Remember all those times your mom told you “it’s better to be safe than sorry” and to “expect the unexpected?”  At the Emergency Expo at KHTS’ Home and Garden Show, you and your family will have a chance to be aware and prepared in case of disaster.

From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 31, at the Valencia Hyatt, the Emergency Expo will include informative presentations and interactive booths that will keep the whole family engaged. Admission is free to both events.

“People are going to have access to ask questions of people who are demonstrating or providing information.  The benefit is hands on engagement, personal engagement with people, and visual engagement,” explained Donna Nuzzi, Emergency Services Supervisor for the City of Santa Clarita.

Nuzzi added that she believes many people do not set emergency preparedness as a priority in their busy lives.  She said that it is important for people to educate themselves about potential dangers and prepare to face them.

The California Emergency Management Agency encourages families to identify risks in their home, work, and living environment.  Emergency plans and supplies should be prepared in case of disasters including fire, carbon monoxide poisoning, an animal attack, flooding, an earthquake, terrorism, a tsunami, a missing person, bioterrorism, or a power outage.

Here is a schedule of the major events during the KHTS Emergency Expo:

9:00 a.m.—Early Access for Special Needs Children for Emergency Expo

10:00 a.m. — Emergency Expo – Opening Ceremonies: Mayor’s Welcome, JR ROTC Color Guard, National Anthem – Melanie Parson, Bob Hudson’s Welcome (Henry Mayo), Sulphur Springs Choir

10:30 a.m. — Drop Cover Hold On Demonstration with Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital

10:45 a.m. — Snake Bite and Bee Stings with Dr. Privett of HMNMH, sharing the stage with the Placerita Nature Center

11:00 a.m. — Hot Water Heater Safety – Home Depot

12:00 p.m. — Emergency Extraction –  LA County Fire

12:45 p.m. — What is a Crisis Response Dog? – Hope Animal Assisted Crisis Response

1:00 p.m. — Drop, Cover, Hold on Demonstration with Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital

1:00 p.m. — Hot Water Heater Safety – Home Depot

2:00 p.m. — Puppet Show – American Red Cross

3:00 p.m. — Hospital Emergency Evacuation Equipment Demonstration

Visitors will have a chance to meet Smokey Bear, pet a Search and Rescue horse, and prepare an earthquake kit. Emergency vehicles on display in the parking lot will include fire engines, police cars and KHTS’ very own 1948 Mack Fire Truck.

The “Access Hour” at 9 a.m. for special-needs families will allow them to get to know emergency personnel, learn about safety tools, learn ways to prepare for emergencies, and climb inside an ambulance or police car.  Admission is free.

The following organizations will have exhibits at the expo:

Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital

California Highway Patrol

Har Bro Inc.

L.A. County Public Health

Southern California Edison

National Weather Service/NOAA

CLEAR

L.A. County DPH—Veterinary Public Health

California Department of Insurance

Placerita Nature Center

SOS Survival Products

American Red Cross

State Farm Insurance

SC Autism/Asperger Network

Earthquake Country Alliance

Quake Kare

Grossman Burn Center@ West Hills Hospital

SCV—Newhall Optimists

Hope Animal Assisted Crisis Response

Emergency Vehicles and displays will be given by

American Medical Response

L.A. County Sheriff’s Department

L.A. County Animal Care and Control

L.A. County Fire Department

U.S. Forest Service