One of the ways she's showing this anger is with a BUNCH of earthquakes. Since Costa Rica seems to have LOTS of earthquakes (most small), I'm sharing some things that MAY help you be a little more prepared for the next earthquake we have in Costa Rica (and there WILL be more here!!!).
EARTHQUAKE
PREPAREDNESS and
EARTHQUAKE KIT HINTS
in Costa Rica
EARTHQUAKE KIT HINTS
in Costa Rica
I think one of the MOST IMPORTANT things to do to be prepared for an Earthquake is
Keep ALL your things FULLY CHARGED at ALL TIMES
Laptops, cell phones, cameras, etc.
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Keep ALL your things FULLY CHARGED at ALL TIMES
Laptops, cell phones, cameras, etc.
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To find out IF we just had an earthquake in Costa Rica –
check out
some of the links at:
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THINGS TO HAVE IN YOUR HOUSE AND/OR CAR
TO HELP BE A BIT MORE PREPARED FOR FUTURE EARTHQUAKES IN COSTA RICA
i.e.; your EARTHQUAKE KIT
TO HELP BE A BIT MORE PREPARED FOR FUTURE EARTHQUAKES IN COSTA RICA
i.e.; your EARTHQUAKE KIT
I welcome you to pass this on to EVERYONE that lives in an earthquake area!!
DARE TO BE PREPARED!!!
This blurb is a compilation of info I’ve pieced together from LOTS of resources, as well as my observations/experiences growing up in California and experiencing LOTS of earthquakes of varying magnitudes!! I’m a BIG believer that having information helps us be more EMPOWERMENT so WHEN something happens (and it WILL living in Costa Rica!!), we can hopefully react more consciously hence handle everything better and be able to help others more!! This document is NOT the gospel and I’m NOT a professional (though I’m waiting for a friend’s response to it that’s out there on the line as a Emergency Response Expert).
I used to keep a “Bag” filled with many of the items listed below. It was a BIG duffel bag on wheels so it’s easy to grab and drag out but it also had long straps so I could do it as a HEAVY BackPack. Now I keep most of the things in 2 places but writing this I’m thinking it might be smart to go back to that bag again - just in case.
The MOST MOST MOST IMPORTANT THINGS:
I also believe it's good to have THE MOST IMPORTANT things in a smaller Backpack that was easy to grab, close to your main exit and/or so you could grab in case you only had a few minutes to run back INTO your house in a disaster.
I got this “hit” after one of my friends was given 20 min. to run into her home that was destroyed in the last big San Francisco earthquake was to have one small bag that if you HAD to run for your life - what would be the MOST IMPORTANT things you’d want to take like documents, photos, jewels, special keepsakes.
Another “hit” I JUST got was to batten down the hatches some more so I had my friend looped extra wire tied a few times around screws - securing mirrors, clocks and wall art.
Assume if a major earthquake/disaster happens that most everything will be closed down at least for a few days and/or power has resumed and/or supplies will be limited/non-existent - banks, stores, gas stations, public transportation (to say nothing of restaurants!), hence the importance of being as prepared as possible. PLAN AHEAD!!!
I also have my entertainment center bolted to the wall with “L Brackets” and I put rubbery meshy shelf liner under things so they don’t slide off shelves, etc. (I only lost 2 glasses - neither I had this under and a big heavy expensive vase was just fine that was next to it).
I keep a whole set of clothes at the front of the house along with shoes and a jacket – just in case (after a big one, I’ve been known to sleep with my clothes on – just in case I need to run!!).
ELECTRICITY GOING OUT - I had one of the guys with the power company share an IMPORTANT HINT with me to help prevent potential problems – in the case of a power failure, you might want to shut off all your power switches from the main box but say one or two key ones as he said there IS the POTENTIAL of frying your electrical system via a power surge when the power comes back on (evidently this seems to be especially prevalent when they turned your electricity like they like to do if you’re a couple days late from paying your bill in Costa Rica!!).
In times after a large earthquake and knowing more strong aftershocks can happen (or when I know we’re going to have a scheduled power outage) I turn my fridge and freezer up to 8-9 so things will last longer.
Put Latches on Cabinet Doors (especially where you have breakables – saves you cleanup/work time!]) – even if only a Friction Catch - http://worksafetech.com/pages/Cabinet_Latches.html
We’ve been taught to stand in a doorway but I find that MANY doorways in Costa Rica are WOOD framed. NOT enough to support much of anything hence having SERIOUS potential to kill you!!
Get to know and CARE about your neighbors!! You may just need each other in case of an emergency!! You can share tools, help each other, share food, have a party (that’s what we did in the San Francisco earthquake – since we had no electricity in the whole area and it didn’t seem like it was going to come on any time soon, all the neighbors brought their food out of the fridge, alcohol and we feasted and partied all night (some of us [ok – me!!] figuring if something worse happened, we’d feel it less if we were drunk!!). Being new in the complex, I hadn’t known many of my neighbors, which I got to know FAST!!! This is ESPECIALLY important for people that are single and/or have any health issues/special needs.
With your family/housemates, have an “escape route” (as you would in case of a fire).
In areas with serious damage – put out a white flag out after the quake if everyone and everything is OK.
THINGS I FEEL ARE IMPORTANT TO HAVE TO BE AS PREPARED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
BEFORE AN EARTHQUAKE STRIKES AGAIN
7 STEPS TO EARTHQUAKE SAFETY
STEP #1: Identify potential hazards in your home and begin to fix them.
STEP #2: Create a disaster-preparedness plan.
STEP #3: Prepare disaster supplies kits.
STEP #4: Identify your building's potential weaknesses and begin to fix them.
STEP #5: Protect yourself during earthquake shaking- drop, cover, and hold on.
STEP #6: After the earthquake, check for injuries and damage.
STEP #7: When safe, continue to follow your disaster-preparedness plan.
THINGS TO HAVE IN YOUR HOUSE BEFORE AN EARTHQUAKE STRIKES
BAGS: Heavy-duty BIG plastic bags for waste disposal (or as a rain poncho).BATTERIES: LOTS of extras in various sizes (check or better yet, change them at least once or twice a year). Personally, though I normally use them, in this case, I would NOT relying on re-chargeables since they tend to not last as long and you may not have electricity to re-charge them.
BLANKETS: If you’re in an area that sometimes get colder – you might want to have some Solar Blankets.
BLEACH: To add to the water if needed.
BOOTS / STURDY SHOES:
BUCKET - BIG WITH a Lid (to go to the bathroom in [especially helpful if it’s outside and you can dump it in a pile of dirt] unless you have plenty of stored water to flush it down [this is a good time to enact the “When it is yellow, be mellow. When it is brown, flush it down” policy]). OR PORT-A-POTTY (BUCKET aka Honey Pot - though it looks like you can make your own with a big bucket [like the 5 gallon paint buckets]): IPrepare.com/100pp33.html
BUTANE LIGHTER: (for lighting candles. Do NOT use matches as they get soggy with humidity. Make sure you have plenty of Butane for it)
CANDLES - TEA: Tea candles are best as they do NOT drip and last 3-4 hours on average. You can get a bag of 100 at PriceSmart for around 3,000. The markets have small boxes of them.
Here’s a site for some long lasting candles+ (including a 120 hour candle) - SurvivalUnlimited.com/candles.htm
CAR: Extra tire, jumper cables, taper thing to break the window, fuses, inspection lights, Flat Tire Fixer, tow ropes, traffic cones, reflecting triangles.
CASH: Have enough small bills to last you at least 4+ days – especially if the power is off and atm machines aren’t working. Credit card processing may NOT be possible/working if the power is down.
CELL PHONE!!!!!! HAVE A CELL PHONE!!!!!! You can get a Hand Wound / Winding CELL PHONE RE-CHARGER: HowTo.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57423068-285/how-to-charge-your-phone-in-an-emergency/ http://Amazon.com/EMERGENCY-Backup-Wound-Mobile-Charger/dp/B007PL7D34 •
FIRE EXTINGUISHER
FIRST AID KIT: LOTS of band-aids, Antibiotic Ointment, Pain stopper, Asprin/asprin-type product (peppermint or eucalyptus oil is the natural way I handle headaches), Gauze Pads, burn dressings, burn spray, hydrogen peroxide, ice packs, SPF wipes, antimicrobial wipes.
FOOD: Have PLENTY of canned food (ideally with the pop tops – otherwise make sure to have a MECHANICAL/ manual can opener), things with a long shelf life to last at least 4-7 days. “Rations” - http://BePreparedSupply.com/foodwater Even better – HEALTHIER FOODS like Protein Bars, dehydrated fruits. Heck, through in some TREATS for you!! (in the BIG San Francisco earthquake, all I wanted on my way home from work was a bottle of Chivas Regal! Though I RARELY drink, my take was IF something worse came down, I didn’t want to feel it and I was splurging/going out in style!!!
GAS MASK: (especially for a volcanic eruption)
GENERATOR:
GLOVES: LEATHER / WORK GLOVES (HEAVY DUTY - the heavier the better for removing debris)
KITCHEN THINGS:
MISC. - Knife (larger), Bottle Opener, CAN OPENER (non-electric/manual -you can’t open the canned foods without it [especially useful if it is multi-function]. ESPECIALLY important to have cans with flip top!!!!)
DISPOSABLE SERVING THINGS - You’re not going to want to do dishes (that is IF you have water) so have a BUNCH of Paper Plates, Disposable Flatware and Disposable Cups.
LADDER – Especially an EMERGENCY ESCAPE LADDER or at least some heavy duty rope knotted to shimmy down if you have 2+ stories.
LIGHTS (see candles [MOST crucial!!!]):
FLASHLIGHTS - I normally keep one by the front door, one in my night stand, one in my desk at least. I also have a BIG industrial strength one. NOTE: I keep the batteries in a baggie taped to the item so they don’t wear down.
PUSH LIGHTS: http://alibaba.com/showroom/Push_Light.html I have these strategically placed near the entrance in each bedroom, one in each bathroom, a few in the halls and others in most common spaces around my home. They slip over a nail so if the lights go out, you can just lift it off and walk on!
SOLAR POWERED: http://americanfamilysafety.com/kits/solar-powered-flashlight.html
HAND-CRANKED - http://americanfamilysafety.com/kits/emergency-communication-kit
HEADLAMPS/LIGHTS (that strap around your forehead) - http://Opticsplanet.net/headlamps.html
LIST OF IMPORTANT CONTACT INFO: Everything from the police, water, power, phone departments, ambulance (better yet - join
MASK: DUST or RESPIRATOR: Something if there is smoke/fumes or dust in the air (a REALLY GOOD one in a volcanic eruption)
MEDICINE: ALWAYS have at least a few+ days supply of any medicine you’re dependent on!!! Especially because pharmacies may be closed down.
MONEY (see “Cash”)
PAPER TOWELS:
PERSONAL CARE: In case you can’t run back in and get these things - Toothbrush, ToothPaste, Soap, Face Cream, Makeup (I go for the basics), Razor, etc. - things you just can not live without, Tampons or Pads, Brush/Comb, Shampoo, Conditioner, if you wear contacts - whatever you need for them,
PERSONAL HYGIENE ITEMS: toilet paper, hand sanitizer, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, wet naps/baby wipes (REALLY GOOD for cleaning yourself up!!), tissue, razors, combs, port-a-potties, toilet chemicals, showers, privacy tarps.
PETS: If you have any pets – remember to have at least a few days of food for them also.
PHONE: The OLD FASHIONED TRIM LINE phones are the best as they do NOT require plugging into an electrical/power outlet.
PORT-A-POTTY type thing: http://bepreparedsupply.com/page/771205 (or "Tico-ize"/"jerry-rig"/make yourself one with a 5 gallon bucket and set a toilet seat on top)
RADIO: BEST - some sort of Hand Cranked radio so you’re only using power when you need it http://americanfamilysafety.com/kits/emergency-communication-kit). REALLY GOOD is the Flashlight with the Siren Alarm and Flashing Red Light in it (THOUGH – I’ve heard these are NOT so great as they drain the battery faster. Of course this only helps if you can understand Spanish). Solar Radio - http://Earthquakesolutions.com/id24.html Others: http://EarthquakeStore.com/communications-radios.php
RAIN GEAR: You know ALWAYS to be prepared for rain in Costa Rica. Have a bunch of rain ponchos.
SCISSORS
SMALL TV - BATTERY OPERATED: Better yet - an AC/DC TV/AM/FM Radio combo I find best (make sure you have LOTS of batteries for this as it takes a LOT and they tend to be D’s which aren’t always easy to find in CR).
STOVE: Little camping BUTANE CAMP STOVE or single burner and CANS OF BUTANE and/or a GAS OR REGULAR BARBEQUE to cook on outdoors
SWISS ARMY KNIFE:
TAPE: Especially SILVER DUCT TAPE or MASKING TAPE (to help keep whatever unbroken window glass in temporarily as well as to keep as much stuff from coming in [so you don’t have to clean up as much!])
TARPS:
TENT: EPA and HiperMas have CHEAP pup tents
TOILET PAPER: Quite a few rolls
TOOLS: Wrench (adjustable, crescent and pipe wrenches to turn off gas and water supplies. MOST important – a On Duty Gas Shut-Off Wrench [CRUCIAL if you have gas to prevent explosion] Make sure you’ve tried this BEFORE so you KNOW what you’re doing. EVERY family member should know how to turn off the water, hot water tanks, gas, master switch on the electricity+!! - http://americanfamilysafety.com/kits/gas-water-shut-off-tool, Screw Drivers (ideally a multi-head one), Hammers, Nails (all sizes), PryBar, Shovels, Bolt Cutters, Axes, Saws, Safety Goggles, ROPE, mirrors, pliers, crow bars, dust masks, duct tape, hard hats, safety goggles, knives!!!
TOWELS: For yourself and rags to clean
TURN OFF YOUR MASTER ELECTRICAL SWITCH (when the power goes back on again - it could be such a surge that it could fry your outlets and what’s connected to them).
TWEEZERS: To get glass out
VOICEMAIL ON YOUR HOME PHONE (as well as cell of course): I think chances are better of electricity being off (hence a personal answering machine not working) vs. the ICE voicemail system going down. Create a plan with select people that Goddess forbid, if you cell dies, someone else has your code to get into your voicemail and can leave a message saying you’re ok or where they can reach you otherwise. ESPECIALLY have someone NOT in your area (practice this ahead of time as it doesn't always work from further away). Also, have someone out of your area that can call your friends/people concerned to let them know you’re ok (which means giving them a list of all emails/phone #s).
WALKIE TALKIES
WATER - PURIFIED/DRINKING: I ALWAYS have at LEAST 2-3 extra unopened 5-gallon bottles of purified water (as well as ideally a bunch of individual water bottles for each person to refill from the 5 gallon bottle - which means it would help to have a siphon to pour it into as well).
A DRINKING WATER PUMP is smart (if you have it up on a stand, aftershocks may knock it over. You can find these at the market where you find the 5-gallon bottles).
I also have a 5-gallon bottle filled with tap water that I put under the cupboards in each bathroom for when the water goes out (and you KNOW it does in Costa Rica).
Water for each family member for at least one to two weeks (allow at least 1 gallon per person per day to cover for drinking, cleaning and cooking) and purification tablets or chlorine bleach to purify drinking water from other sources. http://Earthquakesolutions.com/id70.html
COLLAPSIBLE CUPS
Getting Water from your Water Heater - http://Earthquakesolutions.com/id58.html
PRESERVING WATER - Pure or distilled water doesn't need to be preserved. It will stay fresh literally forever. It will take on the taste of the container it's in and it looses it's dissolved oxygen. Water from the tap is pure enough to last indefinitely. You get into trouble if there's some kind of food for bacteria in the water. The loss of the oxygen makes it taste flat. When you decide to drink it just pour it back and forth between a couple of containers and it will taste OK. Chlorine is use to purify water. Four or five drops of house hold bleach in a gallon will kill most anything of an organic nature in the water after you let it set a while. The chlorine is used up in oxidizing the impurities so the amount is determined by just how much stuff is in the water. If there's too much chlorine in it you will taste it and you can again pour it between a couple of containers to let the excess escape before you drink it. This is good in an extreme emergency. Of course you settle out the mud first. Things like oil and hydrocarbons ruin the whole process.
WHISTLE: Smart idea!! - oOne for each person in the house that they keep in their bedroom plus a few in this kit. This could be a lifesaver!
WIPES: I have a big can of these - one for personal care (like Baby Wipes. Good in place of showers. These are QUITE expensive in CR but Pequeño Mundo has them in their Kids area for quite cheap!!) and one Antiseptic like for the Kitchen (PriceSmart carries 3 of the big cans for around $20 [to me WELL worth the investment!!])
WOMEN – PERSONAL HYGIENE ITEMS (like sanitary napkins, etc. if you’re still in that way!)
MISC: Depending on where you live you might want to have Insect Repellant, Rain Ponchos, Jacket.
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WHERE TO BUY TOOLS•THINGS:
The cheapest place to find some of these tools is actually Pequeño Mundo (the bigger stores are better) - especially tools, gloves, etc.!
Here is a GOOD website where you can buy things / tools for Earthquake
Preparedness:
Prepare4disaster.com/default.asp?S=E3&Document=Earthquaketips&NID=2516817
AmericanFamilySafety.com/kits/earthquake-kits
BePreparedSupply.com/page/754286
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PLANNING GUIDES / DISASTER SURVIVAL BOOKLET
THE “OFFICIAL SITES” RedCross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.d229a5f06620c6052b1ecfbf43181aa0/?vgnextoid=354c2aebdaadb110VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD&cpsextcurrchannel=1
Fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/eq_during.shtm
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THE CONTROVERSIAL SITE
(yet the one that “feels” most accurate•right on for ME):
DOUG COPP'S ARTICLE ON THE
"TRIANGLE OF LIFE"
and WHAT TO DO IN AN EARTHQUAKE
"TRIANGLE OF LIFE"
and WHAT TO DO IN AN EARTHQUAKE
There are many things out there that dispute Doug Copp’s findings/beliefs on how to react in an earthquake, you get to do what YOUR intuition “feels” right. For ME, there’s a LOT in what Copp says and if animals are following these leads with their natural VERY intuitive nature, I think there IS a lot to be said about that. You look at it and figure out for yourself!!
AmerRescue.org/triangleoflife.htm
JohnMartin.com/earthquakes/EQGUIDES/eqgui_1041.htm
DisasterSafety.org
Fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/index.shtm
Prepare4Disaster.com/default.asp?C=1&S=E3&Document=FreeBooklet&NID=5961421
SPANISH - EarthquakeCountry.info/roots-es/cover.html
ENGLISH - EarthquakeCountry.info/roots/cover.html
BOOKS: EarthquakeSolutions.com/id47.html
EarthquakeSolutions.com/id44.html
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What hints do YOU have to add????
Contact me at
Call me (Vicki Skinner) at
8-378-6679 from within Costa Rica
from the U.S. at 1-941/312-7569
Skype:
VallartaVicki (or search for it under VickiSkinner69@aol.com)
NOTE: I am also one of the "Wardens" for the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica so if there's anything I can do to assist you, help find someone in the case of a disaster, please notify me.
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