Earthquakes strike suddenly, violently and without warning. Many areas of the world have more seismic activity than others, but as we just saw with the recent “East Coast” earthquake, the potential exists all over the world. Earthquake preparedness is key to surviving an earthquake. No matter where you live, EVERYONE needs to be ready to deal with unexpected disasters or emergencies, quickly and effectively.
What to Do BEFORE an Earthquake
Identifying potential hazards ahead of time and advance planning can reduce the dangers of serious injury or loss of life from an earthquake.
Plan Ahead
Check for Hazards in the Home
Fasten shelves securely to walls. Install door latches, braces and fasteners to cabinets
Secure your water heater by strapping it to the wall studs and bolting it to the floor.
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 which can be potential fire risks.
Repair any deep cracks in ceilings or foundations. Get expert advice if there are signs of structural defects.
Store flammable products securely in closed cabinets with latches and on bottom shelves.
Buy earthquake insurance.
Educate Yourself and Family Members
Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1, police, or fire department and which radio station to tune to for emergency information.
Know where your gas, electric and water main shutoffs are and how to turn them off if there is a leak or electrical short. Make sure older members of the family can shut off utilities.
Know where your nearest fire and police stations and emergency medical facilities are.
Develop an Emergency Communication Plan
Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the "family contact." It's often easier to call long distance after a disaster. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.
In case family members are separated from one another during an earthquake develop a plan for reuniting after the disaster. (This is a real possibility during the day when children are at school and adults are at work)
Make sure each member of your family knows what to do no matter where they are if an earthquake occurs.
Find out about earthquake plans developed by children's school or day care.
Transportation may be disrupted, keep some emergency supplies at work.
Make an earthquake/disaster supply kit with the following items:
Water for each family member for at least two weeks (allow at least 1 gallon per person per day) and purification tablets or chlorine bleach to purify drinking water from other sources
Canned and package foods, enough for several days and MECHANICAL can opener. Extra food for pets if necessary
Flashlights with extra bulbs and batteries
Portable radio with extra batteries
Camp stove or barbecue to cook on outdoors
(do not use until you are sure there are NO gas leaks) (store fuel out of the reach of children)
Fire extinguisher
Adequate supplies of medications that you or family members are taking
Crescent and pipe wrenches to turn off gas and water supplies
First-aid kit and handbook
Waterproof heavy duty plastic bags Sturdy shoes Cash & credit cards
Know what to do DURING an earthquake:
Indoors:
Be sure you are wearing shoes before walking around because of broken glass or other debris.
Take cover under a desk, sturdy table, bench or against an inside wall or doorway. Stay away from cabinets, heavy mirrors/pictures and other heavy objects. If you're in the kitchen, move away from the refrigerator, stove, and overhead cabinets.
Stay away from windows, outside doors and walls and anything that could fall on you.
If you're sleeping, stay in bed and cover your head with a pillow. If your bed is under a heavy light fixture or you have a large mirror or painting over your headboard, move to the nearest safe place.
Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Most injuries during an earthquake occur when people enter or exit a structure.
Be aware that the electricity may go out or sprinkler systems and alarms may go off.
If you're in a public place such as a store or other crowded area, do not rush for exits. Move away from display shelves containing objects that could fall.
If you are in a high rise building, stay indoors and try to get under a desk or table, move against an interior wall and protect your head with your arms. Glass windows can dislodge during the quake and sail for hundreds of feet.
If you're in a theater of stadium, stay in your seat and protect your head with your arms. Do not try to leave until the shaking is over then leave in a calm, orderly manner. Avoid rushing toward exits.
If you're in a wheelchair, stay in it. If possible, move to take cover, lock your wheels, and protect your head with your arms. Do not use elevators.
Outdoors:
Stay there until the shaking stops and move away from buildings, streetlights, and overhead utility wires.
If you're on a sidewalk near buildings, duck into a doorway to protect yourself from falling bricks, glass, plaster, and other debris.
If you are in mountainous area--watch out for falling rock, landslides, trees, and other debris that could be loosened by quakes.
In a moving vehicle:
Stop quickly and safely and stay in the vehicle.
Do not stop near or under overpasses, buildings, trees, or overhead utility wires.
Once the shaking has stopped proceed carefully and keep an eye out for road damage and obstructions. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake
Keep earthquake survival kits in your car.
Trapped under debris:
Do not light a match for light.
Do not move about or kick up dust.
Cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief or clothing to keep dust out.
Shout for help and/or tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use three taps followed by a pause until rescuers find you.
Things NOT to do during an earthquake:
Do Not turn on the gas again if you turned it off; let the gas company do it
Do Not use matches, lighters, camp stoves or barbecues, electrical equipment, appliances until you are sure there are no gas leaks. They may create a spark that could ignite leaking gas and cause an explosion and fire.
Only use your telephone for a medical or fire emergency. You could tie up the lines needed for emergency response. If the phone doesn't work send someone for help.
Do Not expect firefighters, police or paramedics to help you. They may not be available.
What to do AFTER an earthquake
Expect aftershocks!
Wear Shoes to avoid injury from broken glass and debris.
Check for Injuries (if a person is bleeding, put direct pressure on the wound, use clean gauze or cloth if available; If a person is not breathing administer CPR; Do Not attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in further danger of injury; cover injured persons with blankets to keep warm; seek medical help for serious injuries.
Check for Hazards
Fire hazards--put out fires in your home or neighborhood immediately, call for help.
Gas leaks--shut off main gas valve ONLY if you suspect a leak because of broken pipes or odor.
Damaged electrical wiring--Shut off power at the control box if there is any danger to house wiring.
Downed or damaged utility lines--Do Not touch downed power lines or any objects in contact with them.
Damaged chimneys--Approach with caution—Do Not use a damaged chimney (it could start fire or let poisonous gases into your house;
Fallen items—use caution when you open doors of closets and cupboards.
Food and water supplies--Do not eat or drink anything from open containers near shattered glass. If the power goes off, plan to use up foods that will spoil quickly or frozen foods (food in the freezer should be good for at least a couple of days. Do not light your kitchen stove if you suspect a gas leak;
Use barbeques or camp stoves, outdoors only for emergency cooking.
If your water is off you can drink supplies from water heaters, melted ice cubes or canned vegetables. Avoid drinking water from swimming pools, especially spas which may have too many chemicals in it to be safe.
While seismic events may be your major concern, you need to be prepared for other hazards as well!
For further information contact: Doug Motz at Douglas Motz Insurance Agency
760-200-0270 or go to www.DougMotz.com
No comments:
Post a Comment