Are You Ready?
Make A Plan For:
Fire
- Decide on a "meeting place" outside
your home to go to in case of fire. If you see thick smoke get low to the
floor and crawl quickly to the nearest door. Go to your "meeting
place" and wait.
DO NOT GO back in the house.
Tornado
- Go to your "safe place" - the basement (if you
have one) or the lowest floor and take shelter in a hallway, closet or inside
room. Stay away from windows. If you are in a car, mobile home, or portable
classroom, go immediately to the basement of a nearby sturdy building. If
there is no nearby building, lie flat in a low spot, use your arms and hands
to protect your head.
Do not go under highway bridges and overpasses because dangerous flying debris can be blown under them or you could be pulled out by the strong wind. Tornado winds can blow large objects, including cars and mobile homes, hundreds of feet.
Earthquake
- Drop, Cover, Hold On When you feel an earthquake, move
to the closest safe place. Drop under a sturdy table
or against an inside wall or doorway. Protect your face with one arm and hold
on if you can.
It is very dangerous to try and leave a building during an earthquake because objects can fall on you. Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you are sure it is safe to exit, move quickly away from the building to prevent injury from falling debris. Go to your "meeting place".
Make your house earthquake resistant - by bolting bookcases, china cabinets and other tall furniture to wall studs. Secure items that might fall (televisions, books, computers). Install latches on cabinet doors to keep things from falling out. Strap the water heater to wall studs to protect it from damage and leaks. This is your best source of drinkable water following an earthquake.
Lightning
storm -
Find
shelter in a building or car. Keep an eye on the sky. Look for darkening
skies, flashes of light, or increasing wind. Listen for the sound of thunder.
If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck
by lightning.
If you are caught outside - go to a low-lying, open place away from trees, poles, or metal objects. Squat low to the ground to be a very small target. Place your elbows on your knees and put your hands over the back of your head. Do not lie flat on the ground - this will make you a larger target.
Inside do not use the telephone - as they can conduct lightning. Do not take a bath or shower and avoid running water for any other use.
If someone is struck by lightning - Call for help. Get someone to dial 9-1-1. People struck by lightning carry no electrical charge and can be handled safely. The person may be burned both where they were struck and where the electricity left their body. Being struck by lightning can also cause nervous system damage, broken bones, and loss of hearing or eyesight.
Flood
-
Know your area's flood risk. If it has been raining hard
for several hours, or steadily raining for several days, be alert to the possibility
of a flood. Floods can take several hours to days to develop.
A flood Watch means a flood is possible in your area.
A flood Warning means flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area.
When a flood Warning is issued - listen to local radio and TV for information and advice. If told to evacuate, do so as soon as possible.
A flash flood can take only a few minutes to a few hours to develop.
When a flash flood Watch is issued be alert to signs and be ready to evacuate on a moment's notice.
When a flash flood Warning is issued evacuate immediately. Move to higher ground away from rivers, streams, creeks, and storm drains. Do not drive around barricades - they are there for your safety.
It only takes 24" of water to float a car or bus. If your car stalls in rapidly rising waters, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground.
