- Have a plan. During an earthquake, your family may be separated. Plan ahead for a safe place where your family can reunite.
- Choose and out-of-state contact person who can be called by all family members to relay information. In an emergency, out-of-area calls are often easier to place than local calls.
- Know both safe and dangerous areas inside your home. Under tables or other sturdy furniture or against interior walls are considered safe. Danger spots include areas near windows, mirrors, hanging objects, fireplaces and tall, unsecured furniture.
- Conduct practice drills in your home. These drills will help you and other family members locate the safest places in your house quickly.
- Teach everyone who could be home how to shut off gas, water and electricity in case lines are damaged. (SAFETY NOTE: do NOT attempt to relight gas pilots; call the untility company).
- Secure your water heater and major appliances, as well as tall, heavy furniture, hanging plants, mirrors and picture frames (especially those over beds).
- Keep breakables, heavy objects, and flammable or hazardous liquids (paint, pest sprays and cleaning products) in secured cabinets or on lower shelves.
- Prepare an emergency kit of food, water and supplies including a flashlight, battery powered radio, medicines and first aid kit. Be prepared to take care of yourself for at least 72 hours and possibly longer.
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- Indoors: Duck, cover, and hold under a sturdy piece of furniture such as a desk. Hold onto it, and prepare to move with it.
- Outdoors: Get into an open area away from trees, buildings, walls and power lines.
- Driving: Pull over to the side of the road and stop. Avoid overpasses and power lines; stay in your car until the shaking is over. EXCERCISE CAUTION WHEN YOU RESUME DRIVING: Power lines may be down, slides may have occured, bridges and overpasses may be extremely unstable.
- Public Places: Do not rush for the doors. Remain calm and encourage others to do the same. Crouch and cover your head and neck with your hands and arms.
- Multi-story Buildings: Stay away from windows and outside walls. Don't use elevators.
- On the Beach Immediately move to higher ground.
- Near Cliffs/Slopes Watch for falling rock or slippage that may have been triggered by the quake.
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Being informed and prepared can help keep you safe and minimize property damage during any emergency.
While this information is oriented to an earthquake emergency, many of the tips presented would apply in other situations, such as this past winter's floods.
Print out and discuss this information with your family soon.
| - Check for injuries. Seriously injured persons should not be moved unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.
- Do not use the telephone unless there is an immediate life-threatening emergency. Leave phone lines open for emergency use.
- Check for gas and water leaks, broken electrical wiring and sewage lines. If there is damage, turn the utility off at its source.
- Turn on your portable radio for instructions and news reports. For your own safety, cooperate fully with public safety officials and follow instructions.
- Check your building for crack and damage, including the roof, chimneys and foundation.
- Be prepared for aftershocks. While generally smaller than the main earthquake, they can still do additional damage.
- Anticipate Tsunamis. Along the coast, be alert for tsunami warnings. If you experience a strong earthquake that lasts a long time, move to higher ground or to the upper floors of a building as soon as you are able. Remain there until authorities issue an "all clear".
- If you evacuate, leave a message at your home telling family members where you can be found.
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We hope to make this material available in a distributable form via Adobe's pdf reader soon.
Copies of the full brochure are available from the EFD at a nominal charge.
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