Sunday 25 January 2015

What to Do During an EarthQuake

How to Survive an Earthquake



If you happen to live in a region that is prone to Earthquakes, it is important to take a number of measures to ensure your safety and of those around you. Earthquakes can cause a great deal of damage and a loss of lives, depending upon the intensity, so it is always good to be prepared for one.
Regardless of whether you live in an earthquake-prone region or not, you must be in possession of important supplies, such as a fire-extinguisher, a battery-powered radio, first-aid kit, extra batteries and a flashlight.

Learning to conduct first-aid will surely prove useful if an Earthquake ever hits your city with an unexpectedly high intensity.

Planning for a disaster is always the first step to mitigating the associated dangers. It is a great idea to decide on a meeting spot for all family members at the onset of an earthquake.
Leaving heavy objects lying on shelves is a grave mistake if an earthquake is to be expected. This is because these objects may come falling off the shelves and injure someone seriously.
Heavy cupboards, appliances and furniture must be anchored to the walls or the floor to prevent them from moving about and causing damage or obstructions.

Once an earthquake starts, the first important thing to do is to stay calm and focused. Do not waste time in entering or exiting a building and make the most of your surroundings to acquire protection.
If you are inside a building, it is important to stand next to a wall in a room that is somewhat towards the center of the building. You could also crawl under a piece of heavy furniture or stand under the frame of the doorway, as this would minimize the damage done to your body if the roof collapses.
On the other hand, if you are outside, be sure to move a significant distance away from buildings, electricity poles or anything that has even the remotest possibility of falling on top of you if the intensity of the earthquake increases unexpectedly.

If you happen to be driving during the occurrence of an earthquake, pull over as soon as you can and stay seated until you no longer feel any convulsions.

Using the elevator is a grave mistake to commit during the occurrence of an earthquake, as it is likely to get jammed and threaten your safety.

Once the convulsions stop, it is important to check if you have any injuries or not. First-aid must be offered to anyone in need of it but be sure to tend to yourself first.

Damaged buildings must be evacuated as immediately as possible to prevent the possibility of getting injured.

It is always a great idea to wear shoes that are sturdy to acquire protection against shards of broken glass or pieces of debris that could otherwise injure you badly.

Moreover, it is natural for aftershocks to ensue from time to time after the occurrence of the earthquake, so follow all emergency plans or instructions provided by relief committees to help acquire additional safety.