What Should You Do If There Is an Earthquake?

Here are some great tips on what to do and what not to do in case of an earthquake from Shakeout.org...

• DROP to the ground (before the earthquake drops you!),
• Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and
• HOLD ON to it until the shaking stops.

If there isn’t a table or desk near you, drop to the ground in an inside corner of the building and cover your head and neck with your hands and arms. Do not try to run to another room just to get under a table.

These are general guidelines for most situations. Depending on where you are (in bed, driving, in a theater, etc.), you might take other actions, as described in Recommended Earthquake Safety Actions (PDF | RTF).

The main point is to not try to move but to immediately protect yourself as best as possible where you are. Earthquakes occur without any warning and may be so violent that you cannot run or crawl; you therefore will most likely be knocked to the ground where you happen to be. You will never know if the initial jolt will turn out to be start of the big one. You should Drop, Cover, and Hold On immediately!

What NOT to do:

• DO NOT get in a doorway! An early earthquake photo is a collapsed adobe home with the door frame as the only standing part. From this came our belief that a doorway is the safest place to be during an earthquake. In modern houses and buildings, doorways are no safer, and they do not protect you from flying or falling objects. Get under a table instead!
• DO NOT run outside! Trying to run in an earthquake is dangerous, as the ground is moving and you can easily fall or be injured by debris or glass. Running outside is especially dangerous, as glass, bricks, or other building components may be falling. You are much safer to stay inside and get under a table.
• DO NOT believe the so-called "triangle of life"! In recent years, an e-mail has circulated which has recommends potentially life threatening actions , and the source has been discredited by leading experts. Read our special report to learn more.

READ MORE AT SHAKEOUT.ORG

Drop, Cover, and Hold On!

Could an Earthquake Happen in Georgia?

Yes...here's what ReadyGeorgia says abouth earthquakes in Georgia...

According to Georgia Tech’s School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, 15 percent of the world’s earthquakes are scattered over areas like Georgia that lack clearly defined active faults. Although earthquakes in Georgia are comparatively rare, scattered earthquakes have caused significant damage and can be an important consideration for homeowners.

Before an Earthquake

• Develop a Disaster Plan
• Secure cabinets, bookcases and mirrors to wall studs. Avoid installing bookcases next to beds, since heavily loaded structures could fall causing significant injury or death.
• Do NOT hang pictures over the bed.
• Strap any gas or electric water heater to wall studs. A broken gas line can cause a fire, while a knocked over or ruptured tank could cause damage or scalding.
• Store hazardous or flammable materials safely. If a container of flammable liquid spills during an earthquake, any source of flame may ignite the fluid and start a fire.
• Be prepared for 3-days of self-sufficiency. This is also good preparation for inclement weather and other disasters. Have on hand a flashlight, portable radio, first aid kits, fire extinguisher, and water for 3 days.
• Bolt house to foundation if possible. Houses in the southeast are built to stand-upright, and may not withstand shaking.
• Loss of contact with the foundation is a major source of damage in many large earthquakes.
• Keep important documents (insurance policies) up to date and safe. Determine if earthquake insurance is right for you.
• Consider having chimneys, roofs, and walls checked for stability. Bricks from chimneys and wall facings if not secured can fall and cause significant damage or injury.

READ MORE EARTHQUAKE SAFETY TIPS

2014 Great SouthEast ShakeOut

Millions of people worldwide will practice how to Drop, Cover, and Hold On at 10:16 a.m. on October 16* during Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills!

You can join them today by registering for the 2014 Great SouthEast ShakeOut. Participating is a great way for your family or organization to be prepared to survive and recover quickly from big earthquakes– wherever you live, work, or travel.

Metro Atlanta Area Events for October 2014

October 1st - 5th:Georgia State Fair at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton

October 1st - 26th: Pumpkin Festival at Stone Mountain Park

 

October 2nd - 12th: Georgia National Fair at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry

October 4th - 5th: Cotton Pickin' Fair in Gay

October 10th - 12th: Fall North Atlanta Home Show at Gwinnett Center in Duluth

October 11th & 12th and 18th & 19th: Georgia Apple Festival in Ellijay

October 24th - 26th: Taste of Atlanta at Technology Square in Midtown

October 24th - 26th: Country Living Fair at Stone Mountain Park

Smoke Alarms Safety Tips

Fire injuries and deaths can be prevented. A few easy steps can save your life!

• Install a smoke alarm outside every sleeping area. Ideally, install smoke alarms in every sleeping area, too.
• Install a smoke alarm on every floor of your home, even the basement.
• Test smoke alarms monthly.
• Change the batteries at least once a year-maybe at Daylight Savings Time or on your birthday.
• Teach children what your smoke alarm sounds like and what to do if they hear it-get out and crawl low under smoke.
• Never remove a smoke alarm battery for some other use, like a radio or video game.
• Keep smoke alarms clean. Vacuum them often.
• Replace smoke alarms after 10 years.
• Choose smoke alarms that come with 10-year batteries.

National Fire Prevention Week 2014

Every year in the United States, about 3,000 people lose their lives in residential fires. Most fire victims die from inhalation of toxic smoke and gases, not as a result of burns. Most deaths occur during the night while victims are sleeping. So, that is why smoke alarms are considered one of the best and least expensive means of providing early warning of potentially deadly fires. In fact, the risk of dying in a residential fire is twice as likely in homes without functioning smoke detectors. The key here is "functioning". You could easily have one or more "non-functioning" units in your home.

That is why the theme for National Fire Prevention Week 2014 is "Smoke Alarms Save Lives: Test Yours Every Month". National Fire Prevention Week is October 5 - 11, 2014 and is a great opportunity to educate yourself and your families about the dangers of house fires and how to prevent them.

Here are some links to some great information from the National Fire Prevention Association to get you started...

LEARN ABOUT FIRE PREVENTION WEEK 

SMOKE ALARM SAFETY TIPS

SMOKE ALARMS FOR THE DEAF

FIRE ESCAPE PLANNING

Disaster Preparedness Month: Week 4

Now that National Preparedness Month is coming to a close, end the month with learning how to practice for an emergency. Plan a preparedness drill and test your skills and knowledge before a disaster strikes by registering for America's PrepareAthon!

Here are some links to help you:

www.ready.gov/alerts

www.ready.gov/prepare

http://youtu.be/wDpcGypv2_U

Be Prepared for Emergencies While Traveling

Most people spend a lot of time in their vehicles. Make sure you have an emergency kit in your car because you never know when an emergency or disaster can strike.

Disaster Preparedness Month: Week 3

It's the third week of National Preparedness Month. This week's theme is "How to Build an Emergency Kit"

For tips and information visit:

www.ready.gov/kit

www.ready.gov/kids/build-a-kit

www.ready.gov/prepare

www.ready.gov/animals