EARTHQUAKES

Earthquakes are caused by underground volcanic forces or by breaking and shifting of rock beneath the earths surface. This causes ground shaking that affects, peole and buildings. Although considerable progress has been made toward developing the science of earthquake prediction, techniques for making precise predictions of earthquakes do not yet exist. Therefore, family preparedness before an earthquake, knowing what do do when an earthquake strikes, and planning what to you will do after an earthquake will contribute to saving lives, reducing injuries, and minimizing damage.

The actual earth movement of an earthquake, disconcerting as it is, seldom is a direct cause of injury or death. The earth movement, however, can cause buildings and other structures to shake and collapse. Most casualties result form building damage and falling objects and debris, slintering glass and fires.

BEFORE AN EARTHQUAKE

Conduct a review of possible structural or non-structural hazards in your home and undertake actions to lessen injuries and damage.

Store water and non-perishable food ahead of time and in a safe place.

Be sure to have flashlights and extra batteries stored and easily accessible.

Establish evacuation and communication plans for your family at home, school, or work when an earthquake strikes.

Establish an emergency contact person outside your state as a means of being able to reunite with your family.

Become familiar with those persons in your immediate neighborhood who may have special needs, are physically challenged, have hearing or vision impairments so that you may notify them of impending distaster or offer assitance in the aftermath.

DURING AN EARTHQUAKE

Keep calm. Don't run or panic. If you take proper precautions, the chances of you being injured may be reduced.

Stay hwere you are. If outdoors, stay outdoors and move away from buildings and utitlity wires. If indoors, stay indoors and seek cover. Most injuries occur as people are enetering or leaving buildings.

If the earthquake occures when you are indoors, take cover under a sturdy desk, table, bench, or against inside walls or dorrways. Stay away from glass, windows, and outside doors.

DO NOT use candles, matches, or other open flames either during or after a tremor. Use flashlights. Douse all fires.

Don't run through or near buildings. The greates danger fro falling debris is just outside doorways and close to outer walls.

If you are in a moving vehicle, stop as quickly as safety permits, but stay in the vehicle. A vehicle may jiggle on it's springs during an earthquake, but it is a good place to stay until the shaking stops. When you drive, wathc for hazards created by the earthquake, such as fallen or failing objects, downed electric or telephone wires, or broken or undermined railways.

AFTER AN EARTHQAUKE

Check for injuries. Do not attemp to move seriously injured people unless they are in immediate danger of future injury.

Check utility lines and appliances for damage. If electric wiring is shortening out, shut off the current at the main meter.

If water pipes are damaged shut off the supply at the main valve. Emergency water may be obtained from such sources as hot water heaters, toilet tanks, and metled ice cubes. However, storing emergency supplies of water beforehand is suggested.

Check to see that sewage lines are intact before permitting continued flushing of toilets.

Check chimneys for cracks and damage. Unnoticed damage could lead to a fire. The initial check should be made form a distance. Approach chimneys with great caution.

Stay out of severly damaged buildings. Aftershocks can shake buildings down and casue death and injury.

Do not spread rumors. They often do great harm following disasters. Stay off the telephone, except to report and emergency. Turn on your radio or television to get the latest emergency information.

Don't go sightseeing. Respond to requests for assitance form police, fire fighting, relief organizations, but do not go into damaged areas unless your assitance has been requested. Cooperate fully with authorities.

Be prepared for additonal earthquake aftershocks.

Earthquakes pose a special threat to those who live downstream of dams. A severe tremor could result in dam collapse and flooding.

Assist your neighbor in need if you can do so without jepordizing your own safety.