Five Ways To Be Disaster Ready In Los Angeles
Living in Los Angeles comes with certain risks, the biggest of which include earthquakes, landslides and wildfires. More than 10,000 earthquakes hit Southern California every year, but none have been as large as the 1906 earthquake that hit San Francisco and claimed the lives of more than 3,000 people. In light of a year-long drought that has led to an increase in wildfires and higher chances of landslides in the event of an earthquake or flood, the U.S. Department of Agriculture identified Los Angeles as one of 42 counties in California particularly prone to an impending natural disaster. If there was ever a time to start getting disaster ready in Los Angeles, now would definitely be the time to hit up your best resources for emergency preparedness and get an escape plan in place. Should a disaster ever strike near you, these five disaster-ready tips will help ensure your safety and survival in the aftermath.
Familiarize Yourself With Basic Safety KnowledgeIn the event of an earthquake, you generally want to stay away from windows, mirrors, large furniture or appliances and collapsible objects. You'll be safer if you stick to the floor of an interior wall where you can drop, cover and hold--ideally, under a sturdy desk, table or chair. Contrary to popular belief, doorways are not always your safest bet as they tend to be among the weaker structures of a house.
In case of a fire, the first thing you'll want to do is protect yourself from smoke inhalation by covering your nose and mouth with a shirt or lowering yourself to the floor and crawling to evade the smoke. If your clothes catch on fire, remember to stop, drop and roll to smother the fire while covering your face with your hands. If you're trapped, call for help and try to compartmentalize the smoke by closing doors, covering vents and sealing cracks with clothing, towels or tape.
In the case of a landslide, you'll want to evacuate immediately because it's the last place you'll want to be when it goes down. Head for higher ground and away from the path of falling debris. If you get caught in a landslide and can't escape, curl yourself up into a fetal position and protect your head.
Prepare An Emergency Supplies KitWhether you build it yourself or buy one ready-made, consider having an emergency supplies kit for your home, your car and your workplace. You generally want to pack:
- Enough food and water for at least three days to three weeks
- A first aid kit in case of injury and essential medications
- Emergency contact numbers, insurance information and important documents for identification
- Reserve cash in case ATM machines are down
- A survival kit that includes a sleeping bag, a change of clothes, personal hygiene items, a battery-powered flashlight and broadcast radio with backup batteries
You may even want to include some local maps and a compass, just in case. Be sure to replace stored water every three months and stored food every six months.
Have An Evacuation Plan In PlaceShould a disaster ever strike, the key to your survival lies in good preparation. Place emergency supplies in easy-to-reach places. Identify at least two ways to exit every room in case you need to take an alternative escape route. Pick two rendezvous points so everyone knows where they can find each other in case of separation amid the disaster.
Sign Up For A Free CERT Training ClassIn a real-life emergency situation, anticipate having to fend for yourself for at least the first three days because that is how long it might take for emergency responders to reach you in the aftermath. The Los Angeles Fire Department offers a free Community Emergency Response Team program that equips citizens with basic disaster relief skills including fire safety and treatment of life-threatening emergencies. You may also want to look into first aid and CPR classes.
Upgrade Your Homeowners Insurance PolicyDid you know that 8 out of 9 Californians don't buy earthquake insurance? This is largely due to the fact that earthquake coverage is not typically included in standard homeowners insurance policies; they're sold separately with higher deductibles and at higher rates. Considering how few major earthquakes California has experienced since the Northridge earthquake, most homeowners don't think it's worth it until after the fact. Though it's not mandated by law, and you may never need to cash in on it, earthquake insurance can give you the same peace of mind as having auto insurance. At the very least, talk to an agent so you're more aware of your options.
