A major earthquake can occur at any time of the day or night. Read this article find out how you can take precautions before a disaster occurs and...
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View Advice and Tips RSS feedA major earthquake can occur at any time of the day or night. Read this article find out how you can take precautions before a disaster occurs and to get survival tips that could save your life and your home the next time an earthquake strikes.
| Year | Deaths |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 231 |
| 2001 | 21,357 |
| 2002 | 1,685 |
| 2003 | 33,819 |
| 2004 | 284,010 |
| 2005 | 82,364 |
| 2006 | 6,605 |
| 2007 | 701 |
Source: USGS National Earthquake Information Center
Earthquakes are as deadly as hurricanes and other natural disasters. Although the quaking does not pose much danger itself, falling objects can be very harmful. In fact, most earthquake injuries and deaths occur as a result of falling objects.
If you live in an earthquake prone area, you should prepare a disaster plan. Your entire family should be aware of the plan and know what to do in any event. Some things to include in your plan include:
It is also advisable to have a 72-hour survival kit packed and ready to go at a moment's notice. Survival kits should include:
Securing items within your home will reduce the likelihood of falling objects. Many items can be bolted to the floor or to the wall. Other items can be held in place with hardware specifically made for this purpose. Examples of things you may want to secure include:
Contrary to popular belief, a doorway is not the safest place to be in the event of an earthquake. Remember, most deaths and injuries are caused by falling objects. If an earthquake hits, you should duck and take cover beneath a secure table or deck. Things to stay away from include windows, bookshelves that have not been secured, and anything that may be unstable.
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