May 17, 2009 — Sunday night’s 4.7 temblor and subsequent aftershocks that rattled the Los Angeles area reminds us all that disaster can strike at any time. While the quake left no significant damage, plenty of nerves were rattled and many were left wondering just how prepared are we if the ‘Big One’ hits?
Scientists are predicting with near certainty that a catastrophic earthquake will strike Southern California within the next 20 years.
The Red Cross encourages everyone to be prepared and offers the following tips on what to do when the shaking begins:
- DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON! Move only a few steps to a nearby safe place. Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you’re sure it’s safe to exit. Stay away from windows. In a high-rise building, expect the fire alarms and sprinklers to go off during a quake.
- If you are in bed, hold on and stay there, protecting your head with a pillow.
- If you are outdoors, find a clear spot away from buildings, trees, and power lines. Drop to the ground.
- If you are in a car, slow down and drive to a clear place. Stay in the car until the shaking stops.
Identify What to Do After the Shaking Stops
- Check yourself for injuries. Protect yourself from further danger by putting on long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes, and work gloves.
- Check others for injuries. Give aid according to your level of training… sometimes the best aid can be provided just by being a caring presence.
- Look for and extinguish small fires. Eliminate fire hazards. Turn off the gas if you smell gas or think it’s leaking. (Remember, only a professional should turn it back on.)
- Listen to the radio for instructions.
- Expect aftershocks. Each time you feel one, DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON!
- Inspect your home for damage. Get everyone out if your home is unsafe.
- Expect phone systems to be overloaded during an emergency. Use the telephone only to report life-threatening emergencies.
For additional tips on how to be prepared before an earthquake occurs as well as a list of the supplies you should have on hand no matter what type of disaster strikes, visit the Preparedness section of our website.
A major disaster, like a large magnitude earthquake, will require that the American Red Cross provide mass care for 250,000 families for up to five days and until outside help arrives. To shelter and feed this number of people requires that the Red Cross identify potential shelter sites and pre-position supplies now.
The Red Cross also is building community partner relationships to provide the care that will be required during a catastrophic disaster. This includes the training of 20,000 volunteers to serve as disaster workers. A state-of-the-art communications system will allow us to communicate with first responders, disaster volunteers, shelters and community partners.
Now is the time to be Red Cross Ready!
Additional resources:
Download tips:
- Emergency Preparedness Checklist
- 27 things You Can Do to Survive an Earthquake
- Shelter in Place Fact Sheet
- Family Emergency Plan
Links:
