Visit the store and start building your preparedness pack!
Classes
Schedule a CPR or First Aid class today! Or call to schedule a free hour-long disaster safety presentation for 5+ people anywhere in Santa Monica!
The City of Santa Monica and the American Red Cross have joined forces to provide preparedness information to local residents. Do you have seven? Click here.
There are three main ways for you to start getting prepared: get a kit, make a plan, and be informed. Click the buttons below to read about each!
Strive to have at least seven days of supplies in an
easy–to–carry evacuation kit, with additional
supplies on hand. Check your kit and replace
the stock every six months. An easy way to get your kit started is to
contact your local Red Cross or visit our store order an emergency
preparedness kit today.
If you purchase a
kit or choose to build your own, check that
it includes:
Water. Have at least one gallon per person per day.
Food. Pack non-perishable, high-protein items,
including energy bars, ready-to-eat soup, peanut
butter, etc. Select foods
that require no refrigeration, preparation or
cooking and little or
no water.
Flashlight. Hand crank
and alternative energy
options are available. Include extra batteries,
if applicable
First aid kit. Include a first aid reference guide.
Medications. Don’t forget prescription and
non-prescription items.
Radio. Include extra batteries or use a hand-crank
radio.
Tools.
Wrench to turn off gas if necessary
Manual can opener
Screwdriver
Hammer
Pliers
Knife
Duct tape
Plastic sheeting / garbage bags and ties.
Clothing. Provide a change of clothes for everyone,
including sturdy shoes and gloves.
Personal items. Remember copies of important
papers, including identification cards, insurance
policies, birth certificates, passports, etc.; eyeglasses,
contact lenses and solution, and comfort items like
toys and books, if pertinent.
Sanitary supplies. You may need toilet paper,
towelettes, feminine supplies, personal hygiene
items, bleach, etc.
Money. Have cash. (ATMs and credit cards won’t
work if the power is out.)
Contact information. Carry a current list of family
phone numbers and e-mail addresses, including
someone out of the area who may be easier to
reach if local phone lines are
out of service or overloaded.
Pet supplies. For each pet,
include food, water, a collar, a leash / cage / carrying case, litter box or
plastic bags, tags, any medications and vaccination information. Map. Consider
marking an evacuation route on it from your local area.
Store your disaster supplies in sturdy yet easy-to
carry containers, in a place that is easily accessible.
Keep a smaller version of the kit in your vehicle.
If you become stranded or are not able to return
home, having some items with you will help you
be more comfortable until help arrives
Planning ahead will help you have the best
possible response to disaster.
Talk. Discuss with your family the disasters that
can happen where you live. Establish responsibili-
ties for each member of your household and plan
to work together as a team. Designate alternates
in case someone is absent. If a family member is
in the military, also plan for how you would
respond if they are deployed. Include the local
military base resources that may be available.
Plan. Choose two places to meet after a disaster:
Right outside your home, in case of a sudden
emergency, such as a fire.
Outside your neighborhood, in case you cannot return
home or are asked to evacuate your neighborhood.
Learn. Each adult in
your household should
learn how and when to
turn off utilities such as
electricity, water and
gas. Ask your local fire
department to show
you how to use a fire
extinguisher.
Tell everyone in the household where emergency
information and supplies are kept. Make copies
of the information for everyone to carry with
them. Keep the information updated.
Practice evacuating your home twice a year.
Drive your planned evacuation route and plot
alternate routes on a map in case main roads
are impassable or gridlocked.
Include your pets. If you
must evacuate, take your animals with you. If it is not safe
for you to remain, it is not
safe for them.
Support your community. Volunteer in the community and
by giving blood.
Learn what disasters or emergencies may occur in your area. These can range from a home fire to a medical emergency. Santa Monica's main concerns are fire and earthquakes.
Identify how local
authorities will
notify you during a
disaster and how you
will get important
information, whether
through local radio,
TV or NOAA weather
radio stations or
channels.
Learn what you can do to prepare for
disasters by contacting your local Red Cross
chapter to ask about first aid, CPR and disaster
training. Learning simple first aid techniques
can give you the skills and confidence to help
when someone in your home, your neighbor-
hood or workplace is injured.
When a major disaster occurs, your community
can change in an instant. Loved ones can be
hurt, and emergency response can be delayed.
Make sure that at least one member of your
household is trained in first aid and CPR and in
how to use an automated external defibrillator
(AED). Disaster preparedness presentations
will provide more specific information on how
to prepare for disasters in your community.
Contact your local American Red Cross chapter
for details.
Share what you have learned with your family,
household and neighbors and encourage them
to be informed too
