Earthquake Preparedness

WHAT TO DO BEFORE AN EARTHQUAKE

In this section you can learn about how to prepare for earthquakes. Find out which earthquake kit and supplies you need along
with other important earthquake preparedness steps to take before an earthquake.

Purchase Earthquake Kits And Supplies! Buy an earthquake kit designed by emergency preparedness experts to contain
all the reliable supplies you need to prepare for an earthquake. Check out our Earthquake Kit and Supply Checklists for
the home, car, school, and office.

Customize Your Earthquake Kit! Some people have special needs such as prescriptions and other items that you may need
to add to your kit.

Replace Expired Earthquake Supplies! Periodically, you may have to replace certain earthquake supplies. But thanks to our
ER Easy Replacement Kits, we've made this process both cost and time efficient for you.

Make An Earthquake Preparedness Plan! Make an earthquake preparedness plan that includes evacuation and reunion
plans; your out-of-state contact person's name and number; the location of your emergency supplies and other pertinent information.

Secure Hazards! Have a risk-reduction expert eliminate hazards throughout your home, workplace, and school. This service
has proven to greatly reduce your risk of injury or death following the next earthquake or other disaster.

Learn More And Play! Use the following fun and informational resources to learn about earthquake preparedness.

WHAT TO DO DURING AN EARTHQUAKE

Learn what to do during an earthquake, whether you're at home, at work, at school or just out and about. There are specific
actions that earthquake preparedness experts suggest such as to "Drop, Cover, and Hold On". This simple action has been
known to save lives and reduce your risk of death or injury. During earthquakes, drop to the floor, take cover under a sturdy desk
or table, and hold on to it firmly. Be prepared to move with it until the shaking stops.

WHAT TO DO AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE

If you have been fortunate to survive a catastrophic earthquake, you still won't be out of the clear yet. The days after an
earthquake can be just as dangerous as the seismic event itself. Learn what you can do to survive after an earthquake.

Check For Injuries And Damage! One of the first things you should do following a major disaster is to check for injuries and
damages that need immediate attention. Make sure you are trained in first aid and in damage assessment techniques. You should be
able to administer first aid and to identify hazards such as damaged gas, water, sewage and electrical lines. Use your emergency gas
wrench to turn off the gas if you smell a gas leak.

Communicate And Recover! Following a major disaster, communication will be an important step in your recovery efforts.
Turn on your solar and hand-crank powered emergency radio for information and safety advisories. If your home is damaged, contact
your insurance agent right away to begin your claims process.

Before a typhoon hits

To prepare for a Typhoon, you should take the following measures:

To begin preparing, you should build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.

Know your surroundings.

Learn the elevation level of your property and whether the land is flood-prone. This will help you know
how your property will be affected when storm surge or tidal flooding are forecast.

Identify levees and dams in your area and determine whether they pose a hazard to you.

Learn community Typhoon evacuation routes and how to find higher ground. Determine where you
would go and how you would get there if you needed to evacuate.

Make plans to secure your property:

Cover all of your homes windows. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A
second option is to board up windows with 5/8 marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install. Tape
does not prevent windows from breaking.

Install straps or additional clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure. This will reduce roof
damage.

Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed so they are more wind resistant.

Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.

Reinforce your garage doors; if wind enters a garage it can cause dangerous and expensive structural
damage.

Plan to bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down.

In a strong typhoon, A LOOSE OBJECT IS A MISSILE!

Determine how and where to secure your boat.

If in a high-rise building, be prepared to take shelter on or below the 10th floor.

During a Typhoon
If a Typhoon is likely in your area, you should:

Listen to the radio or TV for information.

Secure your home, close storm shutters and secure outdoor objects or bring them indoors.

Turn off utilities (electricity) if instructed to do so. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its
coldest setting and keep its doors closed.

Turn off LPG tanks

Avoid using the phone, except for serious emergencies.

Moor your boat if time permits.

Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purpose such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and
other larger containers with water.

Find out how to keep food safe during and after and emergency.

You should evacuate under the following conditions:

If you are directed by local authorities to do so. Be sure to follow their instructions.

If you live in a weak home or temporary structure such shelter are particularly hazardous during
Typhoon no matter how well fastened to the ground.

If you live in a high-rise building Typhoon winds are stronger at higher elevations.

If you live on the coast, on a floodplain, near a river, or on an island waterway.

Read more about evacuating yourself and your family. If you are unable to evacuate, go to your wind-safe
room. If you do not have one, follow these guidelines:

Stay indoors during the Typhoon and away from windows and glass doors.

Close all interior doors secure and brace external doors.

Keep curtains and blinds closed. Do not be fooled if there is a lull; it could be the eye of the storm
winds will pick up again.

Take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway on the lowest level.

Lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy object.

Avoid elevators.

After a Typhoon passes...

Continue listening to Radio or the local news for the latest updates.

Stay alert for extended rainfall and subsequent flooding even after the Typhoon or tropical storm has
ended.

If you have become separated from your family, use your family communications plan or check the
Emergency Numbers Plan

If you evacuated, return home only when officials say it is safe.

Drive only if necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges.

Stay off the streets. If you must go out watch for fallen objects; downed electrical wires; and weakened
walls, bridges, roads, and sidewalks.

Keep away from loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately to the power company.

Walk carefully around the outside your home and check for loose power lines, gas leaks and structural
damage before entering.

Stay out of any building if you smell gas, floodwaters remain around the building or your home was
damaged by fire and the authorities have not declared it safe.

Inspect your home for damage. Take pictures of damage, both of the building and its contents, for
insurance purposes. If you have any doubts about safety, have your residence inspected by a qualified
building inspector or structural engineer before entering.

Use battery-powered flashlights in the dark. Do NOT use candles. Note: The flashlight should be turned
on outside before entering - the battery may produce a spark that could ignite leaking gas, if present.

Watch your pets closely and keep them under your direct control. Watch out for wild animals, especially
poisonous snakes. Use a stick to poke through debris.

Avoid drinking or preparing food with tap water until you are sure its not contaminated.

Check refrigerated food for spoilage. If in doubt, throw it out.

Wear protective clothing and be cautious when cleaning up to avoid injury.

Use the telephone only for emergency calls.

NEVER use a generator inside homes, garages, crawlspaces, sheds, or similar areas, even when using
fans or opening doors and windows for ventilation. Deadly levels of carbon monoxide can quickly build
up in these areas and can linger for hours, even after the generator has shut off.

Prepare Before a Fire

ALWAYS familiarize yourself to where you are and be sure to know how to reach the
TWO nearest EXITS.

Remember that in a fire situation, smoke is blinding and will bank down in the rooms
and hallways. This condition may force you to crouch or crawl to escape to safety. By
ALWAYS being aware of your surroundings, your knowledge of the nearest EXITS and
having a PLAN will greatly increase your ability to deal with sudden emergencies.

If You Discover a Fire or See Smoke

If building fire alarm is not sounding, manually activate the alarm by pulling a fire alarm
pull station located near an exit.

Immediately exit the building.

Call the University Police at x66911.

The first step after discovering a fire is to evacuate the area, closing all doors behind you. Locate the nearest
manual fire alarm pull station and activate it, then contact the University Police. Whenever possible, and
without putting yourself at risk, shut down laboratory or industrial equipment before leaving.
Steps to Safety in Fires:

Isolate the area by shutting doors when exiting.

Use stairs, never take the elevator during a fire.

Notify the University Police when you can do so safely. > Signs indicating the Area of
Gathering are posted in the lobby of each building and residence hall. In the event of a
building or area evacuation, go to the posted Area of Gathering or as directed by
emergency response officials. Meet and account for other department members.

Never attempt to re-enter the building unless cleared to do so by the Fire Department.

NEVER ATTEMPT TO PUT OUT A FIRE ON YOUR OWN!

(Unless the fire is very small and you have been trained to do so).

If Building Fire Alarm is Activated or Someone Informs You of a Fire

Walk to the nearest exit. Do not use the elevators.

If able, assist people with special needs.

Notify emergency personnel if you know or suspect someone is trapped or still inside
the building.

Assemble outside at the Area of Gathering away from the building and do not attempt
to re-enter the building until authorized to do so by the emergency responders.

If Caught in Smoke

Drop to hands and knees and crawl towards the nearest exit.

Stay low, smoke will rise to ceiling level first.

Hold your breath as much as possible; breathe through your nose and use a filter such
as a shirt, towel or handkerchief.

If Trapped in a Room

Close as many doors as possible between you and the fire.

Wet and place cloth material around or under the door to help prevent smoke from
entering the room.

If the room has an outside window, be prepared to signal to someone outside.

Clothing on Fire (Stop, Drop and Roll)

Direct or assist a person to roll around on the floor to smother the flames.

Only drench with water if a laboratory safety shower is immediately available.

Obtain medical attention. Call x66911.

Report incident to supervisor.

Using a Fire Extinguisher

Only use a fire extinguisher if the fire is very small and you have been trained to do so safely. If you cannot put
out the fire, leave immediately and make sure the building alarm is activated and emergency personnel are
notified.
TOTAL AND IMMEDIATE EVACUATION IS THE SAFEST.

About

Floods are among the most frequent and costly natural disasters. Conditions that cause
floods include heavy or steady rain for several hours or days that saturates the ground.
Flash floods occur suddenly due to rapidly rising water along a stream or low-lying area.
You will likely hear weather forecasters use these terms when floods are predicted in your
community:
Flood/Flash Flood WatchFlooding or flash flooding is possible in your area.
Flood/Flash Flood WarningFlooding or flash flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in
your area.

Prepare

How to Prepare for a Flood

Youll be better prepared to withstand a flood if you have the following items available packed
and ready to go in case you need to evacuate your home
Waterat least a 3-day supply; one gallon per person per day
Foodat least a 3-day supply of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food
Flashlight [Available on the Red Cross Store]
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible) [Available on the Red
Cross Store]
Extra batteries
First Aid kit [Available on the Red Cross Store]
Medications (7-day supply) and medical items (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses,
contact lenses, syringes, cane)

 Multi-purpose tool
Sanitation and personal hygiene items
Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, deed/lease
to home, birth certificates, insurance policies)
Cell phone with chargers
Family and emergency contact information
Extra cash
Emergency blanket
Map(s) of the area
Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)
Tools/supplies for securing your home
Extra set of car keys and house keys
Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes
Rain gear
Insect repellent and sunscreen
Camera for photos of damage

Respond

Responding Appropriately During a Flood

Listen to area radio and television stations and a NOAA Weather Radio for possible flood
warnings and reports of flooding in progress or other critical information from the National
Weather Service (NWS)
Be prepared to evacuate at a moments notice.
When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground and stay
there.

 Stay away from floodwaters. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your
ankles, stop, turn around and go another way. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you
off of your feet.
If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are
caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and
move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.
Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water
or contaminated water.
Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood danger.
Because standard homeowners insurance doesnt cover flooding, its important to have
protection from the floods associated with hurricanes, tropical storms, heavy rains and other
conditions that impact the U.S. For more flood safety tips and information on flood insurance,
please visit the National Flood Insurance Program Web site at www.FloodSmart.gov.

Recover

Flood Recovery Tips

Return home only when officials have declared the area safe.
Before entering your home, look outside for loose power lines, damaged gas lines, foundation
cracks or other damage.
Parts of your home may be collapsed or damaged. Approach entrances carefully. See if porch
roofs and overhangs have all their supports.
Watch out for wild animals, especially poisonous snakes that may have come into your home
with the floodwater.
If you smell natural or propane gas or hear a hissing noise, leave immediately and call the fire
department.
If power lines are down outside your home, do not step in puddles or standing water.
Keep children and pets away from hazardous sites and floodwater.
Materials such as cleaning products, paint, batteries, contaminated fuel and damaged fuel
containers are hazardous. Check with local authorities for assistance with disposal to avoid risk.
During cleanup, wear protective clothing, including rubber gloves and rubber boots.

 Make sure your food and water are safe. Discard items that have come in contact with
floodwater, including canned goods, water bottles, plastic utensils and baby bottle nipples. When
in doubt, throw it out!
Contact your local or state public health department to see if your water supply might be
contaminated. You may need to boil or treat it before use. Do not use water that could be
contaminated to wash dishes, brush teeth, prepare food, wash hands, make ice or make baby
formula!

Let Your Family Know You're Safe

If your community has experienced a disaster, register on the American Red CrossSafe and
Well web site to let your family and friends know about your welfare. You may also call 1-866GET-INFO to register yourself and your family.