How to Prepare for Emergencies

The recent increase of earthquakes across Southern California serves as a reminder of how important it is to be prepared for disasters.

Emergency preparedness means taking steps to mitigate the impact of a disaster on you and your family - creating a plan to stay safe before, during and after. Disasters can strike with little to no warning, so having a plan is crucial.

Teach your family how to safely respond during emergencies. In the event of a disaster, if you encounter a downed power line, never touch or approach the wire. Downed power lines near water can electrify puddles, wet grass and the surrounding area, so always stay at least 100 feet away and call 911 immediately.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency declared that for National Preparedness Month in September, it will focus its campaign on preparing Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities for future risks and disasters and understanding the broad and diverse community.

With that in mind, Southern California Edison offers these tips to help prepare for a disaster that could impact you or your loved ones:

Disaster Preparedness Tips

• In case of a power outage, have backup power sources, including batteries and a generator.
• Prepare an emergency kit with essentials like water, food, medications, first-aid supplies and other essentials, including emergency contacts, a battery-powered radio and cash.
• Know how to turn off your electricity, gas and water.
• Determine where it is safe to take shelter in your home during a disaster.
• Discuss and practice an emergency plan with your family, including potential evacuation routes and shelter locations in your area.
• Learn basic first aid and CPR.
• Store important documents in a waterproof and fireproof container.

For more information on how to prepare for specific emergencies common to Southern California, visit: Storm Safety Preparedness, Preparing for a Heat Wave or Seven Earthquake Safety Tips.