Earthquake readiness is something that YOU can do right now.
We can help you with your disaster preparedness plan, kit and classes.
We teach OSHA compliant classes and do consulting to help your business or club with their Emergency Preparedness Manual
On October 20 at 10:20 a.m.
millions of people will participate in the 2011 Great California ShakeOut!
In 2010, more than 7.9 million Californians practiced Drop, Cover, and Hold On to practice how they will protect themselves during earthquakes, and increased their overall preparedness. Join us in 2011!
* You can hold your drill at any other time or day that fits your schedule.
What you can do TODAY:
Between now and October 20:
October 20, 10:20 a.m.:
Click here for more information
SOURCE” www.shakeout.org
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE
Disasters or emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time. Over the past two years alone, more than 130 Presidential Disaster Declarations have been declared in 45 states and territories. When a disaster strikes, older persons and persons with disabilities may experience public health and human service needs that threaten their well-being. In many cases, existing physical or mental impairments may worsen, and needed family and community-based supports may be disrupted by the emergency situation.
It is critical that:
* All individuals, including older and disabled persons, their caregivers, as well as Aging Services Network professionals, develop personal preparedness plans.
* All sectors of the national Aging Services Network and other professionals become full participants in coordinated preparedness and response planning between Federal, State, Tribal, and local governments, as well as the private, voluntary and faith-based sectors.
SOURCE: www.aoa.gov
Click here to read the rest of the EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS article
Do you have your Disaster Plan Ready for your Business or Home?
Develop a Family Disaster Plan
In order to keep your family safe in an emergency, it is important to plan in advance what you will do. Review your immediate surroundings, and take note of whatever you have on hand to take care of yourself and your loved ones. Think about the places where your family spends time: school, work and other places where you might be when a crisis happens. Ask about their emergency plans. Find out how they will communicate with families during an emergency. If they do not have an emergency plan, consider helping develop one.
1. Find Out What Could Happen in Your Area
Contact your local health department and American Red Cross chapter – be prepared to take notes.
*
Ask what types of disasters could happen. Ask for information on how to prepare for each.
*
Learn what your community’s warning signals sound like and what you should do when you hear them.
*
Ask about animal care after disasters. Animals may not be allowed inside emergency shelters due to health regulations.
*
Find out how to help elderly or disabled persons.
*
Find out about the disaster plans at your workplace, your children’s school or daycare center and other places your family spends time.
2. Create a Disaster Plan
Meet with your family and talk about why you need to prepare for a disaster. Explain the dangers of fire, severe weather and earthquakes to children. Plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team.
*
Discuss the types of disasters that could happen and what to do.
*
Pick two places to meet:
#
Right outside your home.
#
Outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home. Make sure everyone knows the address and phone number of the place where you plan to meet.
*
Ask an out-of-state friend or family member to be your “family contact.” All family members should call this person and tell them where they are.
*
Talk about what to do in an evacuation. Plan how to take care of your pets.
Remember, the best emergency plans are those with very few details.
3. Create and Complete a Checklist
*
Keep emergency telephone numbers by phones.
*
Teach children how and when to call 911.
*
Show each family member how and when to turn off the water, gas and electricity.
*
Check if you have adequate insurance coverage.
*
Teach each family member how to use the fire extinguisher, and show them where it is kept.
*
Install smoke detectors on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms.
*
Look around your home for possible hazards.
*
During a disaster, ordinary objects in your home can cause injury or damage. Anything that can move, fall, break or cause a fire is a home hazard. For example, a hot water heater or a bookshelf can fall. Inspect your home at least once a year and fix potential hazards. Contact your local fire department to learn more about home fire hazards.
*
Stock emergency supplies and assemble an emergency supply kit.
*
Take a Red Cross first aid and CPR class.
*
Determine the best escape routes from your home. Find two ways out of each room.
*
Find the safe spots in your home for each type of disaster.
*
Keep a smaller disaster supplies kit in the trunk of your car.
*
Keep a portable, battery-operated radio or television and extra batteries. Always keep a supply of extra batteries.
*
Make two photocopies of vital documents and keep the originals in a safe deposit box. Keep one copy in a safe place in the house, and give the second copy to an out-of-town friend or relative.
*
Take a complete inventory of your home, garage and surrounding property. This list could help you prove the value of what you owned if your possessions are damaged or destroyed and can help you to claim deductions on taxes.
4. Practice and Maintain Your Plan
*
Quiz your kids every six months so they remember what to do.
*
Conduct fire and emergency evacuation drills.
*
Replace stored water every three months and stored food every six months.
*
Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer’s instructions.
*
Test your smoke detectors monthly and change the batteries at least once a year.
Information adapted from American Red Cross, The Disaster Center and Ready.gov.
Click her to read the rest of the Article
Source: bepreparedcalifornia.ca.gov
Be Prepared for Natural Disasters, and Earthquakes.
We offer required Disaster Preparedness classes for RCFE’s, other businesses as well for health care workers and for the general public.
Remember to:
Your family needs a plan that tells everyone: where to meet if you have to evacuate; who you’ve identified as an out-of-state “family contact”; how to get emergency information in your community; and how to take care of your family pets.
After you have sat down with your family and written your plan – practice it. Start by having family members meet at a designated spot outside your home – like you would after a fire or after the shaking stops. Know how to respond in the event of any disaster – whether to stay put indoors, or whether to evacuate your neighborhood by car. If your family needs to evacuate, know the proper evacuation procedures and routes as determined by you local OES office.
If you are stranded in your car or have to be self-sufficient at home until help arrives, you need to have a disaster kit with you.
Talk to your kids about what the risks are and what your family will do if disaster strikes.
Infants, seniors and those with special needs must not be forgotten.
Your training could save the life of a loved one or neighbor following a disaster.
Safety 1st Seminars teaches First Aid and CPR classes
SOURCE: http://newsblaze.com/story/20090911081148zzzz.nb/topstory.html
Click here to read the rest of the article
