What to do before, during and after an eathquake strikes
Before an earthquakes strike
If you are in an area prone to earthquake, make sure you are prepared:
1.Make sure you have an fire extinguisher and learn how to operate it.
2.Have a first aid kit and learn first aid
3.Have an emergency survival kid or essential suppiles prepared(torch,battery powered radio with spare batteries , water, non-perrishable,ready-to-eat food,essential medicine,etc.)
4.Make sure evryone knows how to turn of the gas,electricity and water
5.secure heavy furniture (cabinet,etc.) to the walls or floors
6.Ensure heavy objects are in lower cupboards or on lower shealves,and hang mirrors or pictures away from where people sit or sleep
7.Plan where you will meet you family after an earthquake in case you are saparated
8.Identify the safest places in each room and in outdoor spaces so you automaticially know where to go when an earthquake hits
during an earthquakes
1.Above all:keep calm!
2.if you are inside,stay inside."Drop, cover and hold on":Drop to the ground and use your hands to cover yor head and neck.If possible,get under a strong piece of furniture and hold on.If none is in the room ,crouch in the inside corner of the building
3.keep away for anything that could fallor break, like windows of light fittings
4.if you are outside,move away from buildings,streetlights and overhead wiers in case they fall.Stay in the opeen until the shaking stop
5.if you arein a moving vehicle,stop as quickly as you can and stay in the vehicle.try to avoid stopping near buildings or streetlights.Once the shaking stops move carefully,as bridges and roads may be damaged
6.Do not light any candles or matches,as there may be a gas leak
7.be mindful of the electricity going off or warning systems activating,such as sprinklers and fire alarms
8.aviod using doorways for protection, as many are lightly contructed;only use if you are certain they are strongly supported
9.if in bed , stay in bed, hold on and protect you head with a pillow Zunless under a heavy light fitting that may fall)
after an earthqauke has struck
1.Expect aftershocks;they too can cause furher damage
2.if you smell gas,turn the gas supply off,open all windows and doorsleave immediately and inform authorities
3.if the water pipes are damaged,shut all the water and use your emergency supply
4.only use the telephone for emergency calls.Use a battery-powerd radio for emergency information
5.stay away from beaches in case of stunamis and surges that may occur after the shaking stops
6.stay out of damaged buidings and be careful around broken glass and debris
7.check yourself and other for injuries;provide first aid where necessary
8.clean up spilled meterial
9.if trapped under debris,cover your mouth with clothing, do not move around or kick up dust and do not light a match.Top on pipes or walls so reacures can find you. only shout out as a last resort,as it could cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust