Ever since I was a small child (and I’m well into my 40s now), people have been talking about the big one here in Southern California. Apparently we’ve been due for our “hundred year quake” for at least the past 30 years. For the first 15 years of hearing about this “Big One”, I scoffed at the scientists who were clearly just guessing that we were due. The earth doesn’t have iCal to help keep it on schedule, heck it doesn’t even have a regular calendar. But in more recent years, every mention of earthquakes makes me check my supplies and make mental notes to prepare myself.
The large quakes they’ve felt in Haiti, Japan and Chile in recent weeks should serve as a reminder to you that these quakes can strike any time and almost anywhere. Japan and Chile have histories of large earthquakes and like it or not, so do we. It’s time to get prepared. Here are a few things you can do.
• Keep a good supply of batteries on hand and of course a battery operated radio so that you can get emergency information.
• Keep a supply of fresh water on hand. I know the experts want you to have what seems like an exorbitant amount, so I won’t go into specific amounts, but make sure you’ve got enough to tide you over for a few days. And remember to refresh your supply every 6 months.
• Have an emergency plan. Know where to meet your family if you’re not together. Agree on an out of state person that you can contact in case you can’t contact people locally. Find the safest place to be in your home during an earthquake.
• You’re probably going to want to eat something, so make sure you’ve got a good supply of non-perishables on hand. Canned or dried foods are great.
• You’ll probably need something to cook with if the gas lines are off. Make sure you have a propane stove or barbecue and plenty of propane to cook for a few days. (You may end up needing to boil water as well)
• We spend a lot of time in our cars, so keep an emergency kit in your car. Make sure to have some food, water, blanket and warm clothes and toilet paper. You may also want to have a book in there in case you’re trapped somewhere for a long time.
• Have some emergency cash stored somewhere. If the power is out in a large area, your credit cards won’t do you a bit of good.
Hopefully our big quake won’t happen for another hundred years, but it sure makes sense to be prepared in case it comes sooner.
