OT - earthquake preparedness questions

"Among other things, scientists urged residents to stock up on water and food, to learn how to turn off water and gas, and to strap down bookshelves, televisions and computers."

How do I do that? Well, the strapping down part.

Strap your water heater down, using a metal band to anchor it so it won't tip over. Cabinets in your kitchen and elsewhere with knobs close to each other , like a right and left door? Use a short length of copper to make a catch that anchors down over both of them to keep the doors closed. Easy to pop one off to open the cupboard. Know where the turnoffs are for water, gas to your house. Make sure you have flashlights with good batteries, radio with batteries. Are you a camper? Then you may already have the propane stove/lantern/ cooking devices needed if you lose power for several days. If you lose power for a long time, it will mean your freezer will need to have the items used up or thrown out. Anchor down breakables with earthquake putty. They do this in museums. Fill your car with gas, and keep it topped off. If there is a major quake gas stations may not be open. Make sure you have cash on hand. Earthquake could mean no open banks, non-working ATMs. Oh, prepare a small hand project, or dust off your treadle, or get the shark sewing machine that can work on batteries. Can't stop quilting just because of a little ol' earthquake! Keep an emergency bag in your car with change of clothes including good walking shoes, water, food if you are not home when a big one hits and you have to leave your car and make your way home.

Ginger in CA who grew up with earthquakes.

Well done, Ginger. Cash and a full gas tank come first around here. Earthquakes haven't happened here (yet) but we are known to have serious weather. The only addition I'd make is to keep water on hand for more than cooking/drinking. Filling your bathtub is useless. There's not a tub in the world that won't seep out all that you've saved for washing hands and flushing. I fill every trash can in the house with water and am thinking of getting a baby pool to hold water for 'better than nothing' foot wash or whatever. We went without water for 3 weeks and were mighty grateful to finally have a cold shower. Polly

Ginger in CA who grew up with earthquakes.

I have filled the bathtub and then put a large plastic bag over the drain plug area. The suction of the slowly draining water will slurp up the plastic bag to pull it tight and make a seal. There are also rubber-like discs that are made for lost plugs on the older tubs. But I am with you, Polly- I fill every bucket and pitcher and waterproof container when we have ice storms. The weight of the ice can snap the electric lines and it can be days before the power is restored. Food is certainly never a problem here- I always have a lot of canned goods on hand. My propane grill has a side burner, so I can even use it for basic cooking if necessary. (And I keep

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

I was born, raised and have lived in earthquake country for about 200 years ~snort!~ and have been thru some real duzzies and more shake, rattle and rolls than I can count. Below are some very good links that my son sent me awhile back. Great information about being prepared for any possible disaster, not just earthquakes.

Not only should you have a stash of cash, makes sure it's in small denominations, $1, $5, $10.

Did you know that should never store any of your supplies directly on concrete? Cans and plastic bottles can actually absorb chemicals from the concrete and leach them into the contents. Really good thing to know, especially about water bottles. Concrete can even corrode cans and some plastic. Put a sheet of wood or cardboard down first. Better yet is to put down some lath strips to keep the wood or cardboard from coming in direct contact with concrete since anything directly on it can draw moisture. This goes for non perishable things in bags or boxes as well. Putting Dry Bay Leaves into any grain or cereal product will keep away the bugs.

Murphy's Rule of Earthquakes. No matter what precarious, non secure, danger zone you place that really ugly vase Aunty Maudie gave you; it won't fall and break. HOWEVER, you can get rid of any 'ugly gifts' immediately AFTER an earthquake (do NOT re-gift) and when Aunty Maude asks about the ugly vase, lamp, *etc that she doesn't see during visits you CAN blame the demise on the earthquake.

Excellent info on what and what NOT to do, check lists and emergency info.

Adding on to my original post: Get some baby wipes. If you have to go without power/water, these can be a life saver to help you freshen up.

A little something to think about before you head out anywhere. Do you know how to get out of a building you might head to? Do you know where the stairwells are if there is more than one floor? do you have out of state numbers for friends/family with you, and does everyone in your family have those numbers? If your family is not all together and even if you are, you will want to let someone know you are okay. If you are separated, the out-of-state person acts as the central information for whereabouts and conditions.

And not to sound negative, but when I lived in LA, there were more than a few people I knew who kept a firearm with them. In the event of a natural disaster, people will do some less-than-sane/normal things if they want what you have.

G> Strap your water heater down, using a metal band to anchor it so it > won't tip over.

There's never been a way we could claim we were walking along the Gulf with Great Aunt Phoebe's really and truly *ugly* lamp when a hurricane came ashore. On the other hand, it could be destroyed by an earthquake. We'll just have to take it with us on a visit to quake country. Polly

"Val" Murphy's Rule of Earthquakes. No matter what precarious, non secure, danger

Dogs are also good for "destroying" ugly lamps. Mine destroyed the pumpkin orange couch corduroy my in-laws gave us. I was torn between punishing him for destroying it and praising him for the same deed. He never destroyed any more furniture, so I can only assume he hated that couch as much as I did.

I must not have over done the heartbreak, because it was 10 years before my in-laws tried to give us any more furniture. (DH stepped in on that gift and said no. Bless him.)