AN EARTHQUAKE PREPARDNESS GUIDE

~ FOR YOUR FAMILY ~

INTRODUCTION

This Earthquake Preparedness Guide is provided by Quake Defense, Inc., to assist you and your family in the event of an earthquake and its accompanying problems - falling objects, splintering glass, and fire.

Earthquakes are a fact of life in California. But, earthquakes can and have occurred nearly everywhere in the world. During this century in the U.S., thirty-nine states have been the location of a quake's epicenter, causing damage in all fifty states.

Scientists cannot predict exactly when or where the next severe earthquake will occur, but they do predict that it is only a matter of time. Officials tell us that the responsibility for surviving the affects of a severe earthquake will be our own. Survival is not just a matter of luck. Being properly prepared may well be the difference between life and death.

~ BEFORE THE NEXT EARTHQUAKE ~

Prepare and discuss a Master Disaster Plan with your family. Talk calmly and in a matter-of-fact manner about the possibility of an earthquake or other disaster. Stress to your family members that being prepared is the best way to protect themselves. Your children will feel more secure if you allow them to participate in your preparations, and they will be better able to cope in a disaster. Reinforce their self-confidence through praise for their assistance and for their quick response in planned practice drills.

~ YOUR FAMILY SAFETY CHECK LIST ~

Take First Aid classes. The Red Cross offers frequent courses.

Learn how to shut off the gas*, water, and electricity.

Learn how to scan a room to identify the safest area; identify something you could get under or something to put over yourself for protection.

Identify possible hazards and make necessary corrections.

Select a meeting place at an established location outside of your home in case family members are separated during an earthquake.

Agree on an out of state contact in the event the family is separated. When local phone lines are down, it may be possible to make out of state calls from pay or cellular telephones. Be sure family members always have a few quarters to make emergency pay phone calls. Prearrange with your contact that they will accept collect calls in an emergency. Make sure every family member knows the telephone number of the out of state contacts.

Find out the policy of your children's school in the event of an emergency. Make sure that you have emergency forms and medical releases on file.

~ PREPARATION MEASURES ~

Prepare an emergency medical kit. Be sure to personalize your kit according to your family's needs. Add any necessary prescription medication, and rotate your supplies to assure freshness.

Secure water heater, refrigerator, and heavy items of furniture to wall studs.

Check closets, pantry shelves, and cabinets. Move heavier objects to lower shelves and install latches or clips on the inside of cabinet doors.

Remove or isolate flammable materials. Separate household cleaning agents that may be toxic if spilled and mixed. (ammonia and chlorine bleach give off toxic fumes)

Have structure checked. Your home and garage should be securely bolted to the foundation.

Don't forget about your pet's needs. Store extra food and water for pets. Also, don't forget leashes or any pet medications.

Have get-away clothes, sleeping bags, extra eyeglasses, and any personal items prepacked in easy to carry containers such as backpacks.

Keep a pair of closed toe shoes, a flashlight, and a pair of heavy gloves beside each bed.

Make sure a wrench for turning off the gas is handy. It should be made of non-sparking aluminum to avoid explosions when turning off a meter where pipes may be damaged. Or, install a Quake Defense "Twingate" Automatic Gas Shut Off Valve on your gas line.

Prepare a sanitary bucket lined with plastic bags in case sewer lines are disrupted.

~ STOCKPILE ~

Water is the most important item to be stored. Plan on one gallon of water per person per day. Store a minimum supply for three days and for up to two weeks. Some people find it convenient to have a bottled water company deliver their 2 1/2 gallon self-dispensing bottles. These usually come two to a box and are easy to stack and store. It is also advisable to have water purification tablets.

Food that is easily prepared and doesn't use extra water or heat is important.

Supply yourself with fire extinguishers, a portable radio, and extra batteries.

A small survival kit should be placed in your car.

~ DURING AN EARTHQUAKE ~

Try to stay calm. This will be much easier if you have practiced your Master Disaster Plan. During the time of earth movement, most injuries and deaths result from partial building collapse, shattering glass, and falling objects. Don't panic or run. Think before you act. Call out to other family members for them to seek cover. Reassure them that you will get to them as soon as possible.

IF YOU ARE INSIDE a building, stay there. Dive under a sturdy table, desk, or bed; stand in a sturdy doorway; brace yourself in an inside corner away from the windows or move to an inner wall or hallway. The inner core of a building or a door frame are usually the building's strongest points. Grab anything handy to protect your head and face from falling debris and shattering glass.

~ DO NOT RUN OUTSIDE ~

Collapsing stairs, falling masonry, toppling chimneys, and shattering windows are a serious hazard.

IF YOU ARE OUTSIDE, stay there. Move away from high buildings, walls, lamp poles, and power poles. If possible, proceed cautiously to an open area. If this is not possible, crawling under a large parked truck will provide shelter.

~ IF YOU ARE IN A CAR ~

Stop your car as soon as safety permits. Don't stop on or under a highway underpass or bridge. Don't stop where buildings can topple down on you. Above all, stay in your car. If live electrical wires fall across a car, the car is usually well insulated unless you touch charged metal. The best advice for most situations is to stay in your car until help arrives.

~ AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE ~

Stop for a few seconds and calm yourself. Take a few deep breaths. Be prepared for additional earth movement. Call out to family members and tell them that you are O.K. and that you will get to them soon.

If it is dark, turn on your flashlight. DO NOT LIGHT MATCHES OR TURN ON ELECTRICAL SWITCHES. DO NOT CREATE SPARKS. In fact, any battery operated device with more than 2 C-cell batteries could produce enough of a spark to ignite a room full of gas.*

Put on heavy shoes and gloves. Protect your head and face with something like a hard hat, blanket, coat, cardboard box or newspaper. Move cautiously, unite the family, reassure children and make a quick check for injured or trapped people. Give emergency first aid if needed. Do not move anyone who is seriously injured unless they are in danger of further injury. Check for fires, potential fire hazards, and toxic spills.

Turn off appliances and extinguish any open flames. If electrical damage is suspected, turn off the electricity at the main control point. If gas leakage is detected, turn off the gas* with an aluminum wrench at the main valve. Open all windows. LEAVE the house, report to authorities, and stay away until utility officials say it is safe to return.

Upon return, draw a moderate of water into the bathtub or other containers, in case water service is disrupted. If you believe the water line is damaged, turn off the water at the main valve outside the house.

Reassure children and encourage them to stay close. Confine pets. Even guide dogs for the blind may forget all their training when stressed by an earthquake.

Turn on a battery powered radio or car radio to receive disaster instructions.

Do not drive unless it is an extreme emergency. Streets need to be clear for emergency vehicles.

Do not use the phone unless it is an extreme emergency such as needed medical help or to call out of state contact to unite family members.

Check on your neighbors to see if they need assistance.

If your home can be occupied, but sewer lines are damaged, line the toilet bowl with a large plastic bag.

~ ~ IF YOU MUST EVACUATE ~ ~

Leave carefully. Open all doors and cabinets slowly. Turn off your water & gas. Do not touch any light fixture or electric switch, including your garage door opener. Make sure all telephones are secure in their craddle. Take all your water and emergency food supplies, clothing, medications, and first aid supplies, cash, and important papers with you & don't forget your pets!

Leave a note in a prearranged place to let others know where you can be reached.

This family guide has been prepared by Kathleen A. Hansen, A Certified Earthquake Prepardness Instructor.

*Our QUAKE DEFENSE TWINGATE earthquake valve will shut the gas off for you automatically, in the event of a severe earthquake, even if you're not home!