Ionization Smoke Detector In Toddler's Room: How Safe ?

[N8N]

However the purchaser of a hardwired smoke detector is almost the end user; neither the manufacturer nor the purchaser/installer cares about features, only code compliance and cost.

nate

[Stormin Mormon]

On 10/1/2014 7:33 PM, Pico Rico wrote:

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The Daily Web Log for Prepared Individuals Living in Uncertain Times.

Monday, October 21, 2013

Second Chances, by Dirt Surgeon

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*Introductory Note:* I originally composed this story in August of 2011 just months after our family went through a devastating event. At the time of writing the essay was short, sweet and to the point. I have reconstructed my family?s journey of the past 24 months to the present.

Thanks for all that you and others do by sharing information, educating and inspiring the thought process. It is my hope that this short family history will provoke some to think about their lifestyle, what is important and the effect an event like this has on a family.

Four years ago my wife and I purchased fifty acres that join our families? three hundred and fifty acre farm, built a new home and a seven acre lake (we built both the house and lake ourselves, our labor our time). We sold a business that we built at a very large profit. We dumped the capital back into the purchase of the 50 acres. The plans were to built modestly and have a small mortgage or none at all; we got carried away and ended up with land free and clear but $138,000 mortgage on the house and 10 acres. Once the house was complete the market crash of 07-08 occurred, this is when we truly woke up, we must prepare. In our research we discovered survival blog, and rural revolution blog we have learned so much. Our family has farmed, gardened, canned, kept chickens for generations, just our way of life, but we didn?t truly prep for potential collapse, which leads me to the bulk of my story:

May 5th, 2011 changed my family forever. With the wet spring in the Midwest early garden planting was nonexistent, May 5th was no different ground was in good condition to plant but rain was in the evening forecast so I took off from work early to plant potatoes?, broccoli, cauliflower and so on. When I turned in the quarter mile drive I met our black lab, who never leaves the house, I thought this was strange continuing on I noticed blue smoke coming through the timber, panic struck, the house was on fire. I grabbed the cell phone dialed 911, then the garden hose, long story short we lost everything. People it is a sickening filling when you realize all you have in the world are the clothes on your back and the cash in your pocket. I cursed God that evening, how could he let this happen to me and my family? Even now typing this I do so with tears in my eyes, not so much for the tangible loss but the pain I could see in the eyes of my wife and eight year old daughter, I?m dad, it?s my job to protect. It took several days for me to realize that God sent dumpsters to my house instead of coffins, for that I am thankful, and I hope he will accept my apology for the things I said and thought.

The day after the fire my wife, daughter and I went shopping for clothes, we had been discussing money and the situation in ear shot of our eight year old daughter. Our daughter who loves horses and collects Breyer horses lost her collection in the fire. We had been in the clothing section of our local farm and garden center when daughter went missing. I found her staring at the shelves full of breyer horses. She would pick one up, look at it and set it down. Pick another up and put it back. I watched from behind a cloths rack as she dropped her shoulders, turned to walk away with tears in her eyes. Gentlemen if you have never seen this look in your child?s face I will tell you it will tug at your heart like nothing else. I was so proud of her because she was not going to ask. I stepped out from behind the rack and asked her if she found a horse she liked if not pick one out. She said ?but mom? I told her mom would under- stand. This over a toy I could not imagine how I would feel if something of a larger magnitude were to happen.

Two days prior to the fire I turned the basement lights on and the light switch arced. I guess that is where the fire started. I should have called my electrician buddy then and there. Poor choice, and poor decision.

You may ask ?What does this have to do with this blog?? Well, there are lots of lessons to learn and lots of blessing to count.

*Some Lessons Learned:*

1. We lost several years worth of food, canned goods, canning equipment, meats the list goes on. Note: do not store everything in one location. 2. Guns, ammo and hunting equipment. Note: purchase gun safe, make sure guns are on separate rider for insurance. Most policies only cover 00 worth of guns I had /one/ gun that was worth that amount, just by itself. (Point of concern insurance companies require serial numbers for coverage) I listed most but not all. 3. Cash and coins, thankfully a fire fighter was able to retrieve a large sum of cash hidden in the house. Note: this goes in the safe or hidden outside with other cash. My dad was impressed when I took a shovel and dug up a mason jar. He said ?I thought only old timers banked that way?. Interest doesn?t pay much but I know where the teller is. 4. Pictures, gone. Note store some in other locations 5. Keep a list or film your personal contents you will have to list every item to collect your replacement costs from your insurance company, this is painful. Imagine setting down and listing every item in your house. The big items are easy but think of every can of beans, every item in the cabinets, bath room closet, toys (although our daughter had a pretty good idea of what she lost.) 6. Important papers, titles, DD214, marriage license, birth certificates note: these go in the safe

Blessings counted

1. My family is safe, yes we have a lot of work ahead of us 2. The mortgage is gone, we can rebuild like we should have the first time 3. Add a root cellar 4. Insurance has eliminated all of our dept. 5. Our commitment to preparing is stronger 6. Our family is stronger 7. Most of all we found out who we can truly call our friend. 8. We will never look at someone else?s misfortune the same.

It hit me hardest when I was hilling potatoes. I thought if this was a total collapse, we?ve lost everything and if the garden I stand in fails my family would more than likely not see the spring of 2012.

During the summer of 2012 we spent some insurance dollars and built a 30 by 50 shed complete with storage,

30 by 30 living space and fireproof hidey hole. We have been living for the past two years in a two-room shed, bathroom and the rest. This has been a great experience in close living, a great example of retreat living. At times this has been fun and at time it has been difficult the following are some examples of both:

Fun times

1. We never replaced the satellite television. board games, cards, conversations and reading have been our main source of entertainment. Our

8 year old is now at the academic level of an 11 year old and her grades along with creativity have improved. 2. The time spent outside has doubled maybe tripled. We walk the property more, garden more, camp fires in the evening 3. This style of living has given us a glimpse of what close living will be like when family comes knocking. 4. We purchased a Kitchen Queen Cook stove to heat with. If you have never cooked with wood it is an experience of fun and education. Although we installed an electric stove the wood stove has been entertaining, daughter loves to cook cookies, pizza and her morning toast on the wood stove.

Not so fun times

1. Even though the shed is insulated the 12 foot garage door allows the cold air in when the wind picks up and the temperature drops. 2. The experience has made the wife and I wonder how pioneers had such large families when living in a one room homestead. 3. Storage has been an issue. Hanging cloths, books, toys, food, everything just seems to be cluttered all the time. Constant cleanup and pickup. 4. Bathroom issues with just three in the house someone is always knocking on the door. Hot water is always in demand during peak times.

Lessons learned

1. This has been hard, we cannot imagine what it would be like without electric or water. 2. Fire wood being the only source of heat is tuff. We have always had wood heat but we always had a backup (electric or gas) when the wood pile gets low you really start to worry about the outside temperatures. 3. With a full time job, rebuilding the house (will discuss later) there is very little time to prep. The garden did well this year but canning was minimal. Gave lots of produce to friends but let the garden go in august. How did homesteaders find the time to build a home, put food by, cut fire wood? All by hand without modern equipment and energy. This should be an eye opener for all. Times could get very, very difficult.

Where are we now? In January 2013 we finally demolished the old house. Our goal has been to rebuild with the end result of no mortgage payment. Working with insurance dollars and out of pocket/savings we are finally trimming the home. This is large mile stone to a more normal lifestyle. We made lots of changes this time around because of our prepping lifestyle. Here are some of the major changes:

1. We went from a conventional 2,800 sq. ft. home to a 1,400 sq. earth berm home. Both for security reason and efficiency reasons. 2. Because the house is a basement style home I found that if we have our water tank full we can back feed water through the hydrant to the lower level and have a toilet when the electric is out, doesn?t help with potable water but it beats running to the timber. 3. Added some solar, but not near enough. But the house has been wired for future addition. 4. On demand hot water (gas) hope to use the energy savings for additional preps 5. Purchased a large gun safe all items of value are stored/protected 6. The wood cook stove goes in the new house for both cooking and heat. 7. This time around the kitchen stove is gas not electric. 8. Utility room designed specifically for storage of food and other preps. 9. All basement windows have large window wells installed for egress and potential fields of fire. 10. Most important hard wired battery backed up smoke detectors. One in every room.

In many ways we are better prepared than we were prior to the fire. Most importantly we are free of mortgage companies and banks. This makes life so enjoyable, knowing that most of our monthly income can go towards prepping, savings, et cetera. God has blessed us in that respect. In many ways we are less prepared. Our food stores are less than before, with two seasons sense the fire we have consumed as much as we have set by. With livestock to tend, hay to bail, daily chores and a full time job something had to give while rebuilding. It?s mid-October and we are in no way prepared for winter. Not a stick of wood is ranked. Equipment has not been winterized. One last round of hay to get in the barn, the list could go on, but we should have enough to get us to new crop.

We have replaced many things already, we have a long row to hoe but with gods? help and lot of work we will be prepared for our future. We have a second chance to make changes to better prepare and make better choices. My prayer is for all to look at your situation and think, double check and rethink, anything can happen and it may very well happen.

To my best friend whom I lost in June of 2013 to a heart attack, I think of you often, thanks for your help of cleaning, demolishing and rebuilding. I?ve been helping with the boys they are doing fine you are missed.

God bless and please learn from our experience.

SurvivalBlog.com

The Daily Web Log for Prepared Individuals Living in Uncertain Times.

Monday, October 21, 2013

Letter Re: Some Stump Burning Advice

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Mr. Rawles,

Here is a way to efficiently burn stumps:

1. Get a 55 gallon steel drum

1. Remove both the top and bottom

2. Cut some holes in the lower sides from ground level to about 1/3 the way up.

1. Place the barrel sleeve over a stump. Put a few crumpled-up paper sacks soaked in diesel fuel in the bottom and close to some of the holes. Pile all your wood debris in the barrel.

2. Light the sacks. [The barrel .sleeve contains the heat, creates a draft, and keeps the wood fuel from rolling off.]

1. Every couple of hours, poke into the holes with a metal rod to break up ash build-up.

Depending on the type of wood that you piled in and the size and type of stump, it may take between a couple hours to a couple days to burn the stump to below ground level. - P.S.

SurvivalBlog.com

The Daily Web Log for Prepared Individuals Living in Uncertain Times.

Monday, October 21, 2013

Two Letters Re: Being Charitable When the SHTF

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Mr Rawles, Thank you for taking the time to read my articles and to comment on them. I appreciate the points you raised regarding charity via the church and other local organizations. I was possibly a little unclear and maybe should have stressed more that I was referring to the time during a collapse when getting supplies to organizations in order that they can disperse them could be difficult if not downright dangerous.

I disagree that I am your diametric opposite Mr Rawles. I am neither a thief nor a looter and I agree with your assessment that a collapse would have to be massive before I would consider such measures. Myself or anyone else who undertook to use materials from people's homes should be prepared to compensate any proven heirs who did arrive at a later time.

The purpose of these articles is to make people think. To remove them from their comfort zone and make them consider how truly vile a total collapse would be. To hopefully make them think about some of the situations they may face that they have never faced before and to force them to consider what they would do in these situations.

If anything I hope my articles make people stop and think about their future, about preparedness, and about making sure that their relative isn't the 'old Mrs Jones' I refer to, and that something good comes out of my writing.

I think we have a responsibility to look at all aspects of a given picture and I believe there are many different ways of doing that. Raising awareness is I believe, why we write for public consumption.

I stand by the articles I have written. They have raised a great deal of debate and questioning on several sites and that was the intention.

Once again thank you for taking the time to read and comment on the articles.

Wishing you all good things for the future.

- Chris Carrington

Jim; Regarding Chris Carrington's essay, "Why I won?t be charitable when the SHTF":

Admittedly, this is an issue I have struggled with and despite trying to adhere to WWJD ("what would Jesus do?") in all things, whether to give, when to give, who to and how much is something I would have great difficulty deciding on and given my terrible location in terms of population density, the temptation is to take a blanket approach of don?t give as to not put me and my loved ones in detriment (unless we?re bartering, which isn?t charity anyway). While using a third party through the local church is a possibility, the risk of that third party revealing their source whether mistakenly or under duress is too great a risk to OPSEC. What if there are no Third Party volunteers for this position? And would I be comfortable putting this potential hazardous vocation on their shoulders? It is a real quandary.

While family and some very close friends are aware of my interest in preparedness (yet no idea to what extent) I still picture myself begrudging their lack of foresight despite certain warnings I and the general political/ economic/cultural landscape has given, and a subsequent argument on the doorstep with my partner (who?s generosity know no bounds) about ?what do we do if supplies run out before society gets back off its knees??. While they spend on cinema memberships, drinks out, uneconomical vehicles, perpetuation/ of indebtedness and other whimsy, my personal expenditure is on food and travel to work alone (with the odd date, some fishing bait and a brew with a buddy) everything else goes towards options, shielding us from indebtedness and hurt down the road. So ?give until it hurts? sometimes feels like a preparedness oxymoron (not to take away from you sage counsel Captain Rawles, your view to do this is inspirational). ?I know where I?m coming when disaster strikes? ? How many times have you possibly heard that when discussing preps? (with trusted folk of course) and how frustrating it can be that they miss the point entirely, that they should prep too and their lack of understanding on the logistical nightmare prepping for one can be, never mind immediate and extended family. A lesson they are going to learn the hardest way imaginable (Praise be that the Lord has given dreams to the least prepared members of collapse, prompting some action). Again, charity is one of the toughest areas of survival I have come across.

I dread to think where my conscience would side in the event of charity cases in TEOTWAWKI , would it be my rational, harsh reality thinking brain which agrees with Chris Carrington, or my staunch faith in Christ and belief in Psalm 23?

I think the only solution to this comes down to our best assets when the SHTF, community and knowledge. Surrounding yourself with people who come to understand and more importantly appreciate the survival database you hold in your head (without revealing what you have) and quickly make yourself invaluable to those around you, in turn creating opsec as opposed to compromising it. Those that have read Lucifer's Hammer may recall the intellectual (septic tank man, I forget the name) who in ill health steered the chemical weapon project that secured the defeat of the antagonist horde, and how valued he was by his cohort due to his knowledge base. This being a prime example of the ?give a man a fish/ teach a man to fish? principle. The Mongols under Genghis knew to look out for skilled individuals to bring into the fold, the ?bad guys? in schumer time may apply the same theorem, if they know what?s good for them. Not a desirable situation but the alternative could be far less palatable.

I?m prepping for me and mine and putting together anonymously authored pamphlets of essential precepts to urban survival and becoming part of the solution (eating perishables first, rules to avoid a public health nightmare, encouraging trade and barter with some etiquette pointers, security tips, steering folks to church for community building purposes, encouraging people to come forth with their skill set, which I will monitor covertly through the church etc) with water purification tablets and instructions attached. This will hopefully begin the networking process necessary to pulling through.

Be the welder, be the medically adept individual, be the mechanic, be the CB radio operator, be the large scale gardener with seed bank, be the tree surgeon/wood cutter, the security consultant and so on, in other words, *make yourself an asset* to those around you so your preservation is to their benefit.

Any other ?crunch? vocation suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

May the Lord preserve us and judge us fittingly and my prayers go out to my American Brethren.

- R.D. in England

*JWR Replies:* Mostly for "grid up" circumstances, I made some suggestions on Depression-proof jobs in these SurvivalBlog posts:

What Recovery? Find Yourself a Recoveryless Job

Depression Proof Jobs for a 20 Year Depression - Part 1: The Counter-Cyclical Jobs

Depression Proof Jobs for a 20 Year Depression - Part 2: Developing a Home-Based Business

More About Depression Proof Jobs--Consider the Three Ks

and,

A Second Income--A Key Goal for Family Preparedness

473 lines of text for one word reply? Got to be a record.

[Pico Rico]

I feel as if my day is complete!

[Stormin Mormon]

If Badgolferman doesn't have some kind of award, we should start one.

. Christopher A. Young Learn about Jesus

.

[Pat]

This is off-topic to the main thread, but in answer to your weather station situation, Davis weather stations do not use the solar panel to charge the battery. The panel charges a super capacitor and that $5 part is a common failure point. I have never seen a schematic, but somehow a bad super cap drains the battery as well. If your problem returns with a week or two of replacing the battery, chances are the problem is the super cap and NOT the solar panels.

[stockbrokers]

I am using a Smoke Detector that i bought from ebay and its working nice in toddlers room. And its really help you me to get alert when there is any smoke. 'What your stock broker doesn’t want you to see'

[Stormin Mormon]

Perhaps your toddler should practice camp fires and campcraft in the yard, instead of in bed?

Modelling Marilyn Monroe movies is fine, but do you really think your toddler should be doing that?

Please consider changing to Brady Bunch and Little House on the Prarie, instead of Marilyn Monroe movies.

. Christopher A. Young Learn about Jesus

.

[Guv Bob]

The smoke detectors I have bought all say to install them *outside* a bedroom in the hallway, so that's where mine is. A city code feller told me that most house fires start in the garage so I put one there as well.