Glenoaks Canyon Homeowners Association

Disaster Preparedness Tips for Canyon Residents

Take Time To Get Prepared NOW

This is a list of disaster preparedness steps your family should take NOW to minimize the effects of a disaster on your family. It may take public relief agencies at least a week to reach you. If you have any questions, please call Isabelle Meyer at (818) 242-5586.

A Twelve Week Action Plan to Help You Get Prepared

The events in New Orleans have clearly demonstrated the importance of neighborhood preparedness. In a major disaster, it will take days or even weeks before overwhelmed public agencies can reach and help you. It is therefore essential that you and your family prepare your home, workplace and care to cope on your own for at least 1 week.

By preparing one aspect of your life every week, you will soon have accomplished everything on this list:

Week 1 Store bottled water in a dark, cool place. Store one gallon per person per day, including pets.
Week 2 Store emergency food that does not require cooking . You’ll need three meals a day for at least one week. After an emergency, use food in refrigerator first, then food in freezer, then emergency food.
Week 3 Have enough of all medicines your family and pets use stored to last you two weeks. Rotate medicines every time you purchase new to make sure the stored medicine is good.
Week 4 Know where to turn off gas, electricity and water after an earthquake. Make sure the gas shut off valve is not frozen by turning it slightly. If it does not move, call the Gas Co to fix it (a free service).
Week 5 Attach all furniture higher than waist high to the studs in the wall to prevent injury. Move heavy pictures and mirrors from above bed and couch. Install cabinet latches and Velcro pictures to the wall on bottom corners.
Week 6 Make a list of irreplaceable items, room by room for quick gathering in laundry baskets if you need to evacuate. Attach a string so you can carry the list with you as you gather items. Keep photo negatives in a place away from home (digital CDs).
Week 7 Arrange an out-of-state contact person that everyone can call to connect missing family members. Have everyone carry this number in their wallets for easy access.
Week 8 Call 242-4290 for a disaster questionnaire and pet care form.
Week 9 Put sturdy shoes and working flashlight under all beds.
Week 10 Prepare a car and work-place kit so you can either shelter in place or make your way home by foot if necessary.
Week 11 Take a training class in First Aid, CPR and Search and Rescue from the Red Cross.
Week 12 Check that your fire extinguishers are freshly charged and readily available.

If you have taken all the above steps, you can rest easy that you are well prepared to cope with an emergency. Recycle water and food once a year and review your list of valuables to make necessary changes. If you have any questions or would like to join our group of canyon volunteers, please call 242-4290 and we will give you the 2-hour training.

After a disaster, be prepared to help your neighbors in any way you can. Our canyon is equipped to deal with many problems and we hope to minimize the trauma of a disaster in our neighborhood to the best of our ability.

Disaster Preparedness Tips

For information on how to prepare for an earthquake, please click on the "Disaster Preparedness Tips for Canyon Residents" on GOCHA's Webpage under the "Community Pages" heading.

Links

The Earthquake Preparedness Handbook
FEMA: Earthquakes
The American Red Cross
USGS: Earthquake Hazards Program