#Earthquakes: Are you ready?
#TalkNerdyToMeLover's Dusty Cooper
If it’s one thing we nerds do well, it’s be prepared. In college, I would map out my major tests and prepare schedules for studying for those tests before the semester even started. I would prepare for my preparation.
So in light of recent world events, I decided to put my preparation skills to good use and get my earthquake kit in order. I’ve only lived in California for a little less than two years, but being the n-e-r-d that I am, I’ve picked up a fair amount of knowledge of items you should have around in case of a major disaster. And I am also majorly fascinated by apocalypse type events (hence my dorky love of sci-fi books from the ‘60s) and I have a fair amount of survival skills tucked away in this lil noggin of mine.
Since many of us are transplants to Los Angeles, I thought I’d share my knowledge with you so you can start your prep. If you don’t have an earthquake kit, get on it. If you have one, maybe there’s something below that you don’t have and should add to your supplies.
My parents sent me approximately 1,000 emails after the earthquake in Japan regarding earthquake safety and survival in the aftermath. Of all the sites I read, this one was my favorite:
http://www.earthquakecountry.info/roots/contents.html
Straightforward, easy to understand tips and helpful advice for not only preparing an earthquake kit, but also securing things around your home that may be harmful. For example, I had no idea to check my water heater to make sure it was properly secured to the wall. Apparently, water heaters tumbling out of their cabinets is a big source of injury and damage in earthquakes. Luckily, mine is. A properly secured water heater looks like like this:
Other good tips were:
1. Keep a pair of sneakers by your bed in case you have to run out quickly and can’t get to your closet or wherever it is you store your kicks.
2. Include a dust mask, eye-pro (aka safety glasses), and heavy duty trash sacks in your earthquake kit. The trash sacks can be used for ponchos or tarps should you need to build a makeshift shelter against the elements.
3. Have at least one to-go backpack stuffed with a bottle or two of water, a stash of emergency cash, a couple of power bars, and your road atlas. If you’re like me and you’ve been roadtrippin’ since way before the dawn of the age of GPS, take the old road maps out of your car and put them in your to-go pack. Then you have it handy if you need to grab it quick and hit the road.
If the apocalypse does come down 2012 style, the #1 person I’d want around is my dad. He’s like that Man Vs. Wild guy. But since he’s all the way in NY, I try to pick his brain on survival skills all the time. He suggested having a 12-14 foot long rope that is at least an inch in diameter. This will come in handy if you live on the 2nd story and the stairs up to your door have collapsed or are blocked. Then you’re not trapped in an unsafe environment while you wait for the fire department to come rescue you. If you live higher up, obviously make the rope longer. Unless you live on like, the 6th story or up. Then I do not recommend the rope strategy at all.
And of course, you have to stock your earthquake cupboard. The website has tips on what to buy: water, canned goods, manual can opener, batteries, flash lights, portable radio, blankets, socks, sweaters, first aid kit, etc. I got mine started today!
Happy preparing my little nerdlings!