Earth Quake Safety

Earthquake Safety Some things to know before the ground moves again. January 17th, 1994 4:31 AM a 6.7 magnitude earthquake hits Northridge CA, a suburb of Los Angeles. The quake lasted only 40 seconds, those 40 seconds changed millions of lives forever. 55 people died, 25,000 buildings were declared uninhabitable. Over $30 billion worth of damage was recorded, and it wasn't even the big one. No one in the United States is safe from the possibility of another earthquake. An earthquake more powerful than the Northridge quake is expected within the next 25 years, probably within the next 10, that could be 2015 or maybe tomorrow. This text contains earthquake safety tips for you and your family. This is a service for you or friends and neighbors. Some of these tips may save your property; all of these tips may save your life. Read and implement the simple lifesaving tips in this text, We care about your safety and welfare. Myths Before there can be any discussion of earthquake safety there are two myths that must be dispelled. Earthquake weather Presently there is no absolute way to predict exactly when or where earthquakes will occur. Seismologists can say with certainty that numerous minor moderate earthquakes will be felt in the U.S. And possibly the next year or 2 the major one will occur. Or perhaps within the next 25 years. No one can say exactly where these quakes will happen. Therefore you must be prepared for the earthquake that will take place. A hurricane gives a warning of a few days or hours, a tornado gives a warning of a few hours or minutes, the earthquake warning is indefinite, you're getting it now, don't let your next warning be the windows into home shattering or your refrigerator tumbling into your bedroom. Act of God Many people assume that this devastating act of God cannot be survived that disasters of this magnitude are hopeless. Myths about the earth opening up, swallowing hordes of people and closing again are just that myths. Most deaths in a major earthquake, is the result of falling objects, walls, trees, power lines etc. Obviously you can protect yourself through the use of certain precautions and procedures. As massive a disaster a major earthquake can be, your chance of survival is largely up to you. Before the earthquake More important than what you do after earthquake, is what you do before the earthquake. It will be necessary for you to prepare your self both physically and mentally. Mentally preparing yourself with possible scenarios, physically obtaining important supplies. Mental preparation Even the most normal person feels some psychological trauma in the wake of an earthquake. Your best defense is carefully going through the reasonable possibilities so as to make the experience seem less a fearful. If the earthquake occurs at a time when your family is not all together where will you meet? If someone is injured do you have basic knowledge of first aid? Frequently powerlines are down, is your family prepared to do without a refrigerator, microwave, oven, TV, clock radio, or air-conditioning. When the electric lights are out with you be able to find the supplies you need in the dark? Earthquakes frequently take out waterlines; you may not get water from the faucets and if you do it may be contaminated. What do you do about the water shortage? When lines go down the phone lines will certainly be either out or overloaded with life have emergencies. If the sewage lines are out you can't use the toilet it will not flush. If your gas line is broken do you know how to shut it off? Physical preparation With powerlines out prepare certain substitutes, keep plenty of flashlights on hand and a portable radio it may be the only contact with the outside world for news and information. Keep a fire extinguisher in a safe place to stop small fires. Broken gas lines and gas leaks are extremely dangerous. Taken necessary precautions, smell for gas and have a wrench to turn it off in the event of a break or leak. Open windows for ventilation; do not use flame materials, matches, lighters, cigarettes, or candles. With no sewage lines you want plastic bags for garbage and human waste. Medically you'll need a first-aid kit. It's also a good idea to keep extra prescription medications around as well as an extra pair of glasses. Food and water You must keep Canned and dried foods on hand, without electricity, food in the refrigerator will spoil and may you may not be able to cook. Generally canned goods and dried fruits have a shelf life of at least one-year. Keep enough food for each member of the family for one week. Don't forget food for your animals. For you're canned food don't forget a manual can opener, also keep disposable plates, cups and utensils for your own comfort. Water should be a primary concern; the human body cannot survive more than a few days without water. Damaged waterlines may result in contaminated drinking water or no water at all. Your best bet is to keep plenty of bottled water on hand. Generally each person needs one gallon per day so keep 4 gallons on hand per person to be safe. Away from home Most offices and schools have safety plans designed specifically for earthquakes. You may want to check with these places just to make certain. As you prepare supplies for your home you must not ignore your work. Keep in your car a change of clothes and basic supplies, emergency water, and food. If you take prescription medications keep extras. Unpleasant as it may seem try to imagine the possible scenarios. Being trapped at home, office or school is always possible. An earthquake can be devastating and frightening. The recent San Francisco quake proves that preparation works and works well. Hearing of earthquake Remain calm, it cannot be stressed enough by remaining calm, and thinking clearly, you'll be able to follow directions from the proper authorities and make the correct decisions about potentially dangerous situations. Indoors Get under a sturdy table or desk, or get underneath an interior door jamb this is the strongest safest place in the whole house or office. Watch out for falling debris from shelves and watch windows for broken glass. Outdoors If you're in your car stay there, stay inside where you are protected from falling objects. Drive away from large collapsible masses or buildings. Keep from being on or under bridges, get away from trees, buildings, electrical lines or other dangerous objects. Stop in a safe area and wait until the quakes stop before getting out of your car. If walking outside watch for falling objects, rocks, trees, parts of buildings etc. Don't worry about the earth opening up and swallowing you. As we said earlier that is a myth. Keep a cool head an earthquake takes anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes, so if it starts, stay mentally, and physically prepared. And just wait out the earthquake. After the earthquake As soon as the shaking stops make certain you have on shoes, broken glass is a tremendous hazard so keep your feet protected. Your immediate concern should be checking for injuries, then check for gas, water, electrical, and sewer line damage. Gas line damage is especially dangerous, if you smell gas immediately turn off the main pipe with your pipe wrench and open all windows and doors to clear the air. Never use open flame, cigarettes, or matches see by. Now that you've attended to immediate needs do not go sightseeing. While you may feel a tremendous curiosity to survey the damaging to your neighborhood or city, you do not want to interfere with trained fire fighting or police. You will probably get in the way of emergency crews trying to save property and lives. Besides there are more things you can to at home. Hopefully you've stored batteries and have a portable radio, turn on the radio to get up-to-the-minute instructions from public safety officials they will provide you with information on everything from rescue operations to restoring your electricity. Do not use the telephone except for life and death emergency calls the lines will be overloaded. If water is still available you want to disinfect it just in case it stops running later. Simply strain water through a clean cloth this removes glass and floating contaminants, then boil it for five to ten minutes. If power or gas is unavailable after straining the water use bleach with 5.25 percent solution of sodium hypeoclorine do not use bleaches with other active ingredients. If your water is clear use one court of water to two drops of bleach, one gallon of water to eight drops, five gallons of water 1/2 teaspoon. If the water is cloudy allow it to sit for 30 minutes and double the above quantities. If there's a slight chlorine odor you did it correctly if not wait fifteen more minutes and repeat the treatment. After taking care of your water check your food supply. If you have some food stored in opened containers make certain there's no broken glass that could have gotten into it. If there is broken glass nearby, even if you cannot see it in the food you should play it safe and dump that food. Prioritize the consumption of your food. Eat refrigerated foods first. Beware of downed power electrical lines. If you are on foot make a wide path around them. If you are in your car, stay there, if the wire touches your car you will be insulated and not harmed. Never assume a power line is dead, avoiding powerlines will help you to avoid shock, and serious burns. Be prepared for aftershocks these are smaller quakes after every major earthquake some of these may be powerful enough to cause more damage so be on your guard. Earth Quake Checklist Flashlights with batteries stored separately Portable radio with extra batteries Spare batteries Fire extinguisher Pipe wrench for turning off gas lines Food and bottled water enough for 1 week Manual can opener Matches,lighter fluid, and charcoal for cooking Disposable plates and utensils Trash bags Hammer, screw driver, and pliers Knife and razor blades Blankets Extra clothes Emergency medications and prescribed medication Emergency phone numbers A plan for reuniting your family