Earthquake Survival
What to do if you feel an Earthquake:
What to do before, during and after an earthquake, and preparing an earthquake survival kit for your home, automobile, and office.
Prepare Yourself and Your Family Now
- Have an earthquake survival kit on hand.
- All family members should know how to turn off gas, water, and electricity.
- Plan family emergency procedures, and make plans for reuniting your family.
- Know emergency telephone numbers (doctor, hospital, police, 911, etc)
- Anchor heavy objects to walls (bookcases, wall units, mirrors, cabinets, etc.)
- Never place heavy objects over beds, and keep heavy objects lower than head height of shortest member of family.
During an Earthquake Stay Calm
- Inside, stand in doorway, or crouch under a desk or table, well away from windows or glass dividers.
- Outside, stand away from buildings, trees, telephones and electrical lines.
- On the road, drive away from underpasses and overpasses; stop in safe area; stay in vehicle.
After an Earthquake
- Check for injuries-provide first aid.
- Check for safety-check for gas, water, sewage breaks; check for downed power lines and shorts; turn off appropriate utilities.
- Check for building damage and potential problems during aftershocks.
- Clean up dangerous spills.
- Wear shoes
- Turn on the radio and listen for instructions from public safety agencies.
- Use telephone for emergencies, only.
Earthquake Survival Kits
Survival Supplies
- Water-2 quarts to 1 gallon per person, per day.
- First Aid Kit-ample, and freshly stocked.
- First Aid Manual-know how to use it.
- Food-canned or individually packaged;precooked, requiring minimum heat and water.
- Consider infants, pets, and other special dietary requirements.
- Critical medication, extra eyeglasses
- Can opener
- Blankets
- Radio-portable battery operated, spare batteries
- Critical medication and eyeglasses, contact cases and supplies
- Fire Extinguisher-dry chemical, type ABC
- Flashlight-spare batteries and bulbs
- Watch or clock-battery or spring wound.
Cooking
- Barbeque-use outdoors ONLY-charcoal and lighter, or Sterno stove
- Plastic bags-various sizes, sealable
- Pots-at least two
- Paper plates, plastic utensils, and paper towels SANITATION
- Large plastic trash bags-for trash, waste, water protection
- Ground cloth
- Large trash cans
- Hand soap, liquid detergent, shampoo
- Toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss
- Deodorant
- Feminine supplies
- Infant supplies
- Toilet paper
- Powdered chlorinated lime-to add to sewage to disinfect and keep away insects.
- Newspapers-to wrap waste, garbage; may also be used for warmth.
Safety
- Heavy shoes for every family member
- Heavy gloves for every person cleaning debris
- Candles
- Matches-dipped in wax and kept in waterproof container
- Knife-sharp, or razor blades
- Garden hose-for siphoning and fire fighting
- Clothes-complete change kept dry
Tools
- Axe
- Shovel
- Broom
- Crescent wrench-for turning off gas main
- Screwdrivers
- Pliers
- Hammer
- Rope or bailing wire
- Plastic tape
- Pen and paper
Mini Survival Kit for Automobile
- Non-perishable food-store in coffee cans
- Boiled water
- First aid kit and manual
- Fire extinguisher
- Blanket
- Sealable plastic bags
- Flashlight-spare fresh batteries and bulb
- Critical medication, extra eyeglasses
- Tools-screwdriver, pliers, wire, knife
- Short rubber hose
- Pre-moistened towelettes
- Feminine supplies
- Sturdy shoes and gloves
Your emergency supplies should be adequate for at least 72 hours (3 days).
A 10-day supply of water, food, and medicine is recommended.