Safety Guidelines for Earthquake Survival
When the ground is rumbling every second counts. There isn’t time to panic AND survive. Deciding to remain calm can contribute to your chances of survival. If you can feel a tremor, you are close enough to the epicenter (or blast) for there to be structural damage in your area. Depending on where you are located, the following guidelines may help save your life.
BASIC SAFETY
Keep a flashlight and sturdy shoes within reach of your bed and your work place. Keep a set of clothes that is easy to slip on beside your bed. If the shaking starts while you are in bed, remain there until it stops. When the tremor ends, quickly put on clothing and shoes. Casual shoes or bare feet won’t hold up well when broken glass and other debris litter the ground.
DUCK * COVER * HOLD
IF YOU ARE INDOORS crouch near an interior, load bearing wall. Get beneath something solid such as a strong table. Use your hands to protect your neck and head. Take a firm hold of the object you are beneath to keep yourself steady.
IF YOU ARE LOCATED IN A HIGH-RISE get beneath something sturdy. Protect your head and neck with your hands. Hold onto whatever you are ducking underneath for stability. Use the stairs when you exit. NEVER use elevators during earthquake or fire.
IF OUTDOORS
Look for large trees and power lines. If these fall, they are dangerous. Avoid these or any other overhead hazards. Try to position yourself in an open space in order to avoid falling objects. In the city you should avoid standing near high buildings. As much as 2 to 13 feet of glass could cover city streets below high rise buildings.
IF YOU ARE IN A VEHICLE
Don’t exit the vehicle. Seek a place that is away from overhead hazards. Don’t park underneath an overhang. During an earthquake, don’t get out of your car even if it is underneath a bridge during. Tires will act as a cushioning (and insulation) if heavy debris fall onto your automobile. Move your vehicle to the shoulder without blocking other vehicles if you are on an open stretch of road. Wait for the shaking to stop. Listen to your radio for reports and instructions.
WHEN THE TREMMOR SUBSIDES
Realize that aftershocks are likely: prepare to DUCK-COVER-HOLD – again! Do a physical assessment and be sure you are in good shape. Locate the flashlight. Flashlights are much safer than candles in the event of gas leaks. If you are at home, locate everyone in your household. Move everyone to a safe place that you’ve agreed upon beforehand. Once you’ve accounted for everyone, walk around the perimeter of the house, checking for structural damage such as large cracks or obvious leaning.
Natural gas shouldn’t be shut off unless you are instructed to do so by authorities. Listen to your radio’s Emergency Broadcast station for reports of nearby shelter and assistance.
Locate any pets you own. Attempt to reassure and calm them. In order to assure that they not get lost running away in fright, place them on a leash or restrain them until they are calm. Anxiety induced bites are also prevented by taking these measures.
HEED YOUR INSTINCTS
Trust your gut when it comes to survival. Pay attention to what you see small animals and insects doing. China experienced a migration of thousands of frogs in 2008 that began on the 5th of May, a Monday. A few days later (May 12th) a 7.8 magnitude quake killed nearly 10,000 people in central China.
TAKE HEED
These guidelines are offered as suggestions. In the event you find yourself experiencing an earthquake, your chances of survival will be enhanced by having taken the time to contemplate your options. This information is not a substitute for professional services. The person that makes use of these measures assumes full liability of any outcomes.