How to Prepare for a Volcanic Disaster

You can survive if you are prepared before a volcanic eruption happens. With proper preparation, you can protect your health and belongings from volcanic ash. Creating an action plan is crucial, and teaching everyone in your household about the plan will ensure their safety and health when disaster strikes. When a volcanic eruption occurs, follow the guidance of local authorities, but always be ready to find shelter and evacuate.

Outline an emergency communication plan. A volcanic eruption can be highly dangerous, especially for those living or working near an active volcano. The first step is to create a comprehensive plan for contacting family members during an emergency.

• Start by listing all the ways you can communicate, including phone numbers and email addresses. Don’t forget landline numbers.
• Since eruptions can occur when your family isn’t all at home, it’s important to familiarize yourself with emergency plans for schools, workplaces, and local authorities.
• Designate someone outside of your town, such as a relative or friend, to act as the central point of contact.
• If you are separated and unable to reach each other, contact this person to relay messages between you.

Identify emergency meeting points in case of crisis. As part of your emergency plan, it is essential to designate specific meeting locations where your family members can gather in the event of a volcanic eruption or evacuation. If any family member has a disability, ensure the locations you choose are easily accessible. Consider your pets when planning and find places where they can be safely taken. You should determine four different meeting points.

• One location must be inside the house, ideally in a nearby shelter or safe space that can protect you from strong winds and volcanic ash.
• The second should be within your neighborhood but not your home. A nearby spot is perfect in case you're unable to return home.
• The third should be outside your neighborhood but within the town. A public building like a library or community center is a good option.
• Finally, determine a location outside the town. This is where you will meet up with other members if an evacuation from the town is required. A relative’s or friend’s house outside the town is an ideal choice for this location.

Discuss emergency plans with your family. Spend time talking through the plans with your family members so everyone understands, and provide a list of important contacts. Everyone should be informed of what to do if an evacuation order is issued, and they must understand that it is unfair to others if certain family members decide to stay behind despite the evacuation warning.

• You can practice these plans during regular family meetings to ensure everyone is involved and becomes part of the plan.
• Talk to young children about the possibility of a disaster instead of falsely reassuring them that it will never happen.
• If children know that plans are in place and understand what to do, they will feel less fear and anxiety during a disaster.

Consider the financial implications. As part of your emergency preparedness, it’s important to consider the practical aspects as well. You may want to invest in insurance to cover potential volcanic damage and think about the effects this disaster might have on your work. If you run a business near a volcano, you should prepare a recovery plan to ensure your staff can evacuate safely, and that essential materials, equipment, and tools are protected.

• If you run a business, it’s your responsibility to safeguard your employees as you would your own family.
• Volcanic eruptions can cause substantial property damage, so it’s worth considering insurance if you live in a high-risk area.

Assemble an emergency supply kit. This kit is essential for anyone living near a volcano. The kit should include first aid supplies, food and water, dust masks like those used for lawn mowing, bottle openers, flashlights with spare batteries, medications, sturdy shoes, protective eyewear or goggles, and a battery-powered radio.

• Make sure everyone in your household knows where the emergency supplies are stored and can easily access them during a crisis.
• A multi-functional device that combines a flashlight, phone charger, and solar-powered or hand-crank radio is ideal for emergency preparedness. Include this in your emergency kit if available.

Just like preparing an emergency kit for your home, you should also have a separate emergency toolkit for your car. This should include essential items such as food, a first aid kit, sleeping bags, blankets, spare batteries, and tools you may need while on the road. Don't forget to pack a map, an external car jump-start cable, a fire extinguisher, and a few other handy tools.

• Make sure to fill up your gas tank. If you don’t have a vehicle, consider arranging a ride with a neighbor or friend.
• Coordinate with them in advance, and don’t wait until an evacuation order is issued.
• If you cannot arrange transportation, inform emergency services during the evacuation process.

One of the main hazards during a volcanic eruption is the risk of volcanic ash harming your respiratory system. Ash can be carried hundreds of miles by the wind, posing the greatest risk to infants, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions. If anyone in your household falls into a high-risk group, consider purchasing air-filtering masks.

• Government-recommended N-95 disposable masks are available at local hardware stores.
• If you don’t have an N-95 mask, regular dust masks can help reduce irritation if you're exposed to ash for a short period, though they are less effective than air-filtering masks.
• If volcanic ash is in the air outside, stay indoors as much as possible to avoid harmful effects.

Ensure that all communication devices are in working order and ready to receive information from local authorities. Use a television or radio to stay updated on volcanic activity or evacuation orders. Familiarize yourself with the sound of emergency sirens and remain alert to their warnings. It's essential to recognize when a volcanic eruption is imminent based on siren signals.

When instructed to evacuate, it’s important to follow the guidance of local authorities and emergency services. Remember, emergency personnel are trained to handle these situations and have more information than you do. If you are asked to evacuate, do so promptly, calmly, and in full compliance with their instructions.

• When evacuating, only bring essential items such as your emergency kit and car emergency tools. Make sure to take enough prescription medication for at least a week.
• If time allows, turn off the gas, electricity, and water in your home.
• Unplug all electrical devices to reduce the risk of electric shock when the power is restored.
• If you are evacuating by car, follow the designated routes, though be prepared for potential traffic jams. Alternative routes may be blocked, so stick to the advised path.
• Avoid low-lying areas and valleys during evacuation. These are prone to mudslides. Before crossing a river, check upstream for signs of mudflows. Do not cross if you see debris flowing towards you.

Handling Livestock and Pets. In the event that your home and property are directly impacted by a volcanic eruption, animals inside may not be able to escape. Do what you can to ensure their safety. It's important to note that most emergency shelters will not accommodate animals. If you plan to bring pets with you, prepare ahead by packing sufficient food and water for them.

• Move livestock into an enclosed area or transport them as far as possible from the danger zone.

Seek Shelter If Instructed Not to Leave Your Home. If evacuation is not required but you're advised to seek shelter inside, monitor a TV or radio for quick updates. When sheltering indoors, take necessary steps to ensure your safety and well-being. First, seal all windows and doors, close the vents of the fireplace, and turn off the hot water heater, air conditioning, and all fans.

• Fill sinks, bathtubs, and other containers with water for emergency sanitation (use sparingly) or purifying drinking water. You can also use the water from the hot water heater.
• Gather all family members in a room that is higher than the ground floor and free of windows.
• Listen for updates but stay indoors until it’s safe to go out. This is the best way to avoid respiratory harm from volcanic ash.

Assist Others. Whether you are instructed to evacuate or seek shelter, be mindful of others who may need assistance. If you have elderly, disabled, or infant neighbors, do everything possible to help them. If you have space in your vehicle and are evacuating, offer to take an elderly neighbor along. If you’re sheltering in place, invite them to join you, or help them find a safe shelter in their own home.

Protect Yourself If You Must Go Outside. You should avoid leaving your home unless the situation outside is safe. However, if you must go out to help others, take every measure to protect yourself. Wear protective eyewear and a respiratory mask to shield your lungs. Dress in protective clothing that covers as much of your body as possible, and wrap a cloth around your head.

• Goggles and swimwear can also serve as makeshift protection for your eyes and lungs if that’s all you have available.
• When returning home after being outside in ash, remove your outer clothing. Ash-covered clothing is difficult to clean.
• If you need to go outside, remove contact lenses and wear regular glasses instead. Ash particles on contact lenses can scratch your cornea if they get trapped between the lens and your eye.

• Your shelter should be equipped with a landline telephone. This will allow you to report any issues to emergency services.
• Use the landline only for emergencies to avoid overloading the system.
• Notify local authorities if you notice any utility pipes have burst.
• Check on your friends and neighbors. This is especially important if you know they may need help or have special needs.

• Volcanic ash is very dangerous for respiratory health. It affects everyone, especially those with respiratory issues like asthma and bronchitis.
• Avoid sightseeing! Not only is it dangerous for you, but it also obstructs the work of emergency services. Always stay away from restricted areas.

• Basic supplies and emergency kit for your car
• Maps
• Communication devices (phone, radio)
• Flashlight
• Towels, etc., to seal gaps in your home
• Transportation for evacuation
• Animal crates and pet carriers
• Car keys
• Food and drinking water