Schools are well prepared for an earthquake and many city employees and emergency responders are, too. But what of the average Tri-City resident, many of whom may be living alone in condominiums, are elderly or who don’t have family nearby.
These are vulnerable people who may be at risk in a quake.
It doesn’t take much to put an emergency kit together, make an emergency communication plan with family members and secure items, such as furniture that could topple over and injure someone.
But how many people actually take this action. The warnings come so often that people tend to ignore them. But we’ve been told we need to be able to look after ourselves for 72 hours after a quake.
With Oct. 19 approaching, when the BC Earthquake Alliance Society and ShakeOut BC ask people to practice drop, cover and hold on, it may be time to actually take the steps necessary to be prepared for the Big One.
Are you ready?
