If there were anything California is famous for besides Hollywood, it would probably be earthquakes. Californians are used to the impending doom of earthquakes and knowing how to properly seek shelter in any room. Even though we know that the “Big One” will hit us any moment, how prepared are we really?
It may seem like a broken record to talk about earthquakes, but the bottom line is they are a part of California. The best source for disaster readiness would be Ready.gov. It’s a government website that was put into place to help people plan for any natural disaster. They break down the process by separating each disaster into three phases: before, during, and after.
Before an earthquake:
- Have an emergency kit.
- Form a plan.
- Prepare your home.
- Mount large furniture to the walls.
- Practice drills.
During an earthquake:
- Get down on your knees.
- Cover your neck and head with your hands.
- Crawl to safety away from possible falling debris.
- Stay where you are until shaking stops.
After an earthquake:
- Once shaking has stopped, assess the damage and possible dangers around you.
- Remove yourself from dangerous environment if possible.
- If you’re stuck, stay put and call for help if possible.
- If you’re near the coast be prepared for tsunamis.
- Prepare for aftershocks.
No one can be fully prepared for any natural disaster, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. By taking the time today to go over these safety precautions, you could be saving yours or someone’s life. Don’t just wait for the “Big One” to hit, be prepared.