Hi Diane. The area you live in is similar to Big Bear Lake. Learn from them what to expect in the event of a major quake close to your area. No one can with any degree of certainty say when and where there is going to be a major quake. This is why you prepare for one. Don’t worry about being paranoid. When the danger is real to prepare for that danger is not being paranoid. It’s being prepared.

If you’re into camping then you already have the start of a good kit for living through a quake.

If you should have a major quake get your children to talk about it. Get them to talk about what it felt like, what they thought about it. This helps in releasing any tensions they might feel. Tell them what you felt. Assure them that the fear they have is real and normal. Getting them to talk about it helps to release that fear. Share your thoughts with one another. Once the quake is over what you do and how well you have prepared for it will determine how well you survive both mentally and physically.

One of the biggest hazards will be rock fall. Next in line will be fires. Keep in mind that if you live in an area where rock fall isn’t likely then fires will be the number one hazard. Take Care…Don, a survivor of two major quakes

BASIC EMERGENCY SUPPLIES TO HAVE ON HAND:
Portable radio (with extra batteries)
Flashlights (with extra batteries)
First aid kit and handbook.
Fire extinguishers (Class “ABC”).

Water – at least 3 gallons per person per day. Water is the most critical need. A person can live a long time without food, but not without water. You can never overdo it when it comes to water. A person should drink at least 1 gallon of water per day. The stored water should be rotated every 6 months. Use the stored water for cooking and what have and replace it with fresh water. Do not store all of it in the same place. Put some in the car, closet, cabinets, garage etc. A small storage shed separate from the house would be a good place for it as well as other items.

Food – canned foods and a non-electric can opener, canned juices, dried cereals, dried fruits, powdered milk, special dietary needs, and required medications. Include foods that do not require water for preparation.

Tools – pipe wrench and crescent wrench for turning off gas and water valves.

An alternate source for cooking (charcoal, fuel, matches) which can be used outdoors, away from possible gas leaks.

Liquid chlorine bleach or purification tablets for use in disinfecting water.

Sanitation and hygienic supplies – toilet paper, plastic bags, soap, toothpaste, etc. It is also a good idea to have supplies to make an emergency toilet: Use a watertight container with a snug fitting lid. Line the container with a plastic bag and add powdered chlorinated lime or a household disinfectant to sewage to deodorize, disinfect, and keep insects away.

HOME PREPAREDNESS:
Secure overhead lighting fixtures.
Store heavy items on lower shelves.
Secure water heater with approved water heater strapping.
Know where your gas, electric, and water main shut-offs are.

HOW TO SHUT OFF GAS:
Do not shut off gas unless you suspect a gas leak or can smell escaping gas. If the gas is ever turned off, all pilot lights must be relit by the gas company. The main shut-off valve is located next to your meter on the inlet pipe. Use a wrench and give it a quarter turn in either direction so that it runs crosswise on the pipe. The line is now closed.

ELECTRICITY SHUT-OFF:
Locate your circuit breaker box or fuse box. Be certain you can turn off the electricity in an emergency.

WATER SHUT-OFF:
The main water shut-off valve is located where water enters the house or in a concrete box near the sidewalk.

DURING AND AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE – REMAIN CALM
If you are indoors, stay there. Get under a desk, table, or other sturdy object. If a sturdy object is not available, move toward an interior wall. A doorway may not be the safest place. Stay clear of windows, bookcases, mirrors, and fireplaces. If you are in the kitchen, turn off your stove at the first sign of shaking, then take cover.

If you are outdoors, get into the open, away from buildings, power lines, and trees. Sit or lie down and brace yourself.

If you are in a crowded public place, remain calm and seek shelter from falling debris. Do not rush for the exit; other people will have the same idea.

If you are in a car, pull to the side of the road, away from bridges, overpasses, and power lines. Stay in your car and turn on the radio.

CHECK FOR INJURIES:
If anyone has stopped breathing, give mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing. Stop any bleeding injury by applying direct pressure over the site of the wound. Do not attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. Cover injured persons with blankets to keep them warm. Be reassuring and calm.

CHECK FOR DAMAGE:
Always use caution and wear sturdy shoes and gloves in areas near debris and broken glass. Check your home for fire or fire hazards. Check utility lines and appliances for damage. If you suspect a gas leak, shut off the main gas valve. Do not search for gas leaks with a match or operate electrical switches. Don’t turn on the gas again – let the gas company restore service. Sparks can ignite fumes. Shut off electrical power at the control box if there is any damage to your house wiring. Do not touch downed power lines, or objects touched by downed lines, or electrical wiring of any kind. Immediately clean up any spilled medicines, drugs or other potentially harmful materials. Check sewage lines for cracks before using toilet. Check the chimney and house walls for cracks and damages. Check closets and cupboards. Open doors cautiously. Beware of object falling off shelves.

CHECK FOOD AND WATER SUPPLIES:
Do not eat or drink anything from open containers near shattered glass. If the power is off, check you freezer and plan meals to use up foods that will spoil quickly. If the water is off, emergency water supplies may be all around you – water heater, toilet tanks, and melted ice cubes.

FOLLOW ALL PUBLIC SAFETY EFFORTS:
Do not use your telephone except to report medical, fire, or violent crime emergencies. Turn on your portable radio for information and damage reports. Clear roads for emergency vehicles. Do not go sightseeing or into damaged areas unless your help is requested. Be prepared for aftershocks. Most of these are smaller than the main quake, but some may be large enough to do additional damage.

DISINFECTING OF WATER:
If polluted, strain water through a clean cloth, paper towel or paper coffee filter to remove any sediment or floating material. Water may be disinfected with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite solution (liquid household chlorine bleach). Do not use the granular form of household bleach or solutions that have active ingredients other than hypochlorite. See the chart below for exact proportions.

If the liquid bleach you are using is older than one year, you should use double the amount listed. Mix water and hypochlorite thoroughly by stirring or shaking in a container. Let stand for 30 minutes. 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. Note: Water may also be purified by bringing it to a rapid boil for at least 5 minutes.

TELEPHONE USE IN EMERGENCIES:
Make ONLY emergency calls. Do not call 911 or the police for general information about an earthquake. If you need to make an emergency call, first make sure all your extensions are “hung up”. If there is damage to equipment or facilities or to your wiring, it may not be possible for you to make a call. If you do not hear a dial tone right away, stay on the line.

Because of high call volume, it could take a minute or longer to get a dial tone. Repeated pushing of the hookswitch will delay your call further. If you get a fast busy signal or an “all circuits are busy” recording, hang up and try your call again. Your local and/or long-distance telephone service provider may have to implement network blocking if call volume is extremely high. Blocking prevents overloading the network by allowing some calls to complete and diverting others to recordings.

Establish an out-of-area contact. Since it is easier to place a call out of the disaster area, it is a good idea to ask a relative or friend who lives outside of your immediate area to act as a clearinghouse for information about you and your family. All family members should know to call this contact to report their locations and conditions. Once your contact has been called, this person can relay messages to other friends and relatives outside the disaster area. By establishing an out-of-area contact, you can help reduce the amount of calling into and out of the disaster area. This will help keep the network clear for emergency calls.

Have a plan for reuniting your family that does not involve using the telephone. If you have children, make sure you know the school’s emergency plans and its policies concerning dismissal following an earthquake.

http://www.cisn.org/special/evt.03.02.22/

• Big Bear Lake Quake