Earthquake Survival List
Earthquakes cause unpredictable movement in the Earth’s crust resulting in tremors and cracks on the Earth’s surface. Earthquakes strike without warning, at any time of the year causing injuries, fatalities and widespread damage to homes and businesses. These earthquake survival strategies explain how to prepare your home, what to do when the earthquake hits and how to stay safe after the tremors stop. Does this Spark an idea?
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Prepare for Emergencies
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Prepare for an earthquake by checking your home for hazards that could become projectiles, such as knives, tools and sharp objects. Keep them locked in cabinets or secure drawers and make sure your whole family knows how to shut off gas lines, water lines and the electrical box.
Prepare an emergency kit that includes necessities for your family to survive for at least three days. The emergency kit should include: first aid materials, bottled water, flashlight, batteries, fire extinguisher, trash bag, blankets, work gloves, adjustable wrench for shutting off utilities and packaged foods for family and pets. Keep the emergency kit in an accessible area.
Make an emergency plan with exit routes and include where to go during the earthquake. Go over the plan with the whole family so everyone know the designated meeting area after the earthquake.
Take a CPR and first aid course with the whole family.
Where to Go During an Earthquake
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Avoid all power lines during and after an earthquake. At the onset of the earthquake, remain calm and drop to the floor or duck down. Find a stable table or desk and take cover under it. Hold onto the desk and move with it while the ground is shaking. If there are no sturdy pieces of furniture, stand against an interior wall or in a doorway and cover your head with your arms. Do not go near windows, hanging objects, mirrors, wall hangings or furniture that could topple.
If you are outside, try to stay in an open area. Avoid buildings, telephone poles, electrical towers, electrical wires and trees.
If you are driving when the earthquake hits, drive away from bridges and overpasses. Stop in an open area when you can and stay in the car.
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What to Do When the Earthquake Is Over
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When it is safe, go to the designated meeting area and check family members for injuries. Administer first aid to anyone with injuries. If someone does not make it to the designated area, search your home and perform CPR on unresponsive victims until help arrives.
Avoid using matches or any type of flames due to the risk of leaking gas. Turn off the gas line and electrical power if the area is safe.
Keep away from elevators and parking garages until authorities inspect them for safety.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit an electric power lines image by alri from Fotolia.com
