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At
Home
Knowing
what to do and what not to do can be your best
protection during disasters. It is your responsibility!
Where
will your family be when disaster strikes? They could
be anywhere - at work, at school or in the car. Since
Los Angeles is spread across 470 square miles, it is
especially important that your family members and those
who depend on you are prepared. How will you find each
other? Will you know if your children, elderly family
members and pets are safe?
Disasters
and major emergencies can strike quickly and without
warning. They can force you to evacuate your neighborhood
or confine you to your home. What would you do if basic
services - water, gas, electricity or telephones - were
cut off? Families can cope with disaster by preparing
in advance and working together as a team.
 Discuss
with household members the dangers of fire, severe weather,
earthquakes and other emergencies. Create a plan and
post it where everyone will see it. It's only too late
if you fail to plan!
Follow
these seven steps to safety . . .
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Find
out what disasters could occur
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Create,
practice and maintain your family disaster plan
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Plan
for family members with special needs and for your
pets
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Pick
an "out-of-state" contact for family member to call
if separated by disaster
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Do
a home hazard hunt - check for anything that can
move, fall, break or cause fire
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Prepare
a disaster supplies kit
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Prepare
an emergency kit for your vehicle
For
more information on how to prepare your home,
contact the City of Los Angeles Fire Department's Disaster
Preparedness Unit at (818) 756-9674.
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At
Work
Being
at work does not protect you from disasters.
Before
the emergency strikes, it is your responsibility to be
familiar with your office or work-site and its surroundings.
Do you know the building evacuation procedures or what
to do in the event of a fire? Are there nonstructural
hazards (hanging objects, potted plants, cabinets, etc.)
that pose a threat to you and others when the shaking
of an earthquake starts?
It
is every employee's responsibility to take the necessary
steps to eliminate nonstructural hazards or other potential
hazards by either personally correcting the hazardous
situation or reporting it your supervisor. Advance planning
can reduce the dangers of serious injury or the loss-of-life.
Take time today to find out what you can do now and the
emergency procedures you should follow.
Know
where the stairs, manual fire alarm devices, fire extinguishers
and first aid kits are located. Keep on hand such personal
items as a pair of flat (preferably hard soled) shoes,
work gloves, a flashlight with batteries, U.S. Coast
Guard approved food and water (at least a three day supply),
emergency "space blanket", a battery powered
AM radio with extra batteries and other personal items
that can be stored in a small nylon bag or back pack.
This type of emergency kit will improve the quality of
your life immediately following a disaster.
For
more information on contact the City of Los Angeles Fire
Department's Disaster Preparedness Unit at (818) 756-9674.
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In
Your Car
 The
next disaster may strike while you are in your car! Get
in the habit of keeping your automobile gas tank filled.
If there are interruptions in the supply of gasoline,
it is less likely that you will be affected. Be ready
by planning ahead and keeping emergency supplies in your
car trunk. The following list provides ideas for some
items to include. Consider additional supplies that may
be necessary to meet your needs and those who often ride
with you.
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