This week's magnitude-4.0 earthquake on the Hayward fault serves as a reminder that all Californians need to prepare their homes and workplaces for earthquakes and other emergencies.

California is known for its seismically active landscape, and rather than become complacent with this all too common phenomenon, individuals must remember that a major earthquake on any of California's faults can cause a significant number of deaths, injuries and property damage, according to the California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA).

The agency said it is imperative that Californian's regularly update their emergency plans, stockpile emergency supplies and work to reduce hazards in their homes and businesses.

According to Cal EMA's 2008 study on individual and family preparedness, a mere 40 percent of Californians had developed family disaster plans.

Those who have not yet developed a family emergency plan or built an emergency kit can find numerous resources on the Cal EMA Web site, http://www.calema.ca.gov/Pages/default.aspx , which features  emergency kit shopping lists, family emergency plan templates, and how tips on how to improve home and office safety.

Cal EMA, in partnership with local, state and federal partners, has developed comprehensive plans based on real-world scenarios to respond and recover from such events; however, individual preparedness is essential to surviving a catastrophic event.

For more information on personal preparedness, Californian's can watch short, entertaining videos complimented with easy preparedness steps featured in the "Totally Unprepared" campaign, visit the "How You Should Prepare" page on the Cal EMA Web page and the Bay Area Chapter of the American Red Cross's "Ready Neighborhoods" campaign.