While California has been the state most prone to
serious earthquakes in recent years, there are many other fault zones in other areas of the United States. For example, geologists
and seismologists have predicted a 97 percent chance of a major earthquake in the New Madrid seismic zone of the central United
States (including Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, and Kentucky) between now and the year 2035. While earthquakes with the power
of the one that hit the greater Los Angeles area in January 1994 are fairly rare, less severe earthquakes can interrupt your
normal living patterns and cause substantial injury.
During a major earthquake, you may hear a roaring or rumbling
sound that gradually grows louder. You may feel a rolling sensation that starts out gently and, within a second or two, grows
violent.
OR . . .
You may first be jarred by a violent jolt. A second or two later, you may feel shaking and
find it difficult to stand up or move from one room to another.
The real key to surviving an earthquake and reducing
your risk of injury lies in planning, preparing, and practicing what you and your family will do if it happens.
Practice
Drills
By planning and practicing what to do if an earthquake strikes, you and your family can learn to react correctly
and automatically when the shaking begins. During an earthquake, most deaths and injuries are caused by collapsing building
materials and heavy falling objects, such as bookcases, cabinets, and heating units. Learn the safe spots in each room of
your home. If you have children, get the entire family to practice going to these locations. Participating in an earthquake
drill will help children understand what to do in case you are not with them during an earthquake.
Make sure you and
your child also understand the school's emergency procedures for disasters. This will help you coordinate where, when, and
how to reunite with your child after an earthquake.
During your earthquake drill:
* Get under a sturdy table
or desk and hold on to it.
* If you're not near a table or desk, cover your face and head with your arms; and
o stand
or crouch in a strongly supported doorway OR . . .
o brace yourself in an inside corner of the house or building.
*
Stay clear of windows or glass that could shatter or objects that could fall on you.
* Remember: If inside, stay inside.
Many people are injured at entrances of buildings by falling debris.
Evacuation Plans
If an earthquake occurs,
you may need to evacuate a damaged area afterward. 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.
* Take a few minutes
with your family to discuss a home evacuation plan. Sketch a floor plan of your home; walk through each room and discuss evacuation
details.
* Plan a second way to exit from each room or area, if possible. If you need special equipment, such as a rope
ladder, mark where it is located.
* Mark where your emergency food, water, first aid kits, and fire extinguishers are
located.
* Mark where the utility switches or valves are located so that they can be turned off, if possible.
* Indicate
the location of your family's emergency outdoor meeting place.
Establish Priorities
Take time before an earthquake
strikes to write an emergency priority list, including:
* important items to be hand-carried by you
* other items,
in order of importance to you and your family
* items to be removed by car or truck if one is available
* things to
do if time permits, such as locking doors and windows, turning off the utilities, etc.
Write Down Important Information
Make a list of important information and put it in a secure location. Here is a form you can use. Include on your
list:
* important telephone numbers, such as police, fire, paramedics, and medical centers
* the names, addresses,
and telephone numbers of your insurance agents, including policy types and numbers
* the telephone numbers of the electric,
gas, and water companies
* the names and telephone numbers of neighbors
* the name and telephone number of your landlord
or property manager
* important medical information, such as allergies, regular medications, etc.
* the vehicle identification
number, year, model, and license number of your automobile, boat, RV, etc.
* your bank's or credit union's telephone number,
account types, and numbers
* radio and television broadcast stations to tune to for emergency broadcast information
Gather
and Store Important Documents in a Fire-Proof Safe
* Birth certificates
* Ownership certificates (automobiles,
boats, etc.)
* Social Security cards
* Insurance policies
* Wills
* Household inventory, including:
o
list of contents
o photographs of contents of every room
o photographs of items of high value, such as jewelry, paintings,
collectors' items
