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Spider Bite Safety

This is the time of the year for us all to be aware about spider Bites. Especially from Brown Recluse And Black Widows spiders. Their has been several Reports that people have been bitten by one of these spiders in the past few months. We all have been starting to clean out our attics and crawl spaces, for spring. we need to be extra careful when we do this. wear long sleeve shirts. button up the sleeves and the collar when you are in these spaces, wear gloves and a hat also. These types of spiders love to be in cool, dark spaces in our homes. also if you have wood piles for fireplace use in your home they also love to hide in these places too.  So how do you recognize these type of spiders and what are the symptoms if you are bitten.

So lets first talk about how you will recognize one of these type of spiders.
Brown recluse: Medium to dark brown body With a fiddle shape mark on their abdomen. their bite is very painful. they also can be 1/4" to 1/2" in size. they a very aggressive spider and do not like to be disturbed. they will chase you and try to bite you.

Black Widow: Black Body with a red hour glass mark on their abdomen. 1/4" to 1/2" in size. Their bite is also very painful and is poisonous to most anyone who is bitten. this type of will only bites if you disturb their web.
If you suspect you have been bitten by one of these spider go immediately to the Emergency room.

Symptoms: Brown Recluse: Immediate Pain and redness to bite site. Bitten area will start turning black a few days later. and will turn in to a open sore that will not heal. it will get bigger and bigger with out treatment. there are always a chance you may have to have minor surgery to remove the damage area, from this bite.

Black Widow: Immediate pain with swelling. Some people will have a allergic with in a few minutes to one hour after been bitten by this spider. this type of spider produce a toxic Venom. and their is a anti-venom for this type of spider bite.

So as you are moving and cleaning these area out be aware of the dangers that might be waiting for you. so let all be careful out there.

2LT Lee A Busch, CAP
Safety Officer, Health Services Officer

Tornado Safety Tips
From The Federal Emergency Management Agency

Tornadoes are nature's most violent - and erratic - storms. A tornado can travel for miles along the ground, lift, and suddenly change direction and strike again. There is little you can do to protect your home or workplace from the strength of tornado winds, but there are actions you can take to better prepare yourself and your family.

· Keep alert to changing weather conditions

· Take shelter immediately when you hear a tornado warning or see a funnel cloud

· Know where your shelter is before you need it

· Tornadoes are formed by severe thunderstorms, most frequently in the spring and summer. If you live in a tornado-prone area, stay alert during severe weather.

· Know your community's warning signals. Most often, warnings will be given by a local radio and television stations, and by NOAA Weather Radio. In addition, some communities have sirens or whistles to warn of natural disasters.

A TORNADO WATCH is given when weather conditions are favorable to the formation of tornadoes. For example, during severe thunderstorms. During a tornado watch, keep an eye on the weather, and be prepared to take shelter immediately if conditions worsen.

A TORNADO WARNING is given when a tornado funnel is sighted or indicated by radar. You should take shelter immediately. Because tornadoes can form and move quickly, there may not be time for a warning. That's why it's important to stay alert during severe storms.

Although there is no guaranteed safe place during a tornado, some locations are better than others. By following these suggested safety tips, you can increase your chances for survival.

One basic rule to follow, wherever you are, is to AVOID WINDOWS. An exploding window can injure or kill. Don't take the time to open windows; get to shelter immediately. The safest place in the home, is the interior part of the basement, preferably under something sturdy, like a table. Stay out from under heavy objects like pianos or refrigerators located on the floor above. If you have no basement, or cannot get there, go to an inside room on the lowest floor of the house, like a closet, hallway, or bathroom with no windows. For added protection, get under something strong, like a workbench or heavy table. If possible, cover your body with a blanket or sleeping bag and protect your head with anything available, even your hands.

Do not stay in a mobile home during a tornado. Even homes with a secure tie-down system, cannot withstand the force of tornado winds. Plan ahead. Make arrangements to stay with friends or neighbors who have basements. Go there if a tornado watch is issued. If a tornado warning is given, leave your mobile home, and seek shelter nearby. Lie flat in a ditch or ravine, and put your arms over your head. Don't take shelter under your home. Encourage your mobile home community to build a tornado shelter, if you live in a tornado-prone area.

The least desirable place to be during a tornado, is in a motor vehicle. Cars, buses, and trucks, are tossed easily by tornado winds.

If you see a tornado, stop your vehicle, and get out. Seek shelter away from the car in a nearby ditch or ravine; do not get under your vehicle. Life flat, and put your arms over your head.

Long span buildings are especially dangerous, because the entire roof structure is usually supported solely by the outside walls. Inside walls are usually false or non-load bearing walls. If you are caught in an open building, like a shopping mall, civic center, indoor pool, theater, or gymnasium, during a tornado, stay away from windows. Get into the restroom, if possible. In larger buildings, the restrooms are usually made from concrete block. Besides having the four walls and plumbing holding things together, the metal partitions help support any falling debris. If there isn't time to go anywhere, seek shelter right where you are. Try to get up against something that will support or deflect falling debris. For instance, in a department store, get up against heavy shelving or counters. In a theater, get under the seats. Remember to protect your head.

Extra precautions are needed in these structures. Not only is there a large concentration of people in a small area, but these buildings usually have large amounts of glass on the outside walls. Get into the inner-most portions, on the lowest floor possible. Avoid windows and glass doorways, Do not use elevators; the power may go off and you could become trapped. Protect your head, and make yourself as small a target as possible,
by crouching down.

If you are caught outside during a tornado, and there is no underground shelter immediately available, lie in a gully, ditch, or low spot in the ground. Protect your body and head with anything available. Do not go into a grove of trees or under a vehicle. Emergency services personnel are usually on the scene quickly after a tornado. Keep your family together, and wait for help to arrive. Listen to the radio for information about disaster relief and assistance available from local authorities and volunteer agencies. If you are outside, don't go into damaged buildings; they may collapse completely. Wait for help to search for others. If your home appears undamaged, check for gas or other utility line breaks carefully. If the lights are out, use a flashlight only; do not use a match, lighter, or any open flame.

There are six basics you should stock for your home: water, food, first aid supplies, clothing and bedding, tools and emergency supplies, and special items. Keep the items that you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to carry container--suggested items are marked with an asterisk (*). Possible containers include a large, covered trash container, a camping backpack, or a duffel bag.

• Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments and intense physical activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers, and ill people will need more.
• Store one gallon of water per person per day.
• Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for each person in your household for food preparation/sanitation).*

• Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of Sterno. Select food items that are compact and lightweight. Include a selection of the following foods in your Disaster Supplies Kit:
• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables
• Canned juices
• Staples (salt, sugar, pepper, spices, etc.)
• High energy foods
• Vitamins
• Food for infants
• Comfort/stress foods

First Aid Kit
Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car.

• (20) Adhesive bandages various sizes.
• (1) 5" x 9" sterile dressing.
• (1) Conforming roller gauze bandage.
• (2) Triangular bandages.
• (2) 3 x 3 sterile gauze pads.
• (2) 4 x 4 sterile gauze pads.
• (1) Roll 3" cohesive bandage.
• (2) Germicidal hand wipes or waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• (6) Antiseptic wipes.
• (2) Pair large medical grade non-latex gloves.
• Adhesive tape, 2" width.
• Anti-bacterial ointment.
• Cold pack.
• Scissors (small, personal).
• Tweezers.
• CPR breathing barrier, such as a face shield.

• Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Antacid (for stomach upset)
• Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center)
• Laxative
• Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)

• Mess kits, or paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils*
• Emergency preparedness manual*
• Battery-operated radio and extra batteries*
• Flashlight and extra batteries*
• Cash or traveler's checks, change*
• Non-electric can opener, utility knife*
• Fire extinguisher: small canister ABC type
• Tube tent
• Pliers
• Tape
• Compass
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Aluminum foil
• Plastic storage containers
• Signal flare
• Paper, pencil
• Needles, thread
• Medicine dropper
• Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water
• Whistle
• Plastic sheeting
• Map of the area (for locating shelters)

• Toilet paper, towlettes*
• Soap, liquid detergent*
• Feminine supplies*
• Personal hygiene items*
• Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)
• Plastic bucket with tight lid
• Disinfectant
• Household chlorine bleach

Clothing and Bedding
*Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person.

• Sturdy shoes or work boots*
• Rain gear*
• Blankets or sleeping bags*
• Hat and gloves
• Thermal underwear
• Sunglasses

• Remember family members with special requirements, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons

• Formula
• Diapers
• Bottles
• Powdered milk
• Medications

• Heart and high blood pressure medication
• Insulin
• Prescription drugs
• Denture needs
• Contact lenses and supplies
• Extra eye glasses

• Games and books

• Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container:
• Will, insurance policies, contracts deeds, stocks and bonds
• Passports, social security cards, immunization records
• Bank account numbers
• Credit card account numbers and companies
• Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers
• Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
• Store your kit in a convenient place known to all family members. Keep a smaller version of the supplies kit in the trunk of your car.
• Keep items in airtight plastic bags. Change your stored water supply every six months so it stays fresh. Replace your stored food every six months. Re-think your kit and family needs at least once a year. Replace batteries, update clothes, etc.
• Ask your physician or pharmacist about storing prescription medications.

The text on this page is in the public domain. We request that attribution to this information be given as follows: From "Disaster Supplies Kit." developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency

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Last revised: 23 December 2009 .