Prepare Your Home for Disaster-Related Storage

Disasters occur at any time, and might come in both expected and unexpected forms. Those who already have or are looking for storage facilities during periods or in areas prone to disaster might find the following tips useful. One cannot predict everything, but being prepared when the time comes is important.

Insurance

During the disaster period, it is important to have a protection plan for the unit. Look for a company that offers a comprehensive protection plan for any damages that might occur to items when they are in the storage unit. The cost of this protection is normally added to the monthly rent, but will eventually prove to be worth it. Closetbox Locations offer bonded and insured storage and will provide as much protection as needed.

Evacuation

Sometimes even in times of disaster, warnings are received way beforehand and people are told to evacuate. If possible, look for a storage facility that is accessible and that has easy access routes. This will make it easy to evacuate stored items and together with the family, get to a safe spot.

Warning signs

It does not take an expert to know the warning signs. Most people who have lived in an area for long know when disaster is approaching and normally take precautions in time. Those living in disaster prone areas might do well to research the warning signs and be prepared. Sometimes quick action on the part of the tenant might save them a lot in damages.

image:closetbox.me

Packaging

Most storage facilities are built to withstand the mild disaster, but it feels good knowing that even if, for instance, flood waters seep into the facility, books and clothes will be safe. Use packaging that can protect one’s belongings from damage, like airtight or watertight bins, allowing them to stay safe during times of disaster.

Post disaster

After the disaster happens, families that find it unbearable might be forced to move to areas they consider safer. This normally calls for some sort of storage as the family moves and looks for alternative accommodation. In such situations, consider a storage facility that offers;

• Safety: disaster can often recur within a few days of the first wave. Have a storage facility away from the disaster prone area in order to be completely safe
• Access: choose a facility that allows frequent access to common household items, with clear roads that will not be affected all through the day
• Movement: choose a facility that makes it easy for one to slowly move the items to the new house once the family finds a proper location to live. Many companies now offer mobile storage facilities, containers with which one can move wherever they elect to go next.

Whether it is with the view of moving away from the disaster prone area or simply storing away the items most likely to be damaged until the disaster passes, it is important to choose a reliable and trustworthy storage option. Disaster situations often leave many people reeling with losses. With enough preparation and a good storage facility choice, surviving the whole or deal will be easier.

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Family Customs and Traditions around the World

 

Courtesy: Trevor Mill Graphic Designer LTD

Each country has its own set of cultures, values and traditions. There are those who prefer to put their elderly in home care or keep them in the family. In many international schools in Manila with tuition fee, this is included in the school’s official curriculum. Some may find these practices repulsive but it can’t be helped especially since it’s already a part of the culture. To let you know, here are some family customs and traditions around the world:

Japan

Most families are nuclear, especially those who live in the urban areas. Slightly extended families, such as an elderly parent living with the couple and their children, are not uncommon. However in general, extended kin groups no longer play a major role in a married couple’s daily lives. Mothers pay a lot of attention on their children, and child rearing is considered a very important responsibility for women in their twenties and thirties. Many women give birth to their first child after a year of marriage and married couples without children are uncommon. Fathers are less involved when raising a child because it involves a high degree of physical and emotional interaction between the mother and the offspring, which makes close psychological ties between mothers and children extremely common.

South Korea

Before a couple enters marriage, family background and educational levels are important considerations especially when matchmaking. However, many urbanites find their spouse at schools or workplaces and have a love marriage although there are others who find their partners through arranged meetings by family, friends or a professional matchmaker. Marriage has been regarded as a union of the man and woman’s families and it is a means to ensure the continuity of the husband’s family line. Divorce is rare in South Korea but there are statistics that said divorce rates tripled from 1980-1994. Traditionally, three-generation stem families from the husband’s side live in the same house. That custom continues but some couples now live with the parents of the wife. Usually, in an extended family, the housekeeping tasks are usually performed by the daughter-in-law unless she works outside the home.  Children receive a great deal of affection, nurturing and indulgence from their parents and they were seldom separated from their mothers, especially when they were still infants.

Spain

Today, Spaniards marry for mutual attracting and shun the idea of arranged marriages. Most Spaniards live in nuclear family households consisting of their parents and children. As a Spanish saying goes “casadocassaquiere” which means “a married person wants a house”. Older couples or unmarried adults often live on their own. Infants are treated with affection and reprimanding them is often accompanied by kisses. Adults do not shame children in the public, although there are threats since it is considered as a tool to teach desirable conduct. Men and women alike shower affection on babies although more and more urban middle class fathers treat their growing children more formally than their mothers do.

Russia

Russians consider romantic love as the only acceptable motivation for marriage. People frequently meet partners at school, work, and clubs, the latter becoming a popular meeting place recently. Premarital sex is generally accepted and marriages arising from unplanned pregnancies are common. The multigenerational extended family living with the husband’s family characterized peasant life until the turn of the 20^th century although household size varies by region. The nuclear family is the most important domestic unit and married couples usually move into another house or apartment, away from their parents. Many couples with children live with a widowed parent of one spouse, often the grandmother, who provides child care and food preparation. Sometimes, a grandparent’s monthly pension may contribute to the family budget.

New Zealand

Marriages are entered into by mutual choice, unless the person belongs to a Muslim, Hindu and a few Chinese groups. Parental consent is required if one of the partners or both are under 20 years of age. The only ground for divorce is irreconcilable breakdown. Traditional weddings are still evident but there are more people who plan their own. The nuclear family still predominates although there is an increase in the number of single-parent homes. Children, even infants, may spend a lot of time in the house of an “aunt”, a close female relative or friend who can provide full or part-time infant and child care.

Philippines

Marriage is both a civil and religious ceremony. It is similar to those in the United States with the addition of sponsors. Principal sponsors are friends and relatives and the bigger the number of principal sponsors, the more popular a couple is. Arranged marriages have not been a part of the Filipino life however, men are expected to marry. If they have not married during their late twenties, female relatives will then introduce him to potential brides. Young professionals often wait until their late twenties to marry and long engagements are common. During this period, the couple become established in jobs, can pay for the education of younger siblings and acquire household items.

The most important societal unit is the extended family, especially for the women. Mothers and daughters make the decisions concerning the home without conferring with the males in the family. One child typically remains in the family home to care for the parents and grandparents. This child, usually a daughter, may or may not be married. The home may include an assortment of children from the extended family and single aunts and uncles. Most of the time, several houses may be established in the same lot to keep the family together.

About the Blogger

Sue Reyes is a former writer for CNN Philippines and Aspiring Fashion Blogger

Follow her on twitter: @suereyesfashion

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Preparing for Your Consultation with a Family Law Attorney

When legal disputes arise within families, finding the right family law attorney is an important step towards getting the best resolution. A good place to start is by looking at websites for attorneys in your local area. Nearly every attorney and law firm has a website these days where you can learn how much experience an attorney has and what their credentials are. Also, look for someone who has represented clients in the same types of cases as yours. You can also look for testimonials of other clients and find out what makes one attorney stand out from the others.

Another detail to consider is whether you want a family law attorney who also provides mediation services. Mediation offers a more private and affordable method of resolving disputes that is especially beneficial when the dispute involves children. Family law attorney, Pamela Breedlove of the Breedlove Law Firm tells clients that “Protecting innocent members of the family is as important as any other priority.” If you decide to use mediation, you will want to find an experienced attorney who offers their services as a mediator in family law disputes.

Image:breedlovefirm.com

Schedule a Consultation

Once you have narrowed your choice down to two or three attorneys, schedule a consultation with the top choice on your list. The initial consultation is your opportunity to not only have the attorney evaluate your case; but also to get to know them and decide if they are a good fit for your needs. To get the most from your consultation, you will need to put some time and effort in preparation so that you can get as much accomplished during your appointment as possible.

• Make Copies of All Pertinent Documents – The attorney will need to see all of the documents related to your case to make an accurate evaluation. Don’t bring originals since you have not made your final decision yet.
•  Write Down Important Details and Questions – It is easy to forget important details when you leave them to memory. Make a list of details that you feel may have a bearing on your case and any questions that you need answered.
• Be Upfront – Anything that you try to keep to yourself could have an impact on your case later on. The attorney is bound to respecting your privacy and does not have the right to discuss any of the details of the case with anyone else without your permission.
• Ask About Their Fees – Even if an attorney works on contingency and you don’t have to pay until the case is over, you need to know what they charge before you end up with an unhappy surprise at the end. If you need to set up a payment plan, this is your chance to find out if that is an option that is open to you.

If you feel that you have found the right family law attorney for your needs, let them know that you are prepared to follow their advice on how to go forward with your case. Doing what your lawyer tells you to do will help improve your chances of winning your case.

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