Read the reviews
What is an Earthquake?
Can we predict them?
How do we prepare for them?
What to do during a big earthquake.
(If an earthquake is under 4.9 you do not need to do anything except be a little scared. If it is 5.0-5.5, you may have falling objects)
What happens after a big earthquake and how can you help.?
It has good emergency lists for children and parents. Click here for the parent’s list
NEWS FLASH: CELL PHONES DO NOT WORK IN BIG EMERGENCIES.
This is a site in transition. Please come back. I will be adding activities for teachers and kids relating to earthquakes
In the light of recent earthquakes worldwide,
it might be a good idea for us here in
The good news is:
The bad news is: a major quake is a
truly terrifying experience. A major quake is followed by many more earthquakes
which are called aftershocks. (I don’t care what you call them, they are still
earthquakes)
The Northridge has approximately one
hundred and fifty earthquakes ranging from 3.0 to 5.6 on the first day after
the big quake. There were fifty four quakes on the second day, thirty quakes on
the third day, nineteen quakes on the fourth day and thirteen earthquakes on
the fifth day. These earthquakes (aftershocks) ranged in size from 3.0 to 5.0.
The earthquakes (aftershocks) continued for an additional sixty days. I collected these figures from Cal Tech. (Our
boy scout troop actually put them on a T shirt in 1994 and went to camp on the
proceeds)
In the wake
of the 6.5 Humboldt quake, the California EMA put out a bulletin. I am sharing
this with you. I am also sharing the information about home preparation and
emergency supplies form my book Earthquake!
(Of course I would love you to buy the book, but I am far more concerned
about you having the information.)
Cal EMA recommends that the
residents review their family emergency plans, check their emergency supplies
including battery-powered radios, identify the “safe” and “potential danger”
spots in each room, remove breakables from locations from which they can fall
and cause injury and stay tuned to radio or television for further information.
Cal EMA also recommends government agencies and business review their emergency
plans as well.
Federal, state, and local
emergency management experts, the Red Cross, and other official preparedness
organizations all agree that "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" is the
appropriate action to reduce injury and death during earthquakes
Jim Goltz, Cal EMA Earthquake
Program Manager, advises citizens should be prepared for numerous aftershocks,
some as large as or greater than today’s earthquake are likely in the coming
days and weeks and could cause additional damage.
Aftershocks will gradually
subside in frequency as time passes, but it is important to take a few minutes
to think over what you should do if an aftershock occurs while you are:
? In your home or another
low-rise
? In a high-rise
? Outdoors
? Driving
? In a crowded public place
such as a theater, stadium or arena
In your home
Make sure your building is
safe.
? Check for damage to your
building, including the foundation, roof and chimneys.
? Evacuate immediately if the
building shows signs of partial or imminent collapse or is threatened by a
fire.
? Check the building for fires,
gas leaks, electrical shorts, broken water lines, spilled flammable or
hazardous materials.
? If there’s damage, turn off
the utility at the source
? Evacuate immediately if the
building is threatened by a large fire or if you hear or smell escaping gas.
? Report gas leaks to your
utility company.
? Stay aware of your
surroundings. Don’t enter damaged buildings or sleep in locations where large,
heavy items could fall on you.
? Clean up overturned
furniture, broken glass and other nonstructural hazards.
? Don’t use candles for
lighting. They can topple over easily during an aftershock, causing a fire or
an explosion if there’s a gas leak.
? Don’t use a charcoal grill or
generator inside your building or garage (due to the potential for carbon
monoxide poisoning)
? Wear a dust mask or avoid
prolonged exposure in areas where there’s a substantial amount of dust.
Outside
Check for hazards outside the
building.
? Assume electrical wires that
have fallen are live. Don’t try to touch or move them
? Avoid contact with any
surfaces that are touching fallen electrical wire, particularly
If you’re forced to evacuate
and must go to a shelter, you’ll need to take the following items:
? “Go kit” with basic supplies,
including non-perishable food, snacks, water, first-aid supplies, prescription
medications, a portable radio and consumable medical supplies.
? For each person, a change of
clothing, jacket, sturdy shoes, personal hygiene supplies, wash cloth and
towel, pillow, blankets or sleeping bag
? Personal identification,
credit cards, house keys, cell phone and charger, list of important phone
numbers and important documents, including copies of insurance policies, birth
certificates and other important documents.
? A few books, toys and games
for children
? Special food or support
materials for infants and elders who require those items.
Pets
. If you have pets and need to
evacuate, you’ll have to take them to separate shelters set up especially for
them and provide the following items:
? Food
? Water
? Feeding dishes
? Leashes
? Pet carriers
? Vaccination records
? Prescription medications
Additionally, Cal EMA and local
response agencies need your cooperation to ensure that we can respond
effectively to life-threatening situations:
Remain calm and continue to
monitor your local television and radio stations for information and instructions
from local officials.
Use the phone only to report
life-threatening situations.
? If you have a
life-threatening situation and your phone does not have a dial tone when you
first pick up the receiver due to system damage and overload, wait for several
minutes to see if the dial tone returns instead of handing up and calling again
immediately.
Once telephone service is
restored, call your designated out-of-area contact to update them on your
condition and location.
? Have them contact the rest of
your family and friends to update them on your situation
o Continue to limit your calls to emergency situations
until advised otherwise by emergency officials.
If there’s a power outage and
you don’t have to evacuate:
? You can safely use food
stored in your refrigerator for up to four hours after the power failure.
? You can safely use food
stored in the freezer section for up to two days if you minimize the number of
times you open the door.
For more information regarding
emergency and disaster preparedness and for information on the coordination of
state resources during this event, please visit www.calema.ca.gov
--CAL EMA--