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14 OUR YUCAIPA | FEBRUARY 2016 HOME KIT CONTENTS: • Food for at least three days and up to two weeks and a manual can opener. • Water. One gallon per person per day, for at least three days and up to two weeks. Replace water every 6 months. • Battery operated radio/television and extra batteries. • First aid kit and first aid manual. • Sanitation and hygiene items. (Hand sanitizer, moist towelettes, plastic garbage bags and ties, and toilet paper.) • Matches in waterproof container. • Whistle. • Shovel. • Blankets, sturdy shoes and extra clothing. • Kitchen accessories and cooking utensils. • Photocopies of identification and important documents. • Cash and coins. • Special needs items such as prescription medications, eye glasses, contact lens solution and hearing aid batteries. • List of phone numbers: medical providers, schools, etc. • Items for infants such as formula, diapers, bottles, and pacifiers. • Tools, pet supplies and other items unique to the needs of the family. • Filter mask for each member of the family. • Purification tablets or unscented bleach to sanitize water. • Consider clothing and bedding needs. Be sure to include one set of the following for each person: Jacket or coat; Long pants and long sleeve shirt; Sturdy shoes; Hat gloves and scarf; Sleeping bag or warm blanket. • Locate and keep clear the utility shut-off points for your home gas, electricity and water lines. If a special tool is needed, keep the tool near the valve or switch. • Prepare an inventory of home items. This can be supplemented with photographs. Keep the inventory away from the house in safe deposit box. We're nothing if not a city of helpers, so the city of Yucaipa will soon train those who want to help others in an emergency with the Civilian Emergency Response Team (CERT). The CERT training program will prepare civilians to help themselves, their family, and their neighbors in the event of a disaster. The 20 hour course will be held at the Community Center Banquet Room March 11-13. Call 909-797-2489 ext. 221 or email keverts@ yucaipa.org to sign up. (See the registration flyer on the following page.) "Yucaipa is so community oriented and everyone wants to help," said Janssen. "The CERT program is an organized way for the public to help in an emergency and provide community service." In the meantime, three day supply kits are easy to pick up at home improvement stores for around $50. Or of course there are endless options online for pre-assembled kits and instructions for do-it- yourselfers. Keeping it local, "No Worries Prepper" out of Calimesa also sells everything from pre-assembled bug out bags to high grade tactical gear. Reach them at noworriesprepper.com or (323) 657-7737. There should be a 72-hour kit for every member of the family, Avila said. And don't forget your pets. "Have a family plan and be able to take care of yourselves," said Avila. "If everybody looks after themselves and their families they will have a better chance of surviving. Help might not available for quite some time." VEHICLE KIT CONTENTS: • Flashlight, extra batteries and bulbs. • Sturdy shoes. • First aid kit and manual. • White distress flag. • Tire repair kit, jumper cables, air pump and flares/reflectors. • Bottled water and non perishable food items. • Local map. • Seasonal supplies: winter blanket, hat, gloves, shovel, sand, tire chains, windshield scraper, fluorescent distress flag, sunscreen, umbrella, hats. • Toilet paper or moist wipes. PET KIT CONTENTS: • Food and water. • Phone numbers of the nearest emergency. • Veterinary clinic (along with directions). • Paperwork for your pet. • Nylon leash. • Self cling bandage (bandage that stretches and sticks to itself but not to fur — available at pet stores and from pet-supply catalogs). • Current photo of your pet in case he gets lost. • Muzzle or strips of cloth to prevent biting. CREATING A FAMILY DISASTER PLAN Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster. Explain the dangers of fire, severe weather, and earthquakes to children. Plan to share responsibilities and work as a team. Keep it simple enough so people can remember the important details. A disaster is an extremely stressful situation that can create confusion. The best emergency plans are those with very few details. Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen. Explain what to do in each case. Everyone should know what to do in case all family members are not together. Discussing disasters ahead of time will help reduce fear and anxiety and will help everyone know how to respond. Pick two places to meet: Right outside of your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire, and a second place outside of your neighborhood in case you can't return home or are asked to leave your neighborhood. Everyone must know the address and phone number of the meeting locations. Develop an emergency communication plan. In case family members are separated from one another during floods or other disasters, have a plan for getting back together. Separation is a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school. Ask an out-of-town relative or friend to be your "family contact." Your contact should live outside of your area. After a disaster, it is often easier to make a long distance call than a local call. Family members should call the contact and tell him or her where they are. Everyone must know the contact's name, address, and phone number. continued from page 12

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