Earthquake Preparation

Earthquakes are so unpredictable, and sometimes so devastating.  Even so, there are things we can do today to help protect us against the effects of one.  To evaluate your risk of an earthquake, first locate your state or territory on this color-coded FEMA Earthquake Hazard Map.  The darker the color, the greater the seismic hazard levels in your area.  As always, mountainous regions, fault lines, and areas of volcanic activity generally have a higher risk.  Other factors that affect your risks are your city's population size, the construction quality of the buildings, and whether or not they have been built under current seismic building codes.  Now let's prepare:

1.      Secure Your Breakables - Take a tour through your home, office, or school to identify objects that may be at risk for falling.  This may include televisions, computers, fine collectibles, lamps, pictures, bookcases, etc.  Move heavy objects to lower shelves.  Many objects can be tied down, closed in locked cabinets, or secured with QuakeHold Museum Putty on various surfaces.  Keep flammable material away from possible ignition.  It's especially important to secure your water heater, furnace, or other gas appliances.  A water heater falling over could cause a gas line or water line to break leading to a fire, flooding, or the loss of a valuable water supply.  Your water heater should be strapped on both the top and bottom with heavy-gauge metal strapping and bolted into the wall studs.  It should be less than 2 inches from the wall or attached to a block bolted into the wall.  You could also replace any copper or metal piping with flexible connectors to help prevent the lines from breaking.  If you're truly serious about securing your home, you might consider hiring a contractor or engineer to identify structural changes that could be made to fortify your home.
2.      Prepare an Emergency Disaster Kit and Make a Plan - A disaster kit is important to have on hand for various emergencies, including earthquakes.  Check here for a comprehensive list of items to include as you make a kit of your own.  Store your kit in a container that can be accessed and transported easily in case you need to evacuate.  Choose a location outside your home/school/office where family members/classes/employees can meet after a disaster.  Designate an out-of-state contact in your family that all family members can call for relaying and receiving information.
3.      Practice Important Earthquake Survival Skills - Hold practice drills to look for cover in an earthquake.  Taking as few steps as possible, crouch near the inside corner of a wall or locate sturdy furniture you can duck under, and hold on tight!  If you do not have any protection over your head, keep your neck and head covered with your arms.  Avoid crouching near windows, large mirrors or glass, fireplaces, or hanging objects.  Falling objects - not the shaking ground - is the main cause of most deaths during an earthquake.  If outside, you should move to an open area to avoid falling trees, buildings, and power lines.  If caught under debris, tap on a wall or use a whistle so rescuers can find you.  Refrain from shouting since it may cause you to quickly use up oxygen and inhale dangerous levels of dust.  Keep your mouth covered if possible.  Other important survival skills include CPR or other first aid training.  Know how to look for, assess, and treat various injuries.  Familiarize yourself with signs of damaged water, gas, or electrical lines and know how to shut off your utilities.  Use the radio from your disaster kit to receive local emergency information.