From Deseret News archives:

Preparing for the big one

Published: Tuesday, April 25, 2006 12:37 a.m. MDT
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This week, the Deseret Morning News reported the damage that state officials estimate if a 7.0 earthquake hits the Wasatch Front near Salt Lake City. That includes up to 6,200 Utahns dead, 90,000 injured, at least moderate damage to 42 percent of all local buildings and $40 billion in economic losses.

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 » Emergency preparedness

 » Things you will need

 » Child's bedside backpack

 » 72-hour kit

 » First aid supplies

 » Potential hazards

 » After an earthquake

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But local residents can do much to reduce risks that they would face.

Simple steps around the house could make a quake more survivable from securing water heaters and large bookcases to learning what to do when a quake strikes.

Also, officials say those residents with first aid kits, 72-hour emergency kits of emergency food and water and Community Emergency Response Team training will fare better in such an emergency and likely save lives.

This page offers some how-to information and sources for more details.

Utah awareness

On April 6 the state of Utah began an emergency preparedness campaign titled "Be Ready Utah." It is a partnership between the governor's office and various state emergency-response agencies. To learn more, visit www.bereadyutah.org

Good idea

Keep a pair of sturdy shoes under the bed of each family member to protect feet from broken glass and debris.

When was the last earthquake?

Worldwide: In the last minute, somewhere in the world.

Utah: Within the past 24 hours, somewhere in the state.

The last large earthquake occurred on the Wasatch fault north of Nephi about 400 years ago.

Office emergency kit

A major disaster may require you to be stranded at your place of employment for hours or even days. Prepare a kit of appropriate items, planning for at least 72 hours.

• Include a list of important names, addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses.

Computer sites with earthquake information

• University of Utah Seismograph Stations: www.seis.utah.edu

• Utah Geological Survey: geology.utah.gov

• Utah Seismic Safety Commission: des.utah.gov/ussc

• FEMA: www.fema.gov

• American Red Cross: www.redcross.org

• Utah Division of Emergency Services and Homeland Security: des.utah.gov

• LDS Church: www.providentliving.org

• Deseret Morning News: deseretnews.com

Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)

Their training and roles in disasters

• Disaster preparedness: What is a disaster and how can you prepare for one?

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