Three Ways To Keep Safe During An Earthquake

If you live in an area that is prone to earthquakes you'll need to know how to get you and your family safely through an earthquake. There are three things you can do to help you get through this life-threatening situation: 1) Minimize the hazards in your home, 2) Prepare yourself and your family by learning what to do during the earthquake, and 3) Prepare yourself and your family for life after the earthquake.

Prepare Your Home and Family

If you live in an earthquake zone your home (and family) should be prepared for an earthquake.

Any bookcase type piece of furniture that might topple over during an earthquake should be secured to a wall.

Cabinets should all have latches to keep them closed.

Hot water tanks and heaters should be strapped to a wall.

Fire extinguishers should be available and kept charged.

Heavy objects should always be kept lower than the head of the smallest member of the family and never kept over a bed.

Everyone should know where the shut-offs for water, gas and electricity are located.

A meeting place for your family, outside the home, should be identified.

Everyone should know how to contact emergency services.

What To Do During an Earthquake

If you are in your home when an earthquake starts, trying to get out of the house may be dangerous, it is probably safer to move no farther than the nearest cover — some sturdy object that can protect you from falling debris. Despite the advice to 'get under' a table or piece of furniture it is widely contended that its safer to get 'next to' the table or piece of furniture and make yourself as small as possible by getting into a fetal position — if the furniture collapses due to falling debris you won't be under it and in your position next to it you are likely to have a small safe space.

Important Note: The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross reject this method. They insist that the best method to use inside a home during an earthquake is the "drop, cover and hold" method, i.e., DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting 'under' the nearest sturdy table or other piece of furniture and cover your eyes with your arms to protect them then HOLD ON until the shaking stops.

Whichever method you feel is safer, identify the furniture in your home that is strong enough to protect you against a ceiling collapse and then practice your selected procedure with your family.

You've probably always heard that the safest place during an earthquake is in a doorway — that may have been true for the older homes but in modern homes the doorway is likely to be no stronger than any other place in the house. Also consider that the top floor of a house may be safer than the ground floor. On the ground floor the entire weight of the upper floor(s) could possibly collapse on you; and if the earthquake was so severe that it did collapse the upper floor of the house you would have a better chance of survival 'riding the top floor down' than you would being under the top floor. Stairways are especially dangerous during earthquakes — they are usually the first to go.

After the Earthquake

If possible, someone should turn off the gas and electricity but it's most important to keep yourself and your family safe. Everyone should get out of the house as soon as possible and meet in the prearranged meeting place; that place should be out in the open, away from structures and power lines.

Every home should have earthquake disaster supplies kept together or easily reachable if needed. At a minimum, the supplies should include the following short term items:

A first aid kit that everyone knows how to use.

Prepared (ready to eat) foods in cans or plastic bags — enough for a minimum of three days (don't forget to include a can opener if your cans are not the e-z open type).

Critical medication and extra eye glasses

Sleeping bags

Thermal Blankets

Protective outer clothing

Sturdy shoes (the shoes are very important, after an earthquake there will be no safe place to walk without strong shoes).

Bottled water (one gallon per person per day – allow for a minimum of three days)

Toilet Paper and feminine napkins.

Flashlights or battery-lanterns, extra batteries and a battery powered radio.

Any special items required for young children, older folks or anyone with special needs.

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