For Preparedness Resource, visit

American Red Cross

Earthquake Safety (by the American Red Cross)

**If you are OUTDOORS when an earthquake begins:

Move into the open, away from buildings, street lights, trees and utility wires.

Once in the open, DROP, COVER and HOLD ON until the shaking stops.

If you are near a building, get inside quickly and DROP, COVER and HOLD ON.

If you are in your car, safely pull over, put the car in park and cover your head and neck.

Get a Kit: Store enough supplies for everyone in your household for at least three days.

Non-perishable Food: Pack items such as energy bars, canned soup or peanut butter

Flashlight, Battery-operated or Crank Radio, Essential Tools and Maps: include batteries, wrench to shut off the gas in case of a leak, can opener, screwdriver, hammer, pliers, knife, duct tape and garbage bags.

Clothing and Sturdy Shoes

Emergency Contact Information

Keep items that can catch on fire at least three feet away from anything that gets hot, such as space heaters and stove.

Never smoke in bed.

Talk to children regularly about the dangers of fire, matches and lighters, and keep them out of reach.

Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room or go to sleep.

Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.

Practice Fire Safety at Home

Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Test them every month and replace the batteries at least once a year.

Install carbon monoxide alarms in central locations on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas. Carbon monoxide alarms are not substitutes for smoke alarms. Know the difference between the sound of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.

Consider having one or more working fire extinguishers in your home. Get training from the fire department on how to use them.

Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your home.

Talk with all household members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.

In Case of Fire

Follow your escape plan.

Remember to GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL 9-1-1 or your local emergency phone number once you have safely exited the building

For more Preparedness Resource, visit

American Red Cross

***If you are INDOORS when an earthquake begins:

Stay indoors and DROP, COVER and HOLD ON

Drop to the floor

Take cover under a piece of heavy furniture

Protect your head with one arm

With the other arm hold on to the furniture

Move with it

If you are not around any sturdy furniture, crouch with your head back against an interior wall and cover your head and neck.

If you are in a wheelchair, lock the break and cover your head and neck. If you are in bed, stay in bed, pull the sheets to protect your body from debris and cover your head and neck with your pillow.

Trying to leave the building puts you at greater risk of injury. Most earthquake injuries are sustained when people try to move during the shaking or from falling debris once outside.

One Gallon of Water Per Person Per Day

First Aid Kit and Medications

Personal Items and Sanitary Supplies: Pack important documents, hygiene supplies and comfort items such as books and toysCash in Small Denominations

Fire Prevention & Safety (by the American Red Cross) The most effective way to protect yourself and your home from fire is to identify and remove fire hazards. Sixty-five percent of home fire deaths occur in homes with no working smoke alarms. During a home fire, working smoke alarms and a fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly can save lives.

Prevent Home Fires

What is hands-only CPR?

Hands-only CPR is a potentially lifesaving technique involving no mouth to mouth contact. It is best used in emergencies where someone has seen another person suddenly collapse. The hands-only technique increases the likelihood of surviving cardiac emergencies that occur outside medical settings(by the American Red Cross)