April is Earthquake Preparedness Month and the American Red Cross would like to remind you to take earthquake preparedness steps now, before the next earthquake strikes.  There are three actions everyone can take that can help make a difference.  Get a kit. Make a plan. Be informed. 

Get a Kit.
The key items of a kit include at least a three-day supply of water and food for each person, first aid supplies, clothing and bedding, tools, and special items. Review your kit every six months. Replace the food and water and add necessary items as your family’s needs change.

Water
- Store one gallon of water per person (or pet) per day.
- Store water in plastic containers. Avoid using containers that may break, such as glass bottles.

Food
Pick foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water. Most importantly, select foods that you and your family like.
- Ready-to-eat foods like canned meats, fruits, and vegetables
- Canned juices, milk, soup
- High energy foods, such as peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix
- Special food for infants, elderly persons, or persons on special diets
- Comfort food, such as cookies, candy, etc.

Tools and Supplies
- First Aid kit (for a complete list of First-Aid kit items, click here.)
- Prescription medications (at least a three day supply)
- Non-prescription medications, such as aspirin, antacid and anti-diarrhea medication)
- Eating utensils, cups, and plates
- Solar, manual or battery operated radio and extra batteries
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Non-electric can opener
- Whistle
- Map
- Gloves
- Wrench (to turn off gas and water)
- Clothing and a sturdy pair of shoes
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Toilet paper
- Personal hygiene items: feminie supplies, toothbrush and toothpaste and soap

Special Items
- Baby formula
- Diapers
- Bottles
- Contact lenses and supplies
- Extra eye glasses
- Entertainment—games, books
- Pet supplies

Important Family Documents
Keep these records or photocopies in a waterproof, portable container.
- I.D. Cards/Drivers License
- Emergency Contact List (including out-of-state contact)
- Passports, birth certificates, social security cards
- Medical Insurance cards, immunization records, prescription list for each family member
- Insurance policies
- Cash (small bills & coins)
- Bank account numbers, credit card and company numbers

Make a plan.
Planning ahead will help you have the best possible response to a disaster.

Talk- Discuss with your family the disasters that can happen where you live. Establish responsibilities for each member of your household and plan to work together as a team. Designate alternates in case someone is absent.

Plan- Choose two places to meet after a disaster:
•Right outside your home, in case of a sudden emergency, such as a fire.
•Outside your neighborhood, in case you cannot return home or are asked to evacuate your neighborhood.

Learn- Each adult in your household should learn how and when to turn off utilities such as electricity, water and gas. Ask your local fire department to show you how to use a fire extinguisher.

Tell everyone in the household where emergency information and supplies are kept. Make copies of the information for everyone to carry with them. Keep the information updated.

Practice evacuating your home twice a year. Drive your planned evacuation route and plot alternate routes on a map in case main roads are impassable or gridlocked.

Include your pets. If you must evacuate, take your animals with you. If it is not safe for you to remain, it is not safe for them.

Be informed.
Know what may happen and how you can help.

- Learn what disasters or emergencies may occur where you live, work and play.

- Identify how local authorities will notify you during a disaster and how you will get important information.

- Learn what you can do to prepare for disasters by contacting your local Red Cross chapter to ask about first aid, CPR and disaster training.

- Share what you have learned with your family, household and neighbors and encourage them to be informed too.

- What’s in your wallet? Be sure to include an American Red Cross Emergency Contact Card. (Download and print a contact card)

Join other members of your community through the American Red Cross in taking these first steps. You never know how many people your actions will affect, how many lives you might change. For more information on earthquake preparedness, visit www.PrepareLA.org.

This entry was posted on Friday, April 2nd, 2010 at 3:17 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.