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| Fall 2013 | ||||||||
Preparing for a storm |
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Fall is nearing its end and winter is coming, a time when there can still be thunderstorms and hurricanes, and snowstorms are inevitable. It’s a good idea to be prepared for this type of extreme weather, and also know what to do when the storm hits. Emergency kit
The kit should contain a portable radio, flashlights, extra batteries, bottled water, canned food and a can opener, and a first aid kit. Keep the emergency kit in one of the upper floors of the house instead of the basement, where the items could be damaged by flooding.
In addition to putting together an emergency kit, you should plan and practice how you and your family would leave the house in the event of a flood. This is called an evacuation plan. Look around the outside of your house to see where there is higher ground. That’s where it’s going to be safer to walk, because there will be less water. Listen to the radio for information during times of flooding. If you think you might need to leave your home, bring in any outdoor furniture and move important or expensive items to an upper floor. Unplug electrical appliances. If there is water already on the floor, do not touch electrical devices. If a flood strikes and you are leaving home, try to stay away from deep or moving water. Make sure your parents don’t drive into flooded areas. If the car gets stuck in the water, get out, walk away, and phone for help. Do not return to your house until you are told to do so by the police or fire department. Downed power lines For more information on how to stay safe around electricity and downed power lines, visit the Electrical and Natural Gas Safety portion of our Website. |
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Hydroelectric power |
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Hydroelectric power is electricity produced by moving water. Moving water turns the blades of a turbine in a hydroelectric plant. The turbine is connected to a generator, which creates an electric current. This type of power is called renewable energy because it will never run out. There is a limited supply of coal, oil, and natural gas, but water will always be running. Hydroelectric power, also called hydropower, is the most widely used renewable energy in the world. It accounts for almost 20 percent of the world’s energy production. Some countries, like Paraguay and Norway, produce all of their electricity through hydropower. In the United States, only about 7 percent of the electricity is produced by hydroelectric plants. That’s because many parts of the country do not have the water or land necessary for hydropower. How hydropower works The land can’t be flat because the water won’t flow. So there are very few hydroelectric plants in Florida and Kansas, where the land is flat. However, in states like Oregon, Washington, and Idaho—where there are large changes in the height of the land—there are many hydroelectric plants. A hydroelectric plant consists of a dam, which is built at the high point of a body of water, and water turbines, which spin when the water passes through. The dam stores the water and a large pipe delivers the water to the turbines. After the water flows through the dam, it spills back into a body of water called a reservoir. Advantages of hydropower Since the water always flows, hydropower can be generated all the time. It doesn’t depend on wind or sunshine. Disadvantages of hydropower Most people feel that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages and that hydroelectric sources are a good way to produce clean, reliable electricity. For more information on hydropower and other renewable forms of energy, visit the Environment and Energy Efficiency portions of our Website.
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Standing up for what’s right |
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Why is that? One of the reasons could be something called “peer pressure.” Your peers are kids who are around the same age as you. Sometimes you feel pressure to act the same way they act and do what they do. It’s a natural way to feel because you want to have friends and you want people to like you. So sometimes you “go along with the crowd” even though you think it’s the wrong thing to do. For example, if you were with a bunch of kids and they were making fun of someone in your class, you might join in, even if you liked that person. Because if you didn’t do what they were doing or told them to stop, they might not like it. And you’re thinking that they might not like you, either. So that puts you in a tough spot. You don’t really want to make fun of someone for no reason but you don’t want to feel left out, either. What should you do? Next, don’t be afraid to stand up for what you believe is right. Don’t be afraid to stand up for other kids who might be shy or scared. Even though some kids like to “go along with the crowd,” there are many more who will think a lot of you for speaking up when something is wrong. Sometimes it takes a little bit of courage, but you’ll always feel better afterward. Right and wrong The only way to stop those things is to speak out and stand up for what you believe is right. Don’t worry about what some of the kids might think. Your real friends will look up to you. For more information on ethics, why they matter, and how you can use them, visit the Ethics Explorer portion of our Website. |
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Explore our world of energy education… |
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Most flooding is caused by heavy rain, but it can also happen during cold weather or after a snowstorm. When the ground is frozen and snow melts, the water can’t seep into the ground, so it flows into lakes, streams, and rivers. If the banks can’t hold the extra water, it overflows and causes flooding.
In almost every situation, you know the right thing to do. But you don’t always do it. Or you at least think about doing something you know might be wrong.
#9445 © 2013 Culver Media, LLC |