21 Ways

To Prepare for Emergencies

Sometime in the next 30 years, the Bay Area has a 62% chance of experiencing a 6.7 or larger magnitude earthquake. Yet less than 50% of households have disaster supply kits, 10% have disaster plans, and fewer than 10% have taken steps to retrofit their homes. The next big earthquake is not a matter of if, but when. A major earthquake on the Hayward fault could disrupt 40% of our streets & roads; would make 15% of our buildings inhabitable. Help Oakland be better prepared.

1.          Make a List of Important Contact Information To Carry With You: List the contact information for those who live with you, and for 1 or 2 out-of-state relatives or friends who can be contacted in a disaster. Make copies for children and seniors and carry with you at all times.

2.          Store Sufficient Water and Rotate Every 6 Months: Each person will need 1 gallon of water a day; store sufficient supplies for 5 – 7 days. Don’t forget your pets!

3.          Pack a Disaster Go-Bag for Each Family Member: A pair of sturdy gloves, shoes, extra socks, a change of clothes, a flashlight, extra batteries (or a hand cranked one), spare eyeglasses, extra medicine if needed, pencil, paper and a transistor radio. Be sure to pack water, snacks—a hat and sun lotion, just in case.

4.          Practice in Advance How to Protect Yourself During Earthquake Shaking: If you are indoors and feel strong earthquake shaking, drop to the floor, take cover under a sturdy desk or table, and hold on firmly until the shaking stops. Do not head for the doorway which cannot protect you from falling debris--most earthquake injuries are from flying debris.

5.          Strap Your Water Heater: Broken gas lines following an earthquake can lead to gas leaks and fire. For instructions on how to correctly strap your water heater to the studs of your house using metal straps and lag screws, go to www.72hours.com. Most hardware stores carry kits.

6.          Take an Emergency Preparedness Class from Oakland’s C.O.R.E. Program: Citizens of Oakland Respond to Emergencies (C.O.R.E) has trained more than 16,000 volunteers to prepare their homes and neighborhoods for earthquakes, fires and other disasters. Call 238-6351 or go to www.oaklandnet.com/fire/core/about.html.

7.          Stock Emergency Supplies: Basic supplies should be in an accessible location at work, home and in your car: fire extinguisher; portable radio; flashlights; extra batteries (or use hand-cranked  or solar radios/flashlights); can opener, canned food & powdered milk for at least one week; required medications, glasses; pipe or crescent wrenches to turn off gas and water supplies, small bottle of chlorine bleach to disinfect drinking water ; blankets, warm clothes and sturdy shoes,, waterproof, heavy-duty plastic bags for waste disposal. Inspect twice a year for leakage and quality.

8.          Organize Your Neighborhood for Disaster Preparedness: In a major disaster, neighbors must rely on each other for help, as the city’s first responders may not be immediately available. First step is to get to know each other and share contact information. Learn more at www.oaklandnet.com/fire/core/about.html.

9.          Agree on a Meeting Place: Plan in advance on a safe meeting place; be sure everyone has contact information for your out-of-state contact who can relay information. In a disaster, it is sometimes easier for phones to connect to someone out of state than to someone nearby.

10.     Know Where Your Gas Shut Off Valve is Located: Turn off ONLY if you smell leaking gas. The main gas supply is located next to your meter on the inlet pipe. If you do not have an automatic gas shut off valve, use a crescent or pipe wrench and give the valve a quarter turn in either direction. The valve will now run crosswise on the pipe. DO NOT TURN ON THE GAS AGAIN; LET THE GAS COMPANY DO THIS.

11.     Bolt Bookcases, Other Tall, Heavy Items to the Wall: Injuries following an earthquake are primarily due to falling and flying objects. Bolt bookcases to the wall.  Hardware stores sell products to strap TVs and other electronic equipment to tables and desks and to hold pottery and glass to shelves.

12.     Plan an Evacuation Route in Advance, and Practice: Plan for at least two ways out of your neighborhood, including walking out, if necessary. Some neighborhoods in the hills have public pathways that connect streets. Check them out in advance, keep them from becoming overgrown (great Earth Day projects) and practice walking the route with the entire family.

13.     Agree on a Meeting Place: Plan for a safe meeting place; be sure everyone has contact information for your out-of-state contact who can relay information. In a disaster, it is sometimes easier for phones to connect to someone out of state than to someone nearby.

14.     Consider Retrofitting Your Older Home: Single family homes built before 1978 may need to be strengthened through retrofitting in order to keep the house from failing during a high magnitude earthquake. You will need a building permit; retrofitting generally runs about $5,000 depending on your particular needs. Be sure to hire a reputable contractor. For details, go to www.abag.ca.gov/bayarea/eqmaps/fixit/FAQs.html.

15.     Make Special Arrangements for School-age Kids: Be sure to put a trusted neighbor on your emergency card list so that in a disaster, the school will be able to release your child if you cannot get to the school yourself. Pack an emergency kit or small day pack with basic emergency supplies, a photograph of your family and a familiar stuffed animal to provide comfort when you are apart. Resources  for kids: www.abag.ca.gov/bayarea/eqmaps/kids;html.

16.     Consider Installing an Automatic Gas Shut Off Valve: Automatic gas shut off valves and gas flow interrupt valves cut off the flow of gas to your house should a major earthquake or change in the gas pressure occur—especially important when you are not at home.

17.     Register Special Needs Populations and Frail Seniors with the City:  The City’s 9-1-1- Disaster Registry for Special Needs Populations and Frail Seniors is a voluntary data base that assists dispatchers responding to 9-1-1 calls and facilitates emergency sheltering operations in collaboration with the American Red Cross. Go to www.oaklandnet.com/oakweb/fire/911.html

18.     Take a First Aid Course: Learn basic First Aid by taking a course from the American Red Cross. Go to www.bayarea-redcross.org/training/register.htm

19.      Store Flammable or Hazardous Material in Secure, Low Spaces: If cleaning supplies, garden chemicals or other hazardous materials spill in a major earthquake, the resulting mix of chemicals can be extremely dangerous. Store these supplies in low areas that are secure. Install a childproof, earthquake or boat safety latch.

20.     Create a Financial Disaster Recovery Kit: After a damaging earthquake, you will need copies of essential financial documents, as well as emergency cash.  Keep these items together, current and store them in a fire-proof document safe. For details, go to www.ncua.gov/Publications/Index.htm

21.     Visit the Gateway Emergency Preparedness Center: A great way to learn about disaster preparedness—with a great view across the Bay. Located on Caldecott Lane above Highway 24. Or go to www.ergateway.org