A Reminder For Residents and Businesses To Prepare For Earthquakes

A Reminder For Residents and Businesses To Prepare For Earthquakes
Posted on 09/11/2017

A REMINDER FOR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES TO

PREPARE FOR EARTHQUAKES

The recent 8.1 magnitude earthquake on September 7, at Chiapas, Mexico, is a reminder for all us to get prepared. Don't wait until after an emergency to prepare for an earthquake or other major disasters. Take this opportunity to assess your family disaster plan and emergency kit.

California is long overdue for a major earthquake. As a result, residents are encouraged to be prepared for a major disaster. In the event of a large-scale earthquake, emergency services will likely be overwhelmed, freeways and surface streets may be impassable, and public services and utilities could be interrupted for days, weeks, or months. Therefore, residents should be prepared to meet their own essential needs for an extended period of time at work, home, or on the road.

Here are some suggested items for your family emergency kit:

  • Water (one gallon per person and pet per day at least for 5 to 10 days)
  • Food (for a minimum of 5 to 10 days—don't forget pet food)
  • First Aid Kit and Instructions
  • Flashlight(s) (and extra batteries)
  • Radio (and extra batteries)
  • Medications (prescription and non-prescription)
  • Cash and important documents (birth certificates, tax returns, deeds, titles, and insurance papers)
  • Clothing and sturdy shoes
  • Tools (hammer, wrench, pliers, duct tape, sturdy gloves, whistle, etc.)
  • Sanitation and hygiene supplies
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Large Heavy-duty Trash Bags
  • Emergency Plan/Emergency Contact Information

If you experience shaking, the recommended actions are to Drop under a piece of furniture. Take Cover under the piece of furniture by protecting your head and neck with one arm/hand. Hold On to the piece of furniture's leg to keep it from shifting or uncovering you until the shaking completely stops. Never run out of buildings during an earthquake as most people are injured by falling debris as they try to exit buildings during the shaking.

If you experience shaking and are in a wheelchair or walker, lock your wheels; cover your head and neck area with a pillow or some type of object that will deflect the debris from falling on to you.

The best way to survive is to be prepared! For more information about disaster preparedness, visit http://lacounty.gov/emergency.