How to Develop an Earthquake-Preparedness Plan
Home Security and the Threat of Earthquakes
We’ve all heard the ongoing earthquake rumors that the “Big One” is coming. We don’t know when, and we don’t know where, but California is supposedly due for a major earthquake. The United States Geological Survey only has the power to detect earthquakes minutes—or seconds—before they occur.
How to Develop an Earthquake-Preparedness Plan
Because earthquakes can cause massive destruction to your home and your family without much warning, your best line of defense in home security is to have an earthquake-preparedness plan in place. That way, you can be sure that everyone in your household will know what to do in the event of an emergency. Your earthquake-preparedness plan should include your safety plan for during an earthquake, in addition to a recovery plan once the shaking has stopped.
How to Be Safe During an Earthquake
You’ve heard the instructions to “stop, drop, and roll” if you should ever catch on fire. Similarly, in the event of an earthquake, you should always “drop, cover, and hold on”. To be prepared for this, you’ll want to go through your home and identify the safe spots in each room—typically underneath a sturdy table or desk. Be sure that everyone in your household knows where these safe spots are, so no matter where anyone is when an earthquake occurs, they can protect themselves.
Here are some of the most important safety tips to remember:
- If you’re indoors, stay indoors
- If you’re outdoors, stay outdoors (away from buildings, trees, or power lines)
- Stay away from any furniture that may fall (like bookshelves)
- Stay away from windows
- If you’re in bed, stay there and cover your head with your pillow
How to Respond After an Earthquake
Once the shaking stops after an earthquake, the threat is not entirely over. You may left to deal with a lack of utilities and services in your home, the risk of fire, and the potentially-damaging aftershocks. Because of this, you and your family should come up with a recovery plan, detailing what you’ll do immediately after an earthquake and where you’ll live if there is major damage to your home.
Here are some of the most important things to consider:
- Determine where you and your family will meet after an earthquake
- Make a list of important phone numbers and ensure all family members have this
- Make copies of important documents like ID cards, insurance policies, and more
- Determine whether anyone in your home will need extra assistance in an emergency
- Keep a fire extinguisher, flashlights, and whistles handy throughout the house
- Know where the shutoff valves are for water, gas, and electricity
- Install smoke alarms and check them regularly
- Find out what resources and emergency teams are present in your area
Our Home Security Services
Earthquakes aren’t the only threats to your home security and safety. We want you and your family to be protected against anything that may threaten your home security. Whether the threat is natural disasters, burglars, or anything else, we want to help you feel safe in your home. From fire systems, to critical condition monitoring, to state-of-the-art home security systems, we can help protect you and your family. Learn more about our home security services and systems below.
