mon·soon
noun /mänˈso͞on/ /ˈmänˌso͞on/
monsoons, plural
- A
seasonal prevailing wind in the region of the Indian subcontinent and
Southeast Asia, blowing from the southwest between May and September and
bringing rain (the wet monsoon), or from the northeast between October and April (the dry monsoon)
- The rainy season accompanying the wet monsoon
The official
monsoon season in Arizona started a couple days ago. And right on que, we had a nice storm in many parts of Arizona. Now this is not the monsoon was saw, it is just a nice little storm to hold us over until the real thing hits.
Do you ever wonder exactly what we should tell our kids about storm safty? What info do they need to know and what is just too much for them? I found a basic and brief article about this subject, from Alyssa Ast that I thought I would share.
Monsoon Season Safety for Kids
Teach Kids to Stay Safe During a Monsoon Storm
Monsoon season is a spectacular event of nature. A simple
shift in the wind during high temperatures brings a rapid change in weather
that's amazing to watch. However, as spectacular as monsoons are, they are also
very dangerous. During the Summer months of monsoon season children are often
outside enjoying the great weather. They can easily be caught off guard if they
don't pay attention to the warning signs that a storm is coming. As a parent
there are important monsoon safety tips every child living in a monsoon area
needs to be aware of for their own safety.
Before the Storm
There's no denying a monsoon storm is coming when you hear
the ear splitting rumble of thunder. Children need to understand not to wait to
find shelter when they hear thunder. They need to find shelter well before the
thunder because the rapid rain waters will begin all to quickly, potentially
causing severe flooding.
Important monsoon season safety tips all desert children
need to be aware of includes scanning the sky before heading outside. The
cumulonimbus clouds responsible for the monsoon rains are hard to mistake for
anything else. Children should look for these clouds before going outside. Even
if the clouds are in the distance, once the wind starts they quickly move in.
If clouds are in sight, it's best to stay indoors.
Another sign a monsoon storm's on its way is a sudden change
in the wind. Often, when a monsoon storm is about to hit, the wind will change
directions and quickly intensify. Temperatures drop rapidly at this point.
Children need to pay attention for changes in the wind. If they sense a change,
they need to head indoors immediately.
If a child has missed these two warning signs, then there
are two more things they need to know when they have been outside too long and
the storm is quickly approaching. Thunder and lightening are the final stage of
the storm before the rain starts to fall. Even if the thunder and lightening
are in the distance, kids need to get indoors.
During the Storm
Children also need to know what do to during a monsoon
storm. When indoors all electrical equipment should be unplugged. Children
should know to never use the phone during a storm unless it's an emergency.
During a monsoon storm it's important to move away from all electrical
equipment and head to an area in the home away from the doors and windows.
If your child happens to be caught outside during a monsoon
storm it's vital they know important survival tips. No matter how shallow rain
water may appear, they must never attempt to cross flooded areas. Flash
flooding often occurs and it's important they head to higher ground.
If there's lightening, children should stay away from
electrical lines and metal objects because they attract lightening. If they can
not find any shelter they shouldn't stand near a tree or lie on the ground. If
they are with friends, they shouldn't stand next to each other or in standing
water.
If your child's caught outside during a lightening storm,
they need to know the lightening position. The lightening position is a
crouching position similar to a baseball catchers position. If no shelter is
available, they need to find a safe spot and assume this position.
Fruitless is exactly what my little bucket garden is right now. Here in the high deserts of Arizona we are suffering from record breaking heat. The garden is suffering as much as the wild life.
So, at what point is it not worth it? I say to myself, "Self, if you can just keep these plants alive now, you will have a great fall garden." I may be lying to myself. In a month, the nurseries will have beautiful, healthy plants ready for the fall season. And the price of a 3 gallon tomato plant, which is almost ready to set, is probably cheaper than the water I am putting on the current crop. 
