How To Prepare For An Earthquake in California
Earthquake Preparedness in Long Beach, Los Angeles, Glendale, CA
Are you look for the best ways to strengthen your home or building for the next Big One? These are some of the most recent advances in earthquake design and earthquake engineering.
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How To Stay Safe During A California Earthquake
Secure your California home during an earthquake
How to prepare your home for an earthquake, and what to do around the house afterward.
- Secure Appliances and furniture to wall studs, not just to the wallboard. Appliances could move and rupture gas or electric lines. Furniture could topple, causing damage and injuries.
- Closed Blinds can prevent broken glass from flying into the room
- Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen
- If water supply is cut off by an earthquake, drinking water is still available in your home in water heaters, toilet tanks, in-house plumbing and melted ice cubes.
- Place bed away from windows and glass skylights, which could shatter. Keep a flashlight, spare batteries and sturdy shoes under the bed. Shoes will protect you from the broken glass on the floor.
- Strap water heater to studs in wall with think metal straps
- Stow away secure mirrors, picture frames other fragile wall hangings until aftershocks subside
- Secure cabinet doors with latches. During earthquake, doors of kitchen cabinets typically shake open and contents tumble to the floor.
- Consult a structural engineer to make sure that your hoe is bolted to the foundation and that the structure is properly reinforced
What To Do During A Greater Los Angeles Earthquake
What to do when you are indoors during an earthquake
Most people injured in earthquakes move more than five feet during the shaking. Remember the following steps and move only a few steps to a nearby safe place.
Drop, cover and hold on
Drop under a desk or table, and hold on. Be prepared to move with whatever you are under. Hold your position until shaking stops, and it is safe to move.
IF there is no table or desk nearby, get on the floor against an interior wall away from windows, bookcases or furniture that could fall on you. Protect your head and neck with your arms.
If you are elderly or have a mobility impairment remain where you are bracing yourself in place.
If you are in bed stay there, hold on and protect your head with a pillow. You are less likely to be injured if you stay in bed. Broken glass on the floor can injure you.
Stay away from windows. Windows cans hatter with such force that you can be injured by flying glass even if you are several feet away.
Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you are sure it is safe to exit. In buildings in the United States, you are safer if you stay where you are until the shaking stops. If you go outside, mover quickly away from the building to prevent injury from falling debris.
Fire alarm and sprinkler systems usually go off in buildings during an earthquake, even if there is no fire. Check for and extinguish small fires, and exit via the stairs.
What to do when you are outdoors during an earthquake
Find a clear spot away from buildings, trees, streetlights and power lines. Drop to the ground and stay there until the shaking stops. Don not rush. Many injuries result from hasty attempts to take cover.
If you are in a vehicle
Pull over to a clear location, stop, and stay there with your seat belt fastened until the shaking stops. Stay away from power lines, poles, street signs, overpasses and other overhead items that can fall during earthquakes. Once the shaking has stopped, proceed with caution. Avoid bridges or ramps that might have been damaged by the quake. Be alert for an aftershock. Aftershocks can continue over a period of weeks or months, depending on the magnitude of the main quake.
In a mountainous area
In the mountains or near unstable slopes or cliffs be alert for falling rocks and other debris that could be loosened by the earthquake. Landslides are often triggered by earthquakes.
In a coastal area
When the shaking stops, move immediately to higher ground. Tsunamis, large destructive ocean waves,a re often generated by earthquakes.
On public transportation
BART, light rail or Caltrain typically will stop. Remain calm and follow instructions from staff members who have been trained to handle earthquake emergencies.
What To Do After A Los Angeles, California Earthquake
Shutting off utilities
Gas
If you smell gas after an earthquake, shut off the main gas valve. Use a wrench to turn the valve either way until the valve is perpendicular to the pipe. Attach a wrench to the meter with a wire so it will be there when you need it.
Water
Shut off water if an earthquake causes a leak in the house. In most cases, the water shutoff valve is the first valve in the line after it comes out of the ground, before it enters the house. If you have trouble finding this valve, you can shut off the water at the meter, using a special key you can buy at a hardware store.
Electricity
To shut off electricity, turn off single breakers first, then switch off main breaker.
Pull the main fuse blocks out on older panels.
Earthquake Preparation Checklist
Prepare survival kit
Stocking up now on emergency supplies can add to your safety and comfort after an earthquake. Store enough supplies for at least 72 hours.
Food Supplies
- Water - 1 gallon per person per day
- Water purification tablets or chlorine bleach (boling also is a purifying method)
- Nonperishable food high in calories and nutrition: canned, water-packed meats, granola bars, dehydrated food, canned or dried fruit, canned or powdered milk, extra food for pets in necessary.
- Can opener (non-electric) cooking and eating utensils
- Baby supplies: formula, bottle, pacifier, soap and baby wipes, diapers, canned food and juice.
Emergency Supplies
- Bandages
- Antibiotic ointment
- Latex gloves
- Pain relievers
- Diarrhea medication
Equipment
- Flashlights (do not use matches or candles until you are sure there is no gas leaking)
- Portable radio and spare batteries
- Camp stove
- Heavy gloves
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Shovel
- Multipurpose dry chemical fire extinguisher (ABC rating)
- Garden hose for siphoning and firefighting
- Adjustable wrench for turning gas off
- At least one change of clothing and a pair of sturdy shoes
Family Plan
- Create a family evacuation plan
- Decide where your family will reunite if separated
- Keep a list of emergency phone numbers
- Know the safe and danger spots in each room in your house, work and school
- Make sure all family members know how to shut off gas, water and electricity
