Earthquake Preparedness Fireside

80% of communities along the Wasatch Front are built on the fault / triangular mountains are present
where there is a fault

Treat #1 – infrequent, large earthquake (6.5 to 7.5)

Threat #2 – frequent, moderate quakes (5 to 6.5)

Horizontal extension or stretching – 4 to 4 ½ inches every year / puts stress on Colorado plateau

Dip slip fault – fault line will drop 3 to 20 feet at close to the speed of sound
30’ trench was dug in Mapleton – evidence of 4 quakes: 2 dropped 10’, 2 dropped 20’

During a quake: drop, cover, hold

Things inside your house will hurt you! Worst rooms to be in during an earthquake: kitchen, laundry
room, and anywhere there is a brick fireplace.
In kitchen – move heavy items to bottom shelves

Need to brace gas pipes in basement if exposed – use wire lines if needed
Water heater needs to be strapped down – can be thrown ($15.00 in plumbing dept)

Things to buy:
Power failure light - $10.00 at Home Depot or Lowes (usually in electrical dept)
[light dispels fear] – put in bedrooms and hallways

Wrench – size to gas meter (keep behind meter)

*Note: do not turn off gas just because an earthquake occurred. Only turn off if you smell gas.

Stainless steel washing machine supply line (prevents flooding)

A-maze-ing picture hooks

Furniture straps to brace tall objects – strap to stud in wall

Things to do:
1. Identify potential hazards and get them fixed
2. Bolt tall furniture to the wall
3. Secure items hanging above beds
4. Secure bunk beds to the wall to help prevent collapse onto lower bed
5. Move heavy objects
6. Get power failure lights
7. Never let your gas tank get below ½ tank
8. Store emergency fuels in shed on the floor
9. Strap down computers – Note: if your keyboard is crushed, turning on your computer can blow
your system. Replace keyboard before turning it on.
10. Add screws to floating shelves
 11. Strap washing machine and dryer to wall studs so they don’t become projectiles
12. Buy earthquake wax to hold valuables into place
13. Add rope or netting to garage shelves

Remember…an earthquake is not a single event!

 Fire can be a problem; isolate everything in your home or garage that can cause a fire.
 Huge dust clouds will develop after an earthquake. Spores can cause valley fever – use masks
 Homes will most likely not have electricity or water for 10 to 14 days. Sewers will work but you
must have water to dump into your toilet in order to flush it.

Church articles: prepare spiritually and physically for the future

October 1998 – President Hinckley “Stormy Weather”
October 2005 – President Hinckley “If Ye Are Prepared, Ye Shall Not Fear”
June 2008 – President Eyring “Standing on Safe Ground”

Publication: Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country

Note: having a minimum of three months food supply is also recommended in case of disasters such as a
pandemic when we could be quarantined for 3 months.