"Monday afternoon's disaster in Moore Oklahoma and surrounding area saddened and stunned us. Our Thoughts and prayers are with the victims in the area who were hurt and killed. We are lucky here in Southern California, we usually do not see a tornado barreling down on us. We get the surprise of the sudden onset of an earthquake and the disaster that it is. No matter the reason for the destruction, you should always be prepared. For those of you in earthquake country, you can follow the steps below to prepare for the ""big one"": Before the earthquake build an emergency kit. Your emergency kit should contain non-perishable food, water and other supplies for at least 72 hours.
- The foods should be what your family will eat, remember any special dietary needs and avoid foods that will make you thirsty. An example of foods that you may put in your disaster kit are salt-free crackers, whole grain cereals, nuts, peanut butter, dried fruit, canned juices, non-perishable pasteurized milk, high energy foods and canned foods with a high liquid content. Do not store items that once opened will need to be refrigerated since, you may not have power after the earthquake. Include infant formula, and diapers in your emergency kit. (Also store enough food to feed your pets for 3 days.) Make sure you include any feminine supplies, personal hygiene items, paper cups, plates paper towels, can opener and eating utensils. Make sure you have enough water to last each member of your family for 3 days. (Remember your pets as well, there should be extra water for them.)
Other items to include in your disaster kit:
- You may want put aside a camp stove or charcoal grill to cook food in case there is a disruption of either electricity or gas in your area during the disaster. They are for outdoor use only. If you want to heat food in the house, you can use a candle warmer, chafing dish, fondue pot or your fireplace, but be sure that you do so carefully.
- Be sure and include Prescription medications, glasses, cash or traveler's checks and change. During a disaster the banks and pharmacies in your area may be affected. Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, ids, bank account records. You should keep an emergency reference book on fist aid, or free information printed out from http://www.ready.gov/publications. All this can be kept protected in your home safe or gun safe or contained in a water proof container.
- Household chlorine bleach and a medicine dropper - You can use nine parts water to one part bleach as a disinfectant. In an emergency you can treat contaminated water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach to one gallon of water.
- A Fire extinguisher
- Matches in a waterproof container
- Paper, pencils, books, games, puzzles or other activities to keep your kids busy.
- Make sure all heavy items are bolted down, this includes your gun safe, jewelry safe, or other large safe. If you need help in bolting down a safe or moving it to a safer area so it can be bolted down please contact us.
- Secure your water heater, refrigerator, furnace and gas appliances by strapping them to the wall studs. Repair defective wiring and leaky gas connections so that if disaster strikes you have less of a chance of fire.
- Practice earthquake drills with your family. Drop, cover and hold on. Pick out the safe spots in each room, under a sturdy table or against an inside wall.
