Earthquake Preparedness: What Every Childcare Provider Should Know

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Earthquake Preparedness: What Every Childcare Provider Should Know Complete Document -- 210 KB

Earthquake Preparedness: What Every Childcare Provider Should Know (divided by pages)

FEMA SealFEMA-240
April 1993

EARTHQUAKE

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Developed by:

Bay Area Regional Earthquake Preparedness Project,

Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, Oakland,
California

Design, illustrations
&
production: Shelley Harper Design

Calligraphy: Nicholas Davis Harper-Smith

NOTE:

The use of the product name “Velcro” in this
publication was intended to describe a generic
group of fastening products.

There are, in fact, a. number of
products on the market which successfully
fasten down small appliances.

The work that provided the basis for this publication was supported by joint funding through a cooperative agreement between the Federal
Emergency Management Agency and the State of California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. The recommendations and suggestions
included in this document are intended to improve earthquake preparedness, response and mitigation. The contents do not guarantee the safety of
any individual,
sttucture
or facility in an earthquake. Neither the United States nor the State of California assumes liability for any injury, death or
property damage which occurs in connection with an earthquake.

You can never tell when there will be an earthquake, but you can

reduce or avoid damage, injuries or loss of life by preparing
yourself.

As a licensed child care provider, you already do many things that
prepare you for an earthquake. You have a fire extinguisher and
the beginning of an emergency and disaster plan. A few other
things will help you even more to prepare for an earthquake.

Having a good emergency plan assures parents, and it benefits you
directly because your home and family are prepared, too.

b/hatpucan do beforetineorthqake

1. Prepare Your House and Its Contents
Much of the damage caused by earthquakes is to the contents of
homes. During the shaking, bookcases topple, objects fall out of
cabinets, windows shatter, and hanging or large plants fall. You
can reduce damage and injuries by removing, moving and
fastening, or latching items that are likely to break, fall over or hurt
people.
Go through your home, room by room. Standing in the center of
each room, look all around you and imagine which objects or
pieces of furniture might fall over or fly through the air.

v
Move heavy objects to lower shelves

v
Attach heavy objects that can’t be moved to the desk or table
they’re sitting on with heavy-duty Velcro

‘I Fasten bookcases and tall cabinets to the wall

m
v
Move beds and cribs away from windows

A child's illustration
Earthquakes can cause other dangerous problems such as broken gas
and electric lines. Do you know where the gas “shut-off’ valve and
master electrical switch are? Do you know how to turn them off? Do
you have a wrench close to the gas meter if you need to turn off the
gas?

A child's illustrationSome houses can stand up to earthquake shaking better than others.
In general, wood frame houses that are bolted to their foundations are
damaged less than houses not bolted. Houses built after 1960
generally are bolted to their foundations. To find out when your house
was built, call your local building department or the county assessor’s
office.

To make sure that your house is bolted, ask a friend or a builder who
knows what to look for.

Call your local Office of Emergency Services and ask for information

“I thought the sky on identifying earthquake hazards in your home and correcting them.fall down.
”

Chris, age 3 They will also be able to tell you about your city’s emergency plan.

October
17,1989

Earthquake

2. Get Children Ready
Children and adults should know how to duck and cover under
sturdy pieces of furniture (tables or desks) for protection during
earthquake shaking. Spend time explaining what you want them to
do. There are books and audiovisual tapes (see Resource List) that
will suggest earthquake-related activities at their developmental
level.
3. Have Frequent Drills
To avoid or reduce physical injury, children must learn to respond
almost automatically to your commands. Have duck and cover
and/or evacuation earthquake drills at least once a month. For a
successful drill:
V
Get the children’s attention and give clear and distinct
commands. Speak in a calm voice. At the command of
“earthquake,” the children and you should immediately:

. Duck under a desk or table.

.   Stay under cover until the shaking stops (at least one
minute).

. If possible, hold on to the desk or table leg.

V
If there aren’t enough sturdy pieces of furniture to get under,
practice taking cover next to inside walls, away from windows,
overhead light fixtures and tall pieces of furniture which might
topple over when the ground shakes.

V
Practice duck and cover drills outside in your play area, too.

A child's illustration“I
was so scared
I cried.
”

Tommy, age 3

October 17, 1989
Earthquake

4. Talk to Parents
Share your emergency plans with parents. They need to know what
you plan to do in an earthquake or any other type of emergency. Ask
them to make an earthquake plan for their homes and to talk to their
children about earthquake safety.
5. Prepare an Emergency Kit
You may be on your own for two or three days after an earthquake, so
it’s a good idea to store medical supplies: flashlights, batteries, and a
portable radio; food and water; diapers, waterproof plastic bags, and a
shovel; and other necessities.
A child's illustration
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1.
Every one should duck and cover and hold. Well-trained
children and adults will generally do that. Do not move until the
shaking stops.
2. If you are outside, stay away from overhead power lines, trees
and overpasses. Duck and cover.
3. If you are in a car, pull over to the side of the road and stop. Stay
away from overhead power lines, trees, and overpasses. Stay in the
car until the shaking stops.
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Sometimes, large earthquakes are followed by smaller ones, called
“aftershocks”. These can also cause damage, so be prepared to duck
and cover again.

1. Check all children and adults for injuries. Treat minor injuries.
2. Check for damage(s):

V
If you smell gas, shut it off at the meter. Don’t shut off the gas
unless you smell it! If you shut off the gas, the gas company must
turn it back on. It may take days or weeks before they are able to
do so.
V
If electric wires are crackling inside, shut off the gas first, then turn
off the master electrical switch.

V
If there is a small fire that can be put out with the fire extinguisher,
do that. Otherwise, leave the house. Remember that you must
protect the children and yourself!

3. Reassure the children. Tell them that their parents will come for
them as soon as they can, that their parents know everyone will be
safe with you, and that you are all together and everyone is fine.
4. If you think that the house and/or its contents are too damaged for
the safety of you and the children, leave the house. If you must leave
the area, place a note for the parents on the outside door, telling them
where you are going.
A child's illustration
Mdren~
reactions to
etibakes

“I had lots of bad

dreams after. n
Carlos, age 4

April 25, 1992
Earthquake

Children will usually become frightened, tearful and clinging.
They will want their parent(s). Even toilet-trained children may
have accidents.

It is natural for children and adults to be afraid.

1. Let the children know that you understand why they are scared.
Comfort them, repeat that their parents know where they are or
where they may go. Their parents will come to get them as soon as
they can. They are safe with you. You will look after them.
2. Encourage the children to talk about their fears. Help them sort
out what is real from what is unreal. Encourage them to draw or
write about their feelings. Children are less afraid of things that
they understand. Return to routine as soon as possible.
3. Parents frequently look to you for advice, so help them
understand their children’s behavior. Some parents get angry or
upset when their children act frightened. Tell the parents that the
behavior is natural and will not last. If the child continues to be
disturbed for a long period of time, the family may need to seek
professional counseling.