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PrepareLA

  1. Bottled water has expiration dates, usually in small white print near the cap. Check dates on food and water in your kit every six months.
  2. Only burn firewood in your fireplace - not pine cones, trash or gift wrap, which can release harmful chemicals.
  3. It may not seem very festive to talk about disasters, but family gatherings are a great time to discuss emergency plans.
  4. People with disabilities can register with their local fire department, so they know to provide extra help in an emergency.
  5. Red Cross CEO Gail McGovern visited L.A. and inspired volunteers & staff. Read about it at http://redcrossla.org/news/gailmcgoverninla
  6. During an emergency, children take their emotional cues from adults. Be as calm and reassuring as possible.
  7. Seen a big white Red Cross storage unit near your park or school? It’s one of 80 in the LA area filled with disaster relief supplies.
  8. Install child-safe latches on your kitchen cabinets to keep them closed during an earthquake.
  9. In cold weather, dress babies and young children in one more layer of clothing than an adult would wear.
  10. Always discard hot ashes from your fireplace in a metal container, and place it outside your home.
  11. If someone in your family is sick with the flu, designate one person as the caregiver to minimize the spread of the virus.
  12. When you have houseguests, let them know about your emergency plans.
  13. For realtime updates on the latest earthquake activity, go to http://earthquake.usgs.gov/
  14. If you use a space heater, make sure it’s been tested for safety. Look for a label such as ETL, UL or CSA.
  15. Beware of products being sold on the internet claiming to prevent or cure the H1N1 virus. The FDA has identified over 75 such scams.
  16. Don't leave your Christmas tree lit when you're not home. It's a fire hazard and a waste of electricity.
  17. Store dangerous and flammable household chemicals away from all heat sources.
  18. Learn by doing. Volunteering with the Red Cross lets you help others and yourself: www.redcrossla.org/volunteers/
  19. Pick a fresh Christmas tree and keep it hydrated, then keep it away from candles and open flame. A dry tree can catch fire in seconds.
  20. Next time you stay at a hotel, take home the travel-sized toiletries and put them in your emergency kit.