Great California Shakeout 10/21/10

[JWBear]

The Big One is coming. Are you ready?

[Alex]

Yes I am. I'm in Delaware for the week. When I get back I won't be prepared.

But that is by plan. If I prepare for an earthquake then no earthquake will happen. I want a big earthquake to happen so I'm locked in a battle of wills with the universe.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

What irks me is that I really don't know where I should hide during the earthquake itself. Instructions like this aren't helpful. The only piece of furniture I can get under in our place is the dining room table, but that is right next to our sliding glass windows. Should I hide there anyway? What about when I'm upstairs and nowhere near a table? Perhaps jump onto the bed? Since this says doorways aren't helpful at least I don't have to worry about that anymore. Doorways often have doors in them, which can flap around and whack you. Are hallways more structurally sound? Also, if Theo is down for a nap and if I'm in our bedroom, should I run down the hall past the stairway, or is it too possible to fall down the stairs?

Where's my friendly neighborhood door-to-door earthquake advice person?

[sleepyjeff]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

What irks me is that I really don't know where I should hide during the earthquake itself. Instructions like this aren't helpful. The only piece of furniture I can get under in our place is the dining room table, but that is right next to our sliding glass windows. Should I hide there anyway? What about when I'm upstairs and nowhere near a table? Perhaps jump onto the bed? Since this says doorways aren't helpful at least I don't have to worry about that anymore. Doorways often have doors in them, which can flap around and whack you. Are hallways more structurally sound? Also, if Theo is down for a nap and if I'm in our bedroom, should I run down the hall past the stairway, or is it too possible to fall down the stairs?

Where's my friendly neighborhood door-to-door earthquake advice person?

Just have three of these >> http://www.discountsafetygear.com/ hanging on the walls of every room....

[alphabassettgrrl]

I would think that during the shaking, you don't want to run anywhere. Stay put, somewhere, so that you don't get hurt. It'll stop in a second, then go where you need to.

I think specific information is less useful than a general guide that you use to look at your own home and determine your course of action. Prethinking, so that you have a clue where you want to be when we get a shaker.

In our house, we can't get under the bed, so I'd get as close to the wall as I could. In the living room, no tables to get under, so again, close to the wall. I think a hallway is a decent choice in a quake- there's usually fewer items to fall on you, and one of the walls in the center of the house is probably a load-bearing wall. Bathrooms are probably good shelter places- smaller rooms, maybe more stable.

[Not Afraid]

The worst thing you can do in an earthquake is to move or run. I hope I'm in bed with the pugs, cats and Chris.

[JWBear]

I figure that, since our house survived the '33 quake ok, I'm not going to worry about it if I'm home when it happens.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

The worst thing you can do in an earthquake is to move or run. I hope I'm in bed with the pugs, cats and Chris.

But you know you will be on the phone in the bathroom.

[Morrigoon]

I would think if under the bed isn't possible, then huddled up next to it on the floor might be 2nd choice

[alphabassettgrrl]

Depends on what is likely to fall on you- pictures? lamps? bookshelves? During the 1994 earthquake we had a tall floor lamp come down. Could have hurt us if it had fallen on us.