How to Prepare for an Earthquake

Guide Note

Earthquakes are natural disasters that we should learn to live with, not in fear of. Learning how to prepare for an earthquake not only makes you a bit safer, it ensures that those around you are a bit safer as well.

Table of Contents

Earthquake Preparing Tips

  1. Practice earthquake drills with your family.
  2. Check if your insurance covers earthquake damage.
  3. Take classes in First Aid and CPR.
  4. Have two designated places your family can meet after the earthquake.
  5. Make an earthquake kit with basic food, shelter and water.

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Introduction

  • The earth is shaking, and you have no control. Being in the midst of an earthquake can be a terrifying thing, but there is no reason that you should fear it. Just like all natural events, there is a logical explanation for why earthquakes occur. Likewise, acting in a logical manner will not only help ensure your survival, but preparing for an earthquake can help you remain calm in the face of the disaster.

Prepack your Earthquake Kits

  • Just because you don't know when the earthquake is going to occur doesn't mean that you can't prepare for the event. Having an earthquake kit can be key to your family's survival. Although you can buy an earthquake kit, you can also make your own.1 Make sure to keep one at your home and a smaller one in your car - you never know when an earthquake might occur.

Food and other items

  • (Creative Commons photo by JaseMan)
    (Creative Commons photo by JaseMan)
    Remember that a major earthquake may cut off to gas and electricity for an extended period of time. Prepare an emergency store of the right foods for your family, enough to last each person about three days.2
  1. Pack food that will have a long shelf life, in order to avoid changing out supplies too often.3
  2. Pack items that can be eaten as is or with little preparation that will provide appropriate nutrition, or pack a portable camping stove with your kit. Make sure to have the appropriate portable power source if necessary.4
  3. Don't forget to add can openers and other items to open your food packages - you don't want to be stuck with tons of food but nothing to open them with!1
  4. You may want to look at purchasing MREs (meals ready to eat). If stored below 80 degrees fahrenheit, MREs can last five to seven years.5 If they need cooking preparation, they can normally be done with flameless cooking appliances.6

Water

  • Water might be the most obvious thing to pack and apparently the easiest, but there are a few things to keep in mind:
  1. Again, you want enough water to last about three days.2
  2. Keep track of the expiration dates for your reserve water supply. Although according to the FDA, water does not have an expiration date, improper long term storage can change the taste and odor of water.7
  3. Look into other methods for purifying water.8 This can include:
    1. Boiling unclean water
    2. Chemical purification (including water purification tablets)
    3. Filtration (using portable devices)

Tools

  • Make a mini-tool box with quick fix-it items and supplies, including:9
  1. Work gloves
  2. Ax / maul (min. 6 lb.)
  3. Shovel (flathead and pointed)
  4. Broom
  5. Hammer and nails
  6. Screwdrivers
  7. Crowbar or claw tool (36" or longer)

Shelter

  1. Adding a tent or large tarp to your kit can give you a temporary shelter.10
  2. Include sleeping bags, blankets and space blankets as well.10
  3. Don't forget rope or wire to secure your tent or tarp down.9
  4. Because you might have to walk from where you were when the earthquake occurred to an emergency shelter, pack good walking shoes and socks, as well as extra clothing.9
  5. A local road map and compass can be extremely helpful in this situation, as well as flashlights with extra batteries or glow sticks.9

Supplies

  • After securing the main necessities, you'll need to add items that don't exactly fit under those three categories but are necessary for survival. Check expiration dates every so often; you don't want medicine that won't work when you need it.
  1. (Creative Commons photo by Marcin Wichary)
    (Creative Commons photo by Marcin Wichary)
    Create your own first aid kit, with fundamental items including:11
    1. Two pairs of Latex or equal alternative gloves
    2. Clean bandages to stop bleading
    3. Antibiotic towelettes and other cleaners
    4. Antibiotic and burn ointment
    5. Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes.
    6. Eye wash solution
    7. Thermometer
    8. Prescription medications you take every day
    9. Scissors
    10. Tweezers
    11. Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
    12. Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever
    13. Anti-diarrhea medication
    14. Antacid
    15. Laxative
    16. Old spare glasses and/or contact lens cases and solution
  2. Because ATMs might not be available, keep some cash on hand. You want at least $100.1
  3. Include toiletries and hygiene supplies including:9
    1. Plastic Bags
    2. Bleach
    3. Toilet paper
    4. Toiletries Supplies (towelettes, shampoo ,toothpaste, deodorant, sanitary napkins, etc.)
    5. Insect, fly, mosquito & ant sprays
  4. Include copies of all your important documents.12 This way your family will have access to your account numbers and other important information if necessary. Some items to remember are:
    1. Will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds
    2. Passports, social security cards, immunization records
    3. Bank account numbers
    4. Credit card account numbers and companies
    5. Inventory of valuable household goods
    6. Important telephone numbers
    7. Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)

Practice Earthquake Survival Behavior

  1. (Creative Commons photo by Hey Paul)
    (Creative Commons photo by Hey Paul)
    Knowing how to act if you are indoors when there is an earthquake can be important. Make sure to drop low to the ground and go under something sturdy, such as a desk or dining room table. Doorways can be safe, but only if it is close to get to. Stay away from glass, windows and any other objects that can cause injury.14
  2. Be prepared if you are outdoors when the earthquake occurs. Don't rush indoors, but make sure to move as far away from buildings and other structures that can fall on you. Stay as low as possible.15
  3. If you are in a car, park away from bridges, trees and any other things that can be falling debris. Do not get out of the car until the shaking stops; be cautious driving after the earthquake.16
  4. Learn how to turn off the gas main, electricity and water to your home, just in case you are there when an earthquake hits.17

Have a Designated Meeting Place

  • Since earthquakes can occur at any time, you can never predict where everyone will be. Having a place where everyone should meet when it is okay to move can help family members find each other amidst the commotion.
  1. Give everyone in your family a designated task. Whether is is making sure that they grab the earthquake kit or pick someone up from school, this way everyone will have a plan once the earthquake occurs.18
  2. Pick a place that everyone should meet at that everyone knows how to get to, such as the home. Just in case your neighborhood is blocked off, have a meeting place outside of the neighborhood that everyone can meet.19
  3. Have an out-of-state contact that all your family members know. Make sure everyone knows their number. Have them call this person as soon as they are at a stable location, so this person will be able to keep track of where everyone is.20

Earthquake Proof Your Home

  1. Most insurance policies don't cover earthquake damage. Check to see if your homeowner's insurance has you covered.22
  2. Buy braces to bolt your water heater.23
  3. Child proof latches don't only keep children out; they stop the items inside from falling out during an earthquake.22
  4. Place the heaviest items closer to the bottom of shelves and cabinets.21
  5. Brace heavy objects against the wall. Bolts and brackets are simple things to install to keep your furniture against the wall; placing Velcro at the corners can help as well. Purchase security hangers for picture frames.21
  6. Try to place beds away from windows and glass as much as possible.22

Know Basic First Aid

  • In case of an emergency, you might not be able to get to the hospital right away. Knowing basic first aid is a simple skill that can not only help during an earthquake, but during every day life.
  1. Make sure that everyone knows how to deal with basic injuries.24
  2. For the older children and adults, enrolling in a CPR class can help hone your skills. Some high schools even make it a mandatory part of physical education.25

Conclusion

  • Using these tips can not only help you prepare for an earthquake, it can help you get rid of the anxiety of anticipating a natural disaster that you can never predict. By practicing safe earthquake behavior and planning ahead of time, you ensure that your family is a bit more safe than without any preparation. We may never know when an earthquake might strike, but we can be ready for it when it does.

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References for How to Prepare for an Earthquake

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 SFGate.com: Make Your Own Preparedness Kit
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 SFGate.com: Quake County: Earthquake Kit
  3. ↑ Virginia Cooperative Extension: Food Storage Guidelines for Consumers
  4. ↑ JacksonSun.com: The Scoop on Food Supplies
  5. ↑ Freeze Dried & MRE - Survival Food: Earthquake Preparedness Means MRE
  6. ↑ TheInductionSite.com: [http://theinductionsite.com/proandcon.shtml Induction Cooking: Pros and Cons]
  7. ↑ BottledWater.Org: How long can I store bottled water?
  8. ↑ Backpacker's Field Manual: OA Guide to Water Purification
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 Los Angeles Fire Department: Los Angeles Fire Department Emergency Preparedness
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 ABC 7 News: Are You Prepared for an Earthquake?
  11. ↑ Ready.gov: First Aid Kit
  12. ↑ Medterms.com: Definition of Earthquake Supplies kit
  13. ↑ FEMA.gov: What to Do During an Earthquake
  14. ↑ Videojug.com: What Should I Do if I am Indoors During an Earthquake?
  15. ↑ Videojug.com: What Should I do if I am Outdoors During an Earthquake?
  16. ↑ Videojug.com: What should I do if I am Driving During an Earthquake?
  17. ↑ FEMA.gov: What to Do After an Earthquake
  18. ↑ RedCross.Org: Preparing for Disaster
  19. ↑ University of Washington Environmental and Health Safety: Earthquake Preparedness
  20. ↑ Preparedness.info: Family Earthquake Plan
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 La Rocca Inspection Associates: Earthquake Proof Your Home
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 CNNMoney.com: Earthquake-Proofing Your Home
  23. ↑ CornerHardware.com: To & Help - How to Brace Your Water Heater
  24. ↑ Survival-Center.com: First Aid Tutorial
  25. ↑ American Heart Association: CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care