|
Quake Hits, Power Is Gone, Hello Solar
After a major quake, we have no power. Here are three lights that will be helpful (not intended to be comprehensive!):
Nightlight with emergency light when power fails:
They are currently out of stock, but it’s worth waiting for (recommended by my friend and preparedness guru Matt Springer, who suggests putting a piece of masking tape over the nightlight if it’s too bright for you). $10
Camp lantern:
4 hours full bright, 8 hours less bright. Use solar charge or USB port:
http://tinyurl.com/Rechargeable-LED-Outdoor-Solar $17 on Amazon.
Solar + battery flashlights:
Package of 2, $17, from Amazon:
We’ve now installed over 2,050 automatic gas shut-off valves in the last 10 years! If you already have yours, get your neighborhood organized. The more homes that have them, the safer everyone is.
Be safe.
Larry GuillotQuakePrepare.com
707-965-3299
email: larry@quakeprepare.com
|
Earthquake Insurance Changes – Helpful or Ho Hum?
Do These Changes Help?
The CA Earthquake Authority has announced some changes in policy choices, including being able to lower your deductible to 5% and raising your personal property coverage to $200,000. The problem, it seems, is that to take advantage of the changes, it’s going to cost you more.
For example: if you live in a one-story home in the east bay, without a completed retrofit, valved at $600,000, to get a 5% deductible policy with $200,000 of personal property coverage, you’ll still pay over $3,000 per year.
Do you need EQ insurance? I would never tell folks to drop or not get EQ insurance – that’s a personal decision. I do suggest, however, that in calculating your risk you take into consideration that, historically, we know that houses which are correctly retrofitted are the ones which are much more likely to remain on their foundation during a serious quake. Also, houses which fall off their foundation are the ones which are seriously damaged, sometimes to the point of being a tear-down.
If your decision is to forgo EQ insurance, it becomes even more important to have your home correctly retrofitted. In just a few years, in most cases, the money you didn’t spend on insurance will pay for your retrofit.
What does your home need to be correctly retrofitted? I cover that in my personal consultation. See https://quakeprepare.com/quakeconsult
 |
QuakePrepare has now installed over 2,150 automatic gas shut-off valves in the bay area, including doing well over 50 neighborhoods. If you or your neighbors don’t have one yet, let us get you scheduled. In most areas, the standard cost is still $245. Go to https://quakeprepare.com/quakevalves and we’ll get you scheduled for a Saturday or Sunday installation.
QuakeTip: The Toilet Problem & a Solution
We Need a Toilet!
After a big quake, you won’t be able to flush your toilet, since the water is off and there are who-knows how many breaks in the main sewer lines. Pouring water in the toilet to flush it will have to stop if it backs up.
There are outside solutions, of course – like digging a “camp” latrine. But here’s a possible way to keep using your bathroom:
Go to Home Depot or any big hardware store and buy a box of what they call “construction bags.” They are sort of like a regular leaf bag on steroids: they are very thick.
After the quake, turn off the water at the wall stop, flush the toilet with the water that is left in the tank, lift the toilet seat, take one of the bags and wrap it around the toilet opening. Put the seat back down and you have your “portable” toilet.
Minimize difficulties by having the men (especially) go outside to urinate.
Be safe.
Larry Guillot QuakePrepare.com
707-965-3299
email: larry@quakeprepare.com
Earthquake Advance Warning
A Breakthrough in EQ Preparedness !
Most natural disasters can be prepared for:
- Hurricanes – meteorologists usually predict landfall point a day or two ahead
- Tornados – if it’s daylight, you see them coming
- Volcanoes – the experts usually know they’re about to erupt
- Flooding – not so easy, but heavy rainfall is pretty indicative
And now for the earthquake advance warning:
“There’s going to be a major earthquake. Do something about it.”
We have past the 2,100 mark of automatic gas shut-off valves installed in the SF bay area. These valves are basic, cheap insurance against fire, one of the major destroyers associated with big earthquakes. You probably have one – encourage your neighbors, friends, family, and colleagues to do the same!
Our standard valve price varies from $245 – $295, depending upon location (East Bay area is $245). QuakePrepare.com/quakevalves
Be safe.
Larry Guillot QuakePrepare.com
707-965-3299
email: larry@quakeprepare.com
Can Chimneys Be Braced?
|
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- …
- 11
- Next Page »
