TYPES OF FIRE RELATED HAZARDS PRESENT DURING AND AFTER A FLOOD • Generators are often used during power outages. Unless generators are properly used and maintained, they can be very hazardous. • Alternative heating devices used incorrectly create fire hazards. Proper use and maintenance can decrease the possibility of a fire. • Leaking above ground gas lines, damaged or leaking gas or propane containers, and leaking vehicle gas tanks may explode or ignite. • Pools of water and even appliances can be electrically charged. This can result in a dangerous electrical fire.

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• Appliances that have been exposed to water can short and become a fire hazard. CHEMICAL SAFETY • Look for combustible liquids like gasoline, lighter fluid, and paint thinner that may have spilled. Thoroughly clean the spill and place containers in a well-ventilated area. • Keep combustible liquids away from heat sources.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY • If your home has sustained flood or water damage, and you can safely get to the main breaker or fuse box, turn off the power. • Assume all wires on the ground are electrically charged. This includes cable TV feeds. • Be aware of and avoid downed utility lines. Report downed or damaged power lines to the utility company or emergency services. • Remove standing water, wet carpets and furnishings.

Air dry your home with good ventilation before restoring power. • Have a licensed electrician check your home for damage. GENERATOR SAFETY • Follow the manufacturer's instructions and guidelines when using generators. • Use a generator or other fuel-powered machines outside the home. CO fumes are odorless and can quickly overwhelm you indoors.

• Use the appropriate sized and type power cords to carry the electric load. Overloaded cords can overheat and cause fires.

• Never run cords under rugs or carpets where heat might build up or damage to a cord may go unnoticed. • Always refuel generators outdoors.

• Never connect generators to another power source such as power lines. The reverse flow of electricity or 'backfeed' can electrocute an unsuspecting utility worker. HEATING SAFETY • Kerosene heaters may not be legal in your area and should only be used where approved by authorities. • Do not use the kitchen oven range to heat your home. In addition to being a fire hazard, it can be a source of toxic fumes. • Alternative heaters need their space.

Keep anything combustible at least 3 feet away. • Make sure your alternative heaters have 'tip switches.' These 'tip switches' are designed to automatically turn off the heater in the event they tip over. • Only use the type of fuel recommended by the manufacturer and follow suggested guidelines. • Never refill a space heater while it is operating or still hot. • Refuel heaters only outdoors. • Make sure wood stoves are properly installed, and at least 3 feet away from combustible materials.

Ensure they have the proper floor support and adequate ventilation. • Use a glass or metal screen in front of your fireplace to prevent sparks from igniting nearby carpets, furniture or other combustible items.

AND REMEMBER. • Do not use alternative heating devices to dry clothes or furnishings.

• Be careful when using candles. Keep the flame away from combustible objects and out of the reach of children. • Never thaw frozen pipes with a blow torch or other open flame. Use hot water or a UL listed device such as a hand held dryer. • Some smoke alarms may be dependent on your home's electrical service and could be inoperative during a power outage.

Check to see if your smoke alarm uses a back-up battery and install a new battery at least once a year. • Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home. • All smoke alarms should be tested monthly. All batteries should be replaced with new ones at least once a year.

• If there is a fire hydrant near your home, keep it clear of debris for easy access by the fire department. Recovering from a fire may take a long time and many of the things you have to do will be new to you. If you are not insured, your recovery from a fire loss most likely will be dependent upon your own resources.

Private organizations that can help include the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and you also could talk with your church. Insurance Information If you are insured, your insurance will be the most important single component in recovering from a fire loss.

A number of coverages are available such as - homeowner's, tenant's or condominium owner's insurance policies. Your insurance policy is a contract between you and the insurer. The insurer promises to do certain things for you. In turn, you have certain obligations. Among your duties after a fire loss is to give immediate notice of the loss to the insurance company or the insurer's agent. Protect the property from further damage by making sensible or necessary repairs such as covering holes in the roof or walls.

Take reasonable precautions against loss, such as draining water lines in winter if the house will be unheated for some time. The insurance company may refuse to pay losses that occur from not taking such reasonable care.

Make an inventory of damaged personal property showing in detail the quantity, description, original purchase price, purchase date, damage estimate and replacement cost. Cooperate with the insurer or his/her adjuster by exhibiting the damaged property. Submit, within a stated time period (usually 30 - 60 days), a formal statement of loss. Such a statement should include: The time and cause of loss. The names and addresses of those who have an interest in the property. These might include the mortgage holder, a separated or divorced spouse or a lien holder. Building plans and specifications of the original home and a detailed estimate for repairs.

The damage inventory mentioned above. Receipts for additional living expenses and loss of use claims.

Valuing Your Property A pre-fire inventory along with a videotape of all your property could prove to be a valuable record when making your claim. When adjusting your fire loss or in claiming a casualty loss on your Federal income tax, you will have to deal with various viewpoints on the value of your property. Some terms used are listed below: Your 'personal valuation' is your attachment to and personal valuation of your property lost in a fire. Personal items have a certain sentimental value. This term is not meant to belittle their value to you but is used to separate feelings about the value from objective measures of value. It will be objective measures of value which you, the insurer, and the Internal Revenue Service will use as a common ground.

The 'cost when purchased' is an important element in establishing an item's final value. Receipts will help verify the cost price.

Fair market value before the fire also is expressed as 'actual cash value.' This is what you could have gotten for the item if you had sold it the day before the fire. Its price would reflect its cost at purchase and the wear it had sustained since then.

Depreciation is the formal term to express the amount of value an item loses over a period of time. 'Value after the fire' is sometimes called the item's 'salvage value.' The cost to replace the item with a like, but not necessarily identical, item is the replacement cost.

Adjusting the Loss 'Loss adjustment' is the process of establishing the value of the damaged property. This is the result of a joint effort among a number of parties. Basic parties to the process are the owner or occupant and the insurance company and its representatives. The owner or occupant is required by the insurance contract to prepare an inventory and cooperate in the loss valuation process. An insurance agent may act as the adjuster if the loss is small. The insurer may send an adjuster who is a permanent member of the insurer's staff, or the company may hire an independent adjuster to act in its behalf.

It is the insurance adjuster's job, as a representative of the insurance company, to monitor and assist in the loss valuation process and to bring the loss to a just and equitable settlement. Either you or the insurer may hire the services of a fire damage restoration firm or fire damage service company.

These firms provide a range of services that may include some or all of the following: Securing the site against further damage Estimating structural damage Repairing structural damage Estimating the cost to repair or renew items of personal property Packing, transportation, and storage of household items Securing appropriate cleaning or repair subcontractors Storing repaired items until needed It is important to coordinate with the insurance adjuster before contracting for any services. If you invade the insurer's responsibility area by contracting without their knowledge or consent, you may be left with bills to pay that otherwise would have been covered by the insurer.

Salvage Hints Clothing - Smoke odor and soot sometimes can be washed from clothing. The following formula often will work for clothing that can be bleached: 4-6 tbsp. Of Tri-Sodium Phosphate l cup Lysol or any household chlorine bleach l gallon warm water Mix well, add clothes, rinse with clear water, and dry well.

Be aware that Tri-Sodium Phosphate is a caustic substance used as a cleaning agent. It should be used with care and stored out of reach of children and pets.

Wear rubber gloves when using it. Read the label carefully. To remove mildew, wash the fresh stain with soap and warm water. Then rinse and dry in sun.

If the stain has not disappeared, use lemon juice and salt, or a diluted solution of household chlorine bleach. Cooking Utensils - Your pots, pans, flatware, etc., should be washed with soapy water, rinsed and then polished with a fine-powdered cleaner. You can polish copper and brass with special polish, salt sprinkled on a piece of lemon or salt sprinkled on a cloth saturated with vinegar. Electrical Appliances - Appliances that have been exposed to water or steam should not be used until you have a service representative check them. This is especially true of electrical appliances. In addition, steam can remove the lubricant from some moving parts.

If the fire department turned off your gas or power during the fire, call the electric or gas company to restore these services - DO NOT TRY TO DO IT YOURSELF. Food - Wash your canned goods in detergent and water. Do the same for food in jars. If labels come off, be sure you mark the contents on the can or jar with a grease pencil. Do not use canned goods when cans have bulged or are dented or rusted. If your home freezer has stopped running, you still can save the frozen food.

Keep the freezer closed. Your freezer has enough insulation to keep food frozen for at least one day - perhaps for as many as two or three days. Move your food to a neighbor's freezer or a rented locker.

Wrap the frozen food in newspapers and blankets or use insulated boxes. Do not re-freeze food that has thawed. To remove odor from your refrigerator or freezer, wash the inside with a solution of baking soda and water, or use one cup of vinegar or household ammonia to one gallon of water. Some baking soda in an open container or a piece of charcoal can be placed in the refrigerator or freezer to absorb odor.

Flooring and Rugs - When water gets underneath linoleum, it can cause odors and warp the wood floor. If this happens, remove the entire sheet. If the linoleum is brittle, a heat lamp will soften it so it can be rolled up without breaking. If carefully removed, it can be re-cemented after the floor has completely dried. Small blisters in linoleum can be punctured with a nail and re-cemented if you are careful. Dilute regular linoleum paste thin enough to go through a hand syringe and shoot adhesive through the nail hole. Weigh down the linoleum with bricks or boards.

It usually is possible to cement loose tiles of any type. Wait until the floor is completely dry before beginning. Rugs and carpets also should be allowed to dry thoroughly. Throw rugs then can be cleaned by beating, sweeping or vacuuming, and then shampooing. Rugs should be dried as quickly as possible. Lay them flat, and expose them to a circulation of warm, dry air.

A fan turned on the rugs will speed drying. Make sure the rugs are thoroughly dry. Even though the surface seems dry, moisture remaining at the base of the tufts can quickly rot a rug. For information on cleaning and preserving carpets, call your carpet dealer or installer or qualified carpet cleaning professional.

Mattresses and Pillows - Reconditioning an innerspring mattress at home is very difficult, if not impossible. Your mattress may be able to be renovated by a company that builds or repairs mattresses. If you must use your mattress temporarily, put it out in the sun to dry.

Then cover it with rubber or plastic sheeting. It is almost impossible to get smoke odor out of pillows. The feathers and foam retain the odor. Leather and Books - Wipe leather goods with a damp cloth, then a dry cloth. Stuff purses and shoes with newspapers to retain shape.

Leave suitcases open. Leather goods should be dried away from heat and sun. When leather goods are dry, clean with saddle soap.

You can use steel wool or a suede brush on suede. Rinse leather and suede jackets in cold weather and dry away from heat and sun. Wet books must be taken care of as soon as possible.

The best method to save wet books is to freeze them in a vacuum freezer. This special freezer will remove the moisture without damaging the pages. If there will be a delay in locating such a freezer, place them in a normal freezer until a vacuum freezer can be located. Locks and Hinges - Locks (especially iron locks) should be taken apart, wiped with kerosene and oiled.

If locks cannot be removed, squirt machine oil through a bolt opening or keyhole, and work the knob to distribute the oil. Hinges also should be thoroughly cleaned and oiled. Walls and Furniture - To remove soot and smoke from walls, furniture and floors, mix together: 4 to 6 tbsp. Tri-Sodium Phosphate 1 cup Lysol or any chloride bleach 1 gallon warm water Wear rubber gloves when cleaning.

After washing the article, rinse with clear warm water and dry thoroughly. Walls may be washed down while wet. Use a mild soap or detergent. Wash a small area at one time, working from the floor up. Then rinse the wall with clear water immediately.

Ceilings should be washed last. Do not repaint until the walls and ceilings are completely dry. Wallpaper also can be repaired. Use a commercial paste to re-paste loose edges or sections. Contact your wallpaper dealer or installer for information on wallpaper cleaners. Washable wallpaper can be washed like an ordinary wall, but care must be taken not to soak the paper.

Work from bottom to top to prevent streaking. Do not dry your furniture in the sun. The wood will warp and twist out of shape. Clear off the mud and dirt by scrubbing with a stiff brush and a cleaning solution. You can also rub the wood surface with a 4/0 steel wool pad dipped in liquid polishing wax, wipe with a soft cloth and then buff. Remove the drawers and let them dry thoroughly so there will be no sticking when you replace them.

Wet wood can decay and mold, so allow it to dry thoroughly. Open doors and windows for good ventilation, and turn on your furnace or air conditioner, if necessary. If mold forms, wipe the wood with a cloth soaked in a mixture of borax dissolved in hot water. To remove white spots or film, rub the wood surface with a cloth soaked in a solution of a half cup of household ammonia and a half cup of water. Wipe dry and polish with wax, or rub the surface with a cloth soaked in a solution of a half cup turpentine and a half cup of linseed oil. Be careful because turpentine is combustible.

Money Replacement - Handle burned money as little as possible. Attempt to encase each bill or portion of a bill in plastic wrap for preservation. If money is only half-burned or less (if half or more of the bill is intact), you can take the remainder to your local Federal Reserve Bank for replacement. Ask your personal bank for the nearest one. Or you can mail the burned or torn money via FIRST CLASS REGISTERED MAIL to: U.S. Treasury Department Main Treasury Building, Room 1123 Washington, D.C. 20220 Mutilated or melted coins can be taken to the Federal Reserve Bank, or mailed via FIRST CLASS REGISTERED MAIL to: Superintendent, U.S.

Assay Office 32 Old Slip New York, NY 10005 If your U.S. Savings Bonds have been mutilated or destroyed, write to: U.S.

Treasury Department Bureau of Public Debt Division of Loans and Currency 537 South Clark St. Chicago, IL 60605 Attn: Bond Consultant Include name(s) on bonds, approximate date or time period when purchased, denominations and approximate number of each. Each year, fire claims the lives of 4,000 Americans and injures approximately 25,000. Bedrooms are a common area of fire origin.

Nearly 1,000 lives are lost to fires that start in bedrooms. Many of these fires are caused by misuse or poor maintenance of electrical devices, such as overloading extension cords or using portable space heaters too close to combustibles. Many other bedroom fires are caused by children who play with matches and lighters, careless smoking among adults, and arson. North County Fire & Medical District would like you to know that there are simple steps you can take to prevent the loss of life and property resulting from bedroom fires. Kids and Fire: A Bad Match Children are one of the highest risk groups for deaths in residential fires. At home, children usually play with fire - lighters, matches, and other ignitables - in bedrooms, in closets, and under beds.

These are 'secret' places where there are a lot of things that catch fire easily. • Children of all ages set over 100,000 fires annually. Over 30% of fires that kill children are set by children playing with fire. • Every year over 800 children nine years and younger die in home fires. • Keep matches and lighters locked up and away from children. Check under beds and in closets for burnt matches, evidence your child may be playing with matches. • Teach your child that fire is a tool, not a toy.

Appliances Need Special Attention Bedrooms are the most common room in the home where electrical fires start. Electrical fires are a special concern during winter months which call for more indoor activities and increases in lighting, heating, and appliance use.

• Do not trap electric cords against walls where heat can build up. • Take extra care when using portable heaters. Keep bedding, clothes, curtains and other combustible items at least three feet away from space heaters. • Only use lab-approved electric blankets and warmers. Check to make sure the cords are not frayed.

Tuck Yourself In For A Safe Sleep • Never smoke in bed. • Replace mattresses made before the 1973 Federal Mattress Flammability Standard. Mattresses made since then are required by law to be safer. Finally, having working smoke alarms dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire.

Place at least one smoke alarm on each level of your home and in halls outside bedrooms. And remember to practice a home escape plan frequently with your family. Call the Fire District at (623) 544-5400 for more information regarding bedroom fire safety or to schedule a home safety inspection. SNAKES About 45,000 people are bitten by snakes every year in the United States. Of those, 7,000 involve poisonous snakes, and of those treated, only about 15 die. More than half of the poisonous snakebites involve children, and most occur between April and October. Of the poisonous bites in the United States, 55 percent are from rattlesnakes, 34 percent from copperheads, 10 percent from water moccasins, and onepercent from coral snakes.

Rattlesnake bites account for 70 percent of the fatalities and between 95 and 98 percent of the bites occur on extremities. Each year the Samaritan Regional Poison Center has more than 65 calls about rattlesnake bites. There are 11 species of rattlesnakes identified in Arizona.

A pit viper snake has a heat sensing 'pit' located between the nostril and eye on each side that is used to locate and trail prey. Rattlesnakes can grow up to six feet in length. Baby rattlesnakes are capable of a venomous bite from birth. Nonpoisonous snakebites are not considered serious and are generally treated as minor wounds; only poisonous snakebites are considered medical emergencies. Symptoms generally occur immediately, but only about one third of all bites manifest symptoms. When no symptoms occur, probably no venom was injected into the victim.

In 50 percent of coral snake bites, no venom is injected because the coral snake has to chew the skin for envenomation to occur. In as many as 25 percent of all venomous pit viper bites, no venom is injected, possibly because the fangs may be injured, the venom sacs may be empty at the time of the bite, or the snake may not use the fangs when it strikes. Poisonous snakebite venom contains some of the most complex toxins known; venoms can affect the central nervous system, brain, heart, kidneys, and blood. Signs that indicate a poisonous snakebite include: The bite consists of one or two distinct puncture wounds. Nonpoisonous snakes usually leave a series of small, shallow puncture wounds because they have teeth instead of fangs.

The exception is the coral snake, which leaves a semicircular marking from its teeth. Because some poisonous snakes also have teeth, fang and teeth marks may be apparent. The presence of teeth marks does not rule out a poisonous bite, but the presence of fang marks always confirms a poisonous snakebite. Characteristics of pit viper snakes: • Large fangs; nonpoisonous snakes have small teeth. • The two fangs of a poisonous snake are hollow and work like a hypodermic needle.

• Pupils resemble vertical slits. • Presence of a pit. Pit vipers have a telltale pit between the eye and the mouth. The pit, a heat-sensing organ, makes it possible for the snake to accurately strike a warm-blooded victim, even if the snake cannot see the victim. • A triangular or arrowhead shaped head.

• The rattlesnake often shakes its rattles as a warning. BUT NOT ALWAYS! One snake that is not a pit viper snake but is poisonous is the coral snake. The coral snake is highly poisonous and resembles a number of nonpoisonous snakes. It does not have fangs and has round pupils. Because its mouth is so small and its teeth are short, most coral snakes inflict bites on the toes and fingers.

They have to chew the skin a while to inject venom. Coral snakes are small and ringed with red, yellow, and black.

The chances for recovery of a snakebite are great if the patient receives care within two hours of the bite. You can decide how serious the bite is by considering several factors: • The age, size and general health of the patient. A small child will probably react much more severely to a smaller amount of venom than will an adult. Bites are most dangerous in children and the elderly.

• The depth, location and number of bites. A single, glancing blow by the fangs is much less dangerous than multiple wounds or wounds that penetrate the flesh deeply.

A bite that penetrates a blood vessel is extremely dangerous. The least dangerous bites occur on the extremities and in fatty tissue. Bites on the head or trunk are usually fatal. • The duration of the bite.

The longer the bite, the greater the amount of venom that may be injected into the patient's system. A snake that bites through several layers of clothing will not leave as much venom as a snake that strikes bare skin. • Maturity, type, and size of the snake. Small snakes usually do not produce enough venom to seriously harm an adult. • Condition of the fangs and venom sacs. More venom will be injected if the fangs and venom sacs are in good condition.

• How angry or fearful a snake is. More venom will be injected if the snake is angry or fearful. Treatment for snakebite: The severity of a pit viper bite is gauged by how rapidly symptoms develop, which depends on how much poison was injected.

Signs and symptoms of a pit viper bite include: • Immediate and severe burning pain and swelling around the fang marks, usually within five minutes. The entire extremity generally swells within eight to 36 hours. • Purplish discoloration around the bite, usually developing within two to three hours. • Numbness and possible blistering around the bite, generally within several hours.

• Nausea and vomiting • Rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, weakness, and fainting • Numbness and tingling of the tongue and mouth • Excessive sweating • Fever and chills • Muscular twitching • Convulsions • Dimmed vision • Headache The priorities of emergency care for snakebite are to maintain basic life support - airway, breathing and circulation - and limit the spread of the venom and to transport the patient without delay. • Move the patient away from the snake to prevent repeated bites or bites to yourself. Snakes cannot sustain prolonged rapid movement so are often within a 20 foot radius of where the bite first occurred. • Have the patient lie down and keep him quiet.

Reassure him to slow the metabolism and subsequent spread of the venom. • Cut and suck methods are useless. According to one study, the most you can get is six percent of the venom. Many people do far more damage when they cut than they do good. • Keep the bitten extremity at the level of the heart.

• Remove any rings, bracelets or other jewelry that could impede circulation if swelling occurs. • Clean the wound gently with alcohol, soap and water, hydrogen peroxide or other mild antiseptic. • Do not cool or chill or apply ice. • Do not attempt to tie any type of tourniquet or constricting bands. • Transport the patient as soon as possible to the hospital.

Signs and symptoms of a coral snake bite are different than those of a pit viper. Rather than leaving two distinct fang marks, the coral snake leaves one or more tiny scratch marks in the area of the bite. There is little pain or swelling and the patient's tissue usually does not turn black and blue. Usually, there is no pain or swelling at the bite site.

However, one to eight hours after the bite, the patient will experience blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, increased salivation and sweating. Emergency care for a coral snake bite is similar to that for a pit viper snake bite. GILA MONSTERS Another poisonous creature in Arizona is the gila monster. The gila monster injects venom with a chewing motion. It has eight venom glands in the bottom of its mouth. The venom flows across the teeth with the chewing motions.

The venom will attack the nervous system, and can cause pain, swelling and possibly low blood pressure. But it is mostly a local reaction. Treatment for a gila monster bite is similar to a pit viper snake bite. Prevention: There are certain times of the year to be extra careful. In March and April, the snakes are becoming active and seeking warm sun. Snakes are born toward the end of July. They can bite with venom from birth.

During the hot summer months, snakes are more active at night. Don't put your hands where you can't see. Walk around snakes.

Don't challenge them or try to move them. If you need help moving one off your property, call the Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center at 582-9806 or the Arizona Fish and Game Department at 942-3000. INSECT / SPIDER BITES Insect bites and stings are common, and most are considered minor. It is only when the insect is poisonous or when the patient has an allergic reaction and runs the risk of developing anaphylactic shock that the situation becomes an emergency. Even under those conditions, accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment can save lives and prevent permanent tissue damage. The normal reaction to an insect sting is a sharp, stinging pain followed by an itchy, swollen, painful raised area.

The swelling may be there for several days but usually goes away within 24 hours. Local reactions are rarely serious or life-threatening and can be treated with cold compresses. However, there are some people who have allergic reactions to 'normal' insect stings. Approximately 50 people die each year in the United States from insect stings. This is more than all other bites combined including snakebites. Thousands of people are allergic to bee, wasp, and hornet stings.

Insect stings can be deadly for those people, on the average, within 10 minutes of the sting but almost always within the first hour. The stinging insects that most commonly cause allergic reactions belong to a group of the hymenoptera, the insects with membranous wings. These include bees, wasps, hornets, and yellow jackets. Stings from wasps and bees are the most common.

Black Widow Spider The black widow is a spider with a shiny black body, thin legs and an hourglass shaped red/white mark on its abdomen. The female is much larger than the male and is one of the largest spiders in the United States.

Males generally do not bite. Females bite only when hungry, agitated or protecting the egg sac. The black widow is not aggressive. They are usually found in dry, secluded, dimly lit areas.

More than 80 percent of all bite victims are adult men. Black widow spider bites are the leading cause of death from spider bites in the United States.

Vehicle Bill Of Sale As Is Pdf. The venom is 14 times more toxic than rattlesnake venom. It is a neurotoxin that causes little local reaction but does cause pain and spasms in the larger muscle groups of the body within 30 minutes to three hours. Severe bites can cause respiratory failure, coma and death.

Those at the highest risk are children under age 16, the elderly, people with chronic illness and people with high blood pressure. Signs and symptoms of a black widow spider bite: • A pinprick sensation at the bite site, becoming a dull ache within 30 to 40 minutes • Pain and spasms in the shoulders, back, chest, and abdominal muscles within 30 minutes to three hours • Rigid, boardlike abdomen • Restlessness and anxiety • Fever • Rash • Headache • Vomiting and nausea • Flushing • Sweating • Grimacing The symptoms usually last 24 to 48 hours. Treatment: • Treat for shock • Apply a cold compress but do not apply ice • Transport to hospital as quickly as possible Brown Spiders There are two types of brown spiders or brown recluse spiders in Arizona. They often are called violin spiders because of the characteristic 'violin-shaped' marking on the upper back. They are generally brown but can range in color from yellow to dark brown.

They are timid with webs in dry undisturbed areas. The Arizona species is not the same as the brown recluse spider in the Midwest. The bite of the brown spider is a serious medical condition. The bite is nonhealing and causes tissue death. Sometimes surgery is necessary.

The bite causes only a mild stinging sensation if any at all. Victims often are unaware they have been bitten. Several hours after the bite, the following signs and symptoms begin to result: • A small white area appears surrounded by a margin of redness which may produce a mild itching pain. • A blister appears surrounded by mild swelling and redness. • A 'bulls-eye' or 'target' lesion develops • There may be fever, chills, rash, hives, nausea and pain in the joints over the next few days. The target lesion will enlarge over the next few days and produce extensive tissue death. There is no antivenom.

The lesion will have to be soaked in antispetic and possibly antibiotics. Surgery may be necessary to cut out the dead tissue. Scorpions There are many species of scorpions found in Arizona but only one is potentially lethal. This is the bark scorpion. It is one of the smaller species being one to one and a half inches long. It prefers places dark and cool, wood piles, palm trees, decorative bark.

The severity of the sting depends on the amount of venom injected but scorpion stings can be fatal. Ninety percent of all scorpion stings occur on the hands. The lethal scorpion is very slender and streamlined. It is straw-colored or nearly opaque, small, less than two inches long. Signs and symptoms of scorpion stings include: • Sharp pain at the site of the sting • Swelling that gradually spreads • Discoloration • Nausea and vomiting • Restlessness • Drooling • Poor coordination • Incontinence • Seizures Treatment: • Apply ice to relieve the pain of the sting • Be sure the victim's airway stays clear • Transport to a hospital. A specific antivenom is available.

AFRICANIZED HONEY BEES Africanized honey bees were imported to Brazil in 1956 to enhance honey production in the tropics. Some of the bees escaped into the wild and have gradually moved towards North America. Africanized honey bees are the temperamental cousin of the more common European honey bee found in Arizona. They often are called 'killer bees', but in reality their stings are less potent and painful than the common bee sting. Contrary to portrayal in the movies, these bees do not swoop down in mass causing death and destruction. They do defend their nesting sites very aggressively, sometimes stinging their victims hundreds of times. It is impossible for the average person to tell the difference between an Africanized honey bee and the common European honey bee.

Only an expert with sophisticated lab equipment is able to distinguish between the two. Those at highest risk are individuals who are allergic to bee stings and pets that are penned or tied up near honey bee hives. Do's and Don'ts • DO check your property regularly for bee colonies. Honey bees nest in a wide variety of places, especially Africanized honey bees. Check animal burrows, water meter boxes, overturned flower pots, trees and shrubs. • DO keep pets and children indoors when using weed eaters, hedge clippers, tractor power mowers, chain saws, etc. Attacks frequently occur when a person is mowing the lawn or pruning shrubs and inadvertently strikes a bee's nest.

• DO avoid excessive motion when near a colony. Bees are much more likely to respond to an object in motion than a stationary one. • DON'T pen, tie or tether animals near bee hives or nests. • DON'T destroy bee colonies or hive, especially with pesticides. Honey bee are a vital link to U.S.

Each year, pollination by honey bees add at least $10 billion to the value of more than 90 crops. They also produce about $150 million worth of honey each year. • DON'T remove bees yourself. If you want bees removed, look in the yellow pages under 'bee removal' or 'beekeepers'. What to do if you are attacked: • Run as quickly as you can away from the bees. Do not flail or swing your arms at them, as this may further annoy them.

• Because bees target the head and eyes, cover your head as much as you can without slowing your escape. • Get to the shelter or closest house or car as quickly as possible. Don't worry if a few bees become trapped in your home. If several bees follow you into your car, drive about a quarter of a mile and let the bees out of the car. When to call the Fire District: Call the Fire District only when emergency medical services are needed.

If someone has been stung by many bees at once or has an allergic reaction to a bee sting, call 9-1-1. Call the Fire District if someone has become trapped in a building or car with lots of bees. Fire trucks are equipped with a foam that can be sprayed on the bees to drown them. DO NOT call the Fire District to remove bee colonies or hives. If you want bees removed, look in the yellow pages under 'bee removal' or 'beekeepers'. How to treat stings from Africanized bees: Treating stings from Africanized bees is much the same as treating a common bee sting. If a person is stung: • Keep the affected area below the heart • If the sting was by a bee and the stinger is still in the skin, remove it by gently scraping against it with your fingernail, a credit card or a knife.

Be careful not to squeeze the stinger. The venom sac still will be attached and you will inject additional venom into the area. Be sure to remove the venom sac. • Apply cold compresses to relieve pain and swelling but do not apply ice directly. • If it becomes difficult to breathe, call 9-1-1. Itching should quit within a few hours.

If it persists beyond two days, or if signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction occur after an insect bite you should be seen by a doctor. The signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction include: • Burning pain and itching at the bite site • Itching on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet • Itching on the neck and the groin • General body swelling • A nettlelike rash over the entire body • Difficulty breathing • Faintness, weakness • Nausea • Shock • Unconsciousness. The winter and spring rains result in a lot of vegetation around the Valley. But as temperatures climb, the vegetation dries out and becomes a serious fire risk.

Don’t let your home or property fall victim to a brush fire. Be sure to maintain your property and landscaping in a fire-wise condition. • Keep weeds and grass cut.

• Remove dead and piled up vegetation, and dispose of it properly. • Properly dispose of trash and debris. Piles of refuse such as old furniture, boxes and pallets are fires waiting to happen. Even old cars can burn! • Stack firewood away from structures, fences or anything else that may be combustible. If you live in an outlying or more rural area, consider these additional steps: • Create at least a 30-ft. Safety zone or firebreak around your home.

• Limit the use of flammable plants in landscape design. Choose fire resistant varieties. • Plant trees and large shrubs in sparse, separate areas. • Limit the use of trees and shrubs that have large volumes of foliage and branches.

• Limit the use of plants that have shaggy bark or dry leaves that shed annually. • Limit the use of plants that develop dry or dead undergrowth. • Limit the placement of plants next to structures, under eaves, overhangs, decks, etc. • Limit the use of plants placed at the bases of trees or large shrubs.

• Remove ladder fuels (plants that provide a link between the ground and tree limbs). Maintenance Hints: • Conduct regular maintenance to reduce the opportunity for brush fires. • Remove low hanging branches. Also, remove tree limbs around chimneys. • Keep the roof clear. Sweep gutters and eaves, and wash the roof on a regular basis to get rid of dry needles and leaves. • Control the height of ground vegetation and mow the grass often.

• Remove dead and accumulated vegetation, and dispose of it properly. • Provide enough water to keep plants healthy and green. Keep irrigation systems in good working order. • Top trees only when necessary as topping creates too many lower branches that can increase the fire danger. • Remove or thin the dead wood and the older trees beyond 100 feet from the house.

• Store and use flammable liquids properly. • ALWAYS dispose of cigarettes carefully.

CAT Electronic Technician: Caterpillar Electronic Technician (Cat ET) is diagnostic software required to communicate, diagnose and service electronically controlled Caterpillar engines and machines. When connected to an Electronic Control Module (ECM), a technician has the ability to diagnose existing and potential problems, configure the product, and obtain data for analysis. Cat ET features: • Displays parameter status • Displays active diagnostics • Clear and view logged diagnostics • Performs diagnostic tests • Print reports and diagnostic results • Perform calibrations • Displays current totals information, i.e. Fuel consumption, operating hours, etc. • Integration to help files • Creates engine warranty reports Caterpillar mails three software updates to each user annually (Version A, B, C). Each computer requires a software license. Software license expires annually.

A Cat Communications Adapter is required to connect a computer to the equipment. If you would like to purchase CAT ET, complete the web form below. If you have questions contact Susie Frazier at 480.633.4320.

*IMPORTANT: CAT ET IS ONLY AVAILABLE FROM EMPIRE CLIENTS LOCATED IN AZ OR CA. CAT ET REQUEST FORM FOR AZ/CA CLIENTS. * Company Name: Empire Account # Purchase Order # * Contact Name * Email: * Address: * City: * State: * Zip Code: * Contact Number: Purchase Items: CAT ET All product (NEXG5007) CAT ET Truck Engine only (TEPS dealers only NEXG5009) Start-up disc one time installation (For first time install JERD3003) Communication Adapter (For machine diagnosis 466-6258) I don't know what I need Eligible Client: Yes, I am located in Arizona or California Cat ET 2014A will be the LAST version supported under Windows XP. PC, Communication hardware, and cable Requirements To run the service tool, the following PC, communication hardware, and cable requirements must be met.

NOTE: The minimum PC Configurations should not be used as a standard when buying new personal computers for service tool purposes. If the existing equipment meets these minimum requirements, it will run the service tool. Recommended Configurations: • PC containing a 2.0 GHz dual-core processor • 3 GB RAM • 3 GB of available hard disk drive • DVD ROM drive • 15.4 inch XGA Screen (1280x1024 compatible) • Microsoft® Windows™ 7 Professional or Windows 8 Professional (Note: Windows 8 RT is not supported) • RS232 port with 16550AF UART or compatible (for use with Comm Adapter II) • USB 1.1 or 2.0 port (for use with Comm Adapter 3) • Ethernet RJ45 connector • Built in pointing device or mouse • For security purposes, Microsoft® Internet Explorer version 9 or newer is recommended.

Note: The most recent version of Microsoft® Internet Explorer may not be validated to work with the service tool. Minimum Configurations: • PC containing a Pentium 2 GHz processor or greater • 1GB RAM • 500MB of available hard disk drive • CD-ROM drive • Super VGA monitor or display (1024x768) • Microsoft® Windows™ 7 Professional or Windows 8 Professional (Note: Windows 8 RT is not supported) • RS232 port with 16550AF UART or compatible (for use with Comm Adapter II) • USB 1.1 or 2.0 port (for use with Comm Adapter 3) • Ethernet RJ45 connector • Built in pointing device or mouse • For security purposes, Microsoft® Internet Explorer version 9 or newer is recommended. Note: The most recent version of Microsoft® Internet Explorer may not be validated to work with the service tool.

COMPUTER-BASED TESTING Computer-based testing provides added benefits to those sitting for ASQ Certification. ASQ moved to computer-based testing in 2016. Candidates will take ASQ certification exams at a Prometric testing facility where the test will be delivered via computer in a Prometric proctored, secure environment.

• An increase in annual exam administrations from two to six • The availability of days in which to take the exams, increasing from four per year to 102 • The convenience of retesting, reducing time from 6 months to 2 • An increased number of testing locations, from 350 to 8,000 • And faster test results, from 10 days to 0-4.