Be prepared for emergencies

As the devastating wildfires in Southern California should remind you, natural disasters can happen at any time without warning. Whether you are near the fire-ravaged areas of California where 265,000 people who live in a 150-mile area between the Mexican border and Malibu have been told to evacuate their homes; have a house in a tornado- or hurricane-prone area; or live in a location where other natural disasters are common, it’s essential to know how to respond to emergencies.

This concise guide will help you ready yourself for a natural disaster. You’ll find more detailed information on preparing for, getting through, and recovering from a cataclysmic event in our Storm & Emergency Guide. (Also see these specific tips for preventing wildfire damage at your home.)

Investigate likely dangers. Ask your local American Red Cross chapter or county emergency-management office to mail you or refer you to information about the most likely disasters in your area. Ask specifically about the warning signals, evacuation routes, and emergency services in your community as well as where to seek shelter. You should also find out what the disaster plans at your family's jobs, schools, or day-care centers require you to do.

In addition, it's wise to create a family preparedness plan:

Stock up. Consider storing the following basic supplies in a “go-bag” for home use or evacuation: at least three days' worth of nonperishable food, water, and essential medicines; toiletries and clothing; iodine tablets or bleach to disinfect water if you can't boil it; candles and matches; flashlights or battery-powered lamps; battery-operated TV or radio; first-aid kit and book; extra eyeglasses, keys, cash, and batteries; and copies of important documents (such as birth certificates and passports). Consider keeping separate go-bags (excluding the documents) at work and in your car. You may also want to keep your car's tank at least half full, since gas pumps may not work if there's no electric power. Read http://www.fema.gov/pdf/fima/fema320_erkit.pdf for more information.

Find the safe spots. During an earthquake the safest locations in your home include load-bearing interior walls or doorways; during a tornado, seek shelter in the basement.

Shut down utilities. Teach family members how and when to turn off the water, gas, and electricity in case of damaged utility lines.

Get ready to rendezvous. Designate two places where your family will reunite after a disaster: one near your home and another outside your neighborhood. Give all family members a wallet card with relevant addresses and phone numbers.

Create a call-in contact. After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance than locally. So ask someone out of state to be your family contact and tell family members to call in if they can't get to the meeting place.

Plan for pets. Pack a disaster supply kit in advance, including pet food, leashes, and veterinary records. Since pets usually aren't permitted in emergency shelters, you may have to leave them at a kennel, animal shelter, or friend's home. Read “Don’t leave home without them” for detailed information.—Steven H. Saltzman

Essential information: Download these PDFs and keep them handy.

Before_Emergency_Checklist.pdf

Emergency_Plan_Checklist.pdf

Protect_Your_Home_Checklist.pdf

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