-9401, www.power96rocker.com ♦KATE/KCPI (1450 AM, 94.9 FM): 507-373-2338, www.albertlearadio.com ♦

TTY, TDD UsersDial 911. After the 911 dispatcher answers the call, pressing the space

bar may help you inform the dispatched this is a TTY call.

EMERGENCY GUIDE 2010 — Albert Lea Tribune, Thursday, September 30, 2010 EMERGENCY GUIDE 2010 Albert Lea Tribune, Thursday, September 30, 2010 — Page 7

What should I do if I suspect a poisoning?Call your veterinarian or veterinary emergency clinic immediately.

Have the following information ready:1. Exact name of toxin ingested, inhaled, or absorbed.2. Approximately how much of the toxin was ingested3. How long ago you suspect that your pet may have been poisoned4. Approximate weight of your pet5. What symptoms your pet is showing

South Central Veterinary AssociatesSkyline Plaza, Albert Lea

373-4440David Wessling, DVMYour Pet Care Professionals

Emergency Information Theft and Burglary

State Farm • Bloomington, IL

statefarm.com®

P077163 7/07

Bottled water. A flashlight and radio. Fresh batteries. Having the little things ready can make a big difference when a storm hits.

State Farm® can help before as well as after. Contact me for tips on how to prepare or visit statefarm.com®.

A little preparation

MakeS a big difference.

Nancy VanderWaerdt LUTCF, Agent505 Bridge AvenueAlbert Lea, MN 56007Bus: 507-377-0227www.nancyvw.net


statefarm.com®

P077163 7/07






In an emergency dial 911!A call to 911 will put you in touch with the dispatch center in your county.

A dispatcher will send the appropriate authority for your emergency 24 hours a day.

Ten quick security tips from the Burglary Prevention Council

Nationally, floods claim nearly 200 lives each year, force 300,000 persons from their homes and result in property damage in excess of $2 billion. In Minnesota, floods kill more people than any other weather event; 15 people have died in floods since 1993. About 75 percent of flash-flood deaths occur at night. Half of the victims die in automo-biles or other vehicles. Many deaths occur when people drive around road barricades that clearly indicate that the road is washed out ahead.

In 2007, a deadly flood occurred Aug. 18-19 in southeast Minnesota, killing seven people and destroying hundreds of homes and businesses. A state record for rainfall was set at Hokah — 15.1 inches in 24 hours — while several other areas received more than 8 inches of rain.

Assume a thunderstorm pro-duces 6 inches of rain in less than six hours time. Are you prepared? Storms of this magnitude occur several times every year. After any major flood event, survivors inevi-tably say they didn’t believe it could happen to them.

No one can prevent the occurrence of rainfall that produces flash floods. However, you can reduce the risks of death and property damage by:

Working toward sound flood- ♦plain zoning

Developing an emergency action ♦plan in advance

Purchasing flood insurance at ♦least 30 days prior to flooding

Being aware of the dangers of ♦heavy rainfall and floods

A tornado watch highlights an area where tornadoes are likely to develop. Continue your normal activities during a tornado watch, but keep track of the latest weather reports, and be ready to get to a shelter. Tornadoes develop quickly.

In the home, go to the basement. ♦Get under a table, work bench or some other sturdy furniture to pro-

tect yourself from falling debris. A stairwell is also a good place to hid during a tornado.

If you cannot get to a basement, ♦go to a small, interior room on the lowest floor. Closets, bathrooms and interior halls afford the best protection in most cases. Get under something sturdy or cover yourself with blankets and stay away from windows.

In an apartment, school or office ♦building, move to the lowest level, to the innermost room — or go to a pre-designated shelter area. Stay away from windows! In a hallway, crouch down and protect your head from flying debris. Avoid areas with glass and large expanses of roof with no supports.

In a mobile home, car, truck ♦or other vehicle, abandon it as quickly as possible and find a sturdy shelter — preferably a permanent structure. Avoid bridges — they act as wind tunnels. People who try to escape a tornado by driving away in a vehicle often don’t make it; they get caught in deadly winds.

Minnesota led the nation in torna-do outbreaks in 2010. There were 25 tornadoes on one day in Minnesota on June 17, 2010. Two reached the E4 rating on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.

EMERGENCY GUIDE 2010Page 6 — Albert Lea Tribune, Thursday, September 30, 2010 EMERGENCY GUIDE 2010 Albert Lea Tribune, Thursday, September 30, 2010 —

1719 W. Main St., Albert Lea, MN 56007507-373-7200 • www.whereyoubelong.org

Skyline Plaza • 1725 West Main • Albert Lea(507) 373-1996 • [email protected]

Open: Mon.-Fri. 10-7, Sat. 10-3, Sun-Closed

Supplies for stamping, card making & scrapbooking. Paper & embellishments from many companies

We offer:

FireSevere Weather

Some tips to prevent fires:

Watch your cooking ♦Stay in the kitchen when you are

frying, grilling or broiling food. If you must leave, even for a short time, turn off the stove.

Give space heaters space ♦Keep fixed and portable space

heaters at least three feet from anything that can burn. Turn off heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep.

Smoke outside ♦Ask smokers to smoke outside.

Have sturdy, deep ashtrays for smokers.

Keep matches and lighters out ♦of reach

Keep matches and lighters up high, out of the reach of children, preferably in a cabinet with a child lock.

Inspect electrical cords ♦Replace cords that are cracked,

damaged, have broken plugs or have loose connections.

Be careful when using candles ♦Keep candles at least one foot

from anything that can burn. Blow out candles when you leave the room or go to sleep.

Have a home fire escape plan ♦

Make a home fire escape plan and practice it at least twice a year.

Install smoke alarms ♦Install smoke alarms on every

level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Inter-connect smoke alarms throughout the home so that when one sounds, they all sound.

Test smoke alarms ♦Test smoke alarms at least once a

month and replace batteries once a year or when the alarm “chirps” to tell you the battery is low. Replace any smoke alarm that is more than 10 years old.

Install sprinklers ♦If you are building or remodeling

your home, install residential fire sprinklers. Sprinklers can contain and may even extinguish a fire in less time than it would take the fire department to arrive.

Most fire deaths are not caused by burns, but by smoke inhalation. Of-ten smoke incapacitates so quickly that people are overcome and can’t make it to an otherwise accessible exit. The synthetic materials com-monplace in today’s homes produce especially dangerous substances. As a fire grows inside a building, it will often consume most of the available oxygen, slowing the burning pro-cess. This “incomplete combustion”

results in toxic gases.In addition to producing smoke,

fire can incapacitate or kill by reducing oxygen levels, either by consuming the oxygen, or by dis-placing it with other gases. Heat is also a respiratory hazard, as super-heated gases burn the respiratory tract. When the air is hot enough, one breath can kill.

Home is the place where you feel the safest. But your home is also where you are most likely to die in a fire. Four out of five fire-related deaths among civilians occur in the home.

Some areas of particular concern in home fires:Smoking materials

Lighted tobacco products — al-most always cigarettes — are the leading cause of fatal fires in the home, causing 700 to 900 deaths each year. They are the leading cause of fire deaths in any location, in the United States and every other country where sufficient data is col-lected. Typically, abandoned or care-lessly discarded smoking materials ignite trash, bedding or upholstered furniture. Most fatal smoking-related fires start in the living room,

family room or den, rather than the bedroom. The adoption of standard that require mattresses and uphol-stery to resist going up in flames from a cigarette has reduced the death toll significantly.

CookingCooking fires happen because

people walk away from the stove. They get distracted by children, pets or visitors, sometimes forgetting they left food cooking. There is no safe period of time to leave cooking unattended. Cooking equipment is the leading cause of home fires and of injuries in home fires (and the fourth leading cause of home-fire deaths). At least two-thirds of these fires involved the range, especially the cooktop. Typically, cooking oil or other flammable liquids, or fat or grease, is what first catches fire. And two-thirds of home cooking fires started within the first 15 min-utes of cooking.

Heating equipmentHeating equipment is the second

leading cause of home fires, and third leading cause of home fire deaths. Two out of three heating-related fires can be traced to im-properly used space heaters — a category that includes fireplaces.

Everyone should be cautious about traveling in extreme winter weather. Cold, snow and ice are demanding on cars, drivers and passengers. Cold affects metal, rubber and other materials in your car. It can reduce the effectiveness of your vehicle’s battery by at least 50 percent. It can freeze tires and keep them flat on the bottom for at least the first half mile of travel. It can thicken your car’s lubricants, making the engine work too hard. Most importantly, extreme winter weather can threaten your life. Follow these tips to stay safe as you drive in Minnesota.

Plan before you travel. Simple ♦planning can save you trouble and

even save your life.Prepare your vehicle. Be sure ♦

your vehicle is in good winter driv-ing condition. Take along the emer-gency equipment referred to in this booklet and keep it accessible. Keep your gas tank at least one-half full.

Be aware of the weather. Listen ♦to forecasts, road reports and storm warnings.

Dress appropriately. Pack extra ♦scarves and mittens. Allow extra time for trips in severe weather.

Make yourself easy to find. Tell ♦someone where you are going and the route you will take. Report your safe arrival. If you stall or get stuck, tie a colored banner (from your winter survival kit) to your antenna or hang it out a window. At night, remove the cover from your dome light and turn the light on. Road crews or rescue units can see a small glow at a con-siderable distance. To reduce battery drain, use emergency flashers only if you hear approaching vehicles. Keep one person on watch; don’t let every-one rest at the same time.

Stay in your vehicle. Walking in ♦a storm can be very dangerous. You might lose your way or become ex-hausted, collapse and risk your life. Your vehicle is a good shelter.

Avoid overexertion. Shoveling ♦snow or repositioning your car by

pushing it takes a lot of effort in storm conditions. You could risk heart attack or injury. Take it easy!

Keep cool. Calm down and ♦think. The storm will end and you will be found. Also, don’t work enough to get hot and sweaty. Wet clothing loses insulation value, mak-ing you susceptible to hypothermia.

Keep fresh air in your vehicle. ♦It’s much better to be cold and awake than comfortably warm and sleepy. Wet or wind-driven snow can plug your vehicle’s exhaust system and cause deadly monoxide gas to enter your vehicle. Don’t run the en-gine unless you are sure the exhaust pipe is free of snow. Keep snow off the radiator to prevent the engine from overheating.

Stay warm without fuel. Keep ♦your blood circulating freely by loos-ening tight clothing, changing posi-tions frequently and moving your arms and legs. Huddle close to one another. Rub your hands together or put them in your armpits or be-tween your legs. Remove your shoes occasionally and rub your feet.

Don’t expect to be comfortable, ♦just try to survive until you’re found.

Be able to see and be seen. ♦Clean frost and snow off all win-dows, mirrors, lights and reflectors. Equip your car with good wiper

blades and keep an ample supply of windshield washer fluid. If visibility is poor, use headlights.

Get a feel for the road. When ♦you first start out, accelerate care-fully to test wheel-spin and brake gently to test skidding.

Be gentle. Use the accelera- ♦tor and brakes slowly to maintain control of your vehicle. Fast accel-eration can make wheels spin on ice and snow. Brake with a gentle pumping action. Stepping too hard on the pedal will lock the brakes and cause loss of steering control.

Increase your following dis- ♦tance. Ice or snow can multiply your stopping distance up to 10 times.

Make turns slowly and gradu- ♦ally. Heavily traveled intersections can become “polished” and slick. Brake before you come to a curve, not while you are in it.

Turn in the direction of the ♦skid. If the rear of your car begins to slide, turn into the direction of the skid. Expect a second skid as the car straightens out, and be prepared to counter this sliding action.

Icy spots on the road surface ♦can cause loss of steering control. Do not use your brake. Take your foot off the gas and steer as straight as possible until your car slows to a safe speed.

More than half the calls received by most poison centers across the country involve children under the age of 6. Usually these poisonings result in mild or no symptoms, but there is potential for severe injury or even death.

Most often, children are poisoned in their own homes. The top four reported reasons why children ac-cidentally poison themselves are listed here:

Poisons are not stored properly. ♦Commonly-used products left in the open where they can be seen is the No. 1 reason a child can get poi-soned. For example, leaving recently used medication bottles in sight on a counter or table. This usually occurs in the kitchen, family room or bath-room. The caretaker’s knowledge of product toxicity, income, social background or caretaker’s support network did not make a difference in this situation. Bottles on the counter or table, purses or diaper bags sitting on the floor and opened cleaning products left unattended for “just one second,” can all lead to poisonings.

Children are curious. Children ♦are naturally curious about the taste, smell and texture of things unfamiliar to them. Children may be interested in the mechanics of a spray container. By swallowing, smelling or spraying a product children learn more about it. By smelling, touching and tasting, they learn about the world. Brightly-col-ored liquids, spray containers, pills, leafy or flowering plants attract children.

Children think a poison is some- ♦thing other than a poison. Because they look similar, children can think fuels, cough syrup and shampoo are actually liquids that are safe to drink, such as fruit punch or soft drinks. Children may also think the odor of a product is similar to a liquid that is safe to drink. Many

poisons look or taste similar to other things. Medicine tablets look and taste like candy. Antifreeze tastes sweet. Red mouthwash looks like fruit punch.

Children imitate the behavior of ♦adults. Children can copy what their parents or grandparents do, such as taking medication, drinking col-ored liquids, clean house and spray chemicals.

Be prepared. Have the Minnesota Poison Center’s phone number — 1-800-222-1222 — posted in the home or programmed into the phone.

If there is a question or a poten-tial poisoning call the Poison Center. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Do not wait for symptoms to appear; symptoms may often be delayed. Always call for help if someone may have been injured or poisoned. Poison Information Specialists are available seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

How to prevent poisonings:

Start early. By the time a child ♦starts to crawl (6 months), the home needs to be “poison proof.”

Set up safe storage areas. Po- ♦tential poisons should be stored in cabinets located up high, preferably with safety locks.

All household chemicals and ♦medicines should be stored in safe areas.

Use child-resistant caps. If the ♦caps no longer work, replace them.

Keep products in their original ♦containers. Never put poisons in other containers, especially food or beverage containers. Avoid us-ing pill cases or plastic baggies for medication.

Keep purses and diaper bags ♦out of reach. They may have poten-tially poisonous products and medi-cines that are easily accessed.

Keep alcoholic drinks and ♦

mouthwash away from children.Do not store food items and non- ♦

food items together.Medications often can be a source

of poisoning. Here are some tips:Read and follow directions on ♦

the container.In low lighting, turn on a light ♦

and read the label to ensure you take or give the proper medication.

Dispose old medicine. Flush it ♦down the toilet and rise container with water. Or try to find out if your community has a disposal for medications.

Keep medication in the original ♦containers.

Do not take medication in front ♦of children since they like to imitate adults.

Never tell children that medi- ♦cine is candy or call it candy.

Teach children to never take ♦medication unless you give it to them.

Use child resistant caps by re- ♦member child resistant caps are not child proof.

Always keep medication locked ♦up in a safe storage area. Do not leave medication on dressers, tables and counter tops, including vitamins.

About 20 percent of drug inges-tions by children involves a grand-

parent’s medication. Make sure grandma’s purse is not available. Be careful of weekly pillmind-ers, though they help to organize medication, most are not child resistant.

Some plants can be dangerous if ingested. Here are tips regarding plants:

Keep houseplants out of a young ♦child’s reach.

Identify the name of all your ♦plants, both indoors and outdoors. Label each of your plants with the correct botanical name. You can bring a sample to a plant store to get the correct name.

Consult the poison center’s ♦plant guide to find out how poison-ous each plant is.

Mushrooms and berries are ♦particularly attractive to young chil-dren. Teach your children never to put mushrooms, berries or any part of a plant including leaves, flow-ers, stems, bulbs or seeds in their mouths.

Mushrooms are especially abun- ♦dant after a rainfall. Remove mush-rooms from your yard and dispose of properly after each rainfall.

Do not assume a plant is non- ♦poisonous because birds or wildlife eat it.


St. John’s Lutheran Home901 Luther Place, Albert Lea, MN • 507-373-8226

www.stjohnsofalbertlea.org

“St. John’s provides physical, emotional, social, and Christian care for all people, with dignity and respect, in an environment of God’s grace.” – St. John’s Mission Statement

Albert leA Seed HouSeIntersection of W. Main and

Hwy 13 across from Nelson’s.Hours: M-F 8 to 5, Sat 8 to 4 373-3161 • www.alseed.com

We SaluteThose Who Protect

Our Community!

Wintry Weather Poison

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To subscribe, call 507-379-3422

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on the internet

Nationally, floods claim nearly 200 lives each year, force 300,000 persons from their homes and result in property damage in excess of $2 billion. In Minnesota, floods kill more people than any other weather event; 15 people have died in floods since 1993. About 75 percent of flash-flood deaths occur at night. Half of the victims die in automo-biles or other vehicles. Many deaths occur when people drive around road barricades that clearly indicate that the road is washed out ahead.

In 2007, a deadly flood occurred Aug. 18-19 in southeast Minnesota, killing seven people and destroying hundreds of homes and businesses. A state record for rainfall was set at Hokah — 15.1 inches in 24 hours — while several other areas received more than 8 inches of rain.

Assume a thunderstorm pro-duces 6 inches of rain in less than six hours time. Are you prepared? Storms of this magnitude occur several times every year. After any major flood event, survivors inevi-tably say they didn’t believe it could happen to them.

No one can prevent the occurrence of rainfall that produces flash floods. However, you can reduce the risks of death and property damage by:

Working toward sound flood- ♦plain zoning

Developing an emergency action ♦plan in advance

Purchasing flood insurance at ♦least 30 days prior to flooding

Being aware of the dangers of ♦heavy rainfall and floods

A tornado watch highlights an area where tornadoes are likely to develop. Continue your normal activities during a tornado watch, but keep track of the latest weather reports, and be ready to get to a shelter. Tornadoes develop quickly.

In the home, go to the basement. ♦Get under a table, work bench or some other sturdy furniture to pro-

tect yourself from falling debris. A stairwell is also a good place to hid during a tornado.

If you cannot get to a basement, ♦go to a small, interior room on the lowest floor. Closets, bathrooms and interior halls afford the best protection in most cases. Get under something sturdy or cover yourself with blankets and stay away from windows.

In an apartment, school or office ♦building, move to the lowest level, to the innermost room — or go to a pre-designated shelter area. Stay away from windows! In a hallway, crouch down and protect your head from flying debris. Avoid areas with glass and large expanses of roof with no supports.

In a mobile home, car, truck ♦or other vehicle, abandon it as quickly as possible and find a sturdy shelter — preferably a permanent structure. Avoid bridges — they act as wind tunnels. People who try to escape a tornado by driving away in a vehicle often don’t make it; they get caught in deadly winds.

Minnesota led the nation in torna-do outbreaks in 2010. There were 25 tornadoes on one day in Minnesota on June 17, 2010. Two reached the E4 rating on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.


1719 W. Main St., Albert Lea, MN 56007507-373-7200 • www.whereyoubelong.org

Skyline Plaza • 1725 West Main • Albert Lea(507) 373-1996 • [email protected]

Open: Mon.-Fri. 10-7, Sat. 10-3, Sun-Closed

Supplies for stamping, card making & scrapbooking. Paper & embellishments from many companies

We offer:

FireSevere Weather

Some tips to prevent fires:

Watch your cooking ♦Stay in the kitchen when you are

frying, grilling or broiling food. If you must leave, even for a short time, turn off the stove.

Give space heaters space ♦Keep fixed and portable space

heaters at least three feet from anything that can burn. Turn off heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep.

Smoke outside ♦Ask smokers to smoke outside.

Have sturdy, deep ashtrays for smokers.

Keep matches and lighters out ♦of reach

Keep matches and lighters up high, out of the reach of children, preferably in a cabinet with a child lock.

Inspect electrical cords ♦Replace cords that are cracked,

damaged, have broken plugs or have loose connections.

Be careful when using candles ♦Keep candles at least one foot

from anything that can burn. Blow out candles when you leave the room or go to sleep.

Have a home fire escape plan ♦

Make a home fire escape plan and practice it at least twice a year.

Install smoke alarms ♦Install smoke alarms on every

level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Inter-connect smoke alarms throughout the home so that when one sounds, they all sound.

Test smoke alarms ♦Test smoke alarms at least once a

month and replace batteries once a year or when the alarm “chirps” to tell you the battery is low. Replace any smoke alarm that is more than 10 years old.

Install sprinklers ♦If you are building or remodeling

your home, install residential fire sprinklers. Sprinklers can contain and may even extinguish a fire in less time than it would take the fire department to arrive.

Most fire deaths are not caused by burns, but by smoke inhalation. Of-ten smoke incapacitates so quickly that people are overcome and can’t make it to an otherwise accessible exit. The synthetic materials com-monplace in today’s homes produce especially dangerous substances. As a fire grows inside a building, it will often consume most of the available oxygen, slowing the burning pro-cess. This “incomplete combustion”

results in toxic gases.In addition to producing smoke,

fire can incapacitate or kill by reducing oxygen levels, either by consuming the oxygen, or by dis-placing it with other gases. Heat is also a respiratory hazard, as super-heated gases burn the respiratory tract. When the air is hot enough, one breath can kill.

Home is the place where you feel the safest. But your home is also where you are most likely to die in a fire. Four out of five fire-related deaths among civilians occur in the home.

Some areas of particular concern in home fires:Smoking materials

Lighted tobacco products — al-most always cigarettes — are the leading cause of fatal fires in the home, causing 700 to 900 deaths each year. They are the leading cause of fire deaths in any location, in the United States and every other country where sufficient data is col-lected. Typically, abandoned or care-lessly discarded smoking materials ignite trash, bedding or upholstered furniture. Most fatal smoking-related fires start in the living room,

family room or den, rather than the bedroom. The adoption of standard that require mattresses and uphol-stery to resist going up in flames from a cigarette has reduced the death toll significantly.

CookingCooking fires happen because

people walk away from the stove. They get distracted by children, pets or visitors, sometimes forgetting they left food cooking. There is no safe period of time to leave cooking unattended. Cooking equipment is the leading cause of home fires and of injuries in home fires (and the fourth leading cause of home-fire deaths). At least two-thirds of these fires involved the range, especially the cooktop. Typically, cooking oil or other flammable liquids, or fat or grease, is what first catches fire. And two-thirds of home cooking fires started within the first 15 min-utes of cooking.

Heating equipmentHeating equipment is the second

leading cause of home fires, and third leading cause of home fire deaths. Two out of three heating-related fires can be traced to im-properly used space heaters — a category that includes fireplaces.

Keep all doors and windows ♦closed and securely fastened. An open window or door is an open invi-tation for burglars. Thieves are also quick to spot weak locks that may be easily forced open. Doors should have deadbolt locks with a 1-inch throw and reinforced strike plate with three-inch screws. All windows should have window locks.

Secure sliding glass doors. Place ♦a metal rod or piece of plywood in the track and install vertical bolts. These will help prevent burglars from forcing the door open or lifting it off the track.

Always lock the door to an at- ♦tached garage. Don’t rely on our automatic garage door opener for security.

Create the illusion that you ♦are home by using timers on lights, radios and TV’s. Making your resi-dence appear occupied, even when no one is home, will deter criminals.

Keep the perimeter of your ♦home well lighted. Installing low voltage outdoor lighting is a cost-ef-fective way to discourage intruders, as well as highlight a house.

Never leave clues that you ♦are away on a trip. Have a trusted neighbor collect mail and newspa-pers while you are away so deliv-ered items do not accumulate. You can also ask a neighbor to park in your driveway or parking place to make it appear that you are pres-ent. Also keep in mind posts you make on social network sites can easily let a burglar know you are out of town.

Keep some shades and blinds ♦up and curtains open to maintain

a normal, everyday appearance in your residence.

Never leave a message on your ♦telephone answering machine tell-ing people that you are away from home. A message that you will return at a certain time leaves your home vulnerable in the interim.

Keep shrubbery trimmed away ♦from entrances and walkways. While large, ornate hedges may be beautiful, they also provide a hiding place for burglars who need only a minute to break in through a win-dow or door.

Organize a community watch ♦program to protect your neighbor-hood. An alert community is a safe community.

Most people have been told that they need to conduct an inventory of personal possessions. Several methods can be utilized when developing a room-by-room house-hold inventory, including audio recording, videotaping, photograph-ing or a written inventory. Start at one point and go around the room. Don’t forget to open closet doors and drawers and check the attic, basement, garage and automobile trunks.

To make possessions less attrac-tive, more easily identifiable and harder to sell try these steps:

Engrave your driver’s license ♦number on valuables. Thieves find it harder to sell marked merchan-dise. You can borrow an engraving pen free of charge from many police departments.

Include the item, make, model, ♦color, size, style, features, unique characteristics and serial number in the inventory.

All items should be photo- ♦graphed or videotaped, and the receipt filed with your log. Attach photographs and appraisals for all items unable to be engraved (i.e. jewelry).

Have a family member pose ♦

with valuables and store the photos in a safety deposit box.

Don’t flaunt your belongings. ♦Leave burglars guessing at what they will find or where to find them. The more valuables inside your home, the more persistent burglars tend to be.

Display a sticker, which tells ♦would-be burglars that your prop-erty has been marked.

Make two copies of your in- ♦ventory, keeping one copy in your home and another in a safe location outside of the home. It will do you no good if the burglar inadvertently

takes the inventory along with him.Update and add to your written ♦

household inventory by utilizing a computer software program.

Be sure you have the right cov- ♦erage. You may need to purchase ad-ditional coverage to protect special items like expensive jewelry or rare antiques.

In the United States today, bur-glars enter a house, apartment or condominium every 15 seconds. Two out of every three burglaries are residential in nature and 60 percent of residential burglaries occur dur-ing the daytime.

Law enforcementMinnesota State Patrol: 507-285-7406Freeborn County Sheriff ’s Office:

Business office: 507-377-5200 ♦Records office: 507-377-5245 ♦Jail: 507-377-5267 ♦

Albert Lea Police Department:Business office: 507-377-5215 ♦Emergency only: 507-377-5210 ♦Animal Control: 507-377-5210 ♦

Faribault County Sheriff ’s Office: 507-526-5148Winnebago County Sheriff ’s Office: 641-585-2828Worth County Sheriff ’s Office: 641-324-2481Waseca County Sheriff ’s Office: 507-835-0510Steele County Sheriff ’s Office: 507-444-3800Lake Mills Police Department: 641-592-2188New Richland Police Department: 507-465-3240Northwood Police Department: 641-324-2611Wells Police Department: 507-553-5824

FireAlbert Lea Fire Department: 507-377-4340Alden: 507-874-3620Conger: 507-265-3415Emmons: 507-297-5720Geneva: 507-256-4748Glenville: 507-448-3916Kiester: 507-294-3563Lake Mills: 641-592-2188Northwood: 641-324-2721Twin Lakes: 507-852-2155Wells: 507-526-5148

MedicalAlbert Lea Medical Center: 507-373-2384

PoisonPoison Control Center: 1-800-222-1222

TravelMinnesota road conditions: 511, www.511mn.org

Child abuseIf you witness child abuse dial 911

SuicideSuicide prevention hot line: 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255), www.sui-

cidepreventionlifeline.org.

RunawaysNational Runaway Switchboard: 800-RUNAWAY (800-786-2929),

www.1800runaway.org

Consumer assistanceMinnesota Attorney General’s Office: 800-657-3787

Ground workCall 811 before you dig

News MediaNewspapers:

Albert Lea Tribune: 507-373-1411, www.albertleatribune.com ♦Television stations:

KIMT News 3: 641-423-2540, www.kimt.com ♦KAAL ABC 6 News: 507-437-6666, www.kaaltv.com ♦

Radio Stations:KQPR Power 96 (96.1 FM): 507-373-9401, www.power96rocker.com ♦KATE/KCPI (1450 AM, 94.9 FM): 507-373-2338, www.albertlearadio.com ♦

TTY, TDD UsersDial 911. After the 911 dispatcher answers the call, pressing the space

bar may help you inform the dispatched this is a TTY call.


What should I do if I suspect a poisoning?Call your veterinarian or veterinary emergency clinic immediately.

Have the following information ready:1. Exact name of toxin ingested, inhaled, or absorbed.2. Approximately how much of the toxin was ingested3. How long ago you suspect that your pet may have been poisoned4. Approximate weight of your pet5. What symptoms your pet is showing

South Central Veterinary AssociatesSkyline Plaza, Albert Lea

373-4440David Wessling, DVMYour Pet Care Professionals

Emergency Information Theft and Burglary


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statefarm.com®

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In an emergency dial 911!A call to 911 will put you in touch with the dispatch center in your county.

A dispatcher will send the appropriate authority for your emergency 24 hours a day.

Ten quick security tips from the Burglary Prevention Council

EMERGENCY GUIDE 2010 — Albert Lea Tribune, Thursday, September 30, 2010

Auto accidents are unexpected and stressful. Even the most careful drivers may be involved.

The following suggestions come from State Farm Insurance:

Prepare the trunk of your car for a possible accident by making sure you have a set of cones, warning triangles or emergency flares.

Make sure you also have:A pen ♦A card with relevant medi- ♦

cal information for you and your family.

What to do after an auto accident:Stay as calm as possible. ♦Check for injuries. Life and ♦

health are more important than damage to vehicles. When in doubt, call an ambulance.

If the accident is minor and ♦there are no serious injuries, move

cars to a safe place, rather than risk being in moving traffic.

Turn on hazard lights. If war- ♦ranted, and possible, use cones, warning triangles or flares for safety.

Call the police, even if the ac- ♦cident is minor.

Notify your insurance agent ♦about the accident immediately.

Don’t sign any document unless ♦it is for police or your insurance agent.

Make immediate notes about ♦the accident including the specific damages to all vehicles involved. If the name on the auto registration and/or insurance policy is different from the name of the driver, estab-lish the relationship and jot it down. Get witness information, if possible, as well.

Be polite, but don’t tell the other ♦drivers or the police that the ac-cident was your fault, even if you think it was. Likewise, do not accuse the other drivers of being at fault at this time. Everyone is usually shaken up immediately after an accident, and it is wise to state only the facts. Limit your discussion of the accident to the insurance agent and the police. Even if facts are embarrassing or detrimental to you, be truthful.

If you have a camera handy, and ♦it is safe to do so, it may be helpful to photograph the accident scene.

If possible, do not leave the acci- ♦dent scene before the police officers and other drivers do.

Finally, remember that while ♦getting the facts is very important, investigating the accident should

be left to the police officers and the insurance companies.

Once you’ve collected the informa-tion refer it directly to your automo-bile insurance agent.

According to law enforcement of-ficials, drivers under the influence of alcohol often display certain charac-teristics, which can include:

Making wide turns ♦Weaving, swerving, drifting or ♦

straddling the center lineAlmost striking an object or car ♦Driving on the wrong side of the ♦

roadDriving at a very slow speed ♦Stopping without cause ♦Braking erratically ♦Responding slowly to signals ♦Turning abruptly or illegally ♦Driving with no headlights at ♦

night

Traffic Safety

TribuneAlbert Lea

Thursday, September 30, 2010

emergency guide 2010

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