info LA: Richter Scale Day

Tuesday 26 April 2011

In 1935, Charles Richter and his colleague, Beno Gutenburg, devised a scale of measurement to define an earthquake's absolute intensity. Prior to this, the Mericalli Scale was used in which a temblor was rated from 1-12 on how people observed the effect on buildings. Richter and Gutenburg replaced this subjective measurement with scientific one using a seismograph. The Richter Scale was used late into the70s until a more precise scale, the Moment Magnitude Scale (MMS), was developed. Though the MMS has been used for 30 years now, the term Richter Scale is still widely recognized and used–sometimes erroneously.

In observance of Richter Scale Day (26 April), infoLA reminds you to make sure you are ready for the inevitable. Take necessary measures to protect your property and update your Emergency Preparedness Kit and review safety precautions and skills with your household.

Before An Earthquake

Earthquake-ready your home:

Anchor large and heavy furniture securely to the walls (including your water heater).
Avoid hanging or placing heavy items such as mirrors or pictures over beds, couches etc.
Ensure sure all your cabinets latch securely.
Ensure all gas connections and electrical wiring are not leaking or defective.
Repair any structural damage such as cracks in your walls, ceiling or foundation.
Consider chimney reinforcement, foundation anchoring.

Earthquake-ready yourself and house-hold members:

Identify safest places inside to take cover during a temblor such as under a sturdy table or desk, against a secure wall away from windows, mirrors, pictures and heavy furniture.
Identify the safest places outside to be during a temblor away from buildings, trees, telephone or electrical lines and away from overpasses and elevated transitways.
Teach children how and when to dial 9-1-1 for emergency assistance and which radio station to tune to in case of emergency.
If you live in a multi-unit building, identify stairwells, fire escapes and fire exits.
Have an evacuation plan and meeting spot.
Have an out of state contact for house-hold/family members to check in with (it is easier to call long-distance).
Ensure all members of house-hold can locate and turn off (if necessary) circuit breakers/fuses, water line, gas line.
Maintain an earthquake/emergency preparedness kit (see below).

During An Earthquake:

Indoors: Take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture and cover your head and face with your arms. Make sure you are away from heavy furniture that may fall on you or block your exit after the shaking has stopped. Stay away from windows, glass doors, pictures, lighting fixtures. If you take cover in a doorway, make sure it is a load bearing doorway and do not get your fingers caught in a swinging door during the shaking.
Outdoors: Move away from all buildings, trees, telephone or electrical lines, street lamps and away from bridges, overpasses and elevated transitways.
In a moving vehicle: Stop the vehicle when in a safe clear spot as soon as possible. Avoid stop next to buildings, trees, telephone or electrical lines, street lamps. Never stop on or under bridges, overpasses and elevated transitways or in tunnels.

After An Earthquake:

Make sure all members of your house-hold are safe and attend to injured persons promptly. NEVER move a seriously injured person unless they are in further imminent bodily harm. Call for medical personnel.
Expect aftershocks which can further damage the structure you are in or around.
Tune your radio or TV to your local emergency broadcast station to be aware of the latest emergency information. If you live in a coastal area, be advised of possible tsunamis.
Stay away from damaged areas.
Inspect for gas leaks: If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window evacuate the building. Shut the gas off at the main valve outside and notify the gas company. A professional must turn the gas back on–NEVER do it yourself.
Inspect for electrical damage: if you see sparks, broken or frayed wires or if you smell hot insulation turn off the electricity at the main fuse or circuit breaker box. Call an electrician for repairs.
Inspect for sewage and water line damage: Avoid using the toilets if you suspect sewage lines are damaged. If water pipes are damaged, avoid using tap water and notify your water company.
Inspect your chimney for damage.
Clean up any hazardous materials and cleaners that may have spilled or leaked.
Avoid making telephone calls. Texts might go through if calls do not but avoid texting as well unless necessary.
Be careful when opening cabinets, objects inside may have shifted and may fall on you.
If you are trapped under debris: Do not light a match or lighter. Do not move or kick up dust. Cover your mouth with clothing if possible. Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can hear you. Avoid shouting as you may inhale dangerous amounts of (possibly toxic) dust.

Emergency Preparedness Kit

Water:

A normally active person needs 2 qt/day. Hot environments or excess physical activity will require double that. Children, nursing moms and the ill will require more.
Store 1 gal/person/day (2 qt for drinking, 2 qt for sanitation/food prep per person per day). Store at least three days worth of water (seven days if possible). Store additional water for pets. Water should be stored in plastic containers. Water should be changed every six months.
If you need to purify your water, you can boil it, add purification tablets to it or add bleach to it. Use regular bleach (do not use scented, color-safe or bleach with other cleaning agents). Bleach or purification tablets should contain 5.25% sodium hypochlorite. For bleach, add 16 drops of bleach per gallon of water. For tablets, follow dosage requirements on packaging.

Food:

Canned fruits, canned vegetables, canned juices, canned soup. Avoid foods that take a lot of water to prepare such as rice, dry beans, pastas. Consider military style Meals-Ready-to-Eat (MRE) that only require a small amount of water to be added.
Vitamins, formula and other special dietary foods for infants, the elderly or the ill. Pet food: one ounce per pet-pound/day.
Store at least 3 days worth of food (seven days if possible). Restock your food once a year.
Have a manual can opener, disposable utensils and plates/bowls.

Medical Supplies:

First Aid Handbook
Latex gloves
Sterile dressings, adhesive bandages of various sizes
Cleansing agent, antibiotic ointment
Eye wash solution
Thermometer, scissors, tweezers
Prescription medicines
Pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medicines, antacid, Syrup of Ipecac, laxatives, eye drops, sunscreen

Sanitary Supplies:

Toilet paper, bucket with lid
Soap, detergent, bleach
Feminine products
Towels, rags

Tools and Supplies:

Crescent wrench to turn off gas and water (if necessary), pliers, utility knife
Fire extinguisher
Radio and flashlights (hand crank preferred as batteries must constantly be replaced and are bad for the environment once disposed)
Tape, foil, plastic bags/containers
Paper, pencil, needle, thread
Medicine dropper
Sturdy shoes/boots, rain gear, blankets/sleeping bags, warm clothing, sunglasses
Land-line telephone that does not require electricity

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