BCAA

Winter 2013

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prep talk Game Plan Build That Kit How to get earthquake ready at home, work or play by Steve Burgess Mom always told me good manners were important. "You'll thank me one day when you're sitting down to dinner with the Prince of Wales," she'd say. Earthquake preparedness is like that. Lots of warnings to be ready for a situation you've never experienced – and that's very hard to imagine. But if you live on the West Coast, leak and need to turn off the supply (know in advance where and how to shut off all your utilities in case you need to). If you're inside, the best plan is to "drop, cover and hold on!" Identify your safety point ahead of time – ideally a heavy table or desk you can shelter under. Move away from windows and doors, and don't run outside until the shaking stops to avoid falling debris, trees and hydro and telephone poles. On the road the chances of being caught in a major earthquake are far greater than the chances of dining with a prince. So aside from putting together an earthquake kit (see sidebar), how else can you prepare? Jerry Thompson, author of Cascadia's Fault (Counterpoint Press) recommends making a plan for your family, for the three places you are most likely to be – at home, work and play. Establishing a designated meeting place and an out-of-area contact person could save you time and worry searching for one another in the aftermath. Text messages may prove to be the best emergency communication option, says Doug Araki of WPS Disaster Management Systems. "Networks will be stressed and overloaded and SMS can sustain more traffic than cellular." At home In case the shaking starts when you're at home, Serge Corbeil of the Insurance Bureau of Canada advises you to "keep a good pair of shoes near your bed." A debris-strewn floor will not be barefoot friendly. Also have a wrench on hand in case you detect a gas 20 W e s t w o r l d p20-21_Prep_Talk SPLIT.indd 20 >> winter 2013 What if you're out and about when an earthquake strikes? For starters, stash a small emergency kit in your car. "Keep your gas tank at least one-quarter full at all times," Corbeil also advises. "No one knows how long it might be before gas stations are operational again." The same holds true for money, he adds. "Whether in your car, at home or at play, always have some cash on you. ATMs may be out of order or inaccessible." If you are in your car, notes Corbeil: "Pull over in a clear space. Try to avoid being underneath bridges and overpasses, or near tall structures that might be shedding glass and material." We're often told that an earthquake kit is essential. But what should be in it? According to Serge Corbeil of the Insurance Bureau of Canada, the basics include: a flashlight, batteries, battery-powered radio (or even a crank model), water, non-perishable food, firstaid kit, any essential medications, toiletry items and a tarp — "We're in a pretty wet area here." You'll also want a manual can opener, assuming some of that non-perishable food is the canned variety. Freeze-dried food is available from most camping supply stores. Peanut butter keeps for a long time, making it another good option. A more elaborate kit will include a camping stove, which would then allow you to include rice, dried pasta, flour or cornmeal in your store of supplies. Solar-powered stoves can save you the trouble of storing fuel, although any gadget that depends on sunlight may prove less than reliable in B.C. If your desire to be cutting edge is unshaken by the Big One, you might even try the new BioLite stove, which burns wood and can charge electronic devices using a USB cord (biolitestove.com). Keep in mind that your kit should be customized for your family's specific needs, so remember to pack items like essential medications, diapers and pet food if warranted. In the workplace Araki points out that business owners have two separate responsibilities in the event of an earthquake. First and most important is ensuring the survival of employees, and next is protecting the health of the business itself. "You have to manage the people who are there, and try to establish communication with families," Araki says. Businesses, like families, need to develop and rehearse an emergency plan. Employees should be encouraged to keep a few emergency supplies in the workplace, such as sturdy shoes, warm clothing and foods like dried fruit and nuts. Although standard advice has been to keep a 72-hour store of food and water, recent seismic catastrophes in Japan, Chile and New Zealand have shown that services may be interrupted for even longer. A week's worth (or more) of supplies is a safer bet. Be sure to store your kit in a secure place where you can access it easily, preferably from outside. • ℹ Learn more on how to prepare yourself and your home for an earthquake at bcaa.com/earthquake Earthquake Country Alliance, Getty Images 13-11-07 9:06 AM

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