EXPO TOUTS TOOLS FOR SAFE LIVING : EMERGENCY KITS, PLANS CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE.

Byline: Laurence Darmiento Daily News Staff Writer

Since the Northridge Earthquake sent all the glasses and books flying in Terri Boziga's home, the Valencia resident has taken steps to be better prepared next time.

The cabinets are secured with special latches, the knickknacks are planted down with a tacky goo, and there are emergency food and water kits in the car and closet.

Yet there was the 46-year-old data entry operator standing Saturday in front of a booth at the city's annual Emergency Expo, forking over a few dollars for a 14-in-1 pocket tool.

Needle-nose pliers, wire cutters, miniature screwdriver, leather punch, bottle opener, you name it - she couldn't resist.

``I'm a lot more prepared now, but I'm still looking. I'm always on the lookout,'' she said. ``I'm going to keep this with me at all times. It's just $6.''

After the series of earthquakes that have struck Southern California in recent years, preparedness borders on an obsession for some. But that's fine with city officials, who sponsored the fair at the River Oaks Shopping Center.

It featured private vendors selling earthquake supplies and services, as well as several public agencies, including the sheriff's and fire departments, which offered advice and programs.

``You can't be too prepared,'' said Adele MacPherson, the city's emergency preparedness coordinator. ``We want people to be self-sufficient for 72 hours. In the last earthquake that is how long it took us to get to (some) neighborhoods.''

City officials have trained some 9,000 households for the ``Big One,'' but admit they don't really know what percentage of Santa Clarita residents are ready, or at what level their readiness is.

That means continuing outreach, including the annual fairs at shopping malls, which MacPherson hopes will catch not only the obsessive but those who prefer to bury the thought of another quake.

``We are fighting procrastination by making preparedness fun and easy,'' she said. ``Even if we took a survey, we would already know the results - not enough people are ready.''

Fire engines, patrol cars and other emergency equipment was on display, drawing the attention of children and making attendance a little easier for parents.

Those who missed the fair can still prepare without having to wait until next year. The city runs a year-round preparedness training program, as well as offering a variety of informational materials.

For more information, call 259-2489.

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos

Photo: (1--color) Four-year-old Andre Cartier of CanyonCountry shows rescue breathing techniques on Chris Clean the mannequin.

(2) Saturday's Emergency Expo, at the River Oaks Shopping Center, was designed to help make residents more prepared.

John Lazar/Special to the Daily News