There is no doubt that we need to be more prepared for these disasters here at Citrus College. Students that just keep an area under their desk clear in class may save lives during an earthquake.
Though there have been several large-scale natural disasters nationwide, as Californian students we should be more than aware of steps to take to help lessen the impact of a disaster. In July 2006, the Central Valley and Los Angeles regions suffered a severe heat wave that went on for nearly two weeks.
Temperatures reached above 110 degrees. After six days of scorching heat, 140 elderly Fresno residents died from complications related to these extreme temperatures.
These deaths could have been avoided if the proper precautions were taken.
More cooling appliances in our homes could help us survive extreme temperatures spikes. The same concept can easily be applied to heating fixtures in case of a winter storm. The key is to be aware of your environment and all possible environmental threats.
We don’t mean to cause undue fear or panic in our readers, but to encourage you to realize that you should always be mindful of the threat of a natural disaster.
The problem is many people understand that they can be in danger at any moment but are never prepared for it.
Here at Citrus, we can do our part with something as simple as placing signs in classrooms that alert students of what to do in case of a natural disaster. We see warning signs in planes, buses, and even around pool areas but never in classrooms. These signs help guide us in case of emergencies and are greatly essential for our well being.
The sign itself will not protect you from falling rocks or fires, but it may make viewers consider the question “What if?” That question is one that students often decide to set aside, and is also the question that brings us one step closer to being prepared.
Being too precautious is never a bad thing. Students can prepare themselves by storing canned foods and bottled water in classes. In the case of a disaster, or even a hostage situation where students are enclosed inside a classroom they can have food and water to survive for the time it takes to be rescued.
It is important that we understand the damage natural disasters can cause and how we can be ready for them. When the day comes that we need to be ready for a disaster we will be grateful that we have already started the procedures we must take to make it out alive.
