South Bay Safety Guy

A picture of the actual guy standing next to some emergency equipment.

If you live in the (San Francisco) Bay Area, you know we're right in the middle of earthquake country. We all know we should take a few basic actions to be better prepared when the "Big One" hits ... but ... it probably won't happen tomorrow, and life is busy, and you'll get around to it someday.

Or maybe you won't.

How can South Bay Safety Guy help you?

I'm here to help you get done what you already know you need to do, now, before the next earthquake hits. If you're not sure exactly what to do, I can help with that too. Every family is different, so we'll work together to make and execute a plan customized just for you.

When you work with me, you get the following:

Motivation. Once you make an appointment to me with me, you are far more likely to follow through.
Advice and logistical support. My training and experience can save you a lot of time and research, and I can help you find any specialized or hard-to-find items you might need.
Moral support. I have a family of my own, so I know how hard it can be to meet all the demands on your time and energy. I can help you put first things first and make a realistic plan.

Now here's a quick pop quiz: Without taking your eyes off the computer screen, imagine that there is a fire in your kitchen and tell me where the nearest fire extinguisher is. If you're not completely happy with your answer, I can help you with that, too.

How does this work?

This website includes a copy of the Checklist that we'll be using to make sure we don't forget anything. Please feel free to look over this list ahead of time to get an idea of what areas we'll be covering. Don't be intimidated by its size — it is simply a list of options to consider, and there is no expectation that any one family will do everything on the list.

If you decide you'd like to use my services, we'll set up an appointment to meet at your convenience, right in your own home so you don't have to travel or get a baby-sitter. This meeting can be with just you, with you and your partner, or even with your whole family; it's up to you. Typically we'll do this in the evening or on a weekend, but my schedule is currently flexible. As we go through the checklist together I'll ask questions and give advice to help you decide what is appropriate for your situation, but you will be making all the final decisions because it's your family.

So that we don't all get bored just sitting at your table and talking, I will (with the aid of my trusty Goody Box) guide you through a number of activities which will contribute to your emergency preparations. Possible activities include:

Find your electrical box and gas meter, and make sure you know how to shut off each one.
If you have small children and it's after sunset, let them find their way around a dark house using light sticks. Grownups can use a no-battery flashlight.
Try out a few different types of emergency food to help you decide if you want to include any in your supplies. (Some of these can be pretty good, so don't eat a big meal right before the meeting. :-)
Draw some water from your water heater, so you'll know how to do it.
Go out to your driveway and practice putting out a fire with a real fire extinguisher (but don't worry, the fire itself will be simulated).
Walk through your home looking for earthquake hazards and identify ways to reduce their risk. Also identify any areas where you might want to add smoke detectors or fire extinguishers.
Do a drop-cover-and-hold-on drill to reinforce safe procedures during an earthquake.
If you live or work in Santa Clara county, register online for AlertSCC.
Do a blind-folded evacuation drill to practice escaping from a fire. (My own kids love this one.)

As we run through the checklist, you may decide to obtain special supplies such as a gas shut-off wrench, water storage containers, or no-battery flashlights. We'll list these as we go, and then at the end we'll review your list and budget constraints and you'll decide what makes sense for you. If you want to purchase anything immediately, I'll be happy to stay and help you place the order(s) on the Internet as the final part of our meeting. If you prefer to order later, I'll make sure you have links to all the necessary vendor web sites.

This meeting will normally result in a "todo" list of tasks for you to complete later. I'll take notes and send you a complete list within 48 hours, and if you wish I can also set up automated emails to remind you about each item (either one-time or regularly repeating) at the appropriate time.

If you have questions, you can email me after the meeting and I'll do my best to answer them.

If this sounds interesting, please check out the Checklist page for more details, and then use the How To Contact Us page to get in touch. You can also use the navigation bar at the top of the page to explore the rest of this web site.

What does this cost?

You want a predictable cost, and I don't want you to feel rushed during our meeting, so I charge a fixed rate of $TBD for a single visit that includes everything discussed above. Our meeting will typically last for 2-3 hours but there is no fixed time limit — I want you to be relaxed and have plenty of time to ask questions, and my Honda won't turn into a pumpkin at midnight. Payment (by check please) is due at the end of the meeting.

If you choose to purchase any supplies, you will do that directly so there is no markup or commission and you will be the "original purchaser" for purposes of warranties and taxes. Of course I will look for the best price for you on any given item, but remember that the cheapest price is generally not the best value, and I will steer you toward products and vendors that I feel you will be happy with long-term. Buy only what you need, but "Buy quality, cry once."

If you would like additional help, for example a follow-up visit where we can review your status and work on any problem areas, that is available at an hourly rate of $TBD/hour.

Disclaimer

Earthquakes, fires, and other hazards are inherently unpredictable. Carrying out a carefully considered program of preparations in advance can be very helpful and can increase your odds of pulling through such a disaster, but no preparations can provide any absolute guarantee. All services provided by South Bay Safety Guy are the best advice I know how to give and are based on my experience, training, and research, but the final responsibility for all choices and for the execution of your preparedness plan lies with you, the client.