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Safety COQsiderationsPhone Service and Disasters __mm Page 3AssistingPeople WithDisabilitiesm_mm Page 3Safety Tips During a Natural Disaster m-Insert

General Safety After a Natural Disaster _mm Page 2EnteringBuildingsAfter a Disaster_m Page 2Howto Shut Off Gas m_U m_mm_n_m__ Page 2Howto Shut Off Electricity_um mnm Page 3

AN EMERGENCYPREPAREDNESSNEWSLETTER. ISSUENUMBER2

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This.issueof 7?EAlJ(or IK1f?provides information and safety considerations for you andyour family before a natural disaster strikes, during and immediately after a disaster.

Findout what types of natural disasters are most likelyto occur in your area. localemergency agencies and your local Red Cross Chapter have informationonpreparing for possible natural disasters common to your local area.

learn about your community'swarning signals,what they sound likeand what to do should you hear them.

Findout abouTdisaster plans at your work place and your child'sschool or day care. Create a familydisaster plan to help you and your familysafely cope during and after a natural disaster. !Issue 1 of the7?EAlJ( or Nt7I? newsletter series contains information on making a disaster plan.!

Never djsregard an officialevacuation advisory.When advised to evacuate; do soimmediately,don't wait untilthe last minuteto leave. listen to your radio forinformationon evacuation routes.

If there is time, take emergency supplies with you. Keep things in perspective: familyand personal safety is more important than property and possessions.

If time allows, turn off utilities.Always lock your home when you leave it.

Move quickly,calmly and avoid taking chances. Ifpossible, keep a portable radio with you for up-to-dateemergency instructions.

Knowwhere you are going before you leave and always followthe suggested evacuation route.Dangerous obstacles may be blocking alternate routes.

DANR Publication ANRP014. The Emergency Preparedness Newsletter series was developed as a resource for individualsand families.~ach nt;v.:.sletter addresses, a. specific topic to help you p"repare for the next .natu"ral dis9ster', Top!cs include .Planning for an Emergency":Safety; Food and Water; Considerations for Children; Finance and Insurance; and Clean-up.

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GeNeRALSAFE7YAf'TS<ANATl/RALDISASTER1. Thefirstand most important thing is to see that your familyis safe from falling buildings,fire or flood

crests.2. Check for injuries.Give firstaid if minor and seek medical aid for major injuries.

3. Cooperate fullywith local authorities,rescue crews and local Red Cross Chapters.4. Ifpossible, help locate shelter, food, clothing,transportation and medical help for

victims.

5. Obey health regulations for personal and communityprotection against diseaseepidemics.

6. Followfood and water safety and preparation guidelines. !Issue3 in the 1!EAlJ(orIKlI?newsletter series contains food and water safety gUidelines.!

ENICR/AGBViLDIAGSAf'TS<ADISASTERAlwaysuse extreme caution when entering any damaged building.Make surechildren are clear of the damaged buildingand cared for while you are gone. Wearprotective clothing and carry a flashlight,never an open flame, such as a candle,torch or lantern. Do not smoke in the building.

Use your senses to seek out a gas leak. Ifyou smellgas, leave the buildingimmediately and turn off the outside gas line. Letthe building air out for several

minutesto remove gas fumes before reentering.

Watch for ele<;;tricalshorts or live wires. If found, turn off the main power switch and have an electriciancheck out the system before power is restored.

Watch for hazards such as nails,splinters,holes in floors and walls,falling plaster and underminedfoundation. Ifyou encounter a flooded basement, do not begin pumping out water untilany flood watersare below basement level.

DO SOONLYIFYOUNOTICESTRUCTURALDAMAGETOYOURHOUSEORIFYOUSMEllORHEARlEAKINGGAS.

Themainshut-offvalve is located next to your meter on the inlet pipe. Use a crescentor pipe wrench and give the valve a quarter turn in either direction. When the valveis crosswise on the pipe, the line isclosed.

Do not attempt to turn on the gas. Thismustbe done by the gas company.

An inexpensive gas meter tool can be purchased at any hardware store. It can beattached to the gas meter.

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STAYTHERE!

Get under a sturdy table ordesk, or move to a hallwayor lean against an insidewall.

Never disregard an evacu-ation advisory. Move tohigher level or the roof ifevacuation Is not possible.Shut off utilities at mainswitches. If time allows,open basement windows tolet water in and equalizepressure. lock your homewhen you leave.

Close windows to keepsmoke out of home. Bringsmall pets indoors. listen tonews reports for updates onwild fires and possible emer-gency warnings. If wild firesthre~ten your area, notifyfam!ly members they mayhava to evacuate. Pack carwith emergency food, cash,prescriptions, important pa-pers, clothes, etc. Knowwhere you will go and whichis the safest route.

ovttiJors

Move to 9n open areaaway from buildings, powerlines and trees.

Move to higher ground.Open livestock pens,animals can usually takecare of themselves. Never

try to swim in flood water.

In wild fire areas, neverdisregard an evacuationadvisory. leave the areaimmediately. In most cases,it is uselessto try and wetdown roofs and landscap-ing. Excessivewater usagecan reduce water pressureneeded by fire fighters.

In on Avlomollile

Move to the side of the

road and stop. Avoidbridges, power lines,overpasses, trees and signs.Stay in the car, whenshaking stops resumedriving, watch for breaks inpavement.

Evacuations are simplerand safer before flood

waters are too deep forordinary vehicles. Floodcurrent is usually muchstronger and faster than itlooks.

Do not travel to the firearea. listen to the radio for

alternative routes awayfrom the path of the fire.

/fume AIbNs

Earthquakes strike without

warning. Have a familydisaster plan preparedahead of time and practiceit with your family.

Seal wells to keep out siltand debris. Move furniture,appliances, etc. to upperlevels.

Turn off electricity at fuseor breaker box and gas atthe meter. Open gates tolet livestock and pets outor move them to cisafearea.

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Stay indoors, away fromopen doors, windows,fireplaces, plug-in appli-ances, stoves, metal pipes,etc. Don't use the tele-phone, except for anemergency.

Mobile home owners shouldseek shelter elsewhere. Goto a below-ground location,

. storm cellar, basement,center hallway, interiorcloset or interior bathroomon the lowest floor level.Stay away from windows.Cover yourself and crouchunder a piece of heavyfurniture. After tornadopasses, remain put 5minutes.

Evacuate beaches and low

lying areas. Mobile homeowners, seek shelter else-where. Close and lockwindows. Brace largewindows with plywood. Pullcurtains over unprotectedglass areas to protect fromflying glass. Fillbathtub andlarge containers withdrinking water.

. OuftiJors

Avoidprojecting above thesurroundinglandscape orstanding underneath anatural lightningrod, such asa tree in an open area. Stayaway from anything metal(fence,gate, sign, polesl.Getaway fromwater.

If there is not time to

escape, lie flat in a ditch,ravine, culvert, or under abridge. Keep clear ofpower lines, trees andbuildings. After tornadopasses, remain in place 5minutes.

Store yard equipment, bikes,garbage cans, etc. inside.Tiedown any items thatcannot be storedr Tiedownawnings. If caught outside,go to the nearest shelter.

In on AufomolJiA

The rubber tires on the Icaract as an insulator. Stay inthe car and avoid touchingany metal.

When driving, try to moveaway from the tornado'spath at right angles.

Ifdriving,do not try tofollowthe hurricane,headfor the nearest shelter.

/fTlme AIbNs

If you live in a tornadoarea, be prepared. If youdo not have a basement orstorm cellar, know thelocation of the nearestcommunity shelter.

Drain swimming pool. Cutloose tree branches and

palm fronds.

Issue2 - Insert B

Shutoff electricity if there is evidence of damage to your housewiring. If you shutoffelectricity unnecessarily,you might unnecessarily lose the vital servicesof refrigerationand lighting.

Locate the fuse box or circuit breaker box to your house.Most unitswill shutoff serviceto your houseif there is electrical trouble. Do not attempt to restore power if there isevidence of heat damage to wiring or to the fuse box or circuit breaker box. Call thepower company or an electrician if you cannot restore service or it seemsdangerous.

PhONE SEfMCE ANDDISASTERUnless it is an emergency, do not use the telephone. You will only tie up phone lines.

The telephone lines are not equipped to handle huge volumesof calls after a disasterstrikes.

Use the telephone only for emergency purposes. Listen to your local radio station for

the latest up-to-date disaster information.

Notify your relatives of your safety. Local authorities may waste time trying to locate you if you don't sendword. It may be easier to phone outside the disaster area. If possible,have an out of state contact whocan contact concerned relatives and friends in other areas of the country. Thishelps local phones lines inthe affected Qrea from being over burdened.

ASSIST/AGPEoPLEH1THDISABILIflESPeople with disabilities who are self-sufficientunder normal circumstancesmay haveto rely on the help of others in a disaster.The needs of older people often are similarto those-of personswith disabilities. If you know family, friends or neighbors who areolder or have disabilities,provide assistancewhenever possible.

Here are some things to keep in mind when you are dealing with older people orpeople with disabilities:

. People with disabilities often need more time than others to make necessary'preparations in

an emergency. If you have a relative, neighbor or friend with a disability, help them make anemergencyplan so when a disasterdoesstrike,they will be more prepared to res'pondin atimely manner.

· Because disaster warnings are often given by audible means such as sirens and radio

announcements, people who are deaf or hearing impaired may not receive early disasterwarnings and emergency instructions. YbUcould be their source of emergency information as itcomes over the radio or television.

REIIDY or IKJf? Issue2 - Page 3

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Ass/STIAGPEoPLE #1TfID/SAB/unCS fconttIJ

· Some people who are blind or visually impaired, especially older people,may be extremely reluctant to leave familiar surroundings when the requestfor evacuation comes from a stranger. If possible, try to locate a familiarneighbor or a relative who can help explain what is happening and staywith them during the evacuation process.

. A guide dog could become confused or disoriented in a disaster. Peoplewho are blind or partially sighted may have to depend on others to lead them, as well as theirdog, to safety during a disaster.

. In most states, guide dogs will be allowed to stay in emergency shelters with owners. Checkwith your local emergency management officials for more information.

. People with impaired mobility are often concerned about being dropped when being lifted orcarried. Find out the proper way to transfer or move someone in a wheelchair and what exitroutes from buildings are best.

· Some people witha mentaldisabilitymay be unable to understandthe emergency andbecome confused about what they should do and where to go. Be patient and understanding.Youmay need to physically lead them away from danger.

· Many respiratory illnesses can be aggravated by stress. In an emergency, oxygen andrespiratory equipment may not be readily availabie. Send someone for help, then try to calmthe person and let them know help is on the way., "

. People with epilepsy, Parkinson's disease and other conditions often have very individualizedmedication regimes that cannot be interrupted without serious consequences. Some may notbe able to communicate this information in an emergency. Lookfor a medical alert braceleton the person. It may help identify their medical condition.

The ~ornol? newsletter series is written and produced by the Universityof California Cooperative Extension Nutrition,Familyand Consumer Science Advisors in the North Central Region:

Mary Blackburn, Alameda CountyLindaGarcia, Sonoma/Marin Counties

Marilyn Johns, San Francisco/ San Mateo CountiesJoan Meis, Amador/EIDorado CountiesYvonneNicholson,Sacramento CountyEstella West, Santa Clara County

Mary Lavender Fujii,Contra Costa CountyJagjeet Johal, Contra Costa CountyMarciel Klenk, Napa County - _Diane Metz, Solano CountyKimStump, San Joaquin/Calaveras Counties

@ 1997 The Regents of the Universityof California, Divisionof Agriculture and Natural Resources-TheUniversityof California,in accordance with applicable Federal and State law and Universitypolicy, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color,national origin, religion, sex,disability, age, medical condition !cancer-related), ancestry, marital status, citizenship, sexualorientation, or status as a Vietnam-era veteran or special disabled veteran. The Universityalso prohibits sexual harassment.Thisnondiscrimination policycovers admission, access, and treatment in Universityprograms and activities_Inquiries regardingthis policy may be addressed to the AffirmativeAction Director, University"of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources,300 Lakeside Drive, 6th Floor, Oakland, CA. 94612-3560. (510)987-0096.

Issue 2 - Page 4 7?EADY or tKJI?

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