Earthquake Survival

Earthquake survival begins with a plan. Your plan, as with any other natural or man-made disaster, should begin with developing a family communication plan, making an emergency preparedness kit, and assembling 72-hour kits.

The information I have assembled here includes general guidelines for earthquake survival, preparedness and safety. Because injury prevention techniques may vary from state to state, it is recommended that you contact your local emergency management office, health department, or American Red Cross chapter.

What to do before an earthquake

Look for items in your home that could become a hazard in an earthquake:

•  Repair defective electrical wiring, leaky gas lines, and inflexible utility connections.
• Bolt down water heaters and gas appliances (have an automatic gas shutoff device installed that is triggered by an earthquake).
• Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves. Fasten shelves to walls. Brace high and top-heavy objects.
• Store bottled foods, glass, china, and other breakables on low shelves or in cabinets that can fasten shut.
• Anchor overhead lighting fixtures.
• Check and repair deep plaster cracks in ceilings and foundations. Get expert advice, especially if there are signs of structural defects.
• Be sure the residence is firmly anchored to its foundation.
• Install flexible pipe fittings to avoid gas or water leaks. Flexible fittings are more resistant to breakage.
• Know where and how to shut off electricity, gas, and water at main switches and valves.

Hold earthquake drills with your family.

• Locate safe spots in each room under a sturdy table or against an inside wall. Reinforce this information by physically placing yourself and your family in these locations.
• Identify danger zones in each room—near windows where glass can shatter, bookcases or furniture that can fall over, or under ceiling fixtures that could fall down.

Review your insurance policies.

• Check with your insurance agent to see if earthquake insurance is available and affordable.
• Some damage may be covered even without specific earthquake insurance.
• Protect important home and business papers.

What to do during an earthquake.

Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Most injuries during earthquakes occur when people are hit by falling objects when entering or exiting buildings.

1. Drop, cover, and hold on! Minimize your movements during an earthquake to a few steps to a nearby safe place. Stay indoors until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.
2. If you are indoors, take cover under a sturdy desk, table, or bench, or against an inside wall, and hold on. Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors or walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture. If you are in bed, stay there, hold on, and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall.
3. If there isn't a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building. Doorways should only be used for shelter if they are in close proximity to you and if you know that it is a strongly supported load-bearing doorway.
4. If you are outdoors, stay there. Move away from buildings, streetlights and utility wires.
5. If you live in an apartment building or other multi-household structure with many levels, consider the following:

6. If you're in a crowded indoor public location:

7. In a moving vehicle, stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, or utility wires. Then proceed cautiously, watching for road and bridge damage.
8. If you become trapped in debris:

9. Stay indoors until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.

What to do after an earthquake.

1. Be prepared for aftershocks. These secondary shock waves are usually less violent than the main quake but can be strong enough to do additional damage to weakened structures.
2. Check for injuries. Do not attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of death or further injury. If you must move an unconscious person, first stabilize the neck and back, then call for help immediately.

3. If the electricity goes out, use flashlights or battery-powered lanterns. Do not use candles, matches, or open flames indoors after the earthquake because of possible gas leaks.
4. Wear sturdy shoes in areas covered with fallen debris and broken glass.
5. Check your home for structural damage. If you have any doubts about safety, have your home inspected by a professional before entering.
6. Check chimneys for visible damage; however, have a professional inspect the chimney for internal damage before lighting a fire.
7. Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline, and other flammable liquids. Evacuate the building if gasoline fumes are detected and the building is not well ventilated.
8. Visually inspect utility lines and appliances for damage.

9. Open cabinets cautiously. Beware of objects that can fall off shelves.
10. Use the phone only to report life-threatening emergencies.
11. Listen to news reports for the latest emergency information.
12. Stay off the streets. If you must go out, watch for fallen objects, downed electrical wires, and weakened walls, bridges, roads, and sidewalks.

Earthquake survival is important to those of you who know you live in earthquake-prone areas. But having watched several documentaries on TV about how the earth was made, earthquakes may happend just about anywhere on this earth—at the very least, the after effects could endanger your family in the form of tsunamis.

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