Your Emergency Planning Effort

Take small steps to increase your disaster preparedness. First, know your risks at home and at work. What industry do you work in? Are there chemical, fire, or other physical hazards? Where do you live and work and what are the earthquake, flood, wildfire, risks? Knowing your risks helps you identify necessary supplies, equipment, and procedures.

Know the procedures for evacuations, spill cleanup, earthquakes, and fire suppression. Be familiar with the alarm systems at work and home (silent, audible, strobes, speakers, etc.). Know where the nearest exits are and use them. Know where you should assemble outside the building to check in.

Make a home emergency plan and discuss with your family. Everyone should know how to communicate and where to meet in a disaster. Make special disaster plans for pets and family members with special needs along with schools and daycare facilities.

Build your disaster kit at home, work, and in the car. Begin with water and food. Add a first aid kit. Consider a radio or phone with phone lists. Add tools such as a flashlight, scissors, and knife. Add necessary medications, eyeglasses, comfortable shoes, warm clothes, and blankets.

Be trained in CPR and First Aid so that you can help others if they are hurt. Know how to use a fire extinguisher safely. Practice and drill emergency procedures so that you will be calm, capable, and prepared when disaster strikes. Think safe! Don't Panic.

For more tips, see the California Office of Emergency Services website at www.oes.ca.gov.

Bicycling in Traffic & Safety

Plan ahead
• If you are familiar with the traffic patterns, be sure to get in the correct position early.
• Keep in mind the relative speed between you and other traffic; plan accordingly.
• Be aware of road conditions that could block your progress across lanes.
Scan
• Look for traffic, pedestrians, and hazards in front of and behind you.
• Identify lane markings and traffic control devices affecting the next intersection.
• Note bus stops, driveways, crosswalks, and other special traffic zones.
Signal
• Signal your intention to turn or change lanes if you and other traffic are moving at a uniform speed.
• Signal when oncoming traffic can react safely.
Improvise
• If you get caught between lanes while crossing traffic, ride the white line until clear.

If traffic is too heavy while changing lanes, use crosswalks. Ride to red light then move to left turn lane if volume and speed do not allow crossing. The more comfortable you are riding a bicycle in traffic, the more routes you will have available to you. Practice your safety skills and riding habits so you will be ready to use them.

Be safe.