When asked what they would grab on their way out the door in an emergency (assuming that all family members were safely out), many people say they’d take their photographs. But what if you’re not at home when the fire, flood, or other disaster strikes? Now it’s easier than ever to protect those cherished photos….
Category Archives: Cautionary tales
The Safest Place in a Quake
Several years ago I was working on a long-term consulting assignment at a San Francisco Bay Area office when the building was jiggled by a small earthquake. The man with whom I was speaking ran to the nearest doorway, dragging me with him, and plastered his tall, strong body into the metal door frame. I…
Hang on to your medical data for dear life
Quick – when was your last tetanus shot? Don’ t wait until your foot finds a rusty nail in the back yard to find out. To avoid unnecessary duplication in tests and treatments, or confusion about dosages and instructions, be sure to have a record of your medical treatments. There are plenty of reasons why…
Disaster recovery – Is your business ready for the worst?
Do you have a small business? If so, you need to consider the health of your business in a disaster, too. A study by the U.S. Department of Labor found that 93 percent of companies suffering data loss went out of business within five years. In a study of US businesses conducted by the University…
What do kissing, playing the oboe, and evacuating a high-rise building have in common?
A musician friend once told me, “There are very few things in life that can’t be improved with practice,” and I have found that to be true. His words apply not only to playing the oboe and kissing. Rehearsal improves survival in an emergency, too. This year, make it a habit to take the stairs…
Can we count on our public officials in an emergency?
Not long ago, I heard a man say, “If there’s an emergency, I’m not worried. Our fire and police departments will take care of me. They’d better. That’s what I pay taxes for.” Here is the situation in his town of Burlingame, CA: The town of 50,000 maintains five fire engines and one truck, with…