Neighborhood News January-February 2019 LNNN Oct-Dec 2019

October - December 2019 Laguna Niguel Neighborhood News CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL • LAGUNA NIGUEL POLICE SERVICES COMMUNITY PUBLICATION Preparing Makes Sense. Get Ready Now. canned foods. Be sure to include warm clothes and a sleeping bag for each member of the family. ■  Also, include duct tape and heavyweight garbage bags or plastic sheeting that can be used to seal windows and doors if you need to create a barrier between yourself and any potential contamination outside. The likelihood that you and your family will survive a house fire depends as much on having a working smoke detector and an exit strategy, as on a well-trained fire department. The same is true for surviving a terrorist attack or other emergency. We must have the tools and plans in place to make it on our own, at least for a period of time, no matter where we are when disaster strikes. Just like having a working smoke detector, preparing for the unexpected makes sense. 1. GET A KIT of Emergency Supplies Be prepared to improvise and use what you have, on hand, to make it on your own for at least three days, maybe longer. While there are many things that might make you more comfortable, think first about fresh water, food and clean air. ■  Consider two kits. In one, put everything you will need to stay where you are and make it on your own. The other should be a lightweight, smaller version you can take with you if you have to get away. ■  You’ll need a gallon of water, per person, per day, for drinking and sanitation. Include in the kits a three day supply of non-perishable foods that are easy to store and prepare such as protein bars, dried fruit or 2.  MAKE A PLAN For What You Will Do in an Emergency. Be prepared to assess the situation. Use common sense and whatever you have on hand to take care of yourself and your loved ones. ■  Develop a Family Communications Plan. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so plan how you will contact one another and review what you will do in different situations. Consider a plan where each family member calls, or e-mails, the same friend or relative in the event of an emergency. It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact