Do's and Dont's of During Earthquake

Dont's

§  DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If there is no a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.

§  Protect yourself by staying under the lintel of an inner door, in the corner of a room, under a table or even under a bed.

§  Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, (such as lighting fixtures or furniture).

§  Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.

§  Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, load bearing doorway.

§  Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.

§  Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.

§  Do not move from where you are. However, move away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and utility wires.

§  If you are in open space, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings; at exits; and alongside exterior walls. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

§  Do not light a match.

§  Do not move about or kick up dust.

§  Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.

§  Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

§  Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.

§  Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.

§  Don't turn on the gas in your kitchen; there might be leakages

§  Don't light a match until you are certain there are no gas leakages

§  Don't go near windows and doors

§  Don't take an elevator

Do's

·         Do stay indoors and wait for the shaking to stop

·         Do move to a nearby safe place or take cover under a table or desk

·         Do hold on to a piece of heavy furniture for support

·         Do stand against an inside wall

·         Do find a safe spot away from power lines and building if you are outdoors

·         Do slow down your car and drive to a safe place nearby and then turn off ignition

·         Do check on family and neighbors to make sure they are safe.

·         Do find a place to take cover so that you are protected against falling debris. Beneath a table, a desk, or inside a door frame are all good places to wait out a quake. An important part of your earthquake preparedness should be considering safe places to take cover during a quake in each of the places you frequent, such as your home and office.

·         Do turn off circuit breakers and gas valves at the main as soon as the shaking has stopped to avoid further damage from a fire. An essential part of your earthquake preparedness should be making sure that all family members know where the breaker box and gas valve are and how to shut them off.

·         Do avoid windows and walls as they may break or fall down, causing injury.

·         Do open windows and doors to ensure an escape route once the shaking has stopped.

·         Do have a plan for where to meet others in the event of disaster. Having a meeting place is part of any good earthquake preparedness or disaster plan.

·         Protect yourself by staying under the lintel of an inner door, in the corner of a room, under a table or even under a bed.

·         Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, (such as lighting fixtures or furniture).

·         Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.

·         Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, load bearing doorway.

·         Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.

·         Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.