Earthquakes

[LilMama23]

We are planning a move from our safe little home in NJ to Southern California, and I am terrified about earthquakes. I know how rare they are, but it's still something that worries me.

Currently, the main disasters that could happen around here are loss of power due to a snowstorm or a very slim chance of a hurricane/tornado. However, I have always been prepared with our emergency bag in the basement. I'm not sure what to do about an earthquake - what would I put in my emergency bag? What are the biggest risks in that situation? If we're living in a one-story apartment, where is the safest place to be? How can I prepare for this kind of disaster?

Any advice would be appreciated.

[rabbithorns]

In CA water and food will be your main problems.

We kept 2 6-gallon jugs filled with purified water and kept some treatment tablets around in case the water was iffy although we changed it out every month.

We also kept a stash of canned food, including those high in water like fruit, and veggies that with the water in the can could be dumped together to make "soup" or stew. The water in the canned foods would offset what we would need to drink from our water supply. Keep canned beans, meat, fruit, and veggies on hand for about a week's emergency meals, plus dry crackers.

The dry milk can be used for drinking and yogurt making. Also keep treats on hand to pick up spirits - hard candies like peppermints and things that will keep.

We went for the basics because we lived in a fairly connected and chummy town - Santa Cruz - and we knew we wouldn't go hungry or freeze to death, but we wanted to be able to eat and drink for the week it would take to get things together in a major disaster.

And you might want to keep a stash of clothes handy and some kids' books and toys (from a thrift store?) in case you have to evacuate and still take care of little ones. Know where your file of birth certificates and other relevant info (home insurance/ health insurance/ bank accounts) handy to grab too.

We never had to do it, but I was glad I was ready. I felt like it was less about saving my own family than making sure I wasn't another burden on emergency services by having what I needed handy and ready.

[SquishyBuggles]

Where in So Cal are you moving? General area. I live directly at the end of two fault lines and we have a LOT of earthquake activity. They usually aren't too bad at all, some things fall off of shelves and what-not...we're always in fear of 'the big one' though.

I took this from an article by the SF Gate, it seems pretty inclusive of all you'd need in case of emergency.

WATER

* Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments and intense physical activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers, and ill people will need more.
* Store one gallon of water per person per day. Don't forget your pets.
* Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for each person in your household for food preparation/sanitation).
* Change this water every six months. Household liquid bleach to kill microorganisms:

o Use only regular household liquid bleach that contains 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite. Do not use scented bleaches, colorsafe bleaches or bleaches with added cleaners.
o Add 16 drops of bleach per gallon of water, stir and let stand for 30 minutes. If the water does not have a slight bleach odor, repeat the dosage and let stand another 15 minutes.
o The only agent used to treat water should be household liquid bleach. Other chemicals, such as iodine or water treatment products sold in camping or surplus stores that do not contain 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite as the only active ingredient, are not recommended and should not be used.


FOOD

* Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables.
* Canned juices, milk, soup
* Sugar, salt, pepper
* High energy foods such as peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix; foods that will not increase thirst.
* Vitamins
* Foods for infants, elderly, persons with special dietary needs
* Comfort/stress foods: cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags.
* Pet food, at least one ounce per animal pound per day.
* Avoid foods like rice, pasta and dry beans that require a great deal of water to prepare. Remember to restock your food once a year.
BACK TO THE TOP


FIRST AID KIT

* Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
* Assorted sizes of safety pins
* Cleansing agent/soap
* Latex gloves (2 pairs)
* Sunscreen
* 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
* 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
* Triangular bandages (3)
* Non-prescription drugs such as Pain relievers, Anti-diarrhea medicines, Antacid, Syrup of Ipecac (used to induce vomiting with the advice of a Poison Control Center), Laxatives, Activated charcoal (used with advice from the Poison Control Center)
* Various roller bandages
* Scissors
* Tweezers
* Needle
* Moistened towelettes
* Antiseptic
* Thermometer
* Tongue blades (2)
* Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
BACK TO THE TOP


TOOLS AND SUPPLIES

* Paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils
* Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
* Flashlight and extra batteries
* Cash or traveler's checks, in case banks are closed in the days following an earthquake
* Non-electric can opener or a utility knife
* Small fire extinguisher
* Pliers
* Tape
* Matches in a waterproof container
* Aluminum foil
* Plastic storage containers
* Signal flare
* Paper, pencil
* Needles, thread
* Medicine dropper
* Wrench, to turn off gas and water
BACK TO THE TOP


SANITATION

* Toilet paper
* Soap, liquid detergent
* Feminine supplies
* Plastic garbage bags and ties
* Plastic bucket with tight lid
* Disinfectant
* Household chlorine bleach
* Poop bags and scooper for pet waste
BACK TO THE TOP


CLOTHING AND BEDDING

* Sturdy shoes or work boots (keep near your bed)
* Rain gear
* Blankets or sleeping bags
* Warm clothing
* Sunglasses (keep your spare eyeglasses in the emergency kit, too.)
BACK TO THE TOP


DOCUMENTS

* Will, insurance policies, contracts deeds, stocks and bonds
* Passports, social security cards, immunization records
* Bank account numbers
* Credit card account numbers and companies
* Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers
* Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
BACK TO THE TOP

**Remember to include special needs family members such as a baby or an older person might have. It is also good to store in a water proof plastic bag important family documents (passports, wills, medical records etc.) along with your earthquake survival kit.

[cristeen]

Well, the answer to the question really depends upon what you're asking...

Are you asking "what do I do if I feel the earth moving?" The answer to that is simple. If you have time, you get under a door frame. More likely though it's going to be over before you move more than a foot. Even Loma Prieta (1989), by the time I processed that it was in fact an earthquake, it was over. Most of the time when I feel a shaker I'm either in bed or sitting at my computer. In bed I move my feet out from under the ceiling fan in case it decides to come crashing down and in the office I might hang onto my computer so it doesn't topple. That's really all the time you have to process what's going on before it's over.

Are you asking "how do I ensure maximum safety for my family in our living situation?" The answer to that is a little more convoluted and would depend upon whether you're living in an apt or house, whether it's new or old, whether you're buying or renting. When we bought our house (turn of the century Victorian), we had to do earthquake retrofitting before we moved in. It was a couple thousand dollars, and this thing had already survived almost 100 years worth of earthquakes as it was. But the peace of mind was worth the cost, IMO. If you're renting, ask about earthquake retrofitting if it's an old building. If it's a newer building (1990ish-now), they had to meet earthquake codes when they built it. Even anything built since about the 50s has some earthquake measure in place, but the newer the building the more rules it had to comply with, and the safer it is (probably). Which doesn't rule out older buildings, it just means the measures needed to be added to the structure after the fact.

If you're asking "how do I prepare for the Big One?" then the pp covered that pretty well. I will say though that we don't go to that extent. I do make sure we have the basics of first aid, food, water, etc. in the house at all times. But, I'm a bit of a fatalist, and going to the extreme of keeping extra clothing for all family members, blankets and the like in a safe place away from the house (since we have all those things in the house, not much point in stashing them in the house), seems a bit... well... extreme. Not to mention not feasible for city life. On hand at any given time we have sufficient canned goods, frozen goods, and dry goods to survive a month (the frozen gets eaten first, obviously). I've debated buying a solar oven, but given the weather here I don't know that it'd do any good. In S. CA though it might not be a bad addition to a survival kit.

HTH

[rabbithorns]

That door frame thing is a bit of a myth. I mean, when was the last time you saw a bunch of unscathed doorframes left standing after an earthquake. The only reason you stand there is so the wall doesn't fall on you, but if the floor above you collapses, or the roof, you're in for it anyway.

That's what my San Diegan husband was laughing about as I ran for the doorframe in Alaska!:

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by rabbithorns

That door frame thing is a bit of a myth. I mean, when was the last time you saw a bunch of unscathed doorframes left standing after an earthquake. The only reason you stand there is so the wall doesn't fall on you, but if the floor above you collapses, or the roof, you're in for it anyway.

That's what my San Diegan husband was laughing about as I ran for the doorframe in Alaska!:

Actually, A- the door frame is reinforced more than the ceiling, because it has to help support the wall. And if part of the ceiling comes down, it's most likely to be in the middle of the room where there's less support, not the edge. No, it's not liable to make a bit of difference if the whole house comes down. But B- standing in the door frame prevents the door from becoming jammed in case the building shifts. Being locked in the room because the door is jammed in a frame that is no longer square would royally suck. If you're standing in the door frame, then the door is not closed and cannot jam in the frame if it shifts.

[samstress]

it is currently recommended that when an earthquake strikes, you duck and cover (under a desk or table). however, i still tend to run for a door frame (as i did this past thursday when a 4.5 struck). honestly, everytime an earthquake hits, it's my instinct to run out of the house (the absolute wrong thing to do) screaming. however, this past week when we had one i was able to keep it together, grab my daughter and run to a door frame.

i'm sure earthquake preparedness websites abound and you can find extensive info if you look. some things that come to mind are...

-knowing where the main shut-off controls for your water, gas and electric are (and how to shut them off). fires are very common after earthquakes (the big ones, anyway).

-securing larger items (bookcases, file cabinets, dressers) to the wall.

-using baby-proof latches on drawers and cabinets doors.

-securing heavy object (tvs, computers, stereos) to the desks or stands on which they sit.

-putting protective film on doors and windows.

also, i'd like to add one item to the extensive lists above...a pair of walking/running shoes in your trunk. if you're away from home when the big one strikes, you might not be able to drive to your home and/or loved ones.

it's also important to have some kind of plan for when an earthquake does occur. if everyone is at home, where will you go? where will everyone meet? who will grab the children, animals, etc? if everyone in your family are at different places, how will you get in touch with each other? we have an out of town relative that we all check in with (it may be difficult or impossible to make local calls).

hope this helps. it's true that earthquakes aren't that common, but the more prepared you are, the less worried you'll be. enjoy your move.

[rainyday]

Hi, OP. You've gotten some good advice. I wanted to add that you need to realize that while big earthquakes are uncommon, the less major ones do occur pretty regularly, and depending on where you live, you'll probably feel one every year or two, at the minimum. I don't want to freak you out, but I wanted you to know so you don't panic the first time you feel one.

I think one of the most important things when you move here is to make sure your kids know what to do if an earthquake happens. So, I'd practice with them. When you're in different rooms and different places (grocery store, post office, friend's house, etc.) ask them what they'd do if an earthquake happened right then. Where would they go? Is there a table to dive under (hold the legs!) or a door frame? Where are the windows? (You want to be away from them, or at least have your back to them.) And so on.


Standing in door frames
My understanding of the door frame issue is that building construction has changed. Door frames in older buildings are more reinforced and a safer choice, but because of changes in construction practices, in newer buildings they may not provide the same level of safety.

[bender]

Oh, and for your bedroom, don't put anything heavy or hard over your headboard.

Earthquakes aren't that scary. Most of the time you don't feel it, especially if you are driving.

[SquishyBuggles]

Originally Posted by rainyday

Hi, OP. You've gotten some good advice. I wanted to add that you need to realize that while big earthquakes are uncommon, the less major ones do occur pretty regularly, and depending on where you live, you'll probably feel one every year or two, at the minimum.

Ditto this, here is recent activity in my area:

1.7 2009/01/12 11:45:45 33.417N 116.438W 13.8 20 km (12 mi) NNW of Borrego Springs, CA
1.9 2009/01/12 11:04:21 32.943N 115.810W 5.4 20 km (13 mi) NW of Seeley, CA
1.7 2009/01/12 09:31:30 33.329N 116.368W 12.7 9 km ( 6 mi) N of Borrego Springs, CA
1.2 2009/01/12 07:27:04 33.938N 116.744W 7.3 4 km ( 2 mi) NNE of Cabazon, CA
1.6 2009/01/12 06:25:44 33.778N 116.908W 16.0 3 km ( 2 mi) NNW of Valle Vista, CA
1.2 2009/01/11 21:47:58 33.675N 116.709W 22.3 8 km ( 5 mi) S of Idyllwild, CA
1.6 2009/01/11 20:09:41 33.186N 116.033W 8.4 10 km ( 6 mi) ENE of Ocotillo Wells, CA
1.0 2009/01/11 18:33:54 33.518N 116.460W 11.7 20 km (12 mi) ESE of Anza, CA
1.2 2009/01/11 14:28:59 33.421N 116.425W 17.1 20 km (12 mi) NNW of Borrego Springs, CA
1.3 2009/01/11 14:19:05 33.438N 116.415W 21.0 22 km (13 mi) N of Borrego Springs, CA
1.4 2009/01/11 12:29:56 33.367N 116.406W 14.1 14 km ( 9 mi) NNW of Borrego Springs, CA
1.7 2009/01/11 11:25:15 32.546N 115.198W 24.0 28 km (17 mi) ESE of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
1.2 2009/01/11 10:24:31 33.650N 116.730W 14.0 11 km ( 7 mi) S of Idyllwild, CA
2.2 2009/01/11 08:14:51 32.500N 115.225W 5.9 26 km (16 mi) NNW of Guadalupe Victoria, Baja California, Mexico
1.5 2009/01/11 07:10:12 33.899N 116.870W 13.0 4 km ( 3 mi) SE of Banning, CA
2.1 2009/01/11 05:49:58 32.665N 116.055W 7.0 10 km ( 6 mi) SW of Ocotillo, CA
1.3 2009/01/11 02:07:51 33.592N 116.427W 17.1 15 km ( 9 mi) SW of La Quinta, CA
1.5 2009/01/10 23:13:45 33.000N 116.457W 9.1 14 km ( 9 mi) ESE of Julian, CA
1.4 2009/01/10 23:08:08 33.363N 116.344W 11.1 13 km ( 8 mi) N of Borrego Springs, CA
1.0 2009/01/10 20:35:53 33.694N 116.789W 19.2 9 km ( 6 mi) SW of Idyllwild, CA
2.0 2009/01/10 13:37:54 33.964N 116.565W 8.8 5 km ( 3 mi) W of Desert Hot Springs, CA
1.7 2009/01/10 13:27:51 32.609N 115.509W 4.0 6 km ( 4 mi) SW of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
1.2 2009/01/10 11:25:45 33.479N 116.881W 13.8 14 km ( 9 mi) N of Palomar Observatory, CA
1.5 2009/01/10 05:23:45 33.231N 116.050W 10.2 11 km ( 7 mi) SW of Salton City, CA
1.8 2009/01/10 03:35:02 33.913N 115.860W 11.0 32 km (20 mi) SE of Twentynine Palms, CA
1.5 2009/01/10 03:09:33 33.151N 115.765W 27.4 12 km ( 8 mi) W of Obsidian Butte, CA
1.7 2009/01/09 23:08:31 32.541N 115.625W 8.3 19 km (12 mi) SW of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
1.8 2009/01/09 20:46:05 33.313N 116.256W 11.4 13 km ( 8 mi) NE of Borrego Springs, CA
0.6 2009/01/09 20:34:33 33.664N 116.722W 16.7 9 km ( 6 mi) S of Idyllwild, CA
0.5 2009/01/09 20:26:58 33.667N 116.720W 17.4 9 km ( 5 mi) S of Idyllwild, CA
3.0 2009/01/09 04:55:06 32.539N 115.252W 10.0 24 km (15 mi) ESE of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
3.2 2009/01/09 04:44:58 32.558N 115.246W 10.0 23 km (14 mi) ESE of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
3.3 2009/01/09 04:43:58 32.544N 115.256W 10.0 23 km (14 mi) ESE of Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico


Now, we usually don't feel them unless they're a 3.0 or so. We have a LOT of earthquakes, but they usually aren't a big deal.

[samstress]

here's a good site for recent earthquake activity...

http://quake.wr.usgs.gov/recenteqs/

it's where i always go when the shaking starts. don't be alarmed by the frequency. like the pp pointed out, they happen all the time, we just don't feel most of them. keep in mind, the little ones help to relieve pressure, so it's good that we have them.