Are you prepared in the case of an Earthquake? The following are things everyone should know and study together to prepare in case one does occur. As the saying goes, better be safe than sorry. Print this article out and post it where it will be available to everyone.
One of the most scary and destructive phenomena of nature is a severe earthquake and its terrible after effects. An earthquake is the sudden, rapid shaking of the earth, caused by the breaking and shifting of subterranean rock as it releases strain that has accumulated over a long time.
. If the earthquake occurs in a populated area, it may cause many deaths and injuries and extensive property damage.
While earthquakes are sometimes believed to be a West Coast occurrence, there are actually 45 states and territories throughout the United States that are at moderate to high risk for earthquakes including the New Madrid fault line in Central U.S and also in Canada.. Canada could expect a major earthquake at any time and a top geophysicist says it should prepare itself if it is to avoid the kind of disasters that befell Japan, Italy and China in recent years.
John Cassidy, head of earthquake seismology at the Geological Survey of Canada, says large earthquakes have hit parts of Canada numerous times — and will again.
"Certainly we could expect an earthquake at any time and should be prepared for a large earthquake at any time in Canada," Cassidy said in an interview prior to delivering a lecture at Carleton University.
"We've seen many over the years, going back in time."
He says the most vulnerable region is the West Coast, which has been hit with giant, magnitude-9.0 quakes 13 times in the last 6,000 years, the last of them 311 years ago.
B.C. is in the window in which a massive earthquake is more likely to occur, he says, but he acknowledges that window spans 200 to 850 years.
Predicting earthquakes with any degree of consistency, Cassidy says, remains next to impossible.
"Unfortunately, we cannot predict earthquakes, either here or anywhere," he said. "There's no consistent, successful way to predict exactly when earthquakes will occur and how large."
The only thing people can do is be prepared, he says.
Canada is identifying vulnerable areas, estimating potential magnitude, frequency and type of quakes. Using that information, planners can draft appropriate building codes and construct quake-resistant infrastructure to minimize the damage.
"Our real protection from earthquakes are earthquake-hazard maps that are improving over time as we learn more about earthquakes, where they occur and how large they can be."
Training is also important, he stresses. Fatalities from the magnitude-8.8 quake in Chile were kept to a minimum in February 2010 because people knew what to do, he said.
It may seem like there have been more major quakes worldwide in recent years, but Cassidy says that's more perception than reality.
It's true that there have been three 8.8-magnitude quakes in seven years — in Sumatra, Chile and Japan — the biggest tremors since the 1960s.
But he says the perception is also due to the fact that some other quakes, like those which struck Christchurch, New Zealand last year and L'Aquila, Italy in 2009, hit close to major centres, maximizing damage.
Besides the West Coast, other seismic hotspots in Canada include the Ottawa and St. Lawrence valleys, the North Atlantic off Cape Breton and the Arctic off Baffin Island.
The quietest seismic region incorporates Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Northern Ontario.
The 2011 East Coast earthquake illustrated the fact that it is impossible to predict when or where an earthquake will occur, so it is important that you and your family are prepared ahead of time.
The following are things you can do to protect yourself, your family and your property in the event of an Earthquake. To begin preparing, you should have a plan. Prepare a kit in case you are isolated. The kit should include the following :
- Water, one gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and sanitation
- Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
- Battery-powered radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert, and extra batteries for both
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First Aid kit
- Whistle to signal for help
- Infant formula and diapers, if you have an infant
Moist Travel Wipes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- Dust mask or cotton t-shirt, to help filter the air
- Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food:
Clothing and Bedding:
If you live in a cold weather climate, you must think about warmth. It is possible that the power will be out and you will not have heat. Rethink your clothing and bedding supplies to account for growing children and other family changes. One complete change of warm clothing and shoes per person, including:
- A jacket or coat
- Long pants
- A long sleeve shirt
- Sturdy shoes
- A hat and gloves
- A sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
Fasten shelves securely to walls.
Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves
. Store breakable items such as bottled foods, glass, and china in low, closed cabinets with latches.
Fasten heavy items such as pictures and mirrors securely to walls and away from beds, couches and anywhere people sit.
Brace overhead light fixtures and top heavy objects.
Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections. These are potential fire risks. Get appropriate professional help. Do not work with gas or electrical lines yourself. Install flexible pipe fittings to avoid gas or water leaks. Flexible fittings are more resistant to breakage.
Secure your water heater, refrigerator, furnace and gas appliances by strapping them to the wall studs and bolting to the floor. If recommended by your gas company, have an automatic gas shut-off valve installed that is triggered by strong vibrations.
Repair any deep cracks in ceilings or foundations. Get expert advice if there are signs of structural defects.
Be sure the residence is firmly anchored to its foundation.
Store weed killers, pesticides, and flammable products securely in closed cabinets with latches and on bottom shelves.
Locate safe spots in each room under a sturdy table or against an inside wall. Reinforce this information by moving to these places during each drill.
Hold earthquake drills with your family members: Drop, cover and hold on. Now during an earquakeDrop, cover and Hold On. Minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby safe place and if you are indoors, stay there until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe. If you are indooors;
DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
Do not use a doorway except if you know it is a strongly supported, load-bearing doorway and it is close to you. Many inside doorways are lightly constructed and do not offer protection..
Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Do not exit a building during the shaking. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave. DO NOT use the elevators.
Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on. If you are outdoors:
Stay there.
Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits and alongside exterior walls. Many of the 120 fatalities from the 1933 Long Beach earthquake occurred when people ran outside of buildings only to be killed by falling debris from collapsing walls. Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling
DO NOT use the elevators.
Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.If you are in a car or any kind of vehicle:
Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.If you are trapped under some kind of debris:
Do not light a match.
Do not move about or kick up dust.
Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust. Now After an Earthquake:
When the shaking stops, look around to make sure it is safe to move. Then exit the building.
Expect aftershocks. These secondary shockwaves are usually less violent than the main quake but can be strong enough to do additional damage to weakened structures and can occur in the first hours, days, weeks, or even months after the quake.
Help injured or trapped persons. Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance such as infants, the elderly and people with access and functional needs. Give first aid where appropriate. Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. Call for help.
Look for and extinguish small fires. Fire is the most common hazard after an earthquake.
Listen to a battery-operated radio or television for the latest emergency information.
Be aware of possible tsunamis if you live in coastal areas. These are also known as seismic sea waves (mistakenly called "tidal waves"). When local authorities issue a tsunami warning, assume that a series of dangerous waves is on the way. Stay away from the beach.
Use the telephone only for emergency calls.
Go to a designated public shelter if your home had been damaged and is no longer safe.
Stay away from damaged areas. Stay away unless your assistance has been specifically requested by police, fire, or relief organizations. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
Be careful when driving after an earthquake and anticipate traffic light outages.
After it is determined that its’ safe to return, your safety should be your primary priority as you begin clean up and recovery.
Open cabinets cautiously. Beware of objects that can fall off shelves.
Put on long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes and work gloves to protect against injury from broken objects.
Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately. Leave the area if you smell gas or fumes from other chemicals.
Inspect the entire length of chimneys for damage. Unnoticed damage could lead to a fire.
Inspect utilities.
Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the gas company from a neighbor's home. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.
Look for electrical system damage. If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice.
Check for sewage and water lines damage. If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using the toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid using water from the tap. You can obtain safe water by melting ice cubes.
- Important Family Documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
.All the advice about getting under furniture assumes that you are in California in an earthquake retrofitted building, and that the biggest danger is from falling and flying debris. If the walls are crumbling and the ceiling is falling in, it is recommended that you lie down NEXT TO a bed, sofa, desk or heavy piece of furniture. In these conditions, the triangle of space created when a bookshelf, wall or part of a ceiling falls against a large piece of furniture is your best chance of not getting crushed. Most of the information I am posting I have found online and in my heart I believe it is good to share with others to make them aware of what can be done in these situations. Now I would like to share a few of my items that can find at http://www.zazzle.com/allicor* or at http://www.zazzle.com/boot_eek* I am adding phone cases, tee shirts, plates coaster, etc Have a great day , Until next time chow for now.
