Yahoo Finance Here’s how to prepare before an earthquake hits your home
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The same day as the massive February 2023 earthquake that rocked Turkey and Syria, there was also some rare seismic activity around Buffalo, New York.
Although this might seem connected, Margaret Vinci, the manager of the office of Earthquake Programs at the Caltech Seismological Laboratory in Southern California and USGS lab, which is the home of the Southern portion of the California Integrated Seismic Network, is confident that these same-day quakes on opposite sides of the world are not.
However, Vinci makes it clear that California and the West Coast do have significant seismic risk. When we ask Vinci if any other parts of the U.S. are in danger of earthquakes, she mentions the central U.S. and the New Madrid fault.
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The New Madrid fault touches a few states, like Missouri, Tennessee, and Arkansas with the most territory. “This [region] had a rupture in the 1800s, where the Mississippi River ran backwards.”
Vinci emphasizes that it’s good practice to familiarize yourself with earthquake safety no matter where you live. “Don’t think it’s not going to happen to you,” she says. History shows us it just might.
So, do you know how to prepare for an earthquake? Consider this.
Best practices for earthquake safety
Immediate action
When you get an early warning alert or you feel shaking, you want to drop, cover, and hold on. Make sure that you are protecting your head.
“Drop to the ground immediately, before the shaking starts and throws you off your feet,” says Vinci. “Crawl and get underneath something to protect you from falling objects, hold on to whatever you’re under, because if it’s a table or it’s a chair it’s going to walk away from you.”
If this isn’t possible, then try to get next to an interior wall, not an exterior one.
“In an earthquake, the roof goes up and the walls fall out,” she explains. “Get down on the ground, and make yourself as small as possible. Put your hand over your head and neck to protect those places. Find an area where you’re not near glass and you’re not near doors.”
Then stay there until the shaking stops.
Contrary to what you may think you know, Vince cautions, “Do not go into a door frame.”
She explains that in older times, when buildings collapsed, often the door frame was the last part standing. However, buildings are no longer constructed this way. Taking shelter in a door frame could expose you to rolling debris like fire extinguishers.
When leaving your home, look around and up to ensure that you aren’t near a chimney that could fall down. Falling debris and heavy objects from rooftops is a common danger in quakes and aftershocks, even after the shaking stops.
Lastly, do not flick on and off your light fixtures, says Vinci. Gas leaks are a real concern after earthquakes. Visit Earthquake Country to familiarize yourself with what to do in the hours and days after a disaster.
How to prepare before an earthquake
Practicing drop cover and running earthquake drills from time to time is essential. If you live in an area that’s prone to earthquakes, it’s important to prep your home, too.
“Anything that’s over six feet tall needs to be secured to the wall, so that it doesn’t injure people or block an exit,” she says. “Small objects should be secured with putty.”
Vinci says that if a 7.8-magnitude earthquake, like the one in Turkey, were to happen in Southern California, emergency plans would be important.
Be self-sufficient, but be ready to help a neighbor in need.
There is a program called Map Your Neighborhood that teaches people how to work together to be self-sufficient. After a large earthquake, emergency responders may not be able to reach them quickly, from days to a week.
Vinci also recommends considering CERT training or Community Emergency Response Teams, which is FEMA sponsored emergency training that’s usually provided through local fire departments.
Emergency supplies to have if you live in an earthquake-prone area
Emergency whistle
Vinci says, “Always have a whistle. You can blow a whistle a lot longer than you can yell for help.”
She recommends keeping one whistle with you everywhere you go. Then spread more emergency whistles around your home, in drawers, or wherever is handy.
A whistle is a straightforward method for letting emergency responders know where you are during a search and rescue effort. Make sure you buy one that can be tucked away in a convenient spot that’s easy to access quickly.
Water
Not keeping enough water is one of the fastest ways to die in the days after a disaster. Vinci recommends stocking your home with one gallon per person per day for seven to 10 days. Also keep three days’ worth of water in your emergency grab-and-go pack.
Large five-gallon jugs are a good pick for your home supply as they can also be refilled. A water filter such as a LifeStraw Family portable filter could also come in handy.
Stocked emergency backpack
Vinci recommends keeping one or more fully stocked grab-and-go bags. Leave these grab-and-go bags at home, at work, and in your car. One bag should remain under your bed where it’s easily accessible for situations that might come up overnight.
For the under-the-bed bag, Vinci recommends that you tie it to the underside of the bed so you can easily grab it without worrying if it has shot across the room.
A school backpack could work, while a more rugged hiking pack will give you more space for your supply kit.
The grab-and-go emergency preparedness kit should be filled with necessities and disaster supplies you’ll need for a few days. Include eyeglasses, medicines, escape tools, cash, contact information, car keys, extra batteries, matches, food and water, and a change of clothes.
Hard-soled shoes
Having hard-soled shoes that you can put on during an earthquake is essential, says Vinci. Keep these sturdy shoes in or tied onto your under-the-bed bag. You don’t want to jump out of bed and walk on broken glass.
Choose a rugged pair of hard-soled shoes that will protect your feet as you move around a dangerous environment.
Flashlight
A flashlight ensures that you won’t trip over objects. Vinci recommends keeping your flashlight or a headlamp with your hard-soled shoes in your survival pack under your bed.
Headlamps are the choice when you want more dexterity, as they provide a light and keep your hands free.
Crowbar
A good crowbar can help you navigate out of compromised spaces. Vinci says, “I keep a crowbar, so that I can open doors that are jammed shut.”
A small crowbar could make all the difference if you get trapped in a disaster. Choose one that fits comfortably in your grab-and-go bag.
First aid kit
A first aid kit is a critical item to keep in your grab-and-go bag. This could mean the difference between life and death for you or family members.
Your first aid kit should include gauze and wrap-around bandages, as well as small stick on bandages. Antiseptics, antibiotic ointment, and burn supplies are also great to have.
A hard hat
Since covering your head is essential during and after an earthquake, Vinci recommends that you keep some type of hard hat with your grab-and-go disaster bag. A bike helmet will work well if you don’t want to spring for a classic OSHA hard hat.
Hard hats are important to wear in earthquake zones because aftershocks are common. Heavy objects and rubble can remain loose even after the shaking has stopped.
A bivvy bag or emergency blanket
To protect from hypothermia, a bivvy bag like the SOL Emergency Bivvy is a great thing to have. The SOL Emergency Blanket is another good option. Either could make the difference on a cold night.
The SOL bivvy is both wind-proof and waterproof. It features a reflective interior coating that's designed to reflect up to 90% of your body heat back to you.
Emergency food supply
Peanut butter is a cheap, non-perishable food. You can leave it in your grab-and-go pack or your stash of emergency food supplies.
Amy’s Chili or other non-bpa-lined canned soups also make great picks; they can safely be heated over a campfire right in their can. Portion canned food that is high-calorie and high-protein split between your grab-and-go bags. This offers nutritious warm meals in a disaster situation, wherever you end up.
A map
A good road atlas is important. In a major disaster there’s the possibility that cell phone service and the internet will go down.
Keep a road atlas like the National Geographic atlas in your bags, as well as a local map. Familiarize yourself with your city's map before a disaster happens so that you’ll be prepared.
A multi-tool
The Red Cross suggests that you invest in a multi-tool. One like the Leatherman comes with lots of useful blades and tools, including a fire starter.
A multi-tool prepares you for all sorts of situations, from cooking to handling small wounds, to fixing technology. You can even use it to start a campfire to heat your food or keep warm.
Hand crank radio
Another Red Cross suggestion is a NOAA hand crank radio like the Midland ER310. These can keep you up to date and charged up in any conditions.
When your power goes down, a hand crank radio can still update you on conditions in your area. Most come with a flashlight built right in.
More resources for earthquake safety preparedness
Many people have other specific needs that aren’t covered on this list. Continue to research natural disaster risks in your area and figure out just what you need.
Vinci recommends Earthquake Country Alliance as a tool for earthquake preparedness. “Earthquake Country Alliance was created to bring the Red Cross, FEMA, Los Angeles County, and the cities together to have common and consistent messaging.”
The Red Cross also has a good guide on earthquake preparedness.
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This article originally appeared on Reviewed: What to do and how to prepare in an earthquake
