In terms of the potential for an earthquake in the Los Angeles region, no matter where you live or work, the old Boy Scout motto "Be Prepared" makes a lot of sense. You may think you have nothing to worry about, but it's always good to be prepared, and that's the best way to take care of yourself, your home and your family in the event of an emergency. A primary concern is the structural integrity of your home. Many houses in Southern California are not up to code and they need to be inspected (and possibly retrofitted) to comply with current standards.

In fact, it will soon be necessary to prove you've had this done before you can sell your house!

One of our new sponsors at Los Angeles Community Policing can help you make sure your house or business is secured correctly to its foundation. Please read how it's done, and why it's important, at the White Castle Construction website:

The time to prepare yourself for a major earthquake is now. Much of that preparation can be done at the local grocery, discount and hardware stores.

Prepare a Disaster Supply Kit for your home, office and car. Use this handy checklist we've prepared as a shopping list:

Below you'll find our Earthquake Preparedness Guide, most of which will help you get by in the event of a major fire or a terrorist attack.

You may want to print it out, along with the checklist we've provided. But the most important thing is to implement it ahead of time.

By using this guide, you can assemble a truly helpful and even lifesaving earthquake survival system for your home and family.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has excellent materials available, and a lot of what appears below is from them. The FEMA website is well worth a visit: http://www.fema.gov/

Here are some pertinent exerpts:

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FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

ARE YOU READY?

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Emergency Planning and Disaster Supplies

Emergency Planning

Immediately after an emergency, essential services may be cut-off and local disaster relief and government responders may not be able to reach you right away. Even if they could reach you, knowing what to do to protect yourself and your household is essential.

This chapter describes how to prepare for any kind of disaster. It also provides specific information about emergency water and food, and a recommended disaster supply kit.

Creating a disaster plan

One of the most important steps you can take in preparing for emergencies is to develop a household disaster plan.

1. Learn about the natural disasters that could occur in your community from your local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter. Learn whether hazardous materials are produced, stored or transported near your area. Learn about possible consequences of deliberate acts of terror. Ask how to prepare for each potential emergency and how to respond.

2. Talk with employers and school officials about their emergency response plans.

3. Talk with your household about potential emergencies and how to respond to each. Talk about what you would need to do in an evacuation.

4. Plan how your household would stay in contact if you were separated. Identify two meeting places: the first should be near your home -- in case of fire, perhaps a tree or a telephone pole; the second should be away from your neighborhood in case you cannot return home.

5. Pick a friend or relative who lives out of the area for household members to call to say they are okay.

6. Draw a floor plan of your home. Mark two escape routes from each room.

7. Post emergency telephone numbers by telephones. Teach children how and when to call 911.

8. Make sure everyone in your household knows how and when to shut off water, gas, and electricity at the main switches. Consult with your local utilities if you have questions.

9. Take a first aid and CPR class. Local American Red Cross chapters can provide information. Official certification by the American Red Cross provides “good Samaritan” law protection for those giving first aid.

10. Reduce the economic impact of disaster on your property and your household’s health and financial well-being.

Review property insurance policies before disaster strikes -- make sure policies are current and be certain they meet your needs (type of coverage, amount of coverage, and hazard covered -- flood, earthquake)

Protect your household’s financial well-being before a disaster strikes -- review life insurance policies and consider saving money in an “emergency” savings account that could be used in any crisis. It is advisable to keep a small amount of cash or traveler’s checks at home in a safe place where you can quickly gain access to it in case of an evacuation.

Be certain that health insurance policies are current and meet the needs of your household.

11. Consider ways to help neighbors who may need special assistance, such as the elderly or the disabled.

12. Make arrangements for pets. Pets are not allowed in public shelters. Service animals for those who depend on them are allowed.

Emergency planning for people with special needs

If you have a disability or special need, you may have to take additional steps to protect yourself and your household in an emergency. If you know of friends or neighbors with special needs, help them with these extra precautions. Examples include:

Hearing impaired may need to make special arrangements to receive a warning.

Mobility impaired may need assistance in getting to a shelter.

Households with a single working parent may need help from others both in planning for disasters and during an emergency.

Non-English speaking people may need assistance planning for and responding to emergencies. Community and cultural groups may be able to help keep these populations informed.

People without vehicles may need to make arrangements for transportation.

People with special dietary needs should have an adequate emergency food supply.

1. Find out about special assistance that may be available in your community. Register with the office of emergency services or fire department for assistance, so needed help can be provided quickly in an emergency.

2. Create a network of neighbors, relatives, friends and co-workers to aid you in an emergency. Discuss your needs and make sure they know how to operate necessary equipment.

3. Discuss your needs with your employer.

4. If you are mobility impaired and live or work in a high-rise building, have an escape chair.

5. If you live in an apartment building, ask the management to mark accessible exits clearly and to make arrangements to help you evacuate the building.

6. Keep extra wheelchair batteries, oxygen, catheters, medication, food for guide or hearing-ear dogs, or other items you might need. Also, keep a list of the type and serial numbers of medical devices you need.

7. Those who are not disabled should learn who in their neighborhood or building is disabled so that they may assist them during emergencies.

8. If you are a care-giver for a person with special needs, make sure you have a plan to communicate if an emergency occurs.

Disaster Supply Kits

You may need to survive on your own for three days or more. This means having your own water, food and emergency supplies. Try using backpacks or duffel bags to keep the supplies together.

Assembling the supplies you might need following a disaster is an important part of your disaster plan. You should prepare emergency supplies for the following situations:

A disaster supply kit with essential food, water, and supplies for at least three days -- this kit should be kept in a designated place and be ready to “grab and go” in case you have to leave your home quickly because of a disaster, such as a flash flood or major chemical emergency. Make sure all household members know where the kit is kept.

Consider having additional supplies for sheltering or home confinement for up to two weeks.

You should also have a disaster supply kit at work. This should be in one container, ready to "grab and go" in case you have to evacuate the building.

A car kit of emergency supplies, including food and water, to keep stored in your car at all times. This kit would also include flares, jumper cables, and seasonal supplies.

Earthquakes

An earthquake is a sudden shaking of the earth caused by the breaking and shifting of rock beneath the earth’s surface. Earthquakes can cause buildings and bridges to collapse, telephone and power lines to fall, and result in fires, explosions and landslides. Earthquakes can also cause huge ocean waves, called tsunamis, which travel long distances over water until they crash into coastal areas.

The following information includes general guidelines for earthquake preparedness and safety. Because injury prevention techniques may vary from state to state, it is recommended that you contact your local emergency management office, health department, or American Red Cross chapter.

What to do before an earthquake

1. Know the terms associated with earthquakes.

Earthquake -- a sudden slipping or movement of a portion of the earth’s crust, accompanied and followed by a series of vibrations.

Aftershock -- an earthquake of similar or lesser intensity that follows the main earthquake.

Fault -- the earth’s crust slips along a fault -- an area of weakness where two sections of crust have separated. The crust may only move a few inches to a few feet in a severe earthquake.

Epicenter -- the area of the earth’s surface directly above the origin of an earthquake.

Seismic Waves -- are vibrations that travel outward from the center of the earthquake at speeds of several miles per second. These vibrations can shake some buildings so rapidly that they collapse.

Magnitude -- indicates how much energy was released. This energy can be measured on a recording device and graphically displayed through lines on a Richter Scale. A magnitude of 7.0 on the Richter Scale would indicate a very strong earthquake. Each whole number on the scale represents an increase of about 30 times the energy released. Therefore, an earthquake measuring 6.0 is about 30 times more powerful than one measuring 5.0.

2. Look for items in your home that could become a hazard in an earthquake:

Repair defective electrical wiring, leaky gas lines, and inflexible utility connections.

Bolt down water heaters and gas appliances (have an automatic gas shut-off device installed that is triggered by an earthquake).

Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves. Fasten shelves to walls. Brace high and top-heavy objects.

Store bottled foods, glass, china and other breakables on low shelves or in cabinets that can fasten shut.

Anchor overhead lighting fixtures.

Check and repair deep plaster cracks in ceilings and foundations. Get expert advice, especially if there are signs of structural defects.

Be sure the residence is firmly anchored to its foundation.

Install flexible pipe fittings to avoid gas or water leaks. Flexible fittings are more resistant to breakage.

3. Know where and how to shut off electricity, gas and water at main switches and valves. Check with your local utilities for instructions.

4. Hold earthquake drills with your household:

Locate safe spots in each room under a sturdy table or against an inside wall. Reinforce this information by physically placing yourself and your household in these locations.

Identify danger zones in each room -- near windows where glass can shatter, bookcases or furniture that can fall over, or under ceiling fixtures that could fall down.

5. Develop a plan for reuniting your household after an earthquake. Establish an out-of-town telephone contact for household members to call to let others know that they are okay.

6. Review your insurance policies. Some damage may be covered even without specific earthquake insurance. Protect important home and business papers.

7. Prepare to survive on your own for at least three days. Assemble a disaster supply kit. Keep a stock of food and extra drinking water.

What to do during an earthquake

Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Most injuries during earthquakes occur when people are hit by falling objects when entering or exiting buildings.

1. Drop, Cover and Hold On! Minimize your movements during an earthquake to a few steps to a nearby safe place. Stay indoors until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.

2. If you are indoors, take cover under a sturdy desk, table or bench, or against an inside wall, and hold on. Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors or walls and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture. If you are in bed, stay there, hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall.

3. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building. Doorways should only be used for shelter if they are in close proximity to you and if you know that it is a strongly supported load-bearing doorway.

4. If you are outdoors, stay there. Move away from buildings, streetlights and utility wires.

5. If you live in an apartment building or other multi-household structure with many levels, consider the following:

Get under a desk and stay away from windows and outside walls.

Stay in the building (many injuries occur as people flee a building and are struck by falling debris from above).

Be aware that the electricity may go out and sprinkler systems may come on.

DO NOT use the elevators.

6. If you are in a crowded indoor public location:

Stay where you are. Do not rush for the doorways.

Move away from tall shelves, cabinets and bookcases containing objects that may fall.

Take cover and grab something to shield your head and face from falling debris and glass.

Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.

DO NOT use elevators.

7. In a moving vehicle, stop as quickly as safety permits, and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses or utility wires. Then, proceed cautiously, watching for road and bridge damage.

8. If you become trapped in debris:

Do not light a match.

Do not move about or kick up dust.

Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.

Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort -- shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

9. Stay indoors until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.

What to do after an earthquake

1. Be prepared for aftershocks. These secondary shock waves are usually less violent than the main quake but can be strong enough to do additional damage to weakened structures.

2. Check for injuries. Do not attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of death or further injury. If you must move an unconscious person, first stabilize the neck and back, then call for help immediately.

If the victim is not breathing, carefully position the victim for artificial respiration, clear the airway and start mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Maintain body temperature with blankets. Be sure the victim does not become overheated.

Never try to feed liquids to an unconscious person.

3. If the electricity goes out, use flashlights or battery powered lanterns. Do not use candles, matches or open flames indoors after the earthquake because of possible gas leaks.

4. Wear sturdy shoes in areas covered with fallen debris and broken glass.

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It's always good to be prepared ... that's the best way to take care of yourself, your home and your family in the event of an emergency.

We hope you've found our LACP.org Earthquake Preparedness Guide useful. The information we've provided will help you get by in the event of any emergency, be it an earthquake, a major fire or a terrorist attack.