Earthquake Survival Starts with Preparedness
I was motivated to write this after being in a 7.8 magnitude quake on July 15, 2009 - South Island, New Zealand
I was relaxing nearly asleep, when suddenly the house began to shake. Just a bit at first, then a bit more before I realized - EARTHQUAKE! I knew I needed to protect my kids in an earthquake so I ran down the hall and woke my children, shouting, "Get Up, Earthquake!" We ran out to the hallway and stood under the door frame as the house shook even more violently. Then, 40 seconds later, it stopped, as quickly as it began.
Here you will find information earthquake preparedness: what you and your family can do now (before a quake), during a quake and after the earthquake.
As for the big 7.8 magnitude quake in July: we survived, our house survived, somehow we even still had power (unlike many). We had knowledge and knew what to do, but this isn't our primary residence, so we were not as prepared as we should have been. I am a former Red Cross instructor of "Safety and Survival in an Earthquake," so I do know better, but like most people I wasn't quite prepared. This lens is my response, and my hope that others will read it, and become prepared. We were lucky, but you can't count on that!
You can read more about the NZ quake at the bottom of the page.
I am a former instructor of the American Red Cross class "Safety and Survival in an Earthquake."
What You Will Find Here
Click on an item to go to that section
- Prepare Your House
- Prepare Your Emergency Kit - NOW!
- If You Don't Want to Make Your Own Emergency Kit, There Are Plenty From Which to Choose
- Prepare Your Family
- What to Do During an Earthquake
- What to Do After an Earthquake
- Worst Case Scenario - What to Do If You are Trapped in a Collapsed Building
- Will You Remember What to Do When the Ground Starts to Shake?
- Where are the Earthquakes Happening Now?
- New Zealand Earthquake - July 15, 2009
- This Page Supports the Squidoo Charity Fund
- Please Sign the Guestbook Before You Leave the Page
How Protect Yourself Before an Earthquake
Prepare Your House
Prepare Your Emergency Kit
Prepare Your Family
Prepare Your House
When to Prepare - NOW!
Now lets go room by room, starting in the bedroom and moving out to the living areas. If you sleep for 8 hours per day, you have a one in three chance of being in bed when the next major quake hits.
- Move the bed away from the window.
- Remove any heavy art or objects from the walls over your bed which could fall you while you were asleep.
- Store a pair of sturdy shoes under the bed (could be broken glass after a quake)
- Keep a flashlight next to each bed.
- Bolt to the wall your dresser, bookshelves and anything taller than it is wide.
- Bolt or brace water heaters and gas appliances to the walls.
- Install latches on your kitchen cabinets which contain a lot of glass.
- Take a First Aid course and have a good first aid book on your shelf.
If You Own Only One First Aid Book, This Is It
ACEP First Aid Manual, 2nd edition
Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 12/28/2009)
List Price: $15.00
From the publisher: The American College of Emergency Physicians has created an essential and comprehensive first aid manual with treatments and techniques explained, step-by-step and illustrated with hundreds of photographs to show how to perform them correctly. Featuring important life-saving procedures, including rescue breathing, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, treatment for a blocked airway, and other life-threatening situations, the book also provides detailed anatomical information and offers treatments for people of any age in any situation.
Prepare Your Emergency Kit - NOW!
Keep your emergency kit in a portable container near an exit door.
You may need to be able to be self sufficient for 72 hours.
There are lots of companies which make emergency kits, but you can also make your own. Keep it in a portable container like a back pack or small suitcase and keep it near an exit door, or if your car is kept on the street in the boot (trunk). Do not keep your emergency kit in the kitchen as this is the room which will likely have the most broken glass in a major quake.
Your emergency kit should include, at a minimum:
- Water - 4 litres per person per day (a 3-day supply for evacuation and a 2-week supply for home).
- Food - non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items such as tuna or dried food (a 3-day supply for evacuation and a 2-week supply for home).
- Flashlight
- Battery powered radio
- Fully stocked first aid kit.
- Any prescription medications or medical items (recommend a 7 day supply).
- Sanitary and personal hygiene items, including a roll of toilet paper.
- Copies of personal documents and emergency contact information - stored in waterproof protection, like a plastic bag.
- Cell phone with charger.
- Extra cash.
- At least one change of clothes per person.
- Emergency blanket.
- (If you have small children) diapers, other baby needs, and a toy.
- Local map.
- Extra batteries
Stock Your Emergency Kit to Last for at Least 72 Hours
If You Need a Few of the Recommended Items
You can purchase them here through Amazon
American Red Cross Disaster and Emergency Kit by First Aid Only - 246 Pieces
Amazon Price: (as of 12/28/2009)
List Price:
Coleman 4D Dual Action Widebeam Flashlight
Amazon Price: $23.09 (as of 12/28/2009)
List Price: $24.99
Sony ICF38 Portable AM/FM Radio (Black)
Amazon Price: $21.96 (as of 12/28/2009)
List Price: $24.95
Emergency Thermal Blankets (4 Pack)
Amazon Price: $5.75 (as of 12/28/2009)
List Price: $9.80
If You Don't Want to Make Your Own Emergency Kit, There Are Plenty From Which to Choose
I recommend making your own kit, especially if you have children, as you know their individual needs. I have supplied these here for your convenience. Click on any to see its contents. Then be sure to compare it to the list above and add anything necessary.
Deluxe 2-Person by SurvivalKitsOnline Perfect Survival Kit for Emergency Disaster Preparedness for Earthquake, Hurricane, Fire, Evacuations, Auto, Home and Family
Amazon Price: $99.55 (as of 12/28/2009)
List Price: $140.00
Quakehold! 70280 Grab-n-Go Emergency Kit, 2-Person 3-Day Back Pack
Amazon Price: $44.99 (as of 12/28/2009)
List Price: $49.99
Essentials Emergency Survival Kit
Amazon Price: $41.95 (as of 12/28/2009)
List Price:
Emergency Preparedness Kit - Lasts Up to 12 Days - Includes Emergency Radio - Exceeds Red Cross & Fema Guidelines for All Disasters
Amazon Price: $159.95 (as of 12/28/2009)
List Price: $159.95
4 Person Deluxe Survival Kit
Amazon Price: $99.00 (as of 12/28/2009)
List Price:
Are you prepared?
Prepare Your Family
When to Prepare - NOW!
- Practice your emergency drills. You can also practice Drop, Cover and Hold On. Teach children to protect their head and neck and cover their face if they feel shaking in the night. Make it fun and they won't be afraid.
- Have a designated meeting place outside your home, so if you need to evacuate, everyone knows where to go.
- Select one out of town relative whom the extended family will contact for information about your safety. In badly hit regions the phone lines are often out of service so, having only one call to make is easier.
What To Do During the Quake
What to Do During an Earthquake
Remember - Don't Panic
- If you are inside, stay inside: Drop, cover and hold on. When you first feel the shaking either:
- get underneath a desk, table or other heavy object and hold on to the leg.
- or stand in a corner or under a structural doorway and cover your head and neck with your arms. - If you are in bed, pull your pillow or blanket over your head for protection.
- If you are indoors with no structural doorways or heavy tables, move away from the windows and crouch down against an exterior wall and use your arms to cover your head and neck.
- If you are in a crowded area move away from anything which can fall on you and take cover
- If in a theatre or stadium, stay in your seat and get below the level of the back of the seat and cover your head and neck with your arms.
- If you are outdoors, stay outdoors and move as far away from buildings as possible to prevent injury from falling glass, brick or signage. Also, stay away from cliffs and riverbanks.
- If you are in your car, pull over to the side of the road off of bridges and away from overpasses and power lines.
- If a power line falls on your car, wait for assistance - do not get out.
Don't Forget to Drop-Cover-Hold On
Drop - to the ground
Cover - under a table or desk
Hold On - to the legs
What to Do After an Earthquake
What to Do Immediately After an Earthquake
Again - Don't Panic
- Put out any fires and check the gas lines. If unsure of its safety, turn off the gas, but remember only a gas company representative can turn it back on and that might take days.
- Check yourself and others for injury. Treat any life threatening injuries first, but do attend to all injury as hospitals may be quite filled up and you don't want an infection forming from a simple cut.
- Put on long pants and long sleeves and heavy shoes to help protect yourself.
- Listen to the radio for any emergency information of instructions.
- Clean up spilled medications, bleach, gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately.
- Remember to open cupboard and closet doors carefully as contents may have shifted.
- Let your family know you are safe.
- Listen to your battery operated radio, as it may provide information on the quake and local advice.
- Continue to be prepared and ready to take the appropriate safe action when aftershocks occur.
Worst Case Scenario - What to Do If You are Trapped in a Collapsed Building
Don't Panic!
- Cover you mouth and nose with some of your clothing to reduce the amount of dust you breathe.
- Check yourself for injuries and control any bleeding.
- Look for light.
- Tap or make other noise to draw attention to yourself for rescue, but save your voice and your energy. Do not yell until the rescuers are close.
Will You Remember What to Do When the Ground Starts to Shake?
TAKE THE QUIZ!
All of the answers to these questions can be found on this page. If you miss any, please go back and review, as there is no time once the earthquake begins.
Where are the Earthquakes Happening Now?
Current - Updating Every 30 Minutes from USGS
Here is a list of the most recent earthquakes with magnitude 3 or greater. The links contains basic information about each earthquake and a link to a detailed report. Information is provided by the USGS (US Geological Survey) and updates every 30 minutes (you will need to refresh the page)
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byNew Zealand Earthquake - July 15, 2009
On 15 July, 2009 at 9.22pm a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit just off the coast of New Zealand, where we live. According to the NZ Herald "It released the equivalent energy of 500 million tonnes of TNT, 25,000 times more powerful than the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki in 1945."
Here is the snapshot of the seismic map from Wed Jul 15 12:09:30 GMT 2009. The larger the circle, the larger the earthquake. Also, the red (shows as deep purple here) is for today, orange yesterday, yellow past two weeks, and purple past 5 years. The map clearly outlines why they call the area around the Pacific Ocean the Pacific Ring of Fire. You can see the big circle on the Southern tip of New Zealand representing tonight's Earthquake.
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- JaguarJulie JaguarJulie Nov 11, 2009 @ 12:23 pm
- I've not really been in a place to be concerned about experiencing an earthquake -- wait a minute! Yes, I did experience an earthquake -- I was sitting on a Saturday afternoon on my sofa in Columbus, Ohio watching TV. All of a sudden, I began to move back and forth on the sofa! We had an unexpected earthquake. It is important to be prepared!
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- skiesgreen skiesgreen Nov 8, 2009 @ 4:45 pm
- This is an excellent lens. The quakes are happening all around the Pacific Rim and complacency will not save lives. You have done a tremendous job. 5* and fave Also lens rolled
Norma
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- dagsmith dagsmith Nov 8, 2009 @ 9:20 am
- I am glad to live where this is not a constant worry! Great resource for those who do live in the many earthquake zones. 5*****
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- strayspay strayspay Nov 8, 2009 @ 7:53 am
- Very good, informative and well thought out lens. Five stars.
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- spunkyduckling spunkyduckling Nov 8, 2009 @ 6:58 am
- Excellent topic. So much people don't know about being earthquake ready. I've been through so many earthquakes that I now have a phobia for them because I know the damages they can do.
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- lakern26 lakern26 Oct 28, 2009 @ 9:23 am
- This is an excellent lens. Very detailed and full of helpful tips. Thank you very much for sharing this with us so that we can be better prepared as well. I've never been through an earthquake, but I can just imagine how scary it must be. I'm so glad to hear that you and your family made it out okay!
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- VictoriaTwead VictoriaTwead Sep 23, 2009 @ 10:21 am
- Hi Rhonda,
I remember that day clearly and was so pleased when you tweeted that you were OK. Fabulous lens, brilliant advice. 5* of course.
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- kitty222 kitty222 Aug 24, 2009 @ 10:01 pm
- :) I think the one thing most people forget, is that earthquakes can happen anywhere, not just near fault lines where two tectonic plates meet. We had a minor trembler in Illinois not that long ago; nothing harmed but it did rattle some stuff.
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- clouda9 clouda9 Jul 27, 2009 @ 3:17 pm
- Such an informative lens, thank you! We had an earthquake in Beaverton, OR several years ago. It was bright and early in the morning and my husband almost ran out of the house wearing nothing but his birthday suit...eek! By the time he got to the door the rumblings had stopped, thank goodness ;)
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- KathyMcGraw KathyMcGraw Jul 24, 2009 @ 1:15 am
- I have been in several big earthquakes both here in CA and in Romania....amazing how many people aren't prepared. May I also add if you have a pet to put food, a collapsible bowl, leash, number of your vet & a 24 hr vet (if they have them), vaccination paperwork. I wrote an article on Earthquake Safety last year, and live not that far from the Salton Sea which is having a ton of Earthquakes (your lens calls it S. of Ocotillo Wells.
A 5 for sure :) And glad you guys are safe....
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- sandyspider sandyspider Jul 23, 2009 @ 7:09 pm
- Great lens! You really did your homework!
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- Michey Michey Jul 23, 2009 @ 2:26 pm
- WOW! I didn't know that you have earthquakes in New Zealand, but looking to your map, you are part of the ring of fire in Pacific Ocean. You give very good advise for preparations, and you are right, it is the key.
Thanks for the lens
Michey
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- spirituality spirituality Jul 19, 2009 @ 5:24 am
- Great lens - you've been blessed by a squidoo angel :)
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- Kylyssa Kylyssa Jul 17, 2009 @ 10:19 am
- Great topic, great lens! Well-presented and useful information for surviving an earthquake.
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- bdkz bdkz Jul 15, 2009 @ 4:55 pm
- Thanks for sharing this!
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- shajo shajo Jul 15, 2009 @ 4:13 pm
- Great lens and information! So happy to hear you all are ok! Wow, that must have been scary!
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- puzzlemaker puzzlemaker Jul 15, 2009 @ 12:27 pm
- When I heard the news, I thought...Oh no, one of the RocketMoms is in New Zealand! I think I said it out loud to my husband. So I jumped up and went for the computer. So glad to hear y'all are OK. Great lens.
Please Rate This Lens!
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Need To Re-read Any Sections, Click On the Name Below:
- Prepare Your House
- If You Own Only One First Aid Book, This Is It
- Prepare Your Emergency Kit - NOW!
- If You Need a Few of the Recommended Items
- If You Don't Want to Make Your Own Emergency Kit, There Are Plenty From Which to Choose
- Are you prepared?
- What To Do During the Quake
- What to Do During an Earthquake
- What to Do After an Earthquake
- What to Do Immediately After an Earthquake
- Worst Case Scenario - What to Do If You are Trapped in a Collapsed Building
- Will You Remember What to Do When the Ground Starts to Shake?
- Where are the Earthquakes Happening Now?
- New Zealand Earthquake - July 15, 2009
- This Page Supports the Squidoo Charity Fund
- Please Sign the Guestbook Before You Leave the Page
About the Author
Lensmaster Pukeko has been a member since May 17 2009, has rated 815 lenses, favorited 740, and has created 116 lenses from scratch. This member's top-ranked page is "Best of Make Me Laugh - Top 10 Funniest Zazzle Designs of 2009". See all my lenses
My Current Favourite Topic is New Zealand
Check out these other articles I have written on New Zealand
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Don't get me wrong, I need to say right up front that we love New Zealand and are proud to now be citizens of this great land. However, there were a few things which took us by surprise at the beginning. Not the big things like learning to drive on...
by Pukeko
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