Problem: Article: Although it's probably fine to drink water from the heater during an emergency, it's best to be on the safe side. You can purify water by boiling it or using iodine or bleach in very small quantities. You can filter water in an emergency by layering filtering agents on top of each other. Factory valves do not have a straight path and have small orifices. In hard-water areas, those can easily clog with sediment buildup and then no water will flow from the tank. If you can't, for whatever reason, access your water heater in an emergency, don't panic. You should have plenty of other options. Consider these to get at potable water: Possible indoor sources of water: Liquid from canned fruit and vegetables Water from the toilet tank (not the toilet bowl), unless it has been chemically treated with toilet cleaners Water from melted ice cubes Possible outdoor sources of water: Water from a rainwater collection system. Water from rivers, steams, springs, and other moving bodies of water Water from ponds, dams, and lakes
Summary: Although water from a water heater is considered safe to drink, consider purifying or filtering it before drinking. Seriously consider replacing the original valve on the water heater with a ball-valve drain assembly. In an emergency, consider other options for potable water.

Problem: Article: Focusing on something closer to your face and eyes, worsens the confused motion signals in your brain. Try using headphones to listen to music, listen to a recorded book or work-related topic, or watch an in-flight movie to help pass the time. Gazing far off at a fixed point, such as focusing on the horizon, helps to reassure your brain and stabilize your equilibrium. Taking that seat by the window can help you to look at a fixed point far away, like the horizon. Make sure you have fresh air blowing around your face. Breathing fresh, cool, air can help you to relax, and keep you from becoming too hot. Personal mini-fans may also help to keep the air cool, and moving around you. Rapid and shallow breathing makes your symptoms worse. Taking slow and deep breaths has been shown to help manage motion sickness symptoms better than breathing normally. Using techniques that encourage slow and deeper breathing helps you to engage a part of your nervous system, called the parasympathetic nervous system, that works to calm things down. This type of breathing helps you to relax and create a calmer state throughout your body. This can help you to relax, but it also helps to stabilize the movements of your head. Use a neck pillow if that makes you feel more comfortable. Avoid ingesting anything that could be an irritant to your stomach. Consider eating dry crackers and drinking cool water over ice during your flight. Drink plenty of water during your flight to stay hydrated. If you begin to feel queasy, stand up. Lying back or lying over in the seat is not helpful. Standing up can help your body to establish a sense of balance, and hopefully counteract the feeling of nausea. Smelling and hearing others around you that are airsick is a big trigger, causing your own airsick feelings to escalate. Changing seats on a plane is not always easy, but it may be worth the asking. Try to stay positive, as relaxed as possible, stay cool, and focus on other things. If you are traveling for business, think about the presentation you will be giving. If you are traveling for fun, then anticipate the relaxing vacation you are about to enjoy. Listening to music with headphones can help you to focus on the music, relax your mind and body, and block out any noises around you that may heighten your stress and anxiety, like crying babies, or other people that may be airsick.
Summary: Avoid reading or playing hand-held games. Focus on the horizon. Adjust the air vents. Control your breathing. Use the head rest on the seat. Eat lightly and avoid alcohol and caffeine during your flight. Stand up. Ask the flight attendant to move you if people around you are airsick. Focus on other things. Listen to music.

Problem: Article: Their surroundings should suggest something significant about their personality or state of mind. Your description should also set-up the scene for what is about to happen. If at their home, details concerning the location, size and condition of structure, how it is decorated, and your character's housekeeping skills can offer clues as to their personality or habits. If your setting is a public space, like a coffee shop, tell readers whether the shop is a well-known chain, or a dive that few people even know about. Reveal if they sit in the back rather than in view of other patrons. Make sure to consider your audience so that you can appeal to their senses and expectations. Tell your audience what the character sees, feels, smells, or hears to make it more realistic and engaging. Don't just tell your audience that your character is drinking coffee, give details about the type of coffee: straight espresso, a syrupy latte, or plain black Columbian coffee. Describe the scents in the shop, the noise from the drink machines, and the people chatting at tables nearby. Can they hear a dog barking outside? Is the sun permeating the window, forcing them to wear sunglasses? This is a great way to develop your character's personality. Explain how they got there: were they trying out a new place on their own, meeting someone for the first time, or are they really bad at reading directions? Describe what exactly about the scene makes them uncomfortable.
Summary:
Offer a visual sketch of the character's immediate surroundings. Appeal to your reader's senses. Consider placing them in an uncomfortable environment.