While it’s impossible to know when a disaster might strike, it’s easy to make sure you’re prepared. In the event of an earthquake, the best place to start is to search your home for any potential hazards and to make sure you have a survival kit on hand.

Start a Hazard Hunt

You can start your hazard hunt by imagining that your entire house shaking. Go from room to room in your house to look for any objects that could be ask risk of falling over during an earthquake. Examples would include:

• bookshelves
• appliances
• water heaters and furnaces
• large screen TV’s
• other heavy items

Secure your water heater to wall studs with metal straps and bookshelved can be secured using brackets to attach them to wall. Consider installing latches on upper kitchen cabinets to prevent contents spilling out, causing injury. Also, be mindful of these objects that are near your bed in the event the earthquake happens while you are asleep

Build a Kit

 Stock up on emergency supplies. This list is by no means complete but can serve as a starting point.

• Non-perishable food – enough for each of your family members for up to seven days stored in five gallon buckets or tote boxes
• Enough water for each of your family members for seven days. Many suggest 2 gallons of water per day / per person.
• Flashlights with plenty of fresh batteries
• Radios – Battery Powered, Hand Crank, and/or Solar Radio
• Camping Supplies for emergency cooking and shelter
• Cell Phone Charger – Consider getting a Solar charger.
• Medical Supplies or a well-stocked First Aid Kit and the knowledge to use it
• Sanitation Supplies – Hand sanitizer, towlettes, toilet paper, paper towels, plastic bags
• Cash – A severe earthquake could make your cash at the bank unavailable for a period of time.
• Battery Backup – A good marine battery with a solar charger to supply
• Power generator with fresh fuel (About 3-5 months depending on where it’s kept. If you add a fuel stabilizer it’ll last 6-8 months)
• Fire extinguishers – Fire extinguishers can last anywhere from 3 to 12 years
• Dust Masks for filtering contaminated air
• Whistle to signal for help
• Extra Seasonal Clothing
• Blankets and sleeping supplies
• Any necessary or vital prescriptions – A 30-day supply

Be safe out there!

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