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Do you have a plan if a 7.0 Earthquake hit your area?

Be prepared for these two bad scenarios and you will cover a lot of base.

1. Earthquake hits in the middle of night and knocks out power. When you wake up, its pitch dark and your family members/kids are in other room. It’s extremely cold outside and it’s raining.
2. Earthquake hits in middle of work day and knocks out power and phone. Road lights are not working and there are multiple accidents that prevent you from travelling with your car. Your Kids are in School and you are in your office.

How can you be prepared?

1. House structure: Make sure you house structure is earthquake proof/ready.
   1. Foundation is bolted
   2. There is no serious termite damage
   3. Glass doors and Windows are shatter-proof
2. House layout: Learn
   1. How to turn off gas supply
   2. How to turn off water supply
   3. How to turn off electricity
   4. Where are Fire extinguishers?
   5. Where are car keys?
3. Household belongings: Imagine vigorous shaking of your house that can open cabinet doors and move shelves. Now look around and put the fragile and heavy stuff accordingly. http://www.eq-iq.org.nz/quakehouse/
4. Food Supply: Have some high energy food bars, almonds, powder milk, and oatmeal in safe place. It should be enough to sustain your family for 2 weeks, without a refrigerator.
5. Water Supply: There is water in your toilet tanks and neighbor’s pool that can be used, if you have iodine tablets. Also try to buy a water drum for storage.
6. Transportation Supply: Have a bike handy. Also store couple of gallons of gasoline.
7. Light Supply: Candles or Dynamo Rechargeable LED Camping Lantern.
8. Heat Supply: Candles, Match Sticks, Lighters, Camping Stove.
9. Warm Cloth Supply: Water proof jackets or thermals. Sleeping bags and outdoor tents are also good to have.
10. Medical Supply: First Aid Kit containing cuts and pain medicine. Face masks.
11. Safety supply: To prevent from Stray dogs or looters, Air gun or actual weapon with permit.
12. Phone: Don’t rely on cell phones. Make sure your family abroad has your neighbor’s and office number.

Have an emergency plan ready and go over it with your family. It’s better safe than sorry.

Please consult following more comprehensice emergency preparedness guides:

1. Los Angeles Fire Department Earth Quake Preparedness guide.
2. USGS Earthquake Preparedness instructions.
3. FEMA Earthquake readiness instructions.