Secure your home

Check alarms and extinguishers

Why? You may have as little as two minutes to escape if a fire starts in your home. In the event of a fire, smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying almost in half.

Resources: Fire - Be Informed - Emergency Preparedness - Alameda County, Home Fires | Ready.gov, Home Fire Prevention & Safety Tips | American Red Cross, Fire Safety Equipment | Red Cross

Have 7 gallons of water per person

Why? In the event of emergency each family member should have one gallon of water per person per day for at least seven days.

Resources: Be Alameda Ready | City of Alameda, Prepare Our Island: Week 1 - Water (video)

Gather and store food

Why? In the event of a major emergency, roads could be blocked, stores could be closed, and restaurants may be rendered inoperable. Your own kitchen may also not be usable, so gathering and storing food for all family members (including pets) is an essential part of emergency preparation.

Resources:  Be Alameda Ready | City of Alameda, Prepare Our Island: Week 2: Food (video), Prepare Our Island Week 2: Food (PDF)

Copy important documents

Why? You may very well need but not have access to documents or on-line information that identifies you, your financial accounts, important contact numbers, and your medical needs and insurance coverage in the event of an emergency.

Resources: Be Alameda Ready | City of Alameda, Prepare Our Island: Week 4: Important Documents (video), Prepare Our Island Week 4: Important Documents (PDF)

Assemble emergency prep kit

Why? You will need an appropriate bin for your supplies and an appropriate place to store it in the event of disaster.

Resources: Be Alameda Ready | City of Alameda, Prepare Our Island: Week 3: Household Bin (video), Prepare Our Island Week 3: Family Supplies Bin (PDF)

Prepare for power outages

Why? You should keep your household prepared for a short power outage, have basic supplies on hand such as flashlights and extra batteries, and stock up on nonperishable food in the event of a power outage.

Resources: Outages | Alameda Municipal Power, CA, Public Safety Power Shutoffs | Alameda Municipal Power, CA, Preparing for a Power Outage | Alameda Municipal Power, CA

Know when & how to shut off utilities

Why? In an emergency only if you smell gas, hear gas escaping, see a broken gas line, or suspect a gas leak it is important to shut your gas off at the main gas service shutoff valve.

Resources: Gas Safety, Safety First | Alameda Municipal Power, CA

Practice an earthquake drill

Why? There is a 72% probability of a nearby earthquake in the next 30 years with a magnitude of 6.7 or higher (fallen buildings, broken gas and water lines, fires).

Resources: Be Alameda Ready | City of Alameda, Prepare Our Island Week 8: Family Plan, Family Drill

Secure your space

Why? Imagine your entire home or workplace being picked up and shaken during an earthquake – even heavy objects can fall or be thrown around! This usually causes the most injuries during earthquakes, and replacing items or repairing damages can also be very costly.

Resources: Secure Your Space (PDF)

Strengthen your home or business (for building owners)

Why? Most houses, apartment buildings, or commercial buildings are not as safe as they could be, especially if they are more than 30 years old.

Resources: Be Alameda Ready | City of Alameda, Week 7: Secure Your Home (video), Prepare Our Island Week 7: Prepare your Home (PDF), See step 4 in the Earthquake Country Alliance Guide

Prepare for flooding and tsunami

Why? Floods are the most common natural hazard in the United States and as a low-lying island Alameda is particularly vulnerable.

Resources: Be Alameda Ready | City of Alameda, Prepare for Storm Season | City of Alameda

Understand flood zones

Why? It is important to understand your home's vulnerability to flooding to better prepare since as a low-lying island Alameda is particularly vulnerable.

Resources: ART Bay Shoreline Flood Explorer, City of Alameda Floodplain Management FAQ (PDF)

Prepare for extreme temperatures:

Why? Among weather-related hazards, extreme heat generally results in the highest death rate.

Resources: Open Cooling Facilities (Public) - Veoci, Heat and Health Resources - Planning - Community Development Agency - Alameda County