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Getting Ready for an Earthquake

Practice Drills 

By planning and practicing what to do if an earthquake strikes, you and your family can learn to react correctly and automatically when the shaking begins. During an earthquake, most deaths and injuries are caused by collapsing building materials and heavy falling objects, such as bookcases, cabinets, and heating units. Learn the safe spots in each room of your home. If you have children, get the entire family to practice going to these locations. Participating in an earthquake drill will help children understand what to do in case you are not with them during an earthquake.

Make sure you and your child also understand the school's emergency procedures for disasters. This will help you coordinate where, when, and how to reunite with your child after an earthquake.

 During your earthquake drill:

• Get under a sturdy table or desk and hold on to it.

• If you're not near a table or desk, cover your face and head with your arms; and

  • stand or crouch in a strongly supported doorway OR . . .

  • brace yourself in an inside corner of the house or building.

• Stay clear of windows or glass that could shatter or objects that could fall on you.

• Remember: If inside, stay inside. Many people are injured at entrances of buildings by falling debris.

Evacuation Plans

If an earthquake occurs, you may need to evacuate a damaged area afterward. By planning and practicing for evacuation, you will be better prepared to respond appropriately and efficiently to signs of danger or to directions by civil authorities.

• Take a few minutes with your family to discuss a home evacuation plan. Sketch a floor plan of your home; walk through each room and discuss evacuation details.

• Plan a second way to exit from each room or area, if possible. If you need special equipment, such as a rope ladder, mark where it is located.

• Mark where your emergency food, water, first aid kits, and fire extinguishers are located.

• Mark where the utility switches or valves are located so that they can be turned off, if possible.

• Indicate the location of your family's emergency outdoor meeting place.

Establish Priorities

 Take time before an earthquake strikes to write an emergency priority list, including:

• important items to be hand-carried by you

• other items, in order of importance to you and your family

• items to be removed by car or truck if one is available

•  things to do if time permits, such as locking doors and windows, turning off the utilities, etc.

Write Down Important Information

Make a list of important information and put it in a secure location. Include on your list:

• important telephone numbers, such as police, fire, paramedics, and medical centers

• the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of your insurance agents, including policy types and numbers

• the telephone numbers of the electric, gas, and water companies

• the names and telephone numbers of neighbors

• the name and telephone number of your landlord or property manager

• important medical information, such as allergies, regular medications, etc.

• the vehicle identification number, year, model, and license number of your automobile, boat, RV, etc.

• your bank's or credit union's telephone number, account types, and numbers

• radio and television broadcast stations to tune to for emergency broadcast information

NOTE: There is a form on the back cover of this pamphlet for listing important telephone numbers and other information.

Gather and Store Important Documents in a Fire-Proof Safe

•  Birth certificates
•  Ownership certificates (automobiles, boats, etc.)
•  Social Security cards
•  Insurance policies
•  Wills
•  Household inventory, including:
  • list of contents
  • photographs of contents of every room
  • photographs of items of high value, such as jewelry, paintings, collectors' items

Emergency Supplies

Stock up now on emergency supplies that can be used after an earthquake. These supplies should include a first aid kit, survival kits for the home, automobile, and workplace, and emergency water and food. Store enough supplies to last at least 3 days.

Emergency Water Storage And Purification

Following are recommendations for storing and purifying water supplies.

• The minimum drinking water supply is 1 gallon per person per day. You will also need water for food preparation, bathing, brushing teeth, and dish washing. Store a 3-5 day supply of water (at least 5 gallons for each person).

• Water should be stored in sturdy plastic bottles with tight-fitting lids. Rinsed chlorine bleach bottles work well. Plastic containers for juice and milk do not work as well because they tend to crack and leak more readily.

• Stored water should be changed every 6 months.

• Avoid placing water containers in areas where toxic substances, such as gasoline and pesticides, are present. Vapors may penetrate the plastic over time.

• Do not store water containers in direct sunlight. Select a place with a fairly constant, cool temperature.

Safe Water Sources In The Home

If you do not have enough water stored, there are sources in your home that may provide safe, clean water for drinking purposes.

• Water drained from the water heater faucet, if the water heater has not been damaged.

• Water dipped from the tank of the toilet (not the bowl). The water in the bowl can be used for pets. Do not use water that has been chemically treated or "blue" water.

• Melted ice cubes.

• Canned fruit, vegetable juice, and liquids from other canned goods.

• Water from the swimming pool. Use this water only after other sources of pure water are exhausted.

Unsafe Water Sources

Never use water from the sources listed below for drinking.

• Radiators

• Hot water boilers (home heating system)

• Water beds (fungicides added to the water or chemicals in the vinyl may make water unsafe for use)

NOTE: Remember that carbonated beverages do not meet drinking water requirements. Caffeinated drinks and alcohol dehydrate the body, which increases the need for drinking water.

Water for Drinking and Cooking

Safe drinking water includes bottled, boiled, or treated water. Your state or local health department can make specific recommendations for boiling or treating drinking water in your area. Here are some general rules concerning water for drinking and cooking. Remember:

• Do not use contaminated water to wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash and prepare food, or make ice.

• If you use bottled water, make sure the seal has not been broken. Otherwise, water should be boiled or treated before use. Drink only bottled, boiled, or treated water until your supply is tested and found safe.

• Boiling water kills harmful bacteria and parasites. Bringing water to a rolling boil for 1 minute will kill most organisms.

• Treat water with chlorine or iodine tablets or mix six drops (1/8 teaspoon) of unscented, ordinary household chlorine bleach per gallon of water. Mix the solution thoroughly, and let stand for about 30 minutes. However, this treatment will not kill parasitic organisms.

Containers for water should be rinsed with a bleach solution before using and reusing. Use water storage tanks and other types of containers with caution. For example, fire truck storage tanks, as well as previously used cans or bottles, can be contaminated with microbes or chemicals.

Emergency Food

Keep foods that:

• have a long storage life

• require little or no cooking, water, or refrigeration, in case utilities are disrupted

• meet the needs of babies or other family members who are on special diets

• meet pets' needs

• are not very salty or spicy, as these foods increase the need for drinking water, which may be in short supply

How To Store Emergency Food

• A disaster can easily disrupt the food supply at any time, so plan to have at least a 3-day supply of food on hand.

• When storing food, it is not necessary to buy dehydrated or other types of emergency food. Canned foods and dry mixes will remain fresh for about 2 years.

• Certain storage conditions can enhance the shelf life of canned or dried foods. The ideal location is a cool, dry, dark place. The best temperature is 40 to 60°F. Keep foods away from ranges or refrigerator exhausts. Heat causes many foods to spoil more quickly.

• Keep food away from petroleum products, such as gasoline, oil, paints, and solvents. Some food products absorb their smell.

• Protect food from rodents and insects. Items stored in boxes or in paper cartons will keep longer if they are heavily wrapped or stored in airtight containers.

• Date all food items. Use and replace food before it loses freshness.

How To Use Emergency Food

• Use perishable food in your refrigerator or freezer before using food in your emergency supplies.

• Discard cooked, unrefrigerated foods after 2 hours at room temperature, regardless of appearance.

• Eat only foods that have a normal color, texture, and odor.

• Discard cans that bulge at the ends or that are leaking.

Preparing Food

Preparing food after an earthquake may be complicated by damage to your home and loss of electricity, gas, and water. The following items will help you to prepare meals safely:

• Cooking utensils

• Knives, forks, and spoons

• Paper plates, cups, and towels

• A manual can- and bottle-opener

• Heavy-duty aluminum foil

• Gas or charcoal grill; camp stove

• Fuel for cooking, such as charcoal. (CAUTION: Never burn charcoal indoors. The fumes are deadly when concentrated indoors.)

NOTE: Do not use your fireplace for cooking until the chimney has been inspected for cracks and damage. Sparks may escape into your attic through an undetected crack and start a fire.

Getting Back Together After the Earthquake

An earthquake could occur when your family is not together. Members of your family may be at home, work, shopping, or at school. Take a few minutes with your family to establish a plan for how and when to reunite after an earthquake.

• List two or three places within walking distance of your home, such as neighbors' or nearby relatives' homes, local schools, churches, or community centers. If you arrive at home and nobody is there, the list will give you places to start looking for family members.

• Choose a relative who lives at least 100 miles away who can be contacted by all family members if it becomes impossible to reach reunion locations. You can tell them where you are and how you are, and you can learn the location of other family members. You and your family should carry this number with you.

Home |About Earthquakes | Getting Ready for an Earthquake
 Inspecting for Possible Home Hazards | During an Earthquake 
After an Earthquake | People with Special Needs | Summary 
Important Names and Numbers