Living in California has enormous upsides — beautiful beaches, sunny 70 degree days, and the best entertainment and attractions — but the biggest downside of living in California is earthquakes! 

Ready.gov provides in-depth information for earthquake safety. What is an earthquake myth? The safest place in the house is NOT in a doorway. You are actually more safe under a table! 

 

During an Earthquake

The Earthquake Country Alliance advises that,  “In MOST situations, you will reduce your chance of injury if you… 

DROP

where you are, onto your hands and knees. This position protects you from being knocked down and also allows you to stay low and crawl to shelter if nearby. 


COVER

your head and neck with one arm and hand  If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter. 

  • If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall (away from windows) 
  • Stay on your knees; bend over to protect vital organs 

HOLD ON

until the shaking stops. 

  • Under shelter: hold on to it with one hand; be ready to move with your shelter if it shifts 
  • No shelter: hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands.”

As residents of California, it is our responsibility to be aware of the risks of earthquakes. Drop, cover, and hold on is the 3 word slogan of earthquake survival. The reality is that we don’t experience high magnitude earthquakes on a day-to-day basis, so it is easy to brush aside earthquake preparation because the risk feels distant or unlikely.

 

7 Steps to Earthquake Safety

Here are 7 Steps to Earthquake safety provided by the California Earthquake Authority**: 

PREPARE
1. Secure your space
2. Plan to be safe by creating a disaster plan
3. Organize your disaster supplies
4. Minimize financial hardship by organizing important documents and considering insurance

SURVIVE
5. Drop, cover, and hold on during an earthquake
6. Improve safety by evacuating, preventing further damage, and helping others

RECOVER

7. Restore daily life by reconnecting with others,repairing damage, and rebuilding community

 

 

Before an Earthquake: Emergency Earthquake Kit

Do you have an emergency earthquake kit in your home? Have you talked as a family about what your earthquake plan is? Make it a weekend project to create the plan, make a kit, and talk about what your plan is. 

The basic emergency supplies recommended by FEMA.gov include the following:

  1. Water – at least 1 gallon of water per person per day (at least a 3 day supply)
  2. Food – at least a 3 day supply per person of non-perishable food
  3. Flashlight, radio, and cell phone charger that will charge without electricity
  4. Medical – first aid kit, medications, and medical supplies
  5. Sanitation – hand sanitizer, towlettes, paper products, and plastic bags
  6. Assistive Technology – battery backup for mobility  devices, oxygen and other assistive technology needs 
  7. Clothing and Blankets – warm clothing, thick-soled shoes, work gloves
  8. Whistle
  9. Cash – in case ATMs are not working
  10. Fire Extinguisher

 


As a brokerage, KALEO Real Estate Company is an advocate for home owners and communities. Safe communities are better communities to live in and knowing more about earthquake preparation makes our friends, family, and loved ones safer.

Stop, drop, and hold on! 
 


All information is believed to be accurate, please verify.

 

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This content is not the product of the National Association of REALTORS®, and may not reflect NAR's viewpoint or position on these topics and NAR does not verify the accuracy of the content.