Earthquakes strike suddenly, without warning. Earthquakes can occur at any time of the year and at any time of the day or night. On a yearly basis, 70 to 75 damaging earthquakes occur throughout the world. The Red Cross recommends the following safety and preparedness tips:
— Discuss with members of your household the possibility of earthquakes and what to do to stay safe if one occurs. Inform guests, babysitters and caregivers of earthquake plans.
—Pick “safe places” in each room of your home and your office 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. The shorter the distance to your safe place, the less likely it is that you will be injured by furnishings that become flying debris during the shaking.
— Practice drop, cover and hold on in each safe place. Drop to the floor, take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture and hold on to a leg of the furniture. If suitable furniture is not nearby, sit on the floor next to an interior wall and cover your head and neck with your arms.
— Talk with your insurance agent about earthquake protection. Different areas have different requirements for earthquake protection.
— Bolt and brace water heaters and gas appliances to wall studs. If the water heater tips over, the gas line could break, causing a fire hazard, and the water line could rupture.
— Hang heavy items, such as pictures and mirrors, away from beds, couches and anywhere people sleep or sit. Earthquakes can knock things off walls, causing damage or injury.
— Join others in your community to Be Red Cross Ready — take a free online presentation at
www.qcredcross.org.
What to do during an earthquake if you are inside:— Drop, cover and hold on. Move only a few steps to a nearby safe place. Most people injured in earthquakes move more than 10 feet during the shaking.
— If you are elderly or have a mobility impairment, remain where you are, bracing yourself in place.
— If you are in bed, stay there, hold on and protect your head with a pillow.
— Stay away from windows.
— Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you are sure it is safe to exit.
What to do during an earthquake if you are outside:— Find a clear spot away from buildings, trees, streetlights and power lines.
— Drop to the ground and stay there until the shaking stops.
— If you are in a vehicle, pull over to a clear location, stop and stay there with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops. Avoid bridges or ramps that might have been damaged.
Common earthquake myths:Myth: During an earthquake, you should get into a doorway for protection.
Fact: In modern homes, doorways are no stronger than any other parts of the structure and usually have doors that will swing and injure you. During an earthquake, you should get under a sturdy piece of furniture and hold on.
Myth: During an earthquake, the earth cracks open and people, cars and animals can fall into those cracks.
Fact: The earth does not crack open like the Grand Canyon. The earth moves and rumbles and small cracks can form. The usual displacements of the earth during an earthquake are caused by up-and-down movements, so shifts in the height of the soil are more likely than chasm-like cracks.
Myth: Big earthquakes always happen in the early morning.
Fact: Several recent damaging earthquakes have occurred in the early morning, but earthquakes occur at all times of day.
Source: American Red Cross of the Quad-Cities Area
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