To the Editor:

The American Red Cross is working to educate people on how to prepare and stay safe during and after an earthquake.

“With all of the earthquakes taking place recently, we want to make sure that people are prepared,” said Ken Garcia, spokesperson for the American Red Cross.

“Earthquakes can happen at any time and the best thing for families is to have plans in place now.”

If you are inside a building when the shaking begins, drop to the ground, take cover, hold on to something sturdy and move as little as possible. If you do not have sturdy furniture to hold on to, sit on the flood next to an interior wall, and cover your head and neck with your arms.

Earthquake Preparedness Tips:

• Pick a safe place in each room.
• Find a place under a piece of sturdy furniture.
• Find a place away from windows, bookcases or tall furniture that could potentially fall on you.
• Bolt and brace water heaters and gas appliances to wall studs.
• Hang heavy items, like pictures and mirrors, away from beds, couches and anywhere people sleep or sit.
• During an earthquake, stay indoors until the shaking stops and you are sure that it is safe to exit. If you must leave the building after the shaking stops, use stairs with caution in case there are aftershocks.

Do not use elevators. If you are away from your home when an earthquake hits, do not return to your home until authorities say it is safe to do so. When entering, use extreme caution and be sure to inspect walls, floors, doors, staircases and windows to check for damage.

The Red Cross Emergency App offers information related to earthquake preparedness as well as other natural disasters and emergencies.

The free Emergency App is available in app stores for smartphones and tablets by searching for the American Red Cross or by going to redcross.org/apps.

For more information, visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.