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A wound infection occurs when bacteria grows within the damaged skin of an injury. You may treat a minor wound infection by yourself, but you will need immediate medical attention if the infection becomes more severe. If you receive a wound during a disaster, you should try to clean and protect it as much as you can to prevent infection.

Disasters can strike at a moment’s notice. We may not have enough time to recall and pack what we need in such event. Make sure your emergency kits have the necessary items you and your family need before evacuating.

Someone choking or experiencing a closed airway can be sudden and shocking, yet knowing how to respond in the right situations can save a person’s life. Here are a few scenarios and how to respond when a loved one experiences a closed airway.

Not only do we have to pack extra items to complete our emergency bags and organize our families during dire events, but we must also figure a way out of our dangerous environment. Planning an escape route is stressful, especially if extreme weather makes it nearly impossible to navigate your cities, e.g. blocked roads or fallen buildings.

CPR stands for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. It is a lifesaving procedure performed when the heart stops beating. If someone is going through cardiac arrest, immediate CPR can double or triple the chances of survival. Even if you are not trained, hands-only CPR still increases the likelihood of survival.

In the event of an explosion, it is best to remain as calm as possible and observe your surroundings. If you can safely leave the area, do so immediately. Avoid taking elevators or any stairs that are clearly damaged.

While gunshot wounds are rare, it is always better to be prepared just in case you or someone around you becomes the victim of a gunshot wound. Here are the steps you should take to keep yourself safe.

If you are unsure of a person’s condition and need to identify their pulse, here’s how it can be found without the use of medical equipment.

Although disasters and emergencies can’t be preordained, you can certainly prepare for them ahead of time. Having non-perishable foods safely stored away and readily available will save time and stave off hunger during an emergency.

No matter where you live, weather can be unpredictable and dangerous at times. Even when skies are clear, scorching temperatures can cause heat exhaustion or heat stroke as a result of your body overheating. Here is what you can to to avoid heat exhaustion.

It is always better to be prepared for a sudden disaster, no matter how unlikely it may be. Stocking up on safe and portable drinking water, such as bottled water, is your best bet during an emergency. There’s no telling when or where disasters will strike, but simply having access to drinking water will be one less issue to worry about.

Low body temperature, or hypothermia, occurs when your body cannot produce heat fast enough or retain it. When the body’s temperature lowers, the organs, nervous system, and heart can’t function properly. If a person’s body temperature falls below 95° F, seek medical attention right away.

During a disaster or emergency, calling 911 right away is usually the correct thing to do, and knowing what to say beforehand allows for help to arrive as soon as possible. Here is all the information you should try to relay to a 911 operator.

Lacerations are cuts in the skin caused by a sharp object. Some lacerations are small enough to be treated with basic first aid. However, more serious wounds can lead to severe blood loss or infection. Here’s what you should do to handle lacerations.

It’s vital to have a Grab & Go bag in your home or car just in case an emergency evacuation is prompted. Check the list below to see if your Grab and Go bag has all the necessities. Please keep in mind that these bags should be checked periodically to replace expired or ineffective items.

If you or someone around you is bleeding heavily from a wound, a pressure bandage will help staunch the flow and control bleeding of a particular area. Knowing how to effectively utilize a pressure bandage can save your life or the life of another. Here are the steps for applying a pressure bandage.

After reaching a safe location, update your status on your various social media page to let your friends and family know where you are. Posting your status and location across multiple social media platforms will reassure loved ones that you’re separated from.

Texting is also more efficient than calling during a disaster, as you don’t need to stay on the line for a text. Once the message is sent, it will continuously retry sending the message until it is received.

A splint is a device used to support and protect a broken bone or injury. The splint keeps the injured part of the body secure to ease any pain and promote recovery. The type of splint a person needs depends on the type of injury they have sustained.

Disasters such as earthquakes, tornados, and landslides, can cause buildings and structures to collapse. If you find yourself trapped inside a building or under debris, follow these steps to keep yourself safe until further help arrives.

A tourniquet is a medical device that is used to apply constant pressure to a limb to restrict – but not block – the flow of blood. After an injury, a tourniquet may be used to stop blood from leaving a wound. These would only be used when the wound is large or severe enough to require the halt of blood flow. Tourniquets should only be used when direct pressure is unable to staunch the flow of a wound and should only be applied to treat limb injuries.

Alert OC is a mass notification system Orange County utilizes to inform citizens and businesses about any emergencies or disasters. The system can send thousands of texts and emails within minutes of an alert. Sign up to receive notifications and alerts when they happen by visiting alertoc.com

211 Orange County (211OC) is a local, non-profit organization that offers the community services and support 24/7. During emergencies such as wildfires, earthquakes, and floods, 211 OC provides information, evacuation routes, and health advisories to assist those in need. Visit 211oc.org for more information.

Disasters such as floods, severe storms, and hurricanes may cause for you to turn off the electricity in your house until it is safe. If your house is already flooded or suffering water damage, do NOT attempt to turn off your electricity if you think the circuit breaker or electrical appliances have already been damaged as the water will cause electrocution. Follow these steps to turn off the electricity in your home.

If a natural disaster causes your water pipes to burst, you could end up with more damage on your hands that could’ve been prevented. Knowing where your water shutoff valve is in your home and turning it off during emergencies will minimize future repairs. Follow these steps to turn off your water.

We know that earthquakes are inevitable, but you can be proactive by keeping you family prepared and practicing regular earthquake drills. If you are inside when an earthquake starts, Do not Run outside and do not get in a doorway. Instead… “Step 1: DROP” to the ground onto your hands and knees. “Step 2: COVER” under a sturdy table or near an inside wall while covering your neck and head. “Step 3: HOLD ON” to the legs of the table until the shaking has stopped. Download the ReadyOC app to help you prepare or update your pet emergency kit and prepare your emergency plan. ReadyOC is a public service campaign aimed at educating and empowering Orange County residents, businesses and the community to better prepare for emergency situations. Learn more: http://www.ReadyOC.org Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @ReadyOC https://www.instagram.com/ReadyOC/ https://twitter.com/ReadyOC http://www.ReadyOC.org

A power outage can happen in Orange County at any time. Whether it’s caused by an emergency, rolling blackout or downed power lines, it is important that every household be prepared to avoid being left in the dark. During a power outage: • Use flashlights, and preferably hand-crank flashlights, for light. It is best practice to keep flashlights around the house and in every bedroom, and remember to replace the batteries regularly. • For long-term outages, make sure to have a fully-charged portable cell phone charger handy. • Have a back-up plan in place for power-dependent medical needs to prevent a health emergency as transportation and telephone services are often impacted during outages. For more tips on how to prepare for a power outage go to www.ReadyOC.org Download the ReadyOC app to help you prepare or update your pet emergency kit and prepare your emergency plan. ReadyOC is a public service campaign aimed at educating and empowering Orange County residents, businesses and the community to better prepare for emergency situations. Learn more: http://www.ReadyOC.org Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @ReadyOC https://www.instagram.com/ReadyOC/ https://twitter.com/ReadyOC http://www.ReadyOC.org

ReadyOC is a public service campaign aimed at educating and empowering Orange County residents, businesses and the community to better prepare for emergency situations. Learn more: http://www.ReadyOC.org Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @ReadyOC https://www.instagram.com/ReadyOC/ https://twitter.com/ReadyOChttp://www.ReadyOC.org

ReadyOC is a public service campaign aimed at educating and empowering Orange County residents, businesses and the community to better prepare for emergency situations. Learn more: http://www.ReadyOC.org Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @ReadyOC https://www.instagram.com/ReadyOC/ https://twitter.com/ReadyOChttp://www.ReadyOC.org