Public urged to get a disaster kit, to make an emergency plan, and to be informed in advance

St. Louis, Wednesday, February 10, 2010 – Following the early morning 3.8 magnitude earthquake in northern Illinois, the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter urges everyone to make emergency preparedness a personal priority.

Because human-caused or natural disasters such as earthquakes can strike suddenly at anytime and anywhere, it is important that each individual be as prepared as possible. Reducing hazards and knowing what to do can make a big difference in how disasters affect your household. Adults and children in the household should talk about what to do when a disaster happens.

“In order to successfully prepare for and respond to a disaster, such as an earthquake, communication is essential,” said Nicole Holtgrefe, director of disaster preparedness and client services for the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter. “It is important to plan ahead and talk to your family about what to do in the case of emergencies. Make sure your family gets a disaster kit, makes a plan and is informed.”

The American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter is here to help you and your family when an earthquake, tornado, flood, fire, or other emergency happens in our community. The Red Cross is a charity, not a government agency, and depends on contributions of your time, money, and blood during times of disaster.

To further assist the public in preparing for earthquakes, the Red Cross suggests the following safety and preparedness tips for before, during and after an earthquake:

Before an earthquake, the Red Cross encourages the public to take the following steps:

Prepare a Home Earthquake Plan

Choose a safe place in every room–under a sturdy table or desk or against an inside wall where nothing can fall on you.
Practice DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON at least twice a year. Drop under a sturdy desk or table, hold on, and protect your eyes by pressing your face against your arm. If there’s no table or desk nearby, sit on the floor against an interior wall away from windows, bookcases, or tall furniture that could fall on you. Teach children to DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON!
Choose an out-of-town family contact.
Consult a professional to find out additional ways you can protect your home, such as bolting the house to its foundation and other structural mitigation techniques.
Take a first aid class from your local Red Cross chapter. Keep your training current.
Get training in how to use a fire extinguisher from your local fire department.
Inform babysitters and caregivers of your plan.

Eliminate Hazards, Including:

Bolting bookcases, china cabinets, and other tall furniture to wall studs.
Installing strong latches on cupboards.
Strapping the water heater to wall studs.

Prepare a Disaster Supplies Kit For Home and Car, Including:

First aid kit and essential medications.
Canned food and can opener.
At least three gallons of water per person.
Protective clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags.
Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
Special items for infant, elderly, or disabled family members.
Written instructions for how to turn off gas, electricity, and water if authorities advise you to do so. (Remember, you’ll need a professional to turn natural gas service back on.)
Keeping essentials, such as a flashlight and sturdy shoes, by your bedside.

During the earthquake, the Red Cross encourages the public to:

DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON! Move only a few steps to a nearby safe place. Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you’re sure it’s safe to exit. Stay away from windows. In a high-rise building, expect the fire alarms and sprinklers to go off during a quake.
If you are in bed, hold on and stay there, protecting your head with a pillow.
If you are outdoors, find a clear spot away from buildings, trees, and power lines. Drop to the ground.
If you are in a car, slow down and drive to a clear place (as described above). Stay in the car until the shaking stops.

After the earthquake, the Red Cross encourages the public to:

Check yourself for injuries. Protect yourself from further danger by putting on long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes, and work gloves.
Check others for injuries. Give first aid for serious injuries.
Look for and extinguish small fires. Eliminate fire hazards. Turn off the gas if you smell gas or think it’s leaking. (Remember, only a professional should turn it back on.)
Listen to the radio for instructions.
Expect aftershocks. Each time you feel one, DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON!
Inspect your home for damage. Get everyone out if your home is unsafe.
Use the telephone only to report life-threatening emergencies.

For more information:

For additional information on safety tips related to earthquakes, other preparedness information, and details about a vast array of programs and services that are available from the American Red Cross, call the St. Louis Area Chapter at 314.516.2800 or log on to the Chapter’s website at www.redcrossstl.org. Free preparedness presentations are also available.