Preparedness is a vital key to surviving an earthquake or any other calamity. Having the foresight to prepare might just be able to help you cope up with problems that might crop up way after the calamity has passed.

Trying to prepare yourself for such a catastrophic event would include knowing what to do before, during and after an earthquake. Here are some important things to consider that will keep you a step ahead in earthquake preparedness.

Practice Earthquake Drills

Knowing and practicing what to do in case an earthquake does strike can prepare you on how to react appropriately when all the shaking begins. Just like fire drills, earthquake drills teach you what to do when the ground under you starts shaking. Time is always of the essence when you want to survive such catastrophic events. Acting a little too late can put you at great risk.

Knowing and understanding the drill can help you start you on your way to earthquake preparedness. But that is just the first step. Knowing the standard drill alone won't cut it. Emergency drills can only be effective if you run through them regularly.

Establish Priorities of Action

• Try to write an emergency priority list that will serve as your guide of what to do in case an earthquake occurs. The list should include the following:
• important items that you should be bringing with you
• items that are of importance to you and your family
• items to be removed by a vehicle if available
• things that should be done but only if time permits such as securing doors and windows, turning off the utilities, taking extra provisions etc.

Write Down Important Data

Write down a list of important information that you might need and try to put it in a secure location that you can easily access even when the ground starts shaking. Here are some examples of important information that you can include in your list:

• emergency telephone numbers of police and fire departments in your area, paramedics, and hospitals
• names, addresses, and telephone numbers of your insurance agents as well as information such as insurance policy types and numbers
• telephone numbers of the utility companies in your area
• names and telephone numbers of neighbors
• name and telephone number of your landlord or property manager
• important medical information of you and your family such as medications being taken, allergies, etc.
• telephone numbers of your bank or credit union as well as the accounts that you maintain, bank account and credit card numbers, etc.
• frequency list of radio and television stations to tune to for emergency broadcast information
• vehicle identification number, year, model, and license number of your automobile, boat, RV, etc.

Gather and Store Your Important Documents in a Fire-Proof Safe

Here is a list of important documents that you should not forget to bring with you in case of an earthquake:

• Birth certificates of your household
• Ownership certificates of vehicles and other property
• Social Security cards
• Insurance policy certificates
• Wills
• Inventory list of valuable household items such as jewelry, paintings, antiques, collector's items, etc.
• photographs of every room in your home and their contents

Inspect Possible Hazards in Your Home

Inspecting your home and the surrounding area for possible hazards and then do something to minimize them can help you feel more safe and secure in your home once an earthquake occurs. Try to be aware of everything that can move, fall, or break during an earthquake or the ensuing aftershocks. Here are some hazards that you can look out for:

• Windows and other glass components in your home that might shatter
• Bookcases, cabinets, and other appliances and furniture that might topple
• Overhead light fixtures, such as chandeliers that might fall off
• Heating units, fireplaces, chimneys, and stoves that could move or fall

Just make sure that you do something to make sure that such hazards won't pose a risk on you and your family when an earthquake does happen.

Choose shatter-proof glass for your windows and other parts of your home. Put anchor braces on unsecured furniture or appliances to make them stay in place even during an earthquake. Place additional support to overhead and hanging fixtures to lessen the risk of them falling on you.