By; Yocelyn Tapia
Living in California has its perks: the sun, beach, and warm weather. However, among these perks, there are also dangers. Living in California means having to be constantly ready for the chance of a major earthquake, or that a fire may erupt in your town. Unfortunately, living in the United States also means having to be constantly prepared for the event of a school shooting. According to the Gun Violence Archive (GVA), there were a total of 417 school mass shootings in the United States last year alone. Events like these typically occur without warning, so we must be prepared even on days when it seems like nothing could go wrong. When administrators at Eisenhower High School organize drills, it can not be stressed how important it is to pay attention to directions and act accordingly rather than mess around. One day it may not be a drill and if you don’t know what to do, consequences could be dire.
Earthquakes are a major concern in California, especially due to the threat of “The Big One”. In the summer of 2019, there was a 7.1 earthquake that shook the state and left citizens wondering: When will the next one hit? If you find yourself inside during an earthquake, be sure to duck and cover under a solid surface. Make sure that your neck is covered to protect yourself from major injuries. It is a common misconception that standing in a door frame will keep you safe, however, it is not due to the likelihood of swinging doors. If you find yourself outside during an earthquake, get into the open and as far away as possible from anything that can become a safety hazard if it falls, such as buildings, electrical lines, or trees. In the aftermath of an earthquake, it is important that you have a plan for you and your family, including supplies like nonperishable food, bottled water, blankets, flashlights, radios, and medications.
Fires have recently been breaking out around the world, but due to California’s dry weather and high winds, fire is a considerable danger so it is important to know what to do in that situation. First, if you are caught in a fire, remain calm and analyze your options. At school, you will be told to exit the classroom in an orderly fashion, walking to an area away from the fire with your class so that you can be accounted for when you arrive. If you find yourself in the same building as the fire but don’t know where it is coming from, a nearby window can be your best escape. Avoid any rooms where you feel heat coming from or see smoke coming from under the door. You can check to see if there is fire on the other side of the door by placing your hand on the door. Throughout this time make sure to cover your face to prevent breathing smoke which can deprive you of oxygen, and lead to respiratory failure. It is extremely important to remain aware of your surroundings and of any hazards which can cause a fire in the first place. At home, you should inspect your fire alarms at least every six months to ensure that they work, so that in the event of a fire you and/or your family can get out of harm’s way.
School shootings, unfortunately, have become a national fear, and although we hope to never be in that situation, it is best to prepare and know your options in the event that it does occur. The first thing you should do is run and hide to the safest spot available, away from windows if possible. If you’re in a bathroom, hide in a stall on top of the toilet to avoid being seen. If you’re in the hallway, run to the nearest classroom. Once you’re in a safe spot, it is important to remain as quiet as possible to ensure the spot is safe. If you are able to and instructed to do so, block the doorways so that no one can come in or at least be deterred.
School is meant to be a safe place for every student, but there might come a time when no one has a say in what could happen, and in those moments, it is best to be prepared rather than sorry.