Are You Ready for the Next Earthquake?

Many areas along the West Coast face a high chance of a severe earthquake in the next 30 years. If an earthquake hit tomorrow, would you know what to do? Would your home be ready?

Dale White, emergency preparedness manager for Sutter Care At Home, offers advice to prepare your home and family for the next quake.

Know How to Turn Off Utilities

“Every adult in the house should know where the power, gas and electricity shut-offs are. And if it requires a tool, store that tool very close by,” White says.

Identify Safe Spots

Look around your home and workplace for spots you can take cover, such as under a sturdy piece of furniture or next to an interior wall. Look for places away from windows and things that could fall.

Practice “Drop, Cover and Hold”

Experts agree that this is the safest action during an earthquake. Run a drill with family members so you all know what to do.

• Drop to your hands and knees immediately. Do not attempt to run outside.
• Cover your head and neck with both arms. If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl under it while protecting your head with one arm. If not, try to drop down next to an inside wall or corner.
• Hold on to the furniture and be prepared to move with it.

Create a Disaster Plan and Kit

Your family disaster plan should include designating a friend or family member in another state as a central point of contact. Make sure each person in your family has a list of emergency contacts.

Also agree on a meeting place outside your home, and a second spot outside your neighborhood. Talk with your children about what they should do if an earthquake strikes when they are away from home.

Read “How to Prepare for Disasters” for a list of disaster kit items and more details on planning.

Prepare Your Home

Reduce the chance of severe property damage and serious injuries with these steps.

Secure It or Move It

Start by walking through each room (don’t forget the basement!), and imagine it shaking. Take note of items that are not secured. Falling debris is a major cause of injuries and death during earthquakes.

• Fasten the hot-water heater to wall studs with heavy-duty metal straps, and install flexible water and gas connections. “If your water heater falls, it’s going to break your gas line or it’s going to tear out your electrical, with a good chance of shorting things out,” White says.
• Fasten bookcases and other tall furniture to wall studs. Anchor your television and computer.
• Move heavy furniture, such as entertainment centers and china cabinets, away from places where people sit or sleep, or where they could block an exit if they fell.
• Use museum putty to hold down smaller objects on shelves, White says. Purchase straps or Velcro to secure small appliances. Your hardware store can help you select the best types of fasteners for different items.
• Do not hang mirrors or pictures over your bed. On wall art, loop picture-hanging or mirror wire around the nail or screw in the wall, or use closed hooks, “so if there’s a lot of bouncing, it doesn’t just pop off,” White says.
• Look up at your fixtures, such as chandeliers, pendant lights and ceiling fans. They should be attached to ceiling joists with a wire cable.
• Make sure cabinets close securely in the kitchen, bathroom and garage. Install strong latches to prevent items from falling out during an earthquake.
• Store all heavy items on bottom shelves, and check to ensure the shelving is stable.
• Store toxic and flammable products in latching cabinets to prevent spills.

Research Home Retrofitting

If you own a home built before 1980, assess its vulnerability to earthquakes and consider measures to strengthen it against shaking.

Many older homes are not anchored to the foundation, increasing the chance the house could slide off the foundation. Seismic retrofitting of single-family homes often involves bolting the house to the foundation and strengthening walls. Depending on the structure, you may need other improvements. Some municipalities and non-profits offer classes on home retrofitting.

More Resources

• Earthquake Country Alliance offers extensive resources on preparing for an earthquake.
• The U.S. Geological Survey provides maps showing areas with the most risk of damaging earthquakes.
• How to Prepare for Disasters offers more tips on creating a disaster plan and assembling a disaster kit.