Q: With the recent Mountain Fire and all the power outages, I am feeling anxious about what to do in an emergency. How should I prepare in case something happens to me?
A: The Mountain Fire that started in early November has been a stark reminder of the dangers of fire season and high winds. It is also a good reminder of the importance of being prepared and having a plan. Sadly, many homes burned down. Those impacted can find resources and recovery information at https://www.venturacountyrecovers.org/ or by calling 211.
It is normal that this recent disaster sparks some anxiety and worry in those of us nearby. Aside from the fire there were also power outages in many neighboring cities as a technique to help prevent more fires from starting during the extreme high winds. Thinking ahead and preparing how to handle a long power outage as well as a local fire can help ease some of your anxiety.
You want to be sure you are getting accurate and up to date information. Make sure you are registered with Southern California Edison for notifications on Public Safety Power Outages. If you rely on electric medical equipment and are not part of their Medical Baseline Program, you can still notify them, and they will take extra steps to notify you about outages in your area that could result in your home losing power. You can learn more on their website here https://www.sce.com/outage-center/outage-alerts
If you live in Ventura County, you can register for the VC Alert Emergency Notification System. Once registered, you will receive time-sensitive emergency alerts in English and Spanish when there is a threat to health and safety. These may include evacuation warnings, weather advisories, policing incidents and public health alerts. You can register online at www.vcalert.org or by phone at 805-648-9283.
If you live in Los Angeles County you can register with Alert LA County. Register online at https://ready.lacounty.gov/alerts/ or call 211 for help registering.
While being notified about a power outage does not stop the outage from happening, it can mean a lot to have that time to prepare. If you have medical equipment that relies on power, then have a plan in place on what you will do if you are notified about an outage. Have a backup source of power like a generator or have a plan to go to a center that provides public space and power such as a library or senior center, or friend or family member’s home.
Prepare your home with the supplies you will need for power outages, such as enough flashlights, batteries, and candles. Flameless candles are a great and safe option. There are light bulbs that charge while plugged in and then when the power goes out can run for sometimes up to 48 hours.
Be prepared to evacuate in the case of a fire nearby. Stay on top of the local alerts and any evacuation orders. If you or your loved ones need extra time to evacuate or need assistance, then leave before you are required to leave to ensure you have the time needed. Talk to local family and friends ahead of time to ask if they can be called to come and assist you if needed.
Make sure you know how to manually open any garages or gates as needed if the power is out when you need to evacuate. Have a plan for what you will take when you leave if you do not have much time. You can build a ready bag to have near the door and then include a list of items to add in the moment so you do not forget. It should include medications, any medical supplies, important paperwork and phone numbers, prescription glasses, any pet supplies, as well as valuable or meaningful items you want to save. The Ready.Gov website gives a great amount of information on how to prepare for all kinds of emergencies: https://www.ready.gov/
Planning and thinking through what you will do will drastically reduce your stress in the moment. Allow yourself the time to think about the possibilities so you can make a plan, and then remind yourself that you have what you need, and you are safe in the moment. A good plan is like insurance; you hope you will not need to use it, but if you do, it is invaluable.
Martha Shapiro can be reached at Senior Concerns at 805-497-0189 or by email at mshapiro@seniorconcerns.org.
