By Laurie Brenner
When that earthquake hits in the middle of the night - will your family be prepared?
If your family is not prepared, by the time an earthquake hits, it may be too late. You may wake up to the sound of cascading glass when that new plasma television lands face down on the floor. Preparation means to get something ready in advance of it happening. Here is how to prepare for an earthquake and learn earthquake safety.
Start by developing a disaster plan for your family - and divide the plan into two parts.
The first part of your earthquake safety disaster plan should include everything you can do ahead of time --
• Secure breakables in your home
• Develop a disaster plan
• Develop an evacuation plan - and set a meeting location
• Make a plan for pets and animals
• Review your home for structural weaknesses
• Set aside water and food reserves
• Keep extra prescriptions and eyeglasses available
During an earthquake -
• During an earthquake protect yourself and small children
• Stay positioned - don't move around until after the earthquake stops
After an earthquake -
• Check for injuries among family members
• Check for structural damage to the home
• When safe, put your safety disaster plan into action
It's important to have the details worked out in advance of when a disaster hits. After a disaster, some people may panic and having a list of what to do in an orderly fashion helps to calm people down. When your world has just been shaken, often, the best thing to do is begin checking off the things you need to do: return to some form of normalcy.
Remember that during an earthquake you can be cut off from emergency services, water, fuel, food, banks and other retail outlets for an extended period. Be prepared!
If your family is not prepared, by the time an earthquake hits, it may be too late. You may wake up to the sound of cascading glass when that new plasma television lands face down on the floor. Preparation means to get something ready in advance of it happening. Here is how to prepare for an earthquake and learn earthquake safety.
Start by developing a disaster plan for your family - and divide the plan into two parts.
The first part of your earthquake safety disaster plan should include everything you can do ahead of time --
• Secure breakables in your home
• Develop a disaster plan
• Develop an evacuation plan - and set a meeting location
• Make a plan for pets and animals
• Review your home for structural weaknesses
• Set aside water and food reserves
• Keep extra prescriptions and eyeglasses available
During an earthquake -
• During an earthquake protect yourself and small children
• Stay positioned - don't move around until after the earthquake stops
After an earthquake -
• Check for injuries among family members
• Check for structural damage to the home
• When safe, put your safety disaster plan into action
It's important to have the details worked out in advance of when a disaster hits. After a disaster, some people may panic and having a list of what to do in an orderly fashion helps to calm people down. When your world has just been shaken, often, the best thing to do is begin checking off the things you need to do: return to some form of normalcy.
Remember that during an earthquake you can be cut off from emergency services, water, fuel, food, banks and other retail outlets for an extended period. Be prepared!
Download an earthquake preparedness manual for your family by visiting www.CaliforniaEarthquakesToday.com It comes complete with checklists, government recommendations for food supplies, emergency goods and ideas on how to make your home more earthquake-secure.
It's too late once the earthquake happens, besides protecting your family, do you have insurance for that big screen television? There are ways to protect the valuables in your home. Learn how you can learn earthquake safety today.
Earthquakes
It's too late once the earthquake happens, besides protecting your family, do you have insurance for that big screen television? There are ways to protect the valuables in your home. Learn how you can learn earthquake safety today.
Earthquakes
