Plan for an Earthquake

Planning for an earthquake is essential in order to keep safe. Having a plan, emergency essentials, and emergency preparedness supplied, including a well-kept food storage system is important for people living in high risk areas spanning more than 40 U.S. states and territories. Create a plan for you and your family that includes the following:

• Identify safe places in your home. These places are away from windows, tall furniture, or anything that could fall and hurt you. Under a solid piece of furniture, like a desk or table might be effective.
• Just like you learned to "stop, drop, and roll" in the event of a fire, practice "stop, drop, cover, and hold". Practicing this, rather than just memorizing the phrases, may help you to move quicker if you do experience an earthquake.
• Share your safe places by telling friends, neighbors, and guests where your safe places are. This will help them to stay safe while visiting your home and inspire them to take similar precautions in their own home.
• Discuss your home insurance coverage and options with your insurance agents and make sure your property is properly insured against earthquake damage.
• Preparedness and crisis training opportunities may be available in your community. Take a first aid class, a preparedness seminar, and anything else you think might help you to be better informed and prepared in the event of an earthquake. Your local chapter of the Red Cross may be a great resource in helping you find these local opportunities.
• Get your family involved in your earthquake preparedness plans. By starting a dialog, you may ease some fears and equip them with important knowledge and tools needed to stay safe.

What to Tell Children

Talking to children about earthquakes, how and why they happen, and the dangers they impose may also help to ease their fears and best prepare them for these natural disasters.

• Help children to identify safe places outside of the home, in places like school or the grocery store, park, or playground.
• Teach and practice "stop, drop, cover, and hold" in these different safe places.
• Remind everyone how important it is to avoid stairways and elevators until after the shaking has subsided.
• If outside when an earthquake occurs, stay outside and away from buildings that might become unstable. Trees, power lines, and lampposts should also be avoided. Crouch and cover is important and may help avoid injury.

How to Protect Your Property

Protecting your property starts with making sure you're properly insured, but it doesn't stop there. There are precautions you can take to minimize damage and the risks associated with earthquakes.

• Bolt heavy furniture to the walls.
• Anchor high or heavy items.
• Properly secure items with the potential to fall, like TVs.
• Store breakable items as low to the floor as possible.
• Properly maintain your properties foundation and structural integrity; don't put off much needed renovations.
• Have structures evaluated by professionals for safety and stability.
• Do not position hanging items, like pictures of mirrors over seating areas.

Source: https://www.beprepared.com/what-to-do-in-an-earthquake