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American
Red Cross
Disaster Services
Disaster
Preparedness for People With Disabilities
MAKING
YOUR HOME OR OFFICE SAFER
One
of the best ways to reduce the damages from a disaster
and avoid possible injuries is to prepare for disasters
ahead of time. This will mitigate, or lessen, the effects
of a disaster. Here are some suggestions on how you
can make your home or office safer before a disaster
strikes.
- Check
hallways, stairwells, doorways, windows, and other
areas for hazards that may keep you from safely leaving
a building during an emergency. Secure or remove furniture
and other items that may block your path. This will
allow you to have several unblocked passages to travel
after a disaster.
-
Keep emergency lights plugged into electrical wall
outlets. These lights automatically turn on if there
is a power outage and may help light your escape paths
for you or your network. Emergency lights will remain
lit for four to six hours; however, you can turn them
off by hand during the daytime to save their battery
charge.
In
the event of an earthquake-
- Bolt
pictures, mirrors, curio cabinets, and other heavy
objects to wall studs using the appropriate hardware.
-
Bolt bookcases to wall studs. Use bungee cords or
a strip of wood nailed to the edge of the shelf to
keep books from falling off.
-
Strap your water heater and other large appliances
to wall studs using strap iron (sometimes called plumber's
tape).
-
Use latches on cabinets so that their contents do
not fall out when the building shakes.
-
Use hook-and-loop fasteners (such as Velcro®)
to secure typewriters, computers, oxygen equipment,
and other heavy items to sturdier objects.
Additional
Information
Call
your local American Red Cross to learn about the resources
available to help you, your family, and friends prepare
for a disaster. Your Red Cross chapter can also help
you find out about other local programs and services
offered to the public.
All
Red Cross disaster assistance is free of charge. This
is made possible by the generous contributions of the
American people's time, money, and skills. The Red Cross
is not a government agency. Financial support of your
local Red Cross helps make copies of this booklet and
other disaster education materials available to your
community as well as to communities nationwide. Your
support is appreciated.
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