living on the south east coast my whole life, i'm very familiar with hurricane safety, and tornado safety, but that won't do me any good in southern california! i've looked online at earthquake safety, but i want DETAILED answers, like, am i safer on the 1st or 2nd story of my house in and after an earthquake? online so far basically all i've found is to stay inside. to which i have to reply...DUH. can anyone give me or point me to safety tips as to which story of my house i should be on (no basement), and other good information? thanks!
2007-08-16 09:11:51 · 6 answers · asked by crazydaisyodu 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
I agree with Dave. I would like to add some things though-
If you have pets-Don't forget to store food and water for them, and make sure that they have ID collars on at all times. If you haven't already, get them an ID chip.
Place all of your books to the rear of bookshelves- It takes a while to get used to seeing them all pushed back, but they are less likely to fall out.
Anchor your bookshelves to the wall.
Make a plan with your family-If you are apart when an earthquake strikes, make a meeting place that you can both get to. Also, have a person that you can both call (preferably out of town) to leave a message for each other. Sometimes you can't get to your meeting place because of road closures, traffic, etc.
Make sure that you have Emergency Contact info in your wallet, and on your cell phone under ICE.
If you are at home when an EQ strikes, don't panic. Just get to a strong portion of your house, and wait. It's kind of freaky, but it will end.
2007-08-16 17:03:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually if a building doesn't totally collapse it is the first floor that does. As for the uninformed answerer that said building usually do not collapse in a So Cal earthquake has not been here during the '71 Sylmar quake when a whole wing of the veteran hospitable collapsed or the '94 Northridge where numerous first floors of apartment building collapsed and the parking structure at the Northridge fashion Center totally collapsed, not to mention freeways. You need to strap objects to the walls, water heater, tv and other things that if they fell would cause great harm. Make sure all latches on cupboards and storage area are working securely. Know where your gas and water shutoffs are and how to turn them off. Have several working flashlights placed around the house where you know to get them in the dark. Have bottled water stored in a safe place and the usual food for emergencies. If you take medication that is critical for you health have at least 2 weeks always available.
2007-08-16 19:33:31 · answer #2 · answered by DaveSFV 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It usually isn't an issue; earthquakes rarely do serious damage to buildings in California. The 1989 quake in San Francisco knocked some buildings off their foundations, but few actually collapsed. Advice: if near a doorway, stand in it; the doorway is constructed strongly enough to resist collapse. If near a table, consider getting under it. Keep some packaged food and water about the house, as well as flashlights with spare batteries. A first aid kit might be helpful. And that's about it; just enjoy the California weather, and don't worry much about earthquakes.
2007-08-16 16:59:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
During an earthquake, stay on whatever floor where you are when it starts. Any difference in safety between the floors is more than offset by the extreme danger of trying to get from one floor to another. If you try to take the stairs during an earthquake, you may fall down the stairs. If you take an elevator, it may fall or get stuck.
2007-08-16 16:56:54 · answer #4 · answered by StephenWeinstein 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't matter what floor of your house you are in but you should try to be in a strong area like a reinforced doorway. Buildings fall apart in strong EQs. If you are on the first floor the second floor could fall on you. If you are on the 2nd floor you could fall 2 stories. If you are inside stay there. If you are outside stay there. Generally during mild EQs structures won't crumble.
2007-08-16 16:24:09 · answer #5 · answered by Lady Geologist 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't put fragile things in high places. My neighbor had a collection of memorabilia plates, and she had them on a rack around her dining room.
1971 earthquake came, and all the collectible plates ended up as broken shards on the floor.
2007-08-16 19:37:32 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋