How to Prepare for Earthquakes

Bottled water is smart to have in any emergency situation.

If you live in an area prone to earthquakes, take the time to prepare properly. If there is a quake of any size in your area, so many people will be affected that you might have to fend for yourself for several days -- or longer. According to the California Department of Conservation, the most prepared homes should be able to get by for up to a week in such cases. If you have food, drinks, medicine, and safety equipment at your disposal ahead of time, you'll be able to implement your emergency plan with less confusion.

Instructions

1. Gather the food and water you'll need to survive for at least three days and keep these supplies in your home. Ideally, you should have rations and water to take care of your family for about a week. For water, plan on 1 gallon per day per person. Store everything in a dry place, such as a first floor pantry, that you'll be able to access quickly in an emergency.

2. Assemble a first aid kit. It should contain compress dressings, adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic wipes, sterile gauze, tweezers and protective gloves. The American Red Cross website offers tips for assembling a well-stocked first aid kit (see Resources).

3. Organize your survival supplies. Include a fire extinguisher, portable radio, flashlights and batteries, blankets, a pipe wrench (to turn off water and gas valves) and cash in case banks and ATM machines are not available. A change of clothes and extra shoes for each family member, as well as pet food, may also be necessary,

4. Refill all necessary medications and keep at least a week's worth of each with your survival supplies. Take the time to review the expiration dates for each medication, switching them out with those in your regular medicine cabinet to make sure the longest-lasting medications are always the ones that are stored away.

5. Secure all items in your home that are potentially hazardous during an earthquake. Major appliances, water heaters and tall shelves and furniture should be strapped down. Hazardous substances, such as flammable liquids, should be kept in sealed containers and off of high shelves.

6. Tell every family member where to meet if the earthquake strikes and you're not together. Prepare for various circumstances. Also, have emergency backup families that your family members can go to if they're closer to their homes than yours.

References

• State of California Department of Conservation: What to do in an Earthquake

Resources

• American Red Cross: Anatomy of a First Aid Kit