Time to Prepare!

Living in the Pacific “Ring of Fire” and along the San Andreas Fault, we are at the mercy of serious earthquake risks that can occur anytime, disaster preparation is key. I’m sure it has been a while for most people since you last checked your home emergency kit and disaster supplies, so now might be a good time to update it and make sure you have everything you need in case of an event.

The following disaster preparedness tips will help you execute safety procedures efficiently during an emergency. First thing that comes to mind is the First Aid Kit, make sure you store it in a central place and that it has all of its contents and instructions. You’re also going to want a Wrench handy in order to turn off gas and water valves if there is damage to your pipes. Flashlights are also very important to have, especially if something happens at night time, check the batteries and test before storing in several locations around the house.

Next, your Fire Extinguisher should be the kind that works for all types of fires and should be easily accessible. One of the most important items to have is at least 3 days worth of Drinkable Water for you and your family (1 gallon per person per day). A Portable Radio is very handy so you can get emergency broadcasts and current disaster news to keep you informed on what’s going on and safe to do. In case you get trapped for a few days it is important to have a Week's Supply of Food for each person -- preferably food that doesn't require refrigeration or cooking. Definitely don't forget a can opener! You’re also going to need to store Blankets, Clothing, and an extra pair of Running Shoes in your earthquake supplies box. You might need them to keep warm or hike somewhere to find help.

Then last but not least, make sure you have Money, stash some $20 bills and quarters in a safe place, because the pay phones should work even if regular phone lines are jammed.
These are just a few general household supplies that you should definitely have on hand. Of course you may want to add other supplies to this list, but in general the supplies listed above should get you through times. Natural Disaster preparedness and Management is essential in today's unpredictable climate, it must be taken seriously. Feel free to comment with suggestions or anything else you have on your mind, and remember, it’s better to be over-prepared than under.

Tsunamis in San Diego?!

Will tsunamis menace San Diego? With the erratic state of the earth, is it farfetched to question this possibility? Absolutely not! A tsunami can take commence through an underwater earthquake, landslide, or volcanic eruption. More rarely, a tsunami can be generated by a giant meteor impact with the ocean. Tsunami waves can be very long (as much as 60 miles, or 100 kilometers) and be as far as one hour apart. They are able to cross entire oceans without great loss of energy. Since Natural Disasters are so unpredictable and impossible to prevent it is essential to acquire Natural disaster preparedness and management for ourselves and our community.
San Diego is one of the most attractive cities in the world. It’s well-known for its beaches, weather and nightlife. San Diegans are fortunate to have avoided catastrophic tsunamis. In the last few years the world has seen these immense waves devastate countries. Thousands of lives were lost and several could have been spared if appropriate disaster preparation was in order, before and after the event. According to the City of San Diego, local tsunamis are generated off the coast of Southern California. Since 1800 only four locally generated tsunamis have been observed, which produced only minimal damage. Although these facts may seem comforting, California emergency disaster groups need to inform its citizens of the potential tsunami threat, especially in our unique and unpredictable planet. The Anti-Terrorist Watch organization has fundamental knowledge, experience and resources to train an individual in disaster preparation. Terrorism and Natural Disasters while rare, must be dealt with sternly before the incident, to prevent devastation. Seeking professional help may save your life and those close to you.

Earthquake Precautions

One of the most frightening and destructive phenomena of nature is a severe earthquake and its terrible aftereffects. Like other natural disasters, earthquakes appear without warning. Although we may never know when an earthquake is going to strike, we can still be prepared for them.

There are many steps we can take to ensure that our homes are as safe as possible in the event of an earthquake:
· Repair defective electrical wiring, leaky gas lines, and inflexible utility connections. Get appropriate professional help. Do not work with gas or electrical lines yourself.
· Bolt down and secure to the wall studs your water heater, refrigerator, furnace, and gas appliances. If recommended by your gas company, have an automatic gas shut-off valve installed that is triggered by strong vibrations.
· Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves. Fasten shelves, mirrors, and large picture frames to walls. Brace high and top-heavy objects.
· Store bottled foods, glass, china, and other breakables on low shelves or in cabinets that fasten shut.
· Anchor overhead lighting fixtures.
· Be sure the residence is firmly anchored to its foundation.
· Install flexible pipe fittings to avoid gas or water leaks. Flexible fittings are more resistant to breakage.

In addition, having earthquake drills with your family will teach them what to do to stay safe during an earthquake. These are steps to go over with your family, especially the youngest members:
· Locate safe spots in each room under a sturdy table or against an inside wall. Reinforce this information by moving to these places during each drill.
· Hold earthquake drills with your family members: Drop, cover, and hold on!

However, the danger isn’t over. Practicing safe earthquake procedure doesn’t stop when the initial shaking does:
· Be prepared for aftershocks. These secondary shockwaves are usually less violent than the main quake but can be strong enough to do additional damage to weakened structures.
· Open cabinets cautiously. Beware of objects that can fall off shelves.
· Stay away from damaged areas unless your assistance has been specifically requested by police, fire, or relief organizations.
· Be aware of possible tsunamis if you live in coastal areas. These are also known as seismic sea waves (mistakenly called “tidal waves”). When local authorities issue a tsunami warning, assume that a series of dangerous waves is on the way. Stay away from the beach.

Having the knowledge to prepare for and react to an earthquake is essential. Visit ATWUSSD for more information on disaster preparedness.

Summer Safety Essentials

Camping with friends is a blast! Making campfires, breathing fresh air, communing with nature are all fantastic ways to distress and enjoy a nice vacation. But make sure to always bring the safety essentials just in case the unexpected arises.

At ATWUSSD, we recommend always having a non-battery powered flashlight. If you get lost at night and your flashlight runs out of batteries, you are putting yourself in more danger. Flashlights can help you scare off predatory animals, and they also make you easily detectable at night so park rangers can quickly find your position. It is important to have working light if you end up lost in the woods at night.

Another important item to have in your emergency pack is a container of purified drinking water. This is commonly packaged in bags or small portable boxes that make it easy to carry around in case of emergencies. If you plan on going for a hike but don’t want to be weighted down with heavy bottles of water, carrying small bags of purified drinking water is a great way to have a comfortable hike, while still being prepared for unexpected emergencies.

Energy bars are also an essential addition to an emergency pack. They are light-weight and contain the type of nutrition that would be vital for survival if lost in the woods for a couple of days. Choose energy bars with a lot of protein, which will help maintain your strength and energy level.

A small first aid kit is another indispensable survival item that you need in order to be prepared in case of an emergency. This should consist of Band-Aids, anti-bacterial spray, gauss, tweezers, needle and thread, and tape. No matter if you are lost in the woods or someone got hurt while still in camp, it is important to have the supplies necessary to dress wounds. Sometimes first aid kits come with small booklets that have instructions on how to wrap gauss into a split for broken appendages or tie knots after covering a wound. This would be a great tool to teach friends in your party the correct ways to deal with these types of emergency situations.

One final thing that should definitely be included in your kit is a survival blanket. These are extremely compact and light-weight, so carrying them would be easy. Many people forgo having a blanket in their survival kit because they think it will be too bulky and unpractical to pack. However, survival blankets are made to address these exact concerns. They are made of materials that are light but very warm. If you tend to go camping in cold climates, it would be essential to add this item to your survival kit.

Live by the Boy Scout’s motto when camping: “always be prepared.” Disaster preparation is essential in order to be safe. Be confident in the success and safety of your camping trips by having a complete, fully stocked survival kit on hand whenever you set out for some weekend fun!