I am a Post Graduate in Marketing and supply chain management with over 3 years of experience in a professional job and one-year experience at NGO. The very first and important thing during an earthquake is “do not panic”. Check for injuries and hazards, then help others. It is likely we will experience a severe earthquake within the next 30 years. Earthquakes have historically been very devastating as evident in the number of fatalities and damages visited on the affected regions. If you live in a condo, the same conditions apply. The best places to consider include under a sturdy table and against the inside walls of a building. There are four basic steps you can take to be more prepared for an earthquake: Step 1:Secure your space by identifying hazards and securing moveable items. Get an emergency radio like this one from FosPower. There are 19 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Be aware that some earthquakes are actually foreshocks, and a larger earthquake might occur. Keep the kit in a place where you spend most of your time so that it will be easily accessible if an earthquake strikes. The contents of your home may be damaged and can be dangerous: Shaking can make light fixtures fall, refrigerators and other large items move across the floor, and bookcases and television sets topple over. There are a couple of things you can do to prevent your breakable items from crashing to the ground during an earthquake. The most important first step is understanding what to do the moment an earthquake hits. You'll learn why earthquakes happen, how they've shaped the Bay Area, and what you can do to prepare for the next one. Similar items should be kept at your desk at work or school (for work, keep a pair of comfortable walking shoes ready). Avoid hanging pictures or mirrors near beds or places where people sit. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. The magnitude 9.2 quake took the lives of 130 people. It’s important if you have young children to really make sure the furniture in their rooms is secured to the wall, as an earthquake could cause furniture to fall on top of them. According to the USGS (2), the San Andreas Fault that measures 800 miles long and 12 miles deep can only record an earthquake of magnitude 8.3 or lower. Get under a desk or table and hang on to it ( Drop, Cover, and Hold on! ) Structural weaknesses in building foundations, walls and ceiling must be reported to the relevant authorities and repaired immediately. What emergency supplies do I need for an earthquake? © California Academy of Sciences. Also read the "How-To Series" for information on how to protect your property from earthquakes. The plan should be rehearsed every often to increase awareness and survival rate, and also minimize the overall impact of the earthquake. Keep this kit in your “safe room” and make sure it’s stocked with everything you think you may need, should the worst-case scenario happen. Lastly, keep at least two weeks supply of non–perishable food and ensure medicines, cash and credit cards are easily accessible. Repair all the defective electric settings and leakage in gas connections (if any). This handbook provides information about the threat posed by earthquakes in the San Francisco Bay region and explains how you can prepare for, survive, and recover from these inevitable events. Stay calm! An earthquake can be caused by any frequency (from low to high) depending on the seismic activities but the important thing is to prepare for it. If you can't call each other for some reason, make sure you call them to help coordinate a meet-up. Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections. Masks are required for all guests ages 3 and up. They may cause additional damage for hours to months … Anything that can’t be put elsewhere should be securely fastened down or, for objects such as bookcases, attached to the wall. To minimize the risk of injury, you need to avoid unnecessary movements. Interview representatives of the gas, electric, and water companies about shutting off utilities. Zoe Jewell | September 23, 2020 | Safety Tips. WEAR STURDY SHOES to avoid injury from broken glass and debris. Expect and prepare for potential aftershocks, landslides or even a tsunami if you live on a coast. Earthquake is a natural calamity caused due to the unexpected release of energy from the core of Earth. Earthquake aftermaths can leave you disorganized and confused. Standard steel brackets are fine and easy to apply. Find a room in the house that is safe and secure — aka not near glass windows, under sturdy furniture, etc. Is it a good idea to stay in a tent if my house is destroyed? After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance than locally. In this case, 81% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Learn more... An earthquake can be a very destructive natural disaster, particularly in the Pacific Rim region. Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. When securing appliances, be sure not to drill holes in them. However, we can do some preparations in advance to face the earthquake. FULLY SUPPORTS THE PRINCIPLES OF THE FAIR HOUSING ACT AND THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ACT. For cities and agencies, this means working with engineers to retrofit older structures and design new buildings, bridges, and highways to withstand an earthquake as best as possible. USGS Director Marcia McNutt (far right) participates in the Great Southeast ShakeOut earthquake drill with students at Langston Hughes Middle School in Reston, Virginia. Check for potential hazards. Store enough water, food, and other basic items to meet your needs for at least 72 hours. Best Earth Day Activities for Schools and kids | Earth Day 2020, Why is Biodiversity Important? Identifying potential hazards prior to an earthquake can protect you and your family. 1.1 How to Prepare Before an Earthquake? The California Academy of Sciences is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit institution. Compare Apartment Living vs. Home Ownership and Get the Lifestyle You Want, How to Stop a Pest Infestation in Your Home, What You Should Know About Backup Generators, How to Design a Home Interior You Can Be Proud Of. Items that have the potential of causing bodily harm should be stored safely or secured firmly. Get safely on the ground, and find a safe item, such as a sturdy table, to use as protective cover. Fasten all shelves securely to the walls. - If outdoors, stay outdoors. For instance, heavy and fragile items like mirrors and picture frames should be removed and tuck them away from where people sit. When developing an earthquake preparedness plan, you must identify safe places to take cover, both inside and outside the home. How severe the changes will be depends on the actions that individuals, schools, businesses, organizations, communities, and governments take to get ready. Up to the minute forecast for your local weather. What to Do During an Earthquake. Publish a special section in your local newspaper with emergency information on earthquakes. NEVER leave the house in an earthquake, under any circumstances. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. Earthquake hits all of a sudden and affects thousands of people. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. If you're indoors, stand against a wall near the center of the building, stand in a doorway, or crawl under heavy furniture (a desk or table). All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. With Earth Reminder, I am raising concern by bringing informational content related to earth care to the world and guiding them to contribute towards the Mother Earth. The most important thing to do is get under a desk and hold on. Follow these steps to help your community prepare for an earthquake. Putting down roots in earthquake country-Your handbook for earthquakes in the Central United States; 2011; GIP; 119; Contributors: Dart, Richard; McCarthy, Jill; McCallister, Natasha; Williams, Robert A. Restore your daily life by repairing damage and reconnecting with others. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. I'm not a native English speaker, so I cannot quite understand this "drop, cover and hold on" procedure. The seismic activity of an area describes the frequency and type of earthquake. Studies show the Pacific Plate rubs the North American Plate at the rate of two inches every year. For example- if you are at the office. Stay inside until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe. Earthquakes can hit an area suddenly and violently. Usually, the preparation for earthquake means designing the constructions in such a way that it can resist during this natural calamity but in an individual’s perspective the preparation for earthquake means preparations for the family and closed ones to survive in an earthquake. What can I do to prepare for an earthquake? Identify an out-of-area contact person, like an out-of-state aunt or uncle, that your family can call and get in touch with one another. These are recommended by the Earthquake Country Alliance, in which USGS is a partner. Earthquakes strike suddenly, violently and without warning. After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. 2. Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the family contact. Do not move around or kick up dust. With advanced preparations, you can reduce the risk involved with the earthquake. Many people are not educated about the risks of earthquakes. You should keep your important documents and contact carefully. You can follow the local seismic building standards to minimize the effects of an earthquake. Earth Reminder must be our topmost priority because the resources which we are using today will not be there tomorrow. They might fall during an earthquake and the less distance they have to fall, the better. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address and phone number of the contact person. % of people told us that this article helped them. We’ve implemented some new health and safety measures for your protection: Click the link below to learn more and view complete safety information. If you are indoors, you should drop, cover, and hold—drop to the ground, find cover under a table or other sturdy piece of furniture, and hold on until the shaking stops. In this article, we will discuss the preparations that we can follow to handle an earthquake. Aftershocks frequently occur minutes, days, weeks and even months following an earthquake. Your email address will not be published. Emergency numbers for fire, medical, police, and insurance. Create a Disaster Preparedness Plan for your house or place of work. Repair any deep cracks in ceilings or foundations. Survive when the earth shakes by performing Drop, Cover, and Hold On. How to prepare for an earthquake in 5 steps: Make an earthquake emergency plan and memorize it.