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This bulletin is a planning guide for
residents who want to know how to minimize earthquake damage to their homes.
Following the practices and procedures in this manual does not guarantee
individual safety or the ability of a housing structure to endure an earthquake.
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| YOUR BIG STEP |
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Having your hands on this bulletin shows you are interested in surviving
a major earthquake. Please take a moment to look around and think where
the safest place in your building would be. If you were outside, where
would you want to be? If you read no further than this paragraph you have
taken the first big step toward minimizing injury during an earthquake.
Because tremors give no warning, this time will be well spent if you ever
find yourself in the midst of such a disaster. This bulletin provides some
of the basic steps to prepare for an earthquake in your area.
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| GETTING READY |
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EVERY FAMILY NEEDS A SURVIVAL BOX
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 Keep a
durable box on hand containing essential supplies for use during a time
when no public services (roads, power, natural gas, water, telephones,
emergency medical services and police) will be available.
The Red Cross offers excellent classes in first aid and survival skills.
When you prepare, the Red Cross suggests that you plan for a week. Some
good items for the box include:
- First aid kit
- Medicine that your family uses
- Flashlight and portable radio with enough batteries of the correct
size for a complete change.
- Matches and candles
- Duct tape
- Paper towels, toilet paper, and garbage bags
- Canned goods, can opener, and dried foods
- Any food items necessary for someone on a special diet, such as a diabetic
- Bottled or other form of safe drinking water
- Cooking devices such as a camp stove or charcoal burner with plenty
of extra fuel.
Both should be used out of doors.
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KIT MAINTENANCE AND USE
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One problem with having a kit such as this would
be keeping it in a usable condition. You must replace the food and batteries
every year or so. What about snacks for children? Keep matches and candles
dry. Observe expiration dates on over-the-counter medicines and rotate supplies
as needed.
A hall closet is a good place to store "the
box," since most families would take shelter in the hallway during
an earthquake.
Using a stove, matches, and candles can be a problem
in places where a natural gas leak is possible. |
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CHINA CABINET
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| Some large china cabinets sit on a base. During a tremor, the top unit could
slide off the base. Several different types of fasteners are available to
keep these together securely. Remember to separate the units before moving
them. |
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HOT WATER HEATERS
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Most water heaters have sections of flexible tubing to make replacement
easier. Flexible tubing also helps during an earthquake when movement occurs.
Some older installations may not have flexible lines. Consider installing
flexible lines if you replace the water heater. Add strapping material to
help hold the water heater upright. This reduces the chance of a hot water
heater falling over. |
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WATER SHUTOFF VALVE
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This valve often is located in the basement of the house or in a first
floor closet. You should know where to find the shutoff valve in case a
water leak occurs. It may be a good idea to determine if water is leaking
from the hot or cold water line. If the hot water line is leaking, turn
off only the hot water. The hot water valve usually is located above the
water heater. If you can stop the hot water this way, water to toilets and
sinks will still be available.
The valve may be difficult to turn off, so use a towel over the valve
or wear a glove.
In some cases, you may have to run a screwdriver through the handle spokes
to start the valve stem turning down to its seat. |
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ELECTRICAL DISCONNECT
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Know where the main electrical power circuit breaker or fuse box is located
for the house. Keep the area clear in front of this electrical panel. |
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NATURAL GAS SHUTOFF
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The main shutoff valve for natural gas is always located outside near
the gas meter. Keep a wrench handy in the garage or garden shed, to turn
off the natural gas in an emergency.
The utility company must turn the gas back on for you, when it is safe
to do so. At that time, an inspector also will check the system. If your
house is severely damaged, you might find the valve locked in the off position.
This is done to protect you, your house, and possibly your neighbor's house
from a serious fire or explosion. |
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FOUNDATION ANCHORS
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It is very important that the house does not slip off the foundation
during an earthquake. During new construction, builders anchor the wood
framing through the sill plate of the wall to the foundation. Your city's
building code covers this. If the bolts are installed into the foundation
but the nuts are not placed on them, the wall may rise over the bolts and
come off the foundation if the house pitches during an earthquake.
Sometimes a child will find a wrench exciting and remove the nuts from
the anchor bolts in an unlined garage. Check the anchor bolts occasionally,
and replace the nuts if necessary. To discourage removal after replacing
the nut, beat the end of the bolt with a hammer. Blunting the end of the
bolt will make it more difficult to remove the threaded nut. |
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HOUSES WITHOUT FOUNDATIONS
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Older houses may not be anchored to the foundations. In fact, some may
not even have foundations. This may be one of the things to check, particularly
if some extensive remodeling is to be done.
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OLD BRICK HOUSES
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Older brick houses may experience extensive damage during a tremor because
no structural reinforcement exists within the walls. If the house shakes
violently, the walls will turn into a pile of rubble. Technology is available
to reduce the chance of this happening. Communities wanting to preserve
their beautiful brick homes can talk to a local civil engineer about adding
support to these older masonry structures.
Earthquakes are a primary cause for homelessness around the world. Earthquakes
cause extensive damage to cities that may take years to rebuild. |
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MOBILE HOMES
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Mobile homes have some unique characteristics that can cause problems
for owners in earthquake areas. Since most of the services attached to the
mobile home are flexible, the home can move. Anchor your mobile home to
keep it from moving off its blocking and piers. Check with your local mobile
home supplier for the proper anchors. They may offer some protection.
It is a good idea to leave the tires and wheels on a mobile home. This
way, if the home shakes off its piers, it will drop less than it would if
the wheels were removed. Less damage might occur, and it will be easier
to lift the mobile home back on its piers. |
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WOOD STOVES
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Unfortunately, during a violent earthquake, wood stoves may move and
tip over. There is no history of problems encountered when a wood stove
moves about. We can only suggest that you anchor a wood stove at the base
and attach each section of the pipe exiting from the stove, using metal
screws at the joints. Most stoves need clearance from the wall to meet fire
code requirements. This means that you cannot band the stove to the wall,
as you could a hot water heater.
It is a good idea to have two fire extinguishers in the house. One fire
extinguisher may not completely put out the fire in a wood stove. Your local
fire department can answer questions as to the correct type of fire extinguisher
to have in your home. |
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SMOKE DETECTORS
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All dwelling units (houses, apartments, dorm rooms, motels) in the United
States should have smoke detectors. For approximately $10.00, you can purchase
a battery operated unit that will get the job done. Check the batteries
regularly to see that they are working properly.
Some detectors are wired into the house. However, if the house shakes
violently, you cannot see if wiring in the framework of the building has
been damaged. Many unforeseen things can happen to a battered house. The
circuit breakers should provide protection.
A smoke detector works day and night to monitor the situation and will
give considerable peace of mind when you are asleep. The unit is more reliable
than a person standing fire guard. If placed near the kitchen it may not
be able to tell the difference between smoke from hamburgers or a fire,
but the alarm can give a warning that might prevent loss of an entire house. |
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KITCHEN CABINETS
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 Do
not store things on top of wall cabinets that could fall on people during
an earthquake.
Consider adding latches to secure doors. Also, place heavy items on
bottom shelves. Attach tall furniture to the wall with fasteners, which
can be found in building supply or hardware stores.
If you choose to keep items on the top of cabinets, consider the following
options:
- Make a notched board that will both wedge china items so they cannot
move yet not be visible from elsewhere in the room.
- Use plate hangers to mount dishes on the wall. These units can be modified
to keep plates from rolling off the top of the cabinet.
- Install a rail to prevent collectibles from rolling off the top of
the wall cabinets. You could easily incorporate the rail into the design
of the kitchen.
Nothing is certain in this planning, because an earthquake tremor may
be so great that it will take entire houses, as happened in the l960 Alaskan
earthquake.
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CONTACT PERSON
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Designate a contact person in another location where all family members
can "report in." This can save considerable amounts of anxiety.
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EARTHQUAKE DETECTION IN CHINA
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For a long time people in China have thought that animals could sense
an imminent earthquake. Some people in the United States also think this
is true. Studies are underway in China to determine if animals can warn
that an earthquake is about to happen. Results occasionally show up in
the popular press.
Whether or not they can sense an earthquake coming, animals do have
a natural ability to look out for themselves during a tremor. Pet owners
should not take time to pick up their pets during an earthquake, but protect
themselves quickly. Animals confined in cages, pens, or stalls need assistance.
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| DURING THE QUAKE |
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The Federal Energy Management Agency (FEMA) says that most people are
injured while hurrying to get in or out of a building. A serious earthquake
scatters debris and broken glass, so move about only with shoes on. Injuries
and deaths occur when people are hit by falling glass and construction
material. In San Francisco, decorative cement overhangs on buildings fell.
In southeastern Idaho, the wall of a building and power lines fell on people,
causing injuries and deaths. The forces involved can toss debris some distance
from a building.
The single-story, wood-framed house that meets building codes is probably
the safest type of structure because wood structural members absorb shock
and yield. In essence, the wood house acts as a shock absorber, while a
brick or other type of structure will not.
No matter what form of structure you are in, all sources of information
say to crawl under something substantial, such as a heavy table or desk;
go to the center hallway of your house, or stand in one of the interior
doorways. Because the door may start swinging, stand opposite the side
with the hinges. Watch closely so that your hands or feet are not caught
in the door. When outside, remember to stay clear of buildings and power
lines to prevent being hit.
If you care for school-age children, ask them to demonstrate what to
do during an earthquake. They might be able to show you something you did
not know. People in high-rise buildings should move away from windows and
outside walls. Avoid using elevators, as you would in the case of fire.
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AUTOMOBILES
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 During
an earthquake, your car is one of the very best places to be; provided
you're not on a bridge, under a bridge, or near tall structures or power
lines that could fall on the car.
Relax, pull over to the side away from obstacles, keep your seat belt
fastened and listen for news updates on a local radio station. Because
of the car's movement, you may not notice the quake unless the road heaves
or cracks in front of you.
When the quake appears to be over, drive with caution, particularly
if you need to cross over or under bridges. The highway department will
soon be on its way to check them. In the mountains, downed trees and avalanches
may present hazards to driving.
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| AFTERSHOCKS AND SENSIBLE CHOICES |
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When the noise and shaking stop, assess the damage by looking around.
Knowing you have been preparing for this earthquake should ease your mind.
If you are home at the time of the quake, and depending on its severity
consider these options:
l) If the house has been
damaged or is burning, decide quickly if you have time and access to turn
off the power, natural gas and water before you leave.
2) If the house or apartment
looks safe, you may have only books, cupboard contents, pictures, and china
on the floor. After the moving and shaking stop, stand quietly and listen
for any unusual sounds. Check the refrigerator for items that may have
toppled out or spilled. Press the door closed in case the tremor has jarred
it enough to open the door seal.
3) Check areas where you
store garden products or cleaning supplies with caution, in case any of
the containers have shattered or spilled. Vinegar and ammonia can cause
caustic fumes if they mix with other cleansers.
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LOOTING
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 No one
wants to think about looting when a disaster strikes. During the last earthquake
in the Oakland-San Francisco Bay Area, little looting occurred. When public
service agencies are pressed to the limit, you may want to establish some
sort of neighborhood watch program with people who live nearby.
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HOW ARE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY?
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Never take it for granted that everyone in your family is okay. One family
member or a pet may be caught somewhere in the structure and may need help.
Seek them out.
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HOW IS YOUR LIVING AREA?
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After the shock, you may need only to straighten a few pictures. However,
the quake may force you to start making some real changes in your lifestyle.
For example, an old brick structure may be on the brink of collapse, a
newer wood-framed structure may have slipped off its foundation, or windows
could be broken.
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DO YOU SMELL NATURAL GAS?
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 Our natural
gas supplier recommends that if there is a faint smell of gas, it is best
to keep the gas service on in the house, making it easier to find a leak.
If the odor is strong, shut off service. Once you have shut off the service,
your natural gas supplier is the only one who can turn it back on.
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DO YOU SMELL BURNING WIRES?
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 When a house pitches and shakes in a serious earthquake,
wires can be ripped from receptacle boxes or break inside the wall. Chandeliers
can fall during the quake. These are all reasons to stay in the house after
a quake. Decide whether or not to turn the power off at the main circuit
breaker. This is a hard choice, because turning off the electric power
may turn off the heat and hot water supply.
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ARE THERE ANY CRACKED WINDOWS?
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If the quake has cracked some windows, tape the cracks with duct tape and
leave the glass in place. You may need the glass to keep warm. If you take
your window to the repair shop, it might be the 10,000th window in for
repairs and the shop could be out of glass. When you have assured yourself
that the inside of the house looks safe, then check the outside, observing
all of the precautions we have mentioned.
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CONDEMNATION
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In a major earthquake, many buildings will be damaged. In this situation
inspectors may declare the house you live in uninhabitable and ask you
to leave. It will take time to get someone from the building department
or their agent to ensure that the building is safe to live in. In the worst
case situation, the house might have to be torn down. No one knows in advance
how destructive an earthquake can be.
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| FURTHER READINGS: |
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Publications from Federal Emergency Management Agency:
- Safety Tips for Earthquakes. July 1983.
- A Blueprint for Earthquake Survival, Poster #6. September 1984.
- Earthquake Preparedness Information for People with Disabilities. May
1985.
- Preparedness in High-Rise Buildings. June 1985.
- Preparedness for People with Disabilities. June 1985.
- Guidelines for Local Small Businesses in Meeting the Earthquake Threat.
September 1985.
- Earthquake Safety Checklist. October l985.
- An Action Plan for Reducing Earthquake Hazards of Existing Buildings.
December 1985.
- Coping with Children's Reactions to Earthquakes and Other Disasters.
July 1986.
- Preparedness in Apartments and Mobile Homes. September 1986.
- Family Earthquake Safety Home Hazard Hunt and Drill. September 1986.
Publications from University of Missouri-Columbia Extension Division:
- Selecting and Using a Fire Extinguisher. February 1987.
- Residential Fire Detection. February 1987.
- Is Your Family Prepared for an Earthquake? October 1990.
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| By Sally R.
McDole, M.S., former Washington State University Cooperative Extension agent
and county chair, Jefferson County; and William B. Symons, Ph.D., WSU Cooperative
Extension Safety Specialist, Pullman. |
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 College
of Agriculture and Home Economics
Washington State University Cooperative Extension bulletins
contain material written and produced for public distribution. You may
reprint written material, provided you do not use it to endorse a commercial
product. Please reference by title and credit Washington State University
Cooperative Extension.
Issued by Washington State University Cooperative Extension
and the U.S. Department of Agriculture in furtherance of the Acts of May
8 and June 30, 1914. Cooperative Extension programs and policies are consistent
with federal and state laws and regulations on nondiscrimination regarding
race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, and sexual
orientation. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local
Cooperative Extension office. Trade names have been used to simplify information;
no endorsement is intended. Published September 1995. Subject code 370.
A. EB1728
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