PREPAREDNESS
TIPS
PREPAREDNESS
TIPS
Page Last Updated On 08/02/2009
Disaster Awareness Training (DAT)
Culver City CERT offers FREE Disaster Awareness Training to community groups in Culver City. The training gives an overview of the hazards of earthquakes and how to prepare your home for an earthquake or other disaster. If you are interested in having someone come out to make a presentation, email dat @ culvercitycert.org.
Putting
Down Roots in Earthquake County
Your Handbook for Living in Southern California
This popular 32-page earthquake science and preparedness handbook, first published in 1995 by the Southern California Earthquake Center, has now been updated for the first time. The new version features current scientific understanding of when and where earthquakes will occur in Southern California, and how the ground will shake as a result. Updated maps of earthquakes, faults, and potential shaking are included as well as instructions on how to get information after earthquakes and the “Seven Steps on the Road to Earthquake Safety.”
Preparing for Earthquakes - DROP, COVER, and HOLD
This link describes the proper drop, cover, and hold response. It also discusses some invalid information that has been circulated about alternative responses. Drop, cover, and hold is considered the safest response to the shaking during an earthquake.
List of things never to forget if disaster strikes
(from Marc Vetri, Physician's Assistant, UCLA) Click here.
Thank you to the City of Lawndale for gathering the following information:
When an Emergency Occurs
An emergency can occur quickly and without warning. The most important thing you can do to keep yourself and your family safe from an emergency is to prepare, stay calm, and follow instructions from emergency personnel. In the event of a disaster, prepare to be self-sufficient. During the first few hours or days following a disaster, essential services may not be available. The first 72 hours are critical. Electricity, gas, water, and telephones may not be working. Public Safety services such as fire and police will be busy handling serious crises. The best way to make your family and your home safer is to be prepared for any type of disaster. You and your family should develop an emergency plan, assemble a preparedness kit, and share some basic information on what to do before, during, and after any emergency.
Create an Emergency Plan
Identify the most severe threats likely to affect you, and prepare accordingly. Learn about the types of emergencies that may affect your community, how you will be notified of an event, and plans that may already be in place to deal with these events. Emergencies may strike when your family is at work, school, or just about anywhere so find out about plans in advance.
This checklist may help you in creating your emergency plan for home:
Draw a floor plan of your home. Mark at least two escape routes from each room.
Post emergency numbers near all telephones and pre-program emergency phone numbers with autodial capabilities.
Pick a friend or relative that all family members will call if separated (it is often easier to call out-of-state during an emergency than within the affected area).
Take a Basic First Aid and CPR Class. Contact American Red Cross for more information.
Teach children how and when to dial 9-1-1 to get emergency assistance.
Teach adults how to turn off the water, gas, and electricity at the main switches.
Keep family records in sealed plastic bags in a fire and impact resistant safe. Inexpensive models can be purchased at most hardware stores.
Practice your emergency plan every six months or so.
Prepare an Emergency Kit
Items for a family preparedness kit can be placed in a 30-gallon garbage container with wheels for easy evacuation. Medicine, some food, and personal items may be placed in each individual backpack.
You should consider including the following items in an Emergency Kit:
At least a 3-day supply of water (1 gallon per person per day).
A 3-to-5 day supply of non-perishable packaged or canned food and a non-electric can opener.
A change of clothing, rain gear, and sturdy shoes. Blankets, bedding, or sleeping bags.
A first aid kit and prescription medication (check expiration dates). An extra pair of glasses or contact lenses and solution. Paper and pencil.
A fire extinguisher, ABC type.
A portable butane or charcoal stove.
A shut-off wrench to turn off utilities.
A battery-powered radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries.
Tent, camping type for the family.
Sanitation items: toilet paper, soap, personal hygiene items, plastic bags, a plastic bucket with a tight lid, disinfectant, liquid chlorine bleach.
Special items for infants, the elderly, or family members with disabilities.
Items that can help for stress management may include soft small toys for children, board games for older kids, and books or a musical instrument for anyone including adults. Be sure to pack food items that are favorites of family members.
Neighborhood Watch
Working with neighbors in an emergency can save lives and property. Meet with your community members to plan how you could work together until help arrives. If you are a member of a Neighborhood Watch, introduce emergency preparedness as a new activity. Know your neighbor's special skills and consider how you could help those with special needs, such as people with disabilities and elderly persons.
What if You Have Pets?
Create a survival kit for your pet. This should include:
Identification collar and rabies tag
Carrier or cage
Leash
Any medications
Newspapers and plastic bags for handling wastes
At least a two week supply of food and water, including food bowls
Veterinary records (most animal shelters won't allow pets without proof of vaccination)
If you have no other choice but to leave your pet at home, place your pet in a safe area inside you home with plenty of water and food.
Never leave pets chained outside. Place a note outside your home listing what pets are inside, where they are located, and phone numbers of where you can be reached.
Additional information on emergency preparedness is available by calling FEMA at (800) 480-2520 or on the Internet at
http://www.fema.gov
http://www.redcross.org