Although the monsoon brings welcome rains and relief from the summer heat, the thunderstorms that come with the monsoon bring their own hazards. In fact, this is the most dangerous time of year, weather-wise, in Arizona.

So before the season gets underway, it's a good idea to get acquainted with monsoon facts, safety, and preparedness.

Your best source of information is the excellent new Web site for Monsoon Safety. Visit the site >>

. . .

Monsoon Safety Awareness Week, June 8-12, 2009, is supported by the Southern Arizona Chapter of the American Red Cross and many partner agencies.

A portable radio is one of the essential items to have, in preparing for power outages. [See Blackout Preparedness checklist.] Any kind will work, but we'd like to tell you about the really super line of Eton Radios, such as the one pictured here.

This radio has AM/FM/NOAA Bands, NOAA weather - all 7 channels, alert function, and a zillion other features (water-resistant, hand-crank, LED and flashing red lights, etc.). Perhaps the coolest and most useful thing it can do for you, in case of extended monsoon-related outage, is to charge your cell phone.