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ERTHQUAK.TXT
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1992-04-07
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EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS GUIDE
A PRACTICAL APPROACH
TO INDIVIDUAL
EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS
Compiled by:
John Cairns
Certified Safety Technician
World Safety Organization
The information contained in this brochure was compiled from many
sources. Primary among these are the American Red Cross, Pacific
Telephone, General Telephone, and Ralphs Markets. Most of the
credit, therefore, belongs to these fine organizations. My
involvement was to gather information from available sources and
compile it into a single document. I have added comments or
details throughout the brochure for clarity or to expand upon
facts and recommendations.
I have taken many hours and great care in the preparation of this
document. Although the information contained herein is believed
to be accurate, it is subject to error and no guarantee is
expressed or implied as to completeness or accuracy. In no event
shall I accept any liability , whether direct or consequential,
for damage or injuries resulting from implementation of the
recommendations presented in this guide. This information is
presented as a public service only. Special circumstances and
your own good sense may modify your individual approach to
earthquake preparedness.
I release this brochure to the public domain in the spirit of
universal brotherhood and friendship. No fee or royalty is to be
charged for its distribution.
THE EARTHQUAKE POTENTIAL
Geologists have forecast a 50/50 chance of Southern California
being struck by a great earthquake (8.0 or greater) along the
southern San Andreas Fault within the next 15 years. When it
happens, the impact on Southern California will be enormous.
Police, fire, utilities and medical services will be overwhelmed.
Cities within Southern California Counties that would normally
help each other in a large emergency may be too busy with their
own problems to provide mutual aid. It may take days or weeks in
many areas to restore electricity, gas, water or telephones.
Devastated roads will make travel anywhere difficult or
impossible.
-----------------------------------------
Disaster planners have warned
us to be prepared to be
"on our own" for at least
the first 72 hours after
the earthquake.
Much can be done to prepare
now, before the great earthquake
strikes Southern California
----------------------------------------
By learning the potential hazards of earthquakes and by taking
certain preparedness measures NOW, you can survive an earthquake
and minimize its dangerous and damaging impact.
There will never be a better time than NOW for you and your
family to prepare for this cataclysmic event. PLEASE take the
time to read and understand this brochure. Follow the directions
for preparing your three-day survival pack. Store this brochure
with your survival pack for later reference.
EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS GUIDE
THE DANGER
The actual movement of the ground in an earthquake is seldom the
direct cause of death or injury. Most casualties result from
falling objects and debris because the shocks can shake, damage,
or demolish buildings, bridges, and other man-made structures.
Earthquakes can also trigger landslides and generate huge ocean
waves called tsunamis. Both of these can cause great damage and
loss of life.
Earthquake-related injuries are commonly caused by:
1. Partial building collapses, such as toppling chimneys,
falling bricks from wall facings and roof parapets,
collapsing walls, falling ceiling plaster, light fixtures,
and pictures.
2. Flying or falling glass from broken windows. (This
danger may be greater in modern high-rise buildings.)
3. Overturned bookcases, fixtures, and other furniture and
appliances.
4. Fires from broken chimneys, broken gas and electric
lines, or spilled flammable liquids. The danger may be
aggravated by the lack of water due to broken water mains.
5. Fallen Power lines.
6. Human panic reactions, such as crowds stampeding for
stairways or exits.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
There are many actions you can take to reduce the danger
from earthquakes to yourself, your family, and others.
A. BEFORE AN EARTHQUAKE OCCURS:
1. As a homeowner or tenant:
a. Check your home for earthquake hazards. Bolt down
or provide other strong support for water heaters and
other gas appliances, since fire damage can result from
broken gas lines and appliance connections. Use
flexible connections wherever possible. Place large or
heavy objects on the lower shelves. Securely fasten
shelves to walls. Brace or anchor high or top-heavy
objects.
b. In new construction or alterations, follow building
codes to minimize earthquake hazards. Sites for
construction should be selected and engineered to
reduce the hazards of damage from an earthquake.
2. As a parent or head of family:
a. Hold occasional home earthquake drills to provide
your family with the knowledge to avoid injury and
panic during an earthquake.
b. Teach responsible members of your family how to
turn off electricity, gas, and water at the main switch
and valves. If in doubt, check with your local
utilities offices for instructions. CAUTION: NEVER
SHUT OFF THE GAS unless you suspect a gas leak or can
smell gas. If the gas is ever shut off, all pilot
lights MUST be re-lit.
c. Provide for responsible members of your family to
receive basic first aid and C.P.R. (cardio-pulminary
resuscitation) instruction because medical facilities
may be overloaded immediately after an earthquake.
Call Red Cross Safety Services for information about
classes.
d. Keep a flashlight and a battery-powered transistor
radio in the home, ready for use at all times. Keep
fresh batteries with these items.
e. Keep immunizations up-to-date for all family
members.
f. Conduct calm family discussions about earthquakes
and other possible disasters. Avoid frightening
disaster stories, but talk frankly and rationally about
the possible consequences of catastrophic events.
g. Maintain a 2-3 day supply of food and water.
However, to maintain freshness it is important to
rotate this stock periodically.
B. DURING AN EARTHQUAKE:
1. The most important thing you can do during an
earthquake is to remain calm. By doing this, you will
be in a better position to assess your situation and
instill confidence in those around you. Think through
the consequences of any actions you take. Try to calm
and reassure others.
2. If indoors, stay there. If you happen to be in the
kitchen, turn off the stove at the first sign of
shaking. Watch for falling plaster, bricks, light
fixtures and other objects. Watch out for high
bookcases, china cabinets, shelves, and other furniture
or appliances which might fall or topple. Stay away
from windows, mirrors, and chimneys. If in danger, get
under a table, desk or bed; in a corner away from
windows; or in a strong doorway. Encourage others to
follow your example. Do not run outdoors - you may be
hit by falling debris or electrical wires.
3. If in a high-rise office building, move away from
windows and outside walls. Get under a desk or table.
Do not dash for exits, since stairways may be broken or
jammed with people. Power for elevators may fail.
4. If in a crowded store, do not rush for a doorway
since hundreds may have the same idea. If you must
leave the building, choose your exit as carefully as
possible.
5. If outside, avoid high buildings, walls, power
poles, and other objects which could fall during the
earthquake. If possible, move to an open area away
from all hazards.
6. If in an automobile, pull your car to the side of
the road and stop in the safest place available. Avoid
bridges, overpasses, and power lines. Remain inside
your car until the shaking is over. Turn on your radio
for news and information. Proceed with extreme caution
because of the danger of debris in the road or damage
to the road itself.
C. AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE
1. Check for injuries to your family and your
neighborhood. Do not attempt to move seriously injured
persons unless they are in danger of further injury.
2. Check for fires or fire hazards.
3. Wear shoes in all areas near debris or broken
glass.
4. Do not touch downed power lines or objects touched
by the downed wires.
5. Immediately clean up spilled medicines, drugs, and
other potentially harmful materials.
6. Check for damaged utilities.
a. Inspect for leaking gas lines by smell only;
do not use candles, matches, or other open flames.
If you smell gas, open all windows and doors so
gas can escape. Shut off the main valve at your
gas meter, leave the house immediately, and notify
authorities of the leak. Do not re-enter the
house until repairs have been made and the
dwelling has been declared safe.
b. If water pipes are broken, shut off the main
valve which brings water into the house.
c. If the house is properly wired, internal
trouble with the electricity is very unlikely. If
there is a short circuit, turn off the electricity
at the meter box.
7. If water is off, emergency water may be obtained
from melted ice cubes, from canned vegetables, from
toilet tanks (if no blueing or sanitizing chemicals
have been added), from swimming pools and spas, and
from water heaters (strain this water through a clean
handkerchief first).
8. Check to see that sewage lines are intact before
permitting continued flushing of toilets.
9. Do not eat or drink anything from open containers
near shattered glass. Liquids can be strained through
a clean handkerchief or cloth if the danger of glass
contamination exists.
10. If power is off, check your freezer and plan meals
to use up foods which will spoil quickly.
11. Use outdoor charcoal or propane broilers for
emergency cooking. Do not bring these items indoors.
The accumulation of fumes from their use can be deadly.
12. Do not use your telephone except for genuine
emergency calls.
13. Check your chimney over its entire length for
cracks and damage, particularly in the attic and at the
roof line. Unnoticed damage could lead to a fire or
collapse in aftershocks. The initial check should be
made from a distance. Approach chimneys with caution.
14. Check closets and storage shelf areas. Open
closet and cupboard doors carefully and watch for
objects falling from shelves.
15. Do not spread rumors. They often do great harm
following disasters.
16. Tune-in to local radio stations for information
and danger reports.
17. Do not go sightseeing. Do not use your vehicle
unless there is a genuine emergency. Keep the streets
clear for emergency vehicles.
18. Be prepared for additional aftershocks. Although
most of these are smaller than the main shock, some may
be strong enough to cause additional damage.
19. Respond to requests for help from police, fire
fighting, civil defence, and relief organizations, but
do not go into damaged areas unless your help has been
requested. Cooperate fully with public-safety
officials. In some areas, you may be arrested for
getting in the way of disaster operations.
20. Information concerning the welfare of separated
family members will be handled by the American Red
Cross. Do not call or go to the police or fire
department for this information.
THREE-DAY SURVIVAL PACK
Prepare, in advance, a 33-gallon plastic trash barrel to store
emergency supplies for yourself and members of your household.
The barrel should have a tight fitting or latching lid to keep
insects or household pets from disturbing your supplies.
Store the barrel in your garage or (better yet) in a backyard
storage shed. Make sure your supplies will be accessible in an
emergency. Store the barrel in such a manner that it will not
easily tip over and spill or damage the contents.
Store your emergency supplies in the barrel, in quantities
sufficient to meet the needs of your household for at least 72
hours.
BOTTOM OF THE BARREL
Bedding
Plastic sheets/tarp
Sleeping bag/blankets
Clothing
One change/person
Personal Supplies
Good book
Pencil/paper
Toiletries
Towel
Fuel and Light
Candles
Matches
Sterno canned heat
Equipment
Axe
Bucket
Can opener
Dish pan
Disposable dishes
Disposable utensils
Plastic bag liners
Shovel
Infant Needs
If applicable
Money
Other
Eye dropper
Liquid chlorine bleach
Water purification tablets
MIDDLE OF THE BARREL
Food
Three-day supply of food requiring no refrigeration. Date all
food items and rotate stock as required to maintain freshness.
Write out a menu for each day.
Examples:
Bottle of multi-vitamins
Canned fruit juice
Canned tuna or pork and beans (1/2 lb./person)
Dried fruit (1/2 lb./person)
Graham crackers (1/2 lb./person)
Nonfat dry milk (1/2 lb./person)
Peanut butter (1/2 lb./person)
This supplies daily 2100 calories and essential nutrients.
Water (1 gal./person per day. Store water separately in sealed
containers.
TOP OF THE BARREL
Flashlight, Radio, Spare Batteries
First Aid Kit, including:
Drugs
Antibiotic Ointment
Aspirin Tablets (5 grain)
Kaopectate
Medication recommended by your doctor
Bandages
Ace bandage
Adhesive tape, 2" wide roll
Bandages, plastic strips
Bandages, large triangular
Butterfly bandages
Cotton-tipped swabs
Gauze pads (4" x 4")
Sterile absorbant cotton
Sterile gauze bandages, 2" & 4" wide rolls
Misc.
First Aid handbook
Petroleum jelly
Pocket/utility knife
Rubbing alcohol
Scissors
Thermometer
Tissues
Tweezers
The size of your family may require that more than one barrel be
used to store your three-day survival pack. Campers' supplies
are a good choice for many of the required items, because of
their compact and durable design. Remember to check your stock
regularly and replace out-of-date items.
If you have a tent, store it near your three-day survival pack.
If your house is severely damaged during the earthquake, your
tent may be your only shelter.
PURIFICATION OF DRINKING WATER
HOW TO PURIFY WATER FOR DRINKING:
If water is polluted with dirt or sediment, strain it into a
container through paper towels, paper coffee filters, or several
layers of clean cloth to remove any sediment or floating matter.
Disinfect the strained water with a 5.25% sodium hypochlorite
solution (liquid household chlorine bleach) OR with tincture of
iodine. DO NOT use the granular form of household bleach, it is
POISONOUS! To disinfect water, use the following formula:
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| | Amount of chlorine | Amount of tincture of |
| | bleach to add to: | iodine 2% to add to: |
| Amount |----------------------+--------------------------|
| of water | Clear | Cloudy | Clear | Cloudy |
| | water | water | water | water |
|-----------+-----------+----------+-------------+------------|
| 1 Quart | 2 Drops | 4 Drops | 3 Drops | 6 Drops |
|-----------+-----------+----------+-------------+------------|
| 1 Gallon | 8 Drops | 16 Drops | 12 Drops | 24 Drops |
|-----------+-----------+----------+-------------+------------|
| 5 Gallons | 1/2 Tsp | 1 Tsp | 3/4 Tsp | 1 1/2 Tsp |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
NOTE: If liquid chlorine bleach is older than one year, the
amount used should be doubled, as it loses strength over time.
Purchase an eye dropper to add bleach or iodine to the water.
Use the eye dropper for this purpose ONLY.
Mix well by stirring or shaking the water in a container. Let
stand for 30 minutes before using. A slight chlorine odor should
be detectable in the water. If not, repeat the dosage and let
stand for an additional 15 minutes before using.
If the water can be boiled, boil at a rolling boil for 5 minutes.
This should remove any harmful bacterial contamination. If you
are in the mountains, add one additional minute for each 1,000
feet of altitude. Boiling for longer than 5 minutes is safer,
but do this only if you have the gas or fuel to spare.
Water purification tablets are available in drug stores and
sporting goods stores and are recommended for your first aid kit.
Follow the directions on the package to purify water. Water
purification tablets have a shelf life of 2 years and lose their
effectiveness if they get damp before use.
Purify only enough water at one time to last for 48 hours. This
will minimize the chances of re-contamination.
=================================================================
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO COPE WITH EFFECTS OF EARTHQUAKE
----------------------------------------------------
Following is a list of reminders of what to do to cope with earthquakes.
PREPARE SUPPLIES, including:
- Flashlights with spare batteries.
- A first aid kit and instructional handbook.
- Portable radios with extra batteries.
- Fire extinguishers.
- Airtight containers of water and purification tablets or liquid chlorine
bleach to disinfect water.
- A supply of canned or dehydrated foods, powdered milk, juices and
nutritional food items that do not require water for preparation.
- A manually-operated can opener.
- A barbecue, camp stove or other alternate means of cooking.
- Plastic trash bags.
- Gloves.
- Matches.
- Bathroom items including toothpaste, toilet paper and soap.
- A pipe wrench and crescent wrench for turning off gas and water mains.
PREPARE PLANS, including:
- How to shut off electricity, water heaters, water mains and gas. (Do
not, however, shut off the gas unless you suspect a leak or can smell
escaping gas).
- How to purify water.
- Where to reunite your family.
- The safest places to take cover in your dwelling.
DURING THE EARTHQUAKE:
- If indoors, stay there. Duck under a desk or table. Stay clear of
windows, fireplaces and heavy appliances.
- If outside, get into the open. stay away from buildings, trees and
power lines.
- If in a car, pull to the side of the road. Stay away from overpasses,
bridges or power lines.
For further information, the front section of telephone directories includes a
survival guide with first aid information for earthquakes and other
emergencies.