Practical Advice - Earthquake Preparedness

Following the earthquake in Japan, here are some things you need to know in order to be prepared for an emergency situation (like an earthquake).

How can I plan ahead for an earthquake?

Make sure each member of your family knows what to do no matter where they are when earthquakes occur:
- Establish a meeting place where you can all reunite afterwards.
- Find out about earthquake plans developed by children's school or day care.
- Know where your gas, electric and water main shutoffs are and how to turn them off if there is a leak or electrical short.

- Locate your nearest fire and police stations and emergency medical facility.

- Talk to your neighbors - how could they help you or you them after an earthquake.

- Take Red Cross First Aid and CPR training courses.

Remember that transportation may be disrupted, so keep some emergency supplies - like food and liquids both at home and at work if possible (see more info below).

What emergency supplies do I need?

- Fire extinguisher.
- Adequate supplies of medications that you or family members are taking.
- Crescent and pipe wrenches to turn off gas and water supplies.
- First-aid kit and handbook.
- Flashlights with extra bulbs and batteries (or manual hand-driven flashlights)

- Water for each family member, ideally for at least two weeks (allow at least 1 gallon per person per day) and purification tablets or chlorine bleach to purify drinking water from other sources

- Canned and package foods, enough for several days and a mechanical can opener. Include extra food for pets if necessary.

- Portable radio with extra batteries.
- Waterproof, heavy-duty plastic bags for waste disposal.


What should I do during an earthquake?

If you are INDOORS - STAY THERE! Lay down near a dense and solid furniture piece that you have near you, something that can protect you in case of debris falling (or even a collapsing ceiling). Stay clear of windows and fireplaces. Get out of the kitchen (which is a dangerous place during an earthquake). Don't run downstairs or rush outside while the building is shaking or while there is danger of falling and hurting yourself or being hit by falling glass or debris.

If you are OUTSIDE - get into the open, away from buildings, power lines, chimneys or anything else that might fall on you.

If you are DRIVING - stop carefully. Move your car as far out of traffic as possible. Do not stop on or under a bridge, or overpass, or under trees, light posts or power lines. STAY INSIDE your car until the shaking stops. When you resume driving watch for breaks in the pavement, fallen rocks, and bumps in the road at bridge approaches.