What about my pets?

Above we see an emergency "GO" bag for a small dog or cat. Your pet is just like a child. It is depending on you to include them with your disaster preparedness.


Here is a more detailed list of the type of items you may consider for your animal.



Pet Disaster Supplies Kit or Go-Bag
It may include:
Copies of medical records including vaccination dates, stored in a waterproof container
Medications and information about each medication. List each animal separately, including dose and frequency for each medication. Include the name and number of your veterinarian
Information on diet. List the diet for each pet, including what not to feed in case of allergy
Information about any behavioral issues
A first aid kit (include flea and tick treatment and items recommended by your veterinarian)
Collapsible cage or carrier for each animal, labeled with your contact information. (Cat carriers should be big enough to hold a small litter pan and food dishes and allow your cat to comfortably use the litter and to lie down. Dog kennels should be spacious enough to hold two non-spill bowls and allow room for your dog to stand and turn around.)
Muzzle and leash
Handling gloves
Current photos of your pets in case they get lost. Include yourself in some of the photos as further proof of identity.
Information about your pet's species, breed, age, sex, color and distinguishing traits
Proof of ownership (registration and microchip information; adoption papers)
Food and water for at least three or more days
Food bowls, cat litter/pan/scoop, and manual can opener
Plastic bags, newspapers, containers and cleaning supplies
Pet beds, toys and treats to make animals feel comfortable

Tell me L.I.E.S.

Part of disaster preparedness is disaster prevention. If you have cleaning supplies stored in common areas, such as under the kitchen sink or hall closet, you may have a potential disaster waiting to happen. Imagine a 6.4 earthquake like Los Angeles experienced in 1994. The cleaning supplies could spill and cause a hazardous material problem when they combine. (Many cleaners have either chlorine bleach or ammonia. If bleach and ammonia mix, it can be deadly.)
L- Limit the amount you keep in common areas.
I- Isolate items that could become deadly if spilled or if mixed.
E- Eliminate chemicals/products you no longer need or use.

S- Separate inside items vs. items to be stored in garage. Make sure there is good ventilation.

If you do not know how to dispose of hazardous materials, call 311 or check with your local fire station for information regarding haz-mat round up.

Poison Exposure?Call Your Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.
Free, professional, 24/7/365Don’t guess, be sure…


Don't know what to do with your old batteries? If you live in or near Los Angeles, check with your local Jiffy Lube and dispose there. Thank you Jiffy Lube for helping keep our planet healthy. Practice "responsible disposal".

Do you know how to get down?

Today at 10:15 a.m. millions of Californians will participate in the largest earthquake drill ever! Are you "in the know"? Do you know how to get down? (Get down meaning DUCK, COVER & HOLD!)If you do not, check out the video below to start to build your plan for survival. To fail to plan...is to plan to fail! Let's learn from our brothers and sisters around the world. Don't be a victim, be victorious!

Its Shake Out Time...Do You Know What To Do?

Thank you Red Cross for your continued aid- Red Cross in American Samoa

(Please note this is a reprint from the American Red Cross. Thank you to the American Red Cross for the use of this article.)

The American Red Cross is on the ground in American Samoa where a tsunami swept across the island after a powerful earthquake hit the South Pacific.
Red Cross has dozens of volunteers already providing food and supplies to those on the island. A team of 50 volunteers is being sent in to supplement the efforts of the local Red Cross team. The Red Cross has a warehouse on American Samoa supplied with cots, flashlights, and cooking and clean-up supplies, and will be sending in additional supplies as quickly as possible.
“We will get there as quickly as we can with what we can,” said Joe Becker, senior vice president for Red Cross Disaster Services. “Our first priority is to provide food and water.” After yesterday’s 8.0 magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami, a significant portion of American Samoa is without power or water amid widespread damage.
Getting information out of the island is very slow at this time. The Red Cross urges those who have been able to contact loved ones on American Samoa to register them with Safe and Well, the best way to share information about their status. You can register on the Red Cross Safe and Well Website at http://www.redcross.org/. If you do not have internet access, call 1-800-REDCROSS to register your loved ones. The information you post will let other loved ones know about the well-being of those on the island. Please note - Safe and Well works only on American Samoa. The service will not work on Samoa.
American Samoa, a group of seven islands about 2,300 miles southwest of Hawaii, is a United States Territory. American Samoa and the independent country of Western Samoa make up the Samoan group of islands in the center of Polynesia. According to news reports, four tsunami waves about 15 to 20 feet high came ashore on American Samoa after the earthquake in the South Pacific.
Your financial support will help the Red Cross respond to disasters like this situation in the Samoan islands. You can make a donation by calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or (1-800-257-7575 (Spanish), or visiting redcross.org, and choosing whether to donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund or American Red Cross International Response Fund.
Help people affected by disasters like the recent earthquakes and floods by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for disasters and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to victims of all disasters. Call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting redcross.org.