Studio Earthquake Preparedness CHECK LIST Before the Shaking Starts: - Choose an out-of-town contact that your friends, family, and art contacts know as your emergency headquarters. You may only have one place to contact before the phones and electricity are shut down, and it will help keep everyone informed.
- Keep exits clear. This is difficult to do when artists are often working in small spaces, but critical. Secure objects that could fall on people or could block access to an exit.
- Identify a safe place in every room - under a sturdy table or against an inside wall where nothing but cotton balls can fall on you.
- Build storage racks to enclose and store materials. These racks must be secured with brackets or screws to a wall or pillar. Secure objects stored on these racks with strapping or rope.
- Photograph and inventory ALL of your artwork and equipment. This can be done simply with index cards and snap-shots, or recorded and stored electronically. Send these records to your emergency headquarters for off-site safe keeping.
- Store items appropriately (see earthquake preparedness).
- For portable objects such as a toolbox, fasten neoprene or a non-skid compound like shelf liner on the underside of the objects, or on shelves, to prevent sliding.
- For fragile objects that might bump or slide into each other, place padding or separators between the objects - use foam, cardboard, or crumpled newspaper.
- Secure hazardous materials.
- Prepare an Earthquake Kit for your home and studio with first aid items, essential medications, water, canned food, can opener, protective clothing, sleeping bag, radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
During the Shaking: - Drop under a sturdy table and protect your eyes by pressing your face against your arm. If there's not a table or desk nearby, sit on the floor against an interior wall away from windows, bookcases, or tall furniture that could fall on you.
- If you are in bed, stay there, protecting your head with a pillow.
- If you are outdoors, find a clear spot away from buildings, trees, and power lines. Drop to the ground.
- If you are in a car, slow down and drive to a clear place. Stay in the car until the shaking stops.
After the Shaking Stops: - Expect aftershocks. Protect yourself from further danger by putting on long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes, and work gloves.
- Eliminate potential fire hazards.
- Turn off gas if you smell gas or think there is a leak. If the power goes out, donít use candles for light in case there is a gas leak ñ use a flashlight.
- Listen to the radio for instructions.
- Donít clean-up right away. Take some time to document the damage to your artwork and/or workspace. This documentation is often extremely valuable for insurance or emergency grant funding purposes.
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