Scientists Predict Another 5+ EARTHQUAKE within a WEEK! Are You Ready?
We have not felt an earthquake like Thursday's in 20 years! Then we had an even stronger one yesterday! What if the next one is even bigger? The best thing we can do is to prepare and make our homes and places that we frequent as safe as possible.
How To Prepare for an Earthquake (in California we should always be prepared):
Secure things in the house
Identify and note every exit in your home
Walk through each room and identify good duck and cover spots
Make a family meeting place
All local family should pick an out of area family member to check in with, cell towers get inundated and it can be hard to reach other local phones
Family information cards (important for first responders to have allergy info and restrictions)
Emergency bag for 72 hours (see below for what to include)
Run an earthquake fire drill for day time
Run an earthquake drill where everyone has to get out of bed
MOST HOME INSURANCE PLANS DO NOT INCLUDE EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE! CHECK YOUR POLICY AND CALL YOUR INSURANCE AGENT NOW! Can you imagine if your family incurred great loss and on top of it, you have the financial stress knowing that you will have to cover everything out of pocket - if you can cover it.......
What to do when you feel an earthquake: DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON!
Drop to your hands and knees. Cover your head and neck with your arms. Crawl only as far as needed to reach cover from falling materials. Hold on to any sturdy furniture until the shaking stops.
If you are outside, stay outside
If you are in bed, stay in bed and cover your head with a blanket
If you are in a car, stop in a clear area away from things that can fall, stay in the car
Do not use an elevator
Stay away from cliffs and mountains that can have rolling rocks and debris
What to Pack in your Earthquake Emergency Bag:
*if you are able to stay in your home and electricity is out, eat everything you can in your refrigerator and freezer before eating what is in your pack
2 options:
One big emergency bag that everyone can handle holding, wearing, or rolling
One bag for each family member
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
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
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Manual can opener for food
Local maps
Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger
Any medications family members may need
Pet food
Baby diapers, female products, food, blankets
A pair of shoes or flip flops for every member of the family, many times earthquakes occur at night and putting on shoes is the last thing on everyone’s mind.
TAKE THE TIME AND READ FEMA'S INFORMATION PACKET ON EARTHQUAKES