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Earthquake
Safety
Consumer
Information
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BEFORE
AN EARTHQUAKE
1. As a homeowner
or tenant:
- Check your home for earthquake hazards.
- Bolt down or provide other strong support for water heaters and other
gas appliances, since fire damage can result from broken gas lines and
appliance connections. Use flexible connections wherever possible.
- Place large or heavy objects on the lower shelves. Securely fasten
shelves to walls. Brace or anchor high or top-heavy objects.
- In new construction or alterations, follow building codes to minimize
earthquake hazards.
- Sites for construction should be selected and engineered to reduce
the hazards of damage from an earthquake.
2. As a parent
or head of family:
- Hold occasional home earthquake drills to provide your family with
the knowledge to avoid injury and panic during an earthquake.
- Create a family emergency
communications plan *(500K) and
make sure everyone knows what to do
- An earthquake could occur when your family in not together. Take
a few minutes with your family to establish a plan for how and when
to reunite after an earthquake.
- Teach responsible members of your family how to turn off electricity,
gas, and water at the main switch and valves. If in doubt, check with
your local utilities offices for instructions. CAUTION: NEVER SHUT OFF
THE GAS unless you suspect a gas leak or can smell gas. If the gas is
ever shut off, all pilot lights MUST be re-lit.
- Provide for responsible members of your family to receive basic first
aid and C.P.R. (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) instruction because
medical facilities may be overloaded immediately after an earthquake.
Call Red Cross Safety Services for information about classes.
- Keep a flashlight and a battery-powered transistor radio in the home,
ready for use at all times. Keep fresh batteries with these items.
- Keep immunizations up-to-date for all family members.
- Conduct calm family discussions about earthquakes and other possible
disasters. Avoid frightening disaster stories, but talk frankly and
rationally about the possible consequences of catastrophic events.
- Maintain a 3-5 day supply of food and water. However,
to maintain freshness it is important to rotate this stock periodically.
DURING
AN EARTHQUAKE
1. The most
important thing you can do during an earthquake is to remain calm. By
doing this, you will be in a better position to assess your situation
and instill confidence in those around you. Think through the consequences
of any actions you take. Try to calm and reassure others.
2. If indoors,
stay there. Get under a table, desk or bed; in a corner away from windows.
Watch for falling plaster, bricks, light fixtures and other objects. Watch
out for high bookcases, china cabinets, shelves, and other furniture or
appliances which might fall or topple. Do not run outdoors - you may be
hit by falling debris or electrical wires.
3. If in a
high-rise office building, move away from windows and outside walls.Get
under a desk or table. Do not dash for exits, wait for the shaking to
stop and await safety instructions. Do not use the elevators until they
are inspected by a qualified technician.
4. If in a
crowded store, do not rush for a doorway. If possible duck under a fixture
or other item that will help protect you from falling debris.
5. If outside,
avoid buildings, walls, power poles, and other objects which could fall
during the earthquake. If possible, move to an open area away from all
hazards.
6. If in an
automobile, pull your car to the side of the road and stop in the safest
place available. Avoid bridges, overpasses, and power lines. Remain inside
your car until the shaking is over. Turn on your radio for news and information.
Proceed with extreme caution because of the danger of debris in the road
or damage to the road itself.
AFTER
AN EARTHQUAKE
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The safety information
contained on this page was compiled from many sources. We have tried
to maintain the most credible and pertinent information for earthquake
safety. The recommendations found on this page are just that and
are subject to change as new information and procedures becomes
available. Special circumstances and your own good sense may modify
your individual approach to earthquake preparedness. The Central
United States Earthquake Consortium or any of its Members are not
responsible and assume no liability for any actions undertaken by
any person utilizing information contained herein or liability for
any injury, death or property loss which occurs in connection with
an earthquake.
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