earthquake safety

An earthquake is a sudden, rapid shaking of the Earth caused by the breaking and shifting of rock beneath the Earth's surface. This shaking can cause buildings and bridges to collapse; disrupt gas, electric and phone service.

• Keep Calm.
• DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
• Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture, masonry veneers (such as fireplaces), tall furniture, and hanging pictures or
  mirrors.
• Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
• Do not use a doorway except if you know it is a strongly supported, load-bearing doorway and it is close to you. Many inside doorways are lightly constructed and do not offer protection.. 
  Doorways are no stronger than any other part of the structure. During an earthquake, get under a sturdy piece of furniture and hold on. This will provide some protection from falling objects that can injure you during an earthquake.
• Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Do not exit a building during the shaking. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.
• DO NOT use the elevators.
• Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.

After an earthquake

• Check for injuries.

• Don't move injured persons unless they are in immediate danger. 

• Turn on your TV or radio for emergency information and instructions.  

• Check utilities for gas and/or water leaks, or broken electrical connections.

• Be prepared to turn off utilities in the event they are damaged.  

• Clean up medications, cleaning products, and/or flammable liquids.

• Check food and water supplies.

• Open cabinets carefully, to avoid objects falling out.  

More information on earthquake safety is available through FEMA.

Check on the latest earthquakes go to 
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsus/
http://www.okgeosurvey1.gov/pages/home.php


news on the latest
http://articles.cnn.com/2011-11-06/us/us_oklahoma-earthquake_1_47-magnitude-quake-largest-quake-56-magnitude-quake?_s=PM:US

http://www.chron.com/news/article/USGS-3-earthquakes-give-Oklahoma-the-shakes-2253460.php

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2011/1106/Rare-Oklahoma-earthquake-damages-14-buildings