GET INVOLVED.

CITIZEN CORPS - Uniting Communities Preparing The Nation

Following the tragic events of September 11, 2001 and the recurring reminders of the powerful forces of natural phenomenon, we are reminded of our vulnerabilities, more appreciative of our freedoms, and more understanding that we have a personal responsibility for the safety of our families, our neighbors and our nation. We also know that we can take action now to help protect our families, help reduce the impact a disaster has on our lives, and help deal with the chaos when an incident does occur.

The Utah Citizen Corps Mission is to harness the power of every individual through education, training, and volunteer service to make communities safer, stronger, and better prepared for emergencies and disasters of all kinds. The State Citizen Corps Council serves as a resource link between the national Citizen Corps initiative and local and regional councils throughout Utah. The state council encourages councils to bring together local leaders, emergency management, citizen volunteers, faith-based communities, business and civic organizations, and the network of first responder organizations to help build prepared and resilient communities. Community members are encouraged to know the potential risks in their areas, have emergency kits available for all members of the family, have and practice a family response plan, be trained in CERT and CPR, and become involved in their local neighborhood watch program and community preparedness efforts. For more information go to www.citizencorps.utah.gov


All above information also found in our Guide To Personal and Family Preparedness handout.

Just a little reminder of what the BRU Campaign is all about...

Utah's Emergency Preparedness Campaign

Even though we don't know when or where disasters and emergencies may strike, we do know that we can do more to be prepared for the unexpected. In the last several years, many Utahns have witnessed terrible disasters throughout our state including devastating floods and wildfires.

It's important that we learn from these events and make an effort to have a basic emergency plan and a 72-hour emergency supply kit for our families, businesses, schools, and communities.

If there is one thing we could impress upon all Utahns to make their top priority in preparedness, it is that we are able to sustain ourselves for a minimum of three days should an emergency or disaster happen.

For more information on building your emergency supply kit and other family, community, school and business preparedness resources, spend some time right here with Be Ready Utah. Make an emergency plan, get a 72-hour kit, be informed about Utah's natural hazards and get involved in helping others prepare.

Let's 'Be Ready' Utah!


Spend a little time on our website. www.bereadyutah.gov

For those new to the campaign.

About Be Ready Utah

We live in a state that is vulnerable to man-made threats and natural disasters. Since 1983, Utah has received eight presidential disaster declarations. The unexpected happened in 2005 when our state had three declarations in one year.

The Utah Department of Public Safety’s Division of Homeland Security has adopted an all-hazard approach to mitigate and prepare for, respond to, and recover from any disaster that may occur in our state.

Be Ready Utah is the State of Utah's official emergency preparedness campaign managed by the Division of Homeland Security and under the direction of Lt. Governor Greg Bell. It's designed as a bottom-up approach for preparedness with the focus on every individual's personal responsibility in preparedness first.

The Be Ready Utah campaign was officially launched in April 2005 at the annual League of Cities and Towns conference in St. George, Utah following the devastating floods in January 2005.

Be Ready Utah provides valuable information for individuals and families, communities, public safety professionals, business and civic leaders, school administrators and volunteers. We believe that preparedness leads to prosperity. Every community has the opportunity to provide resources to prepare its citizens and Be Ready Utah can help prepare Utah.

We encourage you take on the challenge to be ‘Be Ready.’ Be ready with an emergency plan. Be ready with an emergency supply kit. Be informed about Utah’s natural hazards and get to know the local emergency manager in your community. Look for opportunities to get involved and volunteer your expertise and talents. The time and effort we invest in preparing now will help us navigate through and recover quickly from what may come our way at the most unexpected moment.

Please visit BeReadyUtah.gov for more information on how to get started with simple, basic steps to preparedness.

FLOOD SAFETY AND AWARENESS

Flood/Flash Flood Facts -
- Average of nearly 100 fatalities each year, nationwide.
- Number one cause of deaths associated with thunderstorms, nationwide.
- Nearly half of all flash flood fatalities are vehicle-related.
- Six inches of fast-moving water can knock you off your feet
- A water depth of two feet will cause most vehicles to float.

Safety
- If flooding occurs, move to higher ground, away from areas subject to flooding such as dips in roads, low spots, canyons, and washes.
- Avoid areas already flooded and do not attempt to cross flowing streams.
- Never drive through flooded roadways, as the roadbed under the flood-waters may be washed out.

Flash Flood Safety in Slot Canyons
- Become familiar with the terrain and know your escape routes.
- Be aware that deadly flash flood waters can travel from many miles away with travel times of 10 hours or more.
- Always let someone know your itinerary.
- Don't enter slot canyons and rugged terrain during stormy or wet weather.
- Don't attempt to cross floodwaters by vehicle or on foot.
- Don't camp along streams and sashes if there is a threat of flooding.


Information also in our Guide to Personal and Family Preparedness handout.

DETERMINING THE LEVEL OF DISASTER -

Local and state governments share the responsibility for protecting their citizens from disasters, and helping them recover when a disaster strikes. In some cases, a disaster is beyond the capabilities of the state and local government to respond. In these cases the governor may request assistance from the federal government. Before the governor requests federal assistance a FEMA/State Preliminary Damage Assessment is typically completed to determine if federal assistance is needed. Factors considered during this assessment include:

- Amount and type of damage (number of homes destroyed or with major damage).
- Impact on the infrastructure of the affected areas.
- Imminent threats to public health and safety.
- Level of insurance coverage in place for homeowners and public facilities.
- Assistance available from other sources (federal, state, local, and voluntary organizations).

Based on the governor's request, the president may declare that a major disaster or emergency exists and activate federal programs to assist in the response and recovery effort.

The Three Categories of FEMA Assistance

Individual Assistance- aid to individuals and households. This program provides money and services to people in the declared area whose property has been damaged or destroyed and whose losses are not covered by insurance. FEMA programs are designed to meet people's basic needs. People will find that the most common form of assistance is typically a loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Individual Assistance will not make disaster victims whole. Potential assistance includes:
- Temporary housing and repair to ensure a safe place to live.
- Disaster-related medical expenses.
- Funeral expenses.
- Replacement of some essential personal property.
- Transportation costs.
- Storage expenses.
- Other forms of assistance can include crisis counseling, legal services and Disaster Unemployment Assistance.

Public Assistance- aid to state and locally owned public facilities for eligible emergency services and the repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of a public facilities or infrastructure damaged by the disaster. Certain private non-profit entities may also be eligible.

Hazard Mitigation Assistance - funding for measures designed to reduce future losses to public and private property. These funds are provided to the state, which determines what projects to fund.


This information is also found in our Guide to Personal and Family Preparedness handout.

WILDFIRE - CONTINUED

PROTECT YOUR HOME BY ZONES.


ZONE 1: Home Ignition Zone.
This is the area that includes your home and grounds immediately surrounding it, and is the most critical zone to maintain. Remove ember traps by screening all eave and other vents; cleaning out debris from under decks, and screen or enclose these areas. Move stacks of firewood away from the structure. Remove pine needles, leaves and other debris from rooftops and rain gutters. Trim weeds or other flammable vegetation, especially tree branches, back from touching or overhanging the structure.


ZONE 2: The Defensible Space Zone:
This circular area is a minimum of 30 feet from your house, and 100 feet or more on the downhill side if you live at the top of a slope. Remove dead and dying grass, shrubs and trees. Reduce the density of vegetation, by spacing plants apart, and remove "ladder" fuels that could carry fire from the ground into the treetops. Replace flammable vegetation with fire-resistant plants, green lawn, or other low-growing ground covers.


ZONE 3: Fuel Reduction Zone:
Remove undergrowth and thin out densely crowded smaller trees to reduce fire intensity. Experts recommend keeping a minimum of 10 feet of space between trees and shrubs. Trim low-hanging branches of mature trees up to six to ten feet off the ground.


Information also found in BRU Guide to Family Preparedness Handout.

WILDFIRE

A leading cause of home loss is flying embers, which can travel a half mile or more from the active fire...


Survival in a Vehicle

Roll up windows and close air vents. Drive slowly with headlights on. Do not drive through heavy smoke. If you have to stop, park away from the heaviest trees and brush. Turn headlights on and ignition off. Get on the floor and cover up with a blanket or coat. Park in an area clear of all fuel; never park on dry grass.


FIREWISE PLANTS FOR UTAH LANDSCAPING.

Throughout Utah wildland/urban interface fires are becoming more of a problem as people choose to live in previously undeveloped areas on the edges of cities, areas with trees, shrubs, and grasses that often are very flammable.

Firewise landscaping is the practice of designing, installing, and maintaining a landscape to minimize fire hazard to structures, residents, and neighbors, while maintaining components of the native ecosystems that attracted people to live in such areas in the first place. For a full list of Firewise plants, their descriptions and pictures to help you identify them, visit the Firewise website at WWW.FIREWISE.ORG


LIGHTNING AND WILDFIRES.

Although wildfires are not an actual weather phenomenon, wildfires are directly related to lightning and other weather elements. The wildfire threat typically increases in early to mid June across southern Utah and by early July across the northern sections of the state and remains high through Labor Day.

Utah averages about 1,900 wildfires each year. About two thirds of all wildfires in the Eastern Great Basin are ignited by lightning.

During periods of extreme fire danger in forest and rangelands: Avoid putting yourself in areas where you might become trapped by a wildfire. Do not use matches of anything else that could ignite a fire. Make sure that hot parts of motorized vehicles such as mufflers are not allowed to come in contact with dry grasses or other potentially flammable material.


Information also found in the BRU Guide to Family Preparedness Handout.

PET FIRST AID KIT -

1. Anti-diarrheal such as Pepto-Bismol (1/2 tab or 2 tsp for 15 lbs dogs, 1/4 tab or 1 tsp for 15 lbs in cats.
2. Antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin or triple antibiotic.
3. Antibiotic eye ointment.
4. Sterile saline eyewash.
5. Disinfectant surgical scrub and solution.
6. Cotton tipped swabs.
7. Guaze squares.
8. Guaze Roll.
9. Non-adherent sterile dressing.
10. Bandage scissors.
11. Latex gloves.
12. Sterile lubricant.
13. Vet wrap or similar.
14. Large padded bandages, or sanitary napkins.
15. Clean rags, towels, and sheets.
16. Syringes of several sizes.
17. Thermometer
18. Tweezers, and/or mosquito hemostats.
19. Mineral Oil.
20. Pet appropriate pain medication.


Information also found in the BRU Guide to Family Preparedness Handout.

ANIMAL CARE

Plan Ahead and Know How to Respond

Horses, companion and production livestock should not be turned loose or locked in a barn during an emergency. A large fenced area is the best way to protect your animals in a disaster involving extreme weather events.

Always have a week's supply of food on hand and covered. Maintain a contact list for alternate suppliers.

Have an emergency source of water at hand or near by in the event that services are temporarily disrupted. Membership in growers or producers organizations that can provide assistance in an emergency will reduce losses.

Have transportation to evacuate. Remember that borrowing from a neighbor may not be feasible. When possible, move stock out of flood or fire zones in advance; provide extra feed in severe weather events.

Have current health/vaccination records, proof of ownership and brand inspectors and extension agents.

Identify nearby and distant evacuation sites including boarding facilities, fairgrounds, arenas, etc.

Always keep a first aid kit in your truck or trailer.


Information also found in the BRU Guide to Family Preparedness Handout.

FOOD IN AN EMERGENCY -

STORAGE TIPS:
1. Keep food in a dry, cool, dark location.
2. Open food boxes and other re-sealable containers carefully so that you can close them tightly after each use.
3. Empty open packages of sugar, dried fruits, and nuts into screw-top jars or airtight canisters for protection from pests.
4. Inspect all food for signs of spoilage before use.
5. Throw out canned goods that become swollen, dented, or corroded.
6. Use foods before they go bad, and replace them with fresh supplies, dated with ink or marker. Place new items at the back of the storage area.

Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking. Choose foods that your family will eat. Avoid salty foods because they make you thirsty and water may be in short supply. Be sure to include a manual can opener and eating utensils. Here is a list of suggested food items:
- Ready-to-eat canned meets, fruits and vegetables
- Protein and fruit bars.
- Dry cereal and granola
- Peanut Butter
- Canned Juices
- Dried Fruit
- Nuts
- Crackers
- Non-perishable pasteurized milk
- Vitamins
- Food for infants or others, requiring special diets
- Comfort/stress foods

Rotate these foods into your daily menus and replace with new stock. Follow the "Best used by..." dates on cans and packaging when rotating your foods and remember to replace items that you use.

WHAT TO DO IF THE FOOD SUPPLY IS RUNNING LOW.

If activity is reduced, healthy people can survive on half their usual food intake for an extended period and without any food for many days. Food, unlike water, may be rationed safely, except for children and pregnant women.


Information found in the BRU Guide to Family Preparedness Handout.

Water in an Emergency Continued.

Water should be stored for times when the water supply is disrupted or contaminated. One gallon per person, per day, for a minimum of two weeks is recommended. Water does not need to be disinfected before it's stored if it comes from a good, pretreated source. Commercially filled bottles should be used before the "best if used by" date expires. If you fill your own containers, use the following guidelines:
- Use only food-grade containers.
- Avoid plastic containers that are not embossed with the "PETE" symbol.
- Do not sue plastic milk jugs. They do not have a good seal and can become brittle.
- Never use containers that were previously used to store non-food products.
- Wash containers with warm soapy water and rinse. Before rinsing, sanitize the container by adding water and then 1 tablespoon bleach for each gallon of water. Shake well, turn bottle upside down and let stand for 1 minute, then pour out the bleach water and let the container air-dry. Fill with tap water.
- Rotate your water by periodically emptying and refilling containers.
- Store containers in a dry, clean place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
- If there is a concrete floor, place containers on top of a piece of wood/plywood that has been placed on the floor.

Information found in the BRU Guide to Family Preparedness hand-out.

WATER IN AN EMERGENCY -

Use only water that has been properly disinfected for drinking, cooking, making any prepared drink, or for brushing teeth.

If the water is cloudy, filter it through clean cloths or allow it to settle, and draw off the clear water before using ONE of the following methods to disinfect the water:
- Boil at a rolling boil for 5 minutes.
- Add Eight drops of liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water. Let sit 30 minutes.
- Add 20 drops of 2% iodine per gallon of clear water or 40 drops per gallon of cloudy water. Let sit 30 minutes.
- Add water purification tablets according to directions on the package.
- Always use clean or purified water to wash any parts of the body that have come in contact with surfaces contaminated by flood waters.


Information found in the BRU Guide to Personal and Family Preparedness hand-out.

What to do in a Power Outage

Check fuses and circuit breakers. If the power failure is not caused inside the home or business, customers should report the outage to their electric service provider.

Try not to open refrigerators and freezers -- they will keep food and perishables inside cold for a longer period of time if not opened. Your full freezer should keep food frozen and safe to eat for about two days when kept closed during the outage.

In cold months - put blankets and towels around windows and doors to help keep the heat in.

Never use kerosene or propane heaters inside without proper ventilation. They create dangerous fumes. Also, don't ever use charcoal in your house or garage.

Stay far away from all downed power lines and utility lines. Even if the lines are not sparking, they could still be electrified and extremely dangerous. Keep everyone, including pets, out of the area and report the downed line immediately by calling 911 or the local electric service provider. Never touch a person or object that is touching a power line and never drive over downed power lines.


Make sure generators are properly wired for your home or business. Don't plug a generator into an outlet, and do not connect it directly to your home's fuse box or circuit panel. The generator must be connected through an approved transfer switch that will isolate your house from the electric utility's system. The switch must comply with the National Electric Code and local building codes. These include permits, inspection and installation by a licensed electrician. Always properly ventilate a portable generator. Gasoline powered generators produce carbon monoxide and the fumes can be deadly. Make sure that the total electric load on your generator won't exceed the generator's rating.

If a power line falls across your vehicle while you are in it, stay inside and wait for emergency personnel to cut the power. Warn others to stay away from the vehicle. If your car is on fire and you must exit, Jump - with both feet together - as far from the car as possible. Do not touch the car and the ground at the same time! Land with both feet still together and hop with both feet touching until you are a safe distance away (at least 30 feet).

Natural Gas in an Emergency: How Can You Prepare Your Home for a Disaster?

Secure your water heater. One of the most common types of earthquake damage is broken gas and water lines resulting from unsecured water heaters. A full water heater is very heavy and, if unsecured, can move during an earthquake. If it moves too far or falls over, it is likely to break both water and gas lines. It is recommended that water heaters be secured to the floor or wall to prevent such damage and to preserve the water it contains. Having a supply of clean drinking water is very important during an emergency, and your water heater can be a good sources.

To secure your water heater, you can call a contractor or do it yourself. Know how and when to turn off your Natural Gas meter. If may not be necessary to turn off your natural gas meter following an earthquake. In fact, since natural gas meters should be turned back on only by qualified persons, customers turning them off unnecessarily may end up having to wait extended periods of time for gas to be restored.

When Should You Turn Off Your Gas Meter?

- There is structural damage to your home.
- You smell Natural Gas.
- You hear gas leaking.
- There is a fire.
*** Do not shut off the gas if doing so jeopardizes your safety.

The meter shut-off valve is located next to the meter. Use a wrench to turn the valve a quarter turn in either direction to the "off" position shown in the illusion. If you turn the meter off, do not attempt to turn it back on yourself.

Family Pets need 72-Hour Kits.

1. Food, water, bowls, litter box, medicine, first aid supplies and health records for each pet.
2. Leashes, licenses, and pet carriers for each pet.
3. Identify some pet-friendly places to stay with in a 50- mile radius. Keep your pet with you if at all possible during a disaster.

Pet First Aid Kit

1. Anti-Diarrheal such as Pepto-Bismol (1/2 tab or 2 tsp for 15 lbs in dogs, 1/4 tab or 1 tsp for 15 lbs cat.)
2. Antibiotic ointment such as neosporin or triple antibiotic.
3. Antibiotic eye ointment.
4. Sterile saline eyewash.
5. Disinfectant surgical scrub and solutions.
6. Cotton tipped swabs.
7. Gauze squares.
8. Gauze Roll (Kling type).
9. Non-adherent sterile dressing.
10. Bandage scissors.
11. Latex Gloves.
12. Sterile lubricant.
13. Vet wrap.
14. Large padded bandages or sanitary napkins.
15.Clean rags, towels, and sheets.
16. Syringes of several sizes.
17. Thermometer.
18. Tweezers, and/or mosquito hemostats.
19. Mineral Oil.
20. Pet appropriate pain medications.

Large Animal Care.

Horses, companion and production livestock should not be turned loose or locked in a barn during an emergency. A large fenced area is the best way to protect your animals in a disaster involving extreme weather events.

- Always have a week's supply of food on hand and covered. Maintain a contact list for alternate suppliers.
- Have an emergency source of water at hand or near by in the event that services are temporarily disrupted. Membership in growers or producers organization that can provide assistance in an emergency will reduce losses.
- Have transportation to evacuate. Remember that borrowing from a neighbor may not be feasible. When possible, move stock out of flood or fire zones in advance; provide extra feed in severe weather events.
- Have current health/vaccination records, proof of ownership and brand or microchip identification. Know your brand inspectors and extension agents.
- Always keep a first aid kit in your truck or trailer.


The above information is also found in our Guide to Personal and Family Preparedness.

Guidelines for People with Disabilities and Special Needs

If you have physical limitations you can still protect yourself. Seniors and those with disabilities should take the following steps:

- Decide what you will be able to do for yourself and what assistance you may need before, during, and after a disaster.

- Create a support network of family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers who could assist you with evacuation plans and medical information. Ask them to check on you following a disaster.

- Make an information list that includes those who should be notified if you are injured.

- Compile medical information with names and numbers of doctors, medication and dosage, allergies, and any existing conditions.



The above information is found in our Guide to Personal and Family Preparedness handout.

- Plan ahead with your home health care agency for emergency procedures.


Utah Special Needs Registry

This service allows individuals with special needs to provide information about their situations to emergency response agencies.The information is used to help agencies improve their capability to respond to a disaster and to serve special needs populations. Only emergency response agencies have access to the information that is collected by the Utah Special Needs Registry. To learn more, visit:

www.BeReadyUtah.gov
www.specialneedsutah.org
Dial 2-1-1 on your phone or Relay users call 1-888-826-9790

The Family Emergency Plan Cont. from a couple weeks ago.

Utah is exposed to a variety of natural disasters such as floods, wild-land fires, severe weather, and earthquakes. The state also deals with hazardous materials. Before disaster strikes, make sure that your family, business, school, and community have emergency plans. Preparing the people of Utah for whatever disasters may arise is one of the main goals of the Department of Public Safety, Division of Homeland Security and Be Ready Utah.

You are encouraged to take four major steps toward preparedness: Make a Plan, Get a Kit, Be Informed, and Get Involved. Because disasters can happen at any time; at home, at work, at school, or elsewhere, your family emergency plan needs to describe how and where your family will reunite should members be separated. It should also include what you will do if water, natural gas, electricity, or telephone services are not available.

For more information that will help you to prepare for any emergency or disaster, visit www.bereadyutah.gov.

TIPS FOR PET OWNERS

When preparing your home for
an earthquake, don’t forget to
include your pets on the list.
They will depend on you even
more after an earthquake to
take care of them and their
needs.

Before an Earthquake

Store enough food and water to last for 72
hours, preferably for one week. Prepare a
shelter or evacuation kit for your pet,
including an unbreakable dish, veterinarian
records, a restraint (leash or pet carrier) and
medication with instructions.

Keep you pet’s ID tag up-to-date.

Make sure nothing can fall on your pet.

Arrange for a neighbor to take care of
your pet if you are not able to get home after
earthquake.

During and After an Earthquake

Do not try to hold on to your pet during
the shaking. Animals will instinctively
protect themselves and hide where they’re
safe. If you get in their way, even the nicest
pets can turn on you.

Be patient with your pets after a quake.
They get stressed just like people and need
time to readjust. They may disappear for
some time, but they generally show up again
when things have calmed down.

If you have outdoor pets, you should keep
them indoors until the aftershocks have
subsided and they have calmed down.

If you must evacuate your home, leave
your pet secured in a safe place. Pets will
not be allowed at shelters. Be sure to leave
plenty of clean water and food. If possible,
visit pet daily until you can return home.

This information is from the Utah Seismic Safety Commission and is found on our website HERE.

ORGANIZING YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, after an earthquake.

After an earthquake or other
disaster, emergency response
agencies could be overburdened
and might not be able to get to
your neighborhood immediately.
You and your neighbors or
coworkers may need to take the
initial emergency response
actions and take care of others for
at least 72 hours. Past
earthquakes have thrust many
untrained people into positions of
providing first aid and rescuing
people. You need to be prepared!
If a response team has not been
organized in your neighborhood
or workplace, form one now.
Joining and forming a community
response team can greatly
improve your chances of surviving
an earthquake and can
improve the self-sufficiency of
neighborhood.

Training

Learn simple firefighting techniques.

Learn basic search-and-rescue skills.

Learn to assess yourself, your family and
coworkers for injuries.

Learn to assess your home and workplace
for hazards or damage.

Learn to assess your community for
hazards, needs and available resources.

Contact your local police and fire
departments, city/county Office of
Emergency Services, American Red Cross
chapter or community college to arrange for
speakers and training workshops. Response
teams should arrange to participate in
annual earthquake exercises sponsored by
local government and businesses.

Inventory Your Neighbors’ Skills

As a part of the community response team
planning process, teams should conduct an
inventory of the skills and resources
available at home, work and community.
You should have this information on hand.

Before an earthquake for efficient,
effective responses. Identify people who:

Have medical, electrical, child-care,
leadership, firefighting, and survival skills.

Own chain saws, citizen band radios, four
wheel drive vehicles, motorcycles and water
purifiers.

Are willing and able to be a
runner/bicycler to deliver messages if
telephone lines are down.


Every home or office has people with
special needs. Your neighborhood
response team should work with these
individuals in advance to determine what
extra assistance or supplies they may
require after an earthquake or other
emergency.
Some of the people who may
require special assistance included:

Physically Challenged

Deaf or hearing impaired

Blind

Limited mobility—wheelchair-bound

Persons who require special oxygen
supply

Persons with significant medical
conditions

Other

Children who spend time alone

Non-English speaking

Store Supplies

In addition to the water, food and other
supplies that everyone needs to stock,
members of the community response
team should store tools. Items such as the
following should be stored in a central
and easily accessible location.

Gloves and goggles

Adjustable wenches

Hard hats and vest

Flashlights with extra batteries

Axes and crowbars

Ropes

This information is from the Utah Seismic Safety Commission and is found on our website HERE.

HOW TO SECURE YOUR FURNITURE.

You must secure the contents of
your home or office to reduce
hazards. You should secure
anything heavy enough to hurt
you if it falls on you. Here are
steps you should take to secure
your possessions.

Secure Tabletop Objects

TVs, stereos, computers, lamps and
chinaware can be secured with buckles and
safety straps attached to the tabletop (which
allows for easy movement of the units when
needed) or with hook and loop fasteners
glued to both the table and the unit.

Glass and pottery objects can be secured
with nondrying putty or microcrystalline
wax.

Secure Items in Your Kitchen

Use child-proof latches, hook and eye
latches or positive catch latches, designed
for boats, to secure your cabinet doors.

Make sure your gas appliances have
flexible connectors to reduce the risk of fire.

Secure your refrigerator to prevent
movement.

Anchor Your Furniture

Secure the tops of all top-heavy furniture
such as bookcases and file cabinets to the
wall. Be sure to anchor to the stud, not just
to the plasterboard. Flexible fasteners such
as nylon straps allow tall objects to sway
without falling over, reducing the strain on
the studs.

Protect Yourself from Broken Glass

Replace your windows with ones made
from safety glass or cover them with a
strong shatter-resistant film. Be sure you use
safety film and not just a solar filter.

Secure Overhead Objects

Ceiling lights and fans should be
additionally supported with a cable bolted to
the ceiling joist. The cable should have
enough slack to allow it to sway.

Framed pictures, especially glass-covered,
should be hung from closed hooks so that
they can't bounce off. Only soft art such as
tapestries should be placed over beds and
sofas.

This information is from the Utah Seismic Safety Commission and is found on our website HERE.