You saw it on the news again; they are reporting the likeliness of a devastating earthquake hitting your town. You look around your home and think, “Am I prepared if an earthquake hit right now?” If you answered no, then it is time to get an affective plan together that will get you out of your home safely with your important belongings, pets and supplies.

Preventive measures for any devastating event is the ideal however, seniors should be aware of one in particular; falling. Did you know that one out of three older adults (those aged 65 or older) falls each year?1 These falls can lead to debilitating injuries and sometimes even death. So how can you protect yourself and prepare for the worst? 

Three words: Life AlertProtection. Their weightless, waterproof pendant allows you to reach help fast with a simple touch of a button. Independent living just got that much sweeter! You never have to feel alone even though you live alone with Life Alert’s, 24/7, dispatch center at your beck and call. Their operators are always standing by should you need medical or emergency assistance. It may take some time to get prepared for an earthquake, but you can be immediately prepared for a fall by getting Life Alert today!

Mother Nature, unfortunately, does not warn us when she will strike, but by planning and practicing what to do if an earthquake strikes, you can kick start your action plan the minute you feel the ground begin to shake. Ready.gov2 has provided a list of what to do before and during an earthquake:

BEFORE:

- Build an emergency kit. Your kit should include things such as:

-Water

-Prescriptions

-Food

-Flashlight

-First aid kit

-Phone charger

-List of emergency contacts (i.e. family members, local shelters, etc.)

-Sanitation products

-Pet food

-Cash

-Blanket

-Matches

-Paper and pencil

- Keep important documents in one place for easy access. Make sure you have easy access to your  passport, social security card, insurance policies and any other important documents.

- Practice your earthquake drill. Stop, drop and cover your head and neck. Have a clear exit plan.

DURING:

Drop to your knees and cover your head and neck with your arms. If you are in bed, stay there and cover your head and neck with your pillow. If you can move safely, head towards a table or desk for additional coverage. Stay away from windows, light fixtures or glass. DO NOT stand in a doorway as this does not provide protection from falling or flying objects and you likely will not be able to remain standing. Stay inside until the shaking stops. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.

  
When shaking has ceased and it is safe to move, grab your prepared safety kit, any important documents, your pets, and head outside.

There is no better feeling than being prepared. Whether it is for the weather outside, that big job interview or even an earthquake, you can be in control by prepping. Planning ahead for a disaster that rarely affects you is wise, however planning ahead for a disaster that could affect you regularly is a necessity! If you are a senior who is living alone you need Life Alert Protection. Their medical alert pendant is easy to use, virtually weightless and waterproof meaning you can wear it just about anywhere!

If you encounter a fire, home invasion or fall, just push the button on your emergency pendant and receive an emergency response fast 24/7! Prepping has never been so easy with Life Alert! To learn more, call for a free brochure: 1-800-513-2934.

Works Cited:

1.       “Falls Among Older Adults: An Overview.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 
        19 March 2015. <http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Falls/adultfalls.html>. 

2.       “Earthquakes.” Ready. 27 August 2014. <http://www.ready.gov/earthquakes>.

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