Safety And Survival In An Earthquake, Part 1

Planning for 'The Big One' is an idea that has finally arrived.

All over the United States, the earth shakes many times during the year. There is some apprehension, but the disturbance is usually momentary, so most people tend to forget it quickly. The severity of the earthquakes that struck the San Fernando Valley in 1971, and Coalinga and Idaho in 1983 served to jolt citizens into the realization that disastrous earthquakes strike suddenly and without warning.

In reflecting upon these recent quakes, we may ask: How many homes and possessions could have been saved? How many injuries could have been prevented? How many lives were disrupted temporarily or permanently? The resultant awareness has spurred an urgent and continuing interest in the need for education for survival.

Your American Red Cross has been serving the American people for over 100 years, in all kinds of disasters. One of the most important aspects of its mandate is to provide disaster services and to help the community prepare for disasters.

This handbook is a part of an earthquake preparedness course entitled Safety and Survival in an Earthquake. The American Red Cross has developed this book, and course, to promote more individual awareness and response to disasters, particularly to the potential of an earthquake in your community. You will also learn more about how to help yourself, your family, and your neighbors to survive a major catastrophe and to prevent unnecessary injuries and damages before they occur.

Involve the entire family in becoming familiar with this book and keep it readily available. The life you save may be your own or that of someone you love!

Earthquake! To many people, the word strikes fear. To others, it is a topic of conversation and speculation. 'Big' ones have happened far enough apart in the past to dull the memory. The idea that the next earthquake is only a remote possibility tends to create a false sense of security.

But is the next 'big' quake only a remote possibility? Many prominent and world renowned scientists think not. Based on scientific research and historical records, geologists and seismologists now advise us that many areas of the United States could experience a damaging earthquake. In fact, the strongest earthquakes in United States history occurred on the New Madrid fault, in the Mississippi Valley. This series of earthquakes happened from December 1811 through February 1812, and were strong enough to damage chimneys 400 miles away, and ring church bells on the east coast. It is also interesting to note that the first record of an earthquake in the United States was in Rhode Island in 1568.

We know that earthquake danger is highest in Alaska, California, and Hawaii, but is also greater than is commonly thought in the Puget Sound area of Washington, in parts of Nevada, Idaho, and Utah, in the Charleston, SC area, and in parts of New York and Massachusetts. Forty-four of our fifty states are now considered earthquake prone, although not all of these will experience damaging earthquakes.

It is not possible to prevent earthquakes or change the likelihood of an earthquake occurring. However, you can greatly increase your chances of safety and survival, by being aware and prepared.

Awareness is the first step. Preparedness is the key!

Very little has been known about the causes of earthquakes until this century. Geologists have concluded the crust of the earth consists of plates of layered rock which are in continual movement every so slowly. In some places, where these plates meet, one is forced under the other, creating faults and mountains. In other places, tow plates may slide past each other, with their boundaries forming a fault, such as the San Andreas in California.

Faults also occur far from the edges of the Crystal plates, as in the New Madrid fault zone in the southeastern United States. Less is known about the creation and behavior of these faults. They may occur from compression of the crust as plates push together.

Because the earth's crust is several miles thick, there is tremendous friction between the pieces which are trying to move. When the strain becomes great enough to overcome the friction, there is sudden movement, resulting in the ground motion and shock waves which we feel as an earthquake.

The strength of an earthquake may be described in terms of 'magnitude' measured on the Richter scale.

A 3.0 magnitude quake is easily felt, a 4.0 attracts attention over a wide area, a 5.0 may break windows, a 6.0 is capable of serious damage, and a 7.0 or greater is potentially a great disaster, if it strikes a densely populated area.

There is rarely a single earthquake shock. There may be foreshocks, which are usually small, and there are numerous aftershocks of various intensities. Seismologists believe that someday they may be able to distinguish characteristics among the foreshocks that will enable them to detect early warning signals about the size and location of a pending large earthquake.

However, prediction is still in its infancy, and you cannot afford to wait for a warning before beginning to make preparations for safety and survival in an earthquake.

DURING THE EARTHQUAKE

• Stay Calm! Try to Calm and Reassure Others.
• If you are indoors, stay there! Get under a sturdy table or desk or brace yourself in a doorway or corner. Move to an inside hallway when possible. Choose a location which will allow you air to breathe in the event the building collapses around you. Stay clear of windows, bookcases, china cabinets, heavy mirrors, hanging plants, and other heavy objects. Watch out for falling plaster.
• If you are outside, move to an open area away from power lines, power poles, trees, walls, and chimneys.
• If you are on a sidewalk near buildings, duck into a doorway to protect yourself from falling bricks, glass, plaster, and other debris.
• In a crowded store or other public place, do not rush for exits. Move away from display shelves containing objects that may fall.
• In a high-rise building, get under a desk and stay away from windows. Stay in the buildings on the same floor. Avoid using the elevators, since the power may go off. Don't be surprised if the fire alarm or sprinkler systems go on.
• If you are in your car, pull to the side of the road and stop the car. Do not park under bridges or overpasses or overhead wires. Stay in your car until the shaking has stopped. Stay in your car if electrical wires have fallen across your vehicle. Do not attempt to cross bridges or overpasses that may have been damaged.

AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE

• Expect aftershocks. Move carefully. Use extreme caution when entering damaged buildings, since aftershocks can bring them down. Continue to protect your emergency supplies from falling debris.
• Wear shoes for protection from debris or broken glass.
• Immediately check for injuries, trapped persons and handicapped persons in your family, neighborhood or among fellow workers. Do not attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.
• Immediately check for fires. Extinguish them with a fire extinguisher or baking soda. If unable to extinguish the fire, leave immediately.
• Immediately clean up spilled medicines, drugs, or other potentially harmful materials.
• Use a flashlight when searching for gas leaks or fire hazards. Do not use a lighted match. Do not use electrical switches or appliances if gas leaks are suspected because sparks can ignite gas from broken lines.
• Check gas, water, and electrical lines and check appliances for damage. If you smell gas or see a broken line, shut off main valve. If the utilities have been turned off or disrupted, have a qualified mechanic (plumber, electrician, or utility representative) restore the service.
• Never touch downed power lines or objects touched by downed lines.
• Confine household pets if walls or fences are down.
• Don't use your telephones except for emergency calls.
• Check water supplies. If water is off, use emergency water obtained from water heaters, toilet tanks, melted ice cubes, and canned fruit and vegetables. Don't drink the water from toilet tanks if a disinfectant chemical has been added to the water.
• Check to see that sewage lines are intact before flushing the toilet.
• Check closets and storage shelf areas, but open doors carefully and watch for falling objects.
• Turn on your battery-operated radio (or car radio) for damage reports and information. Do not spread rumors.
• Do not use your vehicle unless there is an emergency. Do not go sightseeing.
• Notify your out-of-town 'contact person' about your situation by mail if other communications are not available. When telephones become available, call your out-of-town contact. If telephone communications are difficult during daytime hours, try placing your call in off-peak hours between 1 and 6 a.m.
• Use outdoor barbecues, camping stoves, hibachis, chafing dishes, fondue pots, or fireplace for cooking. However, check the chimney for cracks and damages before using fireplace.
• Cooperate with public safety efforts. Do not go into damaged areas unless you have been requested to do so. Keep streets clear for passage of emergency vehicles.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR GAS, ELECTRICITY, AND WATER

• Gas: Learn how to shut off gas: (do so only in an emergency). 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: Teach responsible members of your family how to turn off electricity, gas and water at main switch and valves.
• Water: The water shutoff valve is found where water enters the house. Also, the main water shutoff valve is found with meter in a concrete box in the sidewalk.

This suggested list consists of items usually available in a home and used regularly. It is designed to help your family identify and organize them for any emergency. Quantities of emergency supplies should be adequate for at least 72 hours. A two-week supply of water, food, medicine, and other consumable items is recommended as a minimum reserve.

SURVIVAL

• Water 2 qts. to 1 gal per person per day
• First Aid Kit-ample and freshly stocked
• First Aid Book (American Red Cross, Standard First Aid & Personal Safety)
• Food
• Can opener (non-electric)
• Blankets, space blankets, or a sleeping bag for each member of family
• Radio-portable, battery-operated
• Spare batteries
• Essential medication and eyeglasses
• Fire extinguisher A-B-C type
• Flashlight
• Fresh and spare batteries and bulb
• Watch or clock-battery or spring-wound
• Smoke detector-battery operated
• Escape ladder-for second story of home
• Food for pets
• Money

SANITATION SUPPLIES

• Large plastic trash bags for trash, waste, water protection, ground cloth
• Large trash cans
• Bar soap
• Liquid detergent
• Shampoo
• Toothpaste and toothbrushes
• Pre-moistened toilettes
• Deodorant
• Denture cleanser
• Feminine supplies
• Infant supplies
• Toilet paper
• Portable toilet chemicals-add to sewage to deodorize, disinfect, and keep away insects
• Newspaper-to wrap garbage and waste
• Household bleach

SAFETY AND COMFORT

• Sturdy shoes-for every family member
• Heavy gloves for every person clearing debris
• Candles
• Matches-dipped in wax and kept in a waterproof container
• Clothes-complete change kept dry
• Knife or razor blades
• Garden hose-for siphoning and fire fighting
• Tent
• Hat or cap-protection from sun, rain, or cold
• Disposable face masks-protection from dust and smoke

COOKING

• Barbecue-hibachi camp stove, chafing dish, fireplace, etc.
• Fuel for cooking equipment-charcoal, lighter fluid, fuel for camp stove, presto logs, sterno
• Plastic knives, forks, spoons
• Paper plates and cups
• Paper towels
• Heavy-duty aluminum foil
• Plastic food wrap

TOOL AND SUPPLIES

• Ax, shovel, broom
• Crescent wrench-for turning off gas main
• Screwdriver
• Pliers
• Hammer
• Coil of 1/2' rope
• Plastic tape
• Pen and paper
• Plastic sheeting
• Deck of cards, toys for children
• Coil of baling wire
• Pail for carrying water or supplies

CAR MINI-SURVIVAL KIT

• Non-perishable food-store in clean coffee cans
• Bottled water
• First aid kit and book
• Flares
• Fire extinguisher-A-B-C type
• Blanket or sleeping bag
• Sealable plastic bags
• Flashlight-fresh and spare batteries and bulb
• Essential medication
• Tools-screwdriver, pliers
• Short rubber hose-for siphoning
• Small package of tissues
• Premoistened toilettes
• Local maps
• Extra clothes, jeans, sweater
• Sturdy shoes or boots

Some families prefer to store their emergency supplies in one location. Choose a place in your home which would be relatively safe in time of an earthquake (such as a closet or under a bed). The perishable supplies will remain stable longer if stored in a cool, dark location.

One suggested method for storing emergency supplies is to place them in a large, covered trash container. They can be layered as shown and all kept together in the large covered container.

Note: It is best to store plastic water containers on top of the contents rather than on the bottom where they could possibly crack and leak from weight of heavy objects placed on top of them.

Most people take an adequate food supply for granted. However, a disaster or an emergency can disrupt the food supply at any time. The emergency may be widespread or localized. It may be as large as an earthquake or as small as a blocked road or a power or water main failure. Whatever the emergency, the same stock of food will meet your family needs, and it can consist of preferred, familiar foods you use in daily meals.

There is no need to rush out and buy large supplies of foods you have never tried. The canned foods, dry mixes, and other staples on the cupboard shelves in most homes are well-suited to emergency food plans. Familiar foods are important! They can lift morale and give a feeling of security in time of stress.

Prepare an emergency food supply that will last two weeks, even though you probably won't be on your own that long. A two-week supply of water and food can relieve great deal of inconvenience and uncertainty during the immediate post-disaster period and until orderly services and systems are restored.

You may already have a two-week supply of food on hand in the pantry or on the cupboard shelves. Maintaining it is a simple matter of use and replacement.

As far as safety is concerned, commercially canned foods will keep almost indefinitely as long as the cans are not leaking or bulging. However, your emergency food supply should be of the highest quality possible (good color, flavor, and appearance). With this in mind, it is best if you rotate the supply once or twice a year.

TIPS TO REMEMBER ABOUT FOOD STORAGE

• Choose foods your family likes.
• Keep food in the driest and coolest spot in the house and choose a dark area if possible.
• Keep all food covered at all times.
• Open food boxes or cans carefully so that you can close them tightly after each use.
• Wrap bread, cookies, or crackers in plastic bags and keep them in tight containers.
• Empty opened packages of sugar, dried fruits, or nuts into screw-top jars or airtight tin cans because insects and rodents may be a problem.
• Do not hoard.
• Don't forget canned and non-perishable foods for your pets!
• Date and rotate food supplies stored for emergency use.
• Foods in glass bottles and jars may break during an earthquake. Purchase emergency foods in cans whenever possible.

POINTS TO REMEMBER ABOUT FOODS AND GOOD NUTRITION

• Make it a rule that you eat at least one square meal every day.
• Drink adequate amounts of liquid (water, soup, juices, beverage) to enable your body to function properly.
• Varieties may be limited, but calorie intake should be ample in order to meet energy needs and to provide protein to do important work.
• In your disaster planning, experiment by serving your family a 'disaster' menu. Practice by serving your family a disaster meal once a month so that they will be familiar with survival food preparation.
• Varieties may be limited, but calorie intake should be ample to meet energy needs and provide the protein needed to do important work. In your disaster planning, experiment by serving your family a 'disaster' menu. Practice by serving your family a disaster meal once a month so that they will be familiar with survival food preparation.

Here are suggested replacement periods for the kinds of food listed in the Guide for Reserve Food Supply:

USE WITHIN 6 MONTHS:

• Evaporated milk
• Dried fruit, in metal container
• Dry crisp crackers in metal container
• Gum

USE WITHIN 1 YEAR:

• Nonfat dry or whole milk, in metal container
• Canned meat, poultry, fish.
• Mixtures of meat, vegetables, and cereal products, in sealed cans or jars.
• Canned condensed meat and vegetable soups
• Dehydrated soups, in metals container
• Canned fruits, fruits juices &amp; vegetables <