Salem-News.com Safety Tips articles

Recent Tornadoes Spur Strategies for Improving Disaster Prep

We can demand that the Congress of the United States gear up and at least pass an Disaster Preparation Enhancement Act.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Our country is clearly vulnerable to havoc. Those recent tornadoes that spun across the South, wiping out over 200 innocent lives and millions of dollars in structural damage certainly drives home that point.

Hibernate not--it's a powerful wake-up call!

Thunderstorms Are a Deadly, Destructive Force, Warns IBHS

“Thunderstorms do not receive as much notoriety as hurricanes or the other perils of Mother Nature, but they are a force to be reckoned with” - Julie Rochman, IBHS president and CEO

(TAMPA, Fla.) - Insurers and homeowners are keeping a close watch on the Atlantic Basin for hurricane activity this summer.

Major Travel Delays, Flooding Threaten San Francisco to Los Angeles

Conditions improve across California Wednesday afternoon into Wednesday night as the rain tapers off and winds diminish.

(SAN FRANCISCO) - Forecasters say after facing raging wildfires that threatened their homes late this summer, some California residents are now dealing with the threat of devastating flooding, mudslides and debris flows.

A major storm system bearing down on the West Coast will continue unleashing torrential rainfall and producing tropical storm-force winds across California. In addition to flooding and mudslides, the rain and wind will also lead to mounting airport delays, disrupted traffic and potential power outages.

Potential Fruit Fly Invasion Serious Threat for Oregon Fruit

Officials say the insects could shut down all of Oregon's fresh fruit sales.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The spotted wing Drosophila, which some have dubbed the “Dragon Fruit Fly”, has invaded Oregon from California and has already been confirmed in several Oregon fruit crops. Terry Witt with Oregonians for Food & Shelter, says the crops likely to be invaded include blueberries, caneberries and grapes.

Stuart Olson, a local peach, apple and cherry grower, believes this could literally shut down fresh fruit sales from Oregon. "Unlike the vinegar fruit fly that takes to rotted fruit, this critter infects ripening fruit and is visible in the fruit as a small maggot."

BBB Warns Against Twitter Money-Making Schemes

Read the Fine Print or Risk Getting Burned With Twitter Work-at-home Offers.

(LAKE OSWEGO, Ore.) - Through Tweets, e-mail and Web sites, job hunters are being told that they can make lots of money from the comfort of home using Twitter and Better Business Bureau warns that the large print for such offers may promise big returns but the fine print can cost them every month.

Currently 14.5 million Americans are out of work and looking for a way to bring home a paycheck according to the most recent jobs report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Oregon River Rescuers Busy Over Weekend

Clackamas County Deputies Join Forces With Oregon State Police On The Clackamas River‏.

(CLACKAMAS, Ore.) - Clackamas County Sheriff's Marine Patrol and Oregon State Police Fish & Game Officers joined forces over the weekend focusing enhanced enforcement on the Clackamas River.

On Saturday, July 25, 2009, between 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. five Oregon State Police Troopers and ten Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Marine personnel focused attention on the Clackamas River – between Barton and Carver.

Revaccinations Recommended for Nearly 22,000 Patients in Oregon After Storage Errors Found

Health clinics and the state Public Health Division are working together to notify patients after vaccine storage errors were discovered in facilities owned by three private clinics in Oregon. State public health officials recommend nearly 22,000 patients in 12 cities receive revaccinations.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Health clinics and the state Public Health Division are working together to notify patients after vaccine storage errors were discovered in facilities owned by three private clinics in Oregon.

State public health officials recommend nearly 22,000 patients in 12 cities receive revaccinations.

Salem Police plan Kick Off party for National Night Out

They want to encourage citizen participation.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Salem Police Department Crime Prevention Unit announces its third annual National Night Out Kick-Off Party to be held Tuesday, July 21, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall atrium just outside the police department.

Salem residents are invited to attend to help boost community enthusiasm about hosting a neighborhood block party for National Night Out, which is Tuesday, August 4th 2009.

Fire Displaces Hillsboro Couple

Hillsboro Fire and Rescue reminds all residents to be aware of possible overloading of electrical circuits. And encourages home owners to unplug appliances when they are not in use.

(HILLSBORO, Ore.) - Early Thursday evening the neighbors of Jesse and Sonja Sanders called 9-1-1 to report a fire at the Sanders home on 2107 SE Currin Lane in Hillsboro.

Bruce Montgomery with Hillsboro Fire, says the Sanders had left for church just minutes before smoke was spotted coming from a window on the south side of the house. Hillsboro fire crews were dispatched at 7:27 p.m.

Portland Firefighters Battle 2 Alarm Fire in West Hills (PHOTOS)

Firefighters made an aggressive attack but because of the extent of the fire and questions about safety, they withdrew from the home for about 30 minutes dousing the fire from a safe distance.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Firefighters from Portland Fire & Rescue and Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue responded to the report of a BBQ grill on fire and extending to the house Wednesday at about 1:00 p.m. The house is located at 13516 NW Glendoveer Drive.

Lt. Allen Oswalt with Portland Fire & Rescue says firefighters encountered several challenges in bringing the fight to this fire.