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Shelter is critical after an earthquake or other major disaster. We may find ourselves at home, in our cars, at work, at a stadium or shopping mall during a major disaster. Develop a plan that includes possible sheltering options. Begin by securing your home.

• Before an Earthquake
• During an Earthquake
• After an Earthquake

What to do before an earthquake:

• Strap down the water heater.
• Learn to turn off utilities.
• Place safety locks on cabinets.
• Secure furniture that may fall during an earthquake.
• Collect emergency items such as water, food, medications, clothes, tools, pet emergency supplies, etc.
• Establish emergency contact numbers and distribute them to all family members. Select an out-of-state contact, in case local phone lines are damaged.
• Select a rally point in the neighborhood and another outside of the immediate neighborhood.
• Food and water. Learn what safe water is and what unsafe water is. Learn how to make water drinkable.
  http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/earthquakes/food.asp

What to do during an earthquake:

Indoors:

• DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
• Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
• Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
• Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, load bearing doorway.
• Stay inside until shaking stops and it is safe to go outside.
• Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.
• DO NOT use the elevators.

Outdoors:

• Stay there.
• Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
• Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits, and alongside exterior walls. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

In a moving vehicle:

• Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
• Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.

Trapped under debris:

• Do not light a match.
• Do not move about or kick up dust.
• Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
• Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

American Red Cross
Prepare Your Home for Disasters
http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_71_,00.html

Centers for Disease Control
Food and Water Concerns
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/earthquakes/food.asp

City of Los Angeles - Emergency Preparedness Department
http://www.lacity.org/epd/index.htm

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
http://www.cert-la.com/index.shtml

FEMA
What To Do Before an Earthquake http://www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/eq_before.shtm

Los Angeles County Office of Emergency
Management Plan for Emergency Housing
http://lacoa.org/PDF/03-11_Plan-for-Shelter.pdf

Plan for Shelter
http://lacoa.org/PDF/Nov97fcs.pdf

Secure it Now!
http://lacoa.org/PDF/ESP%2006/Feb%2006.pdf

Los Angeles Fire Department - Shelter
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/family/disaster-guide/shelter.htm