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California Earthquake Center |
Contact: Mark Benthien Tel: (213) 740-0323 Em: benthien@usc.edu |
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PUTTING DOWN
ROOTS IN EARTHQUAKE COUNTRY For release on Saturday, April 10, 2004 Los Angeles, CA – (April 10, 2004) –
“Putting Down Roots in Earthquake
Country”, a handbook for preparing for earthquakes in Southern
California, The handbook was developed by the
Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) at USC, the United States
Geological Survey (USGS), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and
the California Earthquake Authority (CEA). It provides practical information on what people should know about earthquakes, why they should care about them, and how they can prepare themselves so they stay safe while reducing the risk of damage to their household contents. The topics covered include the seven
steps of earthquake safety and preparedness and basic facts about
earthquakes. “The first thing to do is to identify
potential hazards in your home,” said Lucy Jones, the handbook’s co-author
and a USGS scientist. “We need to secure the contents of our homes to reduce
the risk of breakage, as well as to limit the possibility of injury to
ourselves. “Earthquake preparedness is not just
about stopping buildings from falling down, it’s also about everyday
household mitigation. What that means is securing top-heavy items of
furniture such as wall units, china cabinets and TVs. If it’s heavy enough to
injure you if it falls on you, it needs to be fastened down.” The handbook also provides guidelines
on what to do during and after an earthquake, said Mark Benthien, co-author
and director of SCEC’s education programs. “It outlines how to create a disaster
plan, and explains why we should take the time to learn more about the
ever-present threat of earthquakes,” he said. In addition to the updated handbook,
a new website has also been created: www.earthquakecountry.info,
which has answers to frequently asked questions and an online version of the
handbook. During Earthquake Preparedness Month,
‘Putting Down roots’ will be available at Home Depot stores throughout
Southern California. Home Depot has offered its stores as distribution
locations for the free document as part of its commitment to making
California a better and safer community. Earthquake safety expos will be held
at selected Home Depot stores during April.
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