Most of the time, weather in Los Angeles is mild, but it can occasionally be faced with weather emergencies. While winter storms are not likely to affect Los Angeles residents, other prominent weather emergencies of the area include wildfire, floods, mud slides, earthquakes and power outages. These threats can strike at any time with little warning, so it’s important that you be prepared by gathering the right supplies and making a plan.
Gather supplies
Keep emergency equipment in a backpack or other easy-to-carry case that you can use at home or take with you in the event of an evacuation. Here’s what to include in your kit for weather emergencies:
- Plenty of drinking water
- Non-perishable food and can opener
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Portable radio
- First aid kit and medications
- Multi-purpose tool
- Personal hygiene supplies
- Important documents (medical information, passports, social security cards, birth certificates, lease to the house, insurance policies, etc.)
- Emergency contact information
- Extra cash
- Map of the area
Make a plan
You may not be at home or with your family when weather emergencies strike, so you should have a plan for finding one another if this happens. Tips for making a plan include the following:
- Decide where to meet up: This might be at a certain spot right outside the home in case of sudden emergencies, such as a fire. It could be somewhere outside the neighborhood if an evacuation is necessary.
- Identify each family member’s responsibilities in an emergency: Plan to work together as a team, assigning each person a job during weather emergencies such as gathering the emergency kits, taking care of the family pet or getting transportation in order.
- Know which out-of-area person your family will contact: Long-distance friends and family want to know you’re safe. Have their information memorized or saved on your cell phone so you can contact them when weather emergencies strike.
- Plan ahead for your pets: Know which hotels in the area are pet-friendly, and locate animal shelters along predetermined evacuation routes.
For more information on preparing for weather emergencies, please contact Around the Clock in Los Angeles today.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Los Angeles, North Hollywood and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about weather emergencies and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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