Preparing for Natural Disasters—Because Waiting is so Y2K!

Welcome back to your weekly dose of life-saving wisdom! This week, we’re diving headfirst into the topic of preparation for natural disasters, specifically earthquakes and wildfires. If you think these events are just exciting plot twists in your favorite Netflix disaster movie, think again! Spoiler alert: Things are about to get really real, and btw they’re not nearly as entertaining.

Earthquakes: The Ground-Shaking Reality!

Remember the Northridge Earthquake of 1994? A 6.7 magnitude rollercoaster that had Angelinos feeling a bit too shaken baby syndrome with their own personalized shaking! Many residents were left scrambling, unsure if they should grab their favorite snack or flee the house entirely. Most said, “I had no idea it would be this bad!” But let's talk about what “being ready” actually means.

If you think slapping a band-aid on your emergency preparedness is enough—you know, like assuming your car’s full tank of gas and half-eaten protein bar in the glove compartment are enough—think again! You need a plan! And no, it doesn't involve waiting for your neighbor to start packing up his vintage vinyl collection as a warning signal.

- Get prepared now: Invest in a sturdy emergency kit that includes food, water, batteries, a flashlight, a first-aid kit, and some classic “I love you” cards to leave behind for search and rescue; you know, just in case they need the emotional boost while rummaging through your stuff!

Wildfires: Smoke Signals of Sooty Survival!

And then there are wildfires, reminding us that it’s not just the ground that can shake—sometimes it can blaze, too! The Eaton and Palisades fires highlighted just how quickly the flames can turn a backyard barbecue into a multi-alarm emergency. While you may have thought, "Nah, California’s fire season won’t affect me,” many learned the hard way that the only thing that should be burning is the s’mores over a cozy campfire, not your neighborhood.

Here’s a raw reality check: Most people affected by the fires had one common takeaway: “I wasn’t ready.” Imagine that! You didn’t think the wind would sustain gusts at 100mph and it was going to rain fire, and yet there we were watching house after house catch fire faster than you can say, “wildfire!.” Two of our very own instructors, worked those fires being that they are professional firefighters, and they share their horrific firsthand experiences.

- Have an evacuation plan: Know your evacuation routes and have a go-bag packed with essentials. You might want to replace that half-eaten protein bar in your car—this time, try actual food. And while you're at it, throw in some dog food too. Milo deserves some gourmet treats in an emergency, right?

The Question of the Week

If you had knowledge that a disaster was going to strike in 48 hours, what would you do to prepare?

Panic and freeze like a deer in headlights? Binge-watch disaster documentaries for tips? Or, would you finally put that emergency kit together you promised yourself you’d do “next weekend”? Spoiler alert: the weekend is now!

Final Thoughts: Your Call to Action

As your trusty lifeline to disaster preparedness, We urge you not to wait until you’re the one left watching the news in your pajamas at some temporary shelter, wondering how it could have happened to you.

Be proactive! Get that emergency plan in place, prepare your supplies. Knowledge isn’t power, its just information. How you respond to that information will determine its power.

Until next week, stay safe, stay prepared, and remember—when disaster strikes, it’s time for action, not a last-minute scavenger hunt!

Yours in safety,

IHH Staff

P.S. Keep that emergency kits stocked, and when in doubt, call your friendly neighborhood CPR instructor Team—who just so happens to know how to save you from more than just a choking hazard!