Here are this week’s Life Pro Tips.
1. What to do if it’s too late to evacuate from wildfires.
1 – If you live on an upslope, ridge, or narrow forested road, get yourself out early – no help will come.
People here who stayed then changed their minds later, and couldn’t escape because trees fell within minutes and blocked exit routes.
Firefighters were either unable to get in or were forbidden due to the extreme risk of being cut off themselves – 1200 liters of water in a Cat7 is like pissing into a hurricane, especially if you’re up on a ridge.
2 – If actually caught and unable to escape. dig in and cover with DRY WOOLEN BLANKETS!
Please fill your bathtub before it hits – water tanks will melt real fast and you’ll have no water – the thing that MIGHT make the difference between life and death could be as simple as layers of wool blankets, a low sheltered concrete corner, some sheets of tin, some DRY wool blankets, and one moist towel to protect from radiant heat.
Wet clothing or sheets are inferior to a wool blanket and you will boil alive. Do not cover any yourself in anything wet!
3 – If defending your house – wool or cotton long sleeves and leather boots, and wear LEATHER GLOVES if possible. You can throw burning stuff back but without gloves, no way.
4 – Remember that the only safe area to run to is often INTO an area already burnt – you can also survive by having a shallow grave and laying in that under dry blankets, a layer of wet stuff and tin, and breathe through a wet cloth to avoid suffocation. You’ll collapse real fast without oxygen and remember also, many houses are made with plastics and toxic gas-causing materials so…. yeah…. stay safe out there and honestly, if you live on a ridge or uphill slope… run now. Your life is worth more than stuff.
5 – If you think you can defend, don’t forget to protect your water tank and exposed polylines – if that goes, you’re unsafe.
People on gravity feed systems, this is your weak point. We were lucky enough to have a small Honda pump and Cat7, but our tank was on fire several times – if that had gone, we’d be gone. Remember this, especially if on a bush block with some tank uphill off in the scrub. If you’re not gonna be able to save that tank, forget about it. You’re going to lose your house, get out now.
6 – Remember, fire can move up to 400km (250miles) per hour uphill. If you change your mind and live on a ridge, you are quite likely unsafe. Don’t die for stuff.
Stay safe!
2. Buying good quality stuff pre-owned rather than bad quality stuff new makes a lot of sense if you’re on a budget.
This especially applies to durables like speakers, vehicles, housing, etc.
3. While using laser toys with cats place a treat somewhere on the floor when the cat isn’t looking. After doing some laser-play, allow the cat to “catch” the dot which you have directed to the treat. It gives them a sense of catching prey and It will be helpful for their mental health.
4. When gifting to someone who is a long time hobbyist or expert in a particular skill, do NOT buy them a random gift related to that hobby/skill.
Chances are they already have it, or have a higher quality version of it, or don’t really want corny paraphernalia about it. If anything, ask them what’s on their wishlist related to that topic, or buy them something related to your common interests.
5. If you are hiking/running/walking with someone in worse shape than you, let them lead the way.
