Roofs can be expensive and that’s why at Alternative Roofing Solutions we always advise our clients to take good care of them.
One way to take care of your home is to prepare for a natural disaster and in California, flooding and earthquakes are our most common threats. In an effort to help our clients and our communities stay safe, we want to remind you about what to do in the event an earthquake should occur.
If you’ve lived in California for a while, you know what an earthquake feels like. It’s a sudden, rapid shaking of the earth caused by the breaking and shifting of rock beneath the earth’s surface. One eerie aspect to earthquakes is that they are unpredictable. They can occur without warning and at any time of the year. While California seems to be the most notorious terrain for earthquakes, the truth is that they occur in 45 U.S. states and territories.
Preparation Is Your Best Defense
The best way to survive an earthquake is to be prepared for it. Here are some steps you can take today that will help you should an earthquake strike.
- Make sure your home is securely anchored to its foundation. This will reduce the shaking and damage to your house.
- Always keep a flashlight by your bed and a pair of shoes with a firm sole. Shoes will protect your feet in the event your windows break and there is glass on the floor.
- It’s a good idea to brace water heaters as well as secure them and gas appliances to wall studs. One of the most lethal aftermaths of an earthquake is a gas line that leaks.
- Bolt bookcases, armoires, and other tall cabinets and furniture to wall studs. You don’t want them crashing onto you or members of your family.
- Refrain from hanging heavy items above beds and couches.
- In some earthquakes, dishes and glassware can fall from unsecured cabinet doors. Make sure you have a strong latch on your cabinets.
What to Include in Your Earthquake Safety Kit
Earthquake preparedness includes spending some time to put together a safety kit. This could be a fun family activity. Make sure it contains the following items.
- Always have clean bottled water available. Some suggest that you stock 1 gallon per person for each day that your water may be turned off. Some people include liquid bleach and an eyedropper, which can be used to purify water.
- Pack ready-to-eat food that requires minimal preparation.
- Purchase or put together a first-aid kit and include any medications that members of your family may be taking.
- Include warm clothing, rain gear, and sleeping bags.
- Don’t forget to include personal items such as toilet paper.
- Finally, include a large empty bag that you can use to collect garbage.
The best way to survive an earthquake is to be prepared for one. Don’t delay putting together your safety kit.
When you hire Alternative Roofing Solutions, Inc. or Sonoma/Napa/Marin Seamless Gutters, you will find an experienced woman entrepreneur and contractor at the helm, Letitia Hanke-Ryzhkov. You will also encounter a dedicated staff dedicated to delivering excellence on every job.