Are You Prepped for a Shaky Quakey?

Earthquakes can happen without warning. Are you ready? In this episode, we share practical tips for preparing yourself, your family, and your home for seismic events. Learn how to stay safe, protect what matters most, and travel with confidence even in earthquake-prone areas. Before the next earthquake, get together with your family or housemates to plan now what you will do before, during, and after. Once the earthquake is over, we will have to live with the risk of fire, the potential lack of utilities and basic services, and the certainty of aftershocks. By planning now, you will be ready. This plan will also be useful for other emergencies. The FEMA websitehttps://www.ready.gov/ provides additional  checklists for everything from cybersecurity to chemical emergencies to bioterrorismIn almost every potential disaster they list, they instruct us to:* Build an Emergency Supply Kit. ( including digital versions of all your important documents ) * Make a Family Emergency Plan.So make sure each family member has an emergency supply go bag that is easy to get to and easy to grab at home, car, and work- and that all members know the plan, you will be equipped for most anything that comes your way. Inspect your home for possible hazards, including the following:* Are walls securely bolted to the foundation?* Are wall studs attached to the roof rafters with metal hurricane clips, not nails?* Fix any potential weaknesses in your building* Do you know where and how to shut off utilities at the main switches or valves?* Arrange furniture so that chairs and beds are away from windows, mirrors, and picture frames.* Place heavy or large items on lower shelves.*Secure your large appliances, especially your water heater, with flexible cable, braided wire, or metal strapping. Identify top-heavy, free-standing furniture, such as bookcases and china cabinets, that could topple over.* Secure your furniture by using one of two methods.    1. “L” brackets, corner brackets, or aluminum molding, to attach tall or top-heavy furniture to the wall.    2. Eyebolts, to secure items located a short distance from the wall.* Install sliding bolts or childproof latches on all cabinet doors.* Are poisons, solvents, or toxic materials stored safely?* Store all hazardous materials such as poisons and solvents–    * in a sturdy, latched, or locked cabinet    * in a well-ventilated area    * away from emergency food or water suppliesAdditional tips on Preparing your House * Practice “drop, cover, and hold on.”* Keep shoes and a working flashlight next to each bed. * Identify safe spots in every room, such as under sturdy desks and tables.* Learn how to protect yourself no matter where you are when an earthquake strikes.* Get a fire extinguisher for your home. Your local fire department can train you and your family to use it properly.* Teach everyone in your household to use emergency whistles and/or to knock three times repeatedly if trapped. Rescuers are trained to listen for such sounds. (We have whistles in our emergency go bags)* Identify the needs of household members and neighbors with special requirements or situations, such as use of a wheelchair, walking aids, special diets, or medication.* Take a Red Cross first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training course. Learn who else in your neighborhood is trained.* Know the location of utility shutoffs and keep needed tools nearby. Know how to turn off the gas, water, and electricity to your home. Only turn off the gas if you smell or hear leaking gas.* InsWanna hit the road? Get 10% OFF your own roadsurfer adventure!https://link.roadsurfer.com/roamiesCODE: ROAMIES10And it means the world to us when you subscribe, rate and share our podcast.Alexa and RoryThe ROAMiesFollow us at:http://www.TheROAMies.com@The ROAMies: Facebook and Instagram YouTube and X.