How to survive Washington’s next earthquake Contents Letter from Stan McNaughton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Washington: A high-risk state for earthquakes. . . . . . . . 2 What happens during an earthquake?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 A checklist for preparing your family and home. . . . . . . 4 Reduce the hazards in your home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Hold family drills. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Establish an out-of-state phone contact today!. . . . . . . . 9 Gather emergency and first-aid supplies. . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Stockpile extra food and water. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Review your home, apartment, or condo insurance. . . . 20 Record important information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Develop a neighborhood preparedness plan. . . . . . . . . . 22 What you should do during an earthquake. . . . . . . . . . 23 What you should do after an earthquake. . . . . . . . . . . . 26 How to handle the psychological effects of a quake . . . 30 Where to get additional help after a quake. . . . . . . . . . 32 Out-of-state contact cards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Dear customers, employees, and friends: We’re committed to making Washington a safe place to live. We care about you and your family. We dedicate much of our time and efforts to programs that help prevent accidents, fires, theft, fraud, and other personal tragedies. Although we can’t prevent earthquakes, we can take steps to protect ourselves and our loved ones. This booklet offers guidelines from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other safety-related organizations. Please follow its advice as soon as possible because an earthquake can strike at any time. Washington has been hit by several major quakes in the last half-century. Please begin to prepare your family and home immediately. Even if you can’t accomplish some of the more costly precautions, any preparations you do make are worthwhile. Your actions today can prevent an earthquake from taking or ruining a life tomorrow. Sincerely, Stan McNaughton President and CEO PEMCO Mutual Insurance Company –1– Washington: A high-risk state for earthquakes Many people think they don’t need to prepare for earthquakes if they don’t live in California, Alaska, Mexico, or other places recently devastated by quakes. Unfortunately, they’re wrong! Earthquakes have struck nearly every state and every country in the past 200 years – and always without warning. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Geological Survey report that one of the areas facing the highest earthquake risk is Washington state, particularly around Puget Sound. The following table lists recent earthquakes with epicenters in Washington: YEAR 2001 1997 1996 1995 1981 1965 1959 1949 1946 1945 1939 1936 MAGNITUDE (RICHTER) EPICENTER 6.8 4.9 5.3 5.0 5.5 6.5 5.0 7.1 6.3 5.5 5.75 5.75 Puget Sound Puget Sound Central Cascade foothills Puget Sound South Cascades Puget Sound North Cascades Puget Sound Puget Sound Central Cascades Puget Sound Southeast Washington Although scientists can’t predict exactly when it will happen, they agree that Washington has a 100 percent chance of suffering another major earthquake. We must prepare our families and homes now to minimize its effects and prevent deaths and injuries. –2– What happens during an earthquake? An earthquake is a sudden release of energy when pieces of the earth’s crust move against one another. A strong quake can last from a few seconds to more than a minute, but it seems much longer. You’ll feel a sensation of shaking. You may get dizzy. You may hear loud rumbling or rustling noises before and during a quake. Hanging objects and light fixtures sway or crash to the floor. Doors rattle or swing open and close. Windows may break. Items fall off shelves and sometimes fly across the room. Furniture, bookcases, and cabinets move and topple. Unanchored furnaces and water heaters may break loose and start fires. Water and gas lines may crack, increasing the threat of fires. Electricity and phone service may be lost. Depending on the quake’s severity, older buildings and bridges may collapse. Earthquakes also can trigger landslides and generate huge ocean waves, which can cause great damage along coastal areas. Aftershocks of varying intensity often reoccur several days, weeks, months, and even years after a quake. They act like earthquakes and can cause further damage and injuries. Earthquake injuries usually are caused by falling debris, shattered glass, and fires from ruptured gas/electric lines or broken chimneys. Most injuries are preventable. –3– A checklist for preparing your family and home Here’s a brief checklist of actions you should take now to prepare for an earthquake. You’ll get more details in the next sections of this booklet. ❏ Check for hazards that could make your home more dangerous during an earthquake, then correct any problems. ❏ Hold occasional earthquake drills so each family member knows what to do during a quake. ❏ Establish an out-of-state phone contact for all family members. ❏ Gather and store emergency supplies, first-aid items, food, and water. Be sure all family members know where they’re stored and how to use them. ❏ Review your home, apartment, or condominium insurance to determine coverage for earthquake damages. ❏ Develop a neighborhood preparedness plan with your neighbors. ❏ Discuss earthquake preparedness with your children’s teachers and find out what their schools plan to do if a quake strikes. –4– Reduce the hazards in your home Fire hazards Fire poses a major threat in an earthquake, so you should get a professional to repair defective wiring and leaky gas connectors. Keep at least one fully loaded fire extinguisher in an accessible place. Be sure you know how to use it. Install battery-operated smoke detectors and test them monthly. Replace their batteries whenever necessary. Store all flammable liquids in their proper containers in your garage or an outside storage area safely away from heat sources and appliances. Keep those containers on lower shelves. Bolt down water heaters and other gas appliances, or strap them securely to the nearest wall studs or something sturdy with metal Secure your water heater. plumber’s tape. A toppled water heater with a broken gas line may cause a fire and loss of valuable water. Have flexible connectors installed wherever gas lines meet appliances. Know where and how to shut off your gas, electricity, and water at main switches and valves. Check with your local utilities for instructions. Keep a large, well-oiled wrench near your gas shut-off valve for immediate access. If it’s outside, keep the wrench in a plastic bag to prevent rusting. Have flashlights handy in case you need some light to shut off your utilities properly. –5– Structural hazards Be sure your house is firmly anchored to its foundation. Repair deep plaster cracks in ceilings and foundations. Get expert advice, especially if there are signs of structural defects. Nail plywood to ceiling joists in your attic to prevent falling chimney bricks from crashing through. Add bracing to support air conditioners, particularly on rooftops. Heavy objects and glass hazards Walk through your home and determine which objects could hurt someone in a quake. Place heavy items on lower shelves. Secure stereos, DVD players, and other big items to shelves with Velcro fabric or other adhesives. Fasten large shelves and topheavy furniture to wall studs with angle brackets, hooks, or braided wire. Store bottled foods, glass, china, and other breakables on low shelves or cabinets that can fasten shut. Place latches on cupboards to prevent their doors from swinging open. Fasten top-heavy Anchor overhead light fixtures, furnishings to wall studs. hanging plants, heavy artwork, and mirrors solidly in place with closed hooks, eye screws, or other hardware. Replace heavy items over beds with lightweight alternatives. Move beds away from windows, if possible. Always keep a pair of tennis shoes near your bed so you can put them on quickly to protect your feet from broken glass and other debris. Close blinds, drapes, or shutters to prevent shattered glass from flying around the room. Protect large windows with security film or a thin window coating. Keep heavy, unstable objects away from exits so they can’t block escape routes. If any furniture or appliances have wheels, lock them in place or block the rollers. –6– Hold family drills Earthquakes are frightening. Not knowing what to do can cause panic and endanger lives. You and your family can learn to react correctly and automatically by practicing with drills. Conduct calm family discussions about how to protect yourselves during earthquakes. Don’t tell horror stories that may upset your children. Use this booklet as a guide. The greatest hazard is falling objects. If you’re inside when an earthquake strikes, don’t run outside. Many injuries occur when people try to exit and are struck down by glass, concrete, and bricks falling from building exteriors. Danger zones Have your family members learn the safe spots in each room of your home. Safe spots include areas away from masonry, large windows, and tall furniture; strong supported doorways; inner corners of rooms; and underneath a sturdy table or desk. To reinforce that knowledge, place yourselves in those safe locations. Crouch and brace yourselves. This is especially important for children. Acting out what they’re taught will help them remember what to do in case you’re not with them at the critical time. Next, identify danger zones in each room. Family members should know to get as far as possible from –7– these hazards during an earthquake. Danger zones include windows, mirrors, heavy furniture that may topple or slide, fireplaces, stoves, and any space that could be showered with falling debris or chimney bricks. After practicing your responses, hold a drill by yelling, “Earthquake!’’ Everyone should move immediately to the safest place in whatever room he or she is in. Any adult or older child in the kitchen should turn off the stove. Praise children when they respond correctly. In the days following your first drill, hold surprise drills and repeat them once a month. Let your children call surprise drills, too. Test each other periodically by asking questions. Teach responsible family members how to shut off your home’s gas, water, and electricity if those utility lines were broken. But don’t shut off your gas unless an emergency exists. If your gas is ever turned off, all pilot lights must be relit. Arrange for family members to take first aid and CPR training with the Red Cross, your local fire department, hospital, or school. Find out what your children’s schools plan to do if an earthquake strikes during school hours. Learn CPR and first aid. –8– Establish an out-of-state phone contact today! Your loved ones may be miles away from each other at work, school, or elsewhere when an earthquake hits. Most likely, your top priority will be to find out if they’re OK. Next, you’ll want to make plans to get together somewhere safe as soon as possible. Predetermine three or four possible reunion locations. Every member of your family should always carry the phone number of your designated out-of-state contact. (See page 33 for examples.) Select a reliable relative or friend who can relay messages for you. Telephone systems may be damaged and unusable for several days. But when phone service resumes, long distance lines usually open up first. Phone companies are expected to set up emergency systems for long distance calls. Listen to radio reports for locations of emergency phones. As soon as possible after an earthquake, all family members should call and inform your out-of-state contact of their physical well-being, location, and plans. Family members can then track each other’s activities more easily. Knowing the status of loved ones can reduce stress and anxiety. Your out-of-state contact also can call others who may be worried about you. If you notice any phones off the hook after an earthquake, hang them up. Dislodged phone receivers contribute to the disruption of telephone service. Make sure each family member carries your contact's phone number. (See page 33 for examples.) –9– Gather emergency and first-aid supplies You need to be prepared with supplies in case your utilities are temporarily cut off or hazardous conditions prevent you from leaving your home. (See pages 15 – 19 for details on stockpiling extra food and water.) The supplies listed here also will help you and your family prepare for evacuation and temporary stays in public shelters. Your family may need to rely on your own extra resources for at least three days after an earthquake. Using the following checklists as guidelines, plan ahead and pack “emergency kits’’ in backpacks and duffel bags that each member of your family can help carry. Your kits should be small enough to carry easily, with the adults’ kits containing the heavier items. Safety and communication items ❏ Battery-operated radio ❏ Extra batteries ❏ Lantern and fuel ❏ Flashlights, candles ❏ Fluorescent distress flag ❏ Matches (in a waterproof container) ❏ Citizens’ band radio ❏ Fire extinguisher ❏ Work gloves ❏ Shovel ❏ Whistle or loud horn –10– Clothing and bedding ❏ One complete change of clothing for each person ❏ Sturdy work shoes ❏ Extra socks and underwear ❏ Rain gear, coats, boots ❏ Pillows ❏ One sleeping bag or two blankets per person ❏ Tent or rain tarp Personal items ❏ Washcloth, towel ❏ Soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant ❏ Dentures ❏ Hair care items ❏ Mirror ❏ Eyeglasses ❏ Contact lens solution ❏ Shaving kit ❏ Feminine needs ❏ Insect repellent, insecticide ❏ Small toys for children ❏ Reading and writing materials ❏ Family photos for comfort and I.D. purposes ❏ Sewing kit Sanitary needs ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ Paper towels and toilet paper Detergent Disinfectant Plastic garbage bags (with ties) for lining your toilet when flushing isn’t possible ❏ Garbage can or bucket with tight-fitting lid to use as an emergency toilet –11– Baby supplies, if needed ❏ Clothes ❏ Diapers ❏ Milk or formula ❏ Powders, creams, ointments ❏ Bottles, nipples ❏ Food ❏ Portable crib ❏ Sheets, blankets, rubber pads First-aid supplies Keep the contents of your first-aid kit in a waterproof metal or plastic box. You can buy a prepacked kit or put one together yourself. Keep medicines tightly capped. Check the kit periodically and replace expired medications. Supplies include: ❏ First-aid handbook ❏ Adhesive tape rolls, two inches wide ❏ Sterile cotton applicators (Q-tips) ❏ Antacid ❏ Antibiotic ointment ❏ Antiseptic solution ❏ Aspirin or aspirin substitute ❏ Baking soda ❏ Bandages – sterile roll, two inches wide ❏ Bandages – sterile roll, four inches wide ❏ Bandages – large triangular, 37" by 37" by 52" ❏ Bandages – plastic strips, assorted sizes ❏ Cotton balls ❏ Diarrhea medication ❏ Eye medication ❏ Hot and cold packs –12– ❏ Iodine water-purification tablets ❏ Isopropyl alcohol ❏ Laxatives ❏ Hearing-aid batteries, if needed ❏ Medical alert tags for epilepsy, drug allergies, etc. ❏ Motion sickness tablets for nausea ❏ Petroleum jelly ❏ Prescription and nonprescription medications ❏ Safety pins ❏ Scissors ❏ Smelling salts ❏ Antibacterial soap ❏ Splints ❏ Table salt ❏ Toothache remedy ❏ Thermometer ❏ Tweezers Other useful items to have on hand ❏ A protective container for important documents and small valuables. It should be durable, waterproof, portable, and fire resistant. Include Social Security cards, birth certificates, marriage and death records, wills, insurance policies, deeds, stocks and bonds, savings and checking account books, inventory of household goods (with photos or videotape). ❏ Local maps ❏ A fuel-powered generator to supply electricity if power is lost ❏ Short rubber hose to siphon gas from your car to use in your generator ❏ Tools such as a hammer, hatchet, pick, broom, crowbar, knife ❏ Goggles and dust masks –13– ❏ Rope, nails, electrician’s tape, duct tape ❏ Plywood or plastic sheeting to cover broken windows ❏ It’s also a good idea to keep some emergency supplies in the trunk of your car in case an earthquake strikes when you’re driving. Include a first-aid kit, shovel, walking shoes, gloves, warm clothes, water, and battery-operated portable radio. –14– Stockpile extra food and water Though it’s unlikely an earthquake would cut off your food and water supply for two weeks, you should store a supply that will last that long. A two-week supply can relieve a great deal of inconvenience and uncertainty until services are restored. Food Store foods your family is used to eating. You’ll want to keep your postquake environment as close to normal as possible. It’s important to stock up on nutritious, well balanced meals that are low in fat, sugar, and salt. Be sure to include food for infants, pets, and any family members with special dietary requirements. Stock up on nonperishable foods that require no refrigeration. Canned, boxed, and dehydrated foods have long shelf lives if stored properly. Include a variety of each. Stock up on nonperishable foods. Store food in fairly cool, dark places to help it last longer. Light and heat can destroy the strength of vitamins in food. Don’t store household chemicals in the same place you store food supplies. Keep canned foods in a dry place where the temperature is above freezing and below 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Throw away swollen or leaking cans –15– because they may be spoiled. To protect boxed or dehydrated foods from pests and extend their shelf life, store them in tightly closed metal or plastic containers. Rotate your extra food supply into your regular supply. Use foods before they go bad and replace them with fresh supplies. Place new items at the back of your storage areas and older ones in front. If an earthquake knocks out your power, you should eat food from your refrigerator during the first 24 hours. After that, eat food from your freezer. Foods in the freezer may stay safely frozen for a few days without power if you don’t open the door too frequently. Keep a list of freezer contents to cut down on opening the door. Bacteria grows rapidly in nonrefrigerated perishables — especially milk, meats, and eggs — and can cause food poisoning. If anything smells bad or “funny,’’ throw it away. Remember: When in doubt, throw it out! Include the following with your emergency food: ❏ Manual can opener ❏ Bottle opener ❏ Utility knife ❏ Waterproof matches ❏ Heavy-duty aluminum foil ❏ Heavy-duty plastic bags ❏ Paper towels ❏ Premoistened towelettes ❏ Charcoal and grill, or ❏ Camping stove and fuel. Use a charcoal grill, hibachi, or camp stove outdoors only! You can heat canned food in its opened can with the paper label removed. Don’t throw out the liquid from –16– canned fruits or vegetables. You’ll need it for drinking if water is scarce. You also should stock up on disposable utensils, paper plates, and paper cups to reduce the need to use water for dishwashing. Or line regular plates with plastic food wrap, which you can discard after use, leaving the plate clean. Family members can reuse their own glasses and cups to drink water. Water Since water lines may break or become contaminated in an earthquake, stocking a two-week supply of water today should be among your top priorities. Why? Because you and your family can survive for several days without food, but only for a short time without water. Everyone’s water needs differ, depending on age, physical condition, activity level, diet, and climate. A normally active person needs to drink a minimum of two quarts of water each day. Heat, stress, and exertion can more than double that amount. Children, nursing mothers, and ill people need more, too. To be safe, store at least two gallons per person per day. That includes extra water you’ll need for food preparation and hygiene. The Federal Emergency Management Agency cautions against rationing water and recommends that you drink whatever amount you need, then try to find more later. You can minimize your body’s water needs by reducing your activity and staying cool. You can buy water in half- or one-gallon jugs at most markets and five-gallon jugs from water distributors. If you prefer, store tap water in thoroughly washed plastic, glass, fiberglass, or enamel-lined containers. Never use a container that held toxic substances. Plastic soft-drink bottles and milk jugs with screw-on caps work well. –17– Before storing your tap water, treat it with a preservative to prevent the growth of microorganisms. Use liquid bleach that contains 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite and no soap. Don’t use granular bleach. It’s poisonous! Stir in 16 drops (about 1/4 teaspoon) of bleach per gallon of water (or one teaspoon per five gallons). Seal your water containers tightly, label them with the date, and store them in a cool, dark place. Change the water every six months. Treat tap water before storing it. Don’t store water in your garage with vehicles. Exhaust fumes may contaminate it. To improve the taste of stored water, expose it to fresh air or pour it from one container to another before you drink it. After an earthquake, you should filter any suspicious water through layers of clean linen. Then, use bleach (as described above) and let it stand for 30 minutes to purify it. Or use water-purifying tablets available at camping or drug stores. Be sure to read the instructions on the package. Another way to purify water is to boil it vigorously for five minutes. Other emergency sources of water include: •Melted ice cubes. •Toilet reservoir tanks (not the bowl). But don’t drink –18– water from the toilet tank if a chemical disinfectant is added. •Juices from canned foods. •Water heater. Each month, drain rust and sediment from your water heater by opening the drain tap for a few minutes. You may need to open the valve at the top of the tank as well as the faucet at the bottom. Before draining off water for emergency use, be sure to turn off your gas or electricity to the tank. •Don’t drink water from swimming pools or water beds. The chemical additives could be poisonous. •Use undrinkable water for washing, flushing toilets, and fire fighting. –19– Review your home, apartment, or condominium insurance Read your insurance policy or call your agent to determine if your home and belongings are covered against earthquakes, aftershocks, and resulting fires. PEMCO can connect you with an insurance company that specializes in residential earthquake coverage and offers a wide menu of coverage options. For more information, contact PEMCO Insurance Agency at 206-628-4007. Rates and eligibility may vary depending on your home’s risk factors, such as its location and type of construction. Wood-frame homes and buildings tend to stand up well in earthquakes. But unreinforced brick or other masonry may not withstand a severe earthquake as well as a wood-frame home, resulting in higher insurance rates for such structures. Document your belongings. Be sure to document your valuable belongings with an inventory, photographs, or videotape. Store your documentation in a fireproof container or a safe deposit box. –20– Record important information After an earthquake, you’ll want quick access to your vital information. That will eliminate delays and frustration when completing paperwork for an insurance claim or financial assistance. Take a few minutes to record the following information. Store it in a fireproof container or safe deposit box with deeds, wills, tax records, birth certificates, and other important documents. •Names and Social Security numbers of all family members •Names, addresses, and phone numbers of employers •Names, addresses, and phone numbers of doctors •Names, addresses, and phone numbers of schools •Names, addresses, and phone numbers of insurance agents •Medical information, such as allergies •Auto and boat license numbers and Vehicle Identification Numbers •Police and fire phone numbers •Poison control center’s phone number •Electric company phone number and account number •Gas company phone number and account number •Water utility phone number and account number •Bank or credit union account numbers. –21– Develop a neighborhood preparedness plan Neighbors often help each other in a crisis. You should encourage earthquake awareness and begin planning before the crisis hits. Try to arrange a neighborhood meeting once a year. Share information from this booklet. Develop a neighborhood plan to account for everyone after a quake. Locate your neighbors’ utility shut-offs. Identify disabled or elderly neighbors who have special needs. Create a neighborhood resource network that includes a list of tools, equipment, materials, and neighbors who have special skills and resources to share. Try to spread earthquake awareness throughout your community. Organize and support local programs that prepare people for earthquakes. Schools and civic organizations can provide a great community service by holding earthquake drills and training sessions. Support community efforts to replace old, weak structures with earthquake-resistant structures. Ask for the removal or strengthening of loose objects, like cornices, from building exteriors. –22– What you should do during an earthquake You may hear a loud rumbling sound several seconds before a quake hits. Those few seconds could give you a chance to move to a safer location. Wherever you are, try to remain calm. If you’re inside: Stay inside. Don’t try to run outside. Many injuries occur when people rush through a building to the outside and get hit by flying objects, falling plaster, and other debris. Move away from large windows, outside walls, bookcases, and unsecured heavy objects. Try to avoid airborne objects and potential hazards. Take cover. Take cover under a table or other sturdy furniture. Kneel, sit, or stay close to the floor. If possible, hold onto furniture legs for balance. Be prepared to move with your cover. If there isn’t anything to get under, you should kneel or sit on the floor next to a structurally sound interior wall. Cover your head and neck with your arms. Doorways may not be the safest location for protection. Violent motion could cause doors to slam against your body or crush your fingers. If you’re in bed, stay there. Hang on and protect yourself with pillows and blankets. –23– If you’re in or near a high-rise building: Stay in the building and follow the advice given above. Stay on the same floor until directed to evacuate. Don’t use the elevator. The power may fail, trapping you inside. Don’t run for the stairwell because crowds may cause trampling injuries. Be ready for alarm and sprinkler systems to go on. If you’re outside and close to the building, you may prevent injuries from falling objects by seeking shelter inside. If you’re outside: Move to an open area away from buildings, power lines, poles, and large-limbed trees. Stay away from cliffs, steep embankments, and riverbeds to avoid landslides and large rushes of mud and water. If there’s no safe open area, seek available shelter to avoid falling objects. Get low to the ground and balance yourself. If you’re in a store or mall: Don’t rush for the exit. You may be injured as other people run for the door. Move away from windows, glass display cases, or other hazards. If you’re in a theater or other public place: Stay by your seat, crouch low to the ground, and ride the earthquake out. Don’t run for the exit. Wait for the crowd to disperse before attempting to exit. If you’re in an automobile: Stop your auto as safely as possible. Don’t stop next to buildings or under bridges, overpasses, or overhead power lines. Don’t drive over bridges or overpasses. They may be damaged. –24– Stay in your auto during and after the earthquake. In most situations, it’s a safe place to be. You don’t want to get pinned between vehicles bounced around by the quake. Listen for radio reports. Cooperate with public safety efforts. If electrical wires fall on your auto, stay inside it. The wires could be live and could electrocute you if you step outside. Wait for someone outside to remove the wires. If you must leave your vehicle, move quickly to a safe open area. If you’re disabled: Lock your wheels and protect your head if possible. Follow as much of this section’s previous advice as possible. Be sure your neighbors and co-workers know about any special needs you may have in an emergency. If you’re in a wheelchair, get to a safe spot, then lock your wheels and protect your head. If you can’t move safely and quickly, stay where you are. Cover your head and body with your arms, pillows, blankets, books, etc. to protect yourself from falling objects. If you’re hearing-impaired and your electricity still works, turn on your TV as soon as possible. There will be captioned instructions to watch. Otherwise, have someone give you information as it comes over the radio. Yell for help if you need it. Use a whistle or flashlight to signal others. Get attention in any way possible. While waiting for help to arrive, gather your necessary items in a small bag to prepare for evacuation. –25– What you should do after an earthquake Remain in a safe position until the shaking stops. Then move slowly and carefully. Wear shoes to protect your feet from broken glass. Help people first Account for everyone. Check for trapped or injured people. Don’t move seriously hurt people unless they’re in danger of further injury where they are. Yell for help. To help prevent phone lines from jamming, don’t use the phone unless there’s a life-threatening emergency. Provide first aid if necessary. Check for fires, gas leaks, and other immediate threats Open doors cautiously. Beware of objects that may fall on you. Be alert for aftershocks, which may cause additional damage to weakened structures. Use a flashlight, not a candle or house lights! Use a flashlight, not a candle or house lights, to look for gas leaks or other fire hazards. Turn off the stove and other appliances if they’re on. Don’t use electric switches because sparks can cause a fire or explosion if there’s a gas leak. Extinguish fires if they’re small. Always keep yourself between the fire and an escape route. If you can’t put it out, evacuate. Don’t risk your life needlessly. –26– Shut off your utilities if necessary. If you smell, hear, or even suspect a gas leak, leave the building immediately. Open windows if possible and shut off your gas with a wrench at the meter. Report the leak to the gas company. Stay out of the building until no gas odor remains. If you suspect damage to your electric wiring, shut the power off at your main electric box. Never touch a downed power line. It may electrocute you. Don’t switch your gas or electricity back on until the utility company has checked your home. If you see damaged water pipes or water flowing where it shouldn’t, shut off your water supply at the main valve. Clean up spilled household and industrial chemicals. They can cause toxic fumes, so open windows and doors to ventilate the area. If cleanup is risky, stay away. Look for structural damage and restrict entrance to potentially unstable areas. Check chimneys for cracks and damage from a safe distance. Have a professional inspect your chimney for internal damage before lighting a fire later. Don’t flush toilets until you know the sewage and water lines in your neighborhood are intact. Maintain sanitary conditions Diseases can spread through unsanitary conditions. Personal hygiene helps prevent disease and keeps up morale. If you can’t flush your toilets, empty the bowl and line it with a heavy plastic bag. Or use waste baskets or –27– Don't flush toilets. Line the bowl with a plastic bag when needed. buckets lined with plastic bags. Tie the bag securely when it’s half full. Store used bags in a tightly covered garbage can away from living and food-preparation areas. Add household chlorine bleach, powdered chlorinated lime, or other disinfectant to waste. You also can use a portable toilet, which may be available at camping stores. You should provide a private and ventilated sanitation area away from your home’s main living area. Communicate Leave the phone lines open for emergency use, but eventually try calling your out-of-state phone contact to briefly inform him or her of your status, location, and plans. Your contact can relay your message to other loved ones or friends. If phones are out of service, pay phones may begin operating before personal phones. The media will report locations of emergency phones. Hang up any phones you see off their cradles. This will help restore service more quickly. To prepare for aftershocks, tape your phone receivers to their cradles. Turn on the TV or radio to listen for damage reports and emergency advisories. If your electricity is out, use a portable or car radio. Check on your neighbors, especially elderly or disabled people. If you evacuate, leave a written message at a prearranged location in your home. State your destination and route of travel. Other actions to take Leave roads clear for emergency vehicles. Don’t attempt to drive anywhere because roads may be blocked with obstacles and downed electric wires. Bridges and overpasses may be impassable. Stay away from damaged areas unless the police, –28– fire department, civil defense, or relief organizations request your help. Confine pets. They may become nervous after an earthquake. Restrain them so they don’t get away and hurt themselves or others. Use plywood and plastic sheeting on broken windows and doors. Move your valuable belongings to a secure area. Follow the guidelines on food and water provided on pages 15–19 of this booklet. If you must evacuate your home, take your “emergency kits” of supplies with you. See pages 10–14 for a list of items to bring. –29– How to handle the psychological effects of a quake Fear of the unknown or losing control may cause adverse reactions, which may not surface immediately. People often mask their anxieties while trying to find a place to stay, care for the injured, clean up, and make repairs. After they’ve taken care of those needs, they can experience a letdown and release negative feelings and behaviors. Anxiety reactions may include irrational hysteria, anger, irritability, sadness, fatigue, nightmares, inability to complete simple tasks, loss of appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, or headaches. If anyone you know seems overwhelmed and has trouble coping with the situation, try to calm the person. Encourage the person to speak freely and share feelings. Listen and don’t interrupt. Acknowledge the person’s fears. Be honest. Don’t say everything is OK if it isn’t. Communicate confidence in yourself and concern for the victim. Reassure him or her that someone is in control. Stay with the person. Give the person something to do. Discuss sleeping, eating, and recreation arrangements. Try to return to a normal routine as soon as possible. Anxiety reactions are common in all age groups, but younger children tend to be more susceptible to severe emotional stress from an earthquake. Since children are used to having adults in control, it frightens them to see an adult out of control. It can be more frightening than the earthquake itself. A child’s greatest fear may be the fear of being alone or separated from the family. Therefore, it’s extremely important for the family to remain together after an earthquake. Younger children may cling more to –30– parents and show immature behavior. If any child or adult fails to overcome his or her fears and anxieties after several weeks, it may be necessary to seek help from a mental-health professional. –31– Where to get additional help after a quake You may need information and help with temporary housing, counseling for stress or grief, transportation, referral to special services, or contacting your family and friends. Assistance agencies are listed in the Yellow Pages under “Social Service Organizations.” The American Red Cross sets up emergency shelters that provide food, beds, and other forms of aid. The Salvation Army also provides emergency help including food and clothing. If the state and federal governments declare it a disaster area, the Federal Emergency Management Agency will open disaster application centers in your area. Agency representatives at the centers will help you apply for federal disaster assistance if you have suffered losses. They also can refer you to other resources. Local churches, senior centers, civic groups, and health departments also may offer help. Look up “Social Service Organizations.” –32– Out-of-state contact cards Each family member should carry your contact’s number. Cut these out and complete them. Make copies if you need more. Emergency Out-of-State Contact Contact’s name Phone number Cardholder’s name Phone number Cardholder’s address Medical conditions Medications Allergies Emergency Out-of-State Contact Contact’s name Phone number Cardholder’s name Phone number Cardholder’s address Medical conditions Medications Allergies Emergency Out-of-State Contact Contact’s name Phone number Cardholder’s name Phone number Cardholder’s address Medical conditions Medications –33– Allergies 1–8oo–GO–PEMCO (1- 800 -467-3626) pemco.com PEMCO Mutual Insurance Company 3 2 5 E a s t l a ke Av e n u e E a s t S e a t t l e , Wa s h i n g t o n 9 8 1 0 9 This information is provided by PEMCO Mutual Insurance Company. 11290.002 Rev. 07/2010