Being Prepared for Disasters

Natural disasters occur every year. Within Northern California, many local residents have experienced the evacuation of their homes due to a flood, fire, or earthquake. Therefore, it is not surprising that local authorities encourage us to have an evacuation plan ready in case of an emergency. What can you do to prepare?

Create a Plan of Action

The reality is your family may not be together if a disaster strikes. Take time to consider how you'll contact one another and reconnect if you are separated.

Then decide on a place where your family will meet. It is wise to select an area that is familiar and easy to find for everyone in your household.

FEMA has created an informative document entitled Emergency Plan for Parents that you may find helpful to use while creating a plan.

Emergency Kit (Aka "Go Bag")

The smallest step can be the most vital. The New York City Office of Emergency Management recommends that every household plan for evacuation by assembling a "go bag" - a durable, accessible, easy-to-transport bag containing important emergency items.

What Should You Include in Your "Go Bag?"

Copies of your important documents:

• Driver's license
• Passports
• Birth certificates
• Marriage license
• Immunization records
• Insurance documents
• Advanced care directives
• Social security cards

Place them all in a waterproof container. Add an extra set of car and house keys. Make sure to also include:

• Credit/Debit cards and cash
• Bottled water (3 days worth if possible)
• Nonperishable food enough for everyone in your household
• Flashlight(s)
• An AM/FM radio
• Cellphone, extra batteries
• Medication for at least one week, a list of dosages, prescription slips, and doctors' names and phone numbers. (Be sure to replace medications before their expiration date)

Other essential components of your "go bag:"

• First-aid kit
• Sturdy shoes, rainwear (i.e., poncho, umbrella, etc.)
• Matches or lighter, thermal blanket(s)
• A whistle to signal for help
• Work gloves
• Recent photos of everyone in your household to use in case you are separated
• Contact and meeting place information for your household, as well as a regional map
• Child-care supplies (if needed), pet supplies (if needed)

Sign Up for Alerts - Emergency Alerts for Sacramento, California

Register for a mass emergency notification system. These services are put together to alert you to any potential dangers that could affect your area. With these services, you can choose to receive text, e-mail, or a phone call, and it is a great tool for times when you may be away from a radio, TV, or computer.

All public safety agencies in Sacramento, Yolo, and Placer counties have partnered to have a state-of-the-art community emergency notification system to alert residents about emergency events and other important public safety information.

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To learn whether you have a valid claim for damages after being injured in an accident, call the Elk Grove area O'Brien & Zehnder Law Firm today. With over three decades of experience in successfully obtaining justice for the injured, a practice dedicated exclusively to personal injury law, and the highest possible ratings from Martindale-Hubbell and Avvo, we provide our clients with a level of excellence that is unmatched.

We are a client-focused law firm where your needs come first. The initial consultation is free and without obligation. We take personal injury cases on contingency, so you don't pay us anything - ever - unless we win your case. Legal time restrictions limit how long you have to file your claim. Get in touch today to protect your right to a recovery before legal deadlines expire.