What you need to know about earthquake safety
Many parts of the United States have earthquake faults. Some are rather surprising and others are well known. The San Andreas is probably the best known but there are others near New York City, Washington, D.C., Georgia and many other places. Two of the largest, aside from the San Andreas are the Cascadia Subduction Zone and the New Madrid fault which is a mid-continent fault line capable of quakes in the high eights.
Some aspects of earthquake safety are the same as those for other disasters. As an example, it’s a good idea to find out how likely one will happen and how bad it could get. A ‘grab and go’ bag is another essential. These should be stocked with food, water, medications, first aid kit, battery operated radio and other items needed to survive.
If you strap your water heater to a stud with plumber’s tape, you will be able to save both it and the water inside it. This is important because water may be hard to get. You should also keep something that will turn off the gas near the gas meter. There are tools that can be attached to the meter for this purpose.
Flashlights should be kept in every room, including bathrooms. They need to be in a secure holding place such as a drawer or they will fall off and roll away during a quake. Do not use candles during or after an earthquake; gas leaks are possible and the resultant explosion and fire is not something needed.
During an earthquake it is important to know what to do. Many people have been taught to get into a doorway for protection. That is no longer considered good advice. If you are in bed and nothing can fall on you, stay there. If you are near something like glass, pull the blankets over your head to protect yourself.
In other areas of the home you can get under tables, desks or stand against an internal wall. Bathrooms, especially small ones, are often safe. Whatever you do, there is a don’t. Don’t run. At least one person was killed in the Northridge Earthquake because she ran.
After the earthquake there is a lot to do. Grab the go bag and evacuate the building first. If it’s dark, make sure everyone has a flashlight. Moderate earthquakes often knock out power. Once you are outside, turn off the water going into the building. That way, if there is a break in the lines somewhere, the water already in your house is clean.
Next, check the gas meter and gas lines. If you smell or hear gas, turn the supply off. If your neighbors haven’t come out yet, you can do the same for them. This will prevent the less prepared from coming outdoors with a lit candle.
When all of that is done, treat any injuries and listen for information from public officials. They will let you know if you need to go to an emergency shelter and other important information to keep you and your loved ones safe.
Be prepared to spend from three days to two weeks without help. Large earthquakes, especially in heavily populated areas, damage infrastructure. Loma Prieta in 1988, Northridge in 1994 and the more recent 7.1 in Ridgecrest all damaged roads. Some of them damaged runways and all of them damaged important buildings, water supply and electricity.
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