Earthquakes - What to Do

Safety
1. The worse danger is over the first minute of a major earthquake. Always try to maintain presence of mind. Be calm.
2. When earthquakes occur, the first impulse should be to seek cover or take refuge behind and not under a large piece of strong furniture when one happens to be inside a building. Large debris are more likely to crash you if you hide under than behind. Hiding behind strong furniture will act as your protective shield against falling debris. Assume a fetus position behind the strong furniture to maximize your protective shield.
3. When caught by the tremor while in the streets or between buildings, take refuge behind a strong structure. Beware of broken down electric wires, falling debris, loose ceiling slabs and crumbling walls. Avoid staying or being caught in narrow alleys, between tall structure or walls, beneath steep precipices, riverbanks, etc.
4. Aftershocks are not as dangerous as the main shock. After the main shock, stay away from unstable objects or structures, damaged objects, ceilings, etc. Aftershocks may cause damaged structures of loosened objects to fall.
5. Extinguish at once fires that may start anywhere around you before attempting to save lives.
6. Strong earthquakes are nature's warning of an impending tidal wave. One should go to higher ground when near sea level and away from landslide area.

As a homeowner or tenant:
1. Check your own house for earthquake hazards.
2. Provide strong support for gas appliances since fire damage can result from broken gas line.
3. Place a large and heavy object on the lower shelf of your cabinet.
4. Securely fasten shelves to walls.
5. In new construction and repair, follow closely safety measures to minimize earthquake hazards.
6. Sites for construction should be selected to reduce the damage from earthquake. Ideally, your house should not be built in earthquake zone areas.

As a parent or head of the family:
1. Hold occasional home earthquake drills to provide each member of the family sufficient knowledge to avoid injury and panic.
2. Teach responsible members of your family how to turn off electricity, gas and water at main switch and valves.
3. Provide for responsible members of your family first aid course because medical facilities may be overloaded immediately after an earthquake.
4. Keep a flashlight and a transistor radio in the house.
5. Keep immunization up-to-date for all family members. This will be a preventive measure against tetanus injuries. Conduct calm family discussions about earthquake and other possible disasters. Never tell frightening stories about disasters.

After
1. Check for injuries in your family and neighborhood. Do not attempt to move seriously injured persons.
2. Check for fires or fire hazards.
3. Wear shoes in all areas near debris or broken glass.
4. Check utility lines and appliances for damage. If gas leak exists, shut off the main gas valve. Shut off electric power if there is damage to house wiring.

Report all damages to proper authorities:
1. Do not touch downed power lines or objects touched by the downed wires.
2. Immediately clean up spilled medicines, drugs and other harmful materials.
3. If water supply is cut off, get supplies from nearby artesian wells.
4. If power is off, check your freezer and plan meals to use up foods, which spoil quickly.
5. Use wood or charcoal for emergency cooking.