| If you live in an earthquake zone and have the | | | | accessible format. If disaster strikes, you do not |
| desire to prepare for a potential high magnitude | | | | want to lose your essential information. With an |
| earthquake, here are several suggestions to get | | | | online document management system, securing |
| you started. The suggestions below are divided | | | | your information is simple and worry-free. |
| into two categories: (1) what you should know | | | | Consider signing up for an account with the |
| and (2) what you should do. | | | | website Orggit. This company provides secure |
| Know: | | | | and accessible storage for your personal |
| - The earthquake risk for your city or town. | | | | documents, from your passport to your |
| Understand where the greatest risk zones are | | | | vaccination records. |
| (e.g., where does the fault line run) to better | | | | - Make "safe spots" in each room. Since an |
| understand the risks. | | | | earthquake could happen at any time, you need |
| - How to shut off utilities. To prevent possible | | | | to have multiple safe places to protect yourself. |
| fires, you should turn off your utilities as soon as | | | | Consider each room in your house and designate |
| possible after, or even during, an earthquake. Fires | | | | a "safe spot" where you could find shelter if an |
| are a common result of earthquakes since | | | | earthquake occurred. To safeguard an area, |
| enclosed gases or chemicals can be released and | | | | strongly secure or remove appliances, paintings, |
| only a spark is required to ignite a big fire. If you | | | | and furniture to create a zone where there is |
| know how to shut off your utilities, you can easily | | | | nothing to fall on you in the event of a |
| prevent this risk. | | | | earthquake. |
| - A family meeting place. This step in home | | | | - Practice "drop, cover, and hold-on." Especially |
| emergency preparedness should be decided, | | | | with kids, it is important to review these |
| taught, and practiced. A meeting place can be | | | | earthquake safety steps. Just as children learn |
| anywhere outside that each member of your | | | | "stop, drop and roll" in a fire, they should also |
| family could walk to on their own. If your family is | | | | know how to react to an earthquake. Review |
| separated during an earthquake, a pre-determined | | | | how to crouch down, protect your head and |
| meeting place can help bring everyone back | | | | eyes, and steady yourself by holding on to a |
| together. | | | | strong piece of furniture. Practice this drill with |
| - How to perform first aid and CPR. Knowing first | | | | your kids in different rooms. |
| aid is important in an earthquake, so go ahead and | | | | - Keep emergency kits. In the event that an |
| take that Red Cross class you've been putting | | | | earthquake brings disaster to your town, you |
| off. Even if you are fortunate enough to never | | | | should be prepared to stay inside your house until |
| be in a high-magnitude earthquake, you will feel | | | | help can arrive. These preparedness kits should |
| more prepared and your skills could come in | | | | include food, water, a first aid kit, and other |
| handy in other situations. Do: | | | | supplies to help you survive without electricity. |
| - Secure your important information in an | | | | |