Preparation

• Family Meetings:

At least once a year have a meeting with your family to discuss and update your plan and determine what training, equipment and supplies are needed. Occasional drills will assure quick reaction and avoid injury and panic in an emergency. Share your plans with neighbors, friends, relatives and co-workers.

• Learn how to protect yourselves from falling objects, smoke, fire, caustic fumes, etc.

• Learn first aid (available through your American Red Cross Station)

Location of first aid kit

• Learn how and where to shut off utilities:

--Location of gas valve
--Location of wrench
--Location of main water valve
--Location of main circuit breaker
--Location of other utilities

• Draw a Plan of Your Home:

On a separate piece of paper draw a floor plan of your home showing the location of exit windows and doors, utility cutoffs, first aid kit, emergency supplies, food clothing, tools, etc. Be sure everyone in your household is familiar with it. Show it to babysitters and house guests when you're going to be away. They could use it to direct someone to a utility cutoff in an emergency.

• Alternate places to meet around home:

--Outside
--Inside

• Alternate reunion locations when family is not at home, e.g. home, Red Cross shelter, neighbor, relative, park, school.

• Name and telephone number of person outside area for family members to call to report location and condition

• Learn and discuss school disaster policy. Church? Club? Are medical consent forms complete?

• Where are emergency supplies and equipment located?

--Fire extinguisher
--Flashlight/Batteries
--Portable radio
--Tools
--Safety equipment
--Water
--Sanitation supplies
--Food
--Cooking equipment
--Blankets
--Prescription glasses
--Medication
--First aid supplies
--Complete set of clothes, shoes, gloves

• Secure water heater, refrigerator, tall and heavy furniture to wall studs

• Move heavy items to lower shelves.

• Install clips, latches and other locking devices on cabinet doors.

• Provide strong support and flexible connections on gas appliances.

• Remove or isolate flammable materials.

• If you're indoors, get under a table, desk or bed, or brace yourself in a strong doorway. Watch for falling, flying and sliding objects. Stay away from windows.

• If you're outdoors, move to an open area away from buildings, power poles, and brick or block walls that could all.

• If you're in an automobile, stop and stay in it until the shaking stops. Avoid stopping near trees and power lines, on or under overpasses.

• If you're in a high rise building, get under a desk until the shaking stops. Do not use the elevator to evacuate. Wait for instructions from building authorities.

• If you're in a store, get under a table, or any sturdy object, or in doorway. Avoid stopping under anything that could fall. Do not dash forth exit. Choose your exit carefully.

• Prominently post a message indicating where you can be found.

• Take with you:

--Medicines and first aid kit
--Flashlight, radio and batteries
--Important papers and cash
--Food, sleeping bags/blankets and extra clothes
--Make arrangements for pets

• Put on heavy shoes immediately to avoid injury from stepping on glass and other debris.

• Check for injuries and give first aid.

• Check for fires and fire hazards:

--Clear top of stove
--Sniff for gas leaks, starting at the hot water heater. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off main gas valve, open windows and carefully leave the house. Do not turn lights on or off or light matches or do anything that makes a spark.

Note: Do not shut off gas unless an emergency exists. If time permits, call the gas company or a qualified plumber. Do not turn it back on until the gas company or plumber has checked it out.

--If damage to electrical system is suspected (frayed wires, sparks, or the smell of hot insulation) turn off system at main circuit breaker or fuse box.

• If water leaks are suspected, shut off water at main valve.

• Check neighbors for injury.

• Turn on radio and listen for advisories. Locate light source, if necessary.

• Do not touch downed power lines or objects touched by downed wires.

• Clean up potentially harmful material.

• Check house, roof, chimney for damage. Stay in undamaged areas.

• Open closets and cupboards carefully.

• Check emergency supplies.

• Do not use phone except for genuine emergencies.

• Do not go sightseeing.

• Cooperate with public safety officials. Be prepared to evacuate when necessary.

American Red Cross Disaster Relief Services

Red Cross disaster assistance may be in the form of feeding stations, clothing, shelter, cleaning supplies, comfort kits, first aid, or the provision of other basic needs. The Red Cross supplies blood and handles welfare inquiries, and as soon as possible helps with the most urgent needs tenable families to resume living as a unit. Given on the basis of verified need, help may include funds for food, clothing, housing, fuel, cooking and eating utensils, bed and bedding, cleaning supplies, linens, rent, necessary furniture, medical and health care, prescription drugs, prosthetic devices, eyeglasses, personal occupational supplies and equipment, transportation, and minor home repairs.

All Red Cross help to disaster victims is an outright gift. No repayments required or requested. All funds used by the Red Cross for this purpose are voluntarily donated by the American people.

Red Cross disaster services are carried out by trained volunteers supported by a few paid staff. Your local chapter needs your help. Why not call or come in soon to find out how you can become a Red Cross volunteer.

Home Emergency Supplies

Survival

• Water -- 2 quarts to 1 gallon per person per day.

• First Aid Kit -- ample and freshly stocked.

• First Aid Book -- know how to use it.

• Essential medication and glasses -- as required.

• Smoke detector. Be sure to test it regularly.

• Fire Extinguisher -- dry chemical, type ABC.

• Flashlight -- fresh and spare batteries and bulb.

• Escape ladder for second story bedrooms.

• Whistle -- on your key chain.

• Radio -- portable, battery operated.

• Spare batteries.

• Food -- canned or pre-cooked and requiring minimum heat and water. Consider special diets, such as for infants or elderly.

• Can opener.

• Food for pets.

• Blankets -- or sleeping bag for each member of family.

• Money.

• Watch or clock - battery or spring wound.

• Large plastic trash bags -- for trash, waste, water protection, ground cloth.

• Large trash cans.

• Hand soap.

• Liquid detergent.

• Toothpaste and toothbrush.

• Deodorant.

• Dentures.

• Feminine supplies.

• Infant supplies.

• Toilet paper.

• Household bleach.

• Newspapers -- to wrap garbage and waste. Can also be used for warmth.

• Heavy shoes -- for every family member.

• Heavy gloves -- for every person clearing debris.

• Candles.

• Matches -- dipped in wax and kept in waterproof container.

• Clothes -- complete change kept dry.

• Sharp knife or razor blades.

• Garden hose -- for siphoning and fire fighting.

• Hat or cap -- protection from sun, rain & cold.

• Barbecue -- hibachi, camp stove, or sterna stove.

• Fuel for cooking equipment -- charcoal, lighter fluid, sterna.

• Pots and heavy duty aluminum foil.
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• Paper plates.

• Plastic knives, forks, spoons.

• Paper towels.

• Crescent wrench -- for turning off gas main.

• Axe, shovel, broom.

• Screw driver, pliers, hammer.

• Coil of 1/2" rope.

• Coil of baling wire.

• Plastic tape.

• Pen and paper.

• Sturdy shoes.

• Extra clothes -- jeans, sweater.

• Local maps.

• Bottled water.

• First aid kit and book.

• Essential medications.

• Fire extinguisher.

• Flares.

• Flashlight -- with spare batteries and bulbs.

• Tools -- screwdriver, pliers, wire, knife.

• Short rubber hose -- for siphoning.

• Non-perishable food -- store in empty coffee cans.

• Blanket or sleeping bag.

• Salable plastic bags.

• Small package of tissue.

• Pre-moistened novelettes.

To purify drinking water, use any of the following methods:

• Boil for 5-10 minutes.

• Add 10 drops of household bleach solution per gallon of water, mix well and let stand for 30 minutes. A slight smell or taste of chlorine indicates water is good to drink.

• Add household tincture of iodine in the same manner as bleach above.

• Use commercial purification tablets such as Hal zone or Globaline.Follow package instructions.

Important Telephone Numbers

• Fire Department

• Police Department

• Emergency Medical

• Physician

• Gas Co.

• Electric Co.

• Water Co.

• Name and telephone number of person outside area for family members to call to report location and condition.

• Other contacts/telephone numbers you deem important.