From the California Governor's office of Emergency Services
Earthquake Preparedness
Individual and Family Preparedness
Background
The services which may suffer potential disruptions
during emergencies are the delivery of utilities such
as electricity, water and gas; electronic financial
transactions; transportation; food, water, food service
and health care.
These potential disruptions may create emergency situations
that can be mitigated with some advance individual
and family preparedness planning.
Begin Preparations
While some problems may become evident immediately,
others may take a little longer to have an impact.
OES suggests that all households be prepared to be
self-sufficient (able to live without running water,
electricity and/or gas, telephone and assistance from
safety devices) for three to seven days. The best place
to start is by examining your needs and those of your
family.
Try to imagine how an emergency may impact your family's
safety and well-being. How would you cook if gas and
electrical service was disrupted? What appliances can
your household function without for several days at
a time? Do you keep enough money at home to cover immediate
expenses in case ATM machines do not work? How often
do you shop for groceries and other supplies? Does
your car have enough gas in the tank to allow you to
function for days at a time without stopping to refill?
Suggested Preparations
Water
Store one gallon of water per person per day (at least
two quarts for drinking, two quarts for food preparation
and sanitation). Store water in sound plastic containers,
such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers
that will decompose or break, such as milk gallons
or glass bottles. Never use a container that has held
toxic substances. Boiling water before use is the safest
method of purifying water, but also have a water purification
kit on hand. For the boiling method, bring water to
a rolling boil for at least one (1) minute. Increase
boiling time to at least three (3) minutes if you live
at high elevations above 6,500 feet. Hint: When
used for drinking, after cooling, pouring the water
back and forth between two containers will help improve
the taste as oxygen is added during this process.
Other water sources in your home can be found in ice
cubes, the toilet tank at the back of the toilet (if
no chemical disinfectant is used), swimming pool, and
spa. Water used from these sources must be purified
before drinking, or use the water only for toilet flushing
and other non-ingested purposes.
Food
Have plenty of nonperishable food on hand for your family
to survive on for three days to a week. Keep in mind
the needs of all members of your family, including your
pets, as you stock up. Store nonperishable basics such
as dry and canned goods (soups, juices, milk, vegetables,
boxed food, beans, and pasta.) If you experience a power
failure, use perishable and refrigerated foods first
and then foods from the freezer. Be sure to have a non-electric
can opener and utility knife available.
Cooking/Heating
You may need to use alternative sources for cooking and
heating should an emergency cause a disruption in delivery
of gas and electricity.
Cooking:You may already have several alternative
cooking means on hand. Barbecues and camp stoves are
just two ideas for alternative cooking (for out-door
use only).
If you use propane, be sure the tank is full and
consider having a second full tank on hand. Another
idea for an alternative cooking device might be
a "canned heat" stove.
Remember, safety first when using fire as an alternative
cooking source.
Heating: Have sleeping bags available as well as
plenty of blankets and warm clothing. Make sure you have
plenty of wood for wood-burning stoves and fireplaces.
If you use a non-electrical alternative heating device,
make sure it is approved for indoor use and always follow
manufacturer's operating instructions. Ensure there is
adequate ventilation to prevent build up of carbon monoxide,
other gases, or smoke inside the home. Never use
barbecues or any similar outdoor cooking appliance in
your home since the fumes these create can kill you.
Refuse
Make sure you have enough sturdy covered garbage containers
to hold two weeks' worth of refuse should an emergency
disrupt garbage collection. Tight sealing lids on garbage
cans will help keep rodents and other pests away. Never
burn waste in your fireplace.
Health/Medical/Dental
It is always a good idea
to maintain an up-to-date copy of health, medical, and
dental records for yourself and your family. It is also
wise for each member of the family to be current on all
necessary immunizations. Keep an extra supply of prescriptions
and medications or other medical supplies used by your
family. (A list of basic health and medical supplies
is listed in the "Basic Supplies" section
of this document.) People with special needs, such
as the elderly and those with disabilities, may
wish to ask two friends or relatives they trust to
check on them in case an emergency causes disruptions
or other problems. Show them how to operate any special
equipment you use and where you keep your emergency
supplies, as well as giving them a spare key.
Banking
Prepare for possible disruption
of electrical power. Have some extra cash on hand in
case computer-controlled electronic transactions involving
ATM cards, credit cards, and the like cannot be processed.
You should have already purchased your emergency supplies
before the arrival of an emergency. The amount of cash
you keep on hand should be based on your family's needs.
Keep in mind that keeping large amounts of cash in the
home could make you vulnerable to theft. Please use discretion
and common sense when deciding this. Keep cash in a safe
place and withdraw money from your bank in small amounts.
Credit and Debit Cards:
Be prepared to pay in cash or by check while retailers
work out problems. Be sure to save receipts.
Finance: Keep a paper
record of all holdings, loan balances, and transactions.
Communications
Telephone lines may still
work if power is off or sporadic during short periods.
There is a possibility portable telephones will
not work without electricity. Make sure you have
at least one non-portable telephone in the house
for emergency situations. Cellular telephone systems
may be operational without electricity. Make the
inability to use a telephone part of your family's
emergency preparedness plan.
Transportation
Try maintaining
your car's gas tank at least half full at all times.
This will keep you from possible long lines at the
gas stations. Consider alternate transportation such
as public transportation or a bicycle in case an
emergency causes disruptions in the delivery of gasoline.
Storing gasoline at home is not recommended since it
can be extremely hazardous.
Portable Generators
Connect electrical devices
directly to a portable generator if you decide to use
one. Connecting the generator to your home's electrical
system is against the law unless a fail-safe switching
mechanism, installed by a licensed electrician, is
used. Always keep the portable generator in a well
ventilated area outside the home or in a completely
open garage. Do not put a portable generator in your
basement.
Legal
Keep copies of all
important documents such as wills, trusts, loans,
house deeds, insurance/life policies, tax, health,
education, and military service records, birth
certificates, passports, credit card and bank account
statements on hand in a safe place.
Entertainment
Plan activities and have supplies on hand for your
family to engage in if there are emergency-related
power disruptions. Playing cards, books and board
games are but a few items that you might want to
have available. Stock up on plenty of extra batteries
if you use portable radios, CD players, and televisions.
Preparing Your Home
Winterize your home
and any other structure that may provide shelter
for your family, neighbors, livestock, or equipment.
In the event of heat loss, make sure your water
pipes are protected from freezing.
Pets/Livestock
Do not leave your pets and/or
livestock out of your contingency plans. Be sure to store
extra food, water, and other supplies for them also.
If they take regular medication, have a full supply on
hand. Determine where you will take your pets and/or
livestock if it is necessary to move them. Be sure to
have leashes and pet carriers for each of your pets on
hand.
Basic Supplies
You may want to store a
three to seven day supply of the following:
- Paper plates, cups, plastic utensils
- Flashlights, battery operated radio and/or TV
- Extra batteries
- Matches (keep out of reach of children)
- Battery operated lamps, lanterns and fuel (keep out of reach of children)
- Battery operated smoke alarm
- Battery operated carbon monoxide detector
- Toilet paper, towelettes
- Personal hygiene items
- Plastic garbage bags,
zip-locking bags
- Waterless antibacterial hand soap
- Disinfectant / bleach
- Fire extinguisher
- Freshly stocked first-aid kit
- Cleansing agent/soap
- Antiseptic
- Non-prescription drugs you use regularly
- Full supply of prescription medication (when purchasing prescriptions after 12/31/99, check your prescription information carefully)
- Also, learn basic first aid and CPR
Prepare
for emergencies a bit at a time each month. Do not
overlook the value of working with your community,
neighborhood, or religious organizations. All these
can be your partners in preparedness planning.
Above all, don't panic.
Get involved in your preparedness planning now! Everyone should be prepared
for the potential impact of an emergency. Encourage your friends, relatives,
neighbors and community to prepare accordingly. Provide assistance with emergency
preparedness planning to elderly persons and those with disabilities. Your
local Office of Emergency Services can help by providing additional information.
Conclusion
It is prudent to be prepared for any potential emergency. Currently preparedness
information can be accessed on the OES homepage at http://www.oes.ca.gov
Suggested
Emergency Preparedness Web Sites
California Governor's Office of Emergency Services
http://www.oes.ca.gov
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
http://www.fema.gov
The American Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org
California Governor's Office of Emergency Services
P.O. Box 419047
Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-9047