EARTHQUAKES   -  What to do when the “Big One” hits

Important  things you should know

As has often been said, it is not a case of if an earthquake will occur in our area it’s a matter of when.  In light of this we should all do what we can to be as prepared as possible. The following information should help you be prepared when your building or the ground under you starts to do the “Funky Chicken.”  Most importantly, DO NOT PANIC!  That is so easy to say, but when the earth is trying to shake you into another zip code, that bit of advice is really not so easy to follow.  When you feel the beginnings of an earthquake move as quickly as possible to a safe area.  As Johnny Carson once said, “The safest place to be during a local earthquake is somewhere in Kansas.”  Putting things in prospective, however,  Kansas can have some really mean tornadoes. Seriously, when shaking starts, try to move to a sturdy doorway or bathroom.  Stay clear of objects that can fall on you, such as, bookcases, tall unsecured chest of drawers, etc.  Be especially careful going outside and if you do stay away from the sides of buildings where building materials can fall on you.  If you are near the ocean, during one of these shaky events be particular aware of the possibility of a Tsunami.  During the 1933 Long Beach quake many people in the Newport Beach area ran to the beach front to avoid falling debris, totally oblivious of the possibility of a Tsunami.  Thank goodness none occurred or the death toll from that disaster would have been ten fold.

Anyway, below are a few hints that make you more prepared when the time comes.  Many of these suggestions are available through numerous pamphlets from several agencies.  It’s always a good idea to scan through the items in these pamphlets for possibly new items.  You will never be too prepared for the big shake.

      Earthquake preparedness

            Earthquake proofing you home.

            Bedroom

                        Do not place heavy items in head board of your bed (if you have one)

                        Do not hang heavy pictures on the wall over your bed

Place slippers with substantial soles at your bedside; you may have to walk through broken glass.

                        Have clothes easy to put on near your bed in case you have to go outside

                        Secure tall furniture (chest of drawers) and mirrors to the walls.  Your local Hardware stores have several items for securing furniture

            Living room

                        Secure TV’s to the stand or wall

                        Secure tall book shelves to the wall

                        Secure nick knacks in display cases with museum putty

                        Secure tall nick knacks display cases to the wall

            Bathroom

                        Install ¼ turn water valves to the sink, tub and toilet

            Recommended emergency supplies

                        Large first aid kit

                        Easy to prepare food stuffs  Things that can be prepared on a BBQ, etc.  No Microwavable items

                        Bottled water for the entire family (one gallon per person per day) for at least three days

            What to do immediately after an earthquake.

Where to shut off your Natural Gas

The natural gas should only be turned off if you sense a leak or see an open flame from a ruptured gas line.  There are several very good illustrated pamphlets that demonstrate how to turn off your gas at the meter.  Hardware stores also carry a variety of tools that can be used for this purpose.

Where to shut off your water

Your water shut off is located near your front entrance (in the upper pads – inside your enclosed patio), with either a round handle (old style) or a paddle handle (new style).  With the round faucet handle, turn the handle until the water is off.  With the paddle handle, the handle should be turn perpendicular to the water pipe.  In either case if you have a faucet near the turn off valve turn the water faucet on to be sure no water running.        

Where to turn off your electricity, if necessary.

Outside the front of your home you should be able to locate your electric meter.  An electrical panel is next to the meter.  Turn on your porch light and then open the front panel on the meter; locate the master circuit switch and pull the switch down.  The porch light should go out.

It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the location of the various devices before an earthquake occurs.  Know where your gas turnoff is, where your water turnoff is and where your electrical turnoff is.  If you need help ask your neighbor or a board member, they can show you where these important items are located and assist you in knowing how to turn these items off.

General Internet Earthquake information sources.

The following is a list of informative internet links regarding earthquake preparedness.

            www.earthquakecountry.info  Lists answers to various question about earthqaukes

            www.data.scec.org/clickmap.html  Historic earth quakes in Southern California

            www.data.scec.org/recenteqs.html  Recent earthquakes in Southern California

            www.data,scec.org/faults/faultmap.html  Southern California fault maps

            www.consrv.ca.gov/CGS/rghm/psha/pga.htm  Seismic Shaking Hazard Maps

            gmw.consrv.ca.gov/shmp  Landslide and Liquefaction  maps for Southern California

            www.redcross.org       American Red Cross

            www.warthquakeauthority.com          California Earthquake Authority

            www.seismic.ca.gov    California Seismic Safety commission

            www.espfocus.org       Emergency Survival Program (ESP)

            www.oes.ca.gov          California Office of Emergency Services

            www.fema.gov                        Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

            www.quakeinfo.org     Identifying and fixing hazards in your home – in greater detail

            www.earthquake.usgs.gov      US Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program

            www.consrv.ca.gov/cgs           California Geological Survey

            www.scec.org                          Southern California Earthquake Center

            www.data.scec.org                  Southern California Earthquake Data Center

            www.data.scec.org/recenteqs.html     Recent Earthquakes in Southern California

            www.cisn.org/shakemap                     Southern California Shake Maps

            www.earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/dyfi.php Did you feel it – report it

      EARTHQUAKE INSURANCE

Your Homeowner’s Association carries a master Insurance policy with State Farm Insurance on the buildings and common area within the complex.  However, each Homeowner should carry additional coverage.  If you own and occupy your home you need a “Unit Owners Policy.” This policy is available from most insurance  companies and is often referred to as a “Form 6 Homeowners Policy.”  You need to cover replacement of your personal property, interior wall and floor covering, additional expenses while you are out of your home after a loss, personal liability, and the master policy deductible. 

If you own your home and use it as a rental you need a policy designed for rental property.  This policy is often referred to as a “RCUP” (Rental Condominium Unitowners Policy).  This policy is designed for landlords and covers owner’s liability (trip and fall, stc.), loss of rental income, building items not covered by the association (normally interior wall and floor covering) and most policies cover the master policy deductible.  These extra policies will go a long way in avoiding the financial disaster so many in the Northridge Earthquake experienced.  Contact your local Insurance agent about this additional insurance coverage. 

Your Insurance Agent can contact the Association Agent for the current deductible amount.