Know What to Do Before, During and After an Emergency 2

Immediate Steps After a Disaster

 As Soon as the Immediate Danger Has Passed:

Stay calm and make sure everyone is safe. Inspect everyone for cuts, bruises, and other injuries, and be aware that shock may hide serious injuries. Apply first aid, as necessary.

Follow your emergency plan and get your emergency supplies/kits.

Place a Help or OK sign in your front window to alert responders Prepare for possible evacuation

Stay put until it is safe, or you are ordered to go.

HELPING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Family members with a disability (e.g., hearing, or visual impairment) may not understand what is happening and will require additional support.

Remember to look after neighbours who may need extra assistance.

Go to disabilityalliancebc.org  for more about supporting people with disabilities.

Next Steps

GETTING YOUR FAMILY SETTLED

If your home is unlivable and you cannot stay with family or friends, your insurance may cover additional living expenses

If multiple homes are affected, Emergency Social Services (ESS) may help with shelter, clothing and food until other arrangements can be made, for up to 72 hours. Emergency responders alert ESS if it is needed.

In major disasters, ESS reception centres will provide necessities.

BC Housing provides temporary emergency shelter, food and support for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Info: www.bchousing.org > Housing Options > Emergency Housing.

COLLECT YOUR VALUABLES

In case you must evacuate, collect important items – but only if they are portable and it is safe to be in or enter the home. Collect legal documents, ID, medicines, eyeglasses, hearing aids, valuables, credit cards, insurance policies, money, photos, etc.

PETS

As soon as possible, take your pet to a veterinarian. Smoke can damage lungs and burns may be hidden under fur.

If your pet gets lost, contact the local animal shelter:

SECURING YOUR HOME

Secure your home and belongings as soon as possible, particularly if the loss is not total. Insurance companies require policyholders to try to reduce further damage.  If safe to do so:

Cover holes in walls and roof.

Board up the building or build a fence to prevent looting.

In the case of fires, ensure there are no remaining embers.

Move property at risk of further damage.

Your insurance adjuster may help arrange assistance to secure your home. You can also contact a general contractor or a fire damage restoration service.

Evacuation

Be Ready to Evacuate

An evacuation may be required if your house is no longer safe or authorities believe you are in danger.

GET YOURSELF AND LOVED ONES READY

Collect your grab ‘n’ go kit, essential medications, important items and documents, and your cellular phone.

Ensure each person has warm clothing and waterproof footwear and outerwear.

Ensure each person has ID, especially children. Nametags on clothing, wallet cards, lanyards, or wristbands are useful in case you get separated.

If you need to use a different meeting place than noted in your emergency plan, make sure everyone in the house knows the new location. Provide younger children with a note in plastic stating the destination.

If you have time, call, text or email your out-of-town contact. Tell them where you are going and when you expect to arrive. Once you are safe, let them know. Tell them if any family members have become separated.

Make arrangements for your pets.

GET YOUR HOME READY

If you have time, leave a note on the door saying when you left and where you are.

Turn off and unplug all appliances and shut off water and electricity if officials tell you to.

Leave natural gas service on unless officials tell you to turn it off or you suspect a leak (If you turn off the gas, the gas company must reconnect it. This could take weeks after a major emergency.

Lock your home. If you have time, secure it before leaving (see previous page).

GETTING TO SAFETY

Follow the specified evacuation routes and avoid shortcuts.

Register with the local emergency reception centre after you leave home even if you are not staying there – to let emergency responders know how to reach you to advise when it is safe to return.

 Evacuation Process

Stage 1: Evacuation Alert: Individuals are advised of the nature of the danger, the potential need to evacuate at any time, and where to go if the evacuation is ordered.

Stage 2: Evacuation Order: Everyone in the affected area is ordered to leave the area and is again provided with key information (e.g., where to go, a specific evacuation route if necessary). Citizens are urged to listen carefully and act quickly.

Stage 3: Evacuation Rescind: Everyone in the affected area is advised that the emergency is under control, the area has been declared habitable and safe, and the evacuation order has been rescinded

Know What to Do Before, During and After an Emergency 1

How well you prepare now will determine how well, you get through an emergency, be it a power outage, severe storm, flood, fire, earthquake, chemical spill, or another incident. The following is taken from a brochure sent to me by the City I live in, it is worthwhile information so I am sharing it over two posts.

First, we will look at what are the steps you should take now, BEFORE a disaster,

Before an Emergency or a DisasterMinimize Home Hazard go through your property and imagine what could happen during an earthquake, flood. or another emergency.

APPLIANCES

Secure fridges, top and bottom, with plumber’s tape (perforated metal strapping) – screw into a stud and fasten to a structural component (not the coils).

FURNISHINGS

Use metal cable, chain or brackets to secure top-heavy furniture to a wall stud.

Move beds away from chimneys, windows and tall furniture (unless secured).

Fasten water heaters and gas appliances to the wall with metal or nylon straps.

If you must use castors or glides on appliances, lock or wedge the wheels.

Place heavy or breakable objects on the bottom shelves, or attach a guardrail.

Don’t hang mirrors or heavy artwork above couches, beds or exits.

UTILITIES

Teach all adults and older children in the home where the utilities are located and how to shut them off. Post instructions and store any necessary tools nearby.

Electricity: Know how to shut off electricity to the house and individual appliances/rooms. Mark all switches.

Watermain: Replace valve if it is rusted open or will only partially close.

CHEMICALS AND FUELS

Keep poisons, chemicals, and solvents where they are less likely to spill, ideally in a locked cabinet. Keep away from

Natural gas: It only takes a quarter-turn of the valve, either way, to shut off the gas, so only test it with a one-eighth turn. Gas must be turned on by the gas company. Never turn it on yourself. Only shut off your gas if you smell rotten eggs or notice a large use of gas on the meter. If you do smell gas, immediately get everyone out and away, open windows and doors, and shut off the gas. stored water and food, children, and pets.

Store fuels away from the house. Keep tanks and valves in good repair.

BUILDING AND PROPERTY

Secure anything that may be blown around or torn loose, inside, and outdoors.

Remove rotting branches and dead trees. Call BC Hydro to trim near power lines.

FIRE AND CARBON MONOXIDE

Keep a working carbon monoxide alarm on each level if you use natural gas.

Keep a working smoke alarm on each level and in every sleeping area.

Check the foundation, cripple walls, posts, beams, chimney and roof for cracks and sagging. Hire a professional if you don’t have the skills to do this yourself.

Keep a fire extinguisher on each level, including the kitchen, and make sure adults and older children know how to use them.