When Things Get Shakey

They’re back.

Northridge earthquake aftershocks are making headlines again and so is the prospect of the Big One. And while scientists studying the area’s ample network of nervous faults may differ in their scenarios, no one is arguing with Caltech seismologist Kate Hutton’s recent comment that “the people of California need to be prepared at any time.”

So now is a good time to take another look at your earthquake supply situation--has your bottled water really been sitting there for five years?--and update from experience.

“It is a pain to get prepared,” says Jeff Edelstein of SOS Survival Products in Van Nuys. “People see all these lists and think about the time and money involved, but don’t be overwhelmed. Just set some goals--water, food, lighting, safety items--and make a timetable. Then each week set a few things aside.”

Home

* A flashlight and fresh batteries should be handy in every room. Power-failure lights, plugged into outlets for constant recharging, will see you through the immediate crisis.

* Three- to four-day food supply per person.

* Two gallons of water per day per person.

* Tools such as crescent wrench to turn off gas and water (learn how to use beforehand), hammer, screwdrivers (flat and Phillips), shovel, ax, crowbar. Keep a garden hose for siphoning, and plastic tape and plastic sheeting to cover damaged windows.

* Portable (or solar) radio and batteries. (Portable TV and batteries, if you want more than audio contact.)

* Water purification tablets.

* Fire extinguisher (learn how to use it beforehand).

* Manual can opener.

* Keep cash on hand, because automated teller machines may not be working and merchants may not accept personal checks. Credit cards could also be useless if the electronic network is out of commission.

* Paper plates, cups and plastic utensils.

* Blankets.

* Comfortable clothes and shoes.

* Alternative cooking source, such as a barbecue grill or camp stove. Include matches and heavy-duty aluminum foil.

* First-aid kit, which should include prescription medications, antibiotic ointment, bandages, gauze pads and tape, pain reliever/aspirin, anti-diarrhea medicine, laxatives, anti-gas medicine, rubbing alcohol, cotton balls, scissors and tweezers.

* Toilet paper and tampons.

* Large trash bags.

* Resealable plastic bags for human waste.

* Thick-soled shoes and heavy gloves for cleaning debris.

* Newspapers (besides whiling away hours reading old articles, you can use them to clean up spills and plug holes).

Car

* Keep gas tank full.

* Keep cellular phones, and extra batteries, charged.

* Cash and coins.

* First-aid kit, which should include antibiotic ointment, bandages, gauze pads and tape, rubbing alcohol, cotton balls, scissors and tweezers.

* Moist towelettes.

* Flashlight and batteries.

* Nonperishable foods.

* Manual can opener.

* 2 gallons of water in five-year packs or boxes.

* Extra prescription medicine and extra eyeglasses.

* Portable radio.

* Toilet bags.

* Utility knife.

* Flares.

* Blanket or sleeping bag.

* Fire extinguisher.

* Screwdriver and pliers.

* Local maps.

* Rugged clothes and comfortable shoes.

* Hat or visor.

* Whistle.

* Pen and paper.

Office

* Extra clothes and comfortable shoes.

* Nonperishable foods.

* Manual can opener.

* Essential medication.

* Portable radio and spare batteries.

* Blanket or sleeping bag.

* Moist towelettes.

* Toilet paper and tampons.

Food

Grocery stores may be closed for several days, so plan accordingly. Here are some guidelines.

* Choose foods that store well without refrigeration, such as canned meat, fish, soup, macaroni, beans, chili, vegetables, spaghetti, ravioli, fruit, juice, nuts, peanut butter, jelly, pudding and evaporated milk.

* Store staples such as crackers, cereal, rice cakes, snack bars, dried fruit, legumes and dried milk in plastic jars.

* Buy foods that are low in sodium. You don’t want to deplete your water supply.

* Store food in a dark, cool area.

* Don’t forget the fifth major food group: snacks. Chocolate can be soothing after a quake.

* Rotate foods once or twice a year to avoid spoilage.

* If you want to get specialized, dehydrated food and water packs with a five-year shelf life are available at specialty stores.

* If power is out, first eat food from the refrigerator. Next, freezer food and, lastly, nonperishables. (Frozen food lasts several days if the freezer door is kept closed.)

* Do not use canned foods that are bulging or leaking.

* Do not use food from open containers near broken glass or spilled household chemicals.

* Do not eat perishable foods that become warm. Bacteria grow rapidly without refrigeration and may cause food poisoning.

Water (Drinking)

Keeping water in your body is critical. Symptoms of mild dehydration include impatience, fatigue, emotional instability and apathy. Symptoms of severe dehydration include headache, sunken eyes and cheeks, difficulty breathing, weakness, mental confusion and rapid but weak pulse. Here’s what you’ll need.

* Two gallons of water per day per person.

* Alternate sources of water are sodas, melted ice or snow, liquid from canned foods, toilet tanks (not bowls). A toilet tank can provide up to seven gallons of water; do not drink if chemical disinfectant or bluing agent was used.

* To rely on a hot water heater for drinking water, flush at least once every six months to remove rust and mineral deposits.

* Don’t drink water stored in vinyl plastic containers, such as water beds.

* Rushing water from streams should be filtered and purified.

* Dew does not usually require purification. It can be collected by wiping from low vegetation, rocks and grasses with a rag.

Purifying Water

Dysentery, infectious hepatitis and typhoid fever are diseases that can result from contaminated water. After an earthquake, you can’t assume water from water lines or reservoirs is pure. Instead, choose one of the following purification methods.

* Boiling: Boil water vigorously for five minutes. If you’re without power, place a steel cup directly over hot coals until red hot, then place directly into container of water.

* Filtering: Allow collected water to stand for several hours to settle heavier particles. Pour the clearer water through a piece of cotton cloth so the suspended particles are filtered. Repeat until water is clear.

* Purification tablets: Effective in removing most biological pollutants; available at drugstores.

Infants

* Extra packages of disposable diapers.

* Water and other liquids. (Babies can live without food for several days, experts say, but they need a minimum of 1 1/2 ounces of liquid per pound each day.)

* At least a three-day supply of ready-made formula.

* An extra supply of baby food. If you run out, it’s perfectly fine for parents to chew up food for their infants.

* An adequate supply of food for breast-feeding mothers. (Nursing moms should add 20% to 30% more calories and hydration to the average adult requirements.)

Pets

* Make sure your pet has an ID tag with both your home telephone number and that of a relative in a different area.

* Make sure your pet’s license is up to date.

* Make sure your pet’s earthquake kit includes leashes, collars, a pet carrier in case of evacuation, a few days of food and water, and a fresh supply of any special medications.

* Keep medical records on file.

* Have your veterinarian’s phone number handy.

* Establish a relationship with a fellow pet lover in the neighborhood. That way, in case you are not home, there will be someone to help your animal.

* Have the telephone numbers of humane organizations in your area.

Hazardous Materials

According to the Los Angeles City Fire Department, many common household products pose a risk of fire or accidental poisoning after a quake. Here are some preventive measures.

* Store common household cleaners--such as chlorine bleach, ammonia and oven cleaner--in a safe place. Keep quantities small and stored in plastic bottles away from ignition sources and living areas.

* Keep chemicals secured so they won’t tip over in a quake, and locked up so that children and pets can’t get access.

* Flammable liquids such as paints should be stored in the garage, but away from such appliances as the hot water heater and furnace.

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AT HOME

Storing Supplies

Use a large container such as a footlocker or 30-gallon trash can, and label each food and water item with the date of purchase or the last date it should be used. Place the container in a cool, dark place, such as a garage, on something to raise it off the ground.

*

* TOP

Batteries, with tester (shelf life: 6 months)

Flashlight

Portable radio

First aid kit (shelf life: 6 months)

Antibiotic ointment

Adhesive bandages, gauze and tape

Aspirin

Scissors

Tweezers

Rubbing alcohol

Cotton balls

Instruction booklet

Extra prescription medications

*

* MIDDLE

Instant food: cookies, crackers, etc. (shelf life: 3 months)

Water

Water purification tablets

Manual can opener

Food and water for pets

Dry food: pasta, rice

Canned food

* Tap water can be bottled at home by adding eight drops of pure, unscented bleach per gallon of water before storing.

*

* BOTTOM

Blanket

Tarpaulin

Extra clothing, shoes

Pre-moistened towelettes

Items for personal hygiene: toilet tissue and heavy-duty plastic bags for disposal

*

ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES

These are kept separate from the emergency kit in a spot where they can be easily located.

* Extra batteries stored in refrigerator to last longer

* Spare eyeglasses

* Fire extinguisher

* Wrenches to turn off gas and water

* Alternate cooking methods: barbecue or camping stove (with charcoal, propane or white gas supply)

* Tools: ax, hammer, crowbar, rope

* Tent and sleeping bag

* Work gloves, hard hat

CAR KIT

* Canned food, manual can opener

* Non-perishable food: instant nutrition bars, dried fruits, jerky, crackers or cookies

* Bottled water

* Extra clothing

* Sturdy pair of shoes

* Small first-aid kit

* Blanket

* Flashlight, batteries

* Toilet tissue

* Fire extinguisher

* Street maps

Note: Due to heat, items in car should be checked or replaced three times a year.

WORK KIT

* Non-perishable food

* Bottled water

* Small first-aid kit

* Flashlight, batteries

* Portable radio and batteries

* Extra clothing

* Sturdy pair of shoes

* Pre-moistened towelettes

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The many sources of additional quake preparedness information and products include:

* Governor’s Office of Emergency Services

Free information on preparedness for individuals, families, businesses and schools.

AFRC, Building 283

11200 Lexington Drive

Los Alamitos, CA 90720-5002

(562) 795-2900

*

* Los Angeles City Fire Department: Provides information and gives free earthquake preparedness training to groups of 15 or more. (818) 756-9674

*

* Local chapters of the American Red Cross provide informational material.

*

* Lafferty & Associates Inc., Disaster Preparedness Publishes the widely used “Earthquake Preparedness for Office, Home, Family and Community” ($5.41) and has just published “Be Ready, Be Safe, for Earthquakes: A Child’s Guide to Preparedness,” an activity coloring book ($3.79). Prices include sales tax and shipping. Send check or money order to P.O. Box 1026, La Can~ada, CA 91012, or call (818) 952-5483.

*

* Retail products:

SOS Survival Products

15705 Strathern St., Unit 12, Van Nuys, CA 91406

(818) 909-0131

* Mail order: Emergency Essentials

(800) 999-1863

*

* Internet users can find a growing number of Web sites with preparedness information and products, as well as exchanges of data, personal earthquake experiences and other quake discussions.

Some sites:

https://www.beprepared.com

https://www.quakesafe.com

https://www.lifelink.com/

*

Sources: Los Angeles County Fire Authority; Lafferty & Associates Inc; Governor’s Office of Emergency Services

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More Information (Orange County edition)

* Orange County Fire Authority, Community Relations and Education Section

Free literature on preparedness, plus in-person training for groups.

(714) 744-0496

* Retail products:

See “Earthquake Products and Services” in classified telephone listings.

Sources: Orange County Fire Authority; Lafferty & Associates Inc; Governor’s Office of Emergency Services

Researched by JULIE SHEER / Los Angeles Times