1. “I’ve got to get out of here!” Probably the worst thing you can do when a major quake hits: try and run out of the house or building. This is almost everyone’s instinctive reaction, but you must resist it. This is one way many people get hurt in a quake. You can fall and injure yourself or, if it’s an office building, glass, brick, etc. can fall and hit you. Many people have died like this.
2. If you’re in bed, don’t get out of bed until the shaking stops (unless there is a unsecured bookcase that could fall on you or if you have a ceiling fan – just slide off to the floor). Cover your head with a pillow.
3. Don’t stand in a doorway – they are no stronger than any other place in a building and could slam up against you.
4. Don’t use elevators.
5. If you’re driving, don’t stop under overpasses, on or under bridges, or near buildings. Pull off the road when you can and stay in your car.
6. Don’t assume you can turn your gas off manually after a big quake if you smell gas. You could be away from home for just a few minutes and end up with your house burning down. Everyone should have an automatic gas shutoff valve. QuakePrepare has a little experience with this – we’ve installed over 4,800.
Larry Guillot QuakePrepare.com 510-292-6571 email: larry@quakeprepare.com
