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Open House

Hurricane Season Evacuations; Saving Money Around the House; NASCAR Family; Poolside Safety; Swing Set Safety

Aired June 17, 2006 - 09:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

GERRI WILLIS, CNN ANCHOR: When evacuations are overkill, we'll look at who, if anybody, can order you to leave your home.
Plus NASCAR dads you'll, get rare track access. And how to keep the whole family safe around the pool this summer. Good morning, everyone. I'm Gerri Willis and this is OPEN HOUSE.

We'll take you to the track and talk about saving you money in just a bit. But first we need to talk about that dirty little word that no one wants to hear, inflation. Some analysts fear we could be headed for a scenario not seen since the inflation nightmare of the '70s. Inflation fears are back. You already know that energy costs are up more than 20 percent over the past year.

And that is making the items you buy everyday more expensive. To keep inflation under control many analysts expect the Federal Reserve to keep hiking interest rates. That will send the mortgage rates higher, don't get too worried. It's not likely to be as bad as the 1970s when lines for gas snaked around the block and mortgage rates hit a staggering 18 percent.

And while prices are rising, your retirement savings are probably declining. Stocks have been on a month-long losing streak. And as prices rise so does the cost of your retirement. But there is a silver ling for homeowners in rising prices. Despite fears of a real estate downturn home prices have gone up dramatically by almost 60 percent over the past five years.

And then there's this, the nation's oil industry still hasn't fully recovered from last year's devastating flurry of hurricanes in the Gulf. No one knows yet the impact this hurricane season will have on the economy, but tropical storm Alberto hit Florida this week and forecasters are predicting lots more to come. Alberto has brought on the first mandatory revocations of the year.

And on the heels of Katrina city officials seem more eager than ever to pull the trigger and evacuate when a storm is approaching. Some say in the long run that can backfire. It brings us to the question, does the government really have the right to force you out of your home? John Copenhaver is the former regional director of FEMA and currently runs the Disaster Recovery Institute.

OK, John, what if I say no way, I'm not leaving. Then what?

JOHN COPENHAVER, FMR. FEMA DIRECTOR: Gerri, in a situation like that there be two main reasons for evacuating people. First to get them out of harm's way, and the second is actually to get them out of harm's way that public officials, law enforcement, emergency response officials actually don't have to put themselves into harm's way to go rescue them. So there are a couple of different reasons to get people out of their homes in a mandatory revocation situation though, ordinarily they're not going to come and force you out of the home.

WILLIS: Well, I guess that's good to hear, but it is kind of cold comfort. I mean, you think about last year's hurricane season. There were 28 named storms. If they're going to evacuate for every storm that means people are going to be in and out of their houses probably every week, certainly every month. At what point is the government crying wolf and nobody takes them seriously?

COPENHAVER: We have evacuated before and not had a storm impact. And the thinking has been in emergency management that we want to get people out of harm's way if there's a chance that there may be a hurricane landfall. But clearly if you evacuate people and nothing happens then there's going to be a tendency on the part of those people to not want to evacuate if you have to get them out again. So there are counterbalancing considerations that we have to look at. And the truth of the matter is it's a judgment call.

WILLIS: It's a judgment call. What are some of the counterbalancing situations? I mean, how can the government help us to do what we should do?

COPENHAVER: Well, first of all. I don't think that people who are being asked to evacuate whether voluntary or mandatorily need to be questioning whether or not they should evacuate. In all honesty, if the government entices, whether local or state government, tells you to evacuate. You should.

WILLIS: Yes, but John, I have to ask you a quick question here. So, if they tell me to evacuate. It's a mandatory evacuation and I don't, can they throw me in jail? What's the ultimate penalty?

COPENHAVER: Well, the ultimate penalty I guess is that you would lose your life as a result of not having evacuated.

WILLIS: Well, good point.

COPENHAVER: But in terms of enforcement of the law saying that you need to evacuate when it's a mandatory evacuation I don't think there have been very many instances where people have been prosecuted for failing to evacuate.

WILLIES: Right, it's not really a law that's enforced, correct? You're supposed to take responsibility and leave.

COPENHAVER: Well, people do have to take personal responsibility because if they don't and if emergency responders have to come in and get them then there's a chance the emergency responders may become victims themselves.

WILLIS: Yes, and that's absolutely true. But let's talk about this in a broader way. I mean certainly we're thinking about hurricanes, bad weather, but there are other things that might cause people to be evacuated like a terrorist threat. How realistic really is that some cities in the U.S. could get evacuated? I mean is it likely that New York City could be successfully evacuated? Washington, D.C.?

COPENHAVER: The logistical problems with evacuating a major population center such as New York, such as Washington, are huge. In all likelihood we're not going to see evacuations of entire cities. We are likely to see evacuations of portions of those cities, of communities of neighborhoods, of suburbs, of areas of the city. It's very unlikely that we would have the evacuation of an entire urban area. But if one of those was called for understand that it's going to be very complicated and is going to take time.

WILLIS: How do we -- what's the best way to get people to comply with these orders?

COPENHAVER: In my opinion, the best way to get people to listen and to evacuate when they're asked to evacuate is help them understand what's involved. Help them understand why this is being asked of them. It's not easy to -- for people to just literally pack up and leave their homes. Nobody wants to do that.

WILLIS: Obviously, now we're looking at pictures of the New Orleans area in the wake of Katrina and obviously people did not want to evacuate there. And they really took their lives in their own hands. I guess the scenario we're trying to talk about today is that, you know, Alberta was, you know, a big rainstorm. It certainly delivered a lot of rain but you know if people start getting these evacuation orders all the time, they certainly will take them less seriously.

COPENHAVER: That's true. And you have to understand that government officials are human beings. And seeing what happened in the aftermath of Katrina when a number of people lost their lives because they did not evacuate, government officials are more likely to order evacuations having seen what happens in New Orleans and what happened after Katrina.

So that's just a fact. But the truth of the matter is that government officials are going to order evacuations when, in their best judgment, it's not typically the judgment of one person, it's a number of people -- in their best judgment people are going to be in harm's way. And we have to respect that to some extent.

WILLIS: All right, John, well thank you for joining us today. We appreciate your help.

COPENHAVER: Thank you. I appreciate it, Gerri.

WILLIS: With all this talk of inflation and the possible economic impact of this year's hurricane season we need to talk about saving you money. Not the $3 cup of coffee type of money, we're talking about saving you some real cold, hard cash.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) WILLIS (voice-over): Are you paying for high speed internet and a home phone? Think about canceling your land line and check out Voice Over Internet Protocol using the internet to make phone calls can cut the phone bill in half?

Spending too much on insurance? Raise your $500 deductible to $1,000. It could save you up to 25 percent on premiums and check into getting the home and auto insurance from the same company. Some companies also give you up to a 15 percent discount if they hold both policies.

Is that mortgage payment bumming you out? If you own 20 percent equity in your house, ask your mortgage lender drop your private mortgage insurance. Or if the value of your home has gone up, have the lender reappraise the house and you could find you already own 20 percent. Dropping mortgage insurance could save hundreds of dollars a month.

Take a look outside for more big savings. Set an irrigation system to run in five minute sickles instead of 30 minutes. This gives the soil time to absorb the water and keep it from running down the street. It could save up to 25 percent on the water bill.

(on camera): Another place to keep cost downs is in the garden. Keep a good layer of mulch around your flowers and you shrubs. That way you can keep the moisture in and the weeds down.

(voice-over): This way you won't spend your time or pay a gardener to keep it weed free. Back inside make sure you toilet was purchased after 1992. While an older toilet can use up to 14 gallons per flush, newer models use only 1.3 gallons per flush. That's extra money you won't be flushing down the drain.

And if you have an older washing machine, replace it with a new front loading model. They use 40 to 60 percent less energy and water. Plus some utility company will actually give you a rebate for buying these high efficiency models up to 100 bucks.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

Now, if you implemented all of these tips you could save an average of about $2300 a year, maybe even more.

Coming up on OPEN HOUSE summer season is in full swing. You'll learn important information about keeping everyone safe around the pool.

And then it's off to the races. We'll take you inside the fast family life of a NASCAR star. First, your "Tip Of The Day."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WILLIS (voice-over): It's father's day weekend this is the year to make you gifts stand out. Instead of the typical necktie how about something he wouldn't buy for himself? New music or sports memorabilia autographed by his childhood hero? Ever heard him say he wished he'd done something like a kid? Like learn how to play the guitar or how to cook.

Get him lessons. Even if your father is no longer alive you can still do something to honor him. Make a donation for his favorite cause and charity. And you're not limited to the biological dad, either. Take the opportunity to show some appreciation for an older brother, a great friend, or even your first boss. And that's your "Tip Of The Day."

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WILLIS: Ladies and gentlemen, fasten the seatbelts. We're taking you on to the racetrack and into the fast family life of one NASCAR star.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WILLIS (voice-over): Meet the Nemechek a team on and off the racetrack. With 38 races a year, this NASCAR family is living life in the fast lane.

JOE NEMECHEK, NASCAR DRIVER: Life on the road is there's never a dull moment. We're gone away quite a bit. I'm very fortunate to be able to have my family with me most of the time.

WILLIS: The family that's Andrea...

ANDREA NEMECHEK: Hold on, let's go.

WILLIS: ...Blair, Kennedy and John Hunter. Oh, the family puppy, of course. And then there's Joe's other family, his crew.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How you doing buddy?

NEMECHEK: When you spend that much time with them, they are -- they're like family. My crew chief Ryan Pemberton and his family, we spend a lot of time together on the road along with the other crews, the crew members. Everybody's like a family.

WILLIS: It's a close knit community, literally. Motor homes parked side by side become homes away from homes. Competitors on race day, Neighbors after hours. So just out of curiosity we asked Joe who he would turn to for that proverbial cup of sugar.

NEMECHEK: Doesn't matter. Doesn't matter at all.

WILLIS: We asked Jeff Gordon if he would help out.

JEFF GORDON, NASCAR DRIVER: Sure, why not. I feel like a pretty giving person, so if somebody need something, I'd be willing to help them out.

WILLIS: Willing to help out are the sports chaperons, too, like the MRO making sure that even the smallest members of the race car family enjoy the time on the track. A. NEMECHEK: They have an area for kids to play, serve foods. They have a wonderful playground. You know, they just -- they make you feel like you're at home. And they make it so you don't have to go off the premises to do anything if you don't want to.

WILLIS: And there's: something special going on this weekend, Father's Day Olympics.

A. NEMECHEK: They do water balloons. They do Fruit Roll Up races, when they eat them, the do...

NEMECHEK: They do a lot of things to embarrass the dads.

NEMECHEK: Yes, exactly.

WILLIS: But it's hard to rattle this NASCAR dad after 30 years of racing. As far as the son's career track, this 9-year-old is following suit, strategizing with the team, tracking lap times. He's another member of the crew only smaller. But the season is long and the family can't always go on the road, which can be tough. But there's one, well three things that keep him going.

NEMECHEK: What gets me through it, I guess these little guys right here. You got to look back what's important in life: Family. Family's No. 1, the No. 1 thing in life and you got to take care of your kids. You know, my goal's want to run well and I want my family to be healthy. That's the two main things.

WILLIS: With two well oiled teams supporting him, Joe Nemechek has no plans to slow down any time soon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

And I have a feeling their definition of slow doesn't exactly match mine.

Still ahead on OPEN HOUSE, we're getting serious with our "Weekend Project." Everything you need to know about keeping the family safe around the pool this summer, when we come right back.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NEMECHEK: We have so many soldiers, men and women, that are -- the fathers are either over in war or they're back here and their kids are over here, so Father's Day is definitely a tough day. Just want to tell them happy Father's Day.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WILLIS: Summer is here and as temperatures heat up you'll want to cool down. But swimming can be dangerous if you don't take the smart steps to keep everyone safe. We met up poolside with Angela Mikalide from the Home Safety Council.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

Angela, how many kids die every year from drowning in pools?

ANGELA MIKALIDE, HOME SAFETY COUNCIL: In all more than 800 people die in home pools every year. It's the leading cause of death among children between the ages of one and four, and most of these drowning could be prevented.

WILLIS: What's your advice to families that have pools?

MIKALIDE: Well, all parents need to actively supervise the children when they're in and around water. We talk about touch supervision. That means if a child is very young or can't swim that you're within arm's reach. And if they are older that you always have their eyes on the children when you're in the water.

A lot of parents want to use little water wings to help the children swim but they still need to be within arm's reach. Nine out of 10 children who drown in this country are under adult supervision at the time of their drowning. Because simple too easy to have a moment airy lapse of supervision when you run in to get a towel or a cold drink or to answer the telephone.

Parents think that they'll be able to hear the child scream for help. And actually that's just the opposite of what occurs. When you're frightened and you're trying to gasp for air there's not enough air in the lungs to be able to scream for help.

WILLIS: Is there anything you can teach children, particularly little children to keep them from drowning in the pool?

MIKALIDE: All children should have swimming lessons after about age four. This will help them to be safer in and around water, but it's not a substitute for adult supervision. In addition, parents might want to consider baby and me water safety classes, but don't be lulled into a sense of false security. These aren't going to really teach your child to swim or to rescue himself.

WILLIS: You know, Angela, not everybody is a swimmer. If you are not going to be the hero are there things you can have around the pool that you can use to save someone even if you can't?

MIKALIDE: Layers of protection are really important when it comes to pool safety. One of these is the installation of four-sided fencing around the pool -- should have a self-latching and self- closing gate, and should be at least four feet high.

The home should never be one of the sides, because most children will toddle out of the house fall into the pool in a matter of a few minutes, they'll drown.

Let's talk about alarms. There are all kinds of alarms now. What is the best kind? And how do I know what I should shop for?

MIKALIDE: Three types of alarms purchase, one for above the water motion detection, another beneath the water and the third is an alarm that can be used on a child's wrist. The Home Safety Council recommends the underwater alarm as the optimal one.

It's less sensitive to the wind blowing, to animals or birds flying above your pool. These underwater alarms will really help you to keep your child safe and it's important to have a receiver inside the house if there is a moment airy lapse in supervision you'll be able to hear the child fall into the pool.

WILLIS: What else should I have?

MIKALIDE: You should have a first aid kit, you should have a buoy, and have anything else you think you might need to help your family stay safe.

WILLIS: Does it matter what kind of buoy I use?

MIKALIDE: Absolutely, you don't want to throw any old float out into the pool. What you want to do is purchase a buoy from a pool supply store and use that and throw it near but not on. This will give them...

WILLIS: Near but not on, OK.

MIKALIDE: That will give them an opportunity to grab for it. And all parents should take classes in CPR and first aid to keep their kids safe around water.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WILLIS: As always, if you have an idea for a "Weekend Project," send us an e-mail at openhouse@CNN.com. And you can watch past "Weekend Project" on our Web site, CNN.com/openhouse. You now know how to stay safe by the pool, but don't forget about the rest of the backyard. Important tips on swing set safety next on OPEN HOUSE.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WILLIS: Time now to talk swing set safety. First install a shock absorbing surface around your swing set. You'll need to use rubber mats, wood chips, sand, or pea gravel. Make sure it's at least nine inches deep, and extends about six feet in all directions. Now these materials absorb the impact of a fall, the way most kids are injured around a swing set. Second inspect the equipment. Cover any protruding bolts that can cause cuts and tighten up the s-hooks that can easily catch on clothing.

Speaking of clothing you child shouldn't wear clothing with drawstrings or necklaces, they can easily get caught in playground equipment. And an unstable swing set is also an invitation for trouble. Try to keep the set on level ground. That's at least six feet away from any other structure like a fence or even a thorny Bush. And don't put swing sets in direct sunlight. Solid steel slides or steps in the sun can reach temperatures high enough to cause a series contact burn or injury in just a matter of seconds.

Check for sharp objects in the sandbox like sticks or glass. You can also prevent animals from leaving their mark by covering up the sandbox when you're not using it. And most importantly of all, you want to keep the eyes on the little ones. Adult supervision is the best way to make sure your kids stay safe on the swing set.

Do you have tips you want to share with us and your fellow OPEN HOUSE viewers. Send us an e-mail to openhouse@CNN.com. We'll be reading some of your tips on future shows and check out our Web site at CNN.com/openhouse.

And as always, we thank you for spending part of your Saturday with us. OPEN HOUSE will be back next week. Don't go anywhere. Your top stories are next on CNN Saturday. And don't miss OPEN HOUSE, also now airing on CNN Headline News, every Saturday and Sunday at 5:30 p.m. Eastern.

And give dad a great big hug today, and have a great Father's Day weekend.

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