The Urban Lady Prepper Newsletter

Monday, July 29 2024

Welcome to the ULP newsletter!  I hope you find the information useful. 

***Sorry for the delay – healing from hand surgery ***

NEW PODCAST: Conquer Chaos, Maximize Preparedness – My Guide to Organizing Your Preps

LAST WEEK: New Season, New Resolve for Survival

Did you know?

• NASA has confirmed that a cave was found on the moon, and several others may be available to house astronauts.
• Despite what you may have heard, owls can’t turn their heads all the way around. Some experts believe they can, but owls are confirmed to turn their heads up to 270 degrees without damage. They need this capability because they have fixed eye sockets.
• Ketchup was once sold as a medicine! In the 18th and 19th centuries, ketchup was believed to cure everything from indigestion to the common cold.

THIS WEEK’S

STORIES

General News:

• PFAs – or “forever chemicals” because of the extensive time it takes for them to break down – have made even our rainwater unsafe to drink. A report submitted by researchers states that in many areas inhabited by humans, the PFA contamination levels in rainwater, surface water, and soil “often greatly exceed” the strictest international guidelines for acceptable levels. Prior research has linked the chemicals to prostate, kidney, and testicular cancer, developmental delays in children, decreased fertility in both sexes, reduced vaccine efficacy, and high cholesterol. Worse, the companies that did the polluting knew of the dangers. While guidelines have kept the levels from increasing, the chemicals already released will remain.
• According to a report submitted by environmental groups, Crypto Mining is a climate disaster. The Environmental Protection Agency calculated that the intensive network of computers required to “mine” Bitcoin to verify transactions and compete for coins had a carbon footprint of three times that of the largest U.S. coal plant…or nearly the annual emissions of 6 million cars. In 2022, a pause was implemented, and Bitcoin rival Ethereum made a change that was projected to reduce its energy usage by 99%. But as crypto-currency slowly ekes its way into our lives, there is the reality that the demand for Crypto and the energy it needs to function will have a devastating impact on our climate goals. 

Food News:

• Boar’s Head has recalled several types of deli meats that may be contaminated with listeria. While the main product was liverwurst, other meats, such as bologna and salami, with sell-by dates of AUG 10 were included. Complete information here.

• The recall of canned coffee products is still ongoing as a Class II recall, meaning “a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.” When in doubt, throw it out…

Gardening/Growing Tips:

Pick your tomatoes BEFORE they fully ripen! Once your tomatoes have their “color break” from green into red, they will continue to ripen off the vine. This will allow your tomato plant to use that energy to produce more fruit instead.

ULP NEWS: 

The ULP podcast now has over 400 downloads in just 2 months, with its last three podcasts achieving 30 downloads in the first week, putting it in the top 50% of all podcasts. Thank you! I have uploaded the new episode, which you can download here.

Disaster Tip of the Week: Heat Stroke

With triple-digit temperatures, whether actual or “real-feel,” this heat has been no joke. While I express what the heat is doing to our water and food supply, etc., I haven’t really delved into what it does to us. We hear the same tips a lot, but they bear repeating, and there may be a couple you didn’t know:

• Stay cool! Stay in an air-conditioned building or other cool environment as much as possible. Close windows and curtains during the day and open them at night. Use fans.
• Dress appropriately. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. A wide-brimmed hat can help keep your head cool in the sun.
• Stay hydrated! Drink plenty of fluids, such as water, fruit juices, or sports drinks, even if you’re not thirsty. Avoid alcohol, hot drinks, and very cold drinks.
• Limit outdoor activity. Try to schedule outdoor activities during cooler times, like in the morning or evening. If you must be outside during the day, avoid the hottest part of the afternoon and take frequent breaks in shady areas. Pace yourself and cut down on strenuous exercise.
• Protect your skin. Wear sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher and reapply every two hours. Sunburn can make it harder for your body to cool down and can lead to dehydration. And, for my melanin-rich people – it’s a myth that we don’t sunburn – we do! We need to use sunscreen too! 
• Take care of others. Don’t leave children, pets, or anyone else in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked or in the shade. Cars can quickly heat up to dangerous temperatures, especially in the sun. Check on your family and friends!chart: CDC

If someone is suffering from Heat stroke:

1. Cool the person. Move the person to a shady area and remove any excess clothing. Then, you can try these methods to cool them down: a cool shower or tub, pray them with a garden hose, sponge them with cool water, fan them while misting them with cool water, place cold, wet towels or ice packs on their neck, armpits, groin, cheeks, palms, and soles. Cover them with cool, damp sheets
2. Offer fluids. If the person is conscious and can drink, you can offer them chilled water, a sports drink with electrolytes, or another nonalcoholic beverage without caffeine. Do not give them aspirin, ibuprofen, or paracetamol.
3. If the person loses consciousness, put them in the recovery position (on their side, top leg bent, under arm stretched out) while you wait for help. If they show no signs of circulation, such as breathing, coughing, or movement, begin CPR. 

You should also call 911 or your local emergency medical service immediately. 

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