Surrogates living in and around California are probably already familiar with earthquakes. After all, the state gets 2-3 “moderate” (5.0-5.9) quakes per year, according to the Department of Conservation. However, if you’re new to the area or haven’t experienced one while pregnant, knowing a few earthquake safety facts can help keep you, your family, and the precious little one you’re carrying safe.
1) Doorways are NOT the Safest Place to Be
It’s a bit of an urban legend that people should brace themselves in doorways when an earthquake hits. Experts think this concept stemmed from an image of an old adobe home in California that circulated online some time ago. Traditional adobe is a mixture of mud and straw, which was easy for early settlers to build with and kept homes cool. Of course, an old adobe home isn’t going to hold up well in an earthquake, so when that particular home shook, just about every part of it fell except for the wooden door frames. We don’t build with adobe now and newer buildings are reinforced; specifically designed to handle quakes. In fact, Mark Benthien, the Director for Communication, Education and Outreach for the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) says that there’s generally no benefit to even switching floors in a building constructed after 1970 either. They’ll sway with the quake rather than collapse. Worse yet, standing in a doorway leaves you exposed, which Benthien says is a major concern. “Most injuries in earthquakes are caused by falling or flying objects, not buildings,” he says.
2) You Should Be Prepared to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On”
Experts say the best safety method to use during an earthquake is to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On.” Detailed instructions for managing an earthquake with children are available on Shakeout.org, but to paraphrase:
Drop: Go down on your hands and knees wherever you are. If the quake is strong, you’ll fall down anyway, so it’s safer to go down on your own terms first. From there, you can scope out the room and decide if you need to crawl to a safer location or to round up children.
Cover: Desks, tables, and other forms of shelter are your best bet because they’ll help shield you from falling or flying objects. Take shelter if you can, particularly away from windows. If you have children with you, tuck them under your body as best as you can, or at least take care to protect their head and neck.
Hold On. Use one arm and hand to protect your head and neck, while holding onto your shelter with the other.
3) Practice Earthquake Drills with Your Own Children
The more often you do something, the more you “program” yourself to behave a certain way in an emergency. This is why schools do fire drills and is one of the reasons it’s important to take CPR and first aid classes regularly. Because surrogates must have already had at least one child, there’s a good chance you’ll have a child with you if an earthquake hits and you’re pregnant. Spend some time teaching your child or children what to do in advance. Not only will this ensure they’ll react appropriately, but it can also eliminate fears.
4) Have an Emergency Kit Prepared
Unfortunately, a number of studies have concluded earthquakes are linked to everything from early labor to high blood pressure in pregnant women. Surrogates shouldn’t be overly-concerned with this knowledge alone, as it’s the stress which causes most issues, experts say. To help ensure you stay as calm as possible in the event of a serious quake, take precautions and be prepared. Pack emergency bags for the family that will get you though for a few days. Keep medications you’ll need inside along with any necessary paperwork and documents. Although California’s quakes rarely cause significant damage, it’s advantageous to have enough food and water for a few days as well. Earthquake Country Alliance has more tips for setting up your disaster supply kits.
5) Do NOT Try to Evacuate During the Quake
Attempting to leave during an earthquake is dangerous. In fact, if you’re driving, you should find a space away from overpasses and structures and pull over right away. The safest spot to be is generally inside your vehicle, as it will protect you from falling debris.
EDSI Supports Our Surrogates
If you’re in California and are interested in becoming a surrogate, you should know that earthquakes are generally not a concern for surrogates. That said, we help our surrogates by providing them with necessary information, matching them with intended parents, lining up the legal documentation, and more. To learn more about the services we provide surrogates and to find out if you’re a candidate, visit our dedicated page for surrogate mothers.
