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Earthquake Safety Checklist
An earthquake is a sudden, rapid shaking of the earth caused by the
breaking and shifting of rock beneath the earths surface. Earthquakes
strike suddenly, without warning, and they can occur at any time of the
year, day or night. Fortyfive states and territories in the United
States are at moderate to very high risk of earthquakes, and they are
located in every region of the country.
Are you at increased risk from earthquakes?
- Contact your local emergency management office, local American
Red Cross chapter, state geological survey or department of natural
resources.
- Mobile homes and homes not attached to their foundations are at particular risk during an earthquake.
- Buildings with foundations resting on landfill and other unstable soils are at increased risk of damage.
Doorways are no stronger than any other part of the
structure. During an earthquake, get under a sturdy piece of furniture
and hold on. This will provide some protection from falling objects that
can injure you during an earthquake.
How can I prepare?
- Become aware of fire evacuation and earthquake plans for all of the buildings you occupy regularly.
- Pick safe places in each room of your home, workplace and/or
school. A safe place could be under a piece of furniture or against an
interior wall away from windows, bookcases or tall furniture that could
fall on you.
- Practice drop, cover and hold on in each safe place. If you do
not have sturdy furniture to hold on to, sit on the floor next to an
interior wall and cover your head and neck with your arms.
- Keep a flashlight and sturdy shoes by each persons bed.
- Make sure your home is securely anchored to its foundation.
- Bolt and brace water heaters and gas appliances to wall studs.
- Bolt bookcases, china cabinets and other tall furniture to wall studs.
- Hang heavy items, such as pictures and mirrors, away from beds, couches and anywhere people sleep or sit.
- Brace overhead light fixtures.
- Install strong latches or bolts on cabinets. Large or heavy items should be closest to the floor.
- Learn how to shut off the gas valves in your home and keep a wrench handy for that purpose.
- Learn about your areas seismic building standards and land use codes before you begin new construction.
- Keep and maintain an emergency supplies kit in an easytoaccess location.
What should I do during an earthquake?
If you are inside when the shaking starts...
- Drop, cover and hold on. Move as little as possible.
- If you are in bed, stay there, curl up and hold on. Protect your head with a pillow.
- Stay away from windows to avoid being injured by shattered glass.
- Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you are sure it is safe
to exit. If you must leave the building after the shaking stops, use
stairs rather than an elevator in case there are aftershocks, power
outages or other damage.
- Be aware that fire alarms and sprinkler systems frequently go off in buildings during an earthquake, even if there is no fire.
If you are outside when the shaking starts...
- Find a clear spot and drop to the ground. Stay there until the
shaking stops (away from buildings, power lines, trees, streetlights).
- If you are in a vehicle, pull over to a clear location and stop.
Avoid bridges, overpasses and power lines if possible. Stay inside with
your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops. Then, drive carefully,
avoiding bridges and ramps that may have been damaged.
- If a power line falls on your vehicle, do not get out. Wait for assistance.
- If you are in a mountainous area or near unstable slopes or
cliffs, be alert for falling rocks and other debris. Landslides are
often triggered by earthquakes.
What do I do after an earthquake?
- After an earthquake, the disaster may continue. Expect and
prepare for potential aftershocks, landslides or even a tsunami.
Tsunamis are often generated by earthquakes.
- Each time you feel an aftershock, drop, cover and hold on.
Aftershocks frequently occur minutes, days, weeks and even months
following an earthquake.
- Check yourself for injuries and get first aid, if necessary, before helping injured or trapped persons.
- Put on long pants, a longsleeved shirt, sturdy shoes and work gloves to protect against injury from broken objects.
- Look quickly for damage in and around your home and get everyone out if your home is unsafe.
- Listen to a portable, batteryoperated or handcrank radio for updated emergency information and instructions.
- Check the telephones in your home or workplace to see if you can
get a dial tone. Make brief calls to report lifethreatening
emergencies.
- Look for and extinguish small fires. Fire is the most common hazard after an earthquake.
- Clean up spilled medications, bleach, gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately.
- Open closet and cabinet doors carefully as contents may have shifted.
- Help people who require special assistance, such as infants, children and the elderly or disabled.
- Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines and stay out of damaged areas.
- Keep animals under your direct control.
- Stay out of damaged buildings.
- If you were away from home, return only when authorities say it
is safe to do so. Use extreme caution and examine walls, floors, doors,
staircases and windows to check for damage.
- Be careful when driving after an earthquake and anticipate traffic light outages.
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