Earthquakes can happen anywhere, and at any time. Earthquakes are a natural disaster that we not only have no control over, but that we also have no warning as to when they will come. It is impossible to escape from earthquakes, so the best thing we can do in the event that they do happen, is to be prepared. Here is some earthquake preparedness advise provided by FoodInsurance.com
An earthquake can strike suddenly without warning, putting your disaster preparedness plan to the test. If you have emergency kits from FoodInsurance.com, you and your family could have the food and supplies you need to survive one of nature’s most frightening and destructive forces.
Earthquakes can be violent, and strike at any time of the day or night. If an earthquake occurs in a populated area, it may cause many deaths and injuries and extensive property damage. Although there are no guarantees of safety during an earthquake, if you live in an earthquake prone area, you can do a lot to prepare to survive an earthquake and its terrible aftereffects. Your earthquake preparedness and advance planning can save lives and significantly reduce injuries and property damage.
Follow these basic steps to develop your family disaster preparedness plan:
1. Gather information about hazards in your area. Find out how susceptible to earthquakes your area is and how you should respond. Learn your community’s warning signals and evacuation plans.
2. Meet with your family to create a disaster preparedness plan and make sure it includes emergency kits for the whole family. Discuss the information you’ve gathered. Choose a place outside your home to meet in the event of an emergency, such as a fire, and a place away from your neighborhood in case you can’t return home. Choose a friend or relative who lives out-of-state as your “family check-in contact”
3. Implement your disaster preparedness plan:
* Post emergency telephone numbers by phones.
* Inspect your home for potential hazards such as items that can move, fall break or catch fire, and correct them.
* Install safety features such as smoke alarms and fire extinguishers and instruct others how to use them properly.
* Teach children how and when to call 911 or your local emergency medical services number.
* Keep emergency kits such as FoodInsurance.com’s The Essentials kit in your home with enough supplies for each member of your family for two weeks.
* Keep a disaster preparedness response kit with items you may need in case of evacuation. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers, such as backpacks or duffle bags. FoodInsurance.com makes it easy with the Emergency Plus kit!
* Keep important family documents in a waterproof container.
* Keep a smaller disaster preparedness emergency kit in the trunk of your car.
4. Practice and maintain your plan:
* Ask questions to make sure your family remembers meeting places, phone numbers, and safety rules.
* Make sure everyone knows where to find your family’s emergency kits.
* Test your smoke detectors monthly.
* Test and recharge your fire extinguisher(s) according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
* Replace spare batteries as required.
* Conduct periodic drills to make sure you are prepared in case of an actual emergency.
With planning, your earthquake preparedness can save your life and the lives of the ones you love. Emergency kits from FoodInsurance.com make it easier than ever before. Don’t wait — put your disaster preparedness plan into effect today!
