Answers to your Earthquake Preparedness
Questions
The time to prepare is NOW –
once the big one STRIKES it will be too late.
Your family is counting on you!
By Jackie Kloosterboer – Speaker,
Trainer,
Author – My Earthquake Preparedness Guide
QUESTION: Now the shaking has stopped – What do you do?
Crouched
under the table grasping the table leg and finally the shaking has stopped – a huge sigh of relief that is finally over - you
thought the shaking would never stop. So now what
do you do?
BE CAREFUL & USE EXTREME CAUTION
Survey
your surroundings before getting out of your safe spot – check for fallen and
broken debris on the floor.
Carefully get out from under the table or the safe spot you are in.
If home, check on your family to make sure they are ok.
Check your home or apartment for damage. If there is structural damage and your home is not safe – grab your Grab & Go Kits and leave. Life safety always comes first. Remember aftershocks could further damage your home.
Check for damaged utilities. If you smell gas open all windows and doors so gas can escape. Do NOT use candles, matches, flashlights or other open flames. If you live in a house shut off the gas at your metre outside - leave your home immediately. If you are in an apartment /strata check to see what plans are in place for your buildings gas metre. NEVER PUT YOURSELF IN DANGER. If possible, notify the authorities of the gas leak.
If your home has a chimney check to see that there are no cracks in the chimney. Be very careful and don’t get too close to your chimney. If your chimney has been damaged be extremely careful as aftershock could cause it to collapse.
If you live in an apartment and need to evacuate you will need to use the stairs. Take your Grab & Go Kit with you and also TAKE YOUR PETS. It may be difficult as you are evacuating to determine the extent of damage to your building. If you leave your pets behind because you are just going to check on the situation, you may not be allowed back if there is substantial damage to the building. If there is an aftershock - the aftershock could cause additional damage which could prevent you from returning to your building to collect your pets.
If your home is safe and you are able to stay call your Out of Area Contact to connect with your family. Facebook is also a great way to connect with your family. Recently we saw many connections being made using Facebook with the Fort McMurray Fire and with other large disasters.
Listen to the radio for updates on the earthquakes. You will be able to find out what the situation is across your community. Facebook and Twitter are also excellent ways to check up on the event. Just make sure you are getting info from a reliable source.
This is the tip of the iceberg in what to do after an earthquake. We all live in different types of homes, different areas and until the earthquake strikes it’s hard to determine what the damage to our homes will be. Get familiar with your home, your area and determine what you will need to do to be safe Before, During and After an Earthquake!
Carefully get out from under the table or the safe spot you are in.
If home, check on your family to make sure they are ok.
Check your home or apartment for damage. If there is structural damage and your home is not safe – grab your Grab & Go Kits and leave. Life safety always comes first. Remember aftershocks could further damage your home.
Check for damaged utilities. If you smell gas open all windows and doors so gas can escape. Do NOT use candles, matches, flashlights or other open flames. If you live in a house shut off the gas at your metre outside - leave your home immediately. If you are in an apartment /strata check to see what plans are in place for your buildings gas metre. NEVER PUT YOURSELF IN DANGER. If possible, notify the authorities of the gas leak.
If your home has a chimney check to see that there are no cracks in the chimney. Be very careful and don’t get too close to your chimney. If your chimney has been damaged be extremely careful as aftershock could cause it to collapse.
If you live in an apartment and need to evacuate you will need to use the stairs. Take your Grab & Go Kit with you and also TAKE YOUR PETS. It may be difficult as you are evacuating to determine the extent of damage to your building. If you leave your pets behind because you are just going to check on the situation, you may not be allowed back if there is substantial damage to the building. If there is an aftershock - the aftershock could cause additional damage which could prevent you from returning to your building to collect your pets.
If your home is safe and you are able to stay call your Out of Area Contact to connect with your family. Facebook is also a great way to connect with your family. Recently we saw many connections being made using Facebook with the Fort McMurray Fire and with other large disasters.
Listen to the radio for updates on the earthquakes. You will be able to find out what the situation is across your community. Facebook and Twitter are also excellent ways to check up on the event. Just make sure you are getting info from a reliable source.
This is the tip of the iceberg in what to do after an earthquake. We all live in different types of homes, different areas and until the earthquake strikes it’s hard to determine what the damage to our homes will be. Get familiar with your home, your area and determine what you will need to do to be safe Before, During and After an Earthquake!
You’re
Task for Tip #22
- We live in different areas, have different styles of homes – put some thought into what you would need to check around your home to make sure your family is safe.
- Make a list of the items you and your family would need to check after an earthquake. I.e. chimney
- If you have a copy of My Earthquake Preparedness Guide you can use that as a reference to help you accomplish this.
Next post we will look
at what to do if you are in your car during an Earthquake.
Have questions – don’t
hesitate to ask. Until next time – Stay safe and make sure you, your family and
pets are prepared for earthquake or any disaster that may come your way.
As Always BE
PREPARED - NOT SCARED!
Jackie Kloosterboer -
BIO
Jackie Kloosterboer has
been leading the way in earthquake preparedness for 2 decades presenting more
than 100 Earthquake Preparedness sessions each year to a variety of groups and
businesses. She is often interviewed by a variety of media outlets across
Canada as she promotes the importance of earthquake and disaster preparedness.
Contact Jackie to speak at your next group or business event to help you, your family, your staff and pets get prepared for earthquakes or whatever disaster comes your way. Jackie will lead you through the necessary steps helping you identify what is important to you and your family or business.
Contact Jackie with any questions or to book her for your next event at jackie@survive-it.ca or call (604) 355-2414
Jackie is available for:
Earthquake Preparedness
Presentations
Preparedness Plans
In-Home Walk-Throughs
Preparedness Kits
Media Interviews
