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How to Survive a Tsunami

You may think tsunamis are impossible to survive if you’ve seen videos of elevated tides rushing toward a shoreline filled with people. Following a massive earthquake, tumultuous, powerful water covers the shoreline and beach, overpowering bystanders and seawalls. Once you have information about the causes and signs of an impending tsunami, you won’t fear for …

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Wildfire Safety

Evacuation Tips If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. Know your evacuation route ahead of time and prepare an evacuation checklist and emergency supplies. Wear protective clothing and footwear to protect yourself from flying sparks and ashes. Before You Leave, Prepare Your House Remove combustibles, including firewood, yard waste, barbecue grill, and fuel cans from …

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Volcano Safety

Preparation Before an Eruption Learn about your community warning systems and emergency plans. Be prepared for the hazards that can accompany volcanoes:-Mudflows and flash floods-Landslides and rockfalls-Earthquakes-Ashfall and acid rain-Tsunamis Make evacuation plans.If you live in a known volcanic hazard area, plan a route out and have a backup route in mind. Develop an emergency …

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Spiders and Scorpions

Remove spiders from shelters Shake out and inspect clothing, shoes, and bedding before use Clean beneath and behind large items; spiders and scorpions may be resting in these areas Wear gloves or cover hands when handling items that have been stored for long periods Check around rocks and logs before resting against them Use a long …

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Snake Safety

Do not handle, play with, or disturb snakes or other wildlife. Avoid swimming in areas where snakes abound. Keep hands off rock ledges where snakes may be hiding or sunning. Look over the area before sitting down, especially if in deep grass or among rocks. If snakes are known to inhabit the area, sleep off the ground, if …

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Quicksand

Quicksand is made up mostly of four ingredients – sand, water, salt and clay. When subject to vibration, the mushy mixture can not support any weight thus, if the quicksand is disturbed (you step in it), the dense layers will begin packing tightly around the body part as you sink and become trapped. Your movements …

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Lightning Safety

Lack of awareness about what to do during thunderstorms seems to be a factor in many lightning injuries and deaths. Outdoors is the most dangerous place to be during a lightning storm. Because lightning can travel sideways for up to 10 miles, blue skies are not a sign of safety. If you hear thunder, take …

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Landslides and Mudslides

Landslides and mudslides are mass downhill movements of rock, earth or debris. Landslides are caused by disturbances in the natural stability of a slope. They can be caused by heavy rains, earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. Mudslides, also called Debris Flows are a common type of fast moving landslide that tends to flow in channels. Mudslides develop when …

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Ice Safety

There is no such thing as 100 percent safe ice. You can’t judge the strength of ice just by it’s appearance, age, thickness, temperature, or whether or not the ice is covered with snow. Strength is based on all of these factors – plus the depth of the water under the ice, size of the …

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Hurricane Safety

A hurricane is nothing to be treated lightly. Torrential rain, cutting winds, and surges that can tear down the strongest of buildings require preparation. Review the following hurricane safety tips checklist and be prepared. It may help you and your loved ones survive a potentially deadly hurricane season. How to Prepare for the Annual Hurricane …

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Hiking Safety

Learn to use a topographic map, GPS and compass and always carry themTrust your compass. Many people get lost because they don’t believe their compass. Global Positioning Systems (GPS) units have become very affordable and can be extremely useful. However, they are only an aid to navigation and must be used along with a compass and map. Knowing your …

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Flash Floods

A flash flood is one that rises and falls rapidly with little or no advance warning. Flash Flooding occurs when the ground becomes saturated with water that has fallen too quickly to be absorbed. Ice jams on rivers can be in a winter or spring thaw, a dam can give way, or heavy rains and thunderstorms can …

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Fire Safety

Do not attempt to use a fire inside your shelter for warmth. Build fires downwind and well away from a flammable shelter. Maintain at least a three-foot clear area, free of leaves, dry grass, pine needles, etc., around the fire. Store extra firewood / tinder at least 6 feet away from the burning fire. Store flammable liquids outside and well away from …

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