COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL September 14, 2016
9A
Are you ready?
D ISASTER P REPAREDNESS
Pruning a tree is a job best left
for professionals
Bountiful, healthy trees can
be beautiful to behold and im-
portant contributors to a thriv-
ing environment. According to
American Forests, a nonprofi t
conservation organization, a
tree can absorb as much as 40
pounds of carbon dioxide per
year and can sequester one ton
of carbon dioxide by the time
the tree reaches age 40. The
United States Forest Service
adds that trees placed properly
around a home can reduce air
conditioning and heating de-
mands considerably.
Many homeowners are con-
tent to leave healthy trees alone.
However, trees eventually must
be pruned or removed if they
become safety risks or pose oth-
er threats. Trees with roots that
are damaging home foundations
or those with limbs overhanging
property limits or power lines
can be troublesome. Although
homeowners can handle rela-
tively minor tree maintenance,
for a variety of reasons, many
tree projects are best left to the
professionals.
Avoid injury
Professional tree contractors
recognize and understand the
hazards associated with tree
and limb removal. Many oper-
ate in accordance with national
or local guidelines to maintain
proper clearance of power lines
and structures.
Trimming trees close to elec-
trical lines puts a person at risk
of being electrocuted. Profes-
sionals know how to protect
themselves and prevent power
outages, which can result when
limbs come into contact with
power lines.
Professional tree services
will use machinery appropriate
for the task. Cherrypickers and
cranes may lift workers to the
correct height to work on trees,
while do-it-yourselfers who rely
on climbing trees or using lad-
ders are at risk of injury.
Prevent damage to the tree
Many tree services under-
stand the proper way to prune
trees to minimize stress and
damage to the tree itself. Nov-
ice pruners may inadvertently
do more harm than good, result-
ing in proliferation of tree dis-
ease or shock. Improper pruning
technique also can lead to an
unsightly tree.
Liability
A professional tree service
will possess the correct liabil-
ity and worker’s compensation
insurance. This protects home-
owners against litigation should
someone be injured while tree
work is being done.
Homeowners who damage
neighboring properties when
cutting down a tree may fi nd
that they are not covered by
their homeowner’s insurance
policies. This can be a costly
mistake that’s easily avoided
by simply hiring a fully insured
tree removal service.
The right tools
The right tools can mean the
difference between a job done
correctly and one that results in
disaster. Professional arborists
and tree services have acquired
the training, tools and tech-
niques to perform the job safely.
This includes using the right
tools to tackle the job. Ropes,
pulleys, cranes, stump grinders,
and other heavy machinery are
just a few of the tools tree ser-
vices have at their disposal that
the average homeowner does
not.
Trimming or removing trees
can be an unpredictable and po-
tentially dangerous endeavor.
Such work is best left to profes-
sionals.
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Hurricane Sandy highlights
importance of storm preparedness
Hurricane Sandy, which blew
through the northeastern United
States in late October of 2012,
left a path of destruction in its
wake thanks to a record-break-
ing low pressure system and a
tidal surge that caused many
coastal areas to be submerged in
water. The storm crippled trans-
portation systems, caused epic
fl ooding, even in areas that nev-
er had water breach storm walls
before, knocked out power for
millions of people and was re-
sponsible for scores of fatali-
ties.
Although many people heed-
ed the evacuation warnings
in areas expected to be hit the
hardest, others took precautions
by stocking up on food, water
and battery-powered items. But
no one could fathom the scope
of damage Sandy would bring.
In the wake of Sandy’s destruc-
tion, many people have resolved
to go to greater lengths to pre-
pare for future disasters. Those
making plans for change in the
new year may want to move di-
saster preparedness to the top of
their to-do lists.
Record-breaking storms have
increased in frequency and in-
tensity in recent years. Hurri-
canes Katrina, Irene and Sandy
are each glaring examples of just
how devastating such storms can
be, and how important it is to be
prepared for such disasters. The
following are a few preparation
suggestions from FEMA, the
Federal Emergency Manage-
ment Agency.
* Pack an emergency “go
bag.” Individuals may be urged
to evacuate their homes when
certain storms are on the hori-
zon. Doing so quickly and ef-
fectively means having packed
items at the ready to grab at a
moment’s notice. Pack several
changes of clothes, some cash,
medications,
identifi cation,
snacks and water, a fi rst-aid kit
and a list of important phone
numbers.
* Have an emergency pre-
paredness kit. People who are
not in the immediate danger
zones and will be staying put
can have a kit at home that in-
cludes the following items:
* one gallon of water for each
person for three days
* nonperishable foods that
your family has enjoyed before
and will last at least three days
* baby wipes and garbage
bags for personal sanitation
* plastic sheeting
* duct tape
* wrench or pliers
* whistle
* batteries and battery-oper-
ated fl ashlights and radios
* can opener
* cell phone with charger
* infant formula and diapers,
if necessary
* matches in a waterproof
container
* household bleach for sanita-
tion
* paper and pencils
* pet food
* Develop a communication
plan. Establish a communica-
tion plan so that family can be
contacted and notifi ed of your
situation should you be sepa-
rated from your home or if fam-
ily members become separated
from one another.
* Don’t forget entertainment.
If power is lost for an extended
period of time, many of the elec-
tronics that keep children and
adults amused will be rendered
useless. Have books, puzzles
and manual toys available for
entertainment.
* Pack your prescription
medications. Individuals who
are on maintenance medica-
tions should be sure to refi ll or
have doctors call in a refi ll to a
pharmacy prior to the arrival of
a storm.
* Stock up on fuel. In the
event of a power failure, fuel
pumps do not work and gas
shortages may occur. Fill your
gas tank and have several gal-
lons of gasoline available to run
a generator if you have one.
* Carry some cash. It is im-
portant to withdraw cash before
a storm arrives. The ATM at
your local bank may not oper-
ate, and the bank may be closed.
Stores may not be able to accept
credit or debit cards.
A disaster is something no
one anticipates. But everyone
can and should take measures to
prepare for a disaster should one
such as Hurricane Sandy occur.
Make sure all the pieces are in place to render you and your family prepared in the event of a natural disaster.
• Listen to radio or television newscasts for the latest weather information, and follow all evacuation directions and suggestions.
• Keep a stock of non-perishable food items as well as bottled water on hand inside your home.
• Keep a 72 Hour Kit on hand inside your home that is easy to get to in the event of a disaster.
For more information and tips on disaster response and preparedness, contact your local emergency services center.
South Lane Fire & Rescue • 233 Harrison Ave, Cottage Grove 541-942-4493 • 55 South 1st Street, Creswell 541-895-2506
Twitter: @southlanefi re
Facebook: southlanecountyfi reandrescue