This morning we met with Tom Jenson, the fire marshal in Edina, MN, to film a quick and fun video on how to use fire extinguishers (look for it soon!). We were like kids in a candy store - completely in awe of all the fun fire equipment and shiny trucks.

One of their newest fire and rescue vehicles on site was especially designed for their Minnesota Structural Collapse team - a team that is specifically trained to help in instances like the bridge collapse. We got to see all the amazing equipment on board - ropes, shoring, extra fire extinguishers, tools and many more things I couldn’t put a name on.

What was also interesting to learn was how specialty teams are deployed. Any fire department in need of additional assistance (HAZMAT, dive teams, structural collapse, etc.) puts in a call to the duty officer at the state fire marshal’s office who then contacts the appropriate squad.

Hopkins, MN, has a team dedicated to HAZMAT-related rescues and cleanups where as Edina deals with structural collapse. It was great to hear how well resources and knowledge is shared across city and county lines.
So the main reason we were there…to shoot our first instructional video! I’ll be sure to let you know when we’ve got that up and running.

In the meantime, here’s a video that the Edina Fire Department already shot on their own time: Grease Fire Demonstration.

Key points from our interview and the video:

1. Call 9-1-1 first before attempting to fight any fire.

2. Don’t use water on grease fires - it creates a huge explosion!!!

3. Grab a lid, cover the pan and LEAVE IT THERE to stop the grease fire. Wait until the pan is cool otherwise the fire could start up again once exposed to oxygen.
4. More fire extinguisher and fire safety tips…

Here in the land of 10,000 lakes (Minnesota) not a winter goes by without a news story about how someone lost their truck or snowmobile due to thin lake ice.

Don’t let that happen to you!

Before venturing out on a frozen lake or pond keep in mind: There is no such thing as 100 percent safe ice.

Here are a few tips from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. (I also checked out the recommendations from other states and they’re about the same):

Recommended minimum ice thickness

• 4″ of new clear ice is the minimum thickness for travel on foot
• 5″ is minimum for snowmobiles and ATVs
• 8″- 12″ for cars or small trucks

(Remember that these thicknesses are merely guidelines for new, clear, solid ice. Many factors other than thickness can cause ice to be unsafe.)

Other Tips 

1. Check for known thin ice areas with a local resort or bait shop.

2. Test the thickness yourself using an ice chisel, ice auger or even a cordless 1/4 inch drill with a long bit.

3. Refrain from driving on ice whenever possible.

• If you must drive a vehicle, be prepared to leave it in a hurry–keep windows down, unbuckle your seat belt and have a simple emergency plan of action you have discussed with your passengers.

4. Stay away from alcoholic beverages.

• Even “just a couple of beers” are enough to cause a careless error in judgment that could cost you your life. And contrary to common belief, alcohol actually makes you colder rather than warming you up.

5. Don’t “overdrive” your snowmobile’s headlight.

• At even 30 miles per hour, it can take a much longer distance to stop on ice than your headlight shines. Many fatal snowmobile through-the-ice accidents occur because the machine was traveling too fast for the operator to stop when the headlamp illuminated the hole in the ice.

6. Wear a life vest under your winter gear.

• Or wear one of the new flotation snowmobile suits. And it’s a good idea to carry a pair of ice picks that may be home made or purchased from most well stocked sporting goods stores that cater to winter anglers.
• It’s amazing how difficult it can be to pull yourself back onto the surface of unbroken but wet and slippery ice while wearing a snowmobile suit weighted down with 60 lbs of water. The ice picks really help pulling yourself back onto solid ice.
• CAUTION: Do NOT wear a flotation device when traveling across the ice in an enclosed vehicle!

Read more about how to help someone who’s fallen in or how to get out yourself…

Thanks to the Minnesota DNR!

I spend the holidays with at least 6-7 dogs. While it is fun to cuddle and play with all of them, there’s also a lot of mayhem and barking!

Have a safe holiday season with your pets with these tips from the American Kennel Club (AKC):

• Daily routines change during the holidays, but try to maintain a feeding and walking schedule as close to your dog’s normal routine as possible

• Keep your driveway clean. Anti-freeze is attractive but lethal to pets. Ice-melting chemicals and salt are harmful to your dog’s paws

• Avoid feeding your dog table scraps and sweets

• Avoid decorating with popcorn or cranberry strands, tinsel and glass ornaments and keep small decorations out of your dog’s reach

• Consider using an artificial tree.Tree water and pine needles are harmful to dogs. Other holiday plants which are toxic to dogs are poinsettias, holly and mistletoe.

Happy Holidays!!!

You’ve asked for it - you’ve got it. A cleaner, more navigable version of WhatHappensNow.com.

So what can you expect in the new WhatHappensNow.com??

More of the same great material you’ve been getting: interviews, top tips and real-life stories from experts and everyday Americans who have lived through some of life’s toughest events.

HOW DO I NAVIGATE THE NEW SITE?
Use the sidebar on the main site to browse through our 7 topics:

• Accidents
• Fire
• Health
• Natural Disasters
• Life
• Theft
• Travel

Our brand-new Library page offers a complete listing of all our forms, articles, tips, podcasts and more.

We’ve also retweaked our search: use the search box in the top right corner of every page to find the information you need.

WHAT ELSE IS NEW?

Now you can better help a friend in need: email articles to others, bookmark them on deli.cio.us, or share your favorite tips on digg.

Stay tuned and check back often - we’re updating the site every day with new articles, interviews and tips. We’re also working on a newer blog design to match the new site so check back often here at the blog, too!

Have a great tip you’d love to see featured on the new site or on the blog? Email us!

Before you suit up and head out the door for a quick snowmobile ride, be safe and be smart: the Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that about 13,400 hospital emergency room-treated injuries occur each year with snowmobiles.

The CPSC offers these tips to have a safe ride:

By Lauren W., our College Blogger

At some point in the spring or summer of your senior year in high school, a packet comes in the mailbox: inside is a roommate form.

You specify what you’re cleaning and studying habits are, your interests, whether you are a morning or night person, among many other things. These roommate forms get shipped back to the college or university and the magic happens: the person you will share a tiny dorm room for two semesters is determined.

For many people, figuring out how to live with another person can be the biggest challenge in freshmen year. Learning how to deal with living with another person is a part of the college education, but there are ways to make it easier:

Go Random!

Know someone going to the same college as you? Try NOT to be their roommate. Freshmen year is an opportunity to immerse yourself in things outside of your comfort zone.

Rooming with best friends from high school can be dangerous because your best friend’s personality at home can be completely different once you’re in college. Having a new person in your life can open up different experiences and opinions, and it is a great chance to reinvent yourself as well.

Be Honest

Honestly, not every roommate will be your best friend, or even what you would consider a friend. However, you both share a small space and need to make things work.

If something is bothering you about your roommate or something they are doing, do not be passive aggressive. Be polite, but let them know how you feel. This way is the best way.

As long as you can agree to be respectful, there should not be a problem. If there is a problem let your RA know, usually there is a roommate switch within the first two weeks of school and even at the start of the second semester.

Embrace the Differences

Usually college freshmen are not granted a roommate that is exactly the same as themselves. However these differences can lead to a great thing. You can bond over learning about each other’s interests, social groups, among other things. If social habits are completely different (or maybe too different!) do not hesitate to make rules about guest policies.

I was just perusing some of the blog’s archives and I found a couple of great posts that are really helpful for this time of year:

Tired Out: The last thing you want to have happen this snowy season is to end up in the ditch. Keeping your tires in optimal condition is the top prevention tip. Learn more…

Gift Card Scamming: Thinking of buying a gift card for a present this year? Read these Better Business Bureau tips before you head to the store…

They See It All - Tips from Snow Plow Drivers: Who better to give us winter driving tips than snow plow drivers??!

Snow Days: As a hearty survivor of 20+ Minnesota winters, I just had to share my top 5 winter survival tips.

Want more winter prep tips? Visit our Blizzard category! 

The deadline is looming for many high school seniors as they scramble to finish their college applications before the end of the year.

College essays can certainly be daunting and overwhelming when you also have finals to worry about. Here are some helpful sites to check out (thanks to Al Tompkins at Poynter for the list!):

• “What’s in a College Essay?”

• “Essay Tips for Your Child”

• “Types of Essays & Sample Questions”

• “Recipe for a Draft”

• “College Application Calendar”

Want more? Read tips from our college blogger, Lauren, who is a freshman at Loyola University in Chicago…

By Lauren W., our College Blogger

It is the end of the semester and the whole campus is abuzz with holiday spirit and the thoughts of going home. However, there is an obstacle in the way…finals.

During the week leading up to the dreaded finals there is mass panic to finish papers, grab the in-class participation points, and making the most memorable group presentation ever. Finals tend to be a stressful time for most students, but there are ways to relax during finals and still do well on them!

Do NOT Procrastinate

Procrastinating is so easy to do. When faced with so many opportunities to get involved, go out for a night on the town, or even just to watch a TV show with your roommate, it is easy to put off assignments. However, many colleges will have study days before finals.

Take advantage of these and use your time to really crack down on what needs to get done. In the long wrong you will be happy that you are not stressed about getting things done, chances are the grade will be better, and you may get more sleep!

Study Groups

Find a group of people who are in your class and get together to study. A lot of times their notes will have different information or a different viewpoint on the same subject. Study groups can help come up with the best answers using everyone’s ideas and information. They allow you to ask questions you are not sure of when you can not as a professor.

Stay Healthy

This seems easy enough to do, but the weeks leading up to finals can lead to many bad habits. Make sure to get enough sleep, eat healthy, and do more than sit in your room. Pulling all-nighters can be disastrous to a person’s sleep schedule.

If an all-nighter is necessary, stay away from highly caffeinated beverages and sugared things to stay awake. Drink a lot of water and eat foods, such as power bars, that will give you strength and energy to pull through the ten-page paper that is due tomorrow.

Burglaries can happen at anytime and to anyone. Charlize Theron is just the latest victim in a string of Hollywood Hills break-ins. Her house was broken into this weekend, according to Tmz.com. There is no word yet of what if anything was taken.
So what can you do to make sure your home is safe from burglars? Well, nothing is burglar-proof but there are a few things you can do to keep thieves at bay:

1. Lock up: Don’t make it any easier for thieves. Keep doors and windows locked tight. Not sure about the safety of the locks or the quality of your doors? Top improvement tips from home security experts…

2. Home security evaluations: Contact your local police department — many police departments offer free home security checks.

• A uniformed officer will visit your home and evaluate your locks, windows, lighting, shrubbery, alarms systems, etc. and then provide improvement recommendations. Follow through with these recommendations.
• Your insurance company might also provide these kind of services.

3. Security systems: Consider equipping your home with a security system. Alarm systems can alert the police or fire departments directly, include a panic button and an outside alarm.

• Read our article Buying a Home Security System to learn more.

4. Keep reading…