Infants and Toddlers
For infants and toddlers, special emphasis should be placed on making their environment as safe as possible.
Cribs should be placed away from windows and tall, unsecured bookcases and shelves that could slide or topple.
A minimum of a 72-hour supply of extra water, formula, bottles, food, juices, clothing, disposable diapers, baby wipes and prescribed medications should be stored where it is most likely to be accessible after an earthquake. Also keep an extra diaper bag with these items in your car.
Store strollers, wagons, blankets and cribs with appropriate wheels to evacuate infants, if necessary.
Install bumper pads in cribs or bassinettes to protect babies during the shaking.
Install latches on all cupboards (not just those young children can reach) so that nothing can fall on your baby during a quake.
Preschool and School-age Children
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.
Show children the safest places to be in each room when an earthquake hits. Also show them all possible exits from each room.
Use sturdy tables to teach children to Duck, Cover & Hold.
Teach children what to do wherever they are during an earthquake (at school, in a tall building, outdoors). Make sure children's emergency cards at school are up-to-date.
Although children should not turn off any utility valves, it's important that they know what gas smells like. Advise children to tell an adult if they smell gas after an earthquake.
Lawyers calling for reform of laojiao system
UK stores try to get Chinese lovers in the mood
Traffic may cost car owners
Spanish 'Robin Hood' an anti-austerity hero
One little decision altered nation's diving history
London apologizes for DPRK flag mix-up
King of the rings doesn't come easy
Major hacking syndicate cracked, police say
Armstrong back in the saddle after banning
Organizers brace for social-media nightmares sure to come
Accident raises concern over trucks
Blackout hits more than 300 million in India
Ancient villages welcome investors
Shenzhen ponders bad-behavior law
Fukushima caused 'mutant butterflies'
'New law' focuses on work permits
40 injured after Foxconn plant clashes
New rules for blood donors, but concerns linger
Arrests destroy criminal gang in market
Wealthy Chinese charter flights to watch Olympics
Do cyberwars really keep us from fighting?
Archeologists may have found model for Mona Lisa
New Jersey guy Christie has double-edged appeal
Morsi says Cairo, Washington can be 'real friends'
Attitude toward sex, pregnancy changing
Syria claims gains in Aleppo
Iran doctors struggle with quake injuries
Swimmers told to avoid jellyfish after tragedy
Fugitive suspect returns to China
Tibetan-language phones welcomed