How to Prepare for an Emergency

Make A Plan

After a major disaster, it is unlikely that emergency response services will be able to immediately respond to everyone’s needs, so it’s important to be prepared to take care of yourself and your family. Plan to be on your own for at least the first 72 hours.

The following steps will help you prepare for any emergency:

• Try to select someone that is far enough away to not be affected by the same emergency. Provide this person with the names and contact information of the people you want to keep informed of your situation. Instruct family members to call this person and tell them where they are. Long distance phone service is often restored sooner than local service.
• Duplicate important documents and keep copies off-site, either in a safety deposit box or with someone you trust. Documents may include: passport, drivers license, social security card, wills, deeds, financial statements, insurance information, marriage license and prescriptions.
• Inventory valuables, in writing and with photographs or video. Keep copies of this information off-site with your other important documents.
• Make a household/family plan. Involve all key people in planning.
• Make your home safe. 
• Put together a disaster supply kit. Plan to have supplies for yourself and your family for at least 3 days following a disaster.  
• When planning, consider the special needs of children, seniors or people with disabilities, family members that don’t speak English and pets.                              

Household/Family

Talk with your family about potential disasters and why it's necessary to prepare for them. Involve each member of your family in the planning process. By showing them simple steps that can increase their safety, you can help reduce their anxiety about emergencies.

• Make sure everyone knows where to find your disaster supply kit and Go-bags.
• Have a flashlight and a pair of shoes under everyone’s bed in case there is an earthquake during the night. Use a plastic bag tied to the leg of the bed to keep these items from moving during an earthquake.
• Plan where to meet after a disaster if your home becomes unsafe. Choose two places, one just outside your home and one outside your neighborhood in case you are told to evacuate. Be sure your gas tank is always at least half full.
• Determine the best escape routes from your home. Try to identify two escape routes.
• Make sure each member knows who your family’s out-of-state contact is and instruct them to call this person and tell him/her where they are.
• Locate the gas main and other utilities and make sure family members know when and how to turn them off.
• Practice your evacuation routes, Drop, Cover & Hold and Stop, Drop & Roll drills.
• Teach each member of your family how to use a fire extinguisher.
• Create emergency response cards for each of your family members.
• When planning, consider the special needs of children, seniors or people with disabilities, family members that don’t speak English and pets.  

Power/Utilities

Natural Gas

Natural gas leaks can cause an explosive and flammable atmosphere inside a building. If you smell gas, hear gas escaping, see a broken gas line, or if you suspect leak, shut off the main valve and open all windows and doors.

• Never use candles or matches if you suspect a leak.
• Do not turn on electrical switches or appliances.
• Identify the main shutoff valve, which is located on the gas line coming into the main gas meter. (This is usually on the exterior of your home or building, or in an external closet.)   
         
• Your main valve may look like this:
  
  To turn gas off, give the valve a quarter turn in either direction. when the lever crosses the direction of the pipe (see below) the gas is off.
• Keep a crescent wrench or gas shut-off tool nearby to turn the lever.
• Once you turn off the gas, never attempt to turn it back on yourself. wait for your utility company to do it, but be aware that it may take several days for it to be turned back on.              

Electricity

Electrocution can result from direct contact with live wires or anything that has been energized by these wires.

• Locate your home’s main electric switch, which is normally in the garage or outdoors, where the power lines enter the home. The panel box may have a flip switch or pull handle on a large circuit breaker.
• Shut off electricity when:
  • Arcing or burning occurs in electrical devices.
  • There is a fire or significant water leak.
  • You smell burning insulation.
  • The area around switches or plugs is blackened and/or hot to the touch.
  • A complete power loss is accompanied by the smell of burning material.
• Contact Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) or phone (800) 743 -5000 if you have any questions.

Water

Water leaks can cause property damage and create an electrocution hazard.

• Shut off the water when there is a leak inside the building.
• The water shutoff is usually located in the basement, garage, or where the water line enters the home. The water shutoff is located on a riser pipe and is usually a red or yellow wheel. Turn wheel clockwise to shut off.
  
  Your main water valve may look like this:
  
  

Home Safety

During a disaster, ordinary objects in your home can cause injury or damage. However, there are simple steps you can take to make your home safer. Start by viewing each room with a “disaster eye” and identify potential hazards – bookshelves that could tip over in an earthquake and block exits or heavy objects that could fall and cause injury.

• Install smoke detectors on each level of your home and change batteries every 6 months.
• Move beds away from windows.
• Move mirrors and heavy pictures away from couches or places where people sit.
• Clear hallways and exits for easy evacuation. 
• Store heavy items on the lowest shelves.
• Keep an ABC type fire extinguishers on each level and know how and when to use them.
• Strap down your water heater and fit all gas appliances with a flexible gas supply line.
• Store flammable or highly reactive chemicals (such as bleach, ammonia, paint thinners) securely and separate from each other.
• Secure pictures and wall hangings and use restraints to secure heavy items such as bookcases and file cabinets.
• Know how and when to switch off your utilities.
• Ensure that all window safety bars have emergency releases.
• Be sure your home number is visible from the street so emergency vehicles can find you.

Children

• Include your children in family discussions and planning for emergency safety.
• Teach your children their basic personal information so they can identify themselves and get help if they become separated from a parent or guardian.
• Prepare an emergency card with information for each child, including his/her full name, address, phone number, parent’s work number and out of state contact.
• Know the policies of the school or daycare center your children attend. Make plans to have someone pick them up if you are unable to get to them.
• Regularly update your child’s school with current emergency contact information and persons authorized to pick up your child from school.
• Make sure each child knows the family’s alternate meeting sites if you are separated in a disaster and cannot return to your home.
• Make sure each child knows how to reach your family’s out-of-state contact person.
• Teach children to dial their home telephone number and Emergency 9-1-1.
• Teach children what gas smells like and advise them to tell an adult if they smell gas after an emergency.
• Warn children never to touch wires on poles or lying on the ground.
• Role-play with children to help them remain calm in emergencies and to practice basic emergency responses such as evacuation routes, Drop, Cover & Hold and Stop, Drop & Roll.
• Role-play with children as to what they should do if a parent is suddenly sick or injured.
• Role-play with children on what to say when calling Emergency 9-1-1.

Kit:

• Include a family picture and a favorite toy, game or book for each child in his/her Go-bag.
• Include your child’s emergency card and include information on reunification locations and out-of-area contact.
• Provide comfort food and treats for each child in your family disaster supplies kit.
• Keep a recent photo of your children in your Go-bag.

Seniors/Disabled

• Set up a Personal Support network – Designate someone to check on you in an emergency and to help with evacuation or sheltering-in-place.
• Personal Care Assistance – If you receive assistance from a home healthcare agency or in-home support provider, find out how the provider will respond in an emergency. Designate backup or alternative providers that you can contact in an emergency.
• For Persons using a wheelchair – Plan for how you will evacuate in an emergency and discuss it with your care providers. If you use a motorized wheelchair, have a manual wheelchair as a backup.
• For Persons who are Blind or Visually Impaired – Keep an extra collapsible cane by your bed. Attach a whistle to the cane; use it if you need to attract attention. Exercise caution when moving around after an earthquake; items may fall and block paths that are normally unobstructed.
• For Persons who are Hearing Impaired – Keep extra batteries for your hearing aids with emergency supplies. Consider storing your hearing aids in a container attached to your nightstand or bedpost, so you can locate them quickly after a disaster.

Pets

• Arrange for a neighbor to check on your pets and take care of them if a disaster occurs while you are not at home.
• Plan ahead for a friend or relative outside the affected area to shelter your animals if necessary.
• Keep your pet’s ID tags up to date. Consider having your pet micro-chipped.

Kit:

Make a disaster Go-bag for each of your pets, include the following:

• Sturdy leashes and/or carriers to transport pets. Animal shelters may require owners to provide a pet carrier for each animal.
• Current photos of your pets in case they get lost.
• Food and potable water, for at least one week. Bowls, cat litter and pan, plastic bags, can opener and pet toys. These items may not be immediately available in animal shelters.
• Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems, immunization records and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to board your pets.

Response:

• Bring all pets into the house so that you won't have to search for them if you have to leave in a hurry.
• Do not try and hold onto your pet during the shaking of an earthquake or explosion. Animals instinctively protect themselves and hide where they are safe.
• Animals react differently under stress. Outside your home and in the car, keep dogs securely leashed. Transport cats in carriers. The most trustworthy pets may panic, hide, and try to escape or even bite or scratch.
• When you return home, give your pets time to settle back into their routines. Consult your veterinarian if any behavioral problems persist.

Animal Control Services
(831) 454-7303

Build a Kit

Your basic emergency kit should include:

• Water – one gallon per person per day
• Food– ready to eat or requiring minimal water
• Manual can opener and other cooking supplies
• Plates, utensils and other feeding supplies
• First Aid kit & instructions
• A copy of important documents & phone numbers
• Warm clothes and rain gear for each family member.
• Heavy work gloves
• Disposable camera
• Unscented liquid household bleach and an eyedropper for water purification
• Personal hygiene items including toilet paper, feminine supplies, hand sanitizer and soap
• Plastic sheeting, duct tape and utility knife for covering broken windows
• Tools such as a crowbar, hammer & nails, staple gun, adjustable wrench and bungee cords.
• Blanket or sleeping bag
• Large heavy duty plastic bags and a plastic bucket for waste and sanitation
• Any special-needs items for children, seniors or people with disabilities. Don’t forget water and supplies for your pets.

Water

Store one gallon of water, per person, per day. This amount will be adequate for general drinking purposes. Three gallons per person per day will give you enough to cook and for limited personal hygiene. Do not forget to plan for your pets.

If you store tap water:

• Store water in food grade plastic containers, such as clean 2-liter soft drink bottles. Heavy duty, reusable plastic water containers are also available at sporting goods stores.
• Replace water at least once every six months.

If you buy commercially bottled “spring” or “drinking” water:

• Keep water in its original container, and don’t re-store a bottle once it’s been opened.
• Label bottles with their replacement date, and store in a cool, dark place.
• Replace water at least once each year.

Treating water after the disaster:

If you run out of stored drinking water, strain and treat water from your water heater or the toilet reservoir tank (except if you use toilet tank cleaners.) You cannot drink swimming pool or spa water, but you can use it for flushing toilets or washing.

Treatment process:

Begin by straining any large particles of dirt by pouring the water through a couple of layers of paper towels or clean cloth.
Next, purify the water one of two ways:               

• Boil – bring to a rolling boil and maintain for 3-5 minutes. To improve the taste, pour it back and forth between two clean containers to add oxygen back.
• Disinfect – If the water is clear, add 8 drops of bleach per gallon. If it is cloudy, add 16. Shake or stir, then let stand 30 minutes. A slight chlorine taste and smell is normal.

Food

• Store food items that are familiar, rather than buying special emergency food. Consider any dietary restrictions and preferences you may have.
• Ideal foods are: Shelf-stable (no refrigeration required), low in salt, and do not require cooking (e.g. canned fruit, vegetables, peanut butter, jam, low-salt crackers, cookies, cereals, nuts, dried fruit, canned soup or meats, juices and non-fat dry milk).
• Mark a rotation date on any food container that does not already have an expiration date on the package.
• Include baby food and formula or other diet items for infants or seniors.
• Store the food in airtight, pest-resistant containers in a cool, dark place.
• Most canned foods can safely be stored for at least 18 months. Low acid foods like meat products, fruits or vegetables will normally last at least 2 years. Use dry products, like boxed cereal, crackers, cookies, dried milk or dried fruit within six months.
• After a power outage, refrigerated food will stay cold longer if you keep the door closed. Food should generally be consumed within 4 hours. Food in the freezer will normally remain safe for 2 days.

First Aid

Your Kit should include the following:

• Two pairs of disposable gloves
• Sterile dressings to stop bleeding
• Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes to disinfect
• Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection
• Burn ointment
• Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes
• Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general decontaminant
• Scissors
• Over-the-counter medicines such as Aspirin or other pain reliever, laxative, anti-diarrhea medication
• Prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart medicine, or asthma inhaler
• Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose monitoring equipment or blood pressure monitors

Go-bag

• Flashlight
• Radio – battery operated
• Batteries
• Whistle
• Dust mask
• Pocket knife
• Emergency cash in small denominations and quarters for phone calls
• Sturdy shoes, a change of clothes, and a warm hat
• Local map
• Some water and food
• Permanent marker, paper and tape
• Photos of family members and pets for re-identification purposes
• List of emergency point-of -contact phone numbers
• List of allergies to any drug (especially antibiotics) or food
• Copy of health insurance and identification cards
• Extra prescription eye glasses, hearing aid or other vital personal items
• Prescription medications and first aid supplies
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Extra keys to your house and vehicle
• Any special-needs items for children, seniors or people with disabilities. Don’t forget to make a Go-bag for your pets.

Get Involved

Training

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is designed to help neighborhoods, schools and businesses prepare for effective disaster/emergency response through training and pre-planning.

This training covers basic skills that are important to know when emergency services may not be immediately available. Program material covers earthquakes, fires, floods, hazardous incidents and other general life-threatening situations. Specific training includes: Disaster Fire Suppression, Hazardous Materials, Disaster Medical Operations (i.e., treating airway obstruction, bleeding, shock, etc.), Light Search and Rescue Operations, Disaster Psychology and Team Organization. The final session also includes a disaster simulation, to practice the response skills learned throughout the course. The CERT program lasts approximately 20 hours, divided over 5 to 7 days. Alternate scheduling can be arranged with the trainer.

If you are interested in knowing more about CERT training contact your local Fire Department. Information about the CERT program was supplied by the Aptos/La Selva Fire Protection District.

CERT
831-685- 6690

Volunteer:

Volunteer Center - Volunteers are in a unique position to improve the quality of life in our community through engaging in satisfying, challenging volunteer work.

The Volunteer Center's mission is to promote volunteerism throughout the community and to maintain a wide variety of volunteer opportunities which take into account the special needs and interests of all segments of the population, thus enabling all people, regardless of age, race, physical ability or other special circumstances, to share their skills and time in order to extend needed services in Santa Cruz County.

Community Involvement:

• Give blood - http://www.bloodcenters.org or 1-888-393-GIVE.
• Donate money to an established organization.
• Set up your own ‘Neighborhood Watch’ group
• Get to know your neighbors. Find out if anyone has specialized equipment, like a power generator or expertise such as medical knowledge, that might help in a crisis. Make arrangements to check on your neighbor’s home or pets if one of you is away when a disaster strikes.