Make Your Home Earthquake Ready
Last April 22, 2019, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake hit Luzon, Philippines, and while its epicenter was in Castillejos, Zambales, the tremors could be felt from nearly all over Luzon – in fact, in some places more than others. Buildings collapsed, walls developed cracks as thin as a hairline fracture or as gaping as a deep wound, people were injured and some were even killed. Earthquakes truly are devastating, and as much as modern science has made leaps and bounds when it comes to the detecting the magnitude and exact location of earthquakes, we still haven’t quite figured out how to predict the coming of an earthquake – and most importantly, the prevention of one.
Our only hope of surviving such a natural disaster is by being prepared and level-headed in times of crises, and it is much easier to do so when our homes are built and equipped to withstand these earthquakes. In fact, experts have said that, in an earthquake, it is not the tremor that kills us – it is the panic and the unpreparedness that does.
With that, here are a few ways on how to make your home earthquake ready, as to ensure you and your family’s survival and safety should an earthquake happen again:
Keep large and heavy objects stored on lower shelves or compartments so that, if they do end up falling on or near you, the impact is not as strong and the damage to your body will not be as severe.
Fasten tall furniture - such as closets or bookshelves – to the walls.
Store your glassware in low cabinets or shelves and fasten latches on locks on the doors to prevent them from falling.
If you must hang heavy items such as picture frames, mirrors, or chandeliers, situate them in an area that is away from anywhere members of your household sit. Be sure to anchor these heavy items to the wall or ceiling as well to lessen the chances of them falling.
Keep a go-bag by the front door or near your home’s exits. Assign a member of the household to take it with them in case of an evacuation. Your emergency go-bag must include:
• A gallon of water
• Non-perishable food – i.e. canned goods, dry goods, and dehydrated food
• Radio
• Flashlight
• Basic first aid kit
• Extra batteries
• Whistle
• A powerbank and/or charger
• Basic toolkit
• Garbage bags or plastic ties
• Toiletries – i.e. tissues, wet wipes, and rubbing alcohol
• An extra change of clothes and underwear • An emergency blanket
• A list of emergency hotlines and every member of the household’s contact numbers
• A copy of every member of the household’s IDs and important documents – i.e. birth certificates, driver’s licenses, and passports