Do’s & Don’ts During an Earthquake – Safety Tips

Earthquake – Safety Tips: here we are discussing that what we should do depending on the condition or location where we are.

During an earthquake try to stay as safe as possible. We should know and be aware that some earthquakes are actually fore-shocks before a larger earthquake occur.

Also Read: Best High Return Mutual Fund in India

During Earthquake we should minimize our movements to a few steps just to reach a nearby safe place. Make it’s possible to get out of the dangerous place otherwise stay indoors until the shaking has stopped. Come out once you are sure that exiting is safe.

Earthquake – Safety Tips: If you are indoors / inside a building during Earthquake:

• DROP/lay down on the ground. Try to take COVER by getting under a strong table or other piece of furniture which is strong enough to bear some weight. HOLD ON until the shaking stops.
• If there is not a table or desk nearby, cover your face and head with your arms. crouch (adopt a position where the knees are bent and the upper body is brought forward and down) in an inside corner of the building.
• Try to protect yourself by staying under the lintel/beam of an inner door, in the corner of a room, under a table or even under a bed.
• Stay away from the glass, windows, outside doors & walls, and anything that could fall on you, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.

• Are you in bed? Yes, then stay in bed when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall on you. In this case, move yourself to the nearest safe place.
• Use a doorway to take shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported by load bearing doorway.
• Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Many research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location in the building. Or they try to leave.
• Be aware that the electricity may go out or the fire safety sprinkler systems or fire safety alarms may turn on during earthquake.

Earthquake – Safety Tips: If you are outside during Earthquake:

• Do not move from where you are. However, move away from buildings, trees, sign-boards, streetlights, electricity poles and utility wires as they can fell on you.
• 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/injuries result from collapsing walls, flying glass, flying mettle sheets and falling objects and debris.

Earthquake – Safety Tips: You are in a moving vehicle during Earthquake:

• 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.

Earthquake – Safety Tips: Are you trapped under debris?:

• Do not light a match, it can ignite a fire or trigger a blast, as there are high chance of oil spillage or cooking gas leakage after earthquake.
• Do not move about or kick up dust.
• You should cover your mouth with a handkerchief or a piece of cloth.
• Time to time Keep Tapping on a pipe or wall so that rescuers can hear the sound and locate to save from there.
• Use a Whistle if available with you, this will help rescuers in locating you. Shout only as a last resort. Note that shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust. So do this once dust is settled or by keeping you safe from dust.

So, following these Earthquake – Safety Tips can help one save their life, we must take note of guidelines/do’s & don’s issued by the Government time to time.

FAQ