Earthquake Preparedness Tips

Earthquakes are disasters relief which can not be prevented and avoided. But we can prepare ourselves to minimize casualties. There are major areas in the world where seismic activity is common, like California and Japan or Indonesia. If you live in one of these places, you should know what to do during an earthquake.

Here is a list of what you should know and do if an earthquake happens for you and your family safely.

Before the Quake:

Find lots of information about earthquakes. Train your preparedness and alertness deal with earthquakes, for example, how do you find and stay in the secure place. Move large heavy items and breakable items from higher shelves to the lower shelf.

Secure water heaters, gas appliances, refrigerators, heavy furniture, bookcases, and shelves. Secure mirrors, pictures, and hanging plants, especially those hanging over beds. Keep hazardous and flammable liquids in cabinets or on low shelves. Check your house for structural flaws that could cause problems in an earthquake. Make earthquake preparedness checklist to ensure you are fully prepared and help you prepare a survival supply if the earthquake happened at any time.

During the Quake:

Stay calm and Find a safe place. Stay there until the shaking stops. If you are in the house, go under the bed, desk, table, or bench and cover your head with a pillow or other soft objects. If not, stand in the doorway or wall away from windows and glass partition.

If you are inside a public building, get under a desk or something similar, or crouch against an interior wall, his head covered with a sleeve or an object like a briefcase. Do not rush to get out, because the emergency exit may be crowded with people and they may not be safe. Do not enter lift; if the power fails you will get caught. If you are already in lift, stomp on the floor after the Quake to get help. If you are in danger, you might try to escape through a trap door above the lift.

If you are outside, keep away from anything that can fall on you; buildings, trees, telephone and electrical wires. Watch out for falling debris, especially window glass. It is better to duck into a doorway than expose yourself to falling debris.If you are in the beach, get a higher place to avoid the tsunami (water wall) generated by the earthquake.

If you are on the road, stop on a safe place, away from the underpass, overpass, trees, telephone and electricity cables. Do not come out, stay in the car.

Be prepared for aftershocks. Decide where to take shelter in the event. Do not use matches, candles, each fire because of possible gas leaks. Extinguish the fire.