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Every region of our state faces a significant earthquake risk, which is why we need earthquake preparedness in California! California Residential Mitigation Program breaks down how you can prepare.
7 Essential Earthquake Safety Tips
If you live in California, it’s not a matter of if, but when earthquakes will hit in our earthquake-prone state. Earthquakes can clearly be dangerous, but you can mitigate your risk of personal injury, property damage and financial loss by following some essential earthquake safety tips. Start getting ready for the next big earthquake today by creating an earthquake preparation checklist, conducting a “hazard hunt” to help identify and fix unsecured items and heavy objects like large appliances and bookshelves, and making a plan for keeping your family safe.
Step 1: Secure Your Space
Secure your space by identifying hazards and securing moveable items.
Step 2: Plan to be Safe
Plan to be safe by creating a disaster plan and deciding how you will communicate in an emergency.
Step 3: Organize Disaster Supplies
Organize disaster supplies in convenient locations
Step 4: Minimize Financial Hardship
Minimize financial hardship by organizing important documents, strengthening your property, and considering insurance.
Step 5: Drop, Cover, and Hold On
Drop, cover, and hold on when the earth shakes
Step 6: Improve Safety
Improve safety after earthquakes by evacuating if necessary, helping the injured, and preventing further damage.
Step 7: Reconnect and Restore
Restore daily life by reconnecting with others, repairing damage, and rebuilding community.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR AN EARTHQUAKE
Earthquake preparedness starts long before an earthquake occurs. Protecting your family members, pets, and your home during an earthquake requires advanced planning, and the best time to begin your preparation is now. Create your own earthquake preparedness plan by following these five simple pieces of advice.
- Identify the active earthquake faults in your area to assess your overall earthquake risk.
- Learn about your own home’s structural risks and find out how to strengthen your home against earthquake damage.
- Visit the California Office of Emergency Services MyHazards website to find out if the area where you live, or work, is prone to earthquake-induced landslides, tsunamis, and other disasters.
- Read about What to do Before, During and After an Earthquake so that you are better prepared to handle the unique challenges posed by earthquakes.
- Follow these Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety to help you become better prepared against the threat of a major earthquake.
Again for more tips checkout the CaliforniaResidentialMitigationProgram.com