If you are in the house and smell gas, you and your family should leave the house at once leaving windows and doors open behind you. DO NOT TURN ON OR OFF ANY ELECTRICAL SWITCH ON THE WAY OUT. Once everyone is out of the house, turn off the gas.

It is important to know exactly where your gas meter is located so that in the event of an emergency, you can shut it off. For a single family house, the meter will be located where it can be read by a meter reader on the outside of the house. It may be located in a cabinet that opens to the outside. As you face the meter you will see a pipe running from the ground to the meter. Approximately 6 to 8 inches above the ground there is a shut-off valve running parallel with the pipe (See diagram) Use a wrench or a gas shutoff tool (sold at all large home stores) to turn the valve 1/4 turn in either direction, until the valve is crosswise to the pipe. You will find the valve is hard to turn so use a long tool to get a lot of leverage.

DON’T TURN IT BACK ON YOURSELF. Contact PG&E to safely turn the gas back on and relight the pilots.

SMC Alert is an alert notification system used to immediately contact you during urgent or emergency situations with useful information and updates by sending text messages to email accounts, cell phones or smart phones. SMC Alert is free — however your carrier may charge you a fee. To register for SMC alerts go to: www.smcalert.info/index.php?ccheck=1

During a disaster the following radio stations will be broadcasting update information if they are able:

FM

• 88.5
• 92.3
• 100.1

AM

• 680
• 740
• 810

Where will your family be when disaster strikes? They could be anywhere: at work; at school; or in the car. How will you find each other? Will you know if your children are safe?

Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home. What would you do if basic services – water, gas, electricity, telephones, cable and internet were cut off? Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone right away.

Families can – and do – cope with disaster by preparing in advance and working together as a team. Follow the following steps to create your family’s disaster plan. Knowing what to do is your best protection and your responsibility.

1. Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster. Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen. Explain what to do in each case.
2. Pick two places to meet: Right outside of your house, by a tree or street light for example, in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire or outside your neighborhood, at a friend’s home for example, in case you can’t return home (everyone must know the address and phone number).
3. Ask an out-of-state friend to be your “family contact”. After a disaster, it’s often easier to call long distance. All family members should call this person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know your contact’s phone number.
4. Quiz your kids every six months so they remember what to do.

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.

A component of your disaster kit is your Go-bag. Put the following items together in a backpack or another easy to carry container in case you must evacuate quickly. Prepare one Go-bag for each family member and make sure each has an I.D. tag. You may not be at home when an emergency strikes so keep some additional supplies in your car or at work, considering what you would need for your immediate safety.

• Flashlight
• Radio – battery operated
• Batteries
• Whistle
• Dust masks
• Pocket knife
• Emergency cash in small denominations and quarters for phone calls
• Sturdy shoes, a change of clothes, and a warm hat
• Local map
• Some water and food
• Permanent marker, paper and tape
• Photos of family members and pets for re-identification purposes
• List of emergency contact phone numbers
• List of allergies to any drug (especially antibiotics) or food
• Copy of health insurance, identification cards, ATM & credit cards, passports, etc.
• Extra prescription eye glasses, hearing aid or other vital personal items
• Prescription medications
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Extra keys to your house and vehicle
• Trash bags, toilet paper
• Matches
• First aid kit
• Any special-needs items for children, seniors or people with disabilities.
• Don’t forget to make a Go-bag for your pets.