Now Is the Time to Prepare

Devastating earthquakes in Turkey, Greece and now Taiwan bring back all too vivid memories for San Fernando Valley veterans of the 1994 Northridge quake. We more than anyone should be ready to reach for our checkbooks to send help to earthquake relief organizations--and to check our own emergency supplies and preparedness.

No, the world is not experiencing an earthquake epidemic. Seismologists assure us that there have been no more tremors than usual this end-of-the-millenium year. It just seems that way because, unluckily, large tremors have struck near densely populated areas.

But the same seismologists also use the word “when,” not “if,” when talking about Southern California earthquakes. So it’s appropriate that large quakes elsewhere serve as a reminder to prepare for the next one here.

According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the most important lesson of the Northridge earthquake was that damage can be limited by preparation.

No, we can’t control or even predict the next quake. But we can take steps to make our homes and workplaces safer, steps that can save lives and reduce financial losses.

Los Angeles has modern and aggressive building codes, which helped keep the death toll relatively low in the Northridge quake. The quake, in turn, prompted more changes and additions to building codes.

But not all earthquake deaths and damage come from collapsing buildings. Anyone can brace water heaters and bookshelves and learn to safely store and display artwork, china and other breakable objects, preventing injuries from flying debris and reducing losses. And anyone can lay in supplies for the aftermath of an earthquake.

Yet emergency preparedness experts say that, even in areas that have suffered a major earthquake, denial sets in and preparations slack off about two years after the last quake. The only way to motivate people to be prepared is to tell them, again and again and again.

So if the Northridge quake prompted you to set aside water and nonperishable food, how long has it been since you replaced your supplies? Do your flashlights have fresh batteries? Do you have survival kits in your car and workplace?

The experts recommend replacing batteries and rotating in fresh supplies every six months. Tying this task to the change in daylight saving time is a handy way to remember to do it. With earthquakes in the news and the switch to standard time at the end of next month, now’s a good time to start making your list.

To Take Action: Much good information on earthquake preparedness can be found on the Web. Try the Los Angeles Fire Department’s Earthquake Preparedness Handbook (www.lafd.org/eqindex/htm), or call the LAFD’s Disaster Preparedness Unit, (818) 756-9674, and ask to be mailed a copy. The Los Angeles Chapter of the American Red Cross will send you a brochure on earthquake preparedness; phone (213) 739-5255 or find the information on the Web (www.redcross.org).

The Red Cross is among the organizations accepting donations for earthquake relief. Write to American Red Cross, International Response Fund, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013, or phone 1-800-HELP-NOW.