Earthquake Precautions can Save Your Life
The earthquake struck twice near Indonesia and the tremors triggered panic in the cities of India. A few buildings in the city developed minor cracks. But there is no need to panic or fear about any major aftershocks. The rumbling of the earth happens innumerable times frequently, but major tremor happens rarely and leaves an enormous impact. It is always better to acquire a little knowledge and precautionary measures to sustain an earthquake.
Learning a few precautionary measures in case of severe tremors can increase your chances of survival and more. Mediums such as awareness programmes, education, word of mouth and so on can be used in order to saves lives during earthquakes. Here are some safety measures for earthquake preparation, during and after earthquake.
Safety actions before the earthquake;
- Be aware and prepare for an earthquake alert plan and learn to feel ground motions instantly. You need to be prepared and should act fast, as most of the earthquakes occur instantly.
- Be prepared and consult a professional to make your home substantial during any natural disasters. Buildings made out of wood are the safest type to withstand an earthquake. As wood is flexible and moves with the force of an earthquake. The collapse of a wooden building can cause fewer deaths. Safety measures like installing sturdy latches on cupboards, bolting bookcases to wall studs and strapping water heater and other machineries to wall studs can be opted. Also you can eliminate all the hazardous materials and junk in and around your home. Detect any unsecured electrical connection and eliminate it. Heavy objects should be placed on lower shelves and breakable objects and wall hanging materials should be kept in locked cabinets.
- A rescue plan is what everyone needs to make beforehand. Have a meeting with all the family members and locate all the places of exit during natural calamities. Planning for such times is not a difficult job and you have to make sure that your evacuation plan also includes a reunion method. You can also inform about your survival plans to your relatives or friends out of state and get the precise address, name and number. Remember that the exiting plan includes an accessible passage or a window where all the children can get out.
- Storing all the necessary commodities like canned foods, first aid kits and gallons of water, safety protection items, communicating objects and flashlights in a suitable place. Other flammable liquids and equipments should be placed away from each other or locked up inside. Also try switching off the electricity main, gas, water faucets and others.
- Make sure that your home is safe in all the ways. Maximum numbers of houses have a weak structure, feeble foundations, roofs, walls, vulnerable pipelines and other furniture. If you have come across anything such in and around your home, take an immediate action and repair it to avoid further disaster.
- Installing a fire alarm or a disaster alarm inside or outside your apartment can save a lot of lives.
- Avoid having a swimming pool or a large water tank on your terrace as this can pose a grave danger by misbalancing the water density during an earthquake.
- Make sure to attach all the large furniture of your home to the walls so as to avoid their collapse.
Safety actions during an earthquake:
- If you’re indoors during an earthquake, rush to a safer place and duck down under sturdy furniture, table or any strong point of the home where there are less chances of a collapse.
- Do not rush towards the exit until the shaking stops. Once the shaking stops, it is safe for you to run towards the exit. Avoid standing under book shelves or near breakable objects like mirrors, windows, mounted items, heavy appliances, heavy furniture or a fireplace.
- When indoors, turn off the stove and other electrical appliances and seek safety.
- If you are in bed, hold on and lie there, protecting your head with a pillow. You can also roll off the bed and lie down on the floor in a foetal position next to any large furniture.
- If you’re outdoors during an earthquake, rush to a spot which is away from buildings, trees and power cables. Do not stand under a bridge, highway or hoardings.
- Stop driving your car once you feel the tremor. Immediately get out of your car and lie down next to it. Doing this can save your life. Also stop your car in a safe place which is away from buildings, trees, power cables, bridges and others.
- Do not run to the doorway or stay near it. Standing under a doorway causes the doorjamb to fall forward, backward or sideways in which a person standing in any of the position will be killed.
- Never run on the stairs during an earthquake as the stairs have different movements of frequencies and get separated from the building. Stairs are the most likely parts of a building to be damaged; hence they should be avoided at any cost. Stairs seem to be strong during an earthquake but tend to collapse if they are flooded with people.
Safety actions after an earthquake:
- Seek help immediately and check for injuries or damage caused to people. Also you should make sure that you are completely equipped with the first aid and are aware of the techniques.
- Stay alert and identify hazardous materials like a gas leakage, water leakage, sewage leakage and electrical short circuits. If you spot any of these immediately report to the government or the concerned authorities.
- Post the natural disaster if your building is badly damaged; evacuate the building to avoid further chaos.
- Avoid using the telephone except for an emergency.
- If anyone is trapped under the remains of a building, avoid lighting a match, avoid moving or kicking up the dust, cover the mouth and whistle or tap on any object to attract attention by the helpers.
- Stay alert for any aftershocks.
Henceforth we hope that you have an idea of how to survive during an earthquake. Getting to know these important points and information not only saves your life but also the lives of your near and dear ones.
Also Read:
Make Your Home Earthquake Proof Home
