Be Earthquake Ready!

Earthquakes are unpredictable, but your response doesn't have to be! The best time to prepare for any disaster is before it happens.

Prepare Before an Earthquake

• Practice how to protect yourself during earthquakes, with family and coworkers.
• Make an Emergency Plan: Create a family emergency communications plan that has an out-of-state contact. Plan where to meet if you get separated. Make a supply kit that includes enough food and water for several days, a flashlight, a fire extinguisher, and a whistle.
• Protect Your Home: Secure heavy items in your home like bookcases, refrigerators, water heaters, televisions, and objects that hang on walls. Store heavy and breakable objects on low shelves.

The City of Claremont has adopted a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, which helps us plan for future emergencies. This plan helps create a safer community for residents, businesses, and visitors. Staff trainings are held regularly to ensure that all departments are prepared to respond when a real disaster hits.

Stay Safe During

If an earthquake happens, protect yourself right away:

• If you are in a car, pull over and stop. Set your parking brake.
• If you are in bed, turn face down and cover your head and neck with a pillow.
• If you are outdoors, stay outdoors away from buildings.
• If you are inside, stay and do not run outside and avoid doorways.

Stay Safe After

There can be serious hazards after an earthquake, such as damage to the building, leaking gas and water lines, or downed power lines.

• Expect aftershocks to follow the main shock of an earthquake. Be ready to Drop, Cover, and Hold On if you feel an aftershock.
• If you are in a damaged building, go outside and quickly move away from the building. Do not enter damaged buildings.
• If you are trapped, send a text or bang on a pipe or wall. Cover your mouth with your shirt for protection and instead of shouting, use a whistle.
• If you are in an area that may experience tsunamis, go inland or to higher ground immediately after the shaking stops. Avoid contact with floodwaters as they can contain chemicals, sewage, and debris.
• Check yourself to see if you are hurt and help others if you have training. Learn how to be the help until help arrives.
• • If you are sick or injured and need medical attention, contact your healthcare provider for instructions. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.

Once you are safe, pay attention to local news reports for emergency information and instructions via battery-operated radio, TV, social media, or from cell phone text alerts.

• Use text messages to communicate, which may be more reliable than phone calls.
• Be careful when cleaning up. Wear protective clothing, including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, work gloves, and sturdy thick-soled shoes. Do not try to remove heavy debris by yourself. Use an appropriate mask if cleaning mold or other debris. People with asthma and other lung conditions and/or immune suppression should not enter buildings with indoor water leaks or mold growth that can be seen or smelled. Children should not take part in disaster cleanup work.

Sign up for emergency alerts from the City of Claremont and the Claremont Police Department. Emergency alert messages will be sent to the phone number or email address you select. Sign up here.

For more information on how to make a plan and for tips on how you and your family can stay safe and be prepared for disasters, visit www.ready.gov.

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