Community Corner

Be Prepared For The Next Earthquake

Following these safety procedures can ensure that in the event of a serious earthquake you and your family are prepared to handle it safely.

Whether you felt it or not, in northern Virginia sent shocks up and down the Eastern Seaboard and reminded us all that the earth does indeed shake in Connecticut from time to time. 

In fact, according to the Northeast States Emergency Consortium, there have been 137 reported earthquakes in the Nutmeg State from 1668 and 2007. 

The American Red Cross sent out these Earthquake Safety Tips shortly after Tuesday's quake to remind us all about precautions that we can and should take in the event we, like Carole King, start to feel the earth move under our feet: 

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Prepare in Advance

  • Make yourself aware of fire evacuation and earthquake plans for all of the buildings you occupy regularly.
  • Pick safe places in each room of your home, workplace and/or school. A safe place could be under a piece of furniture or against an interior wall away from windows, bookcases or tall furniture that could fall on you.
  • Bolt and brace water heaters, gas appliances, bookcases, china cabinets and other tall furniture to wall studs; brace overhead light fixtures.
  • Learn how to shut off the gas valves in your home and keep a wrench handy for that purpose.

How to Stay Safe During the Quake

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  • Drop, cover and hold on. Move as little as possible.
  • If you are in bed, stay there, curl up and hold on. Protect your head with a pillow.
  • Stay away from windows to avoid being injured by shattered glass.
  • Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you are sure it is safe to exit. If you must leave the building after the shaking stops, use stairs rather than an elevator in case there are aftershocks, power outages or other damage.
  • Be aware that fire alarms and sprinkler systems frequently go off in buildings during an earthquake, even if there is no fire.
  • If you are outside when the shaking starts find a clear spot and drop to the ground. Stay there until the shaking stops (away from buildings, power lines, trees, streetlights).
  • If you are in a vehicle, pull over to a clear location and stop. Avoid bridges, overpasses and power lines if possible. Stay inside with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops. Then, drive carefully, avoiding bridges and ramps that may have been damaged.

Safety After the Quake

  • After an earthquake, the disaster may continue. Expect and prepare for potential aftershocks, landslides or even a tsunami. Tsunamis are often generated by earthquakes.
  • Each time you feel an aftershock, drop, cover and hold on. Aftershocks frequently occur minutes, days, weeks and even months following an earthquake.
  • Look quickly for damage in and around your home and get everyone out if your home is unsafe.
  • Listen to a portable, battery-operated or hand-crank radio for updated emergency information and instructions.
  • Be careful when driving after an earthquake and anticipate traffic light outages.
  • Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines and stay out of damaged areas.


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