On August 12th, 2024 at 12:20 PM, a 4.4 magnitude earthquake struck in South Pasadena, a city where many Chinese residents live in Southern California. California is located in an earthquake-prone zone, with approximately 10,000 earthquakes occurring in the Southern California region each year.
The Taiwan Association of Orange County held a seminar called the “Kumquat Meeting” on August 10th at the Huaxiao Culture and Education Center in Orange County. They invited a community disaster education lecturer from the American Red Cross, Ms. Xing Min, to speak on “How to Respond to Disasters and Disaster Prevention,” providing self-rescue and assistance methods to the residents of Southern California who have been recently affected by earthquakes.
Xing Min pointed out that while most earthquakes in California are small and cause minimal or no damage, the state experiences significant earthquakes every decade, which can cause moderate to severe damage to buildings. It’s crucial for people not to underestimate the threat of earthquakes and to cultivate the correct concept of earthquake preparedness.
During an earthquake, many people’s instinct is to run, but Xing Min emphasized that this is the most dangerous action. When an earthquake strikes, it is essential to remember the three steps: Drop, Cover, and Hold On. This means to drop to the ground to reduce the risk of being hit by falling objects, find sturdy cover to hide under, and hold on to something stable like a table leg or pillar to prevent displacement.
In case of encountering an earthquake in a public place, Xing Min advised people not to panic. Earthquakes typically last only a few seconds, and staying put is safer than panicking and getting caught in a rush or trampled in a stampede. Additionally, trying to escape a building in a panic during an earthquake may not be feasible. Xing Min joked that it is important to trust the structural standards of American buildings, most of which are made of wood, especially in California. Therefore, the chances of being crushed to death are low if one follows the principles of Drop, Cover, and Hold On.
If you are driving when an earthquake hits, Xing Min warned against suddenly braking. Instead, gradually slow down, move to the right side, stop the engine, and wait for the earthquake to pass by the roadside. It is recommended that during an earthquake while in a car, stay in the vehicle as it provides more safety. If you must exit the car, stay on the right rear side to avoid being accidentally injured by other vehicles.
Someone asked about how to respond to an earthquake that occurs during sleep at night. Xing Min reiterated the Drop, Cover, and Hold On principle. For older or less mobile individuals, it is advisable not to rush getting out of bed to avoid falls or accidents. Simply sit on the bed, protect your head with a pillow, and wait for the earthquake to stop.
Xing Min emphasized the recent major earthquakes in Japan and the multiple earthquakes in the greater Los Angeles area as reminders for people to be prepared and vigilant. It is crucial to have an emergency kit containing essentials like a flashlight, whistle, dry food, and drinking water. To cope with various natural disasters and accidents, people should remember the four main points: Be Vigilant, Protect Yourself, Get Trained, and Be Prepared.
The emergency kit should be placed in a visible and easily accessible location to avoid scrambling during a disaster. The contents of the kit can be adjusted according to individual and family needs but should be checked and refreshed regularly, ideally every six months. Typical items in an emergency kit include bottled water, food items (instant noodles, biscuits, canned goods, chocolates), some cash, first aid supplies, essential medications, baby formula, diapers, a baby bottle for families with infants, copies of identification documents, thick cotton gloves, a flashlight, a radio, batteries, warm clothing, underwear, a small blanket, a lightweight raincoat, spare keys, a Swiss Army knife, and a whistle.
The Deputy Chairman of the Taiwan Association of Orange County, Fu Jinlang, mentioned that Xing Min’s lecture on emergency response and CPR training was highly practical and well-received by the community members. This informative seminar can enhance people’s emergency response skills in their daily lives.