How to prepare for an earthquake

Jim Carlile, The Olympian

If there is one message to be learned from this earthquake, it is to think ahead.

According to the Washington State Insurance Commission, only about a third of state residents have earthquake insurance. If you have it, good for you. If not, you'll end up getting the damage fixed yourself, according to Noelle Wareham, an Allstate Insurance agent in Olympia.

"The first thing to do is make sure you're safe. After that, make any emergency repairs you need," Wareham said. "Then you should contact your insurance agent."

Large earthquakes in Japan, California and elsewhere in the Pacific Rim have stimulated earthquake insurance sales in the state, according to the insurance commission.

Quake damage to an automobile would be protected by auto insurance.

Typically, carriers in the earthquake insurance market declare a short moratorium on new sales when an area has been hit by a quake. The moratorium may last for several days and is based on the expectation that damaging aftershocks may be expected for up to 72 hours after a strong quake.

Ken Urie, owner of Emergency Supply Center in Olympia, said the main thing families need to do is to have an escape plan from the house and backup supplies of food and water in case people can't get out of the house or drive to a store.

"An important thing to do is look around your home and see what the hazards are," Urie said. "See what could fall and block exits or fall and injure someone. The biggest things are water heaters and large bookcases, entertainment centers, large hutches, anything like that. If you've got a large TV on a shelf, make sure it's secured."

Dan Golec, store manager for Olympia's Home Depot, agreed that water heaters are an important thing to secure in case of an earthquake. Home Depot and other hardware stores sell straps made specifically for securing a water heater, but in a pinch, it can be secured with plumbers tape, Golec said.

Duct tape, Golec said, can also be used to stabilize things, but a safer way would be by using L-shaped brackets to screw objects like bookcases into walls.

Because injuries are the most important thing to avoid, Urie and Golec both urged people to start bolting things down.

The Emergency Supply Center sells a variety fastening products for homes and offices, survival kits, first aid kits, dehydrated food, water barrels and a variety of other safety and preparedness products.

"Eighty percent of injuries are going to be cuts and bruises to feet and knees," Urie said. "Everyone should have a good first aid kit and know how to use it."

After injuries, Urie said the most important thing is preventing property damage.

Costco in Tumwater and Ralph's Thriftway in Olympia were prepared for the earthquake.

"We were shook up a little, but there were no injuries and zero product fell out," said Bob Northrup, a manager at Costco. They have earthquake bars that stabilize the shelves and anything that could potentially fall is bolted in place, he said.

Ralph's Thriftway has a plan for when an earthquake hits. Manager Russ Noski said the first step before evacuating the store is to make sure nobody is hurt. There was a bit of damage, but it was all cleaned up by about noon.

Jeff Bean, owner of Olympia Hardware Supply, said he has earthquake preparedness pamphlets in his store. The free pamphlets, which detail how to develop an earthquake plan, include ideas for preventing property damage, finding the safest place in a home and numerous other things. Until now, they've done little more than gather dust.

"I'll bet I get rid of them now," he said. "People don't take these things very seriously until something like this happens."

Urie agrees. His store has been around for about six years, but not many people have ever been interested in earthquake safety, he said.

"This usually motivates people," Urie said. "What I've found, though, is that in two weeks, people will forget it ever happened."

Jim Carlile writes for The Olympian. He can be reached at 357-0204.

The Olympian Copyright 2000

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