15 Ways to Survive an Earthquake
Perhaps an earthquake's greatest danger lies in the fact that it can occur almost at once. If you live in a location that's prone to earthquakes, preparation before the event is certainly key.
To paraphrase the American Red Cross: 'It's not the shaking that hurts. It's the stuff that falls on your head': Collapsing walls, flying glass and falling objects cause most quake-related injuries and deaths.
1.Look around your house for things that could fall or move.
Ask yourself what may happen if your cupboard doors fly open during a quake, allowing dishes or God-knows-what to fall across the floor. Is the TV and stereo fastened down and are shelves fastened to walls? Do you have hanging plants or light fixtures that might fall?Is there a heavy picture or mirror on the wall over your bed?
2.Know the danger spots.
Secure all tall and heavy furniture that could topple over, such as bookcases, china cabinets or wall units. Hang heavy pictures and mirrors away from beds, couches, and anywhere people sit. Keep breakables or heavy objects on bottom shelves.
3.Stay clear of windows, fireplaces, or appliances if a quake hits
As a top priority, stay out of the kitchen -- it's a dangerous place, with large appliances that could fall over or be pushed violently from walls and floors; knife sets that could be knocked from counters and natural gas lines (if your appliances are powered by natural gas) that could suddenly sprout leaks and fill your kitchen with explosive gas fumes (if a spark occurs, your kitchen would be the first place to erupt in flames and the possible ground zero of an explosion that levels your home.)
4.Stay away from anything that could conceivably fall on you.
Don't run downstairs or rush outside while the building is shaking, or while there is a danger of falling or being hit by falling glass or debris.
5.Secure a water heater by strapping it to wall studs and bolting it to the floor.
6.Before and after a quake, repair any deep cracks in ceilings, chimneys, or foundations.
Get expert advice if there are signs of structural defects. Unnoticed damage could cause a fire - or worse.
7.Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections.
These are potential fire risks.
8.Keep batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors fresh.
At the least, make sure you have a properly installed and working smoke detector in your home/apartment.
9.Secure all chemicals, fuel, and bleach.
Store weed killers, pesticides, and flammable products securely in closed cabinets with latches and on bottom shelves.
10.Keep food and water supplies on hand.
You should be prepared to take care of yourself and loved ones for a period of 72 hours (and possibly longer, depending on the severity of the earthquake). 72 hours under normal circumstances is how long it is estimated for help to arrive, as they have to deal with the same predicaments as you.
11.Create a family disaster plan.
Discuss with your family the types of disasters that could occur. Explain to your kids how to prepare and respond to each type of disaster. Print the plan for everyone.
12.Post emergency telephone numbers by every phone.
13.Learn first aid and CPR.
14.Teach all family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water.
15.Learn how to help kids cope with disaster.
Do your best to maintain calm and to respond with a plan of action. Your calm confidence can help your kids respond in the same way or simply help minimize the trauma they would otherwise feel. If they see you panicking, they are more likely to panic as well.
10 Ways to Define Your Earthquake Safety Zone
Taking shelter against inside walls, under sturdy tables or desks, and in stout doorways.
1. Practice earthquake drills
Rehearse with your family, putting yourself in the Safety Zone. This is especially important for children to know and do.
2. Have two places where everyone can meet.
One meeting place will be your home, but you should have a second in case there's a problem. It should be a safe distance from your house in case of a home fire, and a place outside your neighborhood in case you can't immediately return.
3. Choose an out-of-state friend as a check-in contact for everyone to call.
While regional telephone service may be down, telephone service may work in distant states. In a worst case scenario, it's possible each of you can communicate through an out of state friend (if phone outage is regional and not nationwide), if you are unable to call each other.
4. Discuss where to go and what to bring if advised to evacuate.
Practice what you have discussed and ensure that your children know how to use any survival gear you have packed in their Get Home Bag.
5. Find out about earthquake plans developed by your children's school or day care.
Remember, transportation to or from your children's school(s) may be disrupted.
6. Keep some emergency supplies at work --
Food, liquids, and athletic shoes (cross trainers) that lace up, as well as a thoroughly packed Get Home Bag.
7. Locate your nearest fire and police stations and emergency medical facility.
The Red Cross and other emergency organizations may have first aid, food, water, and shelter available.
8. Talk to your neighbors --
How could they help you, or you help them after an earthquake.
9. Be prepared for aftershocks.
Aftershocks are strong enough to topple more buildings, sever utility lines and hurt you hours, days, weeks - even months after the main quake. If your house is in solid shape, stay indoors if an aftershock hits.
10. Develop the habit of thinking, "If an earthquake happened right now, what would I do?"
This will prepare you to react and not be surprised when it happens. And it will aid with your preparations.
What to Do During and After an Earthquake
During the Earthquake
If you are indoors, stay there! Get under a heavy desk or table and hang on to it, move into a hallway or get against an inside wall.
If you are outside, get into the open - away from buildings, power lines, chimneys, and anything else that might fall on you.
If you are driving, quickly but carefully move your car as far out of traffic as possible and stop. Do not stop on or under a bridge or overpass or under trees, light posts, power lines, or signs. Stay inside your car until the shaking stops.
When you resume driving, stay away from breaks in the pavement, fallen rocks, bumps in the road at bridge or ramp approaches, and anything else that doesn't look 'right'.
If you are in a mountainous area watch out for falling rock, landslides, trees, and other debris that could be loosened by quakes.
Earthquakes Don'ts
Do not turn on the gas again if you've turned it off; the gas company should do it. They'll know if it's safe to do so.
Do not use matches, lighters, camp stoves, barbecues, electrical equipment or any appliances until you are sure there are no gas leaks.
They may create a spark that could ignite leaking gas and cause an explosion.
Do not use your telephone, except for a medical or fire emergency. You could tie up the lines needed for emergency response. If an emergency occurs and the phone doesn't work, send someone for help.
Do not expect firefighters, police or paramedics to definitely be there for you. They may not be available.
Remember, the contents of your home may be damaged and can be dangerous. Quakes can make light fixtures fall, and bookcases and television sets topple over even after the shaking is over.
After the Earthquake
Wear sturdy shoes to avoid injury from broken glass and debris. Steel-toed workboots may be best. Expect aftershocks.
Check for injuries to yourself and those around you; give first aid where you can. If a person is bleeding, put direct pressure on the wound and use clean gauze, or cloth if available. If a person is not breathing administer CPR. Do not attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in further danger of injury. Cover the wounded with blankets to keep them warm. Seek medical help for serious injuries.
Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately. Leave the area if you smell gas or fumes from other chemicals. A bag of industrial absorbent granules (or simply just cat litter) is a quick way to contain a spill for easy clean up with a broom and dust pan.
Open closet and cupboard doors cautiously.
Inspect the entire length of chimneys carefully for damage. Unnoticed cracks could lead to a fire. Also inspect your gas, power and sewer lines. If your utilities are damaged, fix them or get out until you can have someone else do so. Listen to a battery-operated radio or television for the latest emergency information.
Remember to check neighbors who may require special assistance - infants, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
Stay out of buildings known to be damaged. Use the telephone only for emergency calls. Only drive if there's an emergency. Keep the streets clear for emergency vehicles.
Listen to a battery-operated radio or television for the latest emergency information. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
After the earthquake, brace overhead light fixtures. Contact your local emergency management office or Red Cross chapter for more information on earthquakes.
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