A SHORT MANUAL ON DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

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Patrick@137: Prashant Ranjan Verma Patrick@137:

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Chapter	Page
1. How to Make a Disaster Plan for Your Family	3
2. How to Create a Home First Aid Kit	6
3. How to Administer Adult CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation)	9
4. How to Pack an Emergency Kit for the House	11
5. How to Avoid Danger During Civil Unrest	17
6. How to Be Safe During a Landslide	18
Patrick@137: *7. How to React During an Earthquake* Patrick@137:	19 Patrick@137:

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1. How to Make a Disaster Plan for Your Family Patrick@137:

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Disasters, whether natural (hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods, for example) or man-made (i.e. fires, nuclear accidents, or terrorist attacks) can strike at any time, whether we're ready for them or not. Even with advance warning, a disaster can be overwhelming, and it's not always possible to communicate with family members who may be at work or school when an emergency strikes. A little planning and practice before you're in danger can help you and your family survive even the worst disasters.

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Steps Patrick@137:

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Determine what disasters your area is susceptible to. If you live in Kansas, you don't need to prepare for a hurricane, but you'd better be ready for tornadoes. While some disasters, such as fire, can happen anywhere, the hazards you might encounter vary widely from place to place. Check with your local emergency management or civil defense office, Red Cross chapter, or the National Weather Service to get an idea of what emergencies you should prepare for.

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Find out what you should do in case a disaster strikes. The organizations above will likely be able to advise you what to do in an emergency. They may be able to provide you with evacuation maps and information about local warning systems and emergency plans. If you can't get all the information you need from officials, research your local hazards on your own. Figure out, for example, what preparations you should make for a tornado or hurricane (you can find information on many disaster situations right here on wikiHow) and how to survive if you're caught in a disaster, and determine the best evacuation routes on your own if need be. Remember, when push comes to shove, it's your responsibility to ensure your family is well prepared.

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Pick a meeting spot and a way to get in contact with your family members. There's a good chance that all your family members won't be in the same place when disaster strikes, so it's important to have a predetermined rendezvous point. Choose a spot that will likely be safe and that is well away from your neighborhood, as you might not be able to make it back to your home.

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Designate a friend or relative as a contact person that you, your spouse, and your children can call if you can't meet up. In order to minimize the chance that the contact person will also be affected by the disaster, choose someone who lives in a distant town or in a different state. Make sure that all your family members have the contact person's phone number with them at all times.

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Discuss disaster scenarios with your family and make sure everyone knows what to do in all the likely emergency scenarios. It's important to educate yourself on how to respond to likely hazards, but what happens to your family if they are away from you or if you're killed or injured? It's not enough for one person in the family to know what to do--everybody should know the plan.

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Fix potential hazards in your home. Once you've identified potential disaster scenarios, thoroughly inspect your house and try to make it as safe as possible. Here are just a few examples:

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Every home should have smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. Test smoke detectors at least once a month, and replace their batteries yearly or as needed. Fire extinguishers should be recharged according to the manufacturer's instructions, and family members should learn how to use them. Everyone should also know how to escape the house in the event of a fire.

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If you live in an area prone to earthquakes, you wouldn't want a tall, heavy bookcase sitting right next to the baby's crib, as it could be knocked over in a quake.

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If you live near woods with the possibility of forest fires, you should clear your property of brush and high grass to create a buffer zone between your home and the fire.

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Teach your family basic life-saving techniques. Everyone who can learn CPR and first aid should take a certification class and keep their certification current. Adults and older children should know how to turn off gas, electricity and water if the house is damaged, and everyone should know how to detect a gas leak. Emergency numbers should be posted near phones, and even small children should be taught how to call 9-1-1 or the corresponding emergency number in your country.

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Assemble a disaster kit. Be prepared for emergencies with at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food and potable water, prescription medications, first aid supplies, and other things you might need if you have no utilities and no way to purchase supplies. Keep a smaller kit in the trunk of your car. See the related wikiHow for more details on building a disaster kit. An inexpensive "pay-as-you-go" cell phone is a good addition to the kit.

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Practice your plan. Practice makes perfect, and in a life-or-death situation, you want to respond perfectly. Periodically go over your emergency plans with your family, and update them as needed. Quiz and drill your family on important safety concepts. Do a live test with your family; make it an outing and get everyone involved. That will help you identify what works and what doesn't.

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Have contingency plans. In the event your emergency site is unavailable or other things change, it's a good idea to have an alternate already identified.

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If your workplace, school, or town hasn't developed an emergency plan, take the initiative to start planning one. Go to meetings of local officials and request assistance, and collaborate with your neighbors and coworkers to help make your whole community safer.

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It is a good idea to pick two or three emergency contacts, one who lives outside of your local area code in addition to one who lives within and also someone who can receive text messages. In major disasters one can often call a number outside your area code but not within. In extreme cases, people have had to rely on text messaging when phone lines and towers were decimated in the disaster. After Hurricane Katrina cell phones were just about useless to make calls in the affected areas, but they saved many lives and helped reunite families thanks to their text messaging capabilities that survived.

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Besides the resources mentioned above, you might also want to check with your insurance company for ways to make your house safer. Insurers have an interest in minimizing the risk of injury or damage to your home in the event of a disaster, so they will usually be happy to provide you with information. Many insurance policies also require certain precautions in order for a loss to be covered.

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Be serious about your emergency planning, but be careful not to irrationally frighten children or to become obsessed with disaster yourself. Planning makes you safer, and it should make you and your family feel safer, too.

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If you are having difficulty with any of these steps, there are many resources on the internet to assist in this process. Check out these sites: Ready.gov, operated by the US Department of Homeland Security and Prepare.org, operated by the American Red Cross.

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Purchase and use "Self Powered Radios" and "Self Powered" flashlights. These do not use batteries and are safer than candles. Some of these models can also charge your cell phone.

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Warnings Patrick@137:

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This is not intended to be a complete guide to disaster preparation. You will need to assess the unique set of potential hazards in your area and prepare for them accordingly.

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2. How to Create a Home First Aid Kit Patrick@137:

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Putting together a first kit at home Patrick@137:

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Emergencies happen. you can prepare for one by making a first aid kit. A first aid kit can be prepared by following the steps given below.

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Steps Patrick@137:

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Choose a nice sized container. It needs to be large enough to store the materials.

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Store it an easily accessed locale in your home. Teach your children and frequent house guests where the first aid kit is stored.

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Fill the box with the following sterile and/or newly-bought items:

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Adhesive dressings, of varied size and shape, from regular Band-Aid shapes to small squares to large

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Small (but sharp) scissors

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A package of gauze pads. They can be large, because you can always cut them if necessary.

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Adhesive tape (Not like cellophane tape)

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Cotton Balls, large and small, or tampons

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Rubbing non-Alcohol wipes for cleaning external surfaces only (i.e. cleaning dirt off of unbrokenskin, or wiping down a surface)

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Antibiotic Ointment, for keeping the infection out of cuts, scrapes, etc.

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A thermometer

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Tweezers for pulling out splinter

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Non-latex gloves, in case of blood,body fluids and dangerous waste

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keep two pairs for the smallest kit

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A bee sting kit

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Insect Repellant

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sterile dressings(a sterile pad attached to a roller bandage)

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roller bandages

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triangular bandages

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sterile saline

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safety pins and bandage clips

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You can use these items, if you have no supplies in an emergency:

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sticks for splints

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cloth for bleeding,slings.

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Water,to clean wounds and eyes.

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You can also use a store bought kit and and add other items like alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, cotton balls,extra bandages and a thermometer.

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Cotton swabs are optional

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For antibiotic ointment, Neosporin is recommended, because it does not sting the cut.

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CPR breathing masks Patrick@137:

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You could save a life by learning first aid. Go to Your local red cross or other organisation.

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Blue items are available for kitcens ECT.

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Warnings Patrick@137:

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Wash tweezers, scissors, and thermometer after each use.

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Be aware of what you use and don't let supplies get low!

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Be sure everyone who would potentially use the kit is not allergic to any of the ingredients.

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Do not store prescriptions in the first aid kit,items such as an epipen are all right though

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Don't use any products containing natural rubber latex (NRL), someone could be allergic.

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3. How to Administer Adult CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) Patrick@137:

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Let's hope you never have to be put in the situation where someone is in need of CPR. In case you are, it would be helpful to be informed on how to perform this technique. You may end up saving a person's life. These instructions are for an adult only (infants and children differ). Be aware that different organizations teach different methods for administering CPR. Use these instructions only for refreshing techniques learned from a certified CPR instructor.

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Steps Patrick@137:

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Perform CPR only if certified.

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Check the scene for safety. Is there a car exhaust running? A gas stove? Is there a fire?

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If there is anything that could endanger you or the victim, see if there is something you can do to counteract it. Open a window, turn off the stove, or put out the fire if possible. Anything you can do to counteract the danger.

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However, if there is nothing you can do to counteract the danger, move the victim. The best way to move the victim is by placing a blanket or a coat underneath their back and pulling on the coat or blanket.

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Now that the scene is safe, check the victim for consciousness by shaking or tapping their shoulder and saying in a loud, clear voice, "Are you okay? Are you okay?"

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If they respond, they are conscious. They may have just been sleeping, or they could have been unconscious. If it still appears to be an emergency situation (e.g. they are having trouble breathing, they appear to be fading in between consciousness and unconsciousness, they were unconscious, etc.) continue on to the next step. If they were conscious, but the situation still appears to be an emergency, check for injuries, broken bones, etc.

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If they do not respond, continue on to the next step.

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Send for help. The more people available for this step the better, however, it can be done alone. Send someone to call the Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Call 911 in North America, 000 in Australia, 112 by cellphone in the EU (including the UK) and 999 in the UK. And make sure you point to them and say "Go call 911" (or whatever the EMS number is in your area). This way you'll make sure you specifically sent for help. If you are alone, preform CPR for one minute (which is about three cycles of CPR) and then call the EMS, then resume. If possible, send someone else to get an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) if there is one in the building.

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Check for signs of life:

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Place your hand on the victims forehead and two fingers on their chin and tilt the head back slightly to open the airway. Place your cheek above their mouth and stare at their chest (you cheeks have a lot of nerves in it, so it's easier to feel the patients breath). Do this for ten seconds, if you do not feel a breath or see the chest rising, continue to the next step. If there are signs of life, treat for shock. Cover them if it is cold, and if possible, uncover them if it is hot, etc.

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If there are no signs of life, place a breathing barrier over the victim's mouth.

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Give two rescue breaths Keeping the airway open, take the fingers that were on the forehead and pinch the victim's nose closed. Make a seal with your mouth over the victim's mouth and breathe out for about one second. Make sure you breath slowly, as this will make sure the air goes in the lungs not the stomach. Also make sure you keep your eye on the victim's chest. If the breath goes in, you should see the chest slightly rise and also feel it go in. If the breath goes in, give a second rescue breath. If the breath does not go in, re-position the head and try again. If it does not go in again, the victim may be choking.

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Place your hands on top of each other and place them in the center of the chest (on the breastbone) between the two nipples. Your ring finger should be on top of the nipple (this will lower the chances of breaking a rib or ribs).

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Compress the chest by pushing straight down approximately two inches deep. Do thirty of these compressions, and do them fast, approximately 30 compressions in 30 seconds.

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Repeat Steps 6 through 8 for one minute, delivering two rescue breaths every 30 seconds/compressions.

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Recheck for signs of life.

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Continue CPR until someone takes over for you, emergency personnel arrive, you are too exhausted to continue or an AED is available for immediate use, or pulse and breathing return.

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Tips Patrick@137:

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Don't forget to place your hands in the middle of the breastbone at the level of the nipples.

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When moving the victim, try to disturb the body as little as possible.

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ALWAYS call the Emergency Medical Services.

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Get trained! You get to learn and practice your skills under the supervision of a trained instructor with the help of a video presentation and CPR training mannequin ("dummy").

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If you feel the area is unsafe to enter, and it is not safe to move the victim, stay where you are and either send someone to call Emergency Medical Services, or do so yourself and stay with the victim!

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Remember that if a person can talk in full sentences, they are breathing, and if they are breathing, they probably have a pulse.

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Even "bad" CPR is better than no CPR!

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Warnings Patrick@137:

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You should learn this at a certified CPR class. Training organizations such as the American Heart Association, American Red Cross and other societies in many countries offer such classes. If you have no knowledge of CPR, go to one of the classes. They will show you how to do this without mistakes, which are very crucial.

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Be sure to survey the scene for danger before you attempt to administer CPR.

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Remember that CPR is different for adults, children and infants; this CPR is meant to be administered to an adult.

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Always practice CPR with a breathing barrier to prevent disease transmission.

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Don't worry if you break ribs - these can be fixed, being dead can't.

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Do not move the patient unless they are in immediate danger or are in a place that is life threatening.

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Always wear gloves and use a face shield or some other sort of barrier when possible.

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4. How to Pack an Emergency Kit for the House Patrick@137:

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In case an emergency happens in your area, you want to be ready. Here are some tips on how to create an emergency kit for your home. Remember to also prepare a kit in the event that you may need to evacuate.

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Steps

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Look at the Things You'll Need to see what your kit should contain.

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Make a first aid kit if you don't already have a one.In an emergency you or a loved one could be cut, burned or injured in some other way. If you have these basic supplies you are better prepared to help your loved ones when they are hurt.

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Determine what hazards exist in your local area. Contact your local emergency manager and ask. If your locale does not have an emergency manager, check with your county or state emergency management official for assistance.

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Write a plan based on the hazards, then build a kit to support the plan.

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Purchase "Self Powered Flashlights" and "Self Powered Radios". In the event of a disaster, power will be out and batteries will be unavailable, sold out. The latest models have the "Weatherband/Emergency Band" and will also charge your cell phone, thus if your cell phone fails in a disaster, it will be that the cell phone towers, their infrastructure will be damaged, even destroyed.

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Pack according to location. Depending on where you live, you might need different things in an emergency such as flood, hurricane, tornado. Of course there are a few things that you should have regardless of location.

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Pack a map in your kit. These are especially helpful if you must evacuate and emergency routes may involve detours.

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Gather together the items on the list that you already have at home.

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Keep a running list. If you can't pick up everything at once you should add an item or two to each shopping trip.

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Designate a first aid kit for emergency or disaster and one for everyday use. Your first aid kit should contain:

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A minimum of two pairs of Latex gloves for the smallest kit. Remember, it may be a stranger who needs your help and having a latex barrier will help prevent infection.

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Use vinyl gloves if you or a family member is allergic to Latex. Latex allergies can be severe.

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Keep more pairs in your disaster kit that will evacuate with you. You may go through several pairs in one emergency.

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Check the integrity of the gloves if they've been stored in changing temperatures. They may become brittle. Sometimes gloves deeper in a box may still be good so don't toss the box because the first few pairs are bad. Look through them all.

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Sterile dressings to stop bleeding. (Look for bulky dressings called surgi pads in health supply stores)

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Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes to disinfect.

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Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.

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Burn ointment to relieve pain.

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Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes

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Gauze pads

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Tweezers

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Scissors

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Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or sterile saline as general decontaminate. Sterile saline is available in liter bottles in health supply stores.

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Thermometer

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Prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart medicine and asthma inhalers.

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You should periodically rotate medicines to account for expiration dates and have a plan for refrigerated insulin.

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Over the counter pain medicine (Like Tylenol and Advil) and an antihistamine (Like Benadryl).

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Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment and supplies.

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Go to the store to buy the items you don't already have.

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Obtain a waterproof box. This does not have to be expensive. Just a large waterproof box with a lid. These are available in the storage sections of most discount stores.

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It should be small enough so that in an emergency, you can roll it into your car, yard, or home in just a few minutes. Look for something with wheels and/or handles.

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Consider placing kits in your home, car, and workplace.

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You never know where you'll be when an emergency strikes.

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Use backpacks or plastic tool boxes for jump and run bags.

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Keep everything sorted with clear zip sandwich, quart or gallon bags.

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For worker/s in large urban areas keep a back pack under your desk which contains water, energy bars, flashlight, spare socks and good walking shoes in case public transportation is disrupted.

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Stay hydrated! Water is the most essential life sustaining resource. Keeping water (in clean plastic bottles) in your home, car trunk, and workplace will keep you hydrated when you're under stress.

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You may need more water for children, nursing mothers, the elderly or if you live in a warm climate.

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You may need to add electrolyte replacement drinks (gatorade or powerade) to replace valuable minerals in warm or humid weather or if you will be very active.

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Keep at least a three-day supply of the items listed in the "Things You'll Need" section (below) in the box.

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Consider other things you might need--especially things such as medication, bandages, or other things according to age, location, or health.

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Patrick@137: Don't forget to pack Patrick@137: nonperishable Patrick@137: food into your kit Patrick@137:

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Make sure that if space is limited, everything you bring is essential.

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Cell phones are optional, but are highly useful in emergencies. Pack two methods for charging or powering your cell phone. External battery packs or a car charger are examples.

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Purchase Self Powered Radios AND Self Powered Flashlights. Batteries will be unavailable in a emergency and some models will also charge your cell phonesSome of these devices are solar powered as well as using a "crank generator". .Find these at Radio Shack, Wal*Mart, Online.

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Glowsticks. Candles are a safety hazard, especially if there is gas leaks going on, explosive, flammable gas is in the area. Using candles can cause a fire, even a explosion.

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Family Radio System (FRS) radios can be useful in keeping in touch with your friends or family in a small area when telephones are out.

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Consider becoming an amateur radio operator. This allows one to communicate over greater distances, even to other states and countries.

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Practice emergency drills with your family. Fire drills are important to teach your family, in case there ever were to be a fire.

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Power inverters (Converts DC power to AC power) for cars are handy for charging cell phones, powering your TV, radios, running refrigerators, etc.

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Keep old prescription glasses when you get new glasses. An old pair of glasses is better than none at all.

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Make your kit portable, in the event that you would need to evacuate.

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Remember, many injuries are not life threatening and do not require immediate medical attention. Knowing how to treat minor injuries can make a difference in an emergency. Consider [Community Emergency Response Team] training. Students may be given a kit that can be used as a starter for your personal disaster kit.

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Make sure you include an original prescription bottle with dosage information in case you need to get medicines refilled during an event.

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In deciding what food to put in your emergency kit, remember to choose food your family will actually eat. Good choices include:

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Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables

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Protein or fruit bars

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Dry cereal or granola

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Peanut butter

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Dried fruit

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Nuts

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Crackers

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Canned juices

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Non-perishable pasteurized milk

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High energy foods

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Vitamins

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Food for infants

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Comfort/stress foods

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Warnings Patrick@137:

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Bring only what you need.

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Consider temperatures where you store your kits - heat can significantly degrade the quality of supplies in a few months. Try to store supplies in an area constantly below 80 degrees F and out of direct sunlight.

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Avoid putting salty foods in your emergency kit, as they will only make you thirsty. ^[1]

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Things You'll Need Patrick@137:

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Sleeping bag or warm blankets. Make sure you have at least one good sleeping bag or heavy blanket for each family member.

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Water, if the water supply is contaminated or declared undrinkable, you should have several gallons on hand. A good guide is one gallon of water per person per day, for 3 days.[2]

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Food for your family for three days -- canned, non-perishable foods that last a long time. Don't forget to include a manual can-opener.

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First aid kit

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Flashlight(s) and extra batteries

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Self powered flashlights which are available in the local Walmart and Radio Shack, and also online, as are glow sticks. These types of lights are safer than candles, and do not use batteries, which will be unavailable in a emergency

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Wrench, or whatever you would need to turn off utilities in your house. Other emergency tools are also a good idea.

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Extra clothing for warmth

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Waterproof matches, or lighter

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Unique family needs -- medication you may need such as heart medications, prescription glasses, etc., infant formula and diapers etc.

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Weather radio with tone alert to get updates about severe weather conditions. In the U.S., NOAA weather radios are the best way to stay informed about National Weather Service weather warnings and watches. The radio should be battery-operated and have a tone-alert feature that automatically notifies you when an advisory is issued. Some "Self Powered Radios" also have the weather band, will also "Alert" you.

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Self powered radio -- available from your local discount or electronics store, this will save you money on batteries, and batteries will not be available in a emergency. The "Eton" radio, a "Self Powered" radio is a Weather Radio as seen above, only it does NOT use batteries, has a LED flashlight built into it, a RED LED "ALERT" light built into it,a "ALERT" siren, and has the Weather Band built into it. This model will even charge cell phones, should they run low on power.

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An extra set of car keys and cash and/or a credit card.

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Pet food and water

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Whistle to signal for help

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Dust mask for filtering contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter in place

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moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation

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Local maps

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Other Items to Consider Patrick@137:

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Cash or traveler's checks and change

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Emergency reference material such as a first aid book

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Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.

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Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.

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Fire Extinguisher

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Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items

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Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels

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Activities for children (books, games, puzzles etc.)

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5. How to Avoid Danger During Civil Unrest Patrick@137:

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Each year thousands of people around the world are killed or injured in riots or other forms of civil unrest. As recent riots in places as varied as Dubai, Paris, and San Bernardino, California, suggest, civil unrest can occur just about anywhere where there are enough people. The best way to stay safe during these disturbances is to avoid them or evacuate them, as once you're in the midst of a riot, survival can come down to luck.

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Make preparations in advance. Should civil instability erupt, especially if you're traveling abroad, you may need to be evacuated. Make an evacuation plan that includes where you can go to be evacuated (usually an embassy or an airport) and where you can go if you are unable to get to that place. Make sure all members of your family know the plan.

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Know the locations of police stations, hospitals, embassies and airports in the area.

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Keep a backpack filled with emergency rations and supplies. Keep a small amount of non-perishable food and some bottled water in a backpack. The total weight should not exceed 10 pounds, so you or a family member can easily carry it.

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Keep an emergency credit card, a small supply of cash, and some traveler's checks with your passport. Make sure you know where your passport and other papers you may need are, and make sure that you can easily get to them. During civil unrest, money can sometimes buy you out of bad situations (a bribe at a roadblock, for example) and will usually be essential to facilitate any evacuation, so it's good to keep an emergency supply, including a little cash, on hand.

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Know before you go. While riots can happen anywhere, they're most common in places that are experiencing palpable tension or upheaval, where the smallest spark can ignite violence. Before you travel abroad, research conditions in the place you'll be visiting by reading news stories about the area and checking for travel advisories issued by the U.S. Department of State or equivalent agencies. If there is a strong possibility of civil unrest, consider postponing or rerouting your trip.

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Contact your embassy and notify them of your presence. If you're traveling abroad in an unstable country, call your embassy to register and let them know where you are.

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Pay attention to what's going on around you, and get out of an area if warned. In the weeks, days, or hours preceding a riot, residents of an area can often tell that something big is about to happen. If you're a traveler and local people, police, or consulate staff warn you of the possibility of impending violence, leave the area as quickly as is safely possible.

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Avoid large groups of people, especially demonstrations. You need a lot of people to make a mob, so riots are most common in urban areas. The more people you get together in one place, the larger the chance of a riot becomes. Stay away from demonstrations--peaceful protests can quickly turn violent--and, if the atmosphere is already tense, consider avoiding festivals or other events where people crowd together.

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If you know civil unrest is occurring, the best thing you can do is stay far away from it. Do not venture into a riot to gawk or to find out what it's about.

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Avoid public transportation, especially bus and train stations. These places may become hopelessly--and dangerously--crowded if there is a threat of impending civil unrest. Even airports can become swamped, potentially dangerous places, so it's best to call the airport or your embassy in advance to check on the situation there.

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Secure your home and business if rioting is imminent. Rioting often brings looting, and looters can pillage and destroy your property. Make sure your doors are locked, and board up all your windows. Remove small valuables to a safer place if possible, since determined rioters will get in just about anywhere.

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Warnings Patrick@137:

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During episodes of civil unrest, many people fail to heed warnings to evacuate so that they can protect their homes or businesses. Consider this decision carefully, as it may put you in grave danger. It's important to remember that if looters strike you will likely be outnumbered, and your attackers may be armed. If you can evacuate, it's usually better to do so--your property is not worth your life.

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6. How to Be Safe During a Landslide Patrick@137:

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Emotions can be running very high during periods of emergency such as landslides, earthquakes, hurricanes or tornadoes. Follow these steps and you will be able to keep yourself safe during a landslide.

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Steps Patrick@137:

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Stay alert and awake. Many debris-flow fatalities occur when people are sleeping. Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or portable, battery-powered radio or television for warnings of intense rainfall. Be aware that intense, short bursts of rain may be particularly dangerous, especially after longer periods of heavy rainfall and damp weather.

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If you are in areas susceptible to landslides and debris flows, consider leaving if it is safe to do so. Remember that driving during an intense storm can be hazardous. If you remain at home, move to a second story if possible. Staying out of the path of a landslide or debris flow saves lives.

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Listen for any unusual sounds that might indicate moving debris, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together. A trickle of flowing or falling mud or debris may precede larger landslides. Moving debris can flow quickly and sometimes without warning.

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If you are near a stream or channel, be alert for any sudden increase or decrease in water flow and for a change from clear to muddy water. Such changes may indicate landslide activity upstream, so be prepared to move quickly. Don't delay! Save yourself, not your belongings.

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Be especially alert when driving. Embankments along roadsides are particularly susceptible to landslides. Watch the road for collapsed pavement, mud, fallen rocks, and other indications of possible debris flows.

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Tips Patrick@137:

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If you suspect danger of a landslide contact your local fire, police, or public works department. Local officials are the best persons able to assess potential danger.

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Curl into a tight ball and protect your head if escape is not possible.

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Warnings Patrick@137:

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Landslides are extremely dangerous and nothing to played around with. Evacuate immediately if you suspect imminent danger.

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7. How to React During an Earthquake Patrick@137:

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Unlike hurricanes or floods, earthquakes come without warning and are usually followed by similar aftershocks. Learn how to prepare your house for earthquake safety and how to react if one does occur.

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Steps Patrick@137:

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Avoid unstable items and buildings. Injuries and deaths during earthquakes are caused by falling objects and collapsing structures, and are largely avoidable. Take extra care in your home to ensure minimal damage or injury.

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Secure heavy items. Since falling objects pose the greatest danger during an earthquake, all tall or heavy furniture should be secured to the wall to prevent it from toppling over. TVs, stereos, heavy paintings, pots and plants should be tied down or placed on safety mantles. Remove all heavy items from the tops of shelves and cupboards.

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Be fire aware. Ensuing fires after an earthquake can cause havoc. Make sure you know where to switch off the gas supply to your apartment or building. Know the emergency exits in your building and make sure they are not obstructed in any way. Keep a regularly maintained fire extinguisher nearby and learn how to use it. Most fires start small and can be extinguished easily with quick action.

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Prepare an escape bag. Include in it a Self powered radio, self powered flashlights, spare batteries, solid fuel for a cooker, candles, money and ID documents. Stock up at least 3 days of water and food. Keep an extra rotating supply of your prescription medications in the bag.

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Protect your most vulnerable areas. In the event of an earthquake, take all measures necessary to protect your head and neck, the most vulnerable parts of your body.

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Assume the "earthquake position". If you are indoors, drop down to the floor in the "earthquake position". Make yourself small, with your knees on the floor, and your head tucked down toward the floor. Take cover under a sturdy desk or table. Place one hand on a leg of the table (to keep it from shifting away from you) and one hand over the back of your neck. Alternatively get down low next to a solid sofa or armchair and cover your head and neck with a pillow. Stay clear of windows, fireplaces, wood stoves, and heavy furniture or appliances that may fall over. Stay inside to avoid being injured by falling glass or building parts.

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Keep children and pets safe. If you have children or pets, do everything possible to get them under the table with you. Make sure as much of their bodies are protected as possible.

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Have shoes handy. To avoid stepping on broken glass and other objects, keep a pair of shoes and flashlight in a plastic bag tied to a foot of your bed so you don't need to grope in the dark.

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Take precautions wherever you happen to be.

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If you are in a crowded area, take cover where you are.

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If you are outside, get into the open, away from buildings and power lines. If you are at the beach, move quickly to higher ground or several hundred yards inland.

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If you are driving, stop if it is safe, but stay inside your car. Stay away from bridges, overpasses and tunnels. Move your car as far out of the normal traffic pattern as possible. If possible, avoid stopping under trees, light posts, power lines, or signs.

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Try to remain calm. Wait for the earthquake to stop before moving from your spot.

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Tips Patrick@137:

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Have a first aid kit ready. Not just for earthquakes, it's always best to have one handy. Keep:

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A flashlight or two

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Batteries

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Self Powered Flashlight x2 and Self Powered Radio x2 Try to find batteries during this emergency.

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Glowsticks. Candles are NOT to be used because of gas leaks, explosive matter, flammable matter in the area.

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Gauze

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Adhesive dressings

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Tweezers

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Small scissors

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Rubbing alcohol

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and cotton balls.

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You should always have sufficient water on hand to supply your family's needs for three to seven days. (Don't forget there are at least 30 gallons of water in your water heater.)

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Avoid using your phone. Leave circuits open for true emergencies. If you have a true emergency but get no dial tone, don't hang up. As long as you stay on the line you are in the queue for a circuit as they become available.

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It may help to keep pets in a basket or a cage, so that they can't wriggle away or scratch you from fear. Ask older children to mind the pets; the sense of responsibility for their pets will help to ease a little of their fear.

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Warnings Patrick@137:

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Stay out of moderately and heavily damaged buildings (err on the side of caution). The risks of injury during aftershocks is highest during the first few days following a large earthquake. Take the same protective actions during aftershocks.

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If your shelter is damaged and the aftershock has passed, try to find another shelter, or if you can get to an undamaged area, get to it and stay there.

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If you smell gas, hear any "hissing" noises, especially near a gas line, do NOT use candles at all. In fact, GET OUT OF THAT AREA!

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Things You'll Need Patrick@137:

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Evacuation bag (see above)

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Wrench to turn off your gas if you smell it escaping

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Fire extinguisher

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Self powered flashlights (crank flashlights or glow sticks) and self powered radios. It could be difficult to try and find batteries after a quake and candles could set off an explosion due to possible gas leaks. Power may also be out for weeks. Some models of these self powered radios and self powered flashlights can also charge cell phones. Unless the cell phone towers are damaged, even destroyed, cell phones would still function.

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A SHORT MANUAL ON DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

CONTENTS

1. How to Make a Disaster Plan for Your Family Patrick@137:

Steps Patrick@137:

Tips Patrick@137:

Warnings Patrick@137:

2. How to Create a Home First Aid Kit Patrick@137:

Steps Patrick@137:

Tips Patrick@137:

Warnings Patrick@137:

3. How to Administer Adult CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) Patrick@137:

Steps Patrick@137:

Tips Patrick@137:

Warnings Patrick@137:

4. How to Pack an Emergency Kit for the House Patrick@137:

Steps

Tips Patrick@137:

Warnings Patrick@137:

Things You'll Need Patrick@137:

Other Items to Consider Patrick@137:

5. How to Avoid Danger During Civil Unrest Patrick@137:

Steps Patrick@137:

Tips Patrick@137:

Warnings Patrick@137:

6. How to Be Safe During a Landslide Patrick@137:

Steps Patrick@137:

Tips Patrick@137:

Warnings Patrick@137:

7. How to React During an Earthquake Patrick@137:

Steps Patrick@137:

Tips Patrick@137:

Warnings Patrick@137:

Things You'll Need Patrick@137: