Disaster Ready Guide

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Safety Steps for Any Disaster

1. Get Alerts to Know What to Do

Get Alerts to Know What to Do

Sign up to get your county alerts. Go to CalAlerts.org. You can also sign up for the MyShake earthquake warning app.

Find a news source you can trust: When a disaster strikes, you need to know what's happening and get updated information about what you should do and where you should go. you should go. There are many ways to get this information.

Television
Radio
Dial 211
Landline Phone
Cell Phone
Email
Smartphone
Social Media
Ham Radio

Find your local radio station for emergency alerts at ListosCalifornia.org.

Emergency Resource Websites

211CA.org: Dial 211 for evacuation routes, shelters.
CalOES.ca.gov: State guides, alerts & resources.
Response.ca.gov: Real-time wildfire & shelter news.
Ready.gov: Resources to prepare for any disaster.
ListosCalifornia.org: Get more resources to get prepared.

2. Make a Plan to Protect Your People

Make a Plan to Protect Your People

Connect & Protect

Think about who you want to connect with during an emergency. These may be family, neighbors, friends or caregivers. Write down their names and contact information. Share copies with everyone on your list.

Also pick one person outside the area where you live who won’t be affected by your local disaster. You and your contacts might be able to check in as safe with that faraway relative or friend, and share where you are.

Tip: Try texting if local phone calls can't get through during a disaster.

Evacuation Action

If you are not safe at home, work or school due to a disaster, you will need to go to a safe place and meet up with people you care about. Before a disaster, print or get a paper map. Because you may not have cell phone service, it may be helpful getting you to safety from where you are.

Tip: Be ready to go in the safest direction, to the nearest safe place, with little warning.

Follow the guidance of local authorities. They will share the latest information with news stations and know the best ways to keep you safe. Instructions might come from your fire department, sheriff or police department, or from elected officials, like mayors or supervisors.
- Tip: Listen to the news and sign up for local alerts at CalAlerts.Org.
Learn different ways to get out of your community fast. In a disaster, the road to safety may not be your usual route. Disasters may close roads and bus routes you usually take. Get familiar with more ways to escape during an emergency. Practice those trips with the people who would go with you. That way, you will know how to stick together in a real emergency.
Be ready to go to your safe place. Have your Go Bag of supplies packed. Have your Connect & Protect plan in place and your Local Resource Directory completed. Reach out to the people you care about, and who care about you. Decide if it is safe, and possible, to get to the home of family or friends. If not, find a public shelter.
- Tip: Dial 211 on your phone to find a public shelter.

Local Disaster Resource Directory

As part of your Connect & Protect plan, you should also write down important phone numbers and websites of organizations that can help you in an emergency.

Tip: Dial 2-1-1 for information on safe evacuation routes and shelters.

3. Pack a Go Bag with Things You Need

Pack a Go Bag with Things You Need

Pack Ahead

Most disasters are unexpected and happen fast. You might not have time to shop, or even to pack. Pack up important items for each member of your household now, so you and your family will have what you need later.

To Pack Now

Documents
- Copies of identification and insurance.
- Deeds, titles, and other papers important to you.
- Photos of family and pets.
Cash
- Small bills $1s & $5s.
- Save up a little at a time.
Map
- Mark different routes out of your neighborhood on a paper map.
Medications List
- List all prescriptions.
- Other important medical information.
This Guide
- Your completed Connect and Protect list and Local Resource Directory.
- Your completed Grab and Go list.

Grab and Go

Pack as you leave:

Wallet or purse and keys
Phone and charger
Medicine
Mask

Good to grab if you already own:

Portable radio
Flashlight
First aid supplies
Portable computer

Write down what else you should bring for everyone in your household. Clothes? Toothbrush? Think about needs of babies, older adults, people with medical conditions or disabilities, and pets.

4. Build a Stay Box for When You Can't Leave

Build a Stay Box for When You Can't Leave: Important Items

In some disasters, you may be safer staying at home. You might not have water to drink, to bathe or to flush the toilet. You might have no electricity to keep your food cold, turn on a light or charge your phone.

Add items to a Stay Box, for when you can’t leave home. Prepare for at least 3 days without water or electricity. Save up a little at a time, until you have enough for everyone in your household to get by. Remember any pets. If you already own a flashlight or a portable radio, keep it someplace easy to find.

To Pack Now:

Water: Save up to 3 gallons per person, for drinking and washing.
Food: Set aside foods that won’t spoil and require no cooking. You know best what you and your family like to eat.
Trash Bags: Set aside extra plastic bags, with ties, to use in a bucket for a toilet

Write down here any important items you use every day that might run out if you are stuck at home for many days. Set aside a little extra in your Stay Box, in case you can’t get to a store.

5. Help Friends and Neighbors Get Ready

Help Friends and Neighbors Get Ready

Think about who might be the first on the scene to help in your neighborhood during a disaster as you think about your answers to these questions:

Who is home in your household during the day?
Who is at home in your neighborhoods that might be available to help you during the day?
What about at night? On a weekend?
Who in your neighborhood might need help?

Tip: Thinking through these things will help you to prepare and to start conversations with your neighbors.

Tip: Discuss these same questions with your neighbors, talk with them about what help they might need, and be willing to help where you can.

Step-By-Step Safety Calendar

You don’t need to follow this calendar exactly. Just take a few steps each week, at your own pace. You will enjoy peace of mind knowing you are ready if a disaster strikes.

Week 1
- Pack a Go Bag for each person in your household
- Sign up for local emergency alerts at CalAlerts.org
Week 2
- Create your Connect & Protect plan for family, neighbors, caregivers.
- Talk about your plans with people on your list.
Week 3
- Learn different evacuation routes and mark them on a map.
- Practice your Evacuation Action plan.
Week 4
- Start packing a Stay Box to be safe and comfortable at home.
- Do a little at a time, until you feel ready.

Basic Tips for Any Disaster

Carry Identification: Families may be apart when disaster strikes. People and pets get separated.

Everyone you care for should carry identification.
Put written identification in children’s school bags.
Consider a medical alert tag or bracelet.
Get pets updated tags and microchips.
Photos of families and pets can help you reunite.

Build a Support Network: Have a backup plan in case of emergency. Think about who you can rely on.

Talk with your neighbors about their needs, and yours.
Discuss disaster plans with caregivers.
Ask schools about plans to reunite parents and children.
Plan ahead for skilled helpers to assist with evacuations.
Share keys with trusted friends to rescue your pets

Have Extra Medications and Power Supply: Many people can’t go three days without medications. Some need electricity to power equipment and devices.

Carry extra medicine when you leave home.
Photo (or carry) list of doctors and prescriptions.
Ask pharmacy to renew 30-day prescription at 28 days.
Save extra doses in your Go Bag. Plan to keep medicine cold and charge equipment/devices.

Reduce Stress: Lessen physical and mental stress by planning ahead

Dial 211 to find shelters for specific needs.
Label equipment before evacuation.
Sign up for alerts from your power company about power shutoffs.
Pack specialty medical and communication supplies.
Plan to comfort those with Alzheimer’s or mental illness.

Tips for a Variety of Circumstances

Disasters are challenging for everyone. Each of us has different needs in preparing for a disaster. You, or someone you care about, can benefit from planning ahead. Think now about ways to make the experience safe and comfortable for all.

Talk with people you trust – at health clinics, schools, faith communities, health support groups, assisted living facilities, social service agencies, independent living centers. Here are some safety tips that might help.