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Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Can Science Create the Next Pandemic?
Remember that flu article controversy awhile back? No?
What happened was scientists have figured out a way to genetically engineer H5N1 virus (a particularly dangerous strain of bird flu virus that kills up to 60% of people infected) into an airborne form - making it much more contagious.
This new form of bird flu could potentially be easily transmitted by simple sneezing and coughing.
When the researchers tried to publish their findings, they were delayed by a government agency that was worried that this information could be used to create a biological weapon, or that the virus would accidentally (or on purpose) escape the lab and spread.
Now, it seems the cat is out of the bag. The article has been published in a prestigious peer reviewed journal called Science available to anyone for free. You can read this article and several others here.
We at www.RedFlareKits.com are stumped.
Should such research be published and easily available to all who ask, or should this research be somehow suppressed?
Please post your comments below.
What happened was scientists have figured out a way to genetically engineer H5N1 virus (a particularly dangerous strain of bird flu virus that kills up to 60% of people infected) into an airborne form - making it much more contagious.
This new form of bird flu could potentially be easily transmitted by simple sneezing and coughing.
When the researchers tried to publish their findings, they were delayed by a government agency that was worried that this information could be used to create a biological weapon, or that the virus would accidentally (or on purpose) escape the lab and spread.
Now, it seems the cat is out of the bag. The article has been published in a prestigious peer reviewed journal called Science available to anyone for free. You can read this article and several others here.
We at www.RedFlareKits.com are stumped.
Should such research be published and easily available to all who ask, or should this research be somehow suppressed?
Please post your comments below.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Neat Paracord Tricks
As I sat on the beach, relaxing in the shade of a towel slung over a length of Paracord strung between two sticks stuck in the sand, I reflected on all the times I belted my pants, laced my shoes, and tied down cargo in my pick-up with this nifty hi-tech rope. And I got to thinking: what else can you do with it?Paracord’s unique structure (inner filaments wrapped in a woven sheath) makes it suitable for more applications than an ordinary rope. Something told me I wasn’t taking full advantage of the product’s capabilities. So, long story short, my wife and I talked it over and decided to ask around. Folks amazed us with their creativity, we got dozens of responses (we’ll be sure to post them all on www.redflarekits.com blog. Here are just a few:
- Use Paracord to apply a tourniquet above the wound; or to secure a splint over a fractured limb
- String a length of Paracord between two trees to make a clothes line. Or, toss a blanket or tarp over the line to create emergency shelter
- Paracord has excellent tensile strength. In an emergency, use it as a climbing harness or an escape ladder. Naturally a double- or triple-fold will hold more weight, so make sure you always have a large roll on hand
- In regions that suffer from tropical storms, hurricanes, and twisters, Paracord can protect your property. Use it to tie down lawn furniture, grills, etc.
- Hang up the food while camping to keep bears and raccoons away
- In a pinch, Paracord makes a serviceable dog collar and leash
- Inner filaments can be pulled out and used as fishing lines, dental floss, and string for mending your torn gear
- Outer sheath can be cut open length-wise. The resulting ribbon makes excellent non-slip, comfortable handle wraps for all your tools
- Or use paracord as a lizard leash, as posted by swwjeff!
If you’d like to try these cool ideas, or even brainstorm some NPT’s (Neat Paracord Tricks) of your own – we’d love to hear about it! Our collection of NPT’s on this blog is for everyone to learn and enjoy. Share your ideas – it’s the right thing to do J
Happy tinkering!
All the best,
Alex and Marie (owners)
www.RedFlareKits.com
Monday, April 20, 2009
www.RedFlareKits.com
RedFlareKits.com is a retailer specializing in disaster preparedness, survival gear, first aid, camping & outdoor living items.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Emergency Preparedness Tips
Emergency Preparedness Tips:
1. Fill out a card containing your in- and out-of-state emergency phone contact number, emergency meeting place, location of your emergency kit, etc. Family members should always carry a card with them.
2. When your cell has poor or no reception – send a text message. They often get through when voice does not.
3. Scan all your important documents, zip them into a folder, password-protect the folder (your zip software will have the option to do that), and upload it to a USB memory device or burn a CD/DVD . Offer out-of-state friends or relatives to exchange devices for safe-keeping. A bank safe-deposit box is also a good option.
4. After a disaster, survivors often claim that their most painful loss is family photo albums. Consider scanning irreplaceable photos and adding them to your Important Documents Disc or USB device.
5. Make sure that all cars, motorcycles, boats, and RV’s you own carry up-to-date First Aid and Emergency kits for appropriate numbers of people. Emergency kits for vehicles should contain vehicle-related items in addition to general supplies. Don’t forget a tow rope, jumper cables, light-reflecting triangle or road flares, and a can of tire sealer/inflator.
6. People with special needs may require special arrangements for evacuation. Prepare a plan for your loved ones and rehearse it with them. Designate an individual in the family who will be in charge of each person with special needs (this includes children, elderly, and people with disabilities)
7. Pets require special arrangements as well. Include dishes for food and water (small, easy to clean, made out of non-porous, non-breakable materials), pet food, extra water rations, collar, leash, muzzle (if needed), copies of immunization records, any prescription medications, and a small toy. Microchips are useful in lost pet recovery. Research pet-friendly hotels along your planned evacuation route. Arrange for a safe place to house your pets if you can not bring them along.
8. In an earthquake, much of the damage is caused by fire and water. Locate all utilities’ shut off points and fire extinguishers in your home and insure that all family members know where they are and how to operate them.
9. Designate a meaningful date once a year (birthday, anniversary, holiday, etc) to go through your kit and your Important Documents Disc or USB device and update everything that has changed or expired. This is also a good time to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and to check the expiration dates on your fire extinguishers.
10. Have a family meeting to create your family’s Emergency Plan. Research indicates that children are more likely to learn and follow the plan if they participate in its creation and rehearse it regularly. Make it fun to keep kids engaged. Trade roles and have them teach the plan to you. Role-play various scenarios and praise the kids for getting it right. Be patient!
Items to consider: driver’s licenses, passports, birth/marriage certificates, insurance policies, current prescriptions for medications and vision correction, diplomas, etc. If you hold insurance policies for your belongings, it is also wise to photograph expensive/irreplaceable items and scan in those pictures as well – it will greatly simplify your claim process later on.
For more information go to: www.RedFlareKits.com
email: info@redflarekits.com phone:650-242-9701 fax: 650-475-7057
1. Fill out a card containing your in- and out-of-state emergency phone contact number, emergency meeting place, location of your emergency kit, etc. Family members should always carry a card with them.
2. When your cell has poor or no reception – send a text message. They often get through when voice does not.
3. Scan all your important documents, zip them into a folder, password-protect the folder (your zip software will have the option to do that), and upload it to a USB memory device or burn a CD/DVD . Offer out-of-state friends or relatives to exchange devices for safe-keeping. A bank safe-deposit box is also a good option.
4. After a disaster, survivors often claim that their most painful loss is family photo albums. Consider scanning irreplaceable photos and adding them to your Important Documents Disc or USB device.
5. Make sure that all cars, motorcycles, boats, and RV’s you own carry up-to-date First Aid and Emergency kits for appropriate numbers of people. Emergency kits for vehicles should contain vehicle-related items in addition to general supplies. Don’t forget a tow rope, jumper cables, light-reflecting triangle or road flares, and a can of tire sealer/inflator.
6. People with special needs may require special arrangements for evacuation. Prepare a plan for your loved ones and rehearse it with them. Designate an individual in the family who will be in charge of each person with special needs (this includes children, elderly, and people with disabilities)
7. Pets require special arrangements as well. Include dishes for food and water (small, easy to clean, made out of non-porous, non-breakable materials), pet food, extra water rations, collar, leash, muzzle (if needed), copies of immunization records, any prescription medications, and a small toy. Microchips are useful in lost pet recovery. Research pet-friendly hotels along your planned evacuation route. Arrange for a safe place to house your pets if you can not bring them along.
8. In an earthquake, much of the damage is caused by fire and water. Locate all utilities’ shut off points and fire extinguishers in your home and insure that all family members know where they are and how to operate them.
9. Designate a meaningful date once a year (birthday, anniversary, holiday, etc) to go through your kit and your Important Documents Disc or USB device and update everything that has changed or expired. This is also a good time to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and to check the expiration dates on your fire extinguishers.
10. Have a family meeting to create your family’s Emergency Plan. Research indicates that children are more likely to learn and follow the plan if they participate in its creation and rehearse it regularly. Make it fun to keep kids engaged. Trade roles and have them teach the plan to you. Role-play various scenarios and praise the kids for getting it right. Be patient!
Items to consider: driver’s licenses, passports, birth/marriage certificates, insurance policies, current prescriptions for medications and vision correction, diplomas, etc. If you hold insurance policies for your belongings, it is also wise to photograph expensive/irreplaceable items and scan in those pictures as well – it will greatly simplify your claim process later on.
For more information go to: www.RedFlareKits.com
email: info@redflarekits.com phone:650-242-9701 fax: 650-475-7057
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