These steps were developed by members of the Earthquake Country Alliance, which includes leading earthquake professionals, emergency managers, government officials, business and community leaders, and others. The recommendations are based on many existing resources and the advice of many organizations.

The members of the Earthquake Country Alliance all have specific roles before, during, and after earthquakes, to reduce earthquake damage and injuries, and to speed recovery. Do your part. Dare to prepare by following the seven steps described in this section.

Earthquakes are inevitable, but the damage from earthquakes is not- even in a large earthquake on the San Andreas fault such as the one described on previous pages. Many people think the destruction caused by earthquakes is unavoidable, and that our only option is to pick up the pieces after the shaking stops. Actually, almost all earthquake damages and losses can be reduced by steps you take before, during, and after. Many also think that all the damage and injuries from earthquakes comes from collapsing buildings. Again, this isn't the case. As buildings are designed better, more of the losses in earthquakes are from objects that break or fall on people causing injury.

The seven steps that follow include a range of actions to do before, during, and after earthquakes in order to be safe and reduce potential damage. In addition to following the steps at home, they should also be followed in schools, workplaces, and other facilities. If we all follow these steps, we may save billions of dollars and prevent countless casualties in the next large earthquake.

We're all in this together, so talk to your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers about what you've learned in this handbook about earthquakes in southern California. Then discuss what everyone has done to prepare and plan together what else can be done. Visit www.daretoprepare.org for instructions and resources to help you act now.

Follow these seven steps to prepare your home, your school and your workplace for our next earthquake.

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