Preparing for an earthquake

Emergency Preparedness Specialist Cari Butler shares advice for parents on how to best prepare your family and home for an earthquake
How To Prepare Your Family For An Earthquake - Emergency Preparation
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Preparing for an earthquake

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One of the most important things that we look for when you are securing your home for, physically, in regards to an earthquake is; if you have pieces of furniture that are taller than they are wide, those are the things that you want to secure to the walls. There are special earthquake straps that are designed specially designed for large pieces of furniture. They literally attach to the back of the furniture and the wall, so they do not fall during an earthquake. Another thing that you want to think about are TVs, computer monitors; things that could fall on you and hurt you and get damaged. You want to make sure that they are also strapped either to a desk or to a wall. When I am doing private consultations, another thing I look for, especially in children's rooms, if they have armoires or bookshelves; we want to make sure that the books are not in direct alignment to the child's head, based on where they sleep. I also suggest that you flip flop, if you have stuffed animals on the bottom of the shelf and the books are on the top. Flip flop those so that the books have less far to fly. If there is an earthquake, the stuffed animals won't hurt as much. I think those are really important things when securing your home for an earthquake.

Emergency Preparedness Specialist Cari Butler shares advice for parents on how to best prepare your family and home for an earthquake

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Cari Butler

Emergency Preparedness Specialist

Cari Butler is a Westside Los Angeles mom and native Californian whose interest in Emergency Preparedness began when her daughter started school and was required to have a personal emergency kit. That raised the question: "Why shouldn't everyone have an emergency kit?" Her concern led her to thoroughly research the subject and then create her own business. She now provides consultation services for families and businesses, as well as offering the Emergency Café line of kits.

Cari’s mission is to get everyone prepared, and she has been on that mission since 2005.  She has been a guest speaker at several conferences and schools. She was asked to participate in the 100th Anniversary Earthquake Conference in San Francisco. Her client list is a virtual who’s who in Hollywood.  

Cari’s website, emergencycafe.com was just awarded the 2009 Best Safety Site by Nickelodeon Parent Choice Awards.  Emergency Café backpacks were the “IT” gift this season in the Dancing with the Stars television show gifting suite.  She is also a contributing writer and blogger on many mommy sites including Hot Moms Club, Gurumommy, Twittermoms, City Mommy and Mommy Track’d. In addition she has been featured on several TV shows and has done numerous radio spots as well.  

More Parenting Videos from Cari Butler >
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Transcription: 
One of the most important things that we look for when you are securing your home for, physically, in regards to an earthquake is; if you have pieces of furniture that are taller than they are wide, those are the things that you want to secure to the walls. There are special earthquake straps that are designed specially designed for large pieces of furniture. They literally attach to the back of the furniture and the wall, so they do not fall during an earthquake. Another thing that you want to think about are TVs, computer monitors; things that could fall on you and hurt you and get damaged. You want to make sure that they are also strapped either to a desk or to a wall. When I am doing private consultations, another thing I look for, especially in children's rooms, if they have armoires or bookshelves; we want to make sure that the books are not in direct alignment to the child's head, based on where they sleep. I also suggest that you flip flop, if you have stuffed animals on the bottom of the shelf and the books are on the top. Flip flop those so that the books have less far to fly. If there is an earthquake, the stuffed animals won't hurt as much. I think those are really important things when securing your home for an earthquake.