South Bay Homes and Real Estate

By Ryan “Rocky” Rockwood, Real Estate Agent

This week our thoughts turned involuntarily to earthquake safety when we felt a 5.4-magnitude earthquake rock our area. The Earthquake was centered about 35-miles from Torrance - so this one was pretty close. Thankfully, no significant damage or injury was reported. Our clients (home buyers and sellers) in almost every South Bay city said they felt the earthquake. And it was a pretty long one, too

As you may know, my father and I work as Real Estate Agents in the coastal area South of Los Angeles, CA, called the South Bay. We focus on 3-South Bay regions: the Beach Cites (Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach); Torrance; the Palos Verdes Peninsula (Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes).
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I was lucky enough not to feel a thing (for some reason, I rarely do). But my fiancé and 18-month old son were at home scared and huddled in a doorframe, as safety expert recommend. We currently live on Dalemead in Torrance, near the intersection of PCH and Crenshaw Blvd. My fiancé, Marisela, said that in Torrance the earthquake felt incredibly long. But reports say it lasted less than 30-seconds.

Now we are reminded that we never did get around to earthquake / baby proofing our own home completely. Specifically, we have several bookshelves (from World Market in Torrance and Ikea in Carson) that are not secured to the walls. One of the bookshelves is huge and could easily cause a lot of damage if it fell on my young son, Luke.

But I’m even more concerned about my television set. Maybe I’m the last person on earth without a flat-screen television. Our television probably weights 300 lbs and it requires at least two people to move it (three is better). It was a hand-me-down from a relative and it works great. But I have no idea if it’s even possible to secure it to the wall – I doubt the wall could even hold it! Do you know how I should do this? If so, please let me know!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OR DOWNLOAD a PDF from the Red Cross on Earthquake safety.

Some great Earthquake safety information from the Red Cross:

Prepare a Home Earthquake Plan

• Choose a safe place in every room–under a sturdy table or desk or against an inside wall where nothing can fall on you.
• Practice DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON at least twice a year. Drop under a sturdy desk or table, hold on, and protect your eyes by pressing your face against your arm. If there’s no table or desk nearby, sit on the floor against an interior wall away from windows, bookcases, or tall furniture that could fall on you. Teach children to DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON!
• Choose an out-of-town family contact.
• Consult a professional to find out additional ways you can protect your home, such as bolting the house to its foundation and other structural mitigation techniques.
• Take a first aid class from your local Red Cross chapter. Keep your training current.
• Get training in how to use a fire extinguisher from your local fire department.
• Inform babysitters and caregivers of your plan.

Eliminate Hazards, Including–

• Bolting bookcases, china cabinets, and other tall furniture to wall studs.
• Installing strong latches on cupboards.
• Strapping the water heater to wall studs.

Prepare a Disaster Supplies Kit For Home and Car, Including–

• First aid kit and essential medications.
• Canned food and can opener.
• At least three gallons of water per person.
• Protective clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags.
• Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
• Special items for infant, elderly, or disabled family members.
• Written instructions for how to turn off gas, electricity, and water if authorities advise you to do so. (Remember, you’ll need a professional to turn natural gas service back on.)
• Keeping essentials, such as a flashlight and sturdy shoes, by your bedside.

Know What to Do When the Shaking Begins

• DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON! Move only a few steps to a nearby safe place. Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you’re sure it’s safe to exit. Stay away from windows. In a high-rise building, expect the fire alarms and sprinklers to go off during a quake.
• If you are in bed, hold on and 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 (as described above). Stay in the car until the shaking stops.

Identify What to Do After the Shaking Stops

• Check yourself for injuries. Protect yourself from further danger by putting on long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes, and work gloves.
• Check others for injuries. Give first aid for serious injuries.
• Look for and extinguish small fires. Eliminate fire hazards. Turn off the gas if you smell gas or think it’s leaking. (Remember, only a professional should turn it back on.)
• Listen to the radio for instructions.
• Expect aftershocks. Each time you feel one, DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON!
• Inspect your home for damage. Get everyone out if your home is unsafe.
• Use the telephone only to report life-threatening emergencies.

Other resources:

www.redcross.org

http://www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake