“Lea’s Corner” Be prepared in the event of an EARTHQUAKE!

 With all the earthquakes shaking things up, it is important to always be prepared and have the essentials you will need after an earthquake!

Living in California, where earthquakes are quite a common occurrence, they can still be pretty scary!

Even though, we cannot predict earthquakes and when one will strike next, as we have heard or felt in the last couple of days, we can do our best to have a plan in the event of an earthquake.

Here is a quick checklist for the essentials that everyone should have:

1. Fire extinguisher
2. Adequate supplies of medications that you or your family are taking
3. Crescent and pipe wrenches to turn off gas and water supplies
4. First aid kit and handbook
5. Flashlights with extra bulbs and batteries
6. Portable radio with extra batteries
7. Water for each family member for at least 3 days (allow at least 1 gallon per person per day) and purification tablets or chlorine bleach to purify drinking water from other sources
8. Canned and packaged foods, enough for several days and a mechanical can opener. Extra food for pets if necessary.
9. Camp stove or barbecue to cook on outdoors (store fuel out of reach of children)
10. Waterproof, heavy-duty plastic bags for waste disposal
11. Cash on hand
12. Photos of family members for identification purposes
13. Health insurance cards and identification cards
14. List of emergency phone contacts
15. Don’t forget a to go bag for your pets

Here are some websites for more information on what to do (Prior, during and after) an Earthquake:

1.     http://beprepared.com/article.asp?ai=20

2.     http://72hours.org/build_kit.html

3.     http://www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/index.shtm

 It is always important to have an Earthquake plan with family that does not live with you and your neighbors as well. Especially, if they are elderly or have pets!

Most importantly, the bottom line is, to keep as calm as you can, so that you can keep a level head when dealing with the after effects for the sake of everyone around you!

Bye for now, until next week!

Lea Centeno