Family Emergency Plan is a Must in a Major Disaster

The American Red Cross and the City of Santa Monica recommend that families have an emergency plan for when a major earthquake or other serious disaster occurs. The goal is to be self-sufficient for one week by maintaining a supply of life-sustaining items and having a family disaster plan.

A family emergency plan includes emergency exits to get out of the house in case of partial collapse or fire. If the family is scattered at home, work or at school and disaster strikes, determine a central meeting point. Appoint an out-of-town contact who can relay messages to your family members and friends out of the area if local communications are down.

Have a week's supply of nonperishable foods and water on hand and food for infants and/or special diet needs. Personal hygiene, paper products and plastic garbage bags and pet food. Rotate supplies so they are not stored past their expiration dates.

"One of the lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina was that three days worth of emergency supplies wasn't enough. Seven days of supplies is recommended by the Red Cross," says John Pacheco, executive director of the American Red Cross of Santa Monica.

Disaster experts advise keeping a battery-powered radio, flashlights and lots of extra batteries and matches or lighters and a fully stocked First Aid Kit including medicines and eyeglasses.

Have cash on hand -- at least one hundred dollars in small denominations. ATM machines and credit cards are useless without power. Also, have copies of identification such as passports, driver's licenses, birth certificates. Sturdy clothing, especially long pants, long sleeve shirts, hard-soled shoes and work gloves to protect from debris are recommended.

Santa Monica's Emergency Services Director, Paul Weinberg suggests, "Now is the time to plan and stock up on the items you should have on hand for a major earthquake, terrorist attack or other crisis that could result in outside aid taking as long as a week to reach us."

I've Got 7 is a joint venture of the American Red Cross of Santa Monica, The City of Santa Monica, the Santa Monica/Malibu Unified School District and the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce. I've Got 7 is supported by many of Santa Monica's finest merchants and associations who've put up over 1000 prizes in drawings for persons who sign a pledge card to be prepared.

For the complete I've Got 7, May disaster preparedness campaign materials including the I've Got 7 checklist and pledge card, log on to www.ivegot7.com or call the Santa Monica Red Cross at 310-394-3773.