1. Have water for at least two weeks:  experts say between 1-2 gallons per person per day.  Water from the grocery store must be used within a few months.  The most practical way is to buy a 55 gallon water barrel.

Best On-line Water Barrel Prices:

If you already have a 55 gallon water barrel, then tell your family, friends, and neighbors about this.  The Covid pandemic has jacked prices way up and caused some suppliers to stop carrying the barrels. Shipping is usually very expensive.

Go to: https://www.moreprepared.com/complete-55-gallon-water-storage-system?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=feed&gclid=CjwKCAjwoP6LBhBlEiwAvCcthHvHVtS1uA5rYcDrAwwl-28w2MIUne9i_k2y8j1CaDlHxLEklq55gxoCEvkQAvD_BwE    Their price is $119 + shipping.  You have to call them to get a quote on shipping (888-733-7245).  A recent quote to a San Francisco address was $195 including shipping.

Amazon

Go to: https://www.amazon.com/Augason-Farms-Emergency-Storage-Supply/dp/B006OW4FVI?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1     Look to the right and click on “See All Buying Options.”  Feb. 2022 shows $175 with free shipping for Prime Members.

Before you fill the barrel, put in 1 oz of plain bleach – water can be good for (conservatively) a year.  No need to buy a hand pump to get the water out, just go to a hardware store & get about 8’ of ½” clear plastic tubing.  Wrap it up, put in a zip-lock bag, and tape it to the top of the barrel.

Walmart.com   (UPDATE Feb., 2022:  Walmart sends you to Augason Farms, just like Amazon.)

2.  Have food for minimum of two weeks

●  the down side to canned goods is that they have a relatively short shelf  life, exceptions being products like Spam & Dinty Moore stew (Hormel products), which will   last indefinitely in a cool place.

●  one possibility is Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) which are used by the military, but also available to the public.  Typical shelf life is 8-10 years. If you Google “MREs,” you will find a number of vendors.

●  another possibility is freeze-dried meals, which places like REI & Costco carry,  and, of course, they are on-line as well.  Mountain House pouches have about a 7 year shelf  life; their #10 cans have 25+ year shelf life.

3.  Car Kits:  Make sure you have backpack emergency kits in every car.  You could be miles away when a big quake hits and it’s estimated 1,400 roads and streets in SF east bay will be closed.  You’ll be walking.  Have a good pair of walking shoes in your trunk as well.

4.  Have a Plan:  If there are other people in your household, make sure you at least discuss a possible plan as to what you’re going to do if one is away from the house when a quake hits.  Walk home?   Walk somewhere else?  Walk to a shelter? Stay at your office?

Photo of Larry checking seismic attachment of house to foundation

Feel free to forward this post to three of your friends.

If we’ve done a QuakeConsult in your home, you’ve seen my sample cabinet latch – the one we typically use when we are securing cabinets for people.   I’ve found a good source for them, and wanted to pass it on to everyone.  Click here:  Woodworker’s Hardware

Feel free to forward this by email to three of your friends.

Be safe.

-Larry

QuakePrepare
Larry Guillot
707-965-3299
https://www.quakeprepare.com

email:  larry@quakeprepare.com

Earthquake Preparedness:  Don’t Be Frozen By Fear!

In a past QuakeTip, I reminded our readers that the difference between a 4.0 quakelet and a 7.0 major quake was huge.   One reader chastised me for scaring her.

Believe it or not, my purpose is not to scare you, but to wake you up.  It’s no secret that the SF Bay area is sound asleep when it comes to earthquake preparation.   A few fairly simple steps can go a long way in protecting you, your family, and your home.

The wake-up call goes like this:  have your retrofit checked, get an automatic gas shut-off valve installed, secure your heavy furniture, and assemble emergency kits for home, car, and office.

Don’t let fear or anxiety keep you frozen – just make a check list of things to do and then do them, one by one.

Feel free to forward this by email to three of your friends.

Be safe!

QuakePrepare
Larry Guillot
707-965-3299
https://www.quakeprepare.com

email:  larry@quakeprepare.com

An automatic gas shut-off valve is a mechanism that can be installed on the house side of your gas meter.  It is designed to cut the flow of gas to your home  in the event of an earthquake.  In previous quakes in California, many gas lines to appliances snapped, gas built up in the house, and the resulting fire destroyed many homes.

There are plenty of people who have decided against having one installed, thinking that, if they smell gas after a serious quake, they can just turn off the gas themselves at the main shut-off valve near their meter.

No problem:  if you can guarantee somebody will be home at the time of the quake.  However, if the quake hits when everyone’s at work, or on an outing, or just gone from home, you may regret not having one.

The valves are activated by serious shaking (5.2 or worse), and are easy to re-set.

We use the Little Firefighter valve, which has been an approved valve by the state for many years.  As of 2021 we have installed over 4,200 valves in the San Francisco bay area.

Feel free to forward this by email to three of your friends.

Be safe!

QuakePrepare
Larry Guillot
510-292-6571
https://www.quakeprepare.com

A major earthquake will cause violent ground shaking and it may be impossible to stand up. Most injuries result from falling or flying objects, but you can also be hurt just by being thrown to the floor.   At the first sign of shaking, take cover and protect yourself from falling objects.

When the shaking starts, get to the safest place with the least amount of moving around possible.  Many injuries occur when people try to move about their house.  This is why it’s so important to know the safest place to be in each room of the house.

After the quake, check for gas or water leaks, broken electrical wiring, or sewage lines.  If there is damage, turn the utility off at the source.  Turn on your portable radio for emergency instructions and news reports.

Be prepared for aftershocks:  we can count on there being some.  Check on your neighbors, especially those who are elderly or mobility impaired.   If you have to evacuate, leave a message for family members and others letting them know where you can be found.  Don’t use your vehicle unless you have to:  many roads will be impassable due to falling power lines, trees, and debris.

My in-home consultation covers the safest place to be when a big quake hits, and much, much more,  Se my home page:   www.quakeprepare.com

Feel free to forward this by email to three of your friends.

Be safe!

QuakePrepare
Larry Guillot
707-965-3299
https://www.quakeprepare.com