The Ground is Shaking! (And it’s not the Marines!)
The recent tragic earthquake in Haiti has many wondering how they would fare in a similar quake. As
the “Big One” still looms on the horizon, we look at ways to prepare for an earthquake.
Safeguard Your Home
In Haiti, whole buildings collapsed. In the U.S., superior building codes make it unlikely that we
would see devastation on that scale. The danger to most buildings is the huge amount of heavy items
kept on walls, shelves, and closets, which can become dangerous projectiles during a quake. Try to
store anything breakable low to the ground, in an enclosed cabinet with a sturdy latch. Do not place
anything heavy or sharp on shelves or walls above beds, sofas, or anywhere else where people are
likely to be during a quake.
Make An Emergency Communication Plan
During a disaster, mobile phone traffic spikes dramatically, which tends to overload networks and
make it very difficult to call. This effect is particularly noticeable on local calls in the affected area.
In other words, after an earthquake, you might be unable to get through to your family members on
their cellphones if they also are in the affected area. Designate an out-of-area family member as an
emergency contact who everyone can check in with. This person can collect status updates and
locational information and share it accordingly. Just make sure every family member has the
emergency contact’s phone number committed to memory. If you are tech-savvy, you might consider
teaching your family to use Skype or similar online services, which tend to be more reliable than
mobile phones during emergencies.
Plan Your Escape
As we have seen in the past, the earthquake is just the first stage of a disaster. Aftershocks, fires,
electrocutions, and looting can make a bad situation even worse. Your best move could be to exit the
region as quickly as is safely possible. Begin by thinking about what room gives you the best chance
to exit your home safely. This will be the place you go to as soon as you know about a quake. Next,
think about what roads are likely to be blocked after a heavy quake and plan an exit route
accordingly. Bridges, overpasses, and roads lined with rocks or trees are all areas to avoid on your
exit route.
{more tips in the next newsletter!}
Jillian, 3d LAR Battalion Family Readiness Officer
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Family Readiness Officer
Jillian King
**** CONTACT INFO ****
Office Phone: 760-830-3167
Cell Phone: 760-401-6139
(after hrs and emergencies only)
Email: Jillian.King@usmc.mil
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