Tired of the eye rolls and such when I talk about tornado and fire safety
Posted by Organic-Percentage22@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 42 comments
We live in a mobile home. I'm mom. I don't have keys or drive. (Another anxiety thing). But I try to talk to my family about if there's a fire or tornado in or around our house. I know my 11 yr old has some anxiety and I'm not trying to make it worse. We just need a plan for today or after but they won't listen. I'm not trying to make it them anxious like me because there wouldn't be so much anxiety with a plan. Tornado, husband says it won't happen. It has good chances in the next few hours. A fire, our dryer isn't drying but it could happen. I'm not like this most times (just with bad weather and the dryer thing is new). There's no plan if we get a warning. I'm just frustrated
DaveyAllenCountry@reddit
so I am from the Midwest and moved to the mid south. Both of these people have not taken seriously. However, there is science showing that the F5 and F1 are dying out in the F2 and F3 are becoming the norm. You gotta remember when most people not from Oklahoma were growing up, tornadoes were a little F1 that may be messed up a shed or took a couple shingles off, but people could sit in the living room. I survived the tornado outbreak in Washington, Illinois, and recently Selmer, Tennessee. In the south, I have seen more. People begin to panic as homes are not built to defend against tornadoes in the north only people under the age of 35. I’ve seen begin to worry about tornadoes. For good reason too because most of the tornadoes we see now are at least an F2.
RepresentativeAge80@reddit
Keep an extinguisher and a storm cellar or somethin if you own land. If you in tornado alley, it's probably a good call. Figure out a plan, though. If you ain't own land, park near places with basements. Fire? Stay near fire stations, police stations, etcetera. Can't drive? If it's a trailer house, go to your neighbors since if it's a bad tornado, usually it's in a state that gets that a lot, and usually houses have cellars for that.
adam3vergreen@reddit
“Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.”
yuribear@reddit
Rational thinking and planning ahead increases the odds of survival in the worst case scenarios. Being prepared for the worst means acknowledging that things may not always go as planned. It means anticipating potential events, obstacles and challenges and taking steps to mitigate their impact on you and your surroundings. It means having a backup plan in place so that if things do go wrong, you can quickly and effectively respond to potential catastrophic situations. By minimizing risk factors your change of survival exponentially goes up in your favour.
razorthick_@reddit
All it takes is one bad outlet. In my area there were a lot of house fires in the winter time. Why? People kept leaving their space heaters on. Space heaters accumulate dust, the electronics heat up, people use ones they've had for years. It's a fire waiting to happen. Other types of fires can start from lithium batteries. Plenty of videos of batteries exploding in people's homes.
There are things you can do to be ready. Important documents can be archived even just taking pictures with your phone but try to get everything in one portable filing case that you can grab and go.
For fires. Make sure your fire extinguishers are good. Actually hold on to one and make the PASS motions. Fire blankets are good. There's smoke masks for different prices.
Can't really force loved ones to care. What's even more frustrating is the if shit happens suddenly hubby panics and wants to take charge and dismiss everything you researched. First mistake is always panicking.
olnlo@reddit
We had a tornado warning in an area that never gets them, like expected to touch down level, and no one cared. We went into the basement with all our emergency stuff and some entertainment. Sorry, I grew up in the midwest.
Relative_Ad_750@reddit
You need to take charge. Give each of them a job to do that is within their capabilities. It’s not optional, and you have clear expectations for them. Strong leadership will do more to relieve their anxiety than just about anything else you could do. That goes for prepping and everything else in their lives.
Relative_Ad_750@reddit
You also need to get to the root of why they don’t care to listen to you, including your husband. Are they just being intellectually or physically lazy? Do they not respect you? Do they not care about what you believe is important for your family’s well-being? Fix that first.
sbinjax@reddit
husband says it won't happen
It won't happen until it does.
recyclingloom@reddit
If you’re dealing with tornadoes then get the fuck into a stronger building such as a commercial building such as an open hospital, public library, restaurant, or movie theater. If there’s a major fire then get outside and call the fire department to deal with the fire.
New_in_ND@reddit
My parents went through emergency plans with us when we were kids. I only remember them talking about it once & we practiced for fire by climbing out the window and going to the light pole a bit away from the house. Tornados prep happened when the weather was bad and I think my mom was legitimately afraid of the possibility of a tornado because that happened a few times.
JJB92@reddit
If your dryer isn't drying and it has an external vent then it probably needs emptying. And blowing out. If you own the land your caravan sits on long term you could dig down and build a concrete shelter can't get destroyed by a tornado if you are below the surface
NewLawGuy24@reddit
if you are tired of the eye rolls, it seems like you’ve been talking to people that borders on pestering
sounds like you have spoken. It’s up to them now. The old saying, you can lead a horse to water.
onedelta89@reddit
The dryer thing is probably an easy fix. After watching a few YouTube videos I was able to diagnose and repair our dryer two different times for less than 50 bucks each time. Our washer and dryer are nearly 30 years old and I plan to keep them going as long as possible.
Fires, did you know that over 30% of any new school or commercial building cost goes to fire code and suppression costs? As a result of those preparations, a child hasn't died in a school fire in a hundred years! Trailer houses have very few standards in terms of fire safety. The only real plan is to develop an evacuation plan. If they are in the back of the trailer, farthest from any doors, then have a club or baseball bat handy to smash a window to escape. There doesn't need to be any big worry, just discuss the plan once or twice every year or two. Leave the house, don't waste time trying to save anything inside. Same goes for tornadoes. Find a safe place nearby and go there when big storms approach. Don't wait til the tornado is close. Time equals safety. Then don't worry. Just be aware of your surroundings, if its storming, check the weather occasionally. If a bad storm is approaching, leave.
PrisonerV@reddit
As someone else said - For fire, check your smoke detectors regularly, and make sure you have a fire extinguisher and a fire blanket in an easily accessible area not too close to your dryer and stove.
But for tornado, do you have a shelter? If you don't have a shelter, then what would the plan be? It's not easy to flee your house in the middle of a violent storm. You're really talking about relocating somewhere that either has a basement or has a shelter or building a shelter.
Leopold_Porkstacker@reddit
I went to public school for age 5 through 18, we did fire drills 3-4 times a year. Never had a fire at school.
But we prepared.
Suitepotatoe@reddit
This is the prepping I do. I hate that you have ignorant family.
FlashyImprovement5@reddit
For fire
Get fire blankets and learn how to use them get fire extinguisher and also learn how to use them. Run fire drills and make sure your 11 year old knows how to exit a window safely.
Tornado, last evening, several died in tornados in our area. They are unpredictable. Around here, they opened up the storm shelters at 5pm.
I've been in a mobile home when straight line winds hit. My home was the only one to survive on our road. I was also the only one home at the time as I worked nights. None of the doors would open and we were basically trapped while watching the mobile homes around us disintegrate into toothpicks.
Storm shelters exist for a reason. Yes it is rare but it happened to me.
capt-bob@reddit
Play movies about it
Incendiaryag@reddit
Who rolls their eyes at that? Foolish AF
KarmaAdjuster@reddit
People who hear it every day I imagine, and are already prepared enough in their eyes. There is such a thing as being over prepared, and it's entirely possible that this is the kind of post someone who over prepares might write. We're only hearing one side of the story. It's good to prepare, but there is such a thing as over preparation.
KarmaAdjuster@reddit
Maybe don't talk about it as much and just do things about it. Clean the dryer, to reduce risk. By a fire extinguisher for the kitchen. Know what to do when a tornado hits, and when the information is relevant, communicate it calmly to your family.
If they are giving you eye rolls, it's likely because they think you are giving rare chance situations way too much of your attention (which you very well could be). It's almost like the story of when the boy called wolf. If you're constantly worrying about the rare cases so much that you're missing out on life, no one is going to pay attention to your premature panicking. To make your warnings effective, don't over deliver them. If it's something they are concerned about too, they will head your warnings and ask what else can be done. If they aren't interested, do what preparations are necessary and within reason.
HillbillyRebel@reddit
Back in 2011, an EF-4 tornado, with 190mph winds, came within 1/4 mile of my house. The tornado was over a 1/2 mile wide and stayed on the ground for almost an hour. It sounded like a hundred freight trains coming through at once. It was at night, so we couldn't see it. You don't think it will happen... until it does. We got in our tornado shelter once the sirens started. I still remember going into the shelters when I was a kid. My parents made it a game for us. We always had toys, food, and drinks in there, as well as my parents making the shelter very comfortable for us. Lots of blankets and pillows for us to "hide" in. We also had a radio in there to listen to music and the weather reports.
If your area is prone to tornadoes, or in a state where tornadoes strike, it can and will happen. Whether they get close or not, having that conversation or being prepared for that, isn't crazy.
Also, for the dryer, as others have said, if it isn't drying, you need to clean out your vents and/or replace the hose in the back of it. With enough heat buildup from the dryer, it can ignite the lint and easily start a fire. You can hire a company to do this or, if you or your husband are handy, you can do this yourself. It might be easier to pay somebody to do it, as buying the proper tools to do it with might cost just as much.
CapGirl80@reddit
As far as your dryer not drying, take out the lint screen and wash it under warm soapy water. Use a nail brush or something of the like to get in there good. Then rinse it and make sure the water flows through it freely. Dry and replace. The use of dryer sheets or laundry softener causes a waxy buildup on the screen that will hold water, which in turn keeps the dryer from doing its job. This right here has caused more house fires than I care to think about.
ladymorgahnna@reddit
Everyone needs at least a bike helmet to wear during tornado watches. Including adults. Many deaths from tornados are due to head injuries. I grew up Missouri, and have lived in Texas and now Alabama. Take tornados very seriously. See where your local tornado shelter is at the very least in case it’s close.
EquivalentHat2457@reddit
Therapy
ExternalFoundation84@reddit
Sounds like you’re the one to have a plan even if no one else is up for it or wants to hear about it. If you have a recent phone you could setup a complex keyboard shortcut to send to anyone in an emergency if they aren’t within earshot of you.
Many-Health-1673@reddit
I've had 2 tornadoes touch down within half a mile of my house in the last 5 years. The 1st tornado was 150 yards away. The 2nd one was half a mile. Minor damage to the house on the 1st tornado but some people to the east of me lost everything. The 2nd tornado took out half of the town. The below ground tornado shelter will hopefully be installed soon.
OnTheEdgeOfFreedom@reddit
It's normal to deny risks, and that's how people die in disasters.
All you can do is pack a bag so you're prepared to leave if you have to. Hopefully the bag is never used. Realistically it probably won't be. But the chance is never zero, and as you go out the door in some emergency, you can invite them to come with you. It's a lesson they won't forget.
Sherpa_qwerty@reddit
No point having anxiety. Make sure you have a plan and it’s not too complicated to execute. When shit happens make sure your simple plan is very clear to everyone… maybe a hide in place one page plan laminated. No need to talk to everyone all the time - that’s your anxiety.
Decent-Apple9772@reddit
Paragraphs.
Try solving problems rather than worrying and talking about them.
This is an age of information. If you are concerned about your dryer not working and being dangerous then you should be able to learn everything about how it works and how to clean and repair it in a couple of days.
Revolutionary-Fun227@reddit
I just had the same problem with my dryer . I cleaned out the entire vent hose . Which wasn't really bad . Then I checked the wall vent outside . It had a screen on it and had 3/4 inch build up of lint . After cleaning the vent , my dryer acted like new again .
Ecstatic_Pepper_7200@reddit
I am really sorry, most of the tornado deaths happen in mobile homes. You have every right to be prepared.
States like Oklahoma have these shelters that they install in garage floors or dig into backyards. Maybe there is a solution for you there. I would check the Oklahoma City sub reddit.
admirethegloam@reddit
You're not overreacting. People get upset about thinking of such things and fail to action. It's a strange thing but common. I'm a min to young children and probably will be in my basement tonight because we will likely have tornadoes in our area.
Fantastic-Spend4859@reddit
I made my kids do fire drills when they were little, like 3-5 years old. I made it a game, sort of. I taught them how to open the window, push the screen out and jump outside. I think every family should do this. It's a time when kids may have to act on their own and if you give them some training, they will remember.
It was enlightening. They refused to jump in bare feet until I gently lowered them a few times. Then they found they could jump without hurting their feet.
At that point, I also had an infant, so four kids, single mom, I was very afraid of being able to get everyone out. Gave me a lot of peace of mind.
Who cares if the eyes roll. Just talk about while you are doing your thing. "You know, if there was a tornado right now, I would do ________________". Rinse repeat.
If it ever happens, they will have at least heard what to do and maybe respond appropriately.
reincarnateme@reddit
Did you clean out all the lint from the dryer and its hose? It could affect drying time. Also lint is very flammable - don’t let it accumulate around the dryer
tooawkwrd@reddit
Kids eyes are gonna roll! Just keep doing your mom schtick like you should. That information, planning and practicing is going to come in handy. You don't need them to have a good attitude about it, kwim? I find that kids usually absorb information and learn even when they are professing loudly that they don't need it. Even if they don't remember everything, they'll remember that they've heard something about it before and be able to dig deeper when needed. We have a lot of anxiety in our house and I found myself last night, 1 am, showing autistic grandkids how to read doppler radars and look deeper into the weather alerts beyond the little bite that was pushed to their phone. Husband stayed snoring in his bed - whatever, I don't need him to do what I need to do. Knowledge is power.
Embarrassed-Aspect-9@reddit
Also if you are physically able get a driver's license and have bug out bags ready to go. Hopefullyyour husband will help you get your licence to drive.. My RV got struck by lightning and the RV caught fire. Wasn't totaled but was a close call and a bit costly to fix some parts of it. The 440 big block took it like a champ though the accessory electronics like the radios abd converter were toast as qell as the AC controller, The generator needed s new diode for the magnetizing coil. Fixed for 6 bucks using diodes from a junkyard alternator.
Frosty_Ostrich7724@reddit
pick a ditch to rally to after a fire and bail to before a tornado. announce the spot. not the greatest plan, but - now you have a plan.
readyforunsteady@reddit
You can't force people to care, but you can make plans yourself and share them with your family.
For fire, check your smoke detectors regularly, and make sure you have a fire extinguisher and a fire blanket in an easily accessible area not too close to your dryer and stove. Draw a map of your home and try to establish 2 ways out of each room.
If you're in a fire-prone area, download the FEMA app and sign up for alerts, look up where local shelters are located, and plan at least 2 different ways out of the area avoiding major roads/highways. Make copies of all important documents (birth certificate, social security cards, utilities/bills with account numbers,etc.). Keep in a fire-resistant pouch in a purse or backpack you can quickly take with you.
For tornadoes, similar to fire, know where shelters are and do your best to sign up for alerts. Follow local meteorologists on social, they usually post updates on weather especially if there are significant threats.
Take pictures of your entire house, inside and out, and refresh every few months, especially after making larger purchases. This will help with insurance claims if anything does happen.
You don't have to do everything tomorrow, but start with your most pressing concerns, write down things you can do on your own to prepare, and tackle them when you're able to. The thought of planning an escape might seem pointless to some, but if you say "hey I have this plan I want to review" they might be more willing to listen.
Conscious-Love-9961@reddit
No one thinks it will happen to them, and then they're not prepared.
Even people who have gone through major disasters before don't think it will happen again and they don't prepare.
Better to prep and not need it than risk losing everything.
Embarrassed-Aspect-9@reddit
If you live in a RV make sure it's drivable or at least have real bug out bags ready to grab and go. Tornado plus RV = scrap metal and 💀