Earthquakes are major natural disasters that can cause considerable damage if unprepared. It is important to understand the appropriate safety precautions for earthquake preparedness, especially for those living near Shoreline. These include creating an emergency kit and knowing how to shut off your earthquake and seismic gas shut-off valves.
Here are some tips on staying safe during an earthquake:
Creating an Emergency Kit
The first step in preparing for an earthquake is having an emergency kit. This should include items like food, water, a flashlight with extra batteries, any necessary medications, a first aid kit, and other items that you may need in an emergency.
It’s also important to have copies of all essential documents like birth certificates, insurance policies, and other personal items in case they get damaged or lost due to the earthquake. Every household should have a designated safe place where everyone can go until the shaking stops. Once the shaking subsides, it is then safe to evacuate the area if needed.
Shutting off Your Gas Main
In addition to having an emergency kit ready, it is also necessary to know how to shut off your gas main in case of a natural disaster like an earthquake. Shutting off your gas main will depend on whether you have manual or automatic valves installed in your home or business. If you have manual valves installed (often referred to as “gate valves”), these must be turned by hand using either a flathead screwdriver or an adjustable wrench.
To turn them off completely, turn the valve clockwise until it stops turning; this ensures that no more gas will flow into your home or business from the main line outside your property. If you have installed automatic valves (often called “ball valves”), they can be turned off remotely from inside your home or business by pressing a button or switch near the valve.
Earthquakes can cause significant destruction if you are not adequately prepared beforehand. Taking steps such as creating an emergency kit and learning how to shut off your earthquake and seismic gas shut-off valves can help ensure that you stay safe during a disastrous event. Contact Evergreen Seismic today and take the correct precautionary measures before disaster strikes! You can significantly reduce earthquake risks near Shoreline and protect yourself and your family members from harm’s way! Get in touch today to learn more about our seismic services!
Matt did a fantastic job on the earthquake retrofit for our home. Our garage had never been so clean as it was after he was done with his work. Matt had the utmost professionalism through every step of the project. The contract clearly explained everything he was going to do, and he completed every step exactly as described. He thoroughly answered each of my questions during his initial visit in a way where he not only answered the question I asked, but gave background information to educate me on the topic of seismic retrofit. It's great to have the peace of mind that not only is my home now better able to withstand the "big one" that will eventually come to the PNW, but also that the work was done by a great company.