Earthquake ABC

Do you know what to do in the event of a major earthquake? There are lots of memories from school, past training exercises, and so on. But, as time has passed, much of that information may have changed. You need the hard facts relative to your safety when it comes to an earthquake. And there are some key DO NOT DO THIS items to remember. These include:

Do not run outside. People are injured or killed by falling debris.
Do not stand against a wall.
Do not stand in a doorway. A swinging door may injure your fingers or other body parts.
Do not use an elevator during an earthquake.
Do not RUN at any time.

The key procedure in the event of an earthquake is to DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON.

The Los Angeles Fire Department offers an Earthquake Preparedness Manual. Download it Now.

There are a number of check lists to follow relative to an earthquake:

If you are inside:

Get under a desk and hold on. Drop, Cover, and Hold On. The reason to hold on is that the desk or table may be moving too. You don't want it to move away from you, exposing you to injury.
Please stay away from anything that can hit you. You should stay clear of windows, mirrors, hanging objects, tall furniture, large appliances, bookcases and cabinets where heavy objects are stored.
Keep an old pair of shoes near your bed and put them on prior to moving through your home after an earthquake. There may be broken glass or other sharp objects that could cause injury.
Keep a working flashlight in an easily accessible location near your bed in the event of a loss of power. Check the batteries every six months, or more often. Do not move about in the dark.
If you are in a high-rise building, avoid glass walls, windows and large movable panels; protect your head with your arms and watch out for falling ceiling tiles.

If you are outside:

Two choices: move to a clear area away from trees, electrical lines, power of any kind, large signs or anything that may topple over OR if you are close to the edge of a building, GET INSIDE, as this will be a safer place for you. Buildings do not typically pancake, so even if the exterior is falling apart, you should be able to find a safe place to DROP and HOLD ON. The purpose of DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON is to both protect you from falling debris, while also putting you in the best position to be in a "survivable VOID SPACE."

If you are in a MALL, do NOT run. Get under a bench, or move to an open area. Keep your eyes open and watch what is taking place, to avoid falling objects.
If you are in a theater, DROP between the seats and cover your head to protect you from anything that may be falling.
If you are driving a vehicle, pull to the side of the road or freeway and get out from under overpass, power lines or other hazards that could collapse or fall on your vehicle. NOTE: Do NOT get out of your vehicle during an earthquake.

Once the ground stops shaking:

Check yourself first. Are you injured? Are you okay?
Do NOT dial 9-1-1 to report the earthquake. It will be obvious there has been an earthquake.
DO DIAL 9-1-1 if someone is seriously injured, or if there is a significant fire or other emergency. Be prepared to tell the emergency operator exactly where you are (the street, intersection or cross, significant landmark, etc.). Be calm and take any direction provided to you.
Do not use your cell phone to make local calls. It is important to have an out of town relative that everyone can check in with following an earthquake. If you cannot use the phone, try to text or use Twitter. Be patient and recognize that major services may be unavailable for some time.
If you have earthquake evacuation or survival kits, check them to make certain you have access to them.
Follow your family emergency escape or disaster plan.

There are a number of important resources that are available to you as well. Please make certain you have these available. And remember, you can always visit MySafe:LA for important information regarding earthquakes or any emergency.

Triangle of Life:

For a number of years, an independent individual who has claimed to be an international disaster expert has promoted a "theory" on Earthquake Survival, called the "Triangle of Life." The Triangle of Life story is based on the idea that you will want to find yourself in a Survivable VOID SPACE following an earthquake. Unfortunately for the author and thousands of people who have believed his stories, the Triangle of Life is VOID of SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE, and makes incorrect assumptions, including:

Buildings always collapse and crush all furniture inside;
Residents can always anticipate how their building might collapse and anticipate the location of survivable void spaces;
During strong shaking people can move to a desired location.

Experts agree that in the rare case that a building collapses, residents inside will not be able to anticipate the location of void spaces nor move to them during the strong shaking before the collapse. Some other recommendations in the "triangle of life" myth are based on wrong assumptions and will be hazardous to anyone who follows the provided advice. For example, the recommendation to get out of your vehicle during an earthquake and lay down next to it assumes that there is always an elevated freeway above you that will fall and crush your car. There are few elevated freeways, and laying next to your vehicle is very dangerous because the vehicle may move and crush you.