Earthquake Safety

Usually when someone asks me, "What's shakin?", I reply, "my ass". Which is a lie. Everyone who knows me well knows that the only thing on me that does not shake is my rear. I would pay thousands of dollars to have it just shake a little.

I have lived in California for nearly a decade (in San Francisco and now in Los Angeles). In those years, I have managed to be out of town when small earthquakes hit. About 3 years ago, I was sitting at my desk and it moved (slightly). I was delighted, ecstatic in fact, when I knew it was an earthquake. I actually knew it was an earthquake and this was amusing to me. Other people in my office who have been through earthquakes in the past, however, were not as entertained as I.

So, here we sat in our Los Angeles Curvy Girl office on Tuesday, when my chair started shaking. Everything started shaking, including my backside. Then, our photo backdrop system was going crazy and starting to fall down. The building (a HUGE cement building) was shaking like nothing I have ever felt (or want to feel again). About 5 of us were in the warehouse and I was the only one who realized what was happening. I started screaming EARTHQUAKE and I told everyone to run downstairs and get out of the building. I felt that was the safest place to be.

Once we realized the 5.4 earthquake was behind us, I did some research on earthquake safety. Running out of the building during the shaking seems to have been a really bad idea.

According to and earthquake safety page, this is what you should do in case of an earthquake: I found thise information at the following web page: http://seagrant.uaf.edu/features/earthquake/index.html

Do you agree???????

What to do during an earthquake
1. If you are indoors, duck or drop down to the floor. Take cover under a sturdy desk, table or other furniture. Hold on to it and be prepared to move with it. Hold the position until the ground stops shaking and it is safe to move. Stay clear of windows, fireplaces, woodstoves, and heavy furniture or appliances that may fall over. Stay inside to avoid being injured by falling glass or building parts. If you are in a crowded area, take cover where you are. Stay calm and encourage others to do likewise.

2. If you are outside, get into the open, away from buildings and power lines.

3. If you are driving, stop if it is safe, but stay inside your car. Stay away from bridges, overpasses and tunnels. Move your car as far out of the normal traffic pattern as possible. If possible, avoid stopping under trees, light posts, power lines, or signs.

4. If you are in a mountainous area, or near unstable slopes or cliffs, be alert for falling rock and other debris that could be loosened by the earthquake.

5. If you are at the beach, move quickly to higher ground or several hundred yards inland.