EARTHQUAKE
What to Do
Before an Earthquake
Earthquakes
strike suddenly, violently and without
warning. Identifying potential hazards ahead
of time and advance planning can reduce the
dangers of serious injury or loss of life
from an earthquake. Repairing deep plaster
cracks in ceilings and foundations,
anchoring overhead lighting fixtures to the
ceiling, and following local seismic
building standards, will help reduce the
impact of earthquakes.
Six Ways
to Plan Ahead
- Check
for Hazards in the Home
- Fasten
shelves securely to walls.
- Place
large or heavy objects on lower
shelves.
- Store
breakable items such as bottled
foods, glass, and china in low,
closed cabinets with latches.
- Hang
heavy items such as pictures and
mirrors away from beds, couches, and
anywhere people sit.
- Brace
overhead light fixtures.
- Repair
defective electrical wiring and
leaky gas connections. These are
potential fire risks.
- Secure
a water heater by strapping it to
the wall studs and bolting it to the
floor.
- Repair
any deep cracks in ceilings or
foundations. Get expert advice if
there are signs of structural
defects.
- Store
weed killers, pesticides, and
flammable products securely in
closed cabinets with latches and on
bottom shelves.
- Identify
Safe Places Indoors and Outdoors
- Under
sturdy furniture such as a heavy
desk or table.
- Against
an inside wall.
- Away
from where glass could shatter
around windows, mirrors, pictures,
or where heavy bookcases or other
heavy furniture could fall over.
- In
the open, away from buildings,
trees, telephone and electrical
lines, overpasses, or elevated
expressways.
- Educate
Yourself and Family Members
- Contact
your local emergency management
office or American Red Cross chapter
for more information on earthquakes.
Also read the "How-To
Series" for information on how
to protect your property from
earthquakes.
- Teach
children how and when to call 9-1-1,
police, or fire department and which
radio station to tune to for
emergency information.
- Teach
all family members how and when to
turn off gas, electricity, and
water.
- Have
Disaster Supplies on Hand
- Flashlight
and extra batteries.
- Portable
battery-operated radio and extra
batteries.
- First
aid kit and manual.
- Emergency
food and water.
- Nonelectric
can opener.
- Essential
medicines.
- Cash
and credit cards.
- Sturdy
shoes.
- Develop
an Emergency Communication Plan
- In
case family members are separated
from one another during an
earthquake (a real possibility
during the day when adults are at
work and children are at school),
develop a plan for reuniting after
the disaster.
- Ask
an out-of-state relative or friend
to serve as the "family
contact." After a disaster,
it's often easier to call long
distance. Make sure everyone in the
family knows the name, address, and
phone number of the contact person.
- Help
Your Community Get Ready
- Publish
a special section in your local
newspaper with emergency information
on earthquakes. Localize the
information by printing the phone
numbers of local emergency services
offices, the American Red Cross, and
hospitals.
- Conduct
a week-long series on locating
hazards in the home.
- Work
with local emergency services and
American Red Cross officials to
prepare special reports for people
with mobility impairments on what to
do during an earthquake.
- Provide
tips on conducting earthquake drills
in the home.
- Interview
representatives of the gas,
electric, and water companies about
shutting off utilities.
- Work
together in your community to apply
your knowledge to building codes,
retrofitting programs, hazard hunts,
and neighborhood and family
emergency plans.
Information taken from: Ready.gov
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