EVERY MINUTE COUNTS !!

Many of you have experienced earthquakes in San Francisco or Los Angeles. A minute or less of shaking can leave your home and many other homes throughout the area in shambles. The devastation can easily exceed the limits of the local fire and police departments and you may need to take care of yourself for several hours; possibly days.

We urge you to take time now, BEFORE the earthquake, to prepare by completing the highest priority tasks recommended in article to safeguard your family and your property. 

The goals of this program are to:

1. Prevent fires that occur after earthquakes due to ruptured gas lines and other problems within homes.
2. Prevent injuries that can result from falling furniture and other easily corrected problems within homes.
3. Prepare families to be self-sufficient in the event that police, fire, and other emergency assistance agencies are delayed for several hours or even days.

REMINDER

DURING AND IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING AN EMERGENCY:

Do not use the telephone except to report an emergency.
Try a pay phone or cell phone if home service is disrupted The two systems are on separate circuits.
Do not hang up while reporting an emergency until dispatcher has received and recorded all necessary information.

PREVENT FIRES

Fires after earthquakes are one of the greatest threats to life and property. during an earthquake, unsecured water heaters have toppled over or move causing their gas lines to leak. An explosion or fire can result. 

ACT NOW:

_______1. Strap water heater securely to the wall.
_______2. Install smoke detectors in several locations.
_______3. Install fire extinguishers in high-risk areas.
_______4. Learn the location of utility shutoff points.

• Locate main gas shutoff valve and obtain wrench that fits the valve. Don't shut off the main gas valve if there's no emergency because of the needless hazard in having to re-light pilot lights.

• Locate water service shutoff.

• Locate your main electric panel box. Shut it off after a quake if you see sparks, smell burning insulation or see broken wires.

______5. Move gasoline, other flammable liquids, pesticides, household chemicals, and other hazardous material to a shed or other ventilated location.
______6. Store hazardous materials in unbreakable containers away from sources of ignition.

REDUCE INJURIES

Most injuries are caused by partial building collapse, fires, flying glass from broken windows, overturned furniture and appliances. An area by area survey of your home will help point out what could happen during the jolting and rocking--falling mirrors, bookshelves, hanging plants. We urge you to protect your family and pets by setting time aside to complete the tasks listed for each room of your home.

LIVING ROOM:
_____1. Secure bookcases and other top-heavy furniture with special brackets.
_____2. Hanging plants should be in lightweight pots, and should be securely fastened to wall or ceiling in a closed fastening.
_____3. Secure TVs, VCRs, stereos, computers and heavy lamps so they cannot fall from shelves or other furniture.

KITCHEN:
_____1. Remove or lock refrigerator rollers.
_____2. Place mechanical fasteners on cabinet doors to secure contents.

BEDROOM:
_____1. Either remove heavy mirrors or paintings hanging over the bed, or secure them with braided wire through eye screws placed in wooden framework.
_____2. Locate beds away from windows and heavy dressers or bookshelves.
_____3. Close blinds and drapes at night in case of shattered windows.

GARAGE/ROOF/UTILITY ROOM:
_____1. Roof top air conditioners may need extra bracing.
_____2. Hazardous materials should be stored in unbreakable containers away from sources of ignition.
_____3. Locate main electrical panel and gas shutoff valve.
_____4. You may want your chimney checked by a licensed, qualified contractor to determine whether it may need extra bracing.

PROTECT YOUR HOME

A catastrophic earthquake could cause over millions of dollars in property loss in our area. Previous quakes have done considerable damage to homes that fell off their foundations or were structurally deficient in other ways. Because of the older building codes, many homes are especially vulnerable because they were not bolted to their foundations. Experience has shown that unreinforced masonry homes are also at greater risk.

We urge you to consult with an architect, a structural engineer, or licensed contractor if you need assistance in determining whether your home is adequately bolted to its foundation, if your chimney needs to be strengthened, or if your home requires other reinforcement to protect it during violent ground shaking.

EMERGENCY SUPPLIES

The average home has on hand some of the supplies and food required for up to three days;which is how long you may be on your own before help could arrive after a major quake. The lists below will help you determine any items not on hand, or items that should be stored together in case of emergency evacuation.

To be self-sufficient for periods of three days or longer, you will need to increase the quantities of some supplies above what you normally keep on hand.

Stocking your car or your work place with some of these supplies may also be desirable, since there's a very real possibility that families will be scattered in an emergency.

WATER & FOOD
_____1. Store water. Each person requires about one to two gallons a day for drinking.

Learn to purity water. You may use commercial purification tablets sold at drug stores or you can add 10 drops of household bleach solution per gallon of water, mix well, and let it stand for 30 minutes. If you have a heat source available, you can purify water by bringing it to a hard boil for 5 or 10 minutes.

_____2. Store food. Keep pantry shelves well-stocked, and plan for any special diets.

Store canned and high energy dried foods that can be eaten without cooking or refrigeration. Canned foods have a shelf life of about 12 months. Don't forget to include a manual can opener.

MEDICAL & GENERAL HYGIENE
_____1. Take a first aid course and a CPR course at the American Red Cross, American Heart Association or other service organization.

• Buy a first aid book or use the "Survival Guide" located in the front of the telephone directory white pages.
• Buy or assemble a first aid Kit.

_____2. Keep an extra supply of essential medications and spare eyeglasses.

_____3. Remember the special needs of babies, seniors, and the disabled.

TOOLS & HARDWARE
_____1. Keep a working flashlight in a convenient location.
_____2. Have a portable radio available to listen to emergency information. You can listen to your car radio.
_____3. Keep spare batteries for flashlight and portable radios in the refrigerator (not the freezer).
_____4. Keep a wrench handy for shutting off gas and water services.
_____5. Install fire extinguishers in high risk areas. Keep one in your car as well.

KEEP A TOTE BAG WITH THE MOST ESSENTIAL ITEMS IN YOUR CAR, WORKPLACE, AND AT HOME.

DURING & AFTER THE QUAKE

PLEASE READ THESE BASIC GUIDELINES NOW, AND KEEP A COPY OF THIS PAGE IN A VISIBLE LOCATION FOR QUICK REFERENCE.

DURING AN EARTHQUAKE

IF YOU ARE INSIDE:
1. Stay in
2. Get under a desk or table, or brace yourself in a doorway.
3. Stay away from windows, bookcases, chimneys and mirrors.

IF YOU ARE OUTSIDE:
1. Stay outside, and move to an open area.
2. Beware of overhead wires, chimneys, and falling objects.

IF YOU ARE IN A CAR:
1. Pull over and stop - but not near power lines or under an overpass.
2. Stay in your car until the shaking stops.
3. If a line from a power pole falls onto your car, consider it as being a live electrical wire even if you see no sparks or arcing.

AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE

_____1. Check for fires, leaking gas, and injuries.
_____2. Look for people who may be hurt or trapped.
_____3. Do not use telephones except to request emergency help.
_____4. Turn on portable radio for instructions and news.
_____5. Clean up spilled flammable liquids, chemicals and medicines.
_____6. Check for leaking sewage under house or near street before using toilet.
_____7. Organize emergency supplies and important legal documents in case of evacuation.
_____8. Draw a moderate amount of cold water in the bathtub in case water service is disrupted later.
_____9. Keep streets clear for emergency vehicles.