Make sure you have looked around your home for ways to protect everybody inside in the event of an earthquake.
- Install a fire extinguisher near your kitchen and learn how to use it.
- Check that all tall furniture (book shelves, china cabinets, etc.) are anchored to the wall
- Use “earthquake picture hooks” for all pictures/wall hangings above beds
- Check that your water heater is strapped to the wall.
- Install child locks on the doors of cabinets where you store your best dishes.
- After an earthquake, yours escape doors may be stuck. Buy an inexpensive pry bar, store it in your house and use it to force open the door.
This message is brought to you by The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program, which educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.
Find out more about this program at Redwood City’s CERT website