Millions of people across Mexico felt the 8.1-magnitude earthquake that hit off the nation’s Pacific Coast late Thursday.
The quake was the strongest to hit the region in a century.
While that may heighten anxiety about a strong earthquake in Southern California, experts say the key is to be prepared.
The LA Times published an article on what to do before — and during — a big earthquake a year ago. The information remains relevant with five areas to focus preparedness efforts.
1. Work on your home.
According to the LA Times, you should:
♦ Go to a hardware store and find the tools you need to strap bookshelves to the wall, televisions to their stands and microwaves on countertops. People have died in past earthquakes after microwaves and televisions struck them. Parents with toddlers often do the same thing to prevent a TV stand from toppling over a mischievous child climbing furniture.
And among others suggestions:
♦ Save the wine! Consider storing wines in racks with individual slots and a lip to hold the neck of each bottle. Keep them low to the ground. Or store wine in wooden boxes, at most two stacks high. Read more here.
2. See if your home needs a retrofit
3. Drop, cover and hold on when an earthquake hits
4. Get an emergency kit together
5. Consider earthquake insurance, and find out more about the hazards near your home
Read all the suggested tips at latimes.com.
