Prepare yourself and your family now
* Have an earthquake-survival kit on hand.
* Teach all family members 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. Remember to drop, cover and hold.
* 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 and provide first aid.
* Check for safety: Look for gas, water and 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: Two quarts to 1 gallon for each person each day. Emergency supplies should be adequate for at least 72 hours, but a 10-day supply of water, food and medicine is recommended.
* 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 supplies
* Barbecue: 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.
* Sharp knife 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 it in a coffee can.
* Boiled water.
* First-aid kit and manual.
* Fire extinguisher.
* Blanket.
* Sealable plastic bags.
* Flashlight with spare fresh batteries and bulb.
* Critical medication and extra eyeglasses.
* Tools: Screwdriver, pliers, wire, knife.
* Short rubber hose.
* Pre-moistened towelettes.
* Feminine supplies.
* Sturdy shoes and gloves.