Natural disaster preparedness
Natural Disaster Preparedness
Costa Rica is prone to a number of natural disasters including earthquakes, landslides, floods and even tsunamis.
Stay Informed - Register with the free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to ensure you receive travel alert or travel warning messages.
Be Prepared - Develop an evacuation plan, identify items to put in your survival kit and know what to do in the event of a natural disaster. Please click here for a preparation checklist.
Click here to download a simple guide on Emergency Preparedness.
Earthquake checklist
My home, right now, has a two week supply of:
|
Food |
Yes |
No |
|
Water |
Yes |
No |
|
Medicines |
Yes |
No |
|
Flashlights & Batteries |
Yes |
No |
|
Candles & matches |
Yes |
No |
|
Non- Electric way to cook |
Yes |
No |
|
Basic First Aid supplies |
Yes |
No |
Those at my home (children, household help, spouse, other) know:
|
What I expect them to do |
Yes |
No |
|
How to turn off electric/water at house |
Yes |
No |
|
Safest place to shelter at home |
Yes |
No |
|
Basic First Aid |
Yes |
No |
If those at home decide to leave the house, they know:
|
What they must do before leaving (turn off water, electricity, lock, pet care, etc) |
Yes |
No |
|
How to communicate when they left where they planned to go and how (Where to leave a note? Whether they left on foot, by bike, etc?) |
Yes |
No |
If children are at school or on the bus:
|
They know the school’s earthquake |
Yes |
No |
|
They know what you would plan to do |
Yes |
No |
|
They know what you want them to |
|
|
Other Questions:
|
My family has defined an alternate meeting place if it is impossible to go home |
Yes |
No |
|
Someone else near my home has a house key |
Yes |
No |
|
My pets can survive for a few days if I am unable to get home |
Yes |
No |
I have either in my car or office what I need to walk distances:
|
Walking shoes |
Yes |
No |
|
Hat |
Yes |
No |
|
Umbrella |
Yes |
No |
|
Jacket/sweater |
Yes |
No |
|
Flashlight |
Yes |
No |
|
Water bottle |
Yes |
No |
|
I have an extra set of clothing/shoes in my car or office. |
Yes |
No |