EMERGENCY ... YOU MAY
NOT BE AS READY
AS YOU THINK!

SOME COMMON SENSE THOUGHTS ON BEING PREPARED.

When the BIG ONE hits, there will be a large percentage of us who "always meant to make an earthquake survival kit, but just never got to it." Although the "Experts" can not come right out and tell us that it will happen within the next 10 days/weeks/months, etc., they are saying that "the chances for an earthquake of 8 points or larger have never been greater." What are you waiting for? I have compiled the following suggestions of possible precautions and preparations you can make today. This is not intended to be construed as an expert's opinion, and I am not selling any of the items mentioned. The following list of ideas can help you and your family to draft your own emergency plan. This is not a survival blueprint -- we encourage you to add and delete to custom make your kit to fit your family's needs. What ever you do -- don't put it off one more day!

BEFORE THE EARTHQUAKE:

• The best suggestion is to secure objects so that they do not become projectiles or other types of hazards. They don't have to be large and heavy to put a dent in your gourd or kill you or a child. (Example: TV, VCR, Stereo) It might even same them from damage and you from replacing them. Also, purchase a water heater strap kit. This can prevent a water leak, and if your water heater is gas, it can help prevent a fire.

• Know where the gas and electrical, and water shut-offs are and how to turn them off. If you have a gas meter, purchase a tool and chain it to the meter.

• Plan you exits and know where to meet. If half your family runs out the back and the other half runs out the front... no one should re-enter a damaged or on fire structure thinking that someone is missing. (A 24 year old women died in 4/97 trying to save a child that was already safe.)

DURING THE EARTHQUAKE:

• It isn't easy to provide you with a list of things to do during any earthquake -- there really isn't one. I can, however, provide a couple of thoughts of my own:

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• Don't panic! (Easier said than done. Usually... first you say it, then you do it!) In the last few months we have experienced moderate sized earthquakes. For most of us, we were able to move about (or run like hell) during the quake itself. When planning for an 8 point or greater, don't make the mistake that you will be able to do much more than fall down and, if you are lucky, crawl under a desk or table. When it hits, everyone is going to be running on their "instinct mode". Not many of us will be following a plan. I do suggest that you should always be aware of your surroundings -- particularly overhead objects that might fall on you during a large quake.

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• Whether at work or at home, have a plan of escape and designated meeting place so all can be accounted for.

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AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE:

• For those of us who were prepared, life after the quake will be a lot easier than for those who did nothing! If you have ever done any camping in the desert, what I am about to discuss may seem familiar. The basic idea is "if you don't have it ... you will just have to do without." There won't be any water from the faucet, gas from the stove, electric power or telephone service. You will truly be on your own. For how long is any ones guess, but the smart money is on at lease five days. Don't plan on going to the store, their inventory is all over the floor, and maybe under the collapsed ceiling. Don't plan to go to the bank and get some money. With the power and the phone system out, they will not have the use of their computers. Don't plan on going next door and borrow a cup of sugar. If you didn't talk much with your neighbor before the quake, they won't be in the mood for company now! Nope, you are on your own!

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SURVIVAL PACK:

• First we will start with a container for our kit. One of the best is a large vinyl trash barrel with a tight fitting lid. We purchased two vinyl barrels at one of the local warehouse hardware stores for our sample kit. With eight Grandchildren, I new that one would not be enough. (Those of you who have Grandchildren understand that statement.) After gathering up all I wanted to store, two barrels wouldn't hold it all either. We just stacked a lot of can goods and large water bottles next to the barrels. The list below is just that, a list. We have tried to mention as many items used in daily life as we can think of (and have room for). Pack your barrel(s) in the reverse order of possible need during an emergency, LAST required FIRST. Water is not an item that would be put in one of these containers. You should a minimum of a gallon per person, (don't forget your pets) to last for 3-5 days.

  Hot water heaters should have a shutoff valve on both the hot and cold water sides. This will allow you to isolate the tank from any outside contamination and give you, depending on the tank size, 30+ gallons of water to use. However, that would depend on if it was still intact and you were able to get to it. Don't count on it!

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	BOTTOM OF THE CONTAINER: Paper plates, cups, utensils, can opener Candles and Flares Duct Tape Bedding (sleeping bags and/or blankets, pillows and tarps) Rope, Tent stakes Work Gloves, Latex Gloves Knife Water Purification tablets and/or chlorine bleach Plastic Trash Bags, large and kitchen size Toilet Paper Changes of clothes, one change for each person for 3 days. Cooking items, matches, pots, pans, spatula, Sterno canned heat or propane stove, lantern, etc. Make your own list. Books, playing cards, puzzles, games, etc. Change of clothing for everyone it there is room Bright Red or Orange Spray Paint. You may need to send a message that can be seen from the air. _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________
	MIDDLE OF CONTAINER: Food should be next. A kit designed for two people with a requirement of one gallon per person per day for five days equals ten (10) gallons -- it just won't fit in the container. You should plan on a five day supply of food for each person. That's not to say that you need to plan for a banquet. Keep it basic. Choose foods that need little or no water to prepare, and don't forget about your pets! Whenever possible, purchase single serving sizes. Without a refrigerator, there will not be any leftovers. MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) are perfect. Do not save food in glass! CANNED... for 3-5 days for each person. Tuna Chili Pork & Beans (you will be sleeping under the stars.) Hash Fruits Vegetables Crackers and cookies (optional) Peanut butter (one that needs no refrigeration) Dry milk (approximately 1/2 lb. per person) Pet food(s) & restraining tethers if you have pets Dry foods you can eat as is, or add water to. ___________________________________ ___________________________________
	TOP OF THE CONTAINER -- EMERGENCY NEEDS! WATER, WATER AND MORE WATER! Cash. No power or phone lines = no ATM's Baby Food, Diapers, Wipes Medical supplies, First Aid kit Aspirin and/or other pain medications. Prescription medications. Keep a 3-15 day supply of daily medications. Check with your pharmacist for instructions on storage and rotation or life expectancy. Flashlight, Radio Batteries -- a few of all sizes. Leave them in the sealed package to protect them and the rest of the kit. Date the package and make a note in the house to change them frequently. Hammer - shovel - hand saw, misc. tools (You may have to do some demolition to rescue family and/or items from the house.) _______________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________
	POSSIBLE OTHER SOURCES OF FOOD: For those of you who plan on all the food in your refrigerator and freezer, you may be in for a some disappointment. You are assuming that your house is still standing and that you can even get to your refrigerator or freezer. And that even if you can get to it, that the contents weren't thrown out and have either spoiled or were contaminated. Your best strategy is to not count on this supply at all. Should you be able to salvage any or all, it would be a bonus and obviously should be consumed first.
	POSSIBLE OTHER SOURCES OF WATER: If you can get to your hot water heater and it is in good shape, a standard tank can can provide you with 30+ gallons. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A SHUT OFF VALVE ON THE COLD WATER ENTRANCE, AND THE HOT WATER EXIT OF YOUR TANK - CONSIDER INSTALLING THEM. Shutting them will allow total isolation of the tank from the rest of the water system and stop the possibility of contamination.
	STORAGE OF CONTAINER(S): Keep in mind that after the disaster, you will need to get to them. Your choice of location could be as important as the fact that you made the kits. If a safe location is a problem, one suggestion is to make several smaller versions of the kit and put them in your car(s), house, out-buildings, etc.
	ROTATE YOUR INVENTORY: None of the above will do you any good if it is allowed to go bad.
	STORAGE OF GASOLINE: There is only one place safe enough to store gas... and that is in your vehicle's gas tank. During an earthquake, small containers of gas could become damaged - leak - contaminate your other supplies - and maybe destroy everything (no water to put out fires). The simple solution is to never let your vehicle's gas tank fall below one-half (1/2). After a large quake, the roads may not be in any condition for you to be able to go very far anyway. Should you need gas for generators, chain saws, etc., gas can be siphoned. With that said, for those of you who have gas cans for lawn tools, give some careful consideration to their storage. Are they in a location where other things falling will crush or puncture them? EMERGENCY PROCEDURES: Right now is a good time to read the Emergency Procedures located in the white pages of your telephone book. It is full of suggestions - read them over. If you haven't taken any first aid courses, maybe you should consider doing so! In case of injury, minor or serious, you may be the only one near enough to make the difference. And that difference may mean the life of one you love. EMERGENCY DRINKING WATER: A clean, safe source of water is a fundamental element in any disaster preparedness plan. A person can survive for several days without food, but only for a short time without water. After any large earthquake, water supplies may be cut off for days or weeks. Your initial supply of water will have to be sufficient to last until an emergency supply (water buffalo) can be delivered to your area. Even with the truck, you will have to have a container large enough to store clean water. After an earthquake, bacteria and other foreign material often enter broken pipelines and water supplies. Even if you have water pressure, do not assume that it is safe to drink! Dysentery, Infectious Hepatitis, Typhoid Fever, and Cholera are diseases that often come from contaminated water. Purchase some kind of water treatment product and put it into your kit. Stored water should be safe and not require treatment, but keep it in a dark environment (a black plastic trash bag over the top will do), and rotate your stock periodically. Your hot water tank is the single largest container of safe drinking water - providing you have done some things in advance. Be sure to secure it to the wall so that it has a better chance of still being up-right after the quake. Install shut-off valves on both sides (hot & cold) so that you can isolate the tank from any possible contamination and water loss. Don't short yourself. You will need water for cooking, pets, hygiene, etc. EMERGENCY SHELTER: Even if your house is left standing, and safe to occupy, you won't want to go back inside to sleep. The after shocks will see to that. You will have to make alternate accommodations. They may be as simple as sleeping bags or blankets, but if your back is like mine, you may want to give this a little more thought. HAVE A PRACTICE "EMERGENCY" CAMPOUT The best test of your preparedness is to put it to a test. It may sound dumb, but try it. Spend the week-end camping-out in your own backyard. Make a list of everything you had to go back into the house to get. Just the essentials! Remember, you are testing how you will be able to live on what you can store away in your emergency kit. FOR EVERY PLAN "A", THEIR IS A PLAN "B": My family has heard me say this 'till they could scream. My comment to you is, whether you follow any of the above suggestions or not, "Do something!" Do you remember the fable of the Grasshopper and the Ant? If you are the Grasshopper and I am the Ant, and I have just enough for my family -- don't expect to belly up to the bar. And like the old west, protection of "a-bodies" property can be mighty serious business. Don't underestimate the conviction of some people to keep what they have, or others to want it! Disasters bring out the best in some people and the worse in others. BE READY!!! We have seen this in the South too. Those of you who do not prepare WILL NOT be as comfortable as the rest of us. Don't rely on the Government, neighbors, friends or family -- because they just might be relying on you!
	OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION:   Disaster Preparation Guide: How To Be Ready To Survive An Emergency California Environmental Resources Evaluation System   Map of Seismic Activity in Southern California   Irvine Office of EQE International