Chinmaya Temple

American Red Cross
Disaster Preparedness
for the Silicon Valley Community
American Red Cross
Silicon Valley Chapter
2731 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95134
400 Mitchell Lane, Palo Alto, CA 94301
7666 Crest Ave, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
(877) 727-6771
www.siliconvalley-redcross.org
Common Bay Area Disasters
3 Steps to Being Prepared
#1: Get a Kit
A disaster supplies kit should
include:
 Water
 Food and a manual can opener
 Flashlights and batteries
 First aid kit
 Battery-powered radio
 Tools
 Duct tape and plastic sheeting
#1: Get a Kit (cont.)
A disaster supplies kit should also
include:
 Clothing and bedding
 Prescription medication
 Pet supplies
 Cash and coins
 Sanitary supplies
 Important papers
 Contact information and a map
#1: Get a Kit
Buy online at www.siliconvalley-redcross.org
#2: Make a Plan
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Talk
Learn
Tell
Practice
What’s in the Plan?
 An escape and
meeting plan
 A communication
plan
 A utility shutdown
plan
Escape & Meeting Plan
 2 ways out of
every room
 2 ways out of the
house
 2 Meeting places
A Communications Plan
 Who to Call?
 Ideally an out of-of-town contact
 Learn to text
Remember to keep the message short, others will
be trying to make contact!
https://disastersafe.redcross.org
A Utilities Shut off Plan
Water
Shutoff
Electric
Shutoff
Gas
Shutoff
#3: Be Informed
The following radio stations broadcast emergency information
and instructions from authorities during emergencies:
KCBS - AM 740
KGO - AM 810
KQED - FM 88.5
KLIV – AM 1590
KSOL - FM 98.9 (Spanish)
KSJX - 1500 AM (Vietnamese)
* AlertSCC – for Emergency Warnings
#3: Be Informed (cont.)
The 3 C’s
Check-Call-Care
Always use the Emergency Action Steps:
Check the scene for safety, then check the
victim;
Call 9-1-1, or your local emergency
number to get advanced medical help; and
Give care to the injured person.
What is the most common disaster
the Red Cross responds to?
…House Fires!
Fire Safety
 Home fire is the most common
disaster in the U.S.
 Fires cause the most disaster
related deaths.
 Asphyxiation is primary cause
of death, 3 times that of burns
Fire Prevention
 Keep anything flammable at least 3
feet away from hot items.
 Don’t leave candles unattended.
 Avoid smoking in bed.
 Keep matches and lighters secured
and away from children.
 Maintain home heating sources.
 Conduct a home hazard hunt.
Fire Prevention (cont.)
 Draw a floor plan of home and identify 2
escape routes out of every room.
 Install escape ladders for sleeping areas on second
floor or above.
 Install quick release devices for inside of
burglar/security bars.
 Select a safe outside meeting place.
 Conduct a home fire drill twice a year.
Smoke Detectors
 At least one on each level of your home.
 Checkis
thethe
smoke
detectors
every six months!
What
most
effective
 Place inside
& outside bedrooms
defense
against
a house fire?
 Change batteries yearly or
when alarm ‘chirps’
 Replace every 10 years
In Case of Fire, Take Action
 Get out. Go to your meeting place.
 If escaping through closed
door, feel door, before
opening.
 Close doors behind you as
you escape to delay spread of the fire.
 Once outside make the 911 call.
Fire Safety
 Have
a working fire
extinguisher in the
kitchen and the garage
of your home.
 Learn how to properly
use an extinguisher in
the event of a small fire.
Earthquakes
Fortunate Factors from Loma Prieta
Recent Earthquakes
ABAG Maps
•
ABAG Shake Map
ABAG Liquefaction Map
Earthquake Hazards
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Fires
Debris
Power Outages
Landslides
Flash Floods
Tsunamis
Earthquake Safety
If you are indoors:
DROP, COVER & HOLD.
 Under a sturdy table or object
 Doorway?
 Seniors Sit Down!!!
* Most earthquake-related injuries
are from flying glass & falling
objects, not collapses.
Earthquake Safety
Outside:
- Drop & Cover!
- Open space is best
- Away from buildings, trees,
telephone lines, etc…
* If driving, pull over in an
OPEN space & stay in the car
What if I’m driving on a
bridge?
After the Initial Shock Wave
 Be prepared for aftershocks within
first hours, days, weeks and months after
quake
 Listen to local radio for latest emergency
information
 Stay out of damaged buildings and
return only if authorities say it is safe.
 Leave area if you smell gas or fumes.
 Open closet and cupboard doors cautiously.
Make a Plan
 Bolt down water heaters &
large furniture to wall studs.
 Secure other large/mobile
items (TVs, light fixtures,
computer equipment).
 Install latches on cabinets.
Floods
In the United States, about 90% of damage related to
natural disasters is caused by floods and
associated debris flows.
Floods: Make a Plan
Learn about your area’s flood risk and
elevation above flood stage. If you are at risk
for floods:
 Talk to your insurance agent.
 Discuss a meeting place if need to evacuate
 Discuss your plan.
Take Action
• Listen to radio for current
information and follow advice.
• Stay out of flood-prone areas.
• If you are outdoors, move away from flood
waters, climb to higher ground and stay there.
• If driving and encounter flood waters, turn
around and go another way. DO NOT drive
through flood waters.
Afterwards…
When it is safe to return home:
 Use caution; search for fire hazards.
 Take pictures of the damage.
 Discard food that came in contact with flood
waters.
 Follow advice of public health officials about
how to treat water.
Pandemic Flu
 What is the difference between Seasonal
and Pandemic Flu??
 Ways to Protect Yourself
and Loved Ones
Flu Protection
Cover your mouth/nose when you
cough or sneeze
Get a flu shot!
Wash your hands !
Don’t go to work if you are sick!
Apply alcohol-based hand sanitizer
Start today . . .
Do the easy “stuff” first!
 Put a pair of shoes and flashlight by your bed
 Start your Communications Plan
 Check around the home – Hazard Hunt
 Check your smoke detector
 Start to build your kit
 Have a Family meeting
 Learn First Aid/CPR
 Test your plans
Get Involved
 Volunteer: Visit www.siliconvalley-redcross.org or call
(877) 727-6771 for more information regarding volunteer
opportunities at a Red Cross chapter near you!
 Give Blood: Go to www.beadonor.com or call (800) 4483543 for eligibility requirements and information regarding
giving blood in the Bay Area.
 Donate: Visit www.siliconvalley-redcross.org or call (877)
727-6771 to learn how to donate.
Questions?