I got 80%. I guess it's a good thing I don't have gas.

Sue

I took exception to the question about turning off the gas. The quiz advised *not* to turn off the gas unless you could smell a gas leak. The reason given was that many injuries and deaths are caused *afterwards* by people not being able to turn the gas on again safely (not having proper tools, not checking appliances, not waiting for properly equipped personnel).

I totally fail to see how this can be the case. Turning the gas off and on is a simple valve. Turning it off and on again is easy. All appliances have (or should have) failsafe systems to prevent gas escaping if conditions are not right, e.g. thermal coupling from the pilot light to the gas valve. This is true in the UK, NZ and Japan.

I would argue that while it is true you should turn off the gas if you smell it, there should be no penalty (I lost one point) for turning off the gas any time.

A

I've got some problems with the way they word the questions. I was told I was wrong on several points, and their explanation included factors that weren't included in the original question. In particular I loved the one about "you are getting ready for work and an earthquake hits"- apparently, they think it is better to duck under any table than it is to take the few steps to a doorway. Maybe I've just lived in too many places with little rooms. *shrugs*

And the gas question was special, just not in a good way.

I just took the test again (got 100%!). One answer that seemed stupid (the second one I missed the first time) was the one about being in bed when the earthquake hits. The options were to get into a doorway, roll off the bed and under it, and stay in bed and cover your head/neck with a pillow.

The only time I was in bed during an earthquake (the Sylmar one), I was out of bed, had opened the bedroom door and was standing there when I woke up. No conscious thought involved.

Getting under the bed is obviously stupid. All the cats would be there and there wouldn't be room.

But stay in bed and cover your head with a pillow? First the window shatters over the arms holding onto the pillow, then the sheetrock ceiling collapses on you, driving the broken glass into your arms. I'll pass.

Why not just roll off the bed and lie beside it, with your pillow over your head? When the sheetrock comes down, you are more likely to be in a relatively safe little cave.

As in all things, maybe it's best not to let FEMA do your thinking for you.

Sue