what to prepare for earthquake

Canned foods, like fruits, vegetables, beans, and tuna. Teach everybody in the family (if they are old enough) how to turn off the water and electricity. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. ! Become aware of fire evacuation and earthquake safety plans for all of the buildings you occupy regularly. You should go to a local shelter if there is one. What to Do Before an Earthquake Make sure you have a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, a battery-powered radio, a flashlight, and extra batteries at home. NEVER leave the house in an earthquake, under any circumstances. Step 2: Plan to be safe by creating a disaster plan and deciding how you will communicate in an emergency. Be prepared for aftershock After an earthquake, aftershocks are expected. Consider keeping a pair of shoes and flashlight under your bed. There are things you can do to prepare your home for an earthquake, as well as to prepare your family for an earthquake. Assemble an emergency supply kit for your home. Earthquakes can happen anywhere, but the higher risk areas in the United States are California, Alaska, and the Mississippi Valley. How to prepare for an earthquake. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. If that isn't an option, then the tent will work, but try to set it up away from buildings, power lines, trees, or anything that looks like it could come down easily with or without an aftershock. Evaluate your electrical wiring, electrical appliances, and gas connections. ", "Now I know what to do when this natural disaster occurs. The whole country was taken aback by the destructive power of that particular quake, even … As cities and states try to prepare for the Big One, seismologists and city officials also recommend being prepared at a personal level. Check off the items that you have completed in this list. I know one day we're going to be having an earthquake. Ask your neighbors to lend a hand, other family members, or dial a handyman company that is good at fixing things for a reasonable price. Check with your local utility companies for instructions. How to Prepare for Earthquakes in Your Neighborhood. Therefore, since you do not know where you will be when an emergency occurs, prepare supplies for home, work and the family car. Try to be at a safer place until the shaking stops. Locate where the utility switches or valves are located so that they can be turned off, if possible. California is famous for major Pick safe places in each room of your home, workplace and/or school. 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. What do I do if I get stuck in a building during an earthquake? You can also screw objects onto things, such as a desk. How each household prepares for an earthquake varies; however, many homes are stocked with earthquake survival kits. Place an eye screw in the wall, and tie the thread around the object (such as a vase) and then tie it to the eye screw. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. What should students do to prepare for an earthquake? Keep them away from your water storage and out of reach of children and pets. Many people are not educated about the risks of earthquakes. If you have a large house or family, more than 4-5 people, consider making extra kits and leaving them in different sections of the house. If you are unable to wash your hands, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Identifying potential hazards ahead of time and advance planning can reduce the dangers of serious injury or loss of life from an earthquake. Learn more > pdf icon[PDF - 143 KB]. Get under it, and get a good grip on the table leg. Prepare well in advance of an earthquake if you live in an area that is prone to them or along any major geologic fault zones. Check your chimney or roof for loose tiles and bricks that could fall in an earthquake. Students engage in the science and engineering practices of analyzing data and obtaining information which leads them to ask investigatable questions about earthquakes. Do not panic during the earthquake. This will help you coordinate where, when, and how to reunite with your children after an earthquake. Standard steel brackets are fine and easy to apply. Sturdy shoes that can provide protection from broken glass, nails, and other debris, Gloves (heavy and durable for cleaning up debris), Fire extinguisher (multipurpose, dry chemical type), A whistle or other signaling device carried in your purse or backpack. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. • … Be prepared with an earthquake kit. This article has been viewed 584,631 times. If you live near fault lines, you should definitely expect to experience one at some point or another, however the timing is not something technology has yet been able to accurately anticipate. Use brackets to attach wall units, bookcases, and other tall furniture to wall studs. Become aware of fire evacuation and earthquake safety plans for all of the buildings you occupy regularly. Emergency Advice. If you live downstream from a dam, know flood-zone information. Did you feel it? Secure cabinet doors by installing sliding bolts or childproof latches. By planning and practicing for evacuation, you will be better prepared to respond appropriately and efficiently to signs of danger or to directions by civil authorities. Be ready to Drop, Cover, and Hold On if you feel an aftershock. Hold on as much as you can until the earthquake is over. Here's what the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) suggests: Before an earthquake occurs... Fasten shelves securely to walls, and place heavy objects on lower shelves. Drop, cover, and hold on during your earthquake drill. Aftershocks can occur in the first few hours following an earthquake, a few days after, a few weeks after, or even months after the initial earthquake. As we know, an earthquake can and does happen anywhere, at any time. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 584,631 times. After the Christchurch earthquake in 2011 the idea that earthquakes could be as lethal as that one turned out to be was really impressed on New Zealanders. Remember: anything can move, fall, or break during an earthquake or its aftershocks. Make sure you and your children also understand the school’s emergency procedures for disasters. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cd\/Prepare-for-an-Earthquake-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Prepare-for-an-Earthquake-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cd\/Prepare-for-an-Earthquake-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid194320-v4-728px-Prepare-for-an-Earthquake-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"