| How to Escape from Dangerous Forest Animals Posted: 18 Nov 2017 04:00 PM PST Observing animals in the wild can be a great experience, but an encounter with a wild animal can turn dangerous quickly. Many wild animals in the forest will attack humans if provoked. The best way to avoid an attack from a forest animal is to leave them alone. However, if you do find yourself in a dangerous situation, there are some tactics you can use to escape and get to safety. - Look at the color of the bear's fur. It's important you determine what kind of bear you're dealing with. The way you respond to a black bear encounter will be very different than a brown bear encounter.[1]
- If the bear has black fur, it's a black bear. Full-grown black bears are usually smaller than brown bears.
- If the bear has brown fur, it's a brown bear. Brown bears also have a pronounced hump between their shoulders that black bears don't have. Grizzly bears are a subspecies of brown bear.
- Let the bear know you're a human and not prey. Speak in a low, calm voice and wave your arms slowly. Do not scream or make any high-pitched noises or you could agitate the bear.[2]
- Slowly move away from the bear sideways. Don't take your eyes off the bear. Moving sideways will prevent you from tripping. Do not run. Bears can run faster than humans and they enjoy chasing their prey. If the bear starts to follow you, stop moving.[3]
- Never approach a female bear with her cubs. Female bears are extremely defensive of their cubs, and they're more likely to attack humans.[4]
- Play dead if you're attacked by a brown bear. Get on the ground and lay flat on your stomach. Clasp your hands together behind your neck. Spread apart your legs so it's harder for the bear to flip you over. Wait for the bear to lose interest and leave.[5]
- If the bear doesn't stop attacking you, reach for a nearby rock or branch and fight back. Hit the bear in the face as hard as you can repeatedly.
- Run if you're attacked by a black bear. Do not play dead if a black bear attacks you. Try to find shelter in a nearby car or building. If you can't escape, hit the bear in the face repeatedly with any nearby objects.[6]
EditWild Cats and Wolves - Make yourself appear larger to intimidate the wild cat or wolf. Wave your arms over your head. Unzip your jacket and open it so you seem bigger.[7]
- Speak in a confident, low voice. Don't scream or make any high-pitched noises. Speaking in a low voice will show the wild animal you're a human and not prey.
- Remain calm and back away slowly. Do not turn away and run or you could trigger the animal to attack. Maintain eye contact with the animal as you're backing away.[8]
- Never crouch down or bend over to pick something up. This will make you look small and weak to wild cats and wolves. Maintain an upright standing position so the animal knows you're a human and not prey.[9]
- If you're with children, it's important that you pick them up without crouching down or bending over. Reach your arms down to grab them without lowering your body.[10]
- Throw things in the direction of the animal. Only do this if you can reach rocks or branches without having to crouch, bend over, or turn away. You don't need to aim for the animal itself. You're just trying to scare it off by throwing things near it.[11]
- If a wild cat or wolf approaches you, start throwing things directly at it.
- Fight back if the animal attacks you. Try to remain standing as wild cats and wolves will most likely try to bite your head and neck. Use any tools you have available to hit the animal in the head, including nearby rocks and branches. If you have nothing to fight with, use your fists. Continue beating the animal as hard as possible until it flees.[12]
- Be mindful of where you place your hands and feet. Watch the path in front of you as you're walking. Look at tree branches and trunks before you grab onto them. If you see a snake, stop immediately.
- Assume any snake you encounter in the wild is poisonous.
- Quickly back away from the snake. Don't try to step over the snake or move it out of your way. Snakes can strike a distance that is half the length of their body, so make sure you're far away from the snake before you try to go around it.[13]
- Don't try to suck the venom out if you're bitten. You can't suck snake venom out with your mouth. Instead, focus on seeking help.
- Seek help immediately if you're bitten. Call emergency services if you have service and let them know your location. If you don't have service, find someone with a phone or vehicle that can get you to a hospital.[14]
- Try to get a good look at the snake that bit you. It will help the hospital treat your wound faster if they know what kind of snake bite it is.
- Keep the bitten area below your heart if possible. If you were bitten on your arm or leg, don't lift them above your heart.[15]
EditStaying Safe - Be aware of your surroundings. Don't wear headphones or look down at your phone screen when you're walking through the forest. Keep your head up and pay attention to what's going on around you. You're less likely to startle a wild animal if you notice them from a distance first.
- Keep an eye out for animal tracks. If you see tracks, be on alert for nearby animals. If the tracks are heading in the same direction you're walking in, change directions or turn back.
- Keep your distance if you see an animal. Never approach wild animals or attempt to feed them. If you encounter an animal, appreciate from a distance that you're getting to see them in their natural environment. Most wild animals are just as afraid of humans as you are of them, and they won't attack unless provoked.[16]
- Remain calm if an animal notices you. Don't scream or make high-pitched noises. Avoid running away or you could trigger the animal to chase you. Calmly back away from the animal until it's out of sight.[17]
- Don't bother baby animals. Never approach a baby animal in the wild, even if it appears to be alone. The baby animal's mother is likely nearby. Wild animals are more likely to attack if they perceive you as a threat to their babies.[18]
- If you're really worried about a baby animal, leave the area and contact a park ranger or local official.
- Keep your food away from wild animals. Never feed animals in the wild. Don't litter food scraps in the forest or you could attract wild animals. If you eat something while you're camping or hiking, pack any food scraps or trash in your backpack and carry it with you. You can also put food waste in a trash bag and tie the bag to a high tree branch.
- Stay on the trail when you're hiking. Look for trail markers so you don't accidentally wander off the trail. Wild animals are less likely to be on trails because of all the foot traffic.
- Be mindful of other dangerous animals. Watch out for fire ants and bee hives. Avoid swimming in areas with alligators. Know what to do if an elephant charges at you in the forest. Staying alert and being prepared will keep you safe in most encounters with wild forest animals.
EditRelated wikiHows Survive-an-Encounter-with-a-Crocodile-or-Alligator EditSources and Citations
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
| How to Soundproof a Door Posted: 18 Nov 2017 08:00 AM PST Your home is supposed to be a place where you can relax and unwind, so loud noises coming from outside your door can be very disruptive. Cut down on the exterior distractions by taking the time to soundproof all of your doors. You can even choose a basic solution, such as placing a rug before the door. If you are concerned about an exterior door, replacing all of the weatherstripping is another great option. Keep trying out solutions until you find the one that works for you. EditAltering the Surface of the Door - Place acoustic drapes over the door. Install a short curtain rod directly over the back of your door. Get a heavy fabric drape and hang it from the rod. You can purchase drapes that are made out of sound dampening fabric. When you are inside the room, simply slide the drape into place for less sound from outside.[1]
- This is an especially good option for renters, who may be unable to seriously alter the surface of the door or its hardware.
- Coat it with sound-absorbing paint. Go to your local hardware store and ask about their sound-absorbing interior paint options. Choose one that closely matches the color of your existing doors. Follow the directions on the container to apply it. It will go only very similar to a standard paint, but may seem a bit thicker.[2]
- A coating of sound-absorbing paint can reduce external noise by almost 30 percent. The paint will also keep noises from inside the room from travelling outside as well.
- Install foam tiles. Purchase acoustical interlocking tiles at your local hardware or music supply store. Depending on the tiles, you'll need to attach them to your door using screws, staples, or glue. Make sure that they are secure or they might fall off with the movement of the door. Acoustical tiles come in different noise-reduction levels, so choose the highest one for the most sound protection.[3]
- Another option is to purchase and attach rubber flooring tiles of roles on to the back of your door. They may be easier to find, but they will not offer as effective noise reduction.
- Hang a mass loaded vinyl (MLV) barrier. This is a thick roll of vinyl that is sold by music or acoustics shops. Measure your door and then use a utility knife to cut the vinyl down to size. Attach the vinyl to the door using a construction adhesive, which you can purchase at your local hardware store. Wait until the adhesive is dry and your door will be soundproofed.[4]
- MLV is excellent at sound reduction, but it comes at a price. You'll likely spend at least $2 per square foot on low quality MLV. The cost increases for thicker barriers.
- MLV can be purchased in thicknesses from 1/16 to ¼ inch (1.5 to 6.3 mm). The thicker rolls are more expensive and heavier to hang on doors. However, they provide the best protection.
EditCorrecting Any Partial Door Gaps - Check for gaps with a flashlight. Turn off all of the lights in both rooms surrounding the door. Ask a friend to stand on the other side of the door as you close it. Have them shine a flashlight around the edges of the door and over its surface. Make note of where you notice lots of light coming through, as this is also where the sound can travel.[5]
- Don't expect that you'll be able to block out all of the light or fill every gap on the door. Instead, target a few spots and see how that improves the soundproofing.
- Caulk up any gaps. Get a caulking gun and fill it with a fresh tube of wood caulk. Go around the doorframe looking for any small cracks or holes. When you see one, place the tip of the caulk tube against it and squeeze out a bead into it. Wipe off any excess with a putty knife. The caulk will help to absorb the sound and keep it from passing through the door.[6]
- Install a door sweep. Check to see if the sweep between your door and the floor is sturdy and covers the entire space. You want a sweep that isn't cracked. It should just lightly brush against the floor as the door opens and shuts. To replace a sweep, remove the old one. Then, install a new rubber one by simply screwing it in to the bottom of the door frame.[7]
- Another option is an automatic door bottom. This device drops down as the door closes and lifts up as it opens. It uses a spring for these movements, so many people hire a professional for installation.
- Place a rug in the entryway. If the door opens onto a tile or wood floor, then the sound is likely bouncing off this space and travelling into the room. Limit this by putting a rug down over the entryway area. The fabric will help to dampen and absorb the sound coming from under the door.[8]
- Replace glass with triple-panes. Glass is notorious for transmitting noises from one space into another. If your door has large glass inserts, they are likely not rated for sound protection. To minimize the noise, contact a glass professional and have them replaced with thick, triple-pane glass.[9]
- Be aware that triple-pane glass may not provide the same level of visibility outside. Ask your installer about how the glass will look within your door before agreeing to anything.
- Hang only solid-core doors. Most interior doors are made of light woods or particleboard. They are usually partially or entirely hollow on the inside. This means that they transmit sound very easily. If you are interested in soundproofing, it's worth it to invest in solid-core or solid wood doors.[10]
EditApplying Weatherstripping Around the Door - Remove any old stripping. You'll find weatherstripping on most exterior doors where the door meets the frame. The weatherstripping may surround the entire frame or just part of it. Use a putty knife to peel up old adhesive vinyl weatherstripping. Metal weatherstripping will usually require that you unscrew the pieces before pulling them away from the door.
- Before you get rid of any old weatherstripping, make sure that you have plans to replace it. Without weatherstripping, an exterior door can let not only noises, but also debris, into your home.
- Choose new metal or vinyl stripping. As a general rule, metal stripping is more expensive, but it can last upwards of 30 years on your door. It also takes more effort to install. In contrast, vinyl stripping is cheaper and often comes with an adhesive strip on the back for easy installation.[11]
- Weatherstripping usually comes in a variety of colors, so you can match it to your doorframe.
- Install the new stripping. Read the instructions that come with the weatherstripping very carefully. Measure the doorframe beforehand. Cut out the weatherstripping into pieces of the appropriate length. Place the new stripping up against the wood and attach it using either the adhesive on the back or small screws or nails. Make sure to keep the stripping flat against the wood as you install it.[12]
- You can cut vinyl stripping using a utility knife. You'll need tin snips to sever metal stripping.
- Metal stripping will often have pre-cut holes showing you where to either screw it or nail it into the wood frame of the door.
- Test the stripping for fit. Once you've installed your weatherstripping, close the door fully to see if you feel any resistance. The door should shut smoothly and completely. If you notice any problems, reopen the door. Inspect the stripping to see where it might seem a bit smudged or scratched. Take a closer look at those damaged areas to make sure that they are flush against the frame.
- Once you've completed a few soundproofing steps, test your results by using a decibel meter. This device will tell you exactly how much noise is making it past your door. Ideally, the meter will only show a reading of 10 to 20 decibels.[13]
- Try to be as patient as you can when soundproofing. You may need to try multiple different options before finding the solution for your noisy door.
- If you are renting, make sure to run any permanent changes by your landlord before moving forward. This can save you a huge headache in the long run.[14]
EditSources and Citations
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
| How to Make a Milk Tart Posted: 18 Nov 2017 12:00 AM PST Melkterts, roughly translated into milk tarts from Afrikaans, is a South African treat mostly consisting of a pastry stuffed with a creamy filling made from milk, sugar, flour, and eggs. There are a few ways to make this tasty treat, read on to learn how to make your very own milk tarts! EditIngredients - 1/2 of cup butter, softened
- 1 cup of white sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 cups of flour
- 2 teaspoons of baking powder
- 1 pinch of salt
- 4 cups of milk
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon of butter
- 2 1/2 tablespoons of flour
- 2 1/2 tablespoons of cornstarch
- 1/2 cup of white sugar
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- Preheat the oven to .
- Gather all the ingredients listed above as well as the items listed in things you'll need.
- In the medium mixing bowl, cream together one-half cup of butter/margarine and one cup of sugar.
- Into the same bowl, add one egg and beat until the mixture is smooth.
- In the second bowl, mix the two cups of flour, baking powder, and salt together.
- Stir the flour mixture into the sugar mix. Do this until the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Take the mix and press it into the bottom and sides of the two 9-inch pie pans.
- Place all of this in your preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Combine milk, vanilla extract, and one tablespoon butter/margarine into the large saucepan.
- Turn the stove onto medium heat and bring to a boil. Remove from the burner once it's boiling.
- In the third bowl, take the 2 1/2 tablespoons of flour, cornstarch, and 1/2 cup of sugar and mix it together.
- Add the two beaten eggs into the sugar mixture.
- Whisk all of this until it comes out smooth.
- Whisk some more. Slowly whisk this mixture into milk.
- Move the pan back to the heat, and bring to a boil, making sure to stir often for five minutes.
- Pour half of the mixture into each pastry shell.
- Chill until set. Chill the dessert before serving.
- Enjoy your creamy treat!
- For added flavor, you could sprinkle cinnamon over the top.
- Adding cream to this milk based tart to serve it could be a bit rich, try a tangy fruit compote such as raspberry or blackcurrant.
EditThings You'll Need - Three medium sized bowls
- One whisk
- One large (or any sized) spoon
- Two nine inch pie pans
- One large saucepan
- One beater
- Stove/oven
- Refrigerator/freezer
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations |
No comments:
Post a Comment