Here in California, is important to be prepared for an earthquake at any moment. Our state has dozens of earthquakes a day, just most are too small for people to notice. However, once in a while, California gets hit with a large earthquake that damages property and infrastructure. While rare, it is important to be prepared for these types of earthquakes. It could save your life, as well as the lives of your loved ones.
To begin with, it is important to have a good supply of food and water stored away. How much? Enough food and water to last each family member 3 days. That may seem like a lot, but resources may be hard to get in the first few days after a large earthquake.
It is also extremely important to have a family emergency plan. Try to come up with 2 ways to exit every room in the house. Designate a safe area outside where everyone in the family knows to meet after an earthquake. Make sure everyone knows where the shut off valves and switches are for the utilities. This means water, gas, and electricity. The shaking can damage these systems and cause leaks, which can be dangerous. That is why everyone should know how to turn these off in an emergency.
Everyone in the family should also know the location of emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers and first aid kits. In addition, everyone should have a flashlight and a pair of shoes or slippers near their bed. These will come in handy if an earthquake happens during the night.
You should keep important documents, such as social security cards, birth certificates, and proof of ownership certificates in a fire proof safe. The safe should be stored in a safe place that can be accessed in times of emergency. Also, be sure to mount all tall object to your walls to prevent them from falling over during an earthquake.
Doing all of this is a great way to prepare for an earthquake. Knowing all of this can also help keep you and your loved one’s calm during such an event, which can save lives.