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California is earthquake country! On average, a damaging earthquake strikes somewhere in California every two years. Since 1987, however, Southern California alone has been hit by at least nine damaging quakes. Seismologists believe that a major earthquake—magnitude 7 or larger—is likely to occur somewhere in Southern California within the next 30 years.

Californians are constantly aware of the poten­tial of an earthquake creating damage and creating dangerous conditions. So if we don't properly prepare, the next quake may cause greater personal damage than necessary. Each item listed below won't stop the next earthquake but it may help you survive in a better way.

This homeowners’ checklist will help you learn how to protect your home and belongings from earth-quakes. It does not cover every method. If you’re building or remodeling a home, there are many other options to consider for protecting your property.

Here’s what you can do to prepare for such an emergency

How well you, your family and your home survive an earthquake often depends upon how well you prepare. You can greatly improve your chances of surviving by developing a family and neighborhood earthquake plan. Here is a checklist to help get you started:

No matter where you are, know how to protect yourself and your family during an earthquake. Practice taking cover as if there were an earthquake and learn the safest places in your home and work. Practice getting out of your home and check to see if the planned exits are clear and if they can become blocked in an earthquake. Practice turning off your electricity and water. Know how to turn off the gas, but do not practice this step. In the event of an earthquake, once you turn off your gas, only your utility company should turn it back on for safety reasons.

You must secure the contents of your home or office to reduce hazards. You should secure anything heavy enough to hurt you if it falls on you. Here are steps you should take to secure your possessions.

When preparing your home for an earthquake, don’t forget to include your pets on the list. They will depend on you even more after an earthquake to take care of them and their needs.

After an earthquake or other disaster, emergency response agencies could be overburdened and might not be able to get to your neighborhood immediately. You and your neighbors or coworkers may need to take the initial emergency response actions and take care of others for at least 72 hours. Past earthquakes have thrust many untrained people into positions of providing first aid and rescuing people. You need to be prepared!

You shouldn't depend on your tenants to know what to do in an emergency. It will be up to you to get them and your building ready for an earthquake. More importantly, you will want to prepare people to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours after an earthquake.

Find two people you trust who will check on you after an earthquake. Tell them your special needs. Show them how to operate any equipment you use. Show them where your emergency supplies are kept. Give them a spare key.

By age three or so, children can understand what an earthquake is and how to get ready for one. Take the time to explain what causes earthquakes in terms they'll understand. Include your children in family discussions and planning for earthquake safety. Conduct drills and review safety procedures every six months.

Set up your home, apartment or workplace so that you can quickly get under a sturdy desk, table or other safe place for protection. Identify doorways that do not have doors in which you can take cover.

When preparing for an earthquake, plan on having enough supplies to get you and your family through at least the first 72 hours. After a major earthquake, there's a good chance that traditional emergency response teams will be too busy to take care of you and your family. You need to prepare your home and neighborhood.

When you feel an earthquake, duck between desks, heavy furniture or study tables (voids will be created in these places where you are more likely to survive). Stay away from windows, bookcases, files cabinets, heavy mirrors, hanging plants, and other objects that could fall. Watch out for falling plaster and ceiling tiles. Stay under cover until the shaking stops. Hold onto your cover. If it moves, move with it. Here are some additional tips for specific locations.

When preparing for an earthquake, plan on having enough supplies to get you and your family through at least the first 72 hours. After a major earthquake, there's a good chance that traditional emergency response teams will be too busy to help you. You need to prepare your home and neighborhood

Aftershock—an earthquake of similar or lesser intensity that follows the main earthquake. • Fault—the earth’s crust slips along a fault—an area of weakness where two sections of crust have separated. The crust may only move a few inches to a few feet in a severe earthquake.

Store your water in thoroughly washed plastic, glass, fiberglass or enamel-lined metal containers. Never use a container that has held toxic substances. Plastic containers, such as soft drink bottles, are best. You can also purchase food-grade plastic buckets or drums.

During a major earthquake, you may experience a shaking that starts out to be gentle and within a second or two grows violent and knocks you off your feet...