Disaster Prep

There are reports of a Timberton resident encountering a mountain lion on the street near the guardrail on Timber Ridge early Friday (22 Mar 2024) morning while walking their dog. The lion was scared away by loud noises and the throwing of rocks, according to a second-hand report.

Mountain lions are not uncommon in this area, and have a wide ranging area. But it might be useful to be aware of your surroundings, especially if walking alone or with your small animals. And to ensure your pets are kept inside at all times. Also, ensure that you do not leave any pet food outside your residence.

This guidance might also be helpful:

Encountering a mountain lion, also known as a cougar, in an urban area can be a rare but potentially dangerous situation. Here are some steps to follow if you encounter a mountain lion in an urban area in Washington state:

1. **Stay Calm**: If you see a mountain lion, try to remain calm and avoid panicking. Mountain lions are solitary animals and will generally avoid confrontations with humans if given the opportunity.

2. **Do Not Approach**: Keep your distance from the mountain lion and do not approach it. Give the animal space and try to move away slowly and calmly without turning your back on it.

3. **Make Yourself Look Big**: If the mountain lion approaches you or acts aggressively, try to make yourself appear larger by standing tall, raising your arms, and waving them slowly. Open your jacket if you’re wearing one to make yourself appear larger.

4. **Make Noise**: Mountain lions may be deterred by loud noises and yelling. If you have a whistle or other noise-making device, use it to scare away the animal. Do not run, as this may trigger the mountain lion’s predatory instincts.

5. **Back Away Slowly**: If the mountain lion does not leave or continues to approach you, slowly back away while keeping your eyes on the animal. Do not turn your back on it or run, as this may trigger a chase response.

6. **Protect Yourself**: If the mountain lion attacks, try to protect yourself by using whatever means are available. Use rocks, sticks, or other objects to defend yourself, and aim for the animal’s face and eyes if possible.

7. **Report the Encounter**: After the encounter, report the incident to local authorities, such as animal control or the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. They can assess the situation and take appropriate action to prevent further incidents.

It’s important to remember that mountain lion encounters are rare, especially in urban areas, but it’s always best to be prepared and know how to react if you encounter one. Following these guidelines can help you stay safe in the unlikely event of a mountain lion encounter.

In a recent presentation on home security, Deputy Brian Peterson of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office gave a presentation on home security. He referenced a home security checklist that was available on their web site.

With their permission, the checklist is here. We suggest that you take some time to go through the checklist and see where your personal and home security can be improved.

The checklist is Residential Security Survey(PDF).

Most of the homes in Timberton were built at least 15 years ago. Which means that your smoke detectors may not work properly. They are supposed to be replaced every ten years. Just replacing the battery is not enough.

You can remove a smoke alarm (twist CW or CCW) and there should be a manufacturer date on it. If it’s older than 10 years, then it will not be as effective. Even if you put in a new battery, or if it is wired to AC.

(Note: Port Ludlow Fire and Rescue will help with checking and installing smoke detectors. See information here http://www.plfr.org/public-education/programs-services/smoke-co-checks.php .)

So I grabbed 6 of  Kiddey brand smoke detectors (four-pack plus two more singles ), from the Home Depot online site, for a total cost of $78. These are the hardwired ones that will probably replace the existing ones in your Timberton house.

I picked those because they come with the adapters needed for the most common brands (my existing ones were Firex, which was bought out by Kidde). Plus they come with a 9v battery.  Took about a week to get here.

Installation quite easy. Get up on the ladder (carefully), twist off the old one, use my little power screwdriver to loosen the two screws holding the mounting plates, remove the old mounting plate.

Grab the right power adapter from the package, clip it on, then attach the new mounting plate. (Use a permanent marker to put the date on the unit for reference.) Connect the power connector, feed the wires back into the hole, and twist on the new one (make sure it is positioned correctly if mounted on a wall). Pop in the 9v battery (included – which is front-mounted for easy replacement), and test it. All done.

Took under an hour to replace 6 of them in my house. And that includes taking the ladder upstairs and back.

Reasonable cost. You can get ‘lifetime’ (10-year battery) units, but they cost more. Best price I found was via Home Depot (Amazon and Lowe’s were higher. YMMV).

A good idea to do. Doesn’t take long, and doesn’t cost much.