General Guidelines for Earthquake Preparedness:

April 2006 marked the 100th anniversary of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Although the 1989 Loma Prieta quake was dramatic, its epicenter was far enough away from San Francisco that it is not considered by geologists to be "the big one" that's expected to hit some of our more local faults. Being prepared is the key to getting through the disaster that a large Bay Area earthquake will bring. This is a great time to make plans and collect provisions that will be necessary in case of a quake. The school is prepared and is currently updating supplies and plans, but this is not enough to ensure that our ACTCM community will fare well through an earthquake. The following are suggestions that have been supplied by the American Red Cross, San Francisco County, and the U.S. Geological Survey. Please take this opportunity to prepare yourself, your family and pets for a natural disaster.

For your Backpack/Book bag:

• Consider keeping water, extra medication, contact lens solution/glasses and some energy bars on your person - and CASH. This would not be the time to rely on credit cards!

For Home:

• Have enough bottled water for yourself, family, housemates, pets, etc. for 3-5 days. 1 gallon of water per person per day is recommended.  - Non-perishable food that requires no cooking: canned goods (with can-opener), nuts, dried fruit, energy bars

• Food for your pets

• Supplies of any necessary medications

• An extra pair of prescription glasses or contact lens supplies

• A first aid kit

• Hygiene items: toothpaste, soap, wet-wipes, toilet paper

• Heavy shoes/boots, work gloves

• Blankets, warm and protective clothing

• Flashlights, light sticks, or hand-cranked flashlight

• Battery-powered or hand-crank-powered radio

• Batteries!

• Cash in small denominations ($50 is recommended)

• bank networks and ATMs are likely to be down for days

• Phone service is likely to be spotty, but make sure you have an old-fashioned, plug into the wall, non-cordless phone.

• Emergency contact numbers both in and out of state (family or friends out of state may be easier to reach in case of spotty phone service)

• Copies of essential documents, insurance policies, etc.

• Heavy-duty plastic bags

• Know where your building's gas shut-off valve and water shut-off are located and make sure a wrench is nearby.

• DO NOT turn on the gas again if you turned it off; let the gas company do it.

• DO NOT use matches, lighters, camp stoves or barbecues, electrical equipment, appliances until you are sure that there are no gas leaks. They may create a spark that could ignite leaking gas and cause an explosion and fire.

• DO NOT use your telephone, except for a medical or fire emergency. You could tie up the lines needed for emergency response. If the phone doesn't work send someone for help.

• DO NOT expect firefighters, police or paramedics to help you. They may not be available.

For the Car

• Pack a version of this emergency kit in your car if you have one.

If you are INDOORS

• STAY THERE! Get under a desk or table and hang on to it, or move into a hallway or get against an inside wall. Stay clear of windows, fireplaces, and heavy furniture or appliances. Get out of the kitchen, which is a dangerous place (things can fall on you). Don't run downstairs or rush outside while the building is shaking or while there is danger of falling and hurting yourself or being hit by a falling glass or debris.

If you are OUTSIDE

• get into the open, away from buildings, power lines, chimneys, and anything else that might fall on you.

If you are DRIVING

• stop, but carefully. Move your car as far out of traffic as possible. DO NOT stop on or under a bridge or overpass or under trees, light posts, power lines, or signs. Stay inside your car until the shaking stops. When you resume driving watch for breaks in the pavement, fallen rocks, and bumps in the road at bridge-approaches. Consider getting in the habit of never allowing your gas tank to get below half-full. In case of a quake, you will not be able to get more gas to get home.

Please see www.72hours.org for more information about how you can prepare yourself for an emergency.