Disaster Preparedness - Are you ready for the big one?

You should review review the enclosed article and even discuss the items in your family "Emergency meeting" and do not discount any ... for example - elevator avoidance - while we don't have a lot of elevators in the desert, they are at more places than you realize ... Hospitals, numerous stores at the mall, restaurants, etc... For your convenience this article is reprinted from the Chamber's "GEM". Be ready and be safe.

Indoors:
•Be sure you are wearing shoes before walking around because of broken glass or other debris.
•Take cover under a desk, sturdy table, bench or against an inside wall or doorway.
Stay away from cabinets, heavy mirrors/pictures and other heavy objects.
If you're in the kitchen, move away from the refrigerator, stove, and overhead cabinets.
Stay away from windows, outside doors and walls and anything that could fall on you.
•If you're sleeping, stay in bed and cover your head with a pillow. If your bed is under a heavy light fixture or you have a large mirror or painting over your headboard, move to the nearest safe place.
•Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Most injuries during an earthquake occur when people enter or exit a structure.
•If you're in a public place such as a store or other crowded area, do not rush for exits. Move away from display shelves containing objects that could fall.
•If you are in a high rise building, stay indoors and try to get under a desk or table, move against an interior wall and protect your head with your arms. Glass windows can dislodge during the quake and sail for hundreds of feet.
•If you're in a theater of stadium, stay in your seat and protect your head with your arms. Do not try to leave until the shaking is over then leave in a calm, orderly manner. Avoid rushing toward exits.
•Do not use elevators.

Outdoors:
•Stay there until the shaking stops and move away from buildings, streetlights, and overhead utility wires.
•If you're on a sidewalk near buildings, duck into a doorway to protect yourself from falling bricks, glass, plaster, and other debris.
•If you are in mountainous area--watch out for falling rock, landslides, trees, and other debris that could be loosened by quakes.
In a moving vehicle:
•Stop quickly and safely and stay in the vehicle.
Do not stop near or under overpasses, buildings, trees, or overhead utility
wires.
•Keep earthquake survival kits in your car.

Trapped under debris:
•Do not light a match for light.
•Do not move about or kick up dust.
•Cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief or clothing to keep dust
out.