CALIFORNIA — Southern California has experienced two major earthquakes Thursday and Friday, which has many residents thinking about how prepared they are in case they're ever affected.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has tips to prepare you and your home before another earthquake rocks California.
Preparing Your Home
FEMA advises homeowners assess their structure and contents to determine areas of weakness. Objects can move or fall during an earthquake creating a safety risk.
- Relocate heavy furniture away from beds
- Have a plumber install flexible gas connectors on appliances
- Move expensive items to lower shelves or place in latched cabinets
- Secure furniture with flexible fasteners, like nylon straps or closed hooks
- Locate home utilities like water, natural gas, and electricity to shut off if necessary
Preparing Your Family
It is advised that families practice safety drills to ensure they know what to do if an earthquake occurs.
- Determine an out-of-state contact
- Find a place to shelter pets if you need to evacuate
- Identify safe spot in each room of your home to take cover
- Compile a list of address, phone numbers, and local evacuation sites
Emergency Supply Kit
When an earthquake hits it is hard to know how bad the damage will be, so FEMA advises preparing for the worst by having an emergency supply kit ready. Kits should have enough supplies for a family to survive up to three days if disaster strikes.
- Whistle
- Flashlight
- Backpacks
- Plastic tubs
- Local maps
- Dust mask
- First aid kit
- Garbage bags
- Extra batteries
- Moist towelettes
- Can opener for food
- Two portable containers
- Wrench to turn off utilities
- Portable cell phone charger
- Water: one gallon per person per day
- Food: three-day supply of nonperishable food
- Battery-powered radio to listen to NOAA weather alerts