The earth is shaking and rolling. Your home is creaking. You hear the sounds of glass shattering. Pictures are falling off the wall. You are experiencing an earthquake. What should you do?
The earth is shaking and rolling. Your home is creaking. You hear the sounds of glass shattering. Pictures are falling off the wall. You are experiencing an earthquake. What should you do? Sometimes you can not do anything.
Some earthquakes only last long enough for you to register
that they are happening and then they are over, particularly
if the earthquake starts when you are asleep. If that is the
case and the earthquake ends quickly, just get up and look for
any damage, or, if it was not a strong quake, roll over and go
back to sleep. Experts used to suggest that if you have time,
you should try to stand in a doorway. That is no longer the
case unless you live in a really old home. Doorways used to be
the most reinforced part of homes. Today, houses are
reinforced throughout. Besides, you are likely to get hit by a
swinging door if you stand in a doorway.
Experts also used to suggest that you dive under a piece of
sturdy furniture, tuck up, and cover your head with your arms.
This is still very good advice. If you can not get under
something, try to at least cover your head to protect yourself
from anything that might fall on top of you. If you are
inside, it is very important to stay there. Do not try to go
outside until the earthquake is over. It is much, much safer
to stay inside. If you can, move away from windows in case
they break. If you can not get underneath a table or a desk,
move into the hallway. Remember that an earthquake that can
move furniture and appliances can also knock you off of your
feet, another reason to not try to go outside.
If you are outside, get out into the middle of the street
or into an area that is as open as possible. If you are
standing next to a building, you are in danger of being hit
with falling glass, whatever might be on top of the building,
or in some cases, with parts of the building itself. Get away
from chimneys and avoid power lines. The power lines might
fall and are very, very dangerous.
If driving, slow down carefully, pull out of traffic as
much as possible, and stop. However, do not stop under a
bridge, on an overpass, under power lines, or anything else
that might fall on top of your car and cause damage. Do not
get out of your car. It is safer to stay inside of your car
because your car does afford you some protection. After the
quake is over, drive very slowly and very carefully. Look for
cracks in the road, bumps that were not there before, and
avoid any debris that you might encounter.
Use your common sense. The danger is not over when the
earth stops shaking. Make sure that you put on some sturdy
shoes so that your feet will not be cut by glass. Do not use
electrical power until you are sure that it is safe. Do not
use the telephone unless you have a medical or fire emergency.
Phone lines get tied up very quickly, making it harder for
people who truly need assistance to get help. Turn off your
gas only if you suspect that there might be a leak and shut
off your electricity if you think that there might be damage
to the wiring in your house. Be prepared to help not only
yourself, but your neighbors with any injuries or fires that
occur, because emergency personnel may be stretched very thin
during a severe earthquake. Start to clean up and assess your
food and water supplies.
The best advice about earthquake safety is to plan for
them. Plan escape routes from your house or place of work.
Have extra food and water supplies that can last you and your
family for several days. Make sure that you have a portable
radio and flashlights with extra batteries. Be ready.