3 Disaster Planning Tips for San Francisco Residents
Residents of San Francisco are always at risk of falling victim to a natural disaster. The area is particularly vulnerable to devastating earthquakes, and the resulting aftershocks, floods and fires may cause excessive property damage.
According to The Daily Meal, you can never be totally prepared for a catastrophe, but if you plan ahead, you can possibly save lives, minimize injuries and reduce restoration expenses. Here are three important tips for disaster planning:
1. Learn CPR and First Aid Techniques
When emergency strikes, knowing CPR can save lives. You should also understand how to perform basic first aid. Most communities offer free or low-cost training programs.
2. Assemble Two Emergency Kits
People can assemble an emergency kit that consists of enough supplies to survive a disaster. In fact, you should have two such kits: one with three days’ worth of supplies for evacuation purposes, and another with enough supplies to survive for two weeks. These kits should be in an easily accessible area, and they should include:
- One gallon of water per person per day
- Non-perishable food that does not require cooking appliances to prepare
- Flashlight and batteries
- Battery-powered radio
- First aid kit
- Seven days’ worth of necessary medications and related items
- Multi-purpose tool
- Personal toiletries and sanitation items
- Cellphone with charger
- Contact information for emergency services and family members
- Copies of insurance policies, passports, birth certificates, home deed or lease, proof of address, and prescriptions for medications
- Area maps
- Emergency money
- Warm blankets
3. Create Emergency Kits for Your Pets
In a catastrophic disaster, pets can easily become scared, lost, injured or separated from their owners. You must consider your pets when developing a disaster preparedness plan, and if you evacuate the home, your animals must go with you. The Red Cross does not allow animals into disaster shelters for health and safety reasons, so it is your job to plan in advance for their welfare.
Each animal should have its own emergency bag that contains:
- Medical records, medications and a first aid kit placed in a waterproof container
- Leashes, harnesses and pet carriers
- Recent photos for identification
- Food, water, bowls, can opener, cat litter and litter box
- Beds and toys
- Instructions for feeding, medical problems, behavior issues and contact information for the veterinarian
Floods, fires, earthquakes and other natural disasters can do far more than cause property damage in San Francisco. After you ensure that your family and pets are ok, you can focus on restoring your damaged property, and Allied Restoration Company can help. To learn how, call us at 415-529-5637.