As part of a special report from Seattle’s local public radio station, KUOW, “On Shaky Ground: Waiting for the Big One in the Pacific Northwest,” there’s a three-minute audio interview with JoAnn Jordan, the Public Education Coordinator, Seattle Office of Emergency Management, on how to stay safe in an earthquake.
Jordan is a top local public emergency communications official and has been pushing preparedness in Seattle so long she’s called “The Earthquake Lady”. It’s a nice, compact earthquake preparedness review, which includes both “Drop, Cover & Hold” as well as “Beneath, Beside, Between.” It can be heard on the KUOW website here. Thanks to the Seattle Red Cross Twitter feed for bringing this to my attention.
JoAnn Jordan, “The Earthquake Lady” (Photo: Deborah Wang)
4 responses so far ↓
1 Sidi // Jun 14, 2010 at 2:10 pm
You stated on the radio that keeping water in plastic bottles, as long as they are changed every six months, is okay. My question is about water that is in glass bottles, do these have to be changed also? I assume you mentioned plastic because of the breakage issue when using glass but I don’t like the idea of plastic bottles due to recent reports of the leaching of chemicals.
Please let me know what you think.
Thanks!
2 admin // Jun 14, 2010 at 5:01 pm
Sidi-
Here is JoAnn Jordan’s response to your question:
Question: You stated on the radio that keeping water in plastic bottles, as long as they are changed every six months, is okay. My question is about water that is in glass bottles, do these have to be changed also? I assume you mentioned plastic because of the breakage issue when using glass but I don’t like the idea of plastic bottles due to recent reports of the leaching of chemicals. Please let me know what you think.
Response: I do recommend plastic bottles because of the breakage problem in earthquake scenarios. There have been many article about plastics and leaching chemicals. If you are purchasing containers to store water in, look for plastic bottles listed as #2 HDPE (high density polyethylene) or #4 LDPE (low density polyethylene), or #5 PP (polypropylene). You can find storage bottles at camping supply stores or I have found them at water dispensing machines in grocery stores. I also recommend emptying and refilling the bottles as every 6 months, so that you can keep as fresh a supply as reasonably possible. You don’t need to add anything to the water (such as bleach) when you store it if you are getting your water from a municipal water supply. The treatment process should keep the water stable for about 6 months. An easy way to remember when to change your water is to do it when you change your clocks for daylight savings time in the fall and spring.
Here’s the bottom line for me: Water is the most important item you need store. While 2 liter bottles may be not as healthy to store water in, it is the most inexpensive and practical storage container for any for anyone who feels like preparedness is something they can’t afford to do. Bottled water may be in the wrong containers for long term storage, but buying cases of water makes it really easy for people to accomplish. What’s most important is that people store water. It’s not for everyday use, it’s for disaster. You will only be drinking this water for a few days to a week or two at the longest. It’s better to store water in less-than-ideal plastic (such as bottled water or 2 liter pop bottles) than not to store water at all.
3 Val // Jun 19, 2010 at 2:31 pm
I have some questions about getting prepared for an earthquake in the Seattle Region:
1. Is there a best practice for securing water heaters and gas furnaces in a residential home, step by step?
2. Is there a company you recommend or a group of companies that you may know about who do retro-fit inspections so that I can be sure that my house is secured to the foundation? How would I find a firm to help?
Thank you.
4 admin // Jun 24, 2010 at 3:37 pm
I’m happy to reply, however, I can only speak for our programs here in Seattle and make some general suggestions for other areas.
1. Is there a best practice for securing water heaters and gas furnaces in a residential home, step by step?
Securing water heaters is extremely important for two reasons: A.) Water heaters are top heavy and can easily fall over and break loose of their electrical or gas supply lines and their water supply during an earthquake. This is one of the leading causes of fire following an earthquake and often causes flooding in the home. B.) Water heaters can be an emergency source of drinking water.
In most states, the building or plumbing code requires water heaters to be secured when installed. Check with your local codes to make sure you are meeting the standard.
In general, water heaters should have metal straps that go all the way around the heater and then secure to the studs in the wall. These straps need to be located at the top 1/3rd of the water heater and the bottom 1/3rd . I recommend using the strapping kit that you find at places you purchase water heaters. I used the kit when I installed my water heater a few years ago and the directions were pretty easy to follow. The kit supplied all I needed, except for the spacers I needed to add to the wall to meet the suggested distance between the wall and the heater. The place where my heater goes was a bit too far from the wall and I needed to add a 2×4 to the wall to reduce the space. When you go to the hardware stores or appliance stores, usually there are strapping kits along side where you can purchase a water heater. Also, please consider flexible supply lines for both the gas lines and the water lines to the water heater. This gives the water some “wiggle room†between the rigid supply lines and the heater.
I’m not sure the requirements for securing furnaces are the same because the furnace doesn’t have the same risk of toppling as water heaters. The top-heavy cylinder design of water heaters along with the sloshing of the water causes the water heaters to be more vulnerable. Furnaces are more square, their weight is in the bottom of the furnace and that makes them more stable. I still like the idea of securing furnaces, but I’m not sure it’s as important as the water heater.
2.) Is there a company you recommend or a group of companies that you may know about who do retro-fit inspections so that I can be sure that my house is secured to the foundation? How would I find a firm to help?
Here in Seattle, we have a Home Retrofit Program where we provide a two hour class that teaches homeowners how to determine if their home needs to be bolted to the foundation and if you are a “do it yourselfer†the basic instructions for applying for the permits, getting the designs, and directions. Our next class is July 10th and you can go to http://www.seattle.gov/emergency/prepare/personal/home.htm for more information. We also have a list of contractors that do home retrofitting.
The best way to find out if there is a similar program in your area is to contact your local office of emergency management or building department or Red Cross and ask.
–JoAnn Jordan
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