If you were jolted awake at 5:09 a.m. on Feb. 15 by the 3.7 magnitude earthquake, you’re not alone!
With this recent small earthquake, many Utah County residents are thinking about how to be better prepared when a bigger quake may hit. Preparation is important to reducing fatalities and injuries that may result from a major earthquake. Recommendations for what to do before an earthquake strikes are found below.
Prevent objects from falling and breaking: It is important to secure any objects that can fall or break during earthquake shaking, as this may injure you or your family. Walk around your home scouting out tall, heavy objects like bookshelves, dressers, tall filing cabinets, televisions, potted plants, wall hangings and glass decorations. Secure furniture with flexible fasteners like nylon straps. Use earthquake latches to keep cabinet drawers closed and stop objects from falling out. Hang wall hangings on closed hooks. Move heavy wall hangings away from beds and couches. Relocate heavy and breakable objects to low shelves and use quake putty to keep them in place.
Secure gas appliances: Make sure you have placed straps around your water heaters. Ensure plumbers have placed flexible connectors on gas appliances. Have a fire extinguisher and be sure everyone knows how to use it.
Protect your feet: Do not attempt to exit the home during earthquake shaking. But, consider keeping a spare pair of shoes under your bed to reduce your chances of injury from stepping on debris if you find you need to quickly leave the home once the shaking is over.
Make a family plan: Create an emergency communication plan with your family. Include where to meet if you get separated (may be different meeting locations for home, school and work). List addresses, phone numbers and evacuation sites on a card for each individual to carry with them in a wallet or backpack. Include a phone number of an out-of-state contact.
Supplies: Have a supply kit in a portable backpack or duffel bag. Include enough food and water for at least three days, flashlights (crank or with spare batteries), portable radio, first aid kit, tennis shoes for each family member and a whistle. If family members need medication or prescription glasses, include this in your supply kit.
Structural issues: Assess your home’s structure. Know when and how it was built. Older homes may have weaknesses that could include homes not anchored to their foundations, unbraced pier-and-post foundations and unreinforced masonry walls or foundations. You may be able to correct these with professional help.
Earthquake insurance: Standard home insurance doesn’t cover earthquake damage. Consider obtaining earthquake insurance. Make sure you find out exactly what is covered by your earthquake insurance (e.g. shaking, liquefaction, flood, etc. as a result of earthquake).
Ham radio: Consider getting an amateur radio license (ham radio). You can do this by studying up on ham radio concepts and taking an exam. I did this a few years ago, and although I was slightly nervous — I’m one of those people that scarcely knows how to use a remote control — I passed the test and got a nifty call sign. This could be very useful in a severe earthquake when all other communication methods are down.
Know how to drop, cover and hold on: Educate yourself and your family about what to do during earthquake shaking. Have a periodical family activity to practice “drop, cover and hold,” meeting at safe spots, and following through with emergency communications.
If you are inside when an earthquake strikes, it is no longer recommended to stand in a door frame. Do not try to run outside because it will be difficult to move and you could fall. You could also step on glass or debris that could harm you. You may also increase the risk of objects falling on you.
Instead, drop, cover and hold on. Get on your hands and knees and cover your head and neck with your arms. Crawl only as far as you need to get under a sturdy desk or table that will help protect your body from falling objects. Grab onto it and as it moves around, move with it. If the building is damaged once the shaking is over, immediately and cautiously exit while watching out for anything that may have shaken loose or that may fall in an aftershock.
Practice what you learned at the Great Utah ShakeOut drill on April 18. Get your family and workplace involved! https://www.shakeout.org/utah/
