How to escape from earthquake: Earthquakes happen without warning. We don’t know when the next big earthquake will happen, but we can take action now to prepare for it and reduce the impact. Preparation begins with a plan. For cities and agencies, this means working with engineers to retrofit old structures and design new buildings, bridges and highways to withstand earthquakes as much as possible. For individuals and families, this means putting together an earthquake preparedness plan and kit and knowing what to do before, during, and after an earthquake.
Are you ready to rumble?
Earthquakes occur suddenly, violently and without warning. Identifying potential hazards ahead of time and planning in advance can reduce the risk of serious injury or loss of life from an earthquake. Repairing and strengthening the building’s foundation, securing overhead light fixtures to ceilings, securing furniture and other items to walls and floors, and following local seismic building standards will help reduce earthquake effects.
be safe like this
Many injuries during an earthquake are caused by falling or sliding objects due to the shaking of the earth. Identifying potential hazards before an earthquake can keep you and your family safe. Make a list of your home and where you work. Anything that could move or fall during an earthquake should be placed in a closed cabinet or other container. Anything that cannot be placed elsewhere should be securely tied down or attached to the wall for items such as bookcases. Do not place pictures or mirrors near the bed or places where people sit.
Preparing for the aftermath of an earthquake
After an earthquake, you may not have water, food, electricity, or other necessities for up to a week. Creating a disaster supply kit will help you deal with the aftermath of an earthquake. Store enough water, food, and other basic items to last you at least 72 hours. Keep the kit in a place where you spend most of your time so that it is easily accessible should an earthquake occur.
emergency communication plan
It’s also a good idea to develop an emergency communications plan. Don’t rely on cell phones or other devices that require electricity. Develop a post-disaster reunion plan if family members become separated from each other during an earthquake. Ask an outside relative or friend to serve as the family liaison. After a disaster, it is often easier to call long distance than to call locally. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address and phone number of the contact person.
Six important ways to plan ahead:
keep your home safe
1. Check for hazards in the home
– Securely fasten shelves to walls.
– Place large or heavy items on lower shelves.
Store breakable items like bottled foods, glass and china in low, locked cabinets with latches.
Hang heavy objects like pictures and mirrors away from beds, sofas and anywhere people sit.
– Brace the overhead light fixtures.
– Repair frayed electrical wiring and leaky gas connections. These are potential fire hazards.
– Secure the water heater by nailing it to wall studs and bolting it to the floor.
Repair any deep cracks in the roof or foundation. If there are signs of Vastu defects, take expert advice.
– Store weed killers, pesticides, and flammable products in securely closed cabinets with latches and bottom shelves.
2. Identify safe places inside and outside the home
– Under heavy furniture such as heavy desks or tables.
Against the inside wall.
– Away from where glass could break around windows, mirrors, pictures, or where heavy bookcases or other heavy furniture could fall.
– In the open, away from buildings, trees, telephone and power lines, overpasses or elevated expressways.
3. Educate yourself and family members
– For more information about earthquakes, contact your local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter.
– Teach kids how and when to call 9-1-1, the police, or fire department and which radio station to tune into for emergency information.
– Teach all family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity and water
4. Have disaster supplies on hand
– flashlight and extra batteries
– portable, battery operated radio and extra batteries
– First aid kit and manual
– emergency food and water
– no electric can opener
– essential medicines
– Cash and Credit Cards
– sturdy shoes
– make a plan
5. Develop an Emergency Communications Plan
– Make plans for post-disaster reunions in case family members become separated from each other during an earthquake (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school).
Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as a “family connection.” After a disaster, it’s often easier to make long distance calls. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address and phone number of the contact person.
6. Help Your Community Prepare
Publish a special section in your local newspaper with emergency information on earthquakes. Localize the information by printing the phone numbers of local emergency services offices, the American Red Cross and hospitals.
– Conduct a week-long series on detecting hazards in the home.
Work with local emergency services and American Red Cross officials to prepare special reports for people with mobility disabilities on what to do during an earthquake.
– Provide tips on conducting earthquake drills at home.
– Interview representatives of gas, electricity and water companies about the shutdown of utilities.
– Work together in your community to apply your knowledge to building codes, retrofitting programs, hazard hunts, and neighborhood and family emergency plans.
– what to do during an earthquake
– Drop, Cover and Hold
Stay as safe as possible during an earthquake. Be aware that some earthquakes are actually foreshadowed, and a major earthquake may occur. Reduce your movements to a nearby safe place in a few steps.
– If you are indoors, you should drop down, take cover, and hold on—fall to the ground, hide under a table or other sturdy piece of furniture, and stay there until the vibration Do not stop If there isn’t a table nearby, move to a corner or part of the building inside, away from the glass, and lie on the floor with your arms covering your head.
– Stay inside until the shaking stops and you are sure it is safe to leave. Once outside, move to an open space away from buildings.
what to do after an earthquake
It is most important to reach a safe place after an earthquake. Carry your emergency supply kit with you. Investigate for injuries and hazards, then help others. Once you are safe, follow the emergency earthquake plan you have prepared to communicate and reconnect with family members.
Source: newstrack.com”
