Quake Quiz: When did the two most destructive earthquakes in San Francisco history occur? Answer: The 75-second Great Earthquake and Fire began in the pre-dawn -- at 5:12 a.m. -- of April 18, 1906. The much shorter Loma Prieta Earthquake hit just before the start of a World Series baseball game at 5:04 p.m. on Oct. 17, 1989. See a pattern? Neither do we. But when you find one, let us know. Meanwhile, you might want to gather up the things that all San Franciscans need to be prepared for the Big One. -- The Nagging Eds, Noe Valley Voice

First-Aid Kit

Store a first-aid kit in a central place and make sure it has a set of instructions.

Wrench

Have a crescent or pipe wrench on hand to turn off gas and water valves. (Shut off the valves only if your house has sustained severe damage or you smell gas.)

Flashlights

Keep flashlights -- and batteries -- in several locations in case of a power failure.

A Fire Extinguisher

Your fire extinguisher should be the kind that works for all types of fires and should be easily accessible.

Water, Disinfectant

Store 3 days' worth of drinkable water for you and your family (1 gallon per person per day), plus a disinfectant like chlorine bleach to purify it.

Radio and Batteries

You'll need a portable radio so you can get emergency broadcasts and current disaster news. A cell phone might also come in handy.

Dry or Canned Food

Store a week's supply of food for each person -- preferably food that doesn't require refrigeration or cooking. Don't forget a can opener.

Barbecue Grill or Stove

Store a grill or camp stove -- and some charcoal and matches -- in case your gas and electricity are shut off. (If you use it, remember to cook outdoors only.)

Blankets, Clothing, Shoes

Put blankets, clothing, and an extra pair of running shoes in your earthquake supplies box. You might need them to keep warm or hike to the local canteen.

Money

Get some. Then stash some $20 bills and quarters in a safe place. Note: the pay phones should work even if regular phone lines are jammed.

Via noevalleyvoice

PREPARE YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY NOW

• Have an earthquake survival kit on hand.
• All family members should know how to turn off gas, water, and electricity.
• Plan family emergency procedures, and make plans for reuniting your family.
• Know emergency telephone numbers (doctor, hospital, police, 911, etc)
• Anchor heavy objects to walls (bookcases, wall units, mirrors, cabinets, etc.)
• Never place heavy objects over beds, and keep heavy objects lower than head height of shortest member of family.

DURING AN EARTHQUAKE STAY CALM

• Inside, stand in doorway, or crouch under a desk or table, well away from windows or glass dividers.
• Outside, stand away from buildings, trees, telephones and electrical lines.
• On the road, drive away from underpasses and overpasses; stop in safe area; stay in vehicle.

AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE

• Check for injuries-provide first aid.
• Check for safety-check for gas, water, sewage breaks; check for downed power lines and shorts; turn off appropriate utilities.
• Check for building damage and potential problems during aftershocks.
• Clean up dangerous spills.
• Wear shoes
• Turn on the radio and listen for instructions from public safety agencies.
• Use telephone for emergencies, only.

Full Article: ceri.memphis

Survival Kits:

Emergency supplies should be adequate for at least 3 days
A 10-day supply of water, food, and medicine is recommended.
It might prove useful to include:
- passports and or other picture IDs;
- other important documents like medical/real estate insurance, copy of a will, real estate deed, etc.
- about $100 cash

Safety:

Heavy shoes for each family member
Heavy gloves for cleaning debris
Candles
Matches dipped in wax and kept in waterproof container
Sharp knife or razor blades
Garden hose for siphoning and fire fighting
Complete change of dry clothing for each family member

Cooking:

Outdoor barbeque, charcoal and lighter, or sterno stove
Food – canned or individually packaged; precooked, requiring minimum heat and water. Consider infants, pets, and other special dietary requirements.
Can opener
Sealable plastic bags of various sizes
Pots – at least two, and utensils
Paper plates, plastic utensils, paper towels

Misc. Supplies:

Fire Extinguisher – dry chemical, type ABC
Water – 2 quarts to 1 gallon per person, per day
Flashlight with spare batteries and bulbs
First Aid kit – ample and freshly stocked
First Aid manual – know how to use it
Radio – portable, battery operated, with spare batteries
Blankets
Watch or clock – battery operated or spring-wound
Critical medication, extra eyeglasses, contact cases and supplies
Ground cloth
Large trash cans
Hand soap, liquid detergent, shampoo
Toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss
Feminine supplies
Infant supplies
Bathroom tissue

Tools:

Axe
Shovel
Broom
Crescent wrench for turning off gas main
Screwdrivers
Pliers
Hammer
Rope or wire
Plastic tape
Pen and paper

Sanitation:

Large plastic trash bags for trash, waste, water protection

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EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS AND ADDRESSES

Emergency Phone Calls Only.  Keep Calls Brief.

Via artichokejoes

1) Most everyone who simply "ducks and covers" when buildings collapse are crushed to death.
2) Cats, dogs and babies often naturally curl up in the fetal position.

3) Wooden buildings are the safest type of construction to be in during an earthquake.Wood is flexible and moves with the force of the earthquake.

4) If you are in bed during the night and an earthquake occurs, simply roll off the bed. A safe void will exist around the bed.

5) If an earthquake happens and you cannot easily escape by getting out the door or window, then lie down and curl up in the fetal position next to a sofa, or large chair.

6) Most everyone who gets under a doorway when buildings collapse is killed. How? If you stand under a doorway and the doorjamb falls forward or backward you will be crushed by the ceiling above.

7) Never go to the stairs.The stairs have a different "moment of frequency" (they swing separately from the main part of the building).

8) Get Near the Outer Walls Of Buildings Or Outside Of Them If Possible -It is much better to be near the outside of the building rather than the interior. 

9) People inside of their vehicles are crushed when the road above falls in an earthquake and crushes their vehicles; which is exactly what happened with the slabs between the decks of the Nimitz Freeway.

10) I discovered, while crawling inside of collapsed newspaper offices and other offices with a lot of paper, that paper does not compact. Large voids are found surrounding stacks of paper.

Via baike.baidu