SAFETY: Safety During Emergencies Ms. Mai Lawndale High School

Safety During Emergencies Storms, floods, earthquakes, and other natural disasters cause property damage, personal injury, and death Storms, floods, earthquakes, and other natural disasters cause property damage, personal injury, and death Although nobody can control the weather or stop an earthquake, people can prepare for natural disasters in order to lessen the damage they cause Although nobody can control the weather or stop an earthquake, people can prepare for natural disasters in order to lessen the damage they cause

Planning for Emergencies Most communities have disaster plans including the police, fire fighters, local hospitals, local Red Cross chapter, and members of the local public health and civil defense agencies Most communities have disaster plans including the police, fire fighters, local hospitals, local Red Cross chapter, and members of the local public health and civil defense agencies A civil defense agency is an organization concerned with protecting the community A civil defense agency is an organization concerned with protecting the community

Severe Weather Conditions With modern weather satellites and weather-tracking devices, it is not possible to forecast most types of severe weather conditions With modern weather satellites and weather-tracking devices, it is not possible to forecast most types of severe weather conditions Warnings are usually given so people have time to prepare Warnings are usually given so people have time to prepare People need to stock up on food, water, flashlights or candles, batteries, and medicines People need to stock up on food, water, flashlights or candles, batteries, and medicines

Lightning Lightning kills about 150 people in the US each year Lightning kills about 150 people in the US each year In order to keep yourself safe during a lightning storm, go indoors and stay there In order to keep yourself safe during a lightning storm, go indoors and stay there Avoid touching metal objects and do not talk on the telephone Avoid touching metal objects and do not talk on the telephone Unplug electrical appliances to protect them from power surges Unplug electrical appliances to protect them from power surges

Floods Flooding is a frequent result of severe rainstorms Flooding is a frequent result of severe rainstorms Melting mountains now can also cause floods along rivers and streams Melting mountains now can also cause floods along rivers and streams If you are in a car, leave it immediately and go to higher grounds If you are in a car, leave it immediately and go to higher grounds

Flood

Blizzards Blizzards are dangerous snowstorms with high winds Blizzards are dangerous snowstorms with high winds During a blizzard, go indoors and stay there and prepare for a power shortage During a blizzard, go indoors and stay there and prepare for a power shortage Dress warmly using layers, especially when sleeping Dress warmly using layers, especially when sleeping Carry a shovel, blankets, and snacks in your car Carry a shovel, blankets, and snacks in your car If you are piled under snow, run your engine every hour for heat and turn the light on inside your car If you are piled under snow, run your engine every hour for heat and turn the light on inside your car

Blizzards

Hurricanes A hurricane is a tropical storm with rain and winds of more than 75mph A hurricane is a tropical storm with rain and winds of more than 75mph Hurricanes usually occur along the coast between Texas and Florida Hurricanes usually occur along the coast between Texas and Florida During a hurricane, board or tape up windows and bring items inside During a hurricane, board or tape up windows and bring items inside

Hurricane

Tornadoes Tornadoes can cause damage because their twisting winds can reach as high as 400mph Tornadoes can cause damage because their twisting winds can reach as high as 400mph Tornado Watch – weather conditions are favorable for a tornado Tornado Watch – weather conditions are favorable for a tornado Tornado Warning – when a tornado is sighted by a person or on radar Tornado Warning – when a tornado is sighted by a person or on radar During a tornado, seek shelter immediately (lie down in ditch) During a tornado, seek shelter immediately (lie down in ditch)

Tornado

Earthquakes Most earthquakes occur along the west coast of the US and last a few seconds Most earthquakes occur along the west coast of the US and last a few seconds Earthquakes can cause buildings to fall, and landslides where there are no trees Earthquakes can cause buildings to fall, and landslides where there are no trees If you are indoors, hide under heavy furniture If you are indoors, hide under heavy furniture If you are outdoors, stay in the open away from electrical wires and buildings If you are outdoors, stay in the open away from electrical wires and buildings After an earthquake, check water, power, and gas lines and report any problems After an earthquake, check water, power, and gas lines and report any problems

Earthquake