When the cost of failure is high, Optimal Thinking is your optimum strategy.
 How to Optimize Emergency Preparedness
Earthquakes strike violently and without warning. Earthquake preparedness to best deal with potential hazards can minimize potential injuries, property damage, and most importantly, loss of life. Maintaining ceilings and foundations, anchoring overhead fixtures, and adhering to local seismic building standards are critical. Here are some guidelines for your consideration:
Before an Earthquake
 Check potential hazards in your home. Secure televisions, computers, furniture, water heaters with flexible nylons straps.etc. Repair cracks in walls and foundations. Store breakable items in low lying cabinets with latches and secure with quake putty, wax or museum gel.
Identify safe areas inside and outdoors, such as under sturdy furniture, away from glass fixtures, and away from power lines and buildings.
Inform all family members. Know how and when to call emergency numbers eg. 911, fire department, and how to turn off gas, electricity and water. Contact Red Cross in advance.
Keep disaster supplies accessible. Flashlight with extra batteries, battery-operated portable radio with extra batteries, medicines, first aid kit and manual, emergency food, water, can opener, blankets, cash, credit cards, strong shoes.
Create an optimal emergency communication plan, including evacuation and reunion plans, out-of-state contact details, etc.
Collaborate with your community to anticipate, plan, and best respond to an earthquake.
During an Earthquake
Stay as safe as possible. Minimize your movement to a nearby safe area.
If indoors
Drop to the ground, take cover under a sturdy table or piece of furniture, and hold on until the shaking stops.
If you can't find a table or desk, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner.
Keep away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall.
If you are in bed, protect your head with a pillow. If you are under a heavy light fixture, move to the nearest safe place.
Use a doorway for shelter only if it is nearby and is strongly supported.
Do not use any elevators.
Stay inside until the shaking stops and it's safe to go outside. Most injuries occur when people try to move to a different location in the building, or attempt to exit.
If outdoors
Stay there. Collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects are responsible form most of the casualties.
Move away from buildings, street lights, and utility wires.
If trapped under debris
Do not light a match, move about, or create additional dust.
Cover your mouth with clothing.
Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can hear you. Shout only as a last option, as this can expose you to dangerous amounts of dust.
If in a moving vehicle
Stay in the vehicle, and stop as soon as possible.
Try not to stop under or near buildings, overpasses, trees, and power lines.
Proceed cautiously when the shaking is over.
Avoid roads and bridges that could have been damaged.
After an Earthquake
Anticipate aftershocks.
Use the telephone only for emergencies.
Listen for emergency information on your battery-operated radio, or television.
Stay away from damaged areas. Return to your home only when authorities inform you that it is safe.
Be aware of possible tsunamis in coastal areas. Stay away from the beach.
Help injured or trapped persons. Administer first aid where appropriate. Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger. Call for help.
Immediately clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gas or other flammable liquids. If you smell gas or fumes, leave the area.
Open cabinets carefully as objects often fall off shelves.
Inspect chimneys for damage that could lead to a fire.
Check utilities for gas leaks and electrical system damage.
- For gas leaks, open a window and leave the building. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if possible, and call the gas company.
- For electrical system damage, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If access to the fuse box or circuit breaker is dangerous, call an electrician.
- For sewage and water lines damage, avoid using the toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company. Don't use tap water. Get safe water by melting ice cubes.
FEMA Earthquake Emergency Preparedness Guidelines
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