Since an earthquake just hit on the East Coast earlier today, all of us at the DoubleTree by Hilton San Jose want each of you to be safe when an earthquake hits California!

Before an Earthquake:

• Repair defective electrical wiring, leaky gas lines, and inflexible utility connections. Get appropriate professional help. Do not work with gas or electrical lines yourself.
• Bolt down and secure to the wall studs your water heater, refrigerator, furnace, and gas appliances. If recommended by your gas company, have an automatic gas shut-off valve installed that is triggered by strong vibrations.
• Store bottled foods, glass, china, and other breakables on low shelves or in cabinets that fasten shut.
• Locate safe spots in each room under a sturdy table or against an inside wall. Reinforce this information by moving to these places during each drill.
• Hold earthquake drills with your family members: Drop, cover, and hold on!
• Put together a earthquake kit with unparishable food, clothing, water gugs, blankets, flashlights & lanterns, batteries, radio, etc.

During the Earthquake:

            Indoors:

• Take cover under a sturdy desk, table, or bench or against an inside wall, and hold on. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
• Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
• Stay in bed – if you are there when the earthquake strikes – hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
• Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, loadbearing doorway.
• Stay inside until shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Most injuries during earthquakes occur when people are hit by falling objects when entering into or exiting from buildings.
• Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.

             Outdoors:

• Stay there.
• Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.