With all of the Earthquakes that have been happening over the past few months we feel that it is important to inform all of our readers with some general earthquake preparedness tips.
Store breakable items such as bottled foods, glass, and china in low, closed cabinets with latches.
Hang heavy items such as pictures and mirrors away from beds, couches, and anywhere people sit.
Brace overhead light fixtures.
Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections. These are potential fire risks.
Secure a water heater by strapping it to the wall studs and bolting it to the floor.
Repair any deep cracks in ceilings or foundations. Get expert advice if there are signs of structural defects.
Store weed killers, pesticides, and flammable products securely in closed cabinets with latches and on bottom shelves.
Identify Safe Places Indoors and Outdoors
Under sturdy furniture such as a heavy desk or table.
Against an inside wall.
Away from where glass could shatter around windows, mirrors, pictures, or where heavy bookcases or other heavy furniture could fall over.
In the open, away from buildings, trees, telephone and electrical lines, overpasses, or elevated expressways.
Educate Yourself and Family Members
Contact your local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter for more information on earthquakes. Also read the “How-To Series” for information on how to protect your property from earthquakes.
Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1, police, or fire department and which radio station to tune to for emergency information.
Teach all family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water.
Have Disaster Supplies on Hand
Flashlight and extra batteries.
Portable battery-operated radio and extra batteries.
First aid kit and manual.
Emergency food and water.
Nonelectric can opener.
Essential medicines.
Cash and credit cards.
Sturdy shoes.
Develop an Emergency Communication Plan
In case family members are separated from one another during an earthquake (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), develop a plan for reuniting after the disaster.
Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the “family contact.” After a disaster, it’s often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.
Help Your Community Get Ready
Publish a special section in your local newspaper with emergency information on earthquakes. Localize the information by printing the phone numbers of local emergency services offices, the American Red Cross, and hospitals.
Conduct a week-long series on locating hazards in the home.
Work with local emergency services and American Red Cross officials to prepare special reports for people with mobility impairments on what to do during an earthquake.
Provide tips on conducting earthquake drills in the home.
Interview representatives of the gas, electric, and water companies about shutting off utilities.
Work together in your community to apply your knowledge to building codes, retrofitting programs, hazard hunts, and neighborhood and family emergency plans.
Basically the Japanese people don’t believe in boundaries when it comes to going “Green” . And this product pushed that boundary just that little bit closer to awkward.
” “Ika Tokkuri” are traditional Japanese sake bottles that have recently undergone a revival. Authorities in Takahama, a toen in Fukui prefecture, have established a “Committee to Reinstate the Sake Bottle Squid” and the effort couldn’t be more timely. Not only are the bottles recyclable, they go one step further by being edible!
Backtracking a bit, the process begins when cuttlefish are caught, cleaned, and set out in the sun to dry. The skins may be stuffed with rice or grain to help them form to the shapes of bottles. After the squid have been sun-dried to a nice golden brown, they’re ready for their reincarnation as liquor bottles - you should be so lucky.
When warm or hot sake is poured into an Ika Tokurri, the liquor will absorb flavoring from the squid making the taste somewhat smoother and milder. The bottle can be used about 5 or 6 times; after that it can be eaten! Since dried and salted squid is a popular Japanese tavern snack, one imagines sake-flavored squid would be even more delicious. ”
Is it just me or does it seem like there is a huge earthquake every few weeks? I have been following a few different newspapers that are tracking global climate changes to see if there are any connections between the climate changes and the earthquake occurrences. So far they do not have any conclusive evidence but i will keep an eye out for everyone.
After quite a hiatus we are back to blogging daily! We would like to wish everyone a happy Lunar New Year, it’s the year of the Tiger and we are very excited to see how this year will be even better than last year.
I would like to start this off with a blog about Gifts.com . After browsing the web for a while i stumbled upon this great section under the already popular Gifts.com . They have a great selection of items that cater to the über-earthy Natural Woman and the eco-fabulous Trendanista at the same time.
Here are some great gift ideas that i thought were worth browse:
Sun Jar
The Sun Jar shown above comes equipped with a solar-powered cell and rechargeable battery. Its energy efficient LED light will automatically switch on when it gets dark to give you 5 hours of candle-like light. I thought this idea was pretty cool! Basically your catching the ” Energy of the Sun ” in a jar!
Solar Powered Path Lights.
These solar powered path lights are great items! They not only improve the appearance of your yard but they also provide safety lighting. These lights on a full solar charge can last up to 10 hours!
Orvis Wine Barrel Dog Bed
“Crafted from an actual retired white oak wine barrel and solid white pine, this wooden dog bed is perfectly sized to fit our small round Dog’s bed. Dog’s nest not included. Measures 13″H x 27″W x 10 1/2″D. For dogs up to 25 lbs.” We’ve seen numerous attempts at eco-friendly dogs beds but this one is pretty interesting as well as ingenious. Orvis has actually decided to Re-Purpose these retired wine barrels rather than just throw them out. We feel that whenever you can give a item a second life you are taking that one extra step to a sustainable lifestyle.
For more great gift ideas please stop by: Gifts.com
Please watch this really quick and cool video that the 2010 Vancouver Olympic committee has put together for us. This short video has great illustrations that show you all the ways that they are creating the most eco friendly Olympic venue to date.
The 2010 Vancouver Olympics are right around the corner! And in celebration of the 2010 Olympics I would like to highlight some really great ways that the 2010 Olympics are going “Green”.
There will be two Olympic Villages: one in Vancouver’s Southeast False Creek area (Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Village), and the other one within the scenic Cheakamus Valley (Whistler Olympic and Paralympic Village).
The Vancouver Olympic Village in the South East False Creek area will have 16 buildings constructed on an area of 1.4 million square feet, and a community center. All the buildings will be built to LEED Gold standard and the community center will be built to LEED Platinum.
All of the buildings will be fitted with solar panels and feature green roofs. Rain water will be harvested and be used for the irrigation of the green roofs and landscaping. In-slab hydronic system will be used for heating and cooling of the buildings, and the latent heat of sewer pipes will be harnessed by an innovative heat exchange system. All parking will be underground, and plans are afoot to achieve water neutrality as it will collect as much rain water as it uses.
This blog article is dedicated to our own expecting mother Melissa. Melissa is about 8 months and a couple weeks pregnant and her daughter can come at any moment now!
There definitely is a buzz around the office when she drops by to say hi. So all you expecting mothers out there good luck! Here at Simply Green Solutions we definitely can relate to what you are going through and hope you all the best!
At MamaOm they strive to provide customers with the best eco-friendly products in the market! Mixing design, environmental values and the magnificent bond between mothers and daughters. MamaOm offers organic clothing that is trendy, comfortable and utilizes eco-friendly materials. For MamaOm organic is not only about how the cotton was grown, but also about the whole manufacturing process. They use no chemicals, toxins and maintain or production as eco-friendly as they can.
The splendid relation between mothers and daughters is what inspired them to begin MamaOm. For them it is important to promote the wonderful and unique bond. Each moment and adventure can be extra special by sharing a sense of style and caring for the earth while wearing matching outfits.
At MamaOm they believe ignorance is the biggest threat to the earth, therefore they are committed to inform people of the difference that is made by purchasing organic and eco-friendly products, and how this can be beneficial to all. As a business giving back is important to MamOm.
Please check out some of their great products:
Ballerina Flat with Polkadots on front Royal Blue. $39.00
Colori Diaper Messanger Bag. Was $180.00 now $150.00
Sub_Urban Riot may sound like a company with a chip on their shoulders, but they are very far from that. Sub_Urban Riot is a great company that started in the North West Pacific and has transplanted to Venice California.
They’re constantly sourcing sustainable materials, from organic cotton, to recycled polymer based materials. They don’t do it because green is in. They do it so your kids aren’t born with three arms and a tail.
Their main commitment is to their consumers and the planet. So, 1% of all sales go directly to protecting our natural environment. It’s not a gimmick, its just what they do. They proudly support “One Percent for the Planet” so please visit the OnePercent website: http://www.onepercentfortheplanet.org
Please take a look at some more of their great items:
Riot T-Shirt. $30.00
The Place I Lay T-Shirt. $32.00
Cardigan. $48.00
Burnout Mod. $74.00
For more items from Sub_Urban Riot please follow this link : www.suburbanriot.com
The Urge to Adorn uses a paper medium for their designs and seals them with 8-10 layers of non-toxic materials. Each buckle is hand-made so the texturing (one of the layers) may differ from buckle to buckle. All of their buckles are made with 100% lead-free pewter and made in the United States.
Their ” Recycled Belts ” are:
Made of recycled, eco-friendly agricultural tires
Closely resemble black, matte leather
These tend to run a bit narrower than their leather belts –measuring approximately 1″ wide
Available in black only
Their ” Leather Snap ” Belts are:
Made of high-end latigo leather (not pressed)
Made in the United States
Very durable and soften with wear
The standard width (1 1/2″ wide) fitting most jeans, etc.
Come in black and saddle tan (brown with a hint of red)
Egrets Belt Buckle. Buckle only ( $73.00 ) Belt & Buckle ( $98.00 )
Royal Elephant Belt Buckle. Buckle only ( $73.00 ) Belt & Buckle ( $98.00 )
Great Wave Belt Buckle. Buckle only ( $73.00 ) Belt & Buckle ( $98.00 )
Geisha Belt Buckle. Buckle only ( $73.00 ) Belt & Buckle ( $98.00 )
Vintage Rose Belt Buckle. Buckle only ( $73.00 ) Belt & Buckle ( $98.00 )
The Sweetest Kiss Belt Buckle. Buckle only ( $73.00 ) Belt & Buckle ( $98.00 )
If you liked what you saw please follow this link to their online store: The Urge to Adorn
Nixxi is a great company that offers high end pieces that are manufactured with organic materials.
Their mission is simple; To provide clean silhouettes in organic textures. Being manufactured in Canada I consider them one of the great internationally rooted organic apparel companies out there.
Please take a look at some of their great Autum/Winter pieces that are no currently on sale:
Fringe Collared Wrap Top. Was $130.00 now $70.00
Batwin Top. Was $120.00 Now $60.
Puff Sleeve Shirt. Was $78.00 Now $40.00
Ruche Top L/S. Was $78.00 Now $35.00
To view more of Nixxi’s products please follow this link: www.nixxi.ca
