Earthquake: Quick tips to protect yourself

During an earthquake if you are…

Indoors:  Drop, cover, and hold on.  Drop to the floor, take cover under a sturdy desk or table, and hold on to it firmly.  Be prepared to move with it until the shaking stops.  If you are not near a desk or table, drop to the floor against the interior wall and protect your head and neck with your arms.  Avoid exterior walls, windows, hanging objects, mirrors, tall furniture, large appliances, and kitchen cabinets with heavy objects or glass.  Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, load-bearing doorway.   Do not go outside!

In bed:  If you are in bed, hold on and stay there, protecting your head with a pillow.  You are less likely to be injured staying where you are.  Broken glass on the floor has caused injury to those who have rolled to the floor or tried to get to doorways.

Outdoors:  Move to a clear area if you can safely do so; avoid power lines, trees, signs, buildings, vehicles, and other hazards.

On a sidewalk near buildings:  Duck into a doorway to protect yourself from falling bricks, glass, plaster and other debris.

In a crowded store or other public place:  Do not rush for an exit.  Move away from display shelves containing objects that could fall.

Driving:  Pull over to the side of the road, stop, and set the parking brake.  Avoid overpasses, bridges, power lines, signs and other hazards.  Stay inside the vehicle until the shaking is over.  If a power line falls on the car, stay inside until a trained person removes the wire.

In a high-rise:  Drop, cover, and hold on.  Avoid windows and other hazards.  Do not use elevators.  Do not be surprised if sprinkler systems or fire alarms activate.

In a stadium or theater:  Stay at your seat and protect your head and neck with your arms.  Don’t try to leave until the shaking is over.  Then walk out slowly watching for anything that could fall in the aftershocks.

Trapped under debris:  Do NOT light a match.  Do NOT move about or kick up dust.  Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.  Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you.  Use a WHISTLE if one is available.  Shout as a last resort – shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

After the earthquake: A checklist

Be prepared for aftershocks and plan where you will take cover when they occur.

Check for injuries.  Give first aid as necessary.

Remain calm and reassure others.

Avoid broken glass.

Check for fire.  Take appropriate actions and precautions.

Check gas, water and electric lines.  If damaged, shut off service (Gas Shut Off Tool).  If gas is leaking don’t use matches, flashlights, appliances or electric switches...  lightsticks are the only light source that will not create a spark.  Open windows, leave building and report to gas company.

Replace all telephone receivers and use for emergency calls only.

Tune to the emergency broadcast station on radio or television.  Listen for emergency bulletins.

Stay out of damaged buildings.

Family Earthquake Plan

Know your environment

Safest place in the home:  During an earthquake, stay away from heavy furniture, appliances, large panes of glass, shelves holding heavy objects and masonry veneer (such as the fireplace).  These items tend to fall or break and can injure you.  Usually, a hallway is one of the safest places if it is not crowded with objects.  Kitchens and garages tend to be the most dangerous.  Also, know the safest place in each room.  Moving one place to another during a severe earthquake will be difficult.

Exits and alternative exits:  Always know all the possible ways to exit your house and workplace in emergencies.  Try to discover exits that would be available to you in an emergency.

Location of shutoff valves:  Know the location of the shutoff valves for water, gas and electricity.  Learn how to operate the valves.  If you are not sure, contact your utility company.  Consider having a Gas Shut Off Tool next to or attached to your gas meter.

Make special provisions

Elderly, disabled or persons on medication:  These people may have difficulty moving around after an earthquake.  Plan to have someone help them evacuate.  Also, they may need special foods or medication. Be sure to store several days’ supply of these special provisions.

Pets:  After an earthquake, you should be concerned with your own safety first, and pets second. Keep pets in a secure place at home after an earthquake.  If you are evacuated, they will not be allowed at the emergency shelter.

Plan to meet

Plan to reunite:  Make a plan on where and how to unite family members.  Choose an out-of-town contact (Emergency Contact Information) to communicate with if family members are separated.  Long-distance phone service probably will be restored sooner than local service.  Make sure each member of the family knows the phone number and has that number programmed into their phone as “ICE” (In Case of Emergency).  Text messaging can often get around network disruptions when a phone call might not get through.  Remember, don’t use the phone immediately after an earthquake and make local calls only for emergencies.

Develop a message drop:  You need to identify a secure location outside your home where family members can leave messages for each other.  This way, if you’re separated and unable to remain in your home, your family will know where to find you.  You don’t want to publicize that you are not at home, which is why this location should be secure and discreet; i.e. under a paving stone, inside a tin can, in the back yard, etc.

Basic Emergency Supply Kit

Make sure you have enough food, water, and other supplies to last a minimum of three days.  First responders cannot reach everyone immediately.  It could be days before you might get help.  Basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephones may be cut off for days or weeks.

Ready.gov recommends the following items be included in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food (see also http://ARKready.mygofoods.com)
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First Aid Kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust Mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities (see Gas Shut Off Tool or Gas & Water Shut Off Tool)
• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:

• Prescription medications and glasses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Pet food and extra water for your pet (see Pet Kits)
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
• Cash or traveler's checks and change
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container.
• Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov.
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
• Fire Extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

Prepare your home

• Fasten shelves securely to walls.
• Bolt or strap furniture to walls. (Furniture Straps)
• Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves.
• Store breakable items such as bottled foods, glass, and china in low, closed cabinets with latches.
• Use Museum Wax or Museum Putty to hold collectibles in place.
• Hang heavy items such as pictures and mirrors away from beds, couches, and anywhere people sit. (A-Maze-Ing Picture Hooks)
• 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.