Danger signs

Okay, Folks, the quake we all felt tonight was a precursor to The Big
One.  Are you ready?  My bet is your answer is “no”.  This wasn’t a test to see how you’re doing.  Earthquakes are real and they cause enormous damage to property and our nerves.  So, what are you waiting for?   What we do know is that more quakes are sure to come and it’s so easy to be prepared if you take the time.

This quake was on the Calavaras Fault.  It’s been about 20 years since the last quake rattled the Bay Area from this fault.  This certainly wasn’t the quake we have all be expecting from the Hayward Fault, but it was strong enough at 5.6.

Take a look at the USGS chart below.  The Big One we are all expecting would show red on the map
instead of the yellow, which is a moderate quake.  There was damage in the San Jose area.  Take a look at your home.  What can you do now to help prevent damage and injury in a quake of the future?  Are you ready?

• Do you have food to last you and your family for 48 hours?
• Do you have water for drinking and washing?
• Do you have a plan in place if a quake were to hit during daytime hours and your family was scattered?
• Do you have a first aid kit ready for use?
• Do your cars have supplies in case you are stuck somewhere?

If you can not answer “Yes” to any of those questions then you are NOT prepared for the Big One, or for
the next quake, even if it’s not that 8.0 quake they are predicting.  If you aren’t lucky and are anywhere near the epicenter of a quake, believe me you will think it is an 8.0 quake even if it’s not.

Be prepared.  You and your family depend on it.  You can buy supplies and kits at The Earthquake Store, the Earthquake Supply Center, Life Secure and many other places.  I think these kits could be great holiday
gifts for your family as it shows how much you love them and want them safe.

If you’d like more information about earthquakes the USGS has great data for you.  Take the time to read through the data as it might save your life.

Earthquake October 30

What would happen to us if another quake of this magnitude were to strike our area today?  Are you prepared?  We had a taste of a major quake in 1989 with the Loma Prieta quake, which was measured at 7.2.  If you weren’t here then let me tell you it was pretty frightening, and I’ve been through a lot of quakes in my lifetime.  But, it is frightening when you watch Victorian buildings crumble in front of your eyes.  When you see skyscrapers rock and roll.  When you find the bridge you’ve just gotten on to, closed because it broke apart.

Are you prepared for the next big quake? Do you have a supply of water, food, fuel to cook with or BBQ?  Do you know how to shut off your gas meter, should you need to?  Do you have a plan for your family of where to meet if a major quake strikes during daytime hours and your family is in different places?  If you don’t, you should.

This Great Quake anniversary won’t get the same attention it did last year, at the hundred year mark, but it always does get attention by the media and you need to listen.  If you don’t take the time to become prepared for disaster then if and when it occurs, and it will one day, you will not be ready.  Here are a couple of stores for you to shop online that sell safety products:  Quakecare and  Geohazzards International. They are only a couple of starting places.  It is well worth your time to browse their inventory and figure out what you need.  Don’t put this off.  We never get warnings for earthquakes.  They just happen.

You can go to Home Depot or your local hardware store and buy simple things to protect yourself and your home. They often have whole areas with Earthquake Safety items for sale.  Take a look and buy these things.  There are special straps to attach to high items, such as bookcases or china cabinets, and then affix them to studs in the wall. These straps keep these items upright.  Baby-proof your kitchen cabinets with the latches we all use to keep our babies out of the cabinets.  These latches will keep your cabinet doors closed and items intact and unbroken. Museum putty is another great item that costs little but placed under items that are breakable can keep them firmly attached to the surface you have them standing on.

Keep fresh flashlight batteries in your flashlights, and have them near your bed.  If a quake hits at night, you may need to vacate your home and power could be off.  Keep slippers by your bed to use just in case there’s broken glass on the carpet or floor.  Some people suggest you have an emergency stash of clothing under your bed to grab and change into.  Keep a blanket in the trunk of your car, flashlights, emergency food, water and the like.  If you find you are away from home for a few days you’ll at least have some supplies.

Finally, if you have family or friends living out of California, use them as your check-in person for your family and friends.  Everyone can call that person and let them know you’re okay.  Keep your wits about you.  Plan, plan and plan again.  An earthquake generally lasts no more than 30 seconds.  Once it’s over, be prepared for the after shocks that continue for a while, but they, too, do subside.

Since today is the Anniversary of the Great 1906 San Francisco Quake, so take some time to celebrate and go out and make sure to take care of your family’s safety before you need to.  Celebrate today at a day to prepare for your future safety.