A series of monstrous earth quakes has shaken the world since January.

First came Haiti’s devastating magnitude 7.1 quake. Then came Chile’s 8.8 temblor, and later, in the same area, a 6.9.

Next, it was Japan’s turn, with a 7.0 earthquake centered on the Ryukyu Islands. On Easter Sunday, Baja California’s 7.2 quake shook buildings in San Diego and Los Angeles.

China then experienced a 6.9 shaker that coincided with the spectacular, travel-halting eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull glacier volcano in Iceland.

California is one of the few famously seismic areas of the world that have yet to experience a large geologic event in 2010.

Even if the region wasn’t overdue for the “Big One,” earthquake preparedness should be at the top of the priority list for families in the Golden State.

If you are indoors when an earthquake hits, DROP — COVER —HANG ON.

Get as close to the ground as you can, get under a desk, table or chair, and hold on until the shaking stops.

If you’re in bed, stay there. Cover your head with a pillow and wait until the shaking stops. Stay away from out - side walls and glass windows and doors.

Only move to a doorway if it is the closest cover. The doorway must be a load-bearing structure and not have a

closing door that can swing back to hit you. Find and note the applicable doorways in your home or workplace beforehand.

When the shaking stops, slowly and carefully go outside. Most earthquake injuries and fatalities occur when survivors try to exit an unsound building or move around inside.

The fire alarms or sprinklers might be activated and the power might go off. If you smell gas, get as low to the ground as possible and crawl to an exit.

If you come to a closed doorway, be sure the door is not hot before you open it. If it is hot, find another exit.

If you are trapped or covered by debris, do not move quickly. You could injure yourself further and raise more dust. Cover your mouth with a cloth and DO NOT USE A MATCH OR CIGARETTE LIGHTER FOR LIGHT.

A flame could cause gas or particles in the air to ignite. Make as much noise as you can without shouting to alert rescuers to your presence (shouting could cause you to inhale dangerous dust and chemicals).

If you are outside when the earthquake hits, stay there. Get into an open area away from buildings, trees, power lines and walls.

Likewise, if you are in a car or moving vehicle, stop the vehicle in an open area away from buildings, trees, walls, power lines or overpasses until the shaking stops. Then proceed cautiously.

Contact your local emergency or civil defense offices and be prepared to take notes on what to do in case of an emergency in your area.

Learn and teach children about evacuation routes, gathering points, community warning signals and specific emergency procedures at your family’s workplaces and schools.

Find out local policies for emergency care of animals or disabled/elderly citizens if applicable for your family. Create a family disaster plan with personal points for rendezvous and specific contact information (cell phone numbers, public pay phone locations in common areas, etc.).

There should be two rendezvous points: one outside your home and one outside your neighborhood if you can’t return home for some reason. Once at the rendezvous point, follow official instructions as given by your local emergency management team or as heard on the radio.

Have an out-of-city or out-of-state contact person for your family to call in case you get separated. Often, local phone lines will be disabled, but long distance calls can get through.

If you are prepared for an emergency or earthquake, you can save your life as well as the lives of your family, friends and fellow citizens.

If and when the “Big One” finally hits California, you and your loved ones should have a much better chance of walking away alive.