STEPS
- Plan Ahead-
- Check for hazards in your home:
- Place large/heavy objects on bottom shelves to prevent heavy object from falling on you
- Hang heavy items away from beds
- Know the safe places in your house:
- Hide under sturdy furniture- This will lessen the impact of falling debris if it goes through the furniture
- Away from glass and non-sturdy furniture- Glass can shatter, which can be a danger to you
- In the inside of a wall
- Educate your family:
- Teach children the emergency numbers- In case of an emergency, children should be able to contact 9-1-1 and the fire department
- How to turn off electricity and gas- These could start fires if damaged, so it's best if everyone knows how to turn them off
- Have a disaster kit ready
- Flashlights, batteries, portable radio
- Food and water
- First aid kit and medicine
- Develop an emergency communication plan
- Make a plan on where to reunite after the earthquake is over
- Have an out of state contact that can communicate with everyone in your family- If you can't communicate with your family, call your out of state contact for help
- Help your community
- Spread information to your community so everyone knows how to handle earthquakes
- Help emergency services plan for people with disabilities
- Conduct earthquake drills
- Consider getting earthquake insurance policy for your home
- Check for hazards in your home:
What to do during an earthquake-
- Hold on to sturdy furniture and cover your head and neck
- Stay inside until shaking stops and you’re sure it is safe outside
- If you choose to stay outside, make sure you are in an open space with no nearby buildings
- Stay in your safe place when you're indoors
After the earthquake ends-
- Follow the emergency plan that you set up
- Treat the injuries within your community
- Reunite with your family members
- If you can't find them, call your out of state contact to see if they heard from your family