Roots2RealEstate

It’s funny to me the reactions I’ve heard from people since our fault line gave out a big burp.  Some folks were calm, cool, and collected, headed to a door’s threshold or a load baring wall and then after the ground stopped shaking, went on with their nightly routine; and for some others it was a jolt to the memory and their gut.  As for some others that I know, it was a first time riding on what California is known and famous for.  Yes, this would include myself; I’ve slept through another so I don’t count that one!

After I calmed by boys and girls down, I headed around the property in search of any water leaks or cracks in my stucco or pool.  Then headed to my furnaces and gas meter to test out my trusted nose for any gas leaks.  As I stood in front of the gas meter I realized that I really didn’t know for sure how to A.) detect for a gas leak and B.) exactly how to turn off my main valve lines if there was one.  The next day I went out onto the live wire Internet and started a search.  Here’s what I came up with.  I hope it inspires you to be better prepared when the earth moves again. 

This link is to a a site that is specific to the S.F. Bay Region and offers a handbook on what to do in case of a major disaster like an earthquake:  

http://www.pge.com/safety/prepare_natural_disasters/earthquakes/sites_publications/usgs_earthquake_handbook/contents.html

A link to PG&E’s website on how to turn off your gas at the meter and other helpful tips:

http://www.pge.com/safety/prepare_natural_disasters/earthquakes/gas_shutoff_devices/index.html

 New news when it comes to the CA broadcasting system;  A bill to be passed allowing major cell phone carriers to send out to cell phones a warning signal when disaster strikes.  Read more and sign up for your carrier’s workshops at: 

http://www.oes.ca.gov/Operational/OESHome.nsf/ALL/7A99C56B83C24B4788257339005BD548?OpenDocument

A handy all-in-one tool created by a retired firefighter. As well as a great tip on how to detect a gas leak:

  http://www.survivalinstinct.com/shutoffvalve.html

A hefty survival checklist:

http://www.survivalinstinct.com/surcheclis.html 

Learn how to strengthen existing structures and also how and where to build when you live in Northern California’s earthquake country:

http://quake.wr.usgs.gov/prepare/index.html

Red Cross website, need to say more? 

http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_583_,00.html

Best site of all!  A cool world map displaying all seismic activities taking place around the world!  Check out the interesting activity happening else where on the same day that our earthquake (and Oct 31st’s aftershock) happened:  

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/

HASUS Earthquake Loss Estimator, You have damage - now what?

http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/hazus/hz_eq.shtml

One final thought, I couln’t help but think of my neighbors right after we experienced the earthquake.  I realized through this experience that I must get to know all my elderly neighbors or single residents and call upon them after an earthquake just to see if they are o.k. too.  I strive to be a good neighbor by shutting off their home’s gas and water in a major quake, and also check on my neighbors, and to comfort them if needed.  The life I save could be my own as well.