Are you ready for the big one? If so, you’re not alone.
Since the May 29 release of the Dwayne Johnson disaster thriller San Andreas, at least one online provider of earthquake supplies and disaster kits has seen business triple, as quake awareness spreads.
Watch a trailer for the film:
According to TMZ, earthquakestore.com has recorded a 300% spike in disaster kit sales since the film’s release, and a few items are more popular than others.
Among those items:
The Quake Alarm for $34.95, which detects an earthquake’s sound wave before the main shock, and the Deluxe Emergency Preparedness Kit for $249.
The alarm is the only earthquake detector endorsed by ARTI, the American Rescue Team International, and provides early warning by detecting an earthquake’s sound wave before the earthquake’s destructive shear wave strikes your area.
The Deluxe kit includes a lantern, radio, stove, tarps, poncho, blanket, water packs, first aid kit, soap, waterproof matches, knife and cargo bag, sleeping bag, food bars, water purification tablets, flashlight, light sticks, among other handy items, according to the company’s website.
More economical kits start at around $37.
According to Earthquake Store, which has sold more than $100,000 worth of supplies in two weeks, being prepared can help you during those critical hours or days after a catastrophic earthquake, but can also help in the event of a hurricane, tsunami, tornado, fire, car breakdown or terrorist attack, and the first 24-72 hours following a disaster are critical.
Of course, for those who do not wish to shell out the cash for a kit, the federal government has explained how to survive a quake and its aftermath for free.
“Earthquakes are sudden rolling or shaking events caused by movement under the earth’s surface. Earthquakes happen along cracks in the earth’s surface, called fault lines,” per ready.gov.
To prepare, the site suggests when choosing your home or business, check if the building is earthquake resistant per local building codes, and also practice how to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On!”
In the event of a quake, stay where you are until the shaking stops, drop down onto your hands and knees so the earthquake doesn’t knock you down, and stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall.
You should also keep a cell phone, plenty of water and batteries, and be mindful of aftershocks, according to ready.gov.
San Andreas star Dwayne Johnson demonstrated “Drop, Cover, and Hold On!” in a thirty second PSA regarding earthquake safety, which was produced by The Ready Campaign and The Ad Council.
From FEMA:
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.