Emergency Safety Guide: Stay Prepared for Any Disaster

Prevention

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and test them monthly.
• Keep flammable items at least three feet away from heat sources.
• Never leave cooking unattended, especially when using oil or high heat.
• Keep portable heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn.
• Have your heating system, chimney and vents inspected and cleaned annually.
• Store matches and lighters out of children's reach and sight.

During a Fire

• If you see smoke or flames, immediately alert everyone in the building and call emergency services.
• Use the back of your hand to test doors for heat before opening them.
• If a door is hot, use an alternative escape route.
• Stay low to the ground where air is clearer if there's smoke.
• Once you're out, stay out – never go back into a burning building.
• If your clothes catch fire: Stop, Drop, and Roll to extinguish the flames.

The safe way to deal with a flood? Go somewhere else. Stay somewhere else. And be absolutely safe when returning to a flood zone. Here's our best advice on how to do that:

BEFORE A FLOOD (WHEN FLOODING IS FORECAST)

Be alert.

• Monitor your surroundings.
• Monitor NOAA Weather Radio, local television and radio stations, or go to www.weather.gov.

If a flash flood warning is issued for your area: Climb to safety immediately.

• Flash floods develop quickly. Do not wait until you see rising water.
• Get out of low areas subject to flooding.
• If driving, do not drive through flooded roadways!

Assemble disaster supplies:

• Drinking water – Fill clean containers.
• Food that requires no refrigeration or cooking.
• Cash
• Medications and first aid supplies.
• Clothing, toiletries.
• Battery-powered radio.
• Flashlights.
• Extra batteries.
• Important documents: insurance papers, medical records, bank account numbers.

Be prepared to evacuate.

• Identify places to go.
• Identify alternative travel routes that are not prone to flooding.
• Plan what to do with your pets.
• Fill your car’s gas tank.
• If told to leave, do so quickly.

Review your Family Disaster Plan.

• Discuss flood plans with your family.
• Decide where you will meet if separated.
• Designate a contact person who can be reached if family members get separated. Make sure every family member has the contact information.

Protect your property.

• Move valuables and furniture to higher levels.
• Move hazardous materials (such as paint, oil, pesticides, and cleaning supplies) to higher locations.
• Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch them if you are wet or standing in water.
• Bring outside possessions indoors or tie them down securely. This includes lawn furniture, garbage cans, and other movable objects.
• Seal vents to basements to prevent flooding. br

During a Flood

Be alert.

• Monitor your surroundings.
• Monitor NOAA Weather Radio, local television and radio stations, or go to www.weather.gov.

Don’t drive unless you have to. If you must drive, travel with care.

• Make sure your vehicle has enough fuel.
• Follow recommended routes. DO NOT sightsee.
• Avoid disaster areas. Your presence might hamper rescue or other emergency operations and put you at further risk.
• Watch for washed out roads, earth slides, and downed trees or power lines.
• Be especially cautious at night, when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.
• If the vehicle stalls, abandon it.
• If water rises around your car, leave the vehicle immediately. Climb to higher ground as quickly as possible.

NEVER drive through flooded roadways. STOP! Turn Around Don’t Drown.

• The roadbed may be washed out.
• You can lose control of your vehicle in only a few inches of water.
• Do not drive around a barricade. Turn around and go another way!

Get to high ground – Climb to safety!

• Get out of low areas that may be subject to flooding.
• Avoid already-flooded areas and do not attempt to cross flowing water.
• Stay away from power lines and electrical wires.

Evacuate immediately, if you think you are at risk or are advised to do so!

• Act quickly. Save yourself, not your belongings.
• Move to a safe area before access is cut off by rising water.
• Families should use only one vehicle to avoid getting separated and reduce traffic jams.
• Shut off water, gas, and electrical services before leaving.
• Secure your home: lock all doors and windows.
• If directed to a specific location, go there.

Never try to walk or swim through flowing water.

• If flowing water is above your ankles, STOP! Turn around and go another way.
• If it is moving swiftly, water 6 inches deep can knock you off your feet.
• Be aware that people have been swept away wading through flood waters.
• NEVER allow children to play around high water, storm drains, creeks, or rivers.

Shut off the electricity at the circuit breakers. If someone falls in or is trapped in flood water:

• Do not go after the victim!
• If it is moving swiftly, water 6 inches deep can knock you off your feet.
• Use a floatation device. If possible throw the victim something to help them float, such as a spare tire, large ball, or foam ice chest.
• Call for assistance and give the correct location information.

Here are some helpful tips small-business owners can use to enhance their safety plans, prevent common workplace accidents and mitigate risks to their business.

Avoid slips and falls

• Repair damage to flooring that could cause someone to trip and keep hallways clear of clutter. Outside, ensure all walkways are shoveled and salted immediately after snow falls.

Be aware of electrical hazards

• If you have several items plugged in at desks, make sure you invest in an Uninterruptible Power Supply to protect computers and keep the power from spiking. If renovations are being done that involve electrical systems, move staff to a safe work area.

Limit manual handling and lifting

• If jobs require people to lift items regularly, ensure a system is in place to get at hard-to-reach items. If they need to lift heavy objects, make sure employees have the tools they need and know how to operate them safely.

Keep a well-stocked first aid kit in plain sight

• If you have a large office, place several kits throughout the area and make sure someone on staff is trained in first aid.

Create an emergency action plan

• Outlines emergency exits, practice fire drills, co-ordinate safe meeting places and create a system to account for employees’ whereabouts.

Identify staff who may need extra help in an emergency

• Involve them in planning for their safety, and make sure the office is accessible, prepared for fires, power outages and other unexpected events.

Promote fire safety

• Identify potential fire hazards in your office and train staff how to use fire extinguishers.

Avoid injuries by storing items safely

• Place heavier items lower to the ground and distribute weight evenly in cabinets and on shelves.

Help reduce back pain and repetitive strain injuries

• Make sure desk chairs are properly adjusted, and computer monitors are at the right height for each user. Proper ergonomics will aid the longevity and health of staff that work at desks all day.

Protect your business against water damage

• Service HVAC equipment regularly. Pipes and other components in the system can leak, making the working environment more humid than it should be, which may give rise to other problems like mould.

If a lahar, pyroclastic flow, or lava flow is headed toward you

• Leave the area immediately. If you are warned to evacuate because an eruption is imminent, evacuate.
• If you can drive rather than walk, use your vehicle to evacuate. When driving keep doors and windows closed, drive across the path of danger if you can or away from the danger if you can not, and watch for unusual hazards in the road.

If you are indoors

• Close all windows, doors, and fireplace or woodstove dampers.
• Turn off all fans and heating and air conditioning systems.
• Bring pets and livestock into closed shelters.

If you are indoors

• Close all windows, doors, and fireplace or woodstove dampers.
• Turn off all fans and heating and air conditioning systems.
• Bring pets and livestock into closed shelters.

If you are outdoors

• Seek shelter indoors.
• If caught in a rockfall, roll into a ball to protect your head
• If near a stream or river, be aware of rising water and possible mudflows in low-lying areas. Move up-slope as quickly as possible.
• Seek care for burns right away. Immediate care can be life saving.
• If your eyes, nose, and throat become irritated from volcanic gases and fumes, move away from the area immediately. Your symptoms should go away when you are no longer in contact with the gases or fumes. If the symptoms continue, consult your doctor.

Hurricane Survival Tips

• Monitor weather reports and don't ignore rainfall warning alerts you receive through text.
• Make your own lifeline kit[1] consisting of essential items like food, money, documents, and toiletries that should last for two to three days.
• Ensure you have enough food and water supply.
• Keep the following items handy in case of a power outage: battery-operated radio, flashlights, spare batteries, rechargeable lamps, and candles.
• Check your home for anything that needs to be fixed or secured, such as a leaky roof and trees that need to be trimmed.
• Park your car in a higher place (like in a mall's parking space) if you live in a low-lying area.
• Secure your pets in a safe place.
• Evacuate immediately and calmly—if there's an order from your local government unit or if you live near a body of water or mountainsides—to avoid flash floods and landslides. Close all windows and switch off your main power supply.
• Make a plan for staying in touch with your family during a typhoon.
• Keep your phones charged.
• Keep your phones charged.

Avoid exposure

• Reducing exposure means following imposed guidelines on quarantine and distancing yourself from others, especially when COVID-19 is spreading in your community. Stay at home if you are sick, except to receive urgent medical care.

Observe proper hand hygiene

• Hygiene starts with yourself, so practice proper handwashing. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the hands are the main pathways to germ transmission. Remember to wash between your fingers and underyour nails. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with your hands as the virus spreads easily this way.

Key times to wash your hands include:

• After blowing one’s nose, coughing or sneezing.
• After using the restroom
• Before eating or preparing food
• After contact with animals
• Before and after providing care for someone in need of assistance (e.g. a child)

Sanitize your home

• Keep your home neat and orderly by practicing regular cleaning and disinfecting, which both help prevent infection. Regularly clean frequently-touched surfaces, like tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, and sinks. Remove visible dirt on carpets and rugs before using appropriate cleaners.
• Disinfecting means using chemicals like diluted household bleach and solutions with at least 70 percent rubbing alcohol to remove contamination. Remember to clean dirty surfaces with detergent or soap and water first before disinfecting.

Check-in on your loved ones

• With technology literally at the palm of our hands, connecting with others is easier and more accessible. Talk to people, especially those you trust, about your concerns and worries. It is crucial, especially at a time like this, to keep in touch with your loved ones and see how they are doing.
• In a pandemic like this, protecting ourselves and those around us can be summed up in simple habits that start with ourselves and in our own homes. Do your best to stay healthy, and use your time while on quarantine wisely and productively.

Make use of your health plan

• Now is a crucial time to inquire on health plans. Having a health plan gives you a safety net to support treatment and hospital expenses in the future. As many insurance firms in the country are now offering assistance for COVID-19 patients, make sure you and your family have an insurance plan that covers healthcare, especially critical illnesses.

Take care of your mental health, too

• Take occasional breaks from reading, watching and listening to COVID-19-related news, including social media. While it is good to stay updated and vigilant, repeatedly consuming content about the health crisis can be upsetting. Find time to unwind and focus on other activities that you enjoy too. Check out our recommendations on Things to Do at Home During the Coronavirus Outbreak to get your every day

Accept conflict. Remember that conflict is natural and happens in every ongoing relationship. Since conflict is unavoidable we must learn to manage it. Conflict is a sign of a need for change and an opportunity for growth, new understanding, and improved communication. Conflict can not be resolved unless it is addressed with the appropriate individual(s).

Be a calming agent. Regardless of whether you are being a sounding board for a friend or you are dealing with your own conflict, your response to the conflict can escalate or decrease the intensity of the problem. To be calming, provide an objective or neutral point of view. Help plan how you are going to work with the other party to achieve resolution.

Listen actively. Work through how you feel, what the specific problem is and what impact it is having on you. Use I -based statements to help do this (see formula below). I feel (strongest feeling)

• When you (objective description of the behavior).
• Because (specific impact or consequences)
• I would like (what you want the person to do in the future to prevent the problem)

Model neutral language. When people are in conflict they use inflammatory language such as profanity, name calling, and exaggerations that escalate the conflict. Restate inflammatory language in a more objective way to help make the information less emotionally laden and more useful for future discussions

Separate the person from the problem. View the problem as a specific behavior or set of circumstances rather than attributing negative feelings to the whole person. This approach makes the problem more manageable and hopeful than deciding you “can’t stand” this person any longer.

Work together. This requires that each person stop placing blame and take ownership of the problem. Make a commitment to work together and listen to each other to solve the conflict..

Agree to disagree. Each person has a unique point of view and rarely agrees on every detail. Being right is not what is important. When managing conflict, seeking the “truth” can trap you rather than set you free. For example, consider the differing testimony of witnesses that all see the same car accident. Truth is relative to the person’s point of view.

Know what to do to keep yourself and your loved ones safe during an earthquake. In most situations, you can protect yourself if you immediately DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON.

Drop. Cover. Hold on.

In most situations, you can protect yourself if you immediately:

• DROP down onto your hands and kneesbefore the earthquake knocks you down. This position protects you from falling but allows you to still move if necessary.
• COVER your head and neck(and your entire body if possible) underneath a sturdy table or desk. If there is no shelter nearby, get down near an interior wall or next to low-lying furniture that won’t fall on you, and cover your head and neck with your arms and hands.
• HOLD ON to your shelter (or to your head and neck) until the shaking stops. Be prepared to move with your shelter if the shaking shifts it around.

If you are inside, stay inside.e

• DO NOT run outside or to other rooms during an earthquake. You are less likely to be injured if you stay where you are.

To reduce your chances of being hurt, take the following actions:

• If possible, within the few seconds before shaking intensifies, quickly move away from glass, hanging objects, bookcases, china cabinets, or other large furniture that could fall. Watch for falling objects, such as bricks from fireplaces and chimneys, light fixtures, wall hangings, high shelves, and cabinets with doors that could swing open.
• If available nearby, grab something to shield your head and face from falling debris and broken glass.
• If you are in the kitchen, quickly turn off the stove and take cover at the first sign of shaking.
• If you are in bed, hold on and stay there, protecting your head with a pillow. You are less likely to be injured staying where you are. Broken glass on the floor can cause injuries if you walk or roll onto the floor.

DO NOT stand in a doorway. You are safer under a table.

• In modern houses, doorways are no stronger than any other part of the house. Doorways do not protect you from the most likely source of injury − falling or flying objects. Most earthquake-related injuries and deaths are caused by falling or flying objects (such as TVs, lamps, glass, or bookcases), or by being knocked to the ground.

If you are in a high-rise building, drop, cover, and hold on.

• Move away from windows and outside walls
• Stay in the building.
• DO NOT use the elevators. The electricity may go out, and the sprinkler systems may come on.
• If you are trapped, stay calm. Try to get someone’s attention by tapping on hard or metal parts of the structure. Doing so may increase your chances of being rescued.

If you are inside a crowded place, drop, cover, and hold on.

• Do not rush for the doorways. Others will have the same idea.
• Move away from display shelves containing objects that may fall.
• If you can, take cover and grab something to shield your head and face from falling debris and glass.

If you are outside, stay outside.

• Move away from buildings, utility wires, sinkholes, and fuel and gas lines. The greatest danger from falling debris is just outside doorways and close to outer walls of buildings.
• Go to an open area away from trees, telephone poles, and buildings. Once in the open, get down low and stay there until the shaking stops.
• The area near the outside walls of a building is the most dangerous place to be. Windows, facades, and architectural details are often the first parts of the building to collapse. Stay away from this danger zone.

If you are in a moving vehicle, stop as quickly and safely as possible.

• Move your car to the shoulder or curb, away from utility poles, overhead wires, and under- or overpasses.
• Stay in the car and set the parking brake. A car may jiggle violently on its springs, but it is a good place to stay until the shaking stops.
• Turn on the radio for emergency broadcast information.
• If a power line falls on the car, stay inside until a trained person removes the wire.
• When it is safe to begin driving again, watch for hazards created by the earthquake, such as breaks in the pavement, downed utility poles and wires, rising water levels, fallen overpasses, or collapsed bridges.

If you are in a stadium or theater, stay in your seat. Protect your head and neck with your arms or any way possible.

• Do not leave until the shaking is over.
• Walk out carefully watching for anything that could fall during the aftershocks.

If you are near the shore, drop, cover, and hold on until the shaking stops.

• If severe shaking lasts 20 seconds or more, immediately evacuate to high ground as a tsunami might have been generated by the earthquake.
• Move inland 2 miles (3 kilometers) or to land that is at least 100 feet (30 meters) above sea level immediately. Don’t wait for officials to issue a warning.
• Walk quickly, rather than drive, to avoid traffic, debris, and other hazards.

If you cannot drop to the ground, try to sit or remain seated so you are not knocked down.

• If you are in a wheelchair, lock your wheels. Remove any items that are not securely attached to the wheelchair.
• Protect your head and neck with a large book, a pillow, or your arms. The goal is to prevent injuries from falling down or from objects that might fall or be thrown at you.
• If you are able, seek shelter under a sturdy table or desk. Stay away from outer walls, windows, fireplaces, and hanging objects.
• If you are unable to move from a bed or chair, protect yourself from falling objects by covering up with blankets and pillows.
• If you are outside, go to an open area away from trees, telephone poles, and buildings, and stay there.