INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Inhaling the noxious fumes from certain welding machines is dangerous and unhealthy. Open windows and doors to make sure that the room is well-ventilated. In addition, make sure to wear all safety gear before you start welding. If you took a course or class, then you should stick with the welding technique and machine that you’ve already used. If you’ve practiced using a variety of methods, choose the method you like best. The 2 most common methods for beginners are gas metal arc welding (MIG) and arc welding, also referred to as stick welding.  Stick and MIG welding equipment is cheaper and easier to learn than other methods. TIG welding, otherwise known as gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), and flux-cored welding, are more complex forms of welding that should be avoided if you’re a beginner. Practice creating “beads” or welds on pieces of scrap metal before trying to weld 2 pieces of metal together for an actual project. This will get you more acclimated to using the welding machine and will help you achieve straighter welds. Search online or on your local community's or art center’s website to see if there are any introductory welding classes available. These courses will already have a workshop and equipment set up for you, so you don’t have to purchase it yourself, and will provide introductory instruction that can help you get started on your welding hobby.  These courses can range anywhere from a day of training to 2-3 months of training. Ask for a class schedule before you sign up for the classes. Many community colleges, vocational schools, and some universities offer welding classes as part of their curriculum. If you are going to school or plan on going to school, search on the school’s website to see if they offer welding classes. Then, sign up for the class during your class registration period. You don’t have to be a student to take a welding-specific class at certain community colleges and vocational schools. Call the college and ask them to find out. If no community centers or schools offer welding classes, or you can’t afford them, local welders may be willing to show you the ropes. Search for welding or metal fabrication companies near you and then call them and tell them that you’re interested in touring their workshop. Arrange a time and date to visit them, then express your interest while taking the tour.  Welding and metal fabrication companies will often offer tours for free. If you want to learn how to weld, ask metal fabricators if you can apprentice or work as a fellow under them Seeing welding in person will give you a better idea of whether it’s the hobby for you. You can use YouTube to provide supplemental knowledge for the classes that you’re taking or to learn different welding techniques. Because welding can be dangerous, you should practice under the supervision of an experienced welder before you start doing it yourself. and books on how to weld. You can visit the American Welding Society’s website to read articles and publications on welding. Popular welding books include Welding: Principles and Applications by Larry Jeffus, Audel Welding Pocket Reference by James E. Brumbaugh and Rex Miller, and Welding Essentials by William L. Galvery Jr. and Frank B. Marlow, just to name a few. If you want to enhance your knowledge of different welding practices and techniques, read these books and articles.

SUMMARY: Work in a well-ventilated area and wear safety gear. Decide on which style of welding you want to do. Practice welding on scrap metal before you work on a real project. Look for welding classes at community and art centers. Contact a community college to see if they offer welding classes. Speak to local welders in your area if you can’t sign up for a class. Watch video tutorials online to learn common welding techniques. Read articles

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Ask local authorities about evacuation routes and if your community has disaster/emergency plans. Ask for a hard copy of the plan and also inquire how often the plan is updated, what hazards it covers, and any other details you may think of. Discuss with your employer and school and/or daycare center the policies regarding disasters and emergencies, such as how warning information will be provided and disaster procedures followed. Know the following about your children's school emergency plans: how the school will communicate during a crisis; if the school has adequate food, water, and other basic supplies; if the school is prepared to shelter-in-place if need be and where they plan to go if they must get away. Draw a floor plan of your home. Use a blank sheet of paper for each floor. Mark two escape routes from each room. Make sure children understand the drawings. Post a copy of the drawings at eye level in each child's room. Establish a place to meet in the event of an emergency, such as a fire. Complete a contact card for each family member and have family members keep these cards handy in a wallet, purse, backpack, etc. You may want to send one to school with each child to keep on file. Pick a friend or relative who lives out-of-state for household members to notify they are safe. Review existing policies for the amount and extent of coverage to ensure that what you have in place is what is required for you and your family for all possible hazards. Consider purchasing insurance specifically for certain disasters such as flooding, hurricanes, or tornadoes. Make a record of your personal property, for insurance purposes. Take photos or a video of the interior and exterior of your home. Include personal belongings in your inventory. The hearing impaired will need special arrangements to receive warnings; the mobility impaired may require special assistance to reach shelter; and people with certain dietary needs must have appropriate food supplies.   Create a network of neighbors, relatives, friends, and coworkers to aid you in an emergency. Discuss your needs and make sure everyone knows how to operate necessary equipment. If you live in an apartment building, ask the management to mark accessible exits clearly and to make arrangements to help you leave the building. Keep specialized items ready, including extra wheelchair batteries, oxygen, catheters, medication, food for service animals, and any other items you might need. Be sure to make provisions for medications that require refrigeration and keep a list of the type and model numbers of the medical devices anyone requires. With the exception of service animals, pets are not typically permitted in emergency shelters as they may affect the health and safety of other occupants. Find out which local hotels and motels allow pets and where pet boarding facilities are located. Be sure to research some outside your local area in case local facilities close. For more advice and information, call your local emergency management office, animal shelter, or animal control office. . To begin this process, gather all family members and review the information you gained about local emergency plans and warning systems. Your family plan should address how the previous steps will be addressed in case of a disaster.

SUMMARY:
Know how your community is prepared to respond to emergencies. Find out what plans are in place for your workplace and your children's school or daycare center. Establish escape routes. Plan how each family member will contact one another if they are not together when disaster strikes. Obtain property, health, and life insurance if you do not have them and feel they are necessary. Be aware of the types of special assistance family members may need. Plan for pet disaster needs by identifying shelter; gathering pet supplies; ensuring your pet has proper ID and up-to-date veterinarian records; and providing a pet carrier and leash. Create a family disaster plan