EMERGENCY SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR THE OLDER PERSON
Emergencies are a fact of life in California. The state is crisscrossed with numerous major active faults that cause earthquakes. And, there are fires and tsunamis. As citizens of the state, we must assume the responsibility for our own survival and self-reliance during and after a major emergency. There are many things that can be done to prepare for a safer response and a more rapid, less traumatic recovery. During an emergency local officials and relief workers will be on the scene, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You need to be prepared, because it could be hours or days before emergency assistance arrives.
An emergency itself may not cause injury or death. Most casualties result from partial building collapse or falling objects, like chimneys, bricks, ceilings and light fixtures. Also, leaking gas and improper use of electricity can cause fires. Many of these conditions are easily preventable, and you should take steps now to help protect you and your family
Inside
Prepara ons: Things to do
Prepara ons: Supplies
During an Emergency
Evacua on Plans
Emergency Radio Sta ons and other contacts Develop a family or immediate neighborhood disaster plan and supply kit, addressing the items listed. Have an agreement with neighbors or friends to check up on each other in case of an emergency. Prepare yourself, your family, and your home by completing these following Things to do SMOKE and CARBON MONOXIDE LIFE SUPPORT EQUIPMENT If your life DETECTOR Have a smoke detector and fire support equipment requires electricity, alarm system installed. If you have some purchasing an emergency generator or difficulty hearing, install the system that has alternative method is recommended. flashing strobe lights to get your attention. SPECIAL NEEDS EQUIPMENT Check batteries. The Carbon Monoxide Information, such as style, serial number, Poisoning Prevention Act requires all homes operating information and instructions with an attached garage or a fossil fuel source needs to be available. to install carbon monoxide alarms within the home. FIRE EXTINGUISHER Have one available multipurpose, labeled A‐B‐C. REGISTER FOR REVERSE 911 The 911 call center has the ability to send out a message LOCATE UTILITY TURN‐OFF VALVES to any land line telephone in the event of an Locate gas, water and electricity turn off for emergency. If you want to receive these future reference. alerts on a VoIP or cell phone, you must register with the local 911 call center.
https://slosheriff.onthealert.com https://santabarbara.onthealert.com
CAREGIVER If you have a personal care attendant, work with that person to decide how you will communicate with each other, such as by cell phone, if you are separated during an emergency. CONTACT PERSON Choose an out‐of‐ state friend or relative that separated family members can call after the quake to report Supplies to have available Create a Survival Kit‐Store your survival kit in a sturdy, portable container. Keep
WATER One gallon per person per day. Empty RADIO Battery powered or hand and refill with fresh water every six months. cranked radio and extra batteries so Use 2 liter plastic bottles. To purify water, add you can stay in touch with the 1/8 teaspoon (or 8 drops) of regular unscented Emergency Alert System (EAS). liquid household bleach for each gallon of HYGIENIC SUPPLIES Soap, toilet paper, moist water, stir it well and let it stand for 30 minutes towelettes, personal hygiene items. before you use it. Store disinfected water in clean containers with covers. In an emergency FIRST AID KIT With items such as: gauze, you can gather water from your water heater. bandages, scissors, tape, disinfectants, antiseptics, first aid
manual and nonprescription medications.
PRESCRIPTIONS Medication for at least 7 days and a list of medications that you take, time of day you take them and name of pharmacy where you buy your prescriptions.
EXTRA EYE GLASSES In case one FOOD Non‐perishable food for pair is broken. at least 3‐7 days. Select foods that do not require refrigeration, HEARING AIDS Hearing aid and cooking or preparation. Items extra batteries. such as canned or dehydrated food, powdered milk, nutrition BLANKETS or SLEEPING BAGS Have bars and canned juices can be rotated with ready and available. your daily diet and replenished on a regular CASH Some cash or travelers checks basis. Include eating utensils. to purchase emergency supplies until CAN OPENER A hand‐operated one. banks can reopen.
WHISTLE Available to call for help. IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS Such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank FLASHLIGHT plus extra batteries. Do account records in a water proof, portable not use matches or candles after a container. Also include a list of important disaster until you are certain no gas leaks exist. phone numbers and addresses. During an Emergency Evacuation Plan
If indoors, stay there. In an earthquake get Many emergencies may require you to leave your home under a desk, table or doorway or stand in a temporarily. Evacuations for fire and floods may corner. Cover your head with your arms if you require you to leave at a moments notice. Create a list are not under a protective object. If outdoors, of people who you can rely on for assistance in case of get into an open area away from trees, evacuation. If you will need assistance, you need several buildings, walls, and power lines. different people who can assist you in case one is not available. Emergency personnel (9‐1‐1) should be If driving, pull over to the side of the road and considered a last resort for evacuation assistance. Your stop. Avoid overpasses and power lines. Stay evacuation plan should include the names and contact inside until shaking is over. If in a crowded methods for people who can assist and a plan for the public place, do not rush for the doors. Move following contingencies: away from display shelves containing objects • Evacuation without the aid of a vehicle that could fall. If in a high‐rise building, stay • Evacuation without the aid of your home phone away from windows and outside walls. Get under a table. Do not use elevators. • Evacuation in the event of utility failure
After an Emergency My evacuation plans: • Check for injuries. Apply first aid. Do not move seriously ______injured individuals unless they are in immediate danger. ______• Do not use the telephone immediately unless there is a ______serious injury or fire. ______• Check for gas and water leaks, broken electrical wiring or sewage lines. If there is damage, turn utility off at the Who can provide evacuation assistance? source.
• Check building for cracks and damage, including roof, Person 1______chimneys, and foundation. • Check food and water supplies. Emergency water may be Home# ______obtained from water heaters, melted ice cubes, toilet tanks, Cell# ______and canned vegetables. Person 2______• Do not use your vehicle when there is an emergency. Keep the streets clear for emergency vehicles. Home# ______• If you evacuate, post a message inside your home telling Cell# ______family members where you can be found. Person 3______• Turn on your portable radio for instructions and news Home# ______reports. Cooperate fully with public safety officials. Cell# ______Emergency Radio Stations: Santa Barbara Santa Maria Santa Ynez KTMS 990 AM KIST 1490 AM KUHL 1440 AM KRAZ 105.9 FM KIST 107.7 FM KSBL 101.7 FM KCSB 91.9 FM Spanish KTYD 99.9 FM San Luis Obispo County Spanish KSPE 94.5 FM 920 AM 1610 AM 1400 AM 98.1 FM
Other Helpful Resources
American Red Cross Area Agency on Aging 2707 State Street 528 S. Broadway Santa Barbara, CA 93105 Santa Maria 687‐1331 800‐510‐2020 www.centralcoastseniors.org 3030 Skyway Dr. Santa Maria, CA 93455 Office of Emergency Services 928‐0778 County of Santa Barbara 4408 Cathedral Oaks Rd 225 Prado Rd Suite A Santa Barbara, CA 93101 San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 681‐5526 805‐543‐0696 x18 www.sbcoem.org www.redcross.org County of San Luis Obispo 1055 Monterey Street, Rm D430, San Luis Obispo, CA 93408 781‐5011 www.slocounty.ca.gov
This publicaƟon was developed with funding from the Area Agency on Aging.