In a large scale disaster, at least three days will pass before essential utilities will be restored.

Are sure you are prepared for this situation?

In a large scale disaster, at least three days could pass before essential utilities will be restored. This section provides information, ideas and resources to help you prepare your home, your workplace and community for this critical 72 hour period.

BEFORE THE DISASTER IS PRODUCED

Steps to plan and prepare for a disaster

• Gather disaster gear (see Basic emergency supplies).
• Keep copies of important documents (passports, driver’s license, social security card, marriage certificate, will, deeds, statements, etc.) in a safe place, e.g. a security box. To ease your insurance claim, include an inventory of your valuables with pictures or video.
• Learn how and where to shut off your utilities (see Utilities).
• Analyze all possible exit routes from every room, building and neighborhood. Ensure your family has at least two exits from every place.
• Decide where to reunite after a disaster.
• Choose two places, one outside your home and another outside of your neighborhood, for example a park or another open area.
• Perform emergency drills and practice “STOP, DROP and ROLL” at least every six months.
• Keep your gas tank at least half tank.

Steps to make your home a safe place

• Ensure that your house number and street are visible so emergency vehicles can find you.
• At your home, install at least one fire alarm outside of each bedroom area and an additional alarm at each additional level of the house, including the basement. If the hallways are longer than 40 feet between the rooms and rest of the living areas, use two fire alarms. Test them every six months and replace the batteries once a year.
• Keep at least one fire extinguisher type ABC at each level of your home. Learn how and when to use them. Verify the pressure meters annually to ensure they are completely loaded.
• Keep the hallways and exits unblocked for an easy evacuation. Ensure that all security bars at the windows have emergency detachment mechanisms.
• Ensure that all valuable appliances and high, large or heavy accessories are equipped with straps for an earthquake, available in most hardware stores. Move heavy objects to the lower shelves and install latches at the cabinet doors.
• California law requires that your water heater is properly fastened so it won’t fall during an earthquake.
• If a water heater is not equipped with a flexible supply tube, get in touch with a certified plumber to install one.
• Store dangerous chemicals (e.g. gasoline, bleach, thinners) away from open flames and secure them to avoid spilling.

Basic emergency supplies

You can buy pre-assembled disaster gear in several places or that you can assemble yourself using elements you already own, anyway, make sure you are familiar with the content of your equipment and replace perishable elements before they expire.

• Divide these emergency supplies in domestic disaster equipment that you can share at home and emergency bags for each member of the family in case of evacuation.
• Store your domestic disaster equipment in an accessible place if your home is damaged and not safe to enter (e.g. a back yard shed). If this option is not possible, place it in an easily accessible place within your home.
• Store your family’s emergency bags in an accessible place in case you need to evacuate your home.

Control list for disaster supply equipment:

If your home is structurally solid after a disaster, your domestic disaster equipment will allow you to stay in place, even without utilities. Place the content in a waterproof container you can move easily (e.g. a large garbage can with wheels). Include:

• Hygiene supplies (e.g. towels, baby wipes, odorless bleach and resistant garbage bags).
• A battery operated flashlights and lanterns (with extra batteries and light bulbs)
• Plates, utensils and paper towels, etc.
• Cooking supplies (manual can opener, camp kitchen, fuel, lighter, pots, utensils, etc.).
• Articles for weather protection (e.g. coats, raincoats, sleeping bags, blankets, resistant shoes and a resistant tent).
• Work gloves, safety glasses, lever, hammer, stapler, and wrench.

Emergency bags

Each family member must have their own emergency bag as a part of the Domestic disaster equipment. Emergency bags are intended to be used:

• At home, to be able to remain in place even without utilities;
• if you must evacuate your home;
• or if you are not able to return home.

Since you might be outside your home when a disaster occurs, it is recommender to keep an emergency bag at your workplace and vehicle.

Each emergency bag must include:

• Food and water (as much as you can carry)
• Portable radio and extra batteries
• First aid kit and manual
• A 5 day supply of medication you take regularly and a copy of your prescription
• Whistle (to alert rescuers about your location)
• Personal hygiene supplies (including toilet paper)
• Emergency illumination (e.g. glow sticks, flashlight, lantern) and extra batteries
• Garbage bags and large paper towels
• A change of clothes and a hat
• Resistant shows, in case evacuation demands walking great distances
• Dust mask
• Pen, paper and tape
• Cash in small denominations
• A copy of your insurance card and driver’s license or ID
• Pictures of family members to show in case you become separated and can reunite
• A list of contact numbers in case of emergency

More tips:

• In children’s emergency bags, include medical consent forms, a family picture to show in case you are apart and reunite and a favorite toy, cards or book.
• Include markers and jump cables in your vehicle emergency bag.
• Remember preparing an emergency bag for your pet! (See Tips for pet owners)