Disaster Preparedness: 10 Ways To Keep Your Family Safe
Emergency management is the discipline of dealing with and avoiding risks. It is a discipline that involves preparing for disaster before it occurs.
Main Shut-Off Valve
Properties have two main shut off valves one is for water the other is for gas. In case of an emergency these valves need to be operational to prevent water damage and flooding, or possible explosion due to a gas leak.
ESSENTIALS FOR THE HOME
Home is where you can do the most to be prepared. But remember that you are only home for about 1/2 of the hours in a day. You must also be prepared at work, and have additional supplies in your car.
Strap gas appliances to walls or floor, especially the water heater. Remember your water heater is a large source of water, and weighs several hundred pounds when full. A four hundred pound water heater will break gas lines on its way to the floor. Gas appliances are a real danger in an earthquake, and are the cause of most fires after a quake.
IMPORTANT PLUMBING RECOMMENDATIONS TO KEEP YOUR FAMILY SAFE:
- The water heater is strapped to the wall.
- Make sure all combustible material is at least 3 feet away from the water heater.
- Know where to shut off the water, power, and gas and have placed the tools at each location.
- Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections. These are potential fire risks. Brace overhead light fixtures.
- Replace solid gas lines with flexible lines on stoves, water heaters, and dryers.
- Place a flashlight or an emergency light next to your breaker panel.
- Place a wrench in your water meter box located near the street.
- Place or attach a tool on your gas meter for turning off the gas.
- Install an automatic gas shut-off valve.
- Put a list of emergency telephone numbers by your phones.
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