With so many earthquakes happening across the world, you may be thinking about your own preparations for one where you live. As a senior citizen, you have to take more steps than others to gather the supplies you need in advance and to take cover during the earthquake.

Plan to Take Cover

During an earthquake you may have to take cover under sturdy furniture. A work desk or table will do, and picking one out ahead of time is important. You don’t want to have to worry about figuring it all out when an earthquake happens. Do a “take cover” drill once a month, so that going to the desk of choice becomes a habit, and doing a drill makes your plan easier to remember. It will also give you a chance to remove things that are blocking your way or would be dangerous to have nearby during an earthquake. For example, if the desk is located near a shelf that has heavy objects, you’ll have to remove those objects to a lower shelf away from the desk. During an earthquake, those could fall on you and cause serious injuries.

Anchor Equipment

Heavy objects on high shelves are not the only things to worry about in an earthquake. Some of the special equipment you use on a daily basis, such as oxygen tanks and other life support equipment need to be anchored to the wall or floor. You will avoid the risk of your equipment crashing into you or falling on you when the ground shakes.

Extra Walking Aids

If you need assistance walking, it’s important to buy and store extra canes, walkers or other walking aids around your home. An earthquake may cause you to stay in one part of your home for a while, and it would be good to be able to move around when it’s safe. If you couldn’t get to your walking aid in time, you could be stuck.

Keep an Emergency Kit Where You’ll Take Cover

You’ll need a well stocked emergency kit to help you survive an earthquake. It should include enough food and water, medical and first aid supplies including prescription drugs, eyeglasses and hearing aids and other things you’ll need to stay alive and well for at least three days. If an earthquake happens, your kit will already be in the place you plan to take cover. You won’t have to worry about finding it first.

Communications

A pre-made commercial emergency kit will include an AM/FM radio. You’ll need one to find out the status of the earthquake in your area. In addition to a radio, phone lines may be down. Planning a chain of communications ahead of time will help friends, family and others know that you are safe or need help. Talk with a neighbor that you trust to check in with you after an emergency. Share that person’s cell phone and land line numbers with family in case there’s an opportunity to communicate using a phone. Have one or two other neighbors lined up to do the same. If one person is unable to come to your aid, at least you’ll have a backup or two.

Any area can be hit by an earthquake. Don’t ignore preparations just because you believe you live in an area that is not high risk. Getting some basic preparedness supplies, an earthquake preparedness kit and learning a little bit about what to do will pay dividends later.

Earthquake readiness is crucial if you live in populated areas because they can cause damage to your property, and bodily injuries. Some earthquakes have been severe enough to  cause a significant amount of deaths. Every region is at risk, and there you need to know what to do to be prepared:

Some things to consider.

Anchor Furniture and Large Objects

Keeping things pinned down is important so that furniture and other large and heavy objects don’t roll around in the room or fall causing injury. Use fastens and braces to secure items to walls on or on floors. Bolt down heavy appliances such as your refrigerator or water heater. Anchor large fixtures on the ceilings, such as lights. You can prepare in advance by anchoring furniture and large objects ahead of any earthquakes. You won’t get any warnings of earthquakes, and therefore it’s important to do the work now.

Practice Readiness Drills

Do you and your family know what do in an earthquake? These happen so suddenly, that you won’t have time to yell instructions. Prepare for earthquakes now by practicing what to do when one strikes. Your drill should include:

• What rooms to run to
• How to hide under a table that’s sturdy
• Dropping to the ground, rolling against an inside wall and crouching in the corner, and covering your body
• A warning to stay inside until it’s over

Don’t just know what to do. Schedule time quarterly or monthly to practice what you’ll do if there’s an earthquake.

Store Food and Water

It may take a while for things to return to normal after a severe earthquake. You don’t want to be stuck waiting with food and water. Store what you need ahead of time to last you two or more weeks after an earthquake. This includes:

• Water
• Canned Food
• Long-term canned food (#10 cans)
• Ready-to-eat meals or MREs
• Energy Food Bars
• Vitamins and supplements

It may become necessary to stay home during the aftermath of the earthquake, and therefore store extra food and water for you and your family, and even neighbors. Consider a ready made earthquake preparedness kit.

Shut off Gas and Water

You’ll need a quick and easy way to shut off your water and gas immediately after the earthquake.  Consider buying an emergency gas and water shut-off tool that you can use to cut off your utilities. You can fit one in your emergency survival kit, because they’re light enough break down into pieces.

Learn CPR

Earthquakes can cause so much injury that it’s important to learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as part of earthquake readiness. You can help save the lives of your family members and neighbors while awaiting (or getting to) medical help. You should also learn basic first-aid techniques. Check your local newspapers for announcements of free or low-cost classes to take in the near future. You can use your knowledge to prepare for all disasters you might find yourself in, including earthquakes.

Follow these guidelines for earthquake readiness, and you won’t get caught off guard. Your family can remain safe, and have the right supplies (and know-how) while you wait for things to return to normal.