How to Prepare Your Family for an Earthquake

Last Friday night we were rockin’ and rollin’ in Orange County with a 5.1 trembler that inspired this how to prepare your family for an earthquake post.

We moved back to Southern California when I was ten-years-old and I remember experiencing an earthquake for the first time fairly soon thereafter. The vision of our patio furniture bouncing up and down is one that stays with me.

Growing up here, I remember earthquakes happening somewhat frequently. But the earth has been fairly quiet the last 20 years since the Northridge quake of 1994. In fact, I don’t remember having many earthquakes as an adult. Do you?

Last Friday night was a reminder we DO live in Earthquake country, and it was a wake up call to me, and many others on Facebook that we need to be prepared! Now more than ever, especially since we have children.

I did some research on RedCross and found some info on how to prepare your family for an earthquake that I wanted to share with you.

How to Prepare Your Family for an Earthquake 

Here are three great things I learned on the Red Cross site,

1. Pick safe places in each room of your home, workplace and/or school. A safe place could be under a piece of furniture or against an interior wall away from windows, bookcases or tall furniture that could fall on you.

2. Practice “drop, cover and hold on” in each safe place. If you do not have sturdy furniture to hold on to, sit on the floor next to an interior wall and cover your head and neck with your arms.

3. Keep a flashlight and sturdy shoes by each person’s bed in case the earthquake strikes in the middle of the night.

What to Do During an Earthquake

On Friday night I immediately got under a doorway because that is what I thought you were supposed to do.

However, according to the Red Cross,

“Doorways are no stronger than any other part of a structure so don’t rely on them for protection! During an earthquake, get under a sturdy piece of furniture and hold on. It will help shelter you from falling objects that could injure you during an earthquake.”

Here are some other tips what to do during an earthquake:

1. Drop, cover and hold on. Move as little as possible.

2. If you are in bed, stay there, curl up and hold on. Protect your head with a pillow.

3. Stay away from windows to avoid being injured by shattered glass.

Good to know. I had never even had a conversation with my kids about what to do during an earthquake at home before!

Emergency Survival Kit Essentials 

You can find a full list of things to have on hand if an earthquake disaster were to strike, but here are some of the essentials Red Cross recommends having at the very minimum in a survival kit:

1. Water – one gallon per person, per day (2 week supply for home)
2. Food – non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (2 week supply for home)
3. Flashlight
4. Battery-powered radio
5. Extra batteries
6. First aid kit
7. Medications and prescriptions for family members
8. Multi-purpose tool
9. Sanitation/personal hygiene items
10. Copies of personal documents
11. Cell phone with charger
12. Family and emergency contact information
13. Extra cash
14. Emergency blanket
15. Map of the area

I am hoping we will not have to use any of these tips, but it is better to be ready, and prepare our kids just in case.

All information taken from the www.RedCross.org website. Does anyone else have any information you would like to share on how to prepare your family for an earthquake?