Learn how to communicate in an emergency March 22
The LW Community Emergency Response Team (LW CERT) will meet on Friday, March. 22, at 9 a.m. in Clubhouse 3, Room 9, for a class on how to communicate in an emergency. LW CERT’s free monthly safety classes are 45 minutes long and all residents are welcome to join.
Each month CERT gives a valuable gift to an attendee. During February’s class, Michelle Potter won the drawing for an assortment of safety straps to secure heavy furniture, safety cabinet locks and museum putty for small objects. All are available at any local big box store.
At the February LW CERT safety class, President Catherine O’Brien distributed a FEMA “Be Prepared for an Earthquake” handout and gave a presentation on how residents can make their homes safer before, during and after an earthquake. Tips included removing objects above the bed, having a bag with clothes, shoes and flashlight secured to the bed frame and strapping heavy furniture to a wall stud.
If you are in bed when the earthquake strikes, stay put. Lie on your stomach and place a pillow over your head and neck, keeping your hands behind your
LW CERT Instructor Farah McCartney (l) with Michelle Potter head to secure the pillow. After an earthquake, exam yourself for injuries. Check for leaks and learn how to turn off your water, if necessary, and once you’re safe, check on your neighbors.
The LW CERT will hold a training on March 12. Classes are held from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays for six weeks. During the training, residents are taught to:
• Plan for emergencies, power outages, and earthquakes.
• Protect themselves and others by learning skills such as basic first aid, using a fire extinguisher, and reacting in an emergency.
• Recover and get back on their feet after a disaster. For more information, contact Eloy Gomez at 562-431-6586, ext. 2356, or email eloyg@lwsb.com. — Karen Olson