Tag Archives: grass

Be Fire Safe

 

Forest fire.  Photo credit: Free-Extras.com
Forest fire. Photo credit: Free-Extras.com

Each year fire departments respond to thousands of fires started by people using equipment the wrong way. Whether working to create defensible space around your home, just mowing dry grass, or pulling your dirt bike over to the side of the road, if you live in a wild land area you need to use all equipment responsibly. Lawnmowers, weed eaters, chainsaws, grinders, welders, tractors and trimmers can all spark a wild land fire. Do your part, the right way to keep your community fire safe.

  • Mow before 10 a.m. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot to mow. REMEMBER, DON’T MOW DURING THE HEAT OF THE DAY OR WHEN THE WIND IS BLOWING!
  • Beware – Lawn mowers are designed to mow lawns, not dry grass, weeds or rocks! A grass-hidden rock is enough to start a fire when struck by a metal blade. Remove rocks from the area before you begin mowing.
  • In wild land areas, spark arresters are required on all portable gasoline powered equipment. This includes tractors, harvesters, chainsaws, weed eaters and mowers.
  • Keep the exhaust system, spark arresters and mower in proper working order and free of carbon buildup. Use the recommended grade of fuel and don’t top off.
  • In wild land areas, grinding and welding operations require a permit plus 10 feet of clearance, a 46-inch round point shovel, and a backpack water type fire extinguisher – all ready to use.
  • Hot exhaust pipes and mufflers can start fires you won’t even see-until it’s too late! Don’t drive your vehicle onto dry grass or brush.
  • Keep a cell phone nearby and call 911 immediately in case of a fire.

(C) 2005 Fire Safe Council

For more Fire wise tips visit the

Fire Safe Council of Nevada County’s website.

 

Please help to keep this website going
Email or call today:

John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
Civil Engineer
General Contractor
(530) 263-1091
Email

DRE# 00669941

Enhanced by Zemanta

Pets, Allergies, and You

by Lisa J. Lehr

It’s spring!

While most people are busy doing little happy dances about the longer days and warmer, sunnier weather, allergy sufferers often have a different reaction: dread.

For people with year-round allergies to pets, however, spring just adds insult to injury. Tragically, allergies are among the most common reasons people give up their pets, and the misguided fear that a child may develop allergies prevents some people from having pets in the first place.

The good news is that this is all totally unnecessary. Some education about pets, people, and allergies will save a lot of pets from the animal shelter, and a lot of kids from the deprivation of growing up without pets.

Recently, numerous studies have found that kids who grow up in a home with dogs and cats actually have a significantly lower risk of developing common indoor and outdoor allergies. This means not only to cats and dogs, but also to dust mites, grass, ragweed, and Alternaria, a fungus found in the air.

Many studies have found lower rates of allergies and asthma among children who grew up on a farm and were around lots of animals, as well as among people who have continually owned a pet as compared to new pet owners or to people who had pets earlier in life but not currently.

In the February 2006 issue of Reader’s Digest, “Scratch Those Allergies” (page 208), with advice from allergist Clifford Bassett, MD gives the following suggestions:

–Ban pets from the bedroom, and get a HEPA air purifier.

–No pet is completely hypoallergenic, but those that shed more trigger more symptoms.

–Vacuum and dust often to eliminate sneeze-inducing dander and fur.

–Bathe and brush your pet often, especially if he sheds. If your symptoms are severe, have someone else do it for you.

I’d like to add a few points:

Continue reading Pets, Allergies, and You