Earthquake Preparedness

Knowing what to do during an emergency takes some planning ahead. It would be very helpful to you and your family to have a family home evening on preparedness and learn what to do during an emergency. As a family, discuss the following guidelines for protecting yourself in an earthquake. You may want to role-play if you have younger children.

EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS:

1. Try to stay cool and calm. Think through what you should do. Try to reassure others.
2. If you are indoors, stay there. Protect yourself in one of the following ways and wait out the earthquake: Take cover under a heavy desk, bed, or table. This will plrotcet you from falling objects. Move into a strong doorway or sit or stand against as inside wall. If you are large enough, brace yourself in a doorway. A door from or the structural frame of a building are the building's strongest points.
3. It you are in a tall building, try to get under a desk. Do not dash for exits, since stairways may be broken and jammed with other people. Power for elevators may fail.
4. If you are in a crowded store, do not rush for a doorway since others may have the same idea. If you must leave the building, choose your exit carefully.
5. If you are outdoors, get away from buildings, tall objects, and electric wires.
6. If you are in a moving car, stop in an open area if possible. Don't stop on a high overpass, bridge, or where buildings can topple down on you. Stay inside the car until the shocks stop, even if the car shakes a great deal. A car is a fairly safe place to be.
7. Be prepared for additional after shocks. Although most of these are smaller, some may be large enough to cause more damage.

WHEN THE EARTHQUAKE STOPS:

1. Check your water line, gas line, and electrical lines. If there is a gas line into your home or building, turn off burners and pilot lights.Do not light candles, matches, or lighters until you determine there is no leak. Gas leaks can cause explosions. Report damage to the appropriate utility companies and follow their instructions.If there is a leak then stay out of the house. Do not flush toilets until you know that the sewer lines are unbroken. Eclectic lines can cause fires. Shut off all electrical power if there is damage to your house wiring. Do not operate electrical switches or appliances if you suspect a gas leak. They can cause a spark which can ignite gas from broken lines.
2. Check your house for injured members.
3. Check your neighborhood for injured people, who may need help.
4. Immediately clean up spilled medicines, drugs, and other potentially harmful substances.
5. Turn on your radio (battery or car). Listen for damage reports and instructions.
6. Don't tie up the telephone lines unless there is a real emergency to report.
7. Don't go outside to see the damage. The area will be cluttered enough and you may hamper rescue. Keep the streets clear for emergency vehicles.
8. Do not touch downed power lines or objects touched by the downed wires.
9. Stay away from damaged buildings. Aftershocks can collapse them.
10. If water is off, you can get emergency water from water heaters, toilet tanks, melted ice cubes, and canned vegetables.
11. Do not eat or drink anything from open containers near shattered glass. Strain liquids through a clean handkerchief or cloth if you think broken glass may be in them.
12. Respond to requests for help from police, fire fighters, civil defense, and relief organizations. But do not go into damaged areas unless your help has been requested. Cooperate fully with public safety officials.

FAMILY AND HOME PLANNING

*Create a family earthquake plan

*Know the safe spot in each room. Under sturdy tables, desks, or against inside walls.

*Know the danger spots. Windows, mirrors, hanging objects, fireplaces and tall furniture.

*Conduct practice drills. Physically place yourself and your children in safe spots.

*Learn first aid and CPR from your local Red cross or other organization.

*Decide where your family will reunite if separated.

*Keep a list of emergency phone numbers.

*Choose and out of state friend or relative whom family members can call after the quake to report your condition.

(fill out these papers and you will have all your info ready. Click HERE to print yours off)

Click HERE to view the Shake Out Emergency website. 

It is a new month and that means new goals for us. This month is all about oats and lighting. Watch the blog all month for recipes and ideas that involve oats. 

FEBRUARY STORAGE GOALS:

Food Storage Goal: OATS-20lbs per person. If you get yours from the cannery in #10 cans they will last 30+ years. They cost $8.15 for a 25lb bag or $13.25 for 6 #10 cans which equals 14.4lbs.

Non-Food Goal: Lighting is our goal this month. Gather matches, candles, flashlights (crank or battery operated), emergency candles, light sticks, solar powered flashlights or lanterns, etc. Find what works for your family and have these in your 72-hour kits and in your car kits and have a source of light by every bed in your home. The glow light sticks that activate by bending are great to hang as night lights and can easily fit in 72-hour kits.

Enjoy the journey!

Enjoy the blessings!

Feel the peace!

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