Tips on How to Prepare for an Earthquake

By Wendi Garcia 

An earthquake is one of the scariest natural catastrophes there is. What makes it scary is the fact that you can't run away or hide from it. Aside from that, it results in other disasters like tidal waves, landslides, collapse of buildings, cracking of the ground and many others.

And because there are no warnings that will tell you when an earthquake will strike, it is best that you and your family are always prepared. Here are some tips on how to prepare for an earthquake:

1. Fasten shelves securely to the walls. Make sure that you place heavier items on the bottom shelves or on the floor because tremors may cause for these to fall off.


2. Keep breakable items such as bottles, chinaware and glass in cabinets that have locks. Same goes for flammable products which should be on lower shelves of a closed cabinet.


3. Don't hang mirrors and frames above beds, couches or any place where people stay and hangout.


4. Always check for cracks in the ceilings or foundation of the house and have these repaired immediately.


5. Educate yourself and the whole family about the things to do during an earthquake (how to stay calm or who to call: 911, community emergency authorities), what places are safe to go to (under a sturdy furniture like a table, or in an open space outside that are far from buildings and trees.)


6. Devise an emergency plan with your family like where to meet up in case you're separated during or before an earthquake. Because cellular phones may not be reliable at this time, you should have other means to contact each other like through a relative or a friend.


7. Have an emergency supply at your home. Some of the things you should always have prepared in your house are flashlights with extra batteries, first-aid kits and manual, portable radios, emergency food and water worth 2 weeks or more, essential medicines, cash, utensils, blankets, and extra clothing. Have these always ready in a central location in the house which everyone in the family should know.


8. Teach other family members how to shut off electricity, gas and water in the house.


9. Always have a fire extinguisher ready at home and make sure everyone knows how to use it.


10. Know about the community's plan for natural disasters like earthquakes.

  You can't prevent an earthquake from happening or know when it will happen, but with careful preparation and education of the whole family, you can help minimize the damage that an earthquake can cause and keep your family safe at all times.

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