                  EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS GUIDE

                      A PRACTICAL APPROACH
                          TO INDIVIDUAL
                     EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS

                          Compiled by:
                                
                           John Cairns
                   Certified Safety Technician
                    World Safety Organization

The information contained in this brochure was compiled from many
sources.  Primary among these are the American Red Cross, Pacific
Telephone, General  Telephone, and  Ralphs Markets.   Most of the
credit, therefore,  belongs to  these  fine  organizations.    My
involvement was  to gather information from available sources and
compile it  into a  single document.   I  have added  comments or
details throughout  the brochure  for clarity  or to  expand upon
facts and recommendations.

I have taken many hours and great care in the preparation of this
document.   Although the information contained herein is believed
to be  accurate, it  is subject  to error  and  no  guarantee  is
expressed or implied as to completeness or accuracy.  In no event
shall I  accept any  liability , whether direct or consequential,
for damage  or injuries  resulting  from  implementation  of  the
recommendations presented  in this  guide.   This information  is
presented as  a public  service only.   Special circumstances and
your own  good sense  may  modify  your  individual  approach  to
earthquake preparedness.

I release  this brochure  to the  public domain  in the spirit of
universal brotherhood and friendship.  No fee or royalty is to be
charged for its distribution.


                    THE EARTHQUAKE POTENTIAL

Geologists have  forecast a  50/50 chance  of Southern California
being struck  by a  great earthquake  (8.0 or  greater) along the
southern San  Andreas Fault  within the  next 15  years.  When it
happens, the  impact on  Southern California  will  be  enormous.
Police, fire, utilities and medical services will be overwhelmed.
Cities within  Southern California  Counties that  would normally
help each  other in  a large emergency may be too busy with their
own problems to provide mutual aid.  It may take days or weeks in
many areas  to restore  electricity, gas,  water  or  telephones.
Devastated  roads   will  make   travel  anywhere   difficult  or
impossible.

            -----------------------------------------
                                
                  Disaster planners have warned
                     us to be prepared to be
                    "on our own" for at least
                    the first 72 hours after
                         the earthquake.
                                
                   Much can be done to prepare
                now, before the great earthquake
                   strikes Southern California
                                
            ----------------------------------------

By learning  the potential  hazards of  earthquakes and by taking
certain preparedness  measures NOW, you can survive an earthquake
and minimize its dangerous and damaging impact.

There will  never be  a better  time than  NOW for  you and  your
family to  prepare for  this cataclysmic  event.  PLEASE take the
time to read and understand this brochure.  Follow the directions
for preparing  your three-day survival pack.  Store this brochure
with your survival pack for later reference.

                  EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS GUIDE

THE DANGER

The actual  movement of the ground in an earthquake is seldom the
direct cause  of death  or injury.   Most  casualties result from
falling objects  and debris because the shocks can shake, damage,
or demolish  buildings, bridges,  and other  man-made structures.
Earthquakes can  also trigger  landslides and generate huge ocean
waves called  tsunamis.  Both of these can cause great damage and
loss of life.

Earthquake-related injuries are commonly caused by:
     
     1.   Partial building  collapses, such as toppling chimneys,
     falling  bricks   from  wall   facings  and  roof  parapets,
     collapsing walls,  falling ceiling  plaster, light fixtures,
     and pictures.
     
     2.   Flying or  falling glass  from broken  windows.   (This
     danger may be greater in modern high-rise buildings.)
     
     3.   Overturned bookcases, fixtures, and other furniture and
     appliances.
     
     4.   Fires from  broken chimneys,  broken gas  and  electric
     lines, or  spilled flammable  liquids.   The danger  may  be
     aggravated by the lack of water due to broken water mains.
     
     5.  Fallen Power lines.
     
     6.   Human panic  reactions, such  as crowds  stampeding for
     stairways or exits.


WHAT CAN YOU DO?

     There are  many actions  you can  take to  reduce the danger
     from earthquakes to yourself, your family, and others.

A.  BEFORE AN EARTHQUAKE OCCURS:

     1.  As a homeowner or tenant:

          a.   Check your home for earthquake hazards.  Bolt down
          or provide  other strong  support for water heaters and
          other gas appliances, since fire damage can result from
          broken  gas  lines  and  appliance  connections.    Use
          flexible connections wherever possible.  Place large or
          heavy objects  on the  lower shelves.   Securely fasten
          shelves to  walls.   Brace or  anchor high or top-heavy
          objects.
          
          b.  In new construction or alterations, follow building
          codes  to  minimize  earthquake  hazards.    Sites  for
          construction  should  be  selected  and  engineered  to
          reduce the hazards of damage from an earthquake.

     2.  As a parent or head of family:

          a.   Hold occasional  home earthquake drills to provide
          your family  with the  knowledge to  avoid  injury  and
          panic during an earthquake.
          
          b.   Teach responsible  members of  your family  how to
          turn off electricity, gas, and water at the main switch
          and valves.    If  in  doubt,  check  with  your  local
          utilities offices  for instructions.   CAUTION:   NEVER
          SHUT OFF  THE GAS  unless you suspect a gas leak or can
          smell gas.   If  the gas  is ever  shut off,  all pilot
          lights MUST be re-lit.
          
          c.   Provide for  responsible members of your family to
          receive basic  first aid  and C.P.R.  (cardio-pulminary
          resuscitation) instruction  because medical  facilities
          may be  overloaded  immediately  after  an  earthquake.
          Call Red  Cross Safety  Services for  information about
          classes.
          
          d.   Keep a flashlight and a battery-powered transistor
          radio in  the home,  ready for  use at all times.  Keep
          fresh batteries with these items.
          
          e.    Keep  immunizations  up-to-date  for  all  family
          members.
          
          f.   Conduct calm  family discussions about earthquakes
          and  other   possible  disasters.    Avoid  frightening
          disaster stories, but talk frankly and rationally about
          the possible consequences of catastrophic events.
          
          g.   Maintain a  2-3 day  supply  of  food  and  water.
          However, to  maintain  freshness  it  is  important  to
          rotate this stock periodically.

     B.  DURING AN EARTHQUAKE:

          1.   The most  important thing  you can  do  during  an
          earthquake is  to remain calm.  By doing this, you will
          be in  a better  position to  assess your situation and
          instill confidence  in those around you.  Think through
          the consequences  of any actions you take.  Try to calm
          and reassure others.
          
          2.  If indoors, stay there.  If you happen to be in the
          kitchen, turn  off the  stove  at  the  first  sign  of
          shaking.   Watch for  falling  plaster,  bricks,  light
          fixtures  and  other  objects.    Watch  out  for  high
          bookcases, china cabinets, shelves, and other furniture
          or appliances  which might  fall or  topple.  Stay away
          from windows, mirrors, and chimneys.  If in danger, get
          under a  table, desk  or bed;  in a  corner  away  from
          windows; or  in a  strong doorway.  Encourage others to
          follow your  example.  Do not run outdoors - you may be
          hit by falling debris or electrical wires.
          
          3.   If in  a high-rise office building, move away from
          windows and  outside walls.  Get under a desk or table.
          Do not dash for exits, since stairways may be broken or
          jammed with people.  Power for elevators may fail.
          
          4.   If in  a crowded  store, do not rush for a doorway
          since hundreds  may have  the same  idea.   If you must
          leave the  building, choose  your exit  as carefully as
          possible.
          
          5.   If outside,  avoid high  buildings,  walls,  power
          poles, and  other objects  which could  fall during the
          earthquake.   If possible,  move to  an open  area away
          from all hazards.
          
          6.   If in  an automobile, pull your car to the side of
          the road and stop in the safest place available.  Avoid
          bridges, overpasses,  and power  lines.   Remain inside
          your car until the shaking is over.  Turn on your radio
          for news and information.  Proceed with extreme caution
          because of  the danger  of debris in the road or damage
          to the road itself.
          
     C.  AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE
          
          1.    Check  for  injuries  to  your  family  and  your
          neighborhood.  Do not attempt to move seriously injured
          persons unless they are in danger of further injury.
          
          2.  Check for fires or fire hazards.
          
          3.   Wear shoes  in all  areas near  debris  or  broken
          glass.
          
          4.   Do not touch downed power lines or objects touched
          by the downed wires.
          
          5.   Immediately clean up spilled medicines, drugs, and
          other potentially harmful materials.
          
          6.  Check for damaged utilities.
               
               a.   Inspect for  leaking gas lines by smell only;
               do not use candles, matches, or other open flames.
               If you  smell gas,  open all  windows and doors so
               gas can  escape.   Shut off the main valve at your
               gas meter, leave the house immediately, and notify
               authorities of  the leak.   Do  not  re-enter  the
               house  until   repairs  have  been  made  and  the
               dwelling has been declared safe.
               
               b.   If water  pipes are broken, shut off the main
               valve which brings water into the house.
               
               c.   If the  house  is  properly  wired,  internal
               trouble with the electricity is very unlikely.  If
               there is a short circuit, turn off the electricity
               at the meter box.
               
          7.   If water  is off,  emergency water may be obtained
          from melted  ice cubes,  from canned  vegetables,  from
          toilet tanks  (if no  blueing or  sanitizing  chemicals
          have been  added), from  swimming pools  and spas,  and
          from water  heaters (strain  this water through a clean
          handkerchief first).
          
          8.   Check to  see that  sewage lines are intact before
          permitting continued flushing of toilets.
          
          9.   Do not  eat or drink anything from open containers
          near shattered  glass.  Liquids can be strained through
          a clean  handkerchief or  cloth if  the danger of glass
          contamination exists.

          10.  If power is off, check your freezer and plan meals
          to use up foods which will spoil quickly.
          
          11.   Use outdoor  charcoal  or  propane  broilers  for
          emergency cooking.   Do  not bring these items indoors.
          The accumulation of fumes from their use can be deadly.
          
          12.   Do not  use your  telephone  except  for  genuine
          emergency calls.
          
          13.   Check your  chimney over  its entire  length  for
          cracks and damage, particularly in the attic and at the
          roof line.   Unnoticed  damage could  lead to a fire or
          collapse in  aftershocks.   The initial check should be
          made from a distance.  Approach chimneys with caution.
          
          14.   Check closets  and storage  shelf  areas.    Open
          closet and  cupboard  doors  carefully  and  watch  for
          objects falling from shelves.
          
          15.   Do not  spread rumors.   They often do great harm
          following disasters.
          
          16.   Tune-in to  local radio  stations for information
          and danger reports.

          17.   Do not  go sightseeing.   Do not use your vehicle
          unless there  is a genuine emergency.  Keep the streets
          clear for emergency vehicles.
          
          18.   Be prepared for additional aftershocks.  Although
          most of these are smaller than the main shock, some may
          be strong enough to cause additional damage.
          
          19.   Respond to  requests for  help from  police, fire
          fighting, civil  defence, and relief organizations, but
          do not  go into damaged areas unless your help has been
          requested.     Cooperate   fully   with   public-safety
          officials.   In some  areas, you  may be  arrested  for
          getting in the way of disaster operations.
          
          20.   Information concerning  the welfare  of separated
          family members  will be  handled by  the  American  Red
          Cross.   Do not  call or  go  to  the  police  or  fire
          department for this information.


                     THREE-DAY SURVIVAL PACK

Prepare, in advance, a 33-gallon plastic trash barrel to store
emergency supplies for yourself and members of your household.
The barrel should have a tight fitting or latching lid to keep
insects or household pets from disturbing your supplies.

Store the barrel in your garage or (better yet) in a backyard
storage shed.  Make sure your supplies will be accessible in an
emergency.  Store the barrel in such a manner that it will not
easily tip over and spill or damage the contents.

Store your emergency supplies in the barrel, in quantities
sufficient to meet the needs of your household for at least 72
hours.

                      BOTTOM OF THE BARREL

Bedding
  Plastic sheets/tarp
  Sleeping bag/blankets

Clothing
  One change/person

Personal Supplies
  Good book
  Pencil/paper
  Toiletries
  Towel

Fuel and Light
  Candles
  Matches
  Sterno canned heat

Equipment
  Axe
  Bucket
  Can opener
  Dish pan
  Disposable dishes
  Disposable utensils
  Plastic bag liners
  Shovel

Infant Needs
  If applicable

Money

Other
  Eye dropper
  Liquid chlorine bleach
  Water purification tablets

                      MIDDLE OF THE BARREL

Food
Three-day supply of food requiring no refrigeration.  Date all
food items and rotate stock as required to maintain freshness.
Write out a menu for each day.

Examples:
Bottle of multi-vitamins
Canned fruit juice
Canned tuna or pork and beans (1/2 lb./person)
Dried fruit (1/2 lb./person)
Graham crackers (1/2 lb./person)
Nonfat dry milk (1/2 lb./person)
Peanut butter (1/2 lb./person)

This supplies daily 2100 calories and essential nutrients.

Water (1 gal./person per day.  Store water separately in sealed
containers.

                        TOP OF THE BARREL

Flashlight, Radio, Spare Batteries

First Aid Kit, including:

  Drugs
  Antibiotic Ointment
  Aspirin Tablets (5 grain)
  Kaopectate
  Medication recommended by your doctor

  Bandages
  Ace bandage
  Adhesive tape, 2" wide roll
  Bandages, plastic strips
  Bandages, large triangular
  Butterfly bandages
  Cotton-tipped swabs
  Gauze pads (4" x 4")
  Sterile absorbant cotton
  Sterile gauze bandages, 2" & 4" wide rolls
  Misc.
  First Aid handbook
  Petroleum jelly
  Pocket/utility knife
  Rubbing alcohol
  Scissors
  Thermometer
  Tissues
  Tweezers

The size of your family may require that more than one barrel be
used to store your three-day survival pack.  Campers' supplies
are a good choice for many of the required items, because of
their compact and durable design.  Remember to check your stock
regularly and replace out-of-date items.

If you have a tent, store it near your three-day survival pack.
If your house is severely damaged during the earthquake, your
tent may be your only shelter.


                 PURIFICATION OF DRINKING WATER


HOW TO PURIFY WATER FOR DRINKING:

If water  is polluted  with dirt  or sediment,  strain it  into a
container through  paper towels, paper coffee filters, or several
layers of clean cloth to remove any sediment or floating matter.

Disinfect the  strained water  with a  5.25% sodium  hypochlorite
solution (liquid  household chlorine  bleach) OR with tincture of
iodine.   DO NOT use the granular form of household bleach, it is
POISONOUS!  To disinfect water, use the following formula:

 +-------------------------------------------------------------+
 |           |  Amount of chlorine  |   Amount of tincture of  |
 |           |  bleach to add to:   |   iodine 2% to add to:   |
 |  Amount   |----------------------+--------------------------|
 | of water  |   Clear   |  Cloudy  |    Clear    |   Cloudy   |
 |           |   water   |  water   |    water    |   water    |
 |-----------+-----------+----------+-------------+------------|
 |  1 Quart  |  2 Drops  | 4 Drops  |   3 Drops   |   6 Drops  |
 |-----------+-----------+----------+-------------+------------|
 | 1 Gallon  |  8 Drops  | 16 Drops |  12 Drops   |  24 Drops  |
 |-----------+-----------+----------+-------------+------------|
 | 5 Gallons |  1/2 Tsp  |  1 Tsp   |   3/4 Tsp   |  1 1/2 Tsp |
 +-------------------------------------------------------------+

NOTE:   If liquid  chlorine bleach  is older  than one  year, the
amount used should be doubled, as it loses strength over time.

Purchase an  eye dropper  to add  bleach or  iodine to the water.
Use the eye dropper for this purpose ONLY.

Mix well  by stirring  or shaking  the water in a container.  Let
stand for 30 minutes before using.  A slight chlorine odor should
be detectable  in the  water.   If not, repeat the dosage and let
stand for an additional 15 minutes before using.

If the water can be boiled, boil at a rolling boil for 5 minutes.
This should  remove any  harmful bacterial contamination.  If you
are in  the mountains,  add one  additional minute for each 1,000
feet of  altitude.   Boiling for  longer than 5 minutes is safer,
but do this only if you have the gas or fuel to spare.

Water purification  tablets are  available  in  drug  stores  and
sporting goods stores and are recommended for your first aid kit.
Follow the  directions on  the package  to purify  water.   Water
purification tablets  have a shelf life of 2 years and lose their
effectiveness if they get damp before use.

Purify only  enough water at one time to last for 48 hours.  This
will minimize the chances of re-contamination.

=================================================================

            WHAT YOU CAN DO TO COPE WITH EFFECTS OF EARTHQUAKE
           ---------------------------------------------------- 

Following is a list of reminders of what to do to cope with earthquakes. 
 
PREPARE SUPPLIES, including: 
 - Flashlights with spare batteries. 
 - A first aid kit and instructional handbook. 
 - Portable radios with extra batteries. 
 - Fire extinguishers. 
 - Airtight containers of water and purification tablets or liquid chlorine 
   bleach to disinfect water.
 - A supply of canned or dehydrated foods, powdered milk, juices and 
   nutritional food items that do not require water for preparation.
 - A manually-operated can opener. 
 - A barbecue, camp stove or other alternate means of cooking. 
 - Plastic trash bags. 
 - Gloves. 
 - Matches. 
 - Bathroom items including toothpaste, toilet paper and soap. 
 - A pipe wrench and crescent wrench for turning off gas and water mains. 

PREPARE PLANS, including: 
 - How to shut off electricity, water heaters, water mains and gas. (Do 
   not, however, shut off the gas unless you suspect a leak or can smell 
   escaping gas). 
 - How to purify water. 
 - Where to reunite your family. 
 - The safest places to take cover in your dwelling. 
 
DURING THE EARTHQUAKE: 
 - If indoors, stay there. Duck under a desk or table. Stay clear of 
   windows, fireplaces and heavy appliances. 
 - If outside, get into the open. stay away from buildings, trees and 
   power lines. 
 - If in a car, pull to the side of the road. Stay away from overpasses, 
   bridges or power lines. 
 
For further information, the front section of telephone directories includes a
survival guide with first aid information for earthquakes and other
emergencies.
 
