Safety Tips During Monsoon Season

I went outside earlier today because I noticed that the sky is so cloudy. I took photos at our backyard and then after 2 hours I went back again and took more photos. Living here in Arizona when seeing sky like this is a bit scary. We like rain here because we don't get much but the monsoon is scary. So I look for tips on how to stay safe during this time of the year, the monsoon season.

A Monsoon is caused by a combination of heat and moisture. Arizona is in “Monsoon Season” when there are more then three consecutive days with dew points above 55°. Arizona averages over 50 monsoon days each year and normally occur in July and August. Monsoon storms can range from minor dust storms to violent thunderstorms carrying heavy winds, dry lightening and/or high volume rain. These storms can cause flash floods that are potentially deadly.

If you are caught outdoors during a monsoon storm here are some safety tips:

• Take signs that read “DO NOT ENTER WHEN FLOODED” seriously. All caution signs should be observed and respected. Even if water is rushing across the road or wash looks shallow, it may be very well so deep that even high clearance vehicle will get stuck or washed down stream requiring emergency intervention.

• If driving, slow down and never use your cruise control during a rainstorm. If your vehicle hydroplanes, the cruise control may try to accelerate while the vehicle has uneven traction causing you to lose control.

• To avoid being struck by lightening stay away from open fields, high land, trees, poles, other tall objects and standing bodies of water, including swimming pools. Stay in your home or vehicle if possible.

• Do not huddle closely together with other people spread out.

Life-Saving Tips To Our Children From Parents Magazine

• TEACH THE RIGHT WAY TO ASSIST A STRUGGLING SWIMMER. Instruct your child to first shout for help; if she's 5 or older she can take action - as long as it won't put her in danger. Demonstrate how to help a person in the water by staying on the pool deck and extending your reach with an object like a foam noodle or a pole.
• HAVE A FIRE EVACUATION PLAN. Locate two escape routes from every room and an outdoor meeting place. Stage a fire drill twice a year. Set off the smoke alarm for your child, explaining that it means " Get Out!"Teach him to touch the door to the room with the back of his hand if there is a fire. If it's hot, he should escape through a window, if it's cool, he can open it and crawl to the nearest exit.
• AVOID CORD HAZARDS. You can't teach a baby or a toddler to stay away from strangulation danger, so eliminate this risk by getting cordless shades or blinds. If that's not possible, cut the loop into two strands and use a cord winder or a hook to keep them out of reach.
• PRACTICE DIALING 911. Once your child is 4 or 5, define what an emergency is, so he knows not to phone the numbers as a game. Then try role-playing "Mom hit her head and won't wake up. What should you do? " Have him press the numbers on a toy phone, then rehearse a call. Teach him to answer the operator's questions and not hang up until she says to.Then post the number in an easy-to-see area by the phone.