Many Californians ask themselves, "If another massive earthquake just like the one that hit the state on April 1906 struck today, are we prepared?" A recent study shows few Californians are.
A survey shows while 70 percent of Californians expect a major earthquake will strike, just two in 10 people – 19.8 percent — say they are well prepared; 38.8 percent somewhat prepared; and 41.4 percent - over four in 10 California adults, representing about 9.8 million people, say they are not very well prepared, don't know, or not prepared at all. And despite much criticism about local, state and federal response to Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, nearly half of California adults – 48 percent – expect government will provide relief when the big one hits.
These are some of the results of a poll of 955 Californians conducted last year by the Survey & Policy Research Institute at San Jose State University in conjunction with the California Consumer Confidence Survey.
Of those surveyed in the Bay Area, only 14.4 percent stated they were well prepared, compared with 22.2 percent in Los Angeles area and 23.2 percent in the Central Valley. Nearly 20 percent stated they are not prepared at all, compared with 16.9 percent in the Los Angeles area and 26.5 percent in the Central Valley.
The magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck on April 18, 1906 ranks as one of the most powerful earthquakes to hit Northern California. In 1989, Loma Prieta, another devastating earthquake with a 6.9 magnitude, gave Bay Area residents a wake-up call.
Homeowners can protect themselves and their families and reduce the risk of destruction from an earthquake by following a few simple recommendations made by California's Department of Conservation and the U.S. Geological Survey:
Identify Potential Hazards in Your Home and Fix Them
1. Move heavy furniture away from where people sit or sleep. Make sure exit paths are clear of clutter. Secure hanging objects, cabinet doors and appliances with earthquake-safety straps, fasteners and adhesives.
2. Water pipes can break and cause extensive damage; broken gas pipes are a major fire hazard. Replace rigid gas connections to water heaters and other gas appliances with flexible (corrugated) stainless steel gas connectors. Excess-flow gas-shutoff valves for individual appliances will stop gas flow in case of a catastrophic leak.
3. Move flammable or hazardous materials stored in garages and utility rooms to low areas that are secure.
Create a Disaster Supply Kit
Create a disaster supply kit and place it in an easily accessible location. This kit should be in a large watertight container that can be easily moved and should hold at least a one-week supply of the following items:
* First aid supplies, including spare eyeglasses and essential hygiene items
* Drinking water (minimum one gallon per person per day)
* Whistle (to alert rescuers to your location)
* Emergency cash in small bills (ATMs may not work)
* Snack foods high in calories, canned and packaged foods and cooking utensils, including a manual can opener. Don't forget pet food.
* Emergency lighting—light sticks and (or) a working flashlight with extra batteries.
* Comfort items for your children, such as crayons, writing materials and stuffed animals
* A battery-operated radio (and spare batteries).
* Warm clothing, gloves, sturdy shoes, extra socks, blankets and perhaps even a tent.
* Heavy-duty plastic bags for waste and other uses, such as tarps and rain ponchos
* Copies of vital documents, such as insurance policies, personal identification, medical consent forms for dependents.
NOTE: Replace perishable items like water, food, medications, and batteries on a yearly basis.
Create a Disaster Preparedness Plan
Decide how and where your family will reunite if separated during a quake, Choose an out-of-state friend or relative to call and alert other relatives and friends that you are all right.
The California Association of Realtors' Combined Hazards Book contains the new "Homeowners Guide to Earthquake Safety" released by the California Seismic Safety Commission. Homebuyers may ask their Realtor for a copy of the information. The U.S. Geological Survey has also released the "Earthquake Preparedness Handbook." Check their Web site at http://quake.usgs.gov.
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.
The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.
For further information, please contact Rose Meily at SILVAR Public Affairs, email , or phone (408) 200-0109.