If the disaster in Haiti wasn’t jarring enough, nerves around the world were rattled further as Chile was rocked soon after with an 8.8 magnitude temblor lasting 90 seconds. Before you could say "aftershock," yet another big one hit Mexico.  The 7.2 quake, centered in Mexicali, was felt far and wide, certainly catching the attention of Southern Californians on an otherwise ordinary, if not cloudy and rainy, Sunday afternoon.

Video images of the devastation in Haiti and the more severe, but less damaging, shaking in Chile were downright frightening, especially to those living in earthquake-prone areas such as the West Coast of the United States.   With one major earthquake following the other so closely, many wondered if the frequency of these natural disasters was increasing.

The reality of the situation is that the number of large earthquakes (magnitude 6.0 or greater) has stayed relatively constant over time.

According to records of the US Geological Survey, dating back to 1900, the world can expect 17 major earthquakes (7.0-7.9) and one great earthquake (8.0 or above) in any given year. Moreover, the National Earthquake Information Center locates about 50 earthquakes each day - almost 20,000 a year!  While this number may seem surprisingly high, the majority of these quakes go unnoticed.   Most take place in remote areas far from civilization or are minor shocks causing little or no damage.

Still, if you live in a known earthquake zone, Haiti and Chile are timely reminders that taking the time and effort to be prepared is a wise choice.  Of course, preparation should not be limited to earthquake zones.   Natural disasters of all kinds can cause property damage and power outages, be it from hurricanes, ice storms, tornadoes, floods or earthquakes.

More often than not, natural disasters bring with them water problems.  The local water supply may be compromised, boil alerts can be issued, or water may be cut off completely.

SteriPEN water purifiers are great companions to have on hand for these emergencies.  Effective, safe, easy to use, lightweight and easy to store, SteriPEN gives you and your family the comfort and confidence of knowing that you won’t need to do without safe drinking water when disaster strikes.

For more about what you should be thinking about and have on hand for emergency situations caused by natural disasters, visit the US agency, FEMA.

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