WHEN THE EARTH SHAKES THINGS UP: TIPS TO PREPARE BEFORE & AFTER

Those earthquakes over the holiday weekend rattled all of us, and for a good reason. Experts warn us about the foreshocks and the aftershocks, but it’s also important to discuss how we can stay prepared for the next earthquake.

WAYS TO PREPARE BEFORE THE NEXT EARTHQUAKE

Make a Family Plan to Drop, Cover, then Hold On

The plan doesn’t have to be complicated, and yet so many of us don’t have one. Simply discuss where you might be during an earthquake and where you should go when the next one strikes. If you might be at work, let your family know where you are told to go in case they try to call you and you can’t pick up or don’t get cell service. Decide where everyone should take cover at home, depending on which room you’re in. Have these conversations with your little ones too and with out-of-state family and friends, so they also know you’re safe or need help.

1. Drop to your hands and knees. 
2. Cover your head and neck with your arms. 
3. Crawl only as far as needed to reach cover from falling materials. 
4. Hold on to any sturdy furniture until the shaking stops.

ready.Gov also recommends:

If in bed, stay there and cover your head and neck with a pillow. If inside, stay there until the shaking stops. DO NOT run outside. If in a vehicle, stop in a clear area that is away from buildings, trees, overpasses, underpasses, or utility wires. If you are in a high-rise building, expect fire alarms and sprinklers to go off. Do not use elevators. If near slopes, cliffs, or mountains, be alert for falling rocks and landslides. 

 

Take Inventory of Your Heavy Items at Home

Our televisions are getting bigger and bigger and therefore should be secured in case of an earthquake. A heavy TV, armoire, bookshelf, large art piece, or bookcase can be fatal if they fall on someone, especially a small child. You might also want to place your breakable items closer to the floor, perhaps on a lower shelf.

Discuss Earthquake Insurance or Structural Retrofitting

 

“21 percent of homeowners in Los Angeles and Orange County carry it (earthquake insurance). In Riverside, it’s nine percent; and in San Bernardino, eight.” —CBS SoCal news.

Crummack Huseby Property Management does not sell insurance, and we respect that every Home Owners Association (HOA) needs to make that decision for their community. We do encourage all communities and homeowners to educate themselves on what your current insurance covers and doesn’t cover. More importantly, your HOA can also discuss the structural retrofitting of your shared buildings and the best way to bring them up to the safest standard.

 

Make an Earthquake Kit for Your Home and Car

A good measurement of having enough water is doubling the amount per person to last three days. If your family goes through a case of water bottles, get two cases. Store enough canned food, non-refrigerated snacks, and your pet’s food for at least three days as well, and don’t forget everyone’s medication. If you have room, toss in a towel or small blanket. Have readily available a flashlight, a fire extinguisher, and a whistle. The whistle helps first responders find you if you’re under rubble or in a building with collapsed ceilings/walls. Place all of these items in a box that can be within reach. Some of our team members even create a kit for their car in case they’re on the road during an earthquake. And ALWAYS have extra batteries and charging devices for phones and other critical equipment.

Supplies checklist (PDF)  

Host a Community Earthquake Kit Workshop

Getting all the items we mentioned above can be overwhelming for some, but we’ve learned that doing things as a community helps to motivate people. Create a flyer or post on your community board or facebook page to see who is interested. You might even get a better price for these items when purchasing in bulk, and you can hear how others prepare for our California ‘quakes.

 

BE READY FOR THE AFTERSHOCK

It May Not Happen Right Away

The aftershock can feel just as horrible as the actual earthquake, and we may not get the aftershock until days later. 

Check for Injuries

Check yourself for injury and provide assistance to others if you have training. Should you or someone near you have injuries, call 9-1-1 for assistance.

What if a Building is Damaged?

Under no circumstances should you enter a damaged building. If you are already in a damaged building, go outside and quickly move away from the building. 

What if You’re Trapped Inside a Building?

If you are stuck inside a damaged building or are trapped, protect your mouth from any dust or possible fumes by holding your sleeve or a scarf over your mouth. Attempt to send a text, bang on a pipe or wall, or use a whistle instead of shouting so that rescuers can locate you. A whistle is the easiest accessory that responders can hear. Keep one on your keychain.

Monitor Your Local News

Once safe, monitor local news reports via battery-operated radio, TV, social media, and cell phone text alerts for emergency information and instructions.

Living in beautiful and sunny Southern California has so many advantages, and preparing for earthquakes is another part of living here. Please stay safe and enjoy the rest of your summer.

The Crummack Huseby Management Team

 

Sources:

Special Thanks to Prendiville Agency www.PrendivilleAgency.com​
http://www.ocgov.com/about/emergency/preparation/earthquake
https://www.ready.gov/earthquakes
https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2019/07/06/homeowners-earthquake-insurance/
https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article232368637.html

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ABOUT CRUMMACK HUSEBY PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC.

Orange County, California, based Crummack Huseby Property Management, Inc., manages many diverse HOA’s and master planned communities in Southern California. They have added value to communities by working with HOAs, homebuilders, and land developers through their collaborative and customized approach. Crummack Huseby’s personalized philosophy to community management has allowed them to successfully discover and develop one-of-a-kind programs for new and existing communities.  They offer professional business planning, governance, community management, financial only management, planning, and forecasting services for community associations. They also have been recognized as One of the Best Places to Work by the Orange County Business Journal in 2015, 2016 and 2017. Founders Sandy Huseby and Margo Crummack each have more than 30 years of experience in Common Interest Development (CDI) management. Crummack Huseby Property Management obtained an AAMC® Accreditation status which highlights their focus and commitment to deliver total customer satisfaction.  If you would like to learn more about Crummack Huseby Property Management Inc., they look forward to learning about your community and understanding your needs and how they can best support your community. For more information - Start a Conversation, email info@ch-pm.com, or call 949-367-9431.