KYLE'S "UN-OFFICIAL" EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS PAGE

California is an amazing place to live!  But sometimes, the ground likes to dance underneath us.  While most of these earthquakes are just small tremors that make us take to social media for a good story, statistics tell us we are LONG overdue for a big earthquake that will rock the way we live here in Southern California.  

When I first moved to Los Angeles, I took a bunch of safety and training courses and became a Lead Safety Instructor with the American Red Cross.  During this time, I learned (and taught many) about Earthquake Preparedness.  It's a question I get asked about so often that I decided to make a webpage dedicated to it!  Please enjoy reading and educating yourself!  Preparedness is KEY!  Start today!  Right Now!  

Kyle at an Earthquake Preparedness Event at Mattel's Headquarters in LA

Kyle at a PrepareLA event class with students Gene Simmons and Shannon Tweed.

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DO YOU HAVE AN EARTHQUAKE KIT?

The biggest fear most people have in an earthquake is that you're going to die.  Statistically speaking - the odds of this are VERY LOW.  So let's assume you survive the largest earthquake California has ever seen.  Now what?  You're going to need some supplies because survival mode is about to kick in.  Since you do not know where you will be when an emergency occurs, prepare supplies for home, work and vehicles.

• HOME: Keep this kit in a designated place and have it ready to go (BY THE DOOR) in case you need to leave quickly.
• WORK: Be prepared to shelter at work for 24 hours.  Your work kit should include food, water, and other necessities (walking shoes are a big one here) that can be put into a "grab and go" case.
  
• VEHICLE: In case you are stranded, keep a smaller emergency kit in your car.
  
  

Here's what is inside of MY kit.  The top section are the absolute must haves; but everything on this list has great value and purpose in an emergency.  Remember, predictors say that during "the big one" - we could be without water and power for weeks.  Buildings will be unstable and we will likely have to rebuild more than we think.  While it's true that FEMA and other help organizations will arrive to provide aid at some point, you'll want to be prepared to handle yourself and your family until then.    

• Water - the more of this you can pack, the better!
• Food - soups, MRE's, peanut butter!
• Hand Crank Radio / Flashlight / Phone Charger  (and iPhone cable!)
• Flashlight
• First Aid Kit
• Cash - cash will be KING in an emergency; because computers won't be working to ring up purchases.  
• Important Documents - copies of insurance policies, identification (passports, IDs) and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container
• Life Straw - grab a few of these!  They are going to come in BIG help during a disaster.  
• Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes
  
  
• Extra batteries
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter in place, if need be. 
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Manual can opener for food
• Local Maps
• Prescription Medications 
• Non Prescription Medications, like Advil, Excedrin, etc
• Spare Pair of Glasses / Contact Lens Solution 
• For those with little ones - infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes 
• For those with pets - pet food and extra water
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
• Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes
• Fire Extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils
• Paper and Pen
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities - after an earthquake, we will all be in survival mode, but mental health will be increasingly important to monitor.  Games and fun things like this will help!