April: Wildfire and Earthquake Awareness

This month is an Emergency Prep month. There are four during the course of the year. We will be focusing largely on Wildfires and Earthquakes, as they are a direct threat to our geographic location. I also want to make it known that Japan had another earthquake. It was an aftershock of the large one last month, and there are tsunami warnings throughout Japan again. 

Wildfires are particularly a threat during hot, dry, windy months. We have a month or two to prepare ourselves for potential damage. Some ways you can prepare:

• Keep yard plants, trees, and shrubs well trimmed, and dispose of dry plant debris. 
• Store gasoline, oily rags, and flammable materials in approved safety cans. 
• Make sure your house has firefighter access. 
• Make sure you are able to get out of your house if a fire were to start from the inside.
• Make sure you can get out of the neighborhood if a fire started somewhere nearby. 
• Know and have easy access to the precious items you would choose to take with you.
• Plan ahead for needs of children, elderly, and pets. 
• Have your chimney inspected twice a year. Keep them clean, and know how to properly put out a chimney fire. 
• Make sure smoke detectors are working.

The most important emergency items you should have prepared are as follows:

• plenty of water for each person
• at least 3 days of food
• first aid kit
• clothing, shoes, and blankets
• flashlight, battery powered radio, wrench set and fire extinguisher
• sanitation supplies
• special items, such as glasses, medication, etc.
• important documents

To be continued... Soon I'll talk more about earthquakes, and since they are rather relevant, tsunamis. I'll also be talking about ways you can help your neighbor in an emergency.