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february 2005
FEATURES
Safety first!
Safety first!
If the dishwasher fails:
1. If the dishwasher won’t start, check the plug on a portable machine and reset the circuit breaker on a machine that is wired in. If power is getting to the machine, check to make sure that the door is closed. If these are not the cause of the problem, the motor has probably failed, and you should call a plumber.
2. If the machine has stopped cleaning properly, check to make sure that nothing is hanging below the bottom rack and blocking the movement of the spray head. If the spray head is blocked, use a toothpick to clear the holes. Also, have an adult check that the water temperature is 120 degrees Fahrenheit or above.
3. If the dishwasher is leaking or overflowing, look for the water shut off. Stop the machine and shut off the water to the dishwasher. Pouring a cup of white vinegar in the empty dishwasher melts mineral deposits that can jam the float.
How to react to an angry dog:
Remember that dog’s are territorial, some more than others. If the dog is standing in your path, follow the steps below.
1. Talk to the dog in a quiet and firm voice, and watch how it approaches you. If it comes up in a friendly way, without snarling or raising it’s hackles, stand still so that it can sniff you.
2. If the dog does not come up to you, it most likely sees you as a dominant person, and will probably not attack. If the dog stiffens and holds its tail up high, or snarls, be careful as you approach it, and try not to make eye contact. If the dog bares its teeth, do not make sudden movements as you leave, but back away slowly keeping the dog in sight the whole time, and find an alternate route.
3. Remember never to run past a dog that you do not know, because the dog will probably chase after you. Also, try not to show any fear in your eyes or body movement. Stay calm as you approach a dog, and speak firmly to it. Staring at a dog is a challenge, however, and the dog may try to attack you.
How to thaw a frozen pipe
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Open the faucet nearest the pipe. But be careful, do not force it.
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Take a towel and wrap it around the pipe. Secure it with tape, preferably duct.
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Pour boiling water over the towel and repeat until the water runs through the faucet. One can also wrap the pipe in a heating pad, blowing a handheld hair dryer or a small electric over the pipe, or place a heat lamp next to it. Another option to try if a pipe is in a small room, is to set the heater near the pipe for a couple of hours. Make sure to not place it near anything flammable and to check on it constantly.
What to do if you smell gas
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Open all windows and doors to reduce the chance of a gas buildup.
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If you still smell gas, or you think that gas is still escaping, turn off the main gas tap at the meter (if you know how].
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Then leave the property and go to a neighbor’s house. Call the Fire Department and Gas Company.
Remember, if you smell gas, do not use lighters, matches, or cell phones. Also make sure that no one in the house is smoking or lighting any matches. Do not turn on, or off, any switches or appliances in the house because they will cause a spark.
Necessary Items
1. Flashlight
2. Batteries
3. Non-perishable Food
4. Bottled water
5. Blanket
6. Emergency phone numbers
7. Emergency first aid kit
8. Rags
9. Duct tape
10. Smoke detector
11. Carbon monoxide detector
12. Fire extinguisher
13. Cell phone
If a standard light bulb burns out:
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Turn off the lamp or light fixture.
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Wait until the bulb has cooled down before you touch it. Bulbs are usually cooler at the base.
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Hold the bulb lightly and turn it counterclockwise until it comes out of the socket.
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Get a replacement bulb of the same wattage and turn it clockwise until it is firmly in the socket.
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Turn the lamp or fixture back on.
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Throw the used bulb in a waste basket.
If the bulb is broken and and there is no glass left in the socket, put a wine cork in the base, and turn it counterclockwise until it comes out. If there is still broken glass in the socket, use half a potato to remove it.
If the power goes out:
If the power goes out during a storm, call a parent, neighbor or another adult to make sure that other houses have lost their power as well. If they have not, then a fuse may have blown. To replace a fuse, follow the steps below.
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Using a flashlight if it is nighttime, turn off or unplug all large appliances to prevent damage to the electrical system.
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Open the door to the fuse box, and identify the fuse that has blown. For light or receptacle circuits, look for a blackened area or a break through the glass of the fuse. If all of the fuses look fine, find the fuse that has blown from the circuit labels. If they are not labeled, use trial and error to replace the fuse. Remove the fuses one at a time, and replace them with a new one until the power returns.
Warning: be extremely careful changing fuses; never insert anything in the open spaces but fuses.
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