Safest place to be during an earthquake (in a one story house)?

Question

i live in southern california. If you drive 10-15 minutes you are looking at the San Andreas fault. The San Andreas fault has been pretty much inactive for 250 years and scientists are predicting a massive earthquake of about 7.8 or something like that. Yesterday we had an earthquake. A relatively small one (5.8) but it was scary considering most big earthquakes have smaller ones that come a few days or hours before hand.

Assuming i'll be at home, (alone) where is the best place to be when there is an earthquake

I've heard that under the doorway is the best, but i've also heard the hall, under a table, etc. It seems like if your house is going to collapse in an earthquake the door way isn't the safest cover you can have. And my house is a good 30 years old.

Where is the safest place to be?

Answer 1

on a plane

Answer 2

The best thing to do is to have a disaster plan in place in advance.  Then take even the smallest rumble seriously.

http://www.oes.ca.gov/

If you are like me, you probably spend the first half minute of the rattlings and shaking ... wondering ... what was that ... is this it ... should I take cover?  

Keep in mind your most vulnerable situations and locations.  Most of the quakes have found me in the shower, nekkid in bed or on the toilet.  

Whatever the disaster plan - be sure to have shoes handy.

Answer 3

in a doorway or under a strong table

Answer 4

in America you guys have weak houses ,i mean a 6.5 earthquake will send all cal. to the ground  !!!!

so just buy a house that ain't wooden and you'll be fine

good luck finding your answer !

Answer 5

Most of the deaths in an earthquake occurred when the building collapsed and buried them alive. Any Open area (run to an open area where the ground is not cracking and away from tall building or structure).

Do not listen to fools that suggest to you that hiding under the table will save you. If your building collapsed your gonna buried alive. How strong is your table ? can they withstand a ton worth of building material crashing down ? Most likely not.

Open area is the safest approach to an earthquake

Answer 6

try running outside instead of staying in the house.

the house could collapse. and you die

Answer 7

some where were there are no shelves or something brakable like glass. But the best place would be a closet or a pantry, but some where were it is easy to get out.

Answer 8

PROTECTION DURING EARTHQUAKES

The following are some of the important precaution to be observed to save our life during an earthquake. Even though we do not have fool proof system to fore warn earthquakes some of the changes in nature or in the behaviors of animals and birds may help to decide the situations.

Before an earthquake.

Have a battery powered radio, flash light, and first aid kids in your house ,

Make sure every one knows where they are kept ,

Lean first aid; teach how to stop electric main and gas supply ,

Don’t keep heavy objects in high shelves ,

Fasten heavy appliances to the floor, and anchor heavy furniture to the walls ,

Plan for your family for reuniting after an earthquake if anybody separated ,

Urge your school teachers to discuss earthquake safety in the class rooms, and ask them to conduct drills ,

Find out your office has an emergency plan, know your responsibility at your works during an emergency .

During an earthquake.

Stay calm if you are indoors, stay out if you are out of buildings. Many injuries occur as people enter or leave the buildings.

If you are indoors , stand against the a wall near the center of the building, or get under a sturdy table  keep some cushion on your head, Stay away from windows and outside doors, if you are in a high rise building stand against a support column.

If you are in outdoor  stay in the open place , keep away from over head electric wires. and bridges,

Don’t use open flames, if you are in a moving vehicle stop away from over bridges and stay inside the vehicle still earthquake stops.

After an earthquake.

Check yourself and nearby people for injury, provide first aid,

Check electric and gas connection,

Turn on your radio or T.V for emergency instructions, reduce the use of phone lines it may be required for conveying some important messages.

Stay out of damaged buildings,

Wear chapels and gloves to protect against shattered glass and debris.

Stay away from beaches and water front areas where Tsunami could strike, even long after the shaking has stopped.

Answer 9

under a table IS NOT a safe place!!!!  It has been said that right next to a table is the best place.  Think about it...if the roof collapses and you are under a table you will be crushed!!!

Answer 10

Just dont run outside you will get killed like that if you are sleeping and wake up put a pillow over your head and wait until the shakin stops or go to a sturdy table and hide under it with the back of your neck coverd with your arms. Once the earthquake stops run outisde and expect after shocks. Also under a doorway is one of the best places to be just watch out for the door it might want to swing at you. Please visit this site it was helpfull to me it will tell you everything

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

Answer 11

under a doorway make sure the doors open though not the door way but where the door goes when it closes i dont know what its called well open the door and stand through it that way nothing could fall on youu it sounds REALLY stuipid cause i dont know what itss called but if you know what im talking about and why its a great and safe place