A Survival Tips and Techniques Blog | UrbanWoodsman.com

Yes, Virginia, it actually gets cold in Florida!

Before I moved to the Tampa Bay, I had no idea that the weather ever dropped to a point where I, born and raised in snowy cold freezing temperatures of the north, would ever succumb to wearing so much as a sweater in Florida. I saw people passing by in their coats and scarves and I was astounded. There was no snow! How could they be so cold?

I quickly learned that temperatures in Florida do drop in the winter! They can even reach freezing. And suddenly, I actually reach for a sweater – I even layer my clothes! I wonder if my blood has thinned, making me more susceptible to the cooler days or is there actually something to wet cold versus dry cold (as what I am used to)? My grandmother grew up in a humid climate and always told me that it’s as if the moisture goes right into your bones. A little research tells us that humidity conducts heat away from the body during cooler weather (and conversely, conducts heat to the body during warm weather). Interestingly, it has been stated that 53°F is the magical number where humidity will make the temperature seem colder or warmer depending on whether the temperature is higher or lower than this number.

So now that the days are actually starting to remain quite chilly and even wet from winter rain, and I can attest to near freezing temperatures in Zephyrhills, Tarpon Springs, Palm Harbor and the like, it is time to weatherproof my home – a metaphorical sweater, if you will, for my property!

Starting indoors, the first thing to do is inspect rooms for cracks and leaks. Fill any cracks or open areas (like around your dryer vent) with appropriate filler like caulk or foam. Check all plumbing for leaks. If you come across a leak, fix it immediately. If needed, consult a professional for help. Next, look for exposed pipes and insulate them. Frozen pipes are usually not a concern for residents of the Florida Gulf as temperatures need to be around 20°F for water to freeze in a pipe and threaten severe water damage. Nonetheless, we all pay heating and cooling bills year round and a well insulated pipe will do wonders for your energy bill.

An often overlooked aspect of weatherproofing your home is attic insulation. As with weatherproofing your pipes, a properly insulated attic can shrink a hefty energy bill. Several energy companies will provide free insulation inspections of your home. Also, there are government programs that exist to help you upgrade the insulation in your home: you pay a portion and the majority of the cost is taken care of by the program. Call your local energy provider today and arrange for an insulation inspection.

In addition to inspecting your plumbing system, exposed pipes, attic and walls for cracks, winter is a good time to have your furnace, fireplace and chimney professionally serviced. A well-maintained system will deliver results efficiently and safely. Further to servicing, before using your fireplace this season, inspect the damper to certify that it opens and closes properly. A beautiful log fire is difficult to enjoy if your home is filled with smoke! On that note, make sure your smoke detector has fresh batteries. It is a good idea to change the batteries twice a year and periodically test your smoke detector.

If you have a gas-log fireplace instead of a traditional wood burning fireplace, be aware that gas-burning appliances in your home give off Carbon Monoxide. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions exactly when using your gas-burning fireplace or any other type of gas-burning appliance. To further protect you and your family, install a carbon monoxide detector and follow the manufacturer’s directions. Finally, if the damper in your chimney has been blocked open to accommodate gas log fumes, a way to alleviate heat loss and prevent drafts is by installing glass doors in front of your fireplace. Please note that doors may remain closed when the fireplace is not in use but must remain open during use.

Even though Florida does not fall victim to snow and ice, there are a few things you can do to weatherproof the outside of your home as well. Winter is a great time to have your trees trimmed and dead trees removed by a professional service. Check gutters for dead leaves and clean them out. Clogged gutters possess a substantial threat for water damage to your home as they will redirect water into your house though the walls and ceiling. If you have any wood outside, like a patio or any furniture, apply a protecting sealant to help prevent water damage and rot. Also, prevent heat loss within your home by checking for any holes in the exterior walls that need filling. If you come across any existing water damage, consult with a restoration company immediately.

A wonderful thing about living in Florida is the ability to enjoy foliage most of the year. However, there are some plants that while they thrive in the moist hot weather most of the year, are extremely susceptible to lower temperature. The best thing to do is to move potted plants inside. If they are too large to bring in, move them closer to your home for added protection or cover them. Many of the tropical trees that we grow in places like St. Petersburg and Sarasota, especially the palm trees, cannot tolerate even a frost. Check with your local nursery for expert advice.

A final word of advice: winterize your pool. Most people prefer to hire a professional when it comes to weatherproofing a pool or outdoor hot tub. From balancing alkalinity to ensuring the water simply will not freeze to keeping the area free of debris, the process can be time consuming and somewhat complex. .Whatever your preference, protecting your pool or spa is an important step that should not be overlooked when weatherproofing your home.

With your home completely weatherproofed inside and out, it is now time to settle in and enjoy the coziness of your home. Sit back, enjoy a cup of hot cider and relax by the fire.

For more information on how to protect your home during the winter and prevent water damage, please contact Advanced Restoration, Inc.

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Using a common twine, Jute String, as a readily available and reliable tinder source. Break up the fibers of a few inches of the low-cost string, add a spark, and it will go up in flames! Biodegradable. Later on in the video, I ignite a medium-frame “tipee” fire with both the twine fibers and my vaseline cotton balls, see other video: www.youtube.com

Many dedicated runners will brave the cold, damp air and dark, slick streets as winter sets in. Running is actually a part of surviving the winter for some. For those of you who don’t let a little rain, snow or sleet deter a run, it is important to know how to protect your feet so they too, can survive the winter months.

1. Choose a synthetic sock. Avoid cotton socks! Synthetic socks (wool blend, polypropylene) wick away moisture and help prevent blister formation and cold feet.

2. Run in a trail shoe. Winter running involves slick surfaces on both the trails and the streets. It’s important to have more support and stability on slippery surfaces. Trail shoes have more traction for these surfaces. Trail running shoes also tend to protect your feet more than lighter nylon running shoes.

3. Don’t use your old worn-out shoes for winter running. It is common to pull out those old, dirty running shoes with 400-500 miles on them. Who wants to cover their new running shoes with mud? But, wearing shoes that are worn-out can lead to foot problems such as plantar fasciitis and tendonitis. Buy a shoe specific for winter running or run in your summer running shoes and plan on getting them a little dirty.

4. Pair your socks and shoes. Don’t assume your heavier socks will work with your summer running shoes. Some individuals wear heavier socks during the winter and this may lead to the toes being cramped in the front of the shoe causing discomfort, numbness and sometimes jamming of the toes, leading to blood under the toenails. Blood under the toenails can lead to discomfort, to loss of the toenail and even to the dreaded toenail fungus.

5. Don’t assume numb toes are due to cold weather. Avoid tight footwear in cold weather, and avoid heavy socks with smaller shoes. Tight shoe and sock combinations may decrease circulation to the toes and can increase the chance for nerve impingement on the top of the foot.

6. Avoid uneven terrain. In cold weather it is more difficult to adjust to uneven terrain because your muscles do not react as quickly. Choose level streets and sidewalks and choose trails with fewer rocks, roots and dips. This will help minimize your chances of developing muscle strains and sprains.

7. Warm up slowly. Although this may seem obvious, it is a common mistake in the winter. It is cold out and you will want to start running as soon as you close your front door. But, your muscles take longer to warm-up in colder weather. Your chances of injury increase when you do not take the time to warm-up properly.

8. Avoid speedwork in very cold weather. Speedwork in cold weather will increase your chances of injury. Consider saving speedwork for the warmer days, and use the colder days for maintenance runs.

9. Try skiing or snowshoeing. Running with cross country skis or snowshoes can be a fun way to train in the winter. This may help break the monotony of the standard running routine.

10. Take a break from running. If you are feeling stiff and sore or if you are experiencing foot, ankle or leg discomfort, consider cross training. Overuse injuries occur more frequently in the winter as runners unconsciously alter their gait to adapt to slippery, hard to see surfaces. Swimming and bike riding are excellent for maintaining aerobic conditioning.

Investors who bought during the top of the frothy commodities rally are now panicking or kicking themselves. Neither activity helps an investor or trader think straight. Below are a few tips in dealing with the current market shakeout.

1. If you believe you invested in the right stock(s), then turn off your computer and do something enjoyable. Exercise is a great stress reliever. The market has already begun its shakeout. If you didn’t get stopped out, or failed to place earlier stops, your best opportunity lays ahead in picking up additional shares at a much lower price. Most of the experts we’ve interviewed tell us the next rally should start sometime between late July and Labor Day. In an attempt to interview the uranium guru James Dines in late May, we were told, “Call back in a couple of months.” That was a helpful clue that the markets were less than exciting. Mr. Dines is often eager to be interviewed, but recently he was not.

2. Do you believe the fundamentals which engendered the commodities boom have changed? If they haven’t, then the bullishness is only taking a breather. We don’t see any fundamental change in the markets. Russia still wants nuclear power, and its oil production may be peaking. China hasn’t announced the end of its nuclear expansion program. India wants to spend $40 billion on new nuclear reactors. If you are invested in uranium stocks, spot uranium jumped another dollar to $45/pound this past week. Hardly the end of the bull market.

3. If you worry about your investment in one stock or another, then stop watching the ticker and focus on the company fundamentals. Is the story still true or has it changed? See #7 A, B and C below.

4. There’s an old cliché that the time to buy is when you feel like dumping everything you own in the category. At the exact moment you want to sell your entire portfolio of uranium stocks, it may be wiser to add to your holdings. This applies mainly to the retail investor. Most of the professionals did dump at the top and are now slowly accumulating the shares of the naïve who waited until the washout to start selling off.

5. Has a major, earth-shattering event occurred? The last bull cycle in uranium ended with Three Mile Island (TMI). The last decent rally in the precious metals markets fell off a cliff after it was discovered Bre-X Minerals had perpetrated a fraud about its gold ‘discovery’ in Indonesia. Something significant and newsworthy always transpires, and it is also far-reaching. That is the trigger. As with TMI and Bre-X, those were the first shots which launched a later chain reaction to end those bull markets.

6. Before pulling the sell trigger, ask yourself: Do I really want to give up these shares to a bargain basement hunter, who will make a killing on my losses?

7. Since most of you will still panic, please review the following basics for any of the uranium companies you’ve read about:

A) How much cash does the company have in the bank? During shakeouts, cash is king. Prescient companies, which completed their financings during the recent and robust rally, are sitting pretty. They can weather the short-term storm and are well-oiled to move forward when this correction bottoms and reverses. Those companies are the strongest ones to check out when this correction looks gloomiest.

B) Has the management remained the same? Unless the top financial and/or technical people blew out the door, in recent weeks, the story probably hasn’t changed much. Companies which built a strong technical team are resilient and powerful. They will move forward.

C) Have the properties come up dry? One of the reasons you invested in a uranium company was because it announced it had “pounds in the ground.” Some companies have more than others. Some went to the expense and trouble of completing a National Instrument 43-101, which independently confirmed the quantity and quality of the uranium resource. If that changed – and the company announced, “Sorry, nothing there after all,” or announced, “Hey, we were kidding,” that’s one thing. If you haven’t heard that, or read a news release announcing that, then the uranium didn’t walk away or move onto a competitor’s property. It’s still there.

Next time, when the markets are racing higher, and you feel like you won the lottery, consider this bit of biblical advice. The old joke goes, “When did Noah build his ark?” The answer of course is: Before it began to rain.

Affiliate marketers are always on the lookout for the magic bullet, the secret formula, the successful market that will propel their income to new levels of prosperity. They seldom realize the truth, there is no such formula. The only real formula for success is hard work and good marketing practices coupled with dedication.

There are, however, tactics that can be used to help build success, but they come with time and effort. Most of them are not overnight successes. I would like to share three great tips that can help you get started on the road to success.

What are these three tactics?

1. Use a unique web page to promote each seperate product. Don’t pile all of the products and service you are marketing into one pageto save money on hosting. If possible, create seperate sites for each product. If not possible try to create a catalog type site and feature each product on a seperate page.

Include product reviews on your website. This will help to inform your site’s visitors on what they are getting and some information on what to expect. You may wish to include tesimonials when possible. Just be sure that you obtain permission before you do so.

Tesimonials can be a great to boost sales and traffic. You may offer those who write the testimonials a link to their site from yours for them. This would encourage said testimonials to be filled with positive comments about your services.

Another great tactic to employ is the use of article writing to attract customers. With this tactic you can write about specific products or services that highlight the uses of those items that you sponsor. When writing these articles you can call your readers to act on the information you provide. Just remember that your article is not to be used as a sales page, but rather to be written in such a way as to get your readers excited about the prospect of using your product or service.

2. Offer free reports to your readers. This is a form of viral marketing. Some swear by this technique and use it constantly in their marketing efforts to measurable success. If possible, position this near the top of the page so that it cannot be missed. Try to set up mesages that will be mailed to the prospects at regular intervals. Usually a sale is made after the seventh message is sent.

Another version of this tecnique is to give the report away, so that the readers can offer it to still others. This form of viral marketing is designed to get your message out to an ever growing audience. The types of reports are written with substance of real value that can help the average reader get something they need (like traffic to their site)and designed so that the readers can repackage it as their own.

When visitors come to your site there are two possibilities that can happen. They will purchase your product or service or leave. Using an autoresponder, you will be sending them mesages at regular intervals to remind them of your service. When creating these followup messages, make sure to point out the benefits of your product or service without sounding like a sales pitch.

Focus on the important points, like how your products will may theirlives easier. Use unique and compelling titles in your messages. Talk TO them not AT them. Avoid the use of the word “free” as some e-mail filtering dump the message at the use of that word.

3.Use “targeted traffic” to reach the audience that will be interested in your product. Untargeted traffic to your site is more of a waste of your time and efforts. An old idea that used to be very prevalent in Internet advertising was to “throw more and more traffic at it till something sticks.” It is an old idea that doesn’t really work.

Using article marketing to drive targeted traffic to your site helps to bring in the kind of visitors who are more willing to purchase your product. Try to write a minimum of two articles a week at 300 – 600 words.

These are but three of the best tactics to use to build your business to the levels of income that you desire. they take time to implement and get results from, but they are tried and true.

Winter camping is one of the many varieties of recreational group activity that you can do outdoors. However, although it might be a very awesome experience, aspiring winter campers should note that such activity can be very dangerous and challenging. Camping in winter pose certain dangers that are far more difficult to handle that those offered by a forest camp. Keep in mind that when you camp out in winter, negligence may yield to a variety of accidents and disasters. That is why winter campers should conduct extra preparations for their trip. Obviously, the most challenging thing about winter camping is staying warm and comfortable. Below are some tips that you ought to consider:

a. Before you set out for camp, check the latest weather forecast. Winter weather can bring sun or storm. Make sure that you are prepared for challenges prompted by the weather. Match your camping gear with the weather predictions.

b. Make sure that you have an alternative plan in case the weather spoils your plans. Be ready to face adverse reality. You must have an alternative camp site and an alternative itinerary.

c. You must have enough food, beverages, and clothing in case you get stuck in a storm. Make sure that your camping gear and supply is enough to last for a week or more out in the cold.

d. Never forget to bring tools for navigation. Navigation in the snow can be very hard. That is why you ought to bring GPS tools that can help you find your way even if the roads and foot trails are all covered in snow.

e. When traveling for a winter camp, it is necessary to use camping boots that are capable of traveling even in the slippery snow. When traveling during the early winter, many campers recommend the use of sturdy leather boots.

f. If you are bound to pass by trails with less snow, you should still use your snow boots. However, if the snow is quite dense, you should opt for an actual snow traveler.

g. Never camp in places that are not frequented by many campers, especially if you are not an expert. Make sure that somebody knows where you are setting your camp. When choosing a camp site, choose places that are highly recognized by the local authorities as an official camping site.

h. Before you set your camp, check the signboards and warning signs. On your way to your camp site, take note of all the signboards and landmarks that you find along the way. This can help you get back on the right track in case you lose your way.

i. Bring things that can entertain you along the way. Although you can bring your electronic play stations, it will be best if you bring books, cards, or board games that you can share with your fellow campers.

j. During winter, keep in mind that sunsets are quite fast so you will have to bring flashlights with you, along with other lighting tools. It will be best if you have an electric emergency light aside from the usual matchsticks and lamps. Bring extra batteries as well.

k. To fight the cold winds, you should be dressed properly. In fact, you should wear layers of clothing. First, wear clothes that transfer moisture away from the skin. Then, wear clothes that provide adequate insulation such as wool or fleece. Lastly, put on something that’s water proof or those clothes that can drift snow.

It is generally considered common knowledge that being underground is the best bet you can make when a tornado strikes, but what happens when you don’t have a tornado or cellar available, and what do you do once you’re in your safe area? If you live in a tornado prone area, it is very important to know what you should do when you hear a warning siren. Read on for some simple things that you can do to make it much more likely that you will survive if a tornado strikes.

Find The Right Shelter

The best place to be during a tornado is a basement or cellar. If you don’t have a basement, go to an interior room of your home like a bathroom or hallway. Stay away from any windows, and if all you have is a bathroom get in the tub. Try to stay underneath a solid structure, like a staircase or large table. If nothing like this is available, pull a mattress over your head. Falling and flying debris can be a danger during a tornado, so coverage over your head and around you is ideal. Cover yourself with heavy blankets and sleeping bags for added protection.

Never stay in a car or mobile home during a tornado. The wind will make your car a very dangerous place, and mobile homes do not offer the protection of a home with a foundation. If you are caught outdoors in a tornado and can’t find anywhere safe to get inside, try laying in a ditch or other low lying patch of land. The point is getting out of the path of wind and flying debris, so get as low as possible. Cover the back of your head with your arms and keep your face pointed down. Follow any official drill procedures if you are in a public area, since the primary objective will be getting you to the safest place in the area.

What To Have

Once you have decide where the safe area of your house is located, it is important to make sure there are a few necessities available if you and your family are there when a tornado strikes. Always make sure your safe area has a first aid kit and three gallons of water per person available in case part of the area collapses and you get stuck there for awhile. A radio and a charged cell phone are good things to have, as well as a flashlight and batteries for everything that needs them.

What Not To Do

Several myths about tornado safety are wrong and may get you killed if a tornado actually strikes. Never park and hide under an overpass during a tornado. The opening can act as a wind tunnel, making it more dangerous than the surrounding land. Never light any candles in your safe area while you wait for a possible tornado. If the disaster hits your home, your gas lines may rupture and ignite the flame. Don’t waste time opening windows when a tornado is approaching. A tornado will break windows when it hits, and you don’t want to be standing in front of them when it happens.

To be young and broke is the norm for a big percentage of the youth.

To be young and broke while traveling abroad is a different matter, though.

It’s what nightmares are made of, especially for those who are traveling on a budget in a different country where the most familiar person you know is dead and has a monument which every other tourist wants to see.

So, what should you do? Well, the first two things are probably standard. One, turn over your backpack and search every single pocket or possible hiding place for coins or, if you are lucky, paper money. Two, seek help.

Now, seeking for help is tricky. Should you be running for Ms/Mr Friendship over at your backpackers’ hostel, you can probably ask someone for help while you wait for Daddy-o to send you some emergency cash.

If you are out of luck in that department and your coins aren’t enough to get you another night at the cheapest hostel in town… and you would have to wait until tomorrow before your emergency cash arrives, head for the airport and sleep there.

If you are unable to get in touch with friends and relatives back home that can help you out, head for the embassy/consulate. They’ll help you out.

BUT, before all of the above can happen, do something to prevent it.

Be friendly. The person you just shared stories with could help you out, should something happen. Hide enough cash – in your shoes, deep within your bag, etc. – which can support you until you get emergency help from home.

Give your parents all the information you need and make sure you know where the (as an example) nearest Western Union branch is in the city you are visiting. This would ensure faster arrival of emergency cash.

If possible, pre-pay your hostel. That way, you have a place to sleep and only need to worry about what you can eat.

Knock on wood and hope that you wouldn’t have to do any of the above the next time you start vagabonding.

I was asked about Sleeping in Cars if the same problem occurs. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend it at all. However, if you are desperate and short of cash…

Off the top of my head, here are a few tips for budget travelers who may find themselves with no other choice but to sleep in their cars:

Women traveling alone should NOT do it at all.

Look for 24/7 truck stops and hospital parking lots. Both locations are more likely to be monitored and are tolerant of people grabbing a few hours of sleep in their cars.

Never park on the side of a deserted road. Look for campgrounds around the area where you will be driving. Not only will it be a lot safer, you will also have access to toilets.

Go to a gas station and ASK if it’s ok to park and sleep there. Don’t sleep with the engine idling. You might not wake up anymore.

I do hope, though, that you save a bit more to be able to afford cheap accommodations (there are quite a few all over) before you start your trip.