Take a look at this month's edition of Through the Pipeline!
the
SEPTEMBER 2020
www.BePlumbSmart.com 404.427.0302
For National Preparedness Month Tips for Disaster Prepping
September is National Preparedness Month, but I would say it’s a very good idea to be prepared for anything any time of year. One thing I’ve learned in my short 62 years is that life is filled with plenty of uncertainty. The Department of Homeland Security has some web pages devoted to preparedness full of useful information. In this article, I’ll summarize some of their suggestions and add some of my own. Their website is Ready.gov/september. Make a Plan Sit down with your family and make a list of disasters common to your area. Where we live, that list might include tornadoes, power outages, flash floods, pandemics, etc. I would also make a list of worst-case scenarios, such as regional power outages that last for months. Natural events such as space weather storms (coronal mass ejections from the sun) can cause widespread power outages. For more information on that, research the Carrington Event online. When a catastrophic space weather event happens, the water supply will dry up and sewage treatment plants won’t work since they’re dependent on electricity. There will be shortages of food, gasoline, and just about everything else. Your plan should include: 1. Water sources and treatment. Have a way to boil water. I use camp stoves and I have several tiny, lightweight backpacking stoves. 2. Food. Homeland Security recommends a few days’ supply. I recommend a few months supply. Freeze-dried food is light, easy to transport, and has a 25-year shelf life. Have some comfort foods, too. During major disasters, we could all use a little comfort. 3. Shelter. Whether you can shelter in place or have to find somewhere else will depend largely on the disaster scenario. Have ready-made shelters. Think camping, but make sure it’s lightweight enough to carry in a backpack. Plan a few different evacuation routes to where you’ll make shelter, in case you do have to leave your home. 4. Creating “bug-out bags” for your car, your home, and your place of work. 5. Means of communication. Pre-plan some alternate places to meet up as well, in case your family gets separated. 6. Medicine and first aid supplies. Try to have as much on hand in case you can’t get what you need on short notice.
7. Guns. You’ll need to protect yourself and your family. Believe me, when the have-nots see what you have, they’ll try to take it. 8. Short-term money. Don’t think dollar bills — those could be worthless. I would suggest having a stock of silver (like pre-1965 quarters and dimes) and gold (tiny “dime” gold coins will be handy for large purchases). 9. Long-term money. Develop skills you can trade and have hot commodities like seeds and ammunition ready to barter. 10. Mental preparedness. Don’t think disaster can’t strike you — it can. We
buy car insurance, homeowners insurance, medical/health insurance, disability insurance, life insurance, etc. So just think of disaster preparation like buying insurance. It’s effectively the same thing. How I Got Into Prepping My disposition toward prepping came naturally. I love to hike, fish, camp, grow food, preserve food, bicycle, and build stuff with only a knife and paracord. After college, I rode my bicycle across the country. I learned how to pack light and carry all the essentials — food, water, and shelter. Before long, I realized that I already had many of the tools necessary to prepare for weathering any natural or manmade disaster. So for me, my main goal is keeping my skills sharp, keeping supplies on hand, having a plan for my tribe, and hoping nothing bad ever happens. Having said all this, I also realize that some things are beyond my control. In spite of all I prepare for, things can go unexpectedly wrong in a heartbeat. That’s why the best prep, after all else fails, is a strong faith in the creator of the universe and ultimately trusting in his divine providence.
Stay well, stay safe, and stay prepared.
–Pa u l Little
1
www.BePlumbSmart.com
404.427.0302
Is Stress Harming Your Memory? HOW TO COPE WITH DAILY TRIGGERS
Stress can cause more than just a bad mood and low energy. Over time, mental exhaustion from stress can lead to forgetfulness and reduced cognition. This can hamper your ability to do your job and enjoy life. Though stress is unavoidable, there are steps you can take to mitigate some of the negative effects of mental exhaustion, including forgetfulness. First, consider the source of your stress. These days, a common stressor is social media. If your feeds are full of bad news and negativity, shut them down. Many researchers suggest that spending less time on the internet leads to better health. Several studies have found that constant internet use, including time spent on social media, is negatively impacting our memories. Research from Harvard, Oxford, King’s College London, and Western Sydney University all confirm this: Too much internet use is a bad thing. Of course, it can be easier to delete a social media app than it is to eliminate other types of stressors. Coping with a stressful coworker, for example, can be difficult. You have to figure out why they’re causing you stress and how the situation can be remedied. Dealing with a work-
related confrontation can be hard, but having that difficult conversation and resolving the problem can ultimately lead to less long-term stress and improve your mental health. Another thing you can do to reduce stress is avoid multitasking. Taking on multiple projects or doing too much in too little time can leave you feeling overworked. Plus, studies have found that multitasking is not effective. You cannot deliver the same results when your attention is scattered as you can when you are focused on one thing. To make matters worse, multitasking takes a major toll on memory and cognition, according to a study from Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. If stress is impairing your memory, judgment, or cognition, take the above steps to reduce it. If you find your memory and cognition aren’t improving, consider speaking with a mental health professional to discuss your best next steps. Mental health and stress management are important, and the more we do to improve these areas of our lives, the healthier and happier we will be.
The Do’s and Don’ts of DIY Plumbing Repair STOP AND THINK BEFORE PLUNGING IN!
Whether you’re just trying to save a few bucks, or you’ve been DIY-ing so long you’re practically a pro, there are some plumbing projects you absolutely need to leave to the professionals. While it’s hard to know sometimes without looking at the specifics, a few general guidelines apply to any project you wish to tackle. Don’t: • Proceed without certainty. If at any point during a repair you find yourself in unknown territory with any level of reasonable doubt, turn back and look for a different guide/ video — or call a real plumber. You don’t want to be the reason for a new emergency. • Follow the rabbit hole. Some jobs start out simple, but through no fault of your own, just keep getting more and more complex. If you find yourself making a repair that won’t quit throwing you curveballs, it’s time to call someone who’s fully prepared to make repairs all the way down to the structural level of your plumbing because, most of the time, that’s where rabbit-hole repairs lead. • Break anything. This seems like a no-brainer, but it’s surprisingly easy to break almost anything if you don’t know how to handle it properly. In plumbing, breaking almost anything can land you and your belongings ankle deep in something. If you aren’t 100% positive that
whatever you’re about to do won’t break anything else, ask yourself if it’s really something you should be doing on your own.
Do: • Research! Knowledge is power. Many plumbing
repairs that seem simple are actually quite complicated, and vice versa. Before you break out the toolbox, search
your problem on Google. Also, try to find the brand (and if possible the
model) of the fixture you’re working on — you’ll get more specific and accurate results. Plus, if you end up calling us, that information will help us out a lot, too. • Try to assess the problem BEFORE taking anything apart. If you can’t find anything online that looks like it matches your issues, it’s probably complex enough to require a professional. • Call us! We often help customers troubleshoot their issues over the phone when possible. Sometimes we end up solving the problem right then, without wasting our time or your money. That’s just Plumb Smart.
2
www.BePlumbSmart.com
404.427.0302
WORD SEARCH
EASY STUFFED SWEET POTATOES
Aster Autumn Chilly Colorful
Education Football Harvest Labor
Libra Sapphire September Squash
Inspired by EatingWell.com
SUDOKU
Who says a loaded potato has to clog your arteries? In this healthy version that serves four, a sweet potato base is topped with fiber- rich bean salsa.
Ingredients
• 4 medium sweet potatoes • 1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed • 2 medium tomatoes, diced • 1 tbsp olive oil • 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp coriander • 3/4 tsp salt • 1/4 cup sour cream • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Directions
1. With a fork, prick each sweet potato a few times. Microwave the potatoes on high 12–15 minutes, or until cooked through. 2. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the beans, tomatoes, olive oil, cumin, coriander, and salt. When the potatoes are done, microwave the mixture on high for 2–3 minutes. 3. Cool potatoes slightly, then cut each potato open lengthwise. Pull the halves apart to create space to spoon the warm bean salsa inside. 4. Add a scoop of sour cream to each potato, garnish with cilantro, and serve!
404.427.0302 3
www.BePlumbSmart.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
175 Goldfinch Path Acworth, GA 30101
www.BePlumbSmart.com 404.427.0302
Some Tips for Preparing for the Next Disaster 1
Is Stress Making You Forgetful?
The Do’s and Don’ts of DIY Plumbing Repair 2
Easy Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Take a Break! 3
3 Fun Family Activities for Fall 4
GARDENING, GOLD, AND PHOTO SHOOTS 3 Fun Family Activities for Fall
It’s fall, which means social media will soon be saturated with pictures of your friends enjoying “classic” fall activities. Photos of leaf peeping, apple picking, and the occasional scarecrow run rampant. But rather than following the herd, you can make your family the trendsetter of unique fall activities! Here are a few outdoor endeavors your family will love. Get gardening. Fall is the time for harvest, but if you want to enjoy flowers in the spring, it’s also a time for planting. The cooler autumn air is easier on plants, but the soil is still warm enough for roots to grow before the ground freezes for winter. Tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths are all spring bulbs that need to be planted in the fall. Do a little research with your family to determine the best time to start planting in your area. Pan for gold. Here’s one that’s really off the beaten path: Take your family on an adventure panning for gold! Start by planning a road trip out to an old ghost town. Many of them have great tourist attractions that include gold panning. You probably won’t get rich, but it will still be a fun story. If you’re not able to make the trip, you can always create a gold panning operation at home! Visit MessForLess.net/ panning-for-gold-activity for a great step-by-step guide on how to go panning for gold in your own backyard.
Plan a fall photo shoot. It’s time to freshen up those family pictures hanging around the house. The changing leaves provide a beautiful background for any family portrait. Better yet, the cooler temperatures mean that an outdoor photo shoot won’t be nearly as uncomfortable as it would be in the summer. You can take your pictures by the trees in the front yard or make a daytrip of it. What about pictures at the corn maze or pumpkin patch? It’s never too soon to start planning this year’s holiday card. Spend this fall outdoors and create great new memories with your family!
4
www.BePlumbSmart.com
404.427.0302
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker