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10 Steps to Earthquake Preparedness

10 Steps to Earthquake Preparedness

Article by Kate Taylor, who has the scoop on preparing your family for an earthquake.

If the recent hurricanes and earthquakes have you worried, some family earthquake preparedness might help. Being a mom with a family to protect can make natural disasters seem extra scary, but when we turn that fear into action, it’s an empowering experience.

As busy moms, most of us have some of our planning done, but do we have all the basics covered? It’s hard to find long stretches of time to get it all done in a day, so break the planning into pieces and approach them one at a time.

10 Steps to Family Earthquake Preparedness

1. Start With Confidence

earthquake preparedness Kate TaylorBeing a mom, you’re already an expert at learning new things (remember, there was a time when you didn’t know how to change a diaper!).  In learning to cope with everything from spills to sickness, you’ve got the personal resilience to handle the unexpected. Remind yourself: if an earthquake happens, you will handle that, too.

2. Talk With Your Family

Earthquake preparation is a whole-family activity. Explain the goal: that your family will be safe, and have what they need. Everyone will have ideas, questions and solutions to offer. Kids often really get into the planning, and including them is a great way to learn what they may worry about. Ask them to teach you the “duck, cover and hold on” skills they’ve learned at school. Help young children memorize their full names, and if possible, parents’ full names.

3. Think About Your Home’s Safety

Do a walk-through and check for hazards. Imagine anything that could fall if shaken. Your kids will enjoy pointing these out for you! Move beds away from shelves, windows or tall furniture if possible. Make a list of items you’ll need: latches, matting, security straps, earthquake putty, and window film for windows near beds.

4. Plan Your Earthquake Kit

Assemble an earthquake kit for the first 72 hours after a quake. Ordinary sources of heat, water, light, food and communications may all be unavailable, so include:
Four liters of water per person per day, for drinking, washing and cooking

  • Ready to eat / dried food to last three days
  • Medications, diapers, formula (stock extras, replacing them as used)
  • Extra blankets, warm clothing, a small tent, rolls of toilet paper
  • Cash, and coins for payphones; copies of insurance and essential documents
  • Board games to pass the time
  • First aid kit; flashlight and radio which can be cranked to recharge

5. Hit the Hardware and Grocery Stores

You’ve made your list, now it’s time to buy all the supplies and tools for your emergency kit.

6. Secure Potential Hazards

Strap tall furniture, latch cupboards, and use matting or putty to secure items on shelves. This will ensure that they don’t fall in the shaking of an earthquake.

7. Remember the Gas and Water

Figure out how to turn off your gas and water if necessary. Store a wrench near the valves if required. You’ll want to know this information before you need to do it, not after.

8. Make a Meet-Up Plan

You’ll want to know where to meet, in case an earthquake happens when you’re not all at home. Agree on emergency pickup plans for the kids. Choose an out-of-province phone contact to relay messages, and memorize that number.

9. Practice Makes Perfect

Run through your evacuation plan, reviewing the tips at Emergency Management BC. They do fire drills and earthquake drills at school and even in many workplaces – do one at home, too.

10. Connect With Your Neighbours

You and your neighbours will provide immediate support for each other in an earthquake, when emergency services may not be available. Chat about your planning together, and plan ahead to check on neighbours who may need your help.

You may want to explore additional earthquake preparations, depending on your family’s circumstances.  But with these basics together, you’ll have taken a big step toward keeping your family safe and well during and after an earthquake.

Kate Taylor writes from her life experiences as a mom, chaplain, retreat centre director, and public service executive.  

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