Earthquake Safety Checklist

Earthquakes are a frightening reality when you live on or near a known fault zone. They can hit without warning and--as seen in the disastrous, worldwide earthquakes of 2010--cause catastrophic damage to life and property.

When a significant quake strikes, at the very least, you will likely be without electricity, and in a worst-case scenario, you may be lying under rubble, injured and without access to food and water. Knowing what to do when a quake hits, having emergency supplies on hand, plus taking precautions to secure your home are all crucial to surviving an earthquake.

Quake Kit

• Keep disaster supplies on hand. Fill a large, clean, sealable trashcan or plastic footlocker with emergency supplies to have on hand after an earthquake strikes.

  Place it in the garage or inside a cool closet and keep it raised off the ground. Fill it in layers, with the most essential items you will need at the top such as batteries, flashlights, first-aid kit and portable radio. In the middle layer, place non-perishable foods, water, instant foods, can opener, pet food and water purification tablets. Make sure you date all supplies with a permanent marker. At the bottom of the bin, place blankets, tarps, heavy shoes, extra clothes, toilet tissue, heavy-duty plastic bags, soaps, toothpaste and personal care items. Don't forget eyeglasses and prescription drugs. Keep an additional emergency kit accessible: It should include batteries, fire extinguisher, tent and sleeping bags, hard hat and work gloves, tools such as hammer, crowbar and rope. Keeping cash on hand is also advisable, as ATMs and banks will be without electricity or even destroyed following a catastrophic earthquake.

Home Safety

• Check your home for hazards and items that can fall in a quake.

  Fasten large wall hangings into wall studs. Attach cabinets and bookcases into studs in the wall. Place heavy items on lower shelves. Store glass items at the bottom level of cabinets, and attach child-proof or earthquake latches on cabinet doors. Remove large mirrors and heavy items from above your bed and sofa. Brace light fixtures in the ceiling. Check and replace defective electrical wiring. Strap your water heater to the wall studs and bolt it to the floor. Keep a cutoff wrench taped to your gas meter so you can shut it off. Store flammable products in closed cabinets with latches in the garage, so they can't spill and explode.

Safe Spots

• Know in advance where in your home to retreat to for safety. Identify sturdy tables and heavy desks that will afford you protection from crumbling surroundings and falling objects. Stay away from large windows or mirrors, or heavy, tall furniture that can topple over. If you don't have anything to hide under, crouch close to an interior wall.

  Don't run outside. If outside when the quake hits, quickly move away from power poles, gas lines, and overpasses.

Emergency Contact Plan

• Develop a family emergency communication plan so that each of you will know where the other is and how to reunite in the event of a quake. Use an out-of-state contact as the point person. Long-distance calls are easier to make after a quake, as local phone lines may be clogged.