When Mother Nature Shakes

When Mother Nature starts to shake, be prepared for safety’s sake! Don’t wish you had, in hindsight.

This slogan, which underscores a current earthquake preparedness campaign for children built around the friendly pronouncements of Hanna-Barbera’s Yogi Bear, is equally applicable to adults.

Youngsters are being taught to ask questions of teachers and parents about what to do during an earthquake and how to make plans together and follow through.

Adults can also be less vulnerable, if prepared.

Here are some safety tips from the Los Angeles city Building and Safety Department, directly related to the home.

During a quake, keep calm. After a quake, stay calm and check safety items, such as gas leaks, arcing wires, spilled flammables, broken glass.

If you smell gas or suspect a gas leak, turn off the gas. Do not handle any flame producing devices until the gas is off and do not touch fallen wires around your property; they may be alive and dangerous.

Before an earthquake occurs, learn where the gas, water and electric shutoffs are and how to use them.

Become acquainted with the gas line shutoff, normally located in the line coming out of the ground before it enters the gas meter. When the valve is across the pipe, the gas if off; have a wrench stored in a specific location where it is immediately available.

The water shut-off valve is where the water pipe enters the building. Label the water main for easy identification.

To turn off the electric power, locate the main power source and put it in the off position. If in doubt, turn all circuit breakers to off or, if you have a fuse box, pull out the cartridge fuses.

Remember that food and water are all about you. Water is in the pools, heaters, toilet tanks and in the melting ice cubes in your freezer. Plan to use the food in your freezer before it spoils.

Also, have some basic things on hand: a portable radio and flashlight with extra batteries that should be stored in the refrigerator so they last longer; a first-aid kit, canned or powdered foods, canned fuel to cook with, bottled water and a bottle of chlorine bleach to disinfect water.

As Yogi would say: Mother Nature kinda likes to stretch her skin once in a while. So, like a good scout, always be prepared.