Prepare

Resilient Los Altos launches “Prepare in a Year”

Emergency Preparedness can seem overwhelming. Don’t sweat it! “Prepare in a Year” breaks down emergency preparedness into bite-sized, budget-friendly chunks. Each month’s newsletter will include a few simple steps. Jump in anytime and do one or more steps each month. In a year, you will be well prepared.

Table of Contents

Reaching Family and Friends

Picture this: a sudden earthquake shakes the ground, cell service goes out—how will you reach your kids or check in on friends? What if you had to evacuate in a hurry—would you remember everything, especially your prescriptions?

Stay Connected When the Lights Go Out: Communication Tips for Disasters!

Power outage? No problem! When the lights go out during a major disaster, staying connected with your family and friends is key. Here’s how you can keep the lines open when everything else goes dark:

Step 1: Power Up! Grab a car charger or a battery pack for your phone. In emergencies, text messages may sneak through when calls can’t. And if you still have a landline (yep, they exist!), make sure it’s an old-school phone with a cord—those may still work even when the power’s out!

Step 2: Long-Distance Love: If local cell networks are jammed, long-distance calls might still go through. Pick an emergency contact who lives out of the area. This “out-of-town hero” will be the go-to person for everyone to call and update: “I’m safe!” “Here’s where I am!” “This is the plan!” Pro tip: write their number down on your emergency contact list!

Step 3: Where’s the Meeting Spot? Have a family huddle to decide where you’ll meet if you can’t stay home. Choose one spot close by (in the neighborhood) and one further away, out of the area, just in case.

Step 4: Make It Official: Fill out a FEMA communication plan with all the important phone numbers so you’ve got them if your phone goes MIA. Download it here and keep a copy in your emergency kit, purse, wallet, or backpack. Everyone in the family should have one!

Bonus Tip: Program an emergency contact into everyone’s phones as “In Case of Emergency (ICE).” If first responders find you and you can’t communicate, they’ll know exactly who to call for help

Older Adults and the Disabled

The Basics

Older adults and those with disabilities have extra Access and Functional Needs (AFN). Like everyone, they should sign up for alerts, pack a Go Bag, store food and supplies, have a communication plan, keep a NOAA weather radio, etc. But there are extra considerations for those with AFN, as explained below.

You can get additional information at GetReady.gov People with Disabilities

 

Make a Plan

In the event of a disaster, could you make it on your own for several days? You may not have access to a medical facility or even a drugstore. Planning steps include:

  • Create a support network of people who can help you in a disaster. Communicate beforehand, especially about assistance in evacuation. Keep a contact list in a watertight container in your emergency kit or on your electronic devices. 

  • Many city and county emergency management agencies maintain voluntary registries for people with disabilities to self-identify in order to receive targeted assistance during emergencies and disasters. Contact your local emergency management office to find out more.

  • If you use medical equipment in your home that requires electricity, talk to your doctor or health care provider about how to keep it running during a power outage. Ask PG&E to put you on a list for priority power restoration.

  • Make sure your plan includes the location of the nearest accessible public transportation, a hospital and emergency services.

Get Your Benefits Electronically

A disaster can disrupt mail service for days or weeks. If you depend on Social Security or other regular benefits, switching to electronic payments is an easy way to protect yourself financially before disaster strikes. It also eliminates the risk of stolen checks. By calling 877-874-6347 you can sign up for safe and easy alternatives:

  • Direct deposit to a checking or savings account

  • Direct Express® prepaid debit card

Additional Go Bag Items

Include items to meet your individual needs as an older adult or disabled person.

  • Extra eyeglasses, contacts, hearing aids and batteries

  • A backup supply of oxygen

  • A list of the style and serial number of medical devices (include special instructions for operating your equipment if needed)

  • Copies of insurance and Medicare cards

  • Contact information for doctors, relatives or friends who should be notified if you are hurt

  • Pet food, extra water, collar with ID tag, medical records and other supplies for your service or support animal or pet

  • A fully charged portable cell phone charger so you can communicate in case of an emergency.

Medications

  • A list of all medications, dosage and any allergies. Include information about your diagnosis and medical supply needs

  • Several days supply of prescription medicines (Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about how to create a supply).

  • Extra nonprescription drugs, like pain and fever relievers, antihistamines and antidiarrheal medicines.

  • A cooler and chemical ice packs to chill medicines that need to be refrigerated.

Items for People Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

  • NOAA Weather radio

  • Extra hearing-aid batteries

  • Pen and paper (in case you have to communicate with someone who does not know sign language)

  • Battery operated lantern to enable communication by sign language or lip reading, especially when the electricity is out and it’s dark.

Items for People Who are Blind or Have Low Vision

  • Mark emergency supplies with Braille labels or large print. Keep a list of your emergency supplies and where you bought them on a portable flash drive or make an audio file that is kept in a safe place where you can access it.

  • Keep communication devices such as a Braille or deaf-blind communications device as part of your emergency supply kit.

Items for People with Speech Disability

  • If you use an electronic device to communicate, charge and keep back-up batteries in your emergency kit.

  • If you use an augmentative communications device plan how you will evacuate with the devices or how you will replace equipment if it is lost or destroyed. Keep model information and note where the equipment came from (Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, etc.).

  • Plan how you will communicate with others if your equipment is not working, including laminated cards with phrases and/or pictogram.

Tips for People with a Mobility Disability

  • Keep an extra mobility device such as a cane or walker if you use one.

  • If you use a power wheelchair have a lightweight manual chair available as a backup if possible.

  • Show others how to assemble, disassemble and operate your wheelchair.

  • Purchase an extra battery for a power wheelchair or other battery-operated medical or assistive technology devices. (Some agencies, organizations or local charitable groups may help you buy one). Keep extra batteries charged at all times.

  • Add spare tires and a portable pump or air compressor to your emergency kit for wheelchair tires. Consider keeping a patch kit or can of sealant for flat tires and/or an extra inner tube if wheelchair or scooter is not puncture proof.

  • If you use a seat cushion to protect your skin or maintain your balance and you must evacuate, consider keeping an extra cushion on hand.

Tips for Caregivers of Dementia Patients

  • Do not leave the person alone. Even those who aren’t prone to wandering away may do so in unfamiliar environments or situations.

  • If evacuating, help manage the change in environment by bringing a pillow and blanket or other comforting items

  • When at a shelter, try to stay away from exits and choose a quiet corner.

  • If there is an episode of agitation, respond to the emotions being expressed. For example, say “You’re frightened and want to go home. It’s ok. I’m right here with you.”

Tips for Caregivers of Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities

  • Keep handheld electronic devices charged and loaded with videos and activities.

  • Purchase spare chargers for electronic devices and keep them charged.

  • Include sheets and twine or a small pop-up tent (to decrease visual stimulation in a busy room or to provide instant privacy).

  • Consider a pair of noise-canceling headphones to decrease auditory stimuli.

  • Have comfort snacks available.

How Much Water Do You Need?

Here’s the scene: a sudden earthquake breaks the water pipes feeding your neighborhood and makes the roads impassable. Panic sets in – how will you get water? Did you know that dehydration is a bigger threat than starvation in an emergency? The simple steps below will ensure your family has safe drinking water when the unexpected happens.

After a disaster, clean drinking water can become as hard to find as that sock that vanishes in the dryer. Each family member needs at least one gallon per day, for 1-2 weeks. And remember: children, nursing mothers, and those who are ill may need more. In extreme heat, your water needs can even double!

If clean sources are unavailable, any “suspicious” water must be treated before you use it for drinking, cooking, or brushing your teeth. Contaminated water carries bacteria and viruses that can cause serious illnesses like dysentery, cholera, or hepatitis—so let’s keep it clean, people!

When You’re Thirsty:

Always drink clean water first and hold off on treating questionable water until you absolutely must. And remember, rationing water is a last resort unless authorities advise otherwise. Dehydration can lead to organ failure in just three days—scary, but true! Avoid carbonated or caffeinated drinks, as they will only make you thirstier.

Two Things You Can Do TODAY:

  1. Buy Bottled Water: Stock up on commercially bottled water and store it in a cool, dark spot. Make sure to rotate through your supply—drink and replace as needed!

  2. DIY Water Storage: Invest in food-grade containers. Clean them with dish soap, rinse, and sanitize with a mix of one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per quart of water. Rinse again, fill, seal, and label with the date. Replace every six months to keep your stash fresh.

Oops, Forgot to Stock Up?

No worries—there are still options! You can tap into the water stored in your home’s pipes or hot water heater. Also water in your pool or hot tub may have a bit of a “yuck” factor but is very treatable for human consumption.

Water Sources in Your Home:

  • Hot water tank

  • Pipes

  • Pool or Hot tub

Protect Your Water Supply

If you hear about broken water or sewage lines, act fast! Shut off your home’s main valve to prevent contaminated water from entering your system. Make sure everyone in your household knows how to do this!

To access water in your pipes, turn on the highest faucet in your home to let air in, then collect water from the lowest faucet. For water from your hot-water tank, turn off the gas or electricity first, then drain it. 

Treating Suspicious Water

When your options are murky (literally), don’t panic. Let particles settle, or strain water through a coffee filter. The best solution? Boiling. Bring water to a full rolling boil for one minute. No way to boil? Use household bleach. Add 1/8 teaspoon per gallon, stir, and let it sit for 30 minutes. You should detect a faint bleach smell—if not, repeat the process. If there’s still no bleach smell, start over with a new water source.

Conclusion

Water is life, especially in an emergency. By taking a few easy steps now, you’ll ensure your family stays hydrated when it counts. Remember, it’s always better to be prepared than to be caught high and dry!

GoBag

Imagine this: It’s the dead of night. Sirens blare, smoke fills the air. Every second counts. Remember 2019 in Santa Rosa, when 90,000 people had only moments to flee a raging firestorm ignited by a PG&E line? What would you grab if you had to leave now?

A pre-packed “Go Bag” can save precious minutes—and lives. The essentials may already be around your house, ready to pack. Build your Go Bag today with the checklist below.

Items in pre-packed backpack:

  • Snack food like energy bars, nuts, jerky
  • Water in carton containers, portable filter water bottle
  • Flashlight and/or headlamp w/extra batteries
  • List of names, phone numbers, email addresses of friends, family, doctors, insurance companies
  • At least a 3-day supply of prescription medications, prescription numbers, pharmacy name and phone #
  • Copies of driver’s license or passport, credit cards, vaccination records
  • Whistle (on a cord or ribbon)
  • Cash in small bills (~$200)
  • Long shirt and pants, sturdy shoes, work gloves
  • Emergency NOAA radio (Amazon sells this)
  • Chargers for your cell phone, computer, tablet
  • Rain jacket/poncho and thermal blanket
  • Pet food, water, bowl, vaccination record, ID and photo
  • COVID masks, wipes
  • Multipurpose tool with knife and can opener

Last minute additions as you leave:

  • Wallet
  • Keys (to your home, car, safety deposit)
  • Special needs: refrigerated medicines, portable oxygen
  • Eyeglasses(2 pairs) and hearing aids/extra batteries
  • Cell phone, computer, tablets
  •  

Include a password-protected flash drive with:

  • Names, phone numbers, email addresses of friends, family, doctors
  • User names and passwords for all accounts
  • Medical history summary
  • Declaration pages of all insurance policies (home, auto, medical) with phone numbers
  • Title page of family trust and lawyers phone number
  • Latest tax return
  • Home inventory (photo/video)
  • Title documents
  • Family photos

How to Prepare for Power Outages: Don’t Get Left in the Dark!

 Imagine this: you’re sitting at home, maybe watching TV or catching up on social media, when suddenly—BOOM—an earthquake shakes the room and everything goes dark. No lights, no Wi-Fi, no air conditioning or heat. Your refrigerator’s shut off in silent protest, and you’re left wondering, What now?

When the power goes out, what’s most important to you? Is it lighting up your space, keeping your medical equipment running, preserving your food, or staying connected with your phone? Whatever it is, the key is preparation. No one wants to scramble around in the dark, trying to figure out how to survive a blackout. The secret? Be ready for the next outage before it happens.

Be Prepared Before the Lights Go Out

The time to get your act together is now—not when you’re fumbling for a flashlight. The right preparations can make all the difference, turning a stressful blackout into a minor inconvenience.

Lighting Up Your Life

When the power goes out, the first thing you’ll need is light. Forget fumbling with candles (fire hazard, anyone?). Here are some better options:

  • Headlamps and flashlights: These are your best friends during an outage. And trust us, LED flashlights are the way to go—they last longer and are brighter.

  • Rechargeable light bulbs and LED lanterns: Keep a stash of these around your house, maybe a lantern in your car, and you’ll always have a backup when things go dark.

Food Preservation: Keep Your Cool

How long can your fridge and freezer hold their own without electricity? A refrigerator stays cold for about 4 hours if you leave it closed, and a full freezer can last up to 48 hours. But when the outage lasts longer, you’ll want a generator on hand. Not only will it keep your food safe, but it can power medical devices like a CPAP machine and give you some much-needed heat or AC.

Stay Charged and Connected

  • Power banks: These little lifesavers charge your phones, watches, and small devices.

  • Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS): Keep your computers and routers running with these backup power sources.

Make It a Priority to Get Prepared

Being ready for an outage takes more than just a flashlight. Here’s what you should do right now to ensure you’re prepared:

  • Install surge protection devices on your computers and electronics. This simple step can protect your devices from electrical damage when the power comes back on.

  • Stock up on flashlights, headlamps, and battery-powered lights: Consider LED and rechargeable options. Keep them scattered around your house and car, and don’t forget to check or replace batteries periodically.

  • Plan for your medical devices and refrigerated medications: Think about how you’ll power life-sustaining equipment during an outage. Some people even get a backup generator just for these needs.

  • Smoke and CO alarms: Make sure every level of your home has these alarms installed, and test them regularly. Battery backups are essential if your system is hardwired.

A Generator: Your New Best Friend

If you’ve been putting off buying a generator, now may be the time to make that investment. A flexible gas/propane generator can power your home, refrigerate your food, and even run essential medical devices during a power failure. It’s peace of mind that’s worth its weight in gold.

What to Do When the Power Goes Out

So, the lights go out—what now? Here’s your step-by-step plan for handling a power outage with ease:

  1. Keep Refrigerators and Freezers Closed: It’s tough, but try not to open the fridge or freezer unless absolutely necessary. If you have a generator, use it to power these appliances. If not, start BBQing and invite the neighbors.

  2. Unplug Electronics: When the power finally returns, you don’t want to suddenly plug everything back in. This could cause surges that damage your appliances. Unplug everything, and when the power is back, wait a few minutes before reconnecting anything. Start small to reduce the strain on the grid.

  3. During Long-Term Outages: If the power is out for days, unplug everything and turn off the breakers to avoid overload when the power returns. Leave one circuit on to signal when the electricity is restored.

  4. Light It Up Safely: Use flashlights, headlamps, and battery-powered lanterns for lighting. No candles! They’re a fire hazard, and who needs to add that to the stress of an outage?

  5. Stay Warm and Safe: When it’s cold outside, don’t rely on gas stoves, charcoal grills, or generators indoors to heat your home. These can release dangerous carbon monoxide, which is a leading cause of fatalities during disasters. Stay safe, and use your fireplace, wood stove, or outdoor generator instead. Keep the generator at least 20 feet away from your home and out of any building openings. The same goes for cooking stoves and gas lanterns—outside only.

Carbon monoxide poisoning has flu-like symptoms, like headaches, dizziness, and chest pain, and can kill if inhaled for too long.

Power Banks, UPS & Generators: With a rechargeable power bank and a generator, you can keep your phones and small devices running. A UPS lets you stay online. And a generator lets you keep the lights on, your fridge cold, your CPAP machine going, and your home warm. All of this without breaking the bank!

The Bottom Line: Get Prepared Now

In the age of technology, we depend on power for everything from food storage to keeping medical devices running. Preparation is essential. Don’t wait until you’re stuck in the dark—take action now to protect your home, your family, and your sanity. Whether it’s adding a few extra flashlights around the house or investing in a generator, the time to get prepared is now.

So, gear up, stay safe, and the next time the lights flicker, you’ll be ready to keep the lights on—and your life running smoothly!

Know How to Shut Off Utilities

Utility Shutdown

In an emergency, knowing how to quickly shut off your water, electricity, or gas could save your home — and your life. It’s simple once you know how, but you must be ready ahead of time. Check below for quick, clear instructions, grab a few inexpensive tools, and you’ll have this “Prepare” step done in just minutes.

Natural Gas

Natural gas leaks and explosions cause a significant number of fires after disasters. It’s important that all household members know how to shut off natural gas.

Although a wrench or pliers can be used, an inexpensive gas shut-off tool is available from hardware stores. Attach the tool to your gas meter with a wire so it is easily available when needed.

Only turn off the gas if you smell “rotten eggs” or hear a blowing or hissing noise. Open a window and get everyone out quickly. Go to where you no longer smell gas. Turn off the gas using the outside main valve at the meter.

Turn the valve ¼ turn (90 degrees) clockwise to turn it off. Do not actually turn the gas all the way off when practicing shutting it off.

If you turn off the gas for any reason, only PG&E can turn it back on. NEVER attempt to turn the gas back on yourself.

Do not operate electrical switches because sparks could ignite gas causing an explosion.

Water

Water quickly becomes a precious resource following many disasters. The effects of gravity may drain the water in your hot water heater and toilet tanks unless you trap it in your house by shutting off the main house valve.

Huge damages can also occur in emergencies because of water leaks. And cracked lines may pollute the water supply to your house. It’s a good idea to shut off your water to prevent contamination until authorities say it’s safe to drink.

Find the shut-off valve for the main water line that enters your house and tag it for easy identification. Make sure everyone in your household knows where it is and how to shut it off. You can also turn off the water at the street valve in the cement box near the curb. Turn the valve to the right, which may require a special valve wrench available at the hardware.

Make sure you can shut the valve off completely, at least the house valve. If your valve is rusted open or does not close all the way, replace it.

Electricity

Electrical sparks can ignite natural gas if it is leaking. Teach all responsible household members how to shut off the electricity.

Know where your main electrical panel is located. It’s usually in a garage, basement, utility room, or on an exterior wall. Locate it ahead of time, and make sure the area around it is always easy to access.

Turn off individual circuit breakers first. Open the panel door and, starting with the smaller breakers, switch each one to the “off” position. This reduces the electrical load and helps prevent a power surge when shutting off the main.

Shut off the main circuit breaker. This is usually a large switch or breaker at the top or bottom of the panel, often labeled “Main.” Flip it to the “off” position. This cuts electricity to the entire house.

To turn the electricity back on, reverse the process. Turn on the main circuit breaker and then turn on the individual circuit breakers, one at a time.

Important Safety Notes:

Only turn off the power if it’s safe to do so. If you smell gas, see sparks, or suspect flooding in the panel area, do not approach the electrical panel — leave the area immediately and call emergency services.

Use a flashlight, not a candle or open flame, to see in dark areas when shutting off utilities, especially if a gas leak is suspected.

Never turn the gas back on yourself. Call your utility.

Before an emergency happens (NOW), locate the water shut-off valve and the gas meter/valve. Also find the electrical panel and label each breaker in the panel so you know which circuit powers which part of your home. Buy the appropriate shut-off tools and attach them to the meters with a wire.

Harden Your Home Against Wildfire

Do you think wildfires can’t happen in the flatlands? With increasing drought, fires are becoming bigger and faster growing and can easily sweep down from the hills.

In a fire, some homeowners emerge with their property intact, while others face devastation. The difference? Preparedness. Creating a defensible space around your home and hardening your structure are critical steps you can’t afford to overlook.

Defensible space is the vital buffer created by removing dead plants, weeds, and grass that fuel flames. Hardening your home means using fire-resistant materials to seal weak spots that could allow embers to spark a fire.  Check the following links for more detail. 

 Zone O Requirements

 Defensiveable Space Requiements

What can you do NOW to increase the chance that your home will be saved when a wildland fire becomes an urban disaster? Recent fire research has shown four effective and relatively cheap steps may make the difference:

  1. Create a firebreak Remove all plant material and put 5’ of gravel /rock/paving around the house. This 5’ area is called “Zone 0”.

  2. Block flying embers. Cover attic vents with fine (1/8” or less) mesh screens

  3. Keep gutters ember-free. Screen them and clean them regularly

  4. Upgrade your gates. Replace wood side-yard gates with metal to stop fire from spreading from fences to house

For more details, the Santa Clara County Fire Department has excellent guidelines at the link below:

https://www.sccfd.org/education-and-preparedness-overview/emergency-preparedness/rsg/

Don’t wait for a fire to destroy what you have built—take action now!

Know Your Evacuation Zone

If you receive an evacuation order, the AlertSCC or Nixle alert will list the ZONE number affected. To know if it applies to you, you should know your zone. The Genasys website is where residents can identify their evacuation zone. It is not currently an outgoing alert system (it may be in the future) but the website shows the areas affected and how the disaster is changing/moving. Available online or by mobile app. Click below to learn your evacuation zone. 

https://protect.genasys.com/search?z=14&latlon=37.385218%2C-122.11413

Track Wildfires and More in Real Time

WatchDuty is a new service created and operated by volunteer firefighters, dispatchers and first responders. They collaborate in real time to gather information about wildfires and other disasters in the West and notify the public via a free app. In addition, they show evacuation shelters and animal shelters and information centers Try it out and you will be amazed.

https://www.watchduty.org/

Emergency Alerts

California’s wildfires are more destructive than ever—Paradise, Santa Rosa, now LA—with unimaginable devastation and tragic loss of life. Time and again, victims report one critical issue: lack of information.

In recent fires, people lost their lives because they didn’t know two things: that a wildfire was near and the need to evacuate. Don’t let this happen to you.

This month’s RLA Prepare in a Year task is simple but potentially life-saving: sign up for AlertSCC and Nixle. These tools ensure you’ll receive critical alerts about disasters in your area. You can also get alerts for zip codes where loved ones reside.

AlertSCC is Santa Clara County’s primary emergency alert system that the police department and other agencies will use to send emergency information to anyone who lives or works in Santa Clara County. AlertSCC covers severe countywide emergencies like wildfires, earthquakes, bad weather, public safety and widespread evacuation orders.

AlertSCC is free. You don’t pay to sign up, update account information, or delete your account. There is no app to download.

Creating an online account at AlertSCC.com gives you these options:

Precise Geo-Targeting: You can input your specific physical address. Authorities use this to send hyper-local alerts directly to your home or office rather than blasting an entire zip code.

Multiple Contact Methods: You can add multiple cell phone numbers, landlines, and email addresses to a single profile to ensure you see the message.

Device Prioritization: You can choose exactly how you want to be contacted first (e.g., text message first, then a phone call, then an email).

Multiple Locations: You can add multiple addresses to monitor, such as your home in Los Altos, your workplace, or the home of an elderly relative or child elsewhere in the county.

AlertSCC will usually work with call blocking or screening. Some phones may need you to allow the number (408) 8087871 so the calls don’t get blocked.

What about other Alerts?

Some cities, police and fire departments use Nixle groups inside of AlertSCC to send real-time local alerts (eg ongoing police incidents or gas leaks) , safety advisories (road closures and local power outages) and community updates (eg public events). You will NOT receive Nixle alerts unless you sign up at nixle.com.

You will receive Wireless Emergency Alerts broadcast directly to your cell phone (e.g., AMBER alerts, severe National Weather Service warnings, and catastrophic threat notices) without a sign-up. In addition, everyone will receive Emergency Alert System (EAS) broadcast interruptions on local television and

AlertSCC is the County’s official emergency alert & warning system. Sign up at:

https://public.everbridge.net/sign-up?orgId=453003085615038

Nixle is the City’s emergency notification system. Sign up here:

https://local.nixle.com/register/?_ga=2.76407317.140876331.1738119053-992147581.1737872351

Are You Financially Prepared for Disasters?

Imagine this: A disaster has happened and you have to evacuate quickly. Are you prepared to file an insurance claim or apply for financial assistance? How will you find housing or get medical care? What if your financial, insurance and medical documents are out of reach or destroyed? You could be left scrambling when every second counts.

There are three vital steps to take right now:

Documenting your household possessions before you have a loss is a crucial step in safeguarding your assets and ensuring a smooth insurance claim process in the event of a disaster, such as a wildfire. By creating a comprehensive inventory, you can substantiate the value of your belongings, which can expedite claim processing and provide documentation for potential tax deductions.

Photograph and Record Details: Use your camera or smartphone to take clear photos or videos of each item in your home, including furniture, electronics, clothing, and garage contents. For valuable items, note descriptions, including year, make, model numbers, and any distinguishing features.

Maintaining an up-to-date inventory not only aids in insurance claims but also helps you assess whether you have adequate coverage for your belongings. Regularly updating your inventory, especially after acquiring new items, ensures that your documentation remains accurate and useful.

Safeguarding crucial documents

Gather identification, financial, insurance, and medical records, along with the inventory of your personal possessions, and store them in a fire-safe container or on a thumb drive in a fireproof case. Keep a copy in your safe deposit box and in your GoBag so you don’t forget to take them if you need to evacuate.

See the important documents to include: https://resilientlosaltos.org/files/2025/02/Checklist-of-Documents-website.pdf

Getting the Right Insurance

Securing appropriate insurance coverage for your home, vehicle, and health can ensure critical support during emergencies. 

Home Insurance: Ensure your homeowners or renters insurance adequately covers potential damages from disasters such as floods, earthquakes, or fires. Standard policies may not include flood, earthquake or even wildfire coverage, so consider adding these endorsements if you live in a high-risk area. Regularly review your policy to confirm that coverage limits and deductibles align with your current needs.

Auto Insurance: Verify that your auto insurance includes comprehensive coverage, which can protect against damages from natural disasters. If you live in an area prone to specific risks like floods or hailstorms, ensure your policy covers these events. Discuss with your insurer to understand your coverage and consider additional endorsements if necessary.

If you have a family trust, are the home and auto policies titled in the name of the trust?

Health Insurance: Review your health insurance policy to ensure it covers emergency medical services that may arise during a disaster. Check for coverage of emergency room visits, ambulance services, and necessary treatments. If you have specific health needs, confirm that your policy provides adequate support during emergencies.

Regularly evaluating and updating your insurance policies ensures that you have the necessary coverage to protect yourself and your assets during unforeseen events. The Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK), a joint publication from Operation HOPE and FEMA, offers additional guidance on insurance policies, facilitating a smoother recovery process after a disaster.

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Extreme Heat Waves

Getting too hot can make you sick or even kill you. The California Department of Health recommends learning the signs and how to help someone with heat illness:

HEAT STROKE: Red, hot, dry skin; very high body temperature; dizziness; nausea; confusion, strange behavior or unconsciousness; rapid pulse or throbbing headache. These are red flags that your body is in crisis. Call 911.

HEAT EXHAUSTION: Heavy sweating, cramps, headache, nausea or vomiting, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, and fainting. Move to a cool place and get medical help if vomiting or symptoms get worse or last longer than 1 hour.

Get more tips from California’s Office of Emergency Services below. Don’t wait. Prepare now.

BEFORE EXTREME HEAT

Make sure your air conditioner is working.

If you don’t have air conditioning, learn where you can go to get cool. Libraries, shopping malls, and community centers can provide a cool place to take a break from the heat.

Heat waves can be dangerous. If you are 65 or older, make a plan with a friend, relative, or neighbor who will call or come check on you twice a day. If you work outdoors, talk to co-workers about looking out for each other.

Pets and livestock can get sick from heat too. Prepare to watch for increased panting or difficulty breathing, and increased heart rate. Have the number of your veterinarian ready.

Prepare for power outages. High temperatures increase power needs for cooling and energy systems overload.

DURING EXTREME HEAT

Make sure everyone is out of the car whenever you park. Never leave a child, adult, or animal alone inside a parked vehicle. Temperatures inside a car can rise almost 20 degrees within the first 10 minutes causing heat stroke or death.

Slow down and avoid exercise during the hottest part of the day. On extremely hot days, have children play indoors.

Stay cool: Drink water often. Use sunscreen. Wear a hat. If working outside, rest often and find shade. Your employer must provide you with water, rest, and shade.

Bring pets inside. Make sure they have plenty of fresh water.

Extreme heat makes air quality worse. Children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with respiratory and other conditions should limit outdoor activities.

Stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible. If your home doesn’t have air conditioning or the power is out, call your local or county authorities to find places near you to keep cool.

Check with local / regional transit agencies about free or discounted rides during heat waves to help you get to places where you can stay cool.

Seek medical care immediately if you have, or someone you know has warning signs and symptoms of heat-related illness.

Help keep the power on for everyone by using less of it. Keep thermostats at 78 degrees or higher and shut off lights not being used.

Check in on a friend, neighbor, or co-worker and have someone do the same for you.

AFTER EXTREME HEAT

Hot days and nights can be stressful, make you tired, and put you in a bad mood. Reach out to family and friends if you need support.

Medical First Aid

In a major disaster like an earthquake, emergency responders may be hours—or even days—away. In that critical window, what you do can mean the difference between life and death.

If someone near you is seriously injured, taking immediate action could save their life. That means knowing how to stop bleeding, open an airway, move them out of danger, treat for shock, and offer calm, reassuring support.

Stopping Bleeding

If a person loses about half (2 ½ liters) of their blood supply, no matter what anyone does, death is unavoidable. You must get bleeding under control as soon as possible. Indications `

Loss of blood lowers blood pressure, putting the injured into a state of shock. Increasing symptoms of shock are increased heart rate, agitation or anxiety, and confusion. If an injured person appears lethargic, death will occur within minutes because of irreversible organ damage.

Direct Pressure

The first way to control excessive bleeding is through applying direct pressure.

After finding the source of bleeding, put a barrier (gloves, cloth, plastic bag) between the blood and your hands. Apply hard, steady pressure directly on the blood source—even if it is painful to the injured! Keep pressure on until EMTs take over or bleeding has stopped.

Change gloves or barrier if you work on multiple injured people. If your barrier becomes blood soaked, replace it, but do not layer more things on top of it. Do not place bulky layers between your hands and the blood source (decreases effectiveness).

Tourniquets

If you cannot stop the bleeding by applying direct pressure and medical professionals are delayed in responding, a tourniquet is safe and effective when applied appropriately. You are more likely to save a life than cause the loss of a limb if you use a tourniquet.

If a commercial tourniquet is not readily available, you can create one yourself using something that is broad, flexible, strong, and able to be twisted, tightened, and secured, such as a webbed belt or luggage strap or material. Improvised tourniquets often fail, but you can attempt to use them as a last resort to at least slow the bleeding.

To use a tourniquet:

1: Place as high as possible on the injured limb, close to the torso. (You can place it over clothing.)

2: Pull the strap through the buckle.

3: Twist the rod tightly until bleeding stops/slows significantly. (May be very painful.)

4: Secure the rod.

5: If bleeding does not stop, place a second tourniquet.

6: Write the date and time tourniquet was placed on the tourniquet or on the injured person with a pen/sharpie (very important for doctor)

7. Leave in place until medical professionals take over care.

Opening the Airway

Positioning an injured patient to keep their airway open and clear is critical to saving their life. The best position for the body is one in which the chest can expand fully, the tongue cannot flop back into the individual’s throat, and blood or fluid does not end up in the lungs (aspirated), particularly in the case of someone with facial trauma.

Someone who is awake (conscious) will naturally assume the position that is best for them given their injuries. Often this is standing or sitting with legs apart and leaning forward. Assist if needed.

If an individual is unconscious and breathing*, you can help by turning the person on his or her side so their chest can expand, tilting the head to drain fluid away from the airway (“Recovery Position”). *If they are not breathing, start CPR.

Lay the person on their side, trying to support the head and neck when rolling them and moving them only as much as necessary to prevent spine injuries. Stretch the bottom arm outward, place hand of top arm on bicep of bottom arm. Bend the legs slightly, raise the chin and point the mouth downward.

Recognizing and Treating Shock (Keeping warm)

The body will mask the symptoms of shock, making it difficult to diagnose. It is common for an individual suffering from shock to be fully coherent and not complaining of pain. However, shock can be life threatening.

CERTs learn a simple nemonic to recognize shock when someone is injured:

30-2-Can Do.

Three signs of shock are breathing more than 30 times a minute, blood not returning to a fingernail (after being pinched) within 2 seconds, and being confused or unable to answer simple questions such as “Squeeze my hand” (including being unconscious). Any one of these 3 symptoms means the injured may be in shock and should be kept warm and receive immediate medical attention.

When a patient is in shock, avoid rough or excessive handling and maintain the person’s body temperature. People with very serious injuries are susceptible to low body temperature, which increases the risk of death.

To keep a person warm, remove wet clothing and place something between the injured person and the ground (e.g., cardboard, jacket, blanket, etc). Wrap the injured person with dry layers (e.g., coat, blanket, or Mylar emergency blanket) and shield the injured person from the wind with your body or surrounding objects.

Storm Preparation

  • Sign up for emergency alerts at AlertSCC.org

  • Make an emergency plan with your family and household.

  • Build an emergency supply kit. Pack a Go Bag in case you are required to evacuate. Build a Stay Kit in case you are required to shelter-in-place.

  • Check for weather alerts from the National Weather Service.

  • Know your flood risk. Find out if your home or workplace is in a spot that can flood. Be careful around places that are downhill from areas that recently had wildfires. When heavy rain falls after a fire, it can cause floods, mudslides, or landslides.

  • Clear rain gutters of debris and point them away from your home.

  • Pick up sandbags from Los Altos Municipal Services Center, 707 Fremont Ave, near McKenzie Park

  • Limit or delay traveling if possible. If you must travel, check roadway conditions. Know before you go. 

During a storm

  • Move away from creeks, streams and fast moving waterways.

  • Never drive or walk through flooded streets or roadways. Water may be deeper and stronger than it appears. Turn around. Don’t drown!

  • Power outages may occur. Keep a flashlight and extra batteries handy.

  • Never touch downed wires. Assume they are live and call 9-1-1 and PG&E

  • Help keep road crews and first responders safe by limiting or delaying travel during the storm. They may be performing work to clear debris or responding to assist other motorists.

  • Monitor alerts on the various reliable tv, radio, online and social media channels

After a storm

  • Check your home for damage. Look carefully for structural damage which could cause injury, i.e., weakened floors, walls or ceilings which might fall or collapse.  Watch for exposed nails and other sharp objects. Take pictures.

  • Check for wild animals, reptiles and snakes which may have taken up residence to escape the floodwaters.  Open all windows and doors to allow them to escape, and avoid trapping or cornering them.  Snakes can get inside walls.  Be cautious when removing drywall.

  • If you smell gas or suspect a gas leak, leave immediately, call 911 and notify the gas company.

  • If you had to evacuate due to a flood and are returning home, be sure you have received reentry approval from the proper authorities. 

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