What Should I Do Before the Next Large Earthquake

Buildings are designed to withstand the downward pull of gravity, yet earthquakes shake a building in all directions – up and down, but most of all, sideways. There are several common issues that can limit a building's ability to withstand this sideways shaking.

Everyone should have personal disaster supplies kits. Keep them where you spend most of your time, so they can be reached even if your building is badly damaged. The kits will be useful for many emergencies. Keep one kit in your home, another in your car, and a third kit at work. Backpacks or other small bags are best for your disaster supplies kits so you can take them with you if you evacuate.

Earthquakes do not just affect people – they also affect pets and other animals. Planning ahead in the event of an earthquake can protect the safety and well being of you and your pet. Your pets will depend on you even more after an earthquake to take care of them and their needs.

Earthquake Safety for Pets
Comprehensive pet earthquake safety tips from FoundAnimals.org.

If you are elderly, you need to take some extra precautions before an earthquake strikes. Plan how to protect yourself in your home or workplace. Always keep a list of your medications with you. Include phone numbers for doctors and family members. Keep walking aids next to you, and have extras elsewhere in your home. It is also a good idea to put a security light in each room. They will switch on automatically if you lose power. Keep a whistle nearby to signal for help, and arrange

If you are physically challenged, you need to take some extra precautions before an earthquake strikes. Plan how to protect yourself in your home or workplace. Always keep a list of your medications with you. Include phone numbers for doctors and family members. Keep walking aids next to you, and have extras elsewhere in your home. It is also a good idea to put a security light in each room. They will switch on automatically if you lose power. Keep a whistle nearby to signal for help, and arrange

If earthquakes scare us because we feel out of control, think how much more true this must be for children, who already must depend on adults for so much of their lives. It is important to spend time with children in your care before the next earthquake to explain why earthquakes occur. Involve them in developing your disaster plan, prepare disaster supplies kits, and practice “drop, cover, and hold on.” Consider simulating post-earthquake conditions by going without electricity or tap water.

Unsecured water heaters often fall over, rupturing rigid water and gas connections. If your water heater does not have two straps around it that are screwed into the studs or masonry of the wall, then it is not properly braced. Bracing kits are available that make this process simple. Have a plumber install flexible (corrugated) copper water connectors, if not already done.

Identify Potential Hazards in Your

There may be simple actions you can do right now that will protect you if an earthquake happens tomorrow. START NOW by moving furniture such as bookcases away from beds, sofas, or other places where people sit or sleep. Move heavy objects to lower shelves. Then begin to look for other items in your home that may be hazardous in an earthquake.

Identify Potential Hazards in Your

Earthquake safety is more than minimizing damage to buildings. We must also secure the contents of our buildings to reduce the risk to our lives and our pocketbooks. You should secure anything 1) heavy enough to hurt you if it falls on you, or 2) fragile and/or expensive enough to be a significant loss if it falls. In addition to contents within your living space, also secure items in other areas, such as your garage,to reduce damage to vehicles or hazardous material spills.

The Seven Steps on the Road to Earthquake Safety described in Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country show how we can be safer by knowing what to do before, during, and after earthquakes. The steps may also save a lot of money when structures and contents are not damaged. In addition to following the steps at home, they should also be followed in schools, workplaces, and other facilities. If we all follow these steps, we may