After a major disaster, emergency response services may not be available to immediately respond to everyone's needs, so it's important to be prepared to take care of yourself and your family. Plan to be on your own for at least the first 72 hours.

The following steps will help you prepare for any emergency:

• Designate an out-of-area contact person. Try to select someone that is far enough away to not be affected by the same emergency. Provide this person with the names and contact information of the people you want to keep informed of your situation. Instruct family members to call this person and tell them where they are. Long distance phone service is often restored sooner than local service.
• Duplicate important documents and keep copies off-site, either in a safety deposit box or with someone you trust. Documents may include: passport, drivers license, social security card, wills, deeds, financial statements, insurance information, marriage license and prescriptions.
• Inventory valuables, in writing and with photographs or video.Keep copies of this information off-site with your other important documents.
• Involve all key people in planning.
• Put together a disaster supply kit.Plan to have supplies for yourself and your family for at least 3 days following a disaster.
• When planning, consider the special needsof children, seniors and people with functional needs and family members that don't speak English. Don't forget your pets.

Get to know your neighbors. Find out if anyone has specialized equipment, like a power generator or expertise such as medical knowledge that might help in a crisis. Make arrangements to check on your neighbor's home or pets if you are home, while they are away, when a disaster strikes.

Plan:

• Include your children in family discussions and planning for emergency safety.
• Teach your children their basic personal information so they can identify themselves and get help if they become separated from a parent or guardian.
• Prepare an emergency card with information for each child, including his/her full name, address, phone number, and parent's work number and out of state contact.
• Know the policies of the school or daycare center your children attend. Make plans to have someone pick them up if you are unable to get to them.
• Regularly update your child's school with current emergency contact information and persons authorized to pick up your child from school.
• Make sure each child knows the family's alternate meeting sites if you are separated in a disaster and cannot return to your home.
• Make sure each child knows how to reach your family's out-of-state contact person.
• Teach children to dial their home telephone number and Emergency 9-1-1.
• Teach children what gas smells like and advise them to tell an adult if they smell gas after an emergency.
• Warn children never to touch wires on poles or wires that are lying on the ground.
• Role-play with children to help them remain calm in emergencies and to practice basic emergency responses such as evacuation routes, Drop, Cover & Hold and Stop, Drop & Roll.
• Role-play with children as to what they should do if a parent is suddenly sick or injured.
• Role-play with children on what to say when calling Emergency 9-1-1.
• Include a family picture and a favorite toy, game or book for each child in his/her Go Bag as defined in theBuild a Kitsection.
• Include your child's emergency card and include information on reunification locations and out-of-area contact.
• Provide comfort food and treats for each child in your family disaster supplies kit.
• Keep a recent photo of your children in your Go-bag.

There are numerous ways you can get involved to help Elk Grove be better prepared for the next emergency. Aa few suggestions would be with:

• American Red Cross: Disaster Preparedness, First Aid and CPR Training
• Community Emergency Response Team(CERT)

Natural gas leaks can cause an explosive and flammable atmosphere inside a building.

Gas

Natural gas leaks can cause fires and explosions inside a building.

• If you smell gas, hear gas escaping, see a broken gas line, or if you suspect a leak, shut off the main valve and open all windows and doors.
• Never use candles or matches if you suspect a leak. Do not turn on electrical switches or appliances.
• Identify the main shutoff valve, located on the gas line coming into the main gas meter. This is usually on the exterior of your home or building, or in an external closet. Your main valve may look like this:
• To turn gas off, give the valve a quarter turn in either direction. When the lever crosses the direction of the pipe (see below) the gas is off.
• Keep a crescent wrench or gas shut-off tool nearby to turn the lever.
• Never attempt to turn your gas back on. Wait for your utility company to do it. This may take several days.

Electricity

Electrocution can result from direct contact with live wires or anything that has been energized by these wires.

• Locate your main electric switch, which is normally in the garage or outdoors. The panel box may have a flip switch or pull handle on a large circuit breaker.
• Shut off electricity when:
  • Arcing or burning occurs in electrical devices.
  • There is a fire or significant water leak.
  • You smell burning insulation.
  • The area around switches or plugs is blackened and/or hot to the touch.
  • A complete power loss is accompanied by the smell of burning material.

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E):
Website:www.pge.com
Phone: (800) 743-5000

Water

Water leaks can cause property damage and create an electrocution hazard.

• After a major earthquake, shut off your water supply to protect the water in your house. Cracked pipes may allow contaminants into the water supply in your home.
• The water shutoff is usually located in the basement, garage or where the water line enters the home. The water shutoff is located on a riser pipe and is usually a red or yellow wheel. Turn wheel clockwise to shut off water.

Sewer Service

A disaster that disrupts all or part of the City's water and/or sewer lines could affect the way you deal with human waste.

• If there is no water in your toilet, but the sewer lines are intact, pour 3-5 gallons of water into the toilet bowl to flush. You may use rainwater, bath and laundry or pool water.
• If you suspect damage to your home's water lines, do NOT flush the toilet. Turn off water at the house so contaminated water does not enter your water system.
• If sewer lines are broken, line bowl with double-bagged garbage bags to collect waste. Before discarding, add a small amount of bleach; then seal the bag and place in a tightly covered container, away from people.
• If the toilet is unusable, use a sturdy bucket with a tight fitting lid, and line it with a double-bagged plastic garbage bag.