We hope this relatively short article on earthquake survival will help those who experience a quake. Unlike hurricanes, tornadoes, or practically any other natural disaster, we never know when an earthquake is going to occur.  Perhaps an earthquake's greatest danger lies in the fact that it can occur almost at once. If you live in a location that's prone to earthquakes, preparation before the event is certainly the key point to consider.

Earthquake Survival Kit

The Office of Emergency Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommend you self-equip with everything on their list.  Prepare 4 Disaster offers various pre-packaged kits that contain a large number of products on their lists.  Here is a list of suggested kits:

Below is an outline of what you would need if you planned on creating your own kit.  The kit, kept in a durable container, should include:

1. WATER - Plan on using one gallon of water per person per day. Store three gallons of water for each person and pet (72 hour supply). Also, pack purification tablets or chlorine bleach to purify drinking water from other sources. Emergency water may be obtained from water heaters, melted ice cubes, toilet tanks (the back part of toilets where the mechanism is located), and canned vegetables.

Avoid drinking water from swimming pools or especially spas - it may have too many chemicals in it to be safe.

2. FOOD - Store at least a three-day (72 hour supply) supply of non-perishable food. It's best to have enough canned and dried foods sufficient for a week for each member of your household. Note: both water and food stores should be replaced every so often to maintain freshness. Canned goods have a normal shelf-life of one year for maximum freshness.

3. FIRST AID KIT AND HANDBOOK - Have two copies of each, one for your home and one for your car.

4. MISCELLANEOUS TOOLS - Vital stuff you won't miss until you realize it's unobtainable. Your emergency tools should consist of:

5. CLOTHING & BEDDING – Hotels may not have vacancy during a disaster. You may be required to sleep in your vehicle. Pack protective clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags in your kit, as well as extra blankets and heavy clothing, including rubber-soled shoes and work gloves.

6. MEDICINE AND SPECIAL ITEMS - Keep adequate supplies for babies, the elderly or disabled and others with special needs.

7. COPIES of important papers should be kept in a fireproof container or a safe deposit box with a key you always carry.

8.  CASH – You should save some amount of cash to have in your emergency kits.  During a power outage ATM machines may not be available.

Making Preparations and Securing Your Home

Keep food and water supplies on hand. You should be prepared to take care of yourself and loved ones for a period of 72 hours. This is how long it is estimated for help to arrive, as they have to deal with the same predicaments as you.

Create a family disaster plan. Discuss with your family the types of disasters that could occur. Explain to your kids how to prepare and respond to each type of disaster. Print the plan for everyone.

Post emergency telephone numbers by every phone. Teach children how and when to call 911, police, fire department, and which radio station to tune to for emergency information.

Teach all family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water.

Define Your Safety Zone: against inside walls, under sturdy tables or desks, in stout doorways.

This is especially important for children to know and do. Have more than one place where everyone can meet and an order in which to go there. One will be your home, but you should have a second in case there's a problem. It should be a safe distance from your house in case of a home fire, and a place outside your neighborhood in case you can't immediately return.

Choose an out-of-state friend as a check-in contact for everyone to call.

Find out about earthquake plans developed by your children's school or day care. Remember, transportation may be disrupted.  Locate your nearest fire and police stations and emergency medical facility.

Develop the habit of thinking, "If an earthquake happened right now, what would you do?" This will prepare you to react and not be surprised when it happens. And it will aid with your preparations.

Look around your house for things that could fall or move. Collapsing walls, flying glass and falling objects cause most quake-related injuries and deaths.  Ask yourself the following questions:

1.     What may happen if your cupboard doors fly open during a quake, allowing dishes or other objects to fall out?

2.     Is the TV and stereo fastened down and are shelves fastened to walls?

3.     Do you have hanging plants or light fixtures that might fall?

4.     Is there a heavy picture or mirror on the wall over your bed?

Know the danger spots. Secure all tall and heavy furniture that could topple over, such as bookcases, china cabinets or wall units. Hang heavy pictures and mirrors away from beds, couches, and anywhere people sit. Keep breakables or heavy objects on bottom shelves. Secure a water heater by strapping it to wall studs and bolting it to the floor.

Make sure you have a properly installed and working smoke detector in your home/apartment.  Store weed killers, pesticides, and flammable products securely in cabinets with latches or on bottom shelves.

When an Earthquake Occurs

Stay clear of windows, fireplaces, or appliances if a quake hits; stay out of the kitchen - it's a dangerous place. In short, stay away from anything that could conceivably fall on you. Don't run downstairs or rush outside while the building is shaking, or while there is a danger of falling or being hit by falling glass or debris.

Also, be prepared for aftershocks. They are strong enough to topple more buildings, sever utility lines and hurt you hours, days, weeks after the main quake. If your house is in solid shape, stay indoors if an aftershock hits.

If you are indoors, stay there! Get under a heavy desk or table and hang on to it, move into a hallway or get against an inside wall.

If you are outside, get into the open away from buildings, power lines, chimneys, and anything else that might fall on you. If you are driving, quickly but carefully move your car as far out of traffic as possible and stop. Do not stop on or under a bridge or overpass or under trees, light posts, power lines, or signs. Stay inside your car until the shaking stops.

After the Earthquake

Check for injuries to yourself and those around you; give first aid where you can. If a person is bleeding, put direct pressure on the wound and use clean gauze, or cloth if available. If a person is not breathing administer CPR. Do not attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in further danger of injury. Cover the wounded with blankets to keep them warm. Seek medical help for serious injuries.

Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately. Leave the area if you smell gas or fumes from other chemicals.

Inspect the entire length of chimneys carefully for damage. Unnoticed cracks could lead to a fire. Also inspect your gas, power and sewer lines. If your utilities are damaged, fix them or get out until you can have someone else do so. Listen to a battery-operated radio or television for the latest emergency information.

Stay out of buildings known to be damaged. Use the telephone only for emergency calls. Only drive if there's an emergency. Keep the streets clear for emergency vehicles.  After the earthquake, brace overhead light fixtures. Contact your local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter for more information on earthquakes.

Some Don'ts to Remember

1.     Don’t turn on the gas again if you've turned it off; the gas company should do it. They'll know if it's safe to do so.

2.     Don’t use matches, lighters, camp stoves, barbecues, electrical equipment or any appliances until you are sure there are no gas leaks. They may create a spark that could ignite leaking gas and cause an explosion.

3.     Don’t use your telephone, except for a medical or fire emergency. You could tie up the lines needed for emergency response. If an emergency occurs and the phone doesn't work, send someone for help.

4.     Don’t expect firefighters, police or paramedics to definitely be there for you. They may not be available.

Other Potential Hazards

1.     Fire hazards - Put out fires in your home or neighborhood immediately, and call for help. If the fire is too big, wait for the professionals.

2.     Gas leaks - If you smell gas or hear blowing or hissing noises, open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the gas company from a neighbor's home. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional. Therefore, shut off the main gas valve only if you suspect a leak because of broken pipes or odor. Also, don't light your kitchen stove if you suspect a gas leak.

3.     Damaged electrical wiring - If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice. Do not touch downed or damaged power lines or any objects in contact with them.

4.     Sewage and water lines damage - If you suspect sewage lines are damaged avoid using the toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid using water from the tap.

5.     Downed or damaged chimneys - Approach chimneys with caution after a quake. Don't use a damaged chimney; it could start fire or let poisonous gases into your house.

Pets after an Earthquake

The behavior of pets may change dramatically after an earthquake. Normally quiet and friendly cats and dogs may become aggressive or defensive. Watch animals closely. Leash dogs and place them in a fenced yard.  Pets may not be allowed into shelters for health and space reasons. Prepare an emergency pen for pets in the home that includes a three day supply of dry food and a large container of water.