Prepare in Advance

1. Assembling an emergency preparedness kit.

2. Creating a household evacuation plan that includes your pets.

3. Staying informed about your community’s risk and response plans.

 

 

Protecting your family

1. Talk about volcanoes with your family so that everyone knows what to do in case of a volcanic eruption. Discussing ahead of time helps reduce fear, particularly for younger children.

2. Make sure you have access to NOAA radio broadcasts.

3. Find an online NOAA radio station

4. Search for a NOAA radio app in the Apple Store >> or Google Play>>

5. Purchase a battery-powered

6. Keep handy a pair of goggles and a dust mask for each member of your household in case of ashfall.

7. Ensure that every member of your family carries a Safe and Well wallet card.

8. Talk to you insurance agent. Find out what your homeowners’ policy will or will not cover in the event of a volcanic eruption.

9. Protecting your pets & animals

10. Prepare a pet emergency kit for your companion animals.

11. Protecting your home

12. Make a list of items to bring inside in the event of ashfall.

Staying Safe During a Volcanic Eruption

1. Listen to a local station on a portable, battery-operated radio or television for updated emergency information and instructions. Local officials will give the most appropriate advice for your particular situation.

2. Follow any evacuation orders issued by authorities, and put your emergency plan into action. Although it may seem safe to stay at home and wait out an eruption, if you are in a hazard zone, doing so could be very dangerous.

3. If indoors, close all window, doors, and dampers to keep volcanic ash from entering.

4. Put all machinery inside a garage or barn to protect it from volcanic ash. If buildings are not available, cover machinery with large tarps.

5. Bring animals and livestock into closed shelters to protect them from breathing volcanic ash.

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If You Are Outdoors

1. Seek shelter indoors if possible.

2. Stay out of designated restricted zones. Effects of a volcanic eruption can be experienced many miles from a volcano.

3. Avoid low-lying areas, areas downwind of the volcano, and river valleys downstream of the volcano. Debris and ash will be carried by wind and gravity. Stay in areas where you will not be further exposed to volcanic eruption hazards. Trying to watch an erupting volcano up close is a deadly idea.

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If You Are Caught in an Ashfall

1. Wear a dust mask designed to protect against lung irritation from small particles.

2. Protect your eyes by wearing goggles. Wear eyeglasses, not contact lenses.

3. Keep as much of your skin covered as possible.

If you do nothing else

1. Let friends and family know you’re safe.

2. If evacuated, return only when authorities say it is safe to do so.

3. Continue listening to local news or an NOAA Weather Radio for updated information and instructions.

4. If people around you are injured, practice CHECK, CALL, CARE. Check the scene to be sure it’s safe for you to approach, call for help, and if you are trained, provide first aid to those in need until emergency responders can arrive.

 

Caring for yourself & loved ones

1. Stay indoors and away from volcanic ashfall areas if possible. The fine, glassy particles of volcanic ash can increase the health risks for children and people with respiratory conditions, such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema.

2. Whether you are indoors or outdoors:

3. Wear a dust mask designed to protect against lung irritation from small particles

4. Protect your eyes by wearing goggles. Wear eyeglasses, not contact lenses.

5. Keep as much of your skin covered as possible.

6. Take time to ensure your emotional recovery by following our tips.

7. keep animals away from ashfall and areas of possible hot spots. Wash animals’ paws and fur or skin to prevent their ingesting or inhaling ash while grooming themselves.

8. Help people who require additional assistance infants, elderly people, those without transportation, large families who may need additional help in an emergency situation, people with disabilities, and the people who care for them.