Home & Garden Columns

Quake Tip of the Week: What Are We Thinking?

By Larry Guillot
Friday November 03, 2006

There’s an old saying ... “Da Nile ain’t just a river in Egypt.” No, denial is alive and well right here in the Bay Area.  

We are told that about 85 percent of people in the bay area are unprepared for a major quake (I think that’s conservative), and that over 150,000 homes will be uninhabitable when the Hayward fault ruptures. 

At least the people in New Orleans knew Katrina was coming and most had a chance to get out. The big difference is that we don’t know when the Big One is coming, but we do know that it’s inevitable. We will have no notice.  

What’s wrong with us? Don’t we care about our own safety, our children’s safety, the safety of our elderly and disabled?  

Is your home adequately retrofitted? Furniture and appliances secured? Emergency kit ready? Automatic gas shut-off valve installed?  

No? What are you thinking? Do it now! 

 

 

Larry Guillot is owner of QuakePrepare, an earthquake consulting, securing, and kit supply service. Call him at 558-3299, or visit www.quakeprepare.com.