Prepare for a disaster by creating a ‘go bag’

CERT

An emergency can happen at any time and all residents need to be prepared. Leisure World has in place a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program to train volunteers in the community in disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact the area and in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations. Emergency preparedness for you and your family begins with making a “go bag.” Leisure World CERT volunteers have a summer project to help every resident prepare for an emergency by packing a go bag. Go bags are a cache of supplies a person can grab immediately in case of a power outage or if they must evacuate their home. Every resident can create their own go bag, and every person’s go bag will vary. It should contain the basics you would need for several days like water, food, medicine, a flashlight, extra clothing and other items vital to a person’s peace of mind. The LW Community Guide has emergency tips for residents (pages 90-96) including a go bag checklist. If anyone has questions about the LW CERT team or needs help assembling a go bag, email catherinesealbeach@gmail.com.

Stop by the CERT and go bag tables at the Life Options Expo on Friday, July 29, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Clubhouse 4. CERT volunteers will be there to provide information on both the Leisure World CERT program and the Go Bag project.

-Beth Greeley