EXPERTS: NOTHING CRAZY ABOUT READYING FOR Y2K.

Byline: Phillip W. Browne Staff Writer

If Y2K causes Wall Street meltdowns and martial law, a San Fernando Valley man named George will be among the best prepared.

But if nothing happens, he will be stuck with 48 boxes of oatmeal, several 55-gallon drums of water, five pounds of peanut butter, 12 cans of Spam, six bags of cough drops, 26 rolls of paper towels, a gas-powered generator, 500 pounds of uncooked pasta, emergency survival bars, batteries, candles and aspirin.

``It's enough to keep my family of six alive for at least a year,'' said George, a 41-year-old animator who didn't want his last name used.

Although George might be the extreme, emergency services officials and Y2K experts urge people to gather enough provisions to last about three days, just in case utilities go out. Even if there is no societal catastrophe from the Year 2000 bug, they'll be ready for the next crisis.

``There might be a lot of disappointed people out there if Y2K turns out to be no big deal,'' said California State University, Northridge Professor Allen Martin, director of the university's Consumer Resource Center.

``But when the next earthquake or other major disaster happens, they will be glad they are prepared. This is a good wake-up call for Los Angeles.''

One measure of what people believe will happen when the new millennium arrives is the hubbub at RECON-1, a Tarzana camping and survival outfitter. Customers are stocking up on water, food, first aid supplies and personal safety devices, co-owner Peter Kalaydjian said.

``I've never seen this kind of preparation for any kind of event during our 16 years in business,'' he said, adding that most people react to emergencies such as the Northridge Earthquake and the Los Angeles Riots instead of preparing for them.

``Y2K is another opportunity for us to get the word out that they need to be prepared for disasters. It's not smart for people to be without even the basic safety items.''

Complacency unwise

While experts frown on panicky stockpiling or drastic financial moves, complacency can be just as risky.

A poll released Tuesday by The Associated Press indicates Californians aren't very worried about Y2K computer problems, with only one in five adults ``very or somewhat worried about potential Y2K problems causing difficulties for themselves or their families.''

Still, a little preparation would be smart. There's still time to do some quick checks and set contingencies before 2000 rolls around. And everyone should be on the lookout for last-minute Y2K scams, particularly seniors, experts say.

``We are highly confident that Y2K will be a non-event, and Los Angeles County is highly prepared for the date rollover,'' said County Chief Information Officer Jon Fullinwider. ``But there is always the possibility that something will go wrong, especially with the human factor.''

Everyone in the county would be wise to make some preparations, he said.

``It just makes sense to be prepared, but not to go overboard,'' Fullinwider said.

Being prepared

The worst-case scenario is that power outages will cripple banking, retail and water service, Martin and other experts said. On average it will cost $50 per person - or about $200 for a family of four - to prepare from scratch for three days of supplies.

``To start, people need to have a gallon of water per person per day, nonperishable food, flashlights, a supply of batteries and a battery-operated radio,'' Martin said. ``People also need to make sure they have alternative heat sources, like heavy comforters and plenty of firewood.''

Martin also recommends having a full tank of gas on New Year's Eve, getting prescriptions filled to last through January and keeping copies of all credit and bank transactions in December and January.

Those with heightened concerns are buying 55-gallon drums to store water and specially packaged food with a 15-year shelf life, Kalaydjian said. Some large families are also preparing to help extended families and friends.

``A lot of people know that the people making fun of them for going overboard are the same ones that will be at their front door when a disaster happens,'' Kalaydjian said.

Experts are recommending that people have an extra week or two of cash on hand, but are discouraging people from withdrawing large amounts, which makes them vulnerable to theft. The Federal Reserve predicts that most families will withdraw an extra $450 in cash in fear that the computer bug could wipe out their bank accounts.

``We strongly advise people not to carry large amounts of cash, or store large amounts of cash at home,'' said LAPD officer Jason Lee. ``You open yourself to robbers who are watching bank and ATM lines.''

Banks have reported they are Y2K ready, and even if there are problems your money is federally insured, Lee said.

But that's not true in your home.

Insurance coverage of cash losses typically amounts to only $200 under a standard homeowner's policy.

``People who plan on hoarding cash over the holidays should be aware that they make themselves vulnerable to a potentially irreplaceable loss if that money is stolen,'' said Candysse Miller, regional director of the Western Insurance Information Service.

Martin suggests converting large amounts of cash into traveler's checks.

``Merchants will be much more likely to take traveler's checks than personal checks if the banking system is interrupted,'' Martin said.

For families and small businesses, contingency planning is also important to know ahead of time what you will do in case something fails.

For a small business, that means an alternate plan in case cash registers fail - such as a ready supply of hand-held calculators. Other possibilities you might want to be prepared for: accounting software that doesn't compute correctly or a supplier that is knocked out of service.

One more thing to think about: Experts have been warning that little computer and software glitches somehow related to Y2K may not show up for weeks or months after Jan. 1. So part of your preparation should include remaining ready for problems down the road.

Families should formulate plans to contact each other, or designate meeting places, in the event communications fail. A good plan would be to distribute the phone numbers of out-of-state relatives to contact if you can't reach home, Martin said. Those relatives could relay messages to your other family members when they call.

Beware of scams

Another potential Y2K problem is scams designed to play on the fears and panic of unsuspecting victims.

As of mid-November, the Justice Department had not seen a major upswing in complaints about Y2K fraud, a spokesman said. But it warns consumers - particularly seniors - to be on the alert for fraud.

CSUN's Consumer Resource Center and other state hotlines have been receiving complaints about high-pressure sales to buy gold as an alternative to cash, Martin said.

There have also been complaints of mechanics and salesmen falsely claiming that microchips in cars, heating systems, cooling systems and alarms need to be replaced, Martin said.

``Some people have thought of scams you would never think of,'' Martin said. For example: Some funeral industry con artists and estate planners have tried to cash in on the ``anniversary reaction'' theory, which suggests elderly people are just ``holding on'' for the new year and will die shortly after.

Other reported schemes include purported calls from bank employees seeking a victim's account number or social security number so that money can be moved to a ``safe account'' or ``bond fund'' while the bank fixes its Y2K problems. Instead, the account number is used to drain the victim's account, according to the Justice Department.

To protect yourself, never give bank account, credit card or Social Security numbers to anyone you don't know or trust, experts say. Never turn money over to strangers. Beware of callers promoting Y2K investments such as precious metals and watch out for unsolicited e-mail or Internet chat rooms talking up small companies with supposed Y2K solutions.

Y2K TIPS

Here are some tips from the American Red Cross and the state Office of Emergency Services to vaccinate you and your family from the Y2K bug.

Prepare to be self-sufficient, without running water, electricity, gas and telephone for three to seven days. Don't wait until the last minute to stock up.

Store a gallon of water per person per day.

Have nonperishable food, such as canned or dry basics, on hand for each person.

Locate alternative sources for cooking and heating, such as camp stoves, barbecues, sleeping bags, blankets, wood for fireplaces.

Have a bag packed in case you must leave home.

Keep an extra supply of prescription medicine or medical supplies and find alternatives for equipment running on electricity.

Keep current copies of medical and legal records.

Fill prescriptions to last you through at least January.

Have a small amount of extra cash on hand. Use traveler's checks for large amounts.

Have at least one telephone that doesn't use electricity.

Make sure your gas tank is full on New Year's Eve.

Have routine automobile service done before New Year's Eve.

Store extra food and water for pets and livestock.

If you don't already have them, obtain basic supplies such as flashlights, battery-operated radio, extra batteries, whistle, matches, toilet paper, plastic garbage bags, waterless hand soap, disinfectant, fire extinguisher, heavy gloves, duct tape, first aid kit, wind-up clock, manual can opener.

And if you've bought a gasoline-powered generator just in case of a power outage, Southern California Edison offers these safety tips:

Always operate the generator in a well-ventilated area.

Carefully follow instructions on installing and using the generator and in plugging appliances directly into it.

Never attempt to connect a generator directly to house wiring or to a utility line.

CAPTION(S):

Photo, box

Photo: A San Fernando Valley man identified as George is stocking up on supplies in case of problems with the Y2K bug.

David R. Crane/Staff Photographer

Box: Y2K TIPS (See text)