Preparing for an earthquake: Tips to go along with the ShakeOut
* To prepare for an earthquake, secure objects that may fall over and cause damage, such as bookshelves or large televisions, said Mark Benthien, director of outreach for the Southern California Earthquake Center, who is helping to organize the Great Southern California ShakeOut. Latch cabinets, strap bookshelves and attach water heaters to the wall. (And don't forgot to get your home itself properly bolted and secured and up to recent building codes, said Lucy Jones of the U.S. Geological Survey.)
* Take the time to create a family disaster plan -- something too few people do, Benthien said. Agree on a spot where family members can meet if separated in a disaster. Designate an out-of-state point person who family members can call to check in with after the earthquake. Out-of-state phone lines likely will be the first to be reestablished after a disaster, Benthien said.
* Store plenty of water. Water supplies could be disrupted for days or even months, he said. Each person in a household should get a gallon per day, Benthien advises.
* Keep a fire extinguisher at home and at work. Fires often break out after earthquakes, and fire departments might have difficulty handling all calls, Benthien said.
* When an earthquake starts, know what to do: Drop, cover and hold on. Quickly get under a table or desk and hold on in order to "move with the earthquake," Benthien said. If no table is near, get down next to an interior wall. Cover your head and neck and curl up, making yourself as small as possible.
