Earthquake Preparedness in Your New Apartment

Earthquake preparedness is one of the things that you should do once you moved into a new apartment. Earthquakes can occur anytime no matter where you are and injuries can be prevented by following simple earthquake preparedness instructions. You do not have to be an expert on disaster survival to come out of an earthquake alive.

Survey Your Apartment

Take some time to determine the hazardous areas in your new apartment. Ask your landlord about the state of your apartment’s building foundation or better yet ask if you can examine it yourself. Take note of cracks on the foundation and other signs of existing structural damage. When it comes to your apartment itself, check for cracked walls. Once you are done, locate where the main valve or switch for your water, gas and electricity is and learn how to turn each of the switches off.

Know the Exit

Once you familiarized yourself with the integrity of your apartment building the next thing that you should do is know where the possible exit areas are. Determine the amount of time it would take you to reach each one of the exit areas and memorize the path well enough that you can navigate towards the exit even without lights. Check the state of the exit ladder as well.

Know Where to Take Cover

Identify beforehand the areas of your house where you can safely take cover during an earthquake. Examples of such areas are the bathroom door frames, bathtubs and beneath heavy desks. Stay away from windows and other heavy furniture that can topple and pin you down. Never run out of the streets when an earthquake occurs where you will likely be hit by falling power poles, overpasses and gas lines.

Check for Apartment Hazards

Check your apartment for any heavy objects that could fall during an earthquake. Examples of such are jars, large cabinets, heavy mirrors and others. Place heavy objects at the lowest level of your cabinet and brace the heavy cabinets with wall studs. Do the same as well with heavy mirrors and any other heavy hanging objects.

Prepare an Earthquake Survival Kit

Your earthquake survival kit is the most important determining factor for your survival during an earthquake. Purchase a sturdy backpack with a lot of pockets and fill it with food rations, water rations, medicine supplies, plastic bags, a sleeping bag and a tent, fire making tools such as lighters, waterproof matches as well as a good flashlight with extra batteries. Make sure that your food and water supply can last more than 4 days. Do not pack types of food the easily spoil, instead pack protein bars and Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) which you can purchase at your local outdoor sports supply. If you have a pet, you should also store some food and water for your cat or dog.