Earthquake Preparedness Tools

EARTHQUAKE!

“A well my hands are shaky and my knees are weak I can't seem to stand on my own two feet Who do you thank when you have such luck? Oh San Andreas, I'm all shook up yeah, yeah, yeah”

All Shook Up – 1957 written by Otis Blackwell, Elvis Presley. (Cleverly modified 8/2014)

In the breaking dawn of August 17 ^th, 2014, a 6.0 earthquake struck Northern California. Major structural and property damage, as well as more than 120 people, were injured. This was the largest quake to strike the region since the 6.9 Loma Prieta quake in 1989. Barely two days later, four aftershocks hit within one hour of each other. Were you adequately prepared?

You may be reading this and thinking to yourself, I don’t live in an earthquake zone so I’m good. That’s fantastic – unless you live anywhere on the planet Earth – because natural disasters are a part of every region across the globe and they strike every year, whether you’re ready or not. So now what? You’re finally preparing for an earthquake, tornado, snowstorm, or camping trip and you need some help.

The American Red Cross recommends the proper supplies you may need in the event of an emergency or disaster, and PK Safety has quite a few ready for you! On everyone’s list should be water, food, flashlights (even better are headlamps for hands-free mobility), radio, medications and medical items, N95 respirators or masks, and batteries. PK Safety has you covered from head to toe with the HazMat suits. Emergency contact information, copies of personal documents such as ID cards, birth certificates, health care info, property deeds, and insurance policies are also crucial. Also, include copies of a current map of your area.

Key items of every emergency kit:

First Aid Kits If you’re looking to supplement/update your existing emergency First Aid or need something better than a sandwich bag with Band-Aids and wet wipes, then you want to take a look at the First Aid Kits that come already put together. Excellent for cars and backpacks is the Hart First Auto kit. It’s housed in a durable plastic container, with a weather-proof gasket seal, hanging brackets, and a carrying handle for long-lasting service. The contents are packed in the "unitized" style. This makes for easy identification in an emergency and quick refill during replenishment. This kit is an excellent economical option. Next in line is the Industrial First Aid Kit, an excellent investment for larger families, nature lovers, and scout troops. It is OSHA- and ANSI-compliant, made of heavy gauge white metal and has two shelves of well-marked, and easy-to-apply first aid items.

Rain Gear Staying dry is certainly a key part of rain gear, but don’t forget about visibility. When visibility is reduced by weather conditions it’s crucial to make sure that as much of you as possible can be seen so you maintain the line of sight or aren’t missed by emergency personnel. Gear that has reflective strips on both the top and bottom, like on the PIP Hi-Visibility 2-Piece Reflective Rain Suit, make sure that you don’t fade into the mist. The PIP Reflective Rain Suit is lightweight, waterproof and available in sizes from Medium up to 5XL, accommodating the most discerningly fashionable preparations.

Gloves Disposable gloves are great for puncture and chemical resistance. The MCR Nitrishield 6015 Powder Free disposable is our most popular disposable nitrile glove and is great for anyone who needs hand protection but has a sensitivity or allergic reaction to latex. Work gloves like the ATG G-Tek MaxiFlex Gloves 34-874 are excellent protection for light clean up. The improved grip from the nitrile coating is perfect for picking up nails or screws and holding them while using your hammer, and it still helps keep splinters out. The MaxiFlex is a string knit glove that is dipped to provide a thin nitrile coating over the fingers and palm. It has a snug fit that doesn’t have extra material to get snagged or grabbed. If you’re working in the cold, Towa makes a similar nitrile-dipped glove that is insulated (and orange) called the PowerGrab Hi-Vis 41-1400. More heavy duty cleanup work calls for the MCR Memphis Side-Kick Leather Palm Work Glove 16010. Made with cowhide leather and stitched with Kevlar thread, it’s still flexible and lightweight, making this is a great glove for staying cut free while handling debris.

The list from the American Red Cross is much more comprehensive so make sure that you have what you need for your family size and area. Pets, seniors, children and easily bored folks all need to be accounted for in your preparations. If there is a disaster in your area, as soon as you get a chance, register on the American Red Cross Safe and Well website or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and select the prompt for "Disaster" to register yourself and your family. This way your loved ones will be able to find out you’re ok, even if you can’t contact them yet. Having a plan for “just in case” is the best way to make sure that when “the big one hits” you’re as ready as you can be. Safety is always a priority and PK Safety is here to help.

Safety is always a priority and PK Safety is here to help.