What To Do During An Earthquake
It is always better to be safe rather than sorry. Hopefully, the following information will help should an earthquake hit your area.
Although certain parts of the country are more prone to earthquakes than others, there is good reason for everyone to become familiar with the fundamentals of what to do during and after an earthquake. These events can occur in any region and the better people are prepared, the less injury and death will occur. Additionally, if you are traveling and an earthquake occurs, you will know how to protect yourself.
During the actual quake, there are a number of precautions that should be taken. If you are inside a building, get down to the floor immediately. To protect yourself from falling debris, get underneath a desk or table. During the quake, hold on to the desk or table and move as it moves. Once the quake is over, try to avoid walking near anything that may topple over and remain inside.
If you are outside when the earthquake hits, move away from buildings, trees, power lines, or anything that could fall over on you. Crouch down to avoid falling. If you are at the beach, move inland quickly. Earthquakes can spawn deadly tidal waves or even tsunamis. The further away from the water you are, the better. When an earthquake hits while you are driving, stop the car if possible, and remain inside. Make sure you are stopped in an area where there are no overhead dangers such as trees, power lines, light posts, billboards, or other types of signs. Avoid bridges and tunnels as well. If you are on a road with cliffs or drop-offs, be alert to the possibility of a landslide as a result of the quake.
No matter where you are, remain calm. This will help reassure others as well as to help avoid any kind of mass panic. Once the initial quake is over, expect aftershocks. Although the aftershocks are generally less intense that the actual earthquake, they can still result in damage, especially to structures already weakened by the first event.
Once the ground has stopped shaking, check first for people who may be injured. Never move person who has been injured, instead, call for help immediately. Also check your pets and attempt to calm them. Animals have an innate sense of pending earthquakes and can become very frightened when one occurs. If you remain calm, your pets will be more likely to do the same. Once the people and pets have been taken care of, check for any types of potential dangers. Look for any types of fire hazards or gas leaks. Check for problems with electrical wiring or power lines. Be cautious with glass that may have broken, and watch for objects falling from cupboards or closet shelves. Inspect chimney and other exterior structures. Once all potential hazards have been identified and corrected, you can begin your clean-up activities, continuing to be careful of falling objects.
If you live in an area that is prone to quakes, it is a good idea to set up an actual earthquake plan. Practice with your children so that dropping to the floor will become second nature to them. You should also come up with a plan as to where you will go if an earthquake hits during the day and you are unable to return to your home. Have several meeting places in mind, and have children write these down. In a severe situation, cell phone service may be disrupted. Designate a central number, perhaps a friend or relative that lives outside the area. That way, each family member can call this person, who can pass on information to others in the family.
Prepare your home as well. Consider bolting heavy objects to the wall to prevent them from falling over, and move dangerous items away from your family’s beds. Take particular care with gas appliances and wood stoves. With prior knowledge of earthquake survival skills, you can come through the experience safely.
Author: Donna Reynolds
About Author: Donna Reynolds is a freelance writer who specializes in writing informational articles for the Worldwide Web. She has a degree in English from the University of Rhode Island, and is contininuing her education at Syracuse University.