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Tuesday Time to Tackle: Emergency Preparedness, Part I

Perhaps you have already seen the viral video of the KTLA news anchors diving under their desk yesterday:

 



That clip is reminiscent of anchor Kent Shocknek's reaction to the Whittier earthquake of 1987.  He also went under the desk (which, by the way, is the appropriate response to earthquakes).  However, he was known for quite some time following the earthquake as Kent "Aftershocknek."  

Yesterday's quake was a 4.4--a moderate magnitude.  John felt it; I didn't.  It was a good reminder for me to take inventory of my level of emergency preparedness, though.  I'm going to take some time over the next few weeks to write about some of the things I do to stay prepared.

Whether or not your area is prone to earthquakes, it's always a good idea to be prepared for emergencies.  Emergencies can happen any time.  If you were rudely awakened by a natural disaster, would you be ready?  

Dr. Lucy Jones is this area's go-to expert on earthquakes.  In an interview she gave yesterday on one news station, she mentioned that she was in bed when the earthquake struck.  She stayed in bed because her bed was a "safe zone."  The wall above her bed is bare, with nothing to fall off and hit her in the event of an earthquake.  

Besides keeping our wall bare to protect our heads, John and I also keep a couple of items within easy reach:  a flashlight/radio combination (battery- and hand-cranked- operated), and a pair of shoes.  In the event of a damaging earthquake, we could see where we were walking, and our feet would be protected. 

 
Have you taken steps to prepare yourself for an emergency that might strike while you were sleeping?  If not, it doesn't take too much time, effort, or money to be prepared.  Take a few moments this week and make your bed a "safe zone."

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Thanks for time to prepare.

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Comments

  1. Rozy LassMarch 18, 2014 at 8:04 AM

    Does this mean I can't hang my pretty plates and framed pictures above my bed? Darn! I do have a flashlight in the nightstand drawer and slippers at my bedside. We aren't bothered by earthquakes here, but strong winds and tornadoes are a possibility. I'm also prepared in the bathroom with plenty of gallon jugs of water for flushing in case of a problem with water. (We have a big closet in the bathroom.)

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  2. NancyMarch 18, 2014 at 9:30 AM

    I have an emergency "to go" kit in the closet and flashlight stashed all over the house (came in handy on Friday when the power went off). I really need to unpack my kit and update the items in there. Thanks for the reminder.

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  3. UnknownMarch 20, 2014 at 9:21 AM

    I didn't feel this one but we were south of it and Dr. Jones (I really like her!) said the shock waves flowed north. I have been through my share of our earthquakes and we are ready! We even keep extra water in the cars should anything happen while we are out.

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