Prepare for an Earthquake
Would you be ready for what happens after an earthquake strikes? Earthquakes can occur at anytime - with little to no warning.

The earthquake occurred on a blind thrust fault, and produced the strongest ground motions ever instrumentally recorded in an urban setting in North America. Damage was widespread, sections of major freeways collapsed, parking structures and office buildings leveled, and numerous apartment buildings suffered irreparable damage. Damage to wood-frame apartment houses was especially concentrated in the San Fernando Valley and Santa Monica areas, especially to structures with first floor or lower-level parking garages. The high accelerations of the shifting fault, both vertical and horizontal, lifted structures off of their foundations and shifted walls laterally.

According to the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, (FEMA), the first 72 hours after an earthquake are critical. Electricity, gas, water and telephones may not be working and public safety services, such as the fire and police department, handle the most serious crises first in the immediate aftermath.

It's important that you and your family are self-sufficient, which means that you are able to survive without running water, electricity or gas, and telephones for at least three days following an earthquake.

First things first
Do you know what to do during an earthquake to protect yourself from falling objects or shaking walls and foundations?

The Los Angeles Fire Department has prepared an Earthquake Preparedness Handbook in which they recommend the following action for specific locations:

• In a high-rise building: move away from desks and tables, and other heavy equipment. Move against an interior wall and protect your head with your arms. Alarm and/or sprinkler systems will most likely engage, but it is important to stay indoors. Avoid glass windowpanes.
• Outdoors: Move to an area away from trees, signs, buildings, electrical poles and wires.
• Sidewalk near a building: Turn off the sidewalk and duck into a doorway to avoid being struck by falling bricks, glass, plaster and other debris.
• If you are driving: Pull over to the side of the road and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping by overpasses and power lines. Stay in your vehicle until the shaking stops.
• In a crowded store or a public place: Do not rush for the exits. Panic is a chain reaction and running towards exits creates dangerous mob situations that cause injury or death. Calmly move away from display shelves containing objects that could fall.
• In the kitchen of your home: Move away from appliances like the refrigerator and the stove that can fall onto you. Avoid overhead cupboards.
• In a stadium or a theater:Stay in your seat. Protect your head with your arms, and don't try and exit the area until the shaking has subsided. Avoid rushing towards exits.

Immediately following an earthquake you should:

• Be prepared for aftershocks.
• Check for injuries. Administer first aid if necessary.
• Avoid broken glass.
• Check for fire. Take appropriate action.
• Check gas, water and electric lines. If damage has occurred shut off the service. If there is a gas leak, don't use matches, flashlights, appliances or electric switches. Open windows and report the leak to the gas company.
• Replace all telephone receivers and use the phone for emergency calls only.
• Watch or listen to emergency broadcast stations on battery-powered radios or televisions. Listen for bulletins.
• Stay away from damaged buildings.

Natural disasters are inevitable. The best defense is to plan ahead.

It's best to take precautions now before an earthquake strikes to ensure that you and your family can recover quickly and keep everyone safe in the process. Remember, it can take up to three days for electricity, drinking water and local phone service to be restored. By taking these steps TODAY you can alleviate some of the trauma involved with disaster recovery - and most importantly, you may save lives by having a recovery plan in place.