The recent magnitude 5.6 earthquake that struck the San Francisco Bay Area did not cause serious damage or injuries, but it did remind Californians they should be prepared for earthquakes of even greater magnitude.

California’s Department of Conservation and the U.S. Geological Survey recommends some simple guidelines:

Identify potential hazards

and fix them

1. Move heavy furniture away from where people sit or sleep. Clear clutter from exit paths. Secure hanging objects, cabinet doors and appliances with earthquake-safety straps, fasteners and adhesives.

2. Replace rigid gas connections to water heaters and other gas appliances with flexible (corrugated) stainless steel gas connectors. Excess-flow gas-shutoff valves for individual appliances will stop gas flow in case of a catastrophic leak.

3. Move flammable or hazardous materials stored in garages and utility rooms to secure areas.

Before an earthquake

1. Have a disaster-preparedness plan. Electricity, water, gas and telephones may not function after an earthquake. The police and fire departments may be assigned elsewhere. Individuals should be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least one week.

2. Create a household disaster kit and place items in a large watertight container that can be easily moved to an accessible location, preferably outdoors – not in the garage. Optionally, create personal disaster kits for each family member and keep the kits where they can be easily reached.

Each kit should hold at least a one-week supply of the following items:

• Drinking water (minimum 1 gallon per person per day).

• First-aid supplies, medications, spare glasses and essential hygiene items, such as soap, toothpaste and toilet paper.

• Emergency lighting – light sticks and/or a working flashlight with extra batteries.

• Hand-cranked or battery-operated radio with spare batteries.

• Canned and packaged foods, snack foods high in calories and cooking utensils, including a manual can opener.

• Warm clothing, sturdy shoes, extra socks, blankets and perhaps even a tent.

• Heavy-duty plastic bags for waste and other uses, such as tarps and rain ponchos.

• Work gloves and protective goggles.

• Comfort items, such as games, crayons, writing materials and teddy bears for children.

• Pet food and pet restraints.

• Copies of vital documents, such as insurance policies, medical consent forms for dependents, personal identification and a list of emergency contact numbers.

• Cash in small bills (ATMs may not work).

• A pipe wrench to turn off gas or water

Note: Replace perishable items like water, food, medications and batteries on a yearly basis.

3. Decide beforehand how and where the family will reunite if separated.

4. Discuss earthquake insurance with your agent. Depending on your financial situation and the value of your home, it may be worthwhile.

During an earthquake

1. Indoors, get under and hold onto a desk or table or stand against an interior wall. Stay clear of exterior walls, glass, heavy furniture, fireplaces and appliances. The kitchen is a particularly dangerous spot. In office buildings, stay away from windows and outside walls and do not use the elevator. Outside, get into the open. Stay clear of buildings, power lines or anything else that could fall on you.

2. Driving, move the car out of traffic and stop. Avoid parking under or on bridges or overpasses. Try to get clear of trees, light posts, signs and power lines.

3. In mountainous areas, beware of the potential for landslides. Near the ocean, get to high ground.

For more information, visit quake.usgs.gov or www.conservation.ca.gov/index/Earthquakes/qh_earthquakes_what.htm.

Information provided by the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors. For more information, e-mail Rose Meily at rmeily@silvar.org.