Tuesday night's magnitude 4.0 earthquake off the Southern California coast near Malibu reminds us that disasters can strike without warning.

Unforeseen emergencies can not only injure us, but force us to evacuate our neighborhood, workplace or school - or even confine us to home.

What would you do...

...if basic services - water, gas, electricity and telephones - were entirely cut off? ...if roads were impassible or Neighborhood Firefighters were committed to major emergencies and unable to reach you right away?

The answer is Preparedness!

The men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department want you and your family to be safe. Here are some tips for getting and staying prepared:

• Know the types of disasters that can occur in your community.
• Make a family emergency plan that coordinates with your school, work and neighborhood plans. Practice them with the every member of your household - and don't forget your pets!
• Create a disaster supplies kit that includes enough supplies for each family member for at least three days. Remember to check your kit every six months.
• Teach children about emergencies, including when to call for help, where you'll meet and how you'll communicate following a disaster.
• If you commute to work, know alternate routes and carry appropriate supplies, such as a disaster kit in your car - and a compact kit with bare essentials such as a small flashlight and whistle when on public transportation.

Being prepared helps you and your family minimize the impact of a disaster such as an earthquake or an emergency such as fire, injury or severe illness.

The LAFD suggests these resources to help you prepare:

• American Red Cross - Preparedness Fast Facts
• CDC - Emergency Preparedness and Response
• CERT - Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT - LA)
• Dare To Prepare
• Earthquake Country
• Emergency Preparedness for People With Disabilities
• FEMA - Are You Ready? Guide
• Ready Kids
• LAFD - Daily Tips from Disaster Preparedness Month
• LAFD - Emergency Preparedness Booklet
• MySafeLA.org
• Preparedness Today - What You Need To Do!
• Ready.gov
• ReadyLA.org

The time to get ready for unexpected situations is right now - while you have time to listen, learn and plan!

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department