Earthquake Survival: Tips and Tricks

One of the scariest emergencies you and your family can face is an earthquake. The intense shaking causes walls to crumple, glass to shatter, and loose objects to fly around rooms. If you are not careful and prepared you run the risk of being seriously injured or even killed. Prevention and preparation is the only way to keep your family safe when it comes to earthquakes. Here are some tips and tricks that you can use to get ready for an earthquake; as well as what to do when an earthquake hits.

Prepare Your Home

If you live in an area that has experienced earthquakes in the past you will know that when one hits, your belonging fly everywhere. Cupboards open up, making your dishes and silverware fall all over the room, heavy furniture falls over, and knickknacks launch themselves around the room. It is important to ensure that heavy furniture such as beds, bookcases, and dressers are strapped down, especially if you live in an area that has experienced earthquakes in the past or frequently experiences severe quakes.

Look for things that can fall over during a quake such as pictures hanging above your bed or a heavy light fixture above your couch. These are danger zones. If an earthquake hits and you are in these places you could be injured by these objects if they fall. The smart idea is to move these danger items “just in case.”

Also, secure items like your water heater, repair possible fire risks such as defective electrical wiring, and store flammable and heavy products close to the floor in cabinets.

Prepare Your Family

Does your family know what to do in the event of an earthquake? Do you? Now is the time to get informed. Identify a safe place within your home to escape to; and figure out how to get there once the shaking begins. Identify safe places you can hide in within each room if a quake is severe and you cannot get to the main safe place. Keep food and water supplies at the ready; enough to last your family at least 72 hours. You should also make a goal for your whole family to learn CPR and First Aid. You could possibly need these to save the life of a family member in a real emergency. Most importantly, teach your children about this kind of disaster while things are calm. When a disaster hits they will already be scared, so be sure to give them plenty of training so that they won’t have to think when a quake hits; their instincts will kick in, and they will know what to do. Just be sure that your training isn’t scary or overwhelming.

Water and Food

God forbid something happens to your home and you are left needing emergency services. If you are in bad shape after a disaster it is safe to assume that there are many others in the same situation. You want to have supplies that with last you for a few days in case it take emergency services awhile to get to you. Plan for one gallon of water per person per day; with enough for at least 3 days. You should also pack purification tablets in case you must drink from a source that may not be very clean. For food, aim to store three days worth of non-perishable items; this often means canned or dehydrated goods. Replenish your supplies every so often to ensure freshness. Store these items in a heavy duty tote.

What To Do After an Earthquake Hits

You can only be so prepared for a disaster and sometimes earthquakes come out of no where. No matter how prepared you are, things still get tricky. Knowing what to do after an earthquake is just as important as what to do before. Some things to do include:

• Put on shoes; you never know what has fallen around your home
• Check for injuries to yourself and to members of your household. Treat them with appropriate first aide if possible.
• Open all closets and cupboards with caution
• Clean up anything that has spilled such as drinks, medications, and cleaning supplies
• Clean up any broken glass
• Secure light fixtures and heavy objects
• Once you take care of your home, check on your neighbors

Earthquakes can be terrifying for you and your family. It can cause destruction and turmoil in your home. Luckily, being prepared can keep you and your family safe, even when the damage is widespread. Develop a plan, and be smart; that’s how to successfully survive any disaster.