Week 3 of National Preparedness Month
Make Your Home Disaster Ready
Week 3 of National Preparedness Month: Make Your Home Disaster Ready
We are now in Week 3 of National Preparedness Month, and this week’s focus is on something every household can do before an emergency: make your home safer and more disaster ready.
Last week, we focused on creating a family emergency plan. This week, the goal is to reduce hazards around the home before an earthquake, wildfire, windstorm, or extended power outage occurs.
Many emergency-related injuries are caused not by the disaster itself, but by things that happen afterward, falling furniture, broken glass, fire, smoke, damaged utilities, and power failures. A few simple precautions taken now can help protect your family and your property.
Emergency preparedness is not only about having supplies ready or knowing where your family will meet. It is also about making your home safer before an emergency occurs.
Why Home Preparedness Matters
During an earthquake or other emergency, ordinary household items can become dangerous.
A tall bookcase that has stood safely for years can fall during strong shaking. Heavy objects stored on high shelves can become falling hazards. Broken glass can make it difficult to safely move through your home. Damaged electrical or gas systems can create additional dangers.
The good news is that many of these risks can be reduced with simple preparation.
1. Secure Tall Furniture
Anchor tall bookcases, cabinets, shelving units, televisions, and other large objects to the wall.
Pay particular attention to furniture near beds, couches, hallways, and areas where children spend time.
2. Move Heavy Items Lower
Store heavier objects on lower shelves whenever possible.
This reduces the chance of something heavy falling during an earthquake and causing an injury.
3. Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Make sure smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly.
Test them regularly and replace batteries when necessary.
Also make sure everyone in your household recognizes what the alarms sound like and knows what to do.
4. Keep a Fire Extinguisher Accessible
Every household should have an appropriate fire extinguisher in an accessible location.
Make sure household members know where it is located and understand how to use it.
A simple reminder for extinguisher use is PASS:
Pull the pin
Aim at the base of the fire
Squeeze the handle
Sweep from side to side
Never place yourself in danger attempting to fight a fire that is too large or spreading rapidly.
5. Know Where Your Utilities Are
Adults in the household should know where the shutoffs are located for:
Water
Electricity
Natural gas
It is equally important to understand when not to shut something off.
Natural gas should not automatically be turned off after an earthquake. Shut it off if you smell gas, hear gas escaping, observe a damaged gas line, or emergency officials instruct you to do so.
6. Prepare for a Power Outage
Keep several flashlights in accessible locations.
Also consider having:
Portable battery banks
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
Spare batteries
Charging cables
Necessary medications
Battery-powered lighting
Avoid relying on candles for emergency lighting because they can create an additional fire hazard.
7. Keep Sturdy Shoes Near Your Bed
This is one of the simplest earthquake preparedness steps.
After significant shaking, broken glass and debris may be scattered across the floor.
Keeping sturdy shoes and a flashlight near your bed can help prevent injuries if an earthquake occurs overnight.
8. Reduce Fire Hazards Outside Your Home
Southern California residents should also think about the area immediately surrounding their homes.
Remove unnecessary combustible materials and keep vegetation maintained.
Creating defensible space and reducing dry vegetation around structures can help reduce wildfire risk.
9. Keep Important Documents Protected
Consider keeping copies of important documents in a waterproof and easily accessible location.
Examples include:
Identification
Insurance information
Medical information
Property records
Emergency contacts
Prescription information
It is also helpful to maintain photographs or video documenting important possessions for insurance purposes.
This Week's Ready Upland Exercise
Take 20 minutes and conduct a home safety walk.
During the walk:
Identify at least five fall, fire, or earthquake hazards.
Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Locate your utility shutoffs.
Place a flashlight and sturdy shoes near each bed.
Charge your portable battery banks.
You do not have to solve every preparedness issue in one day.
The important thing is to start.
Prepared Today. Stronger Tomorrow.
Emergency preparedness works best when we take action before we need it.
By reducing hazards around our homes today, we can help prevent injuries, protect property, and allow emergency responders to focus their resources where they are needed most following a major disaster.
Be informed. Plan ahead. Take action.
Ready Upland
Provided by Councilmember James Breitling
Disclaimer: The Upland Update is an independent community resource and is not affiliated with the City of Upland. This is my personal initiative to keep residents and businesses informed about key issues, city developments, and community events that impact our daily lives. My goal is to ensure you have clear, transparent, and timely information to stay engaged and involved in shaping Upland’s future.
James Breitling
(909) 342-2523
info@theuplandupdate.com
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