Home > PREPARE YOURSELF
Be Informed
Know what to do before/ during and after earthquake
Before an earthquake
» Know what to do during an earthquake
» Identify safe and unsafe places
» Prepare reunification plan
» Prepare communication plan Develop and deploy family emergency plan
» Prepare an emergency kit
» Safeguard your home by regular maintenance
» Conduct earthquake simulation exercise (Drill)
» Acquire Live Saving Specific Skills
» DUCK, COVER and HOLD
» Turn off power switches, gas regulators, water lines
» Fire suppression
» Safe Evacuation with “GO BAG”
» Light search and rescue, SAR
» First aid skills
» Dos and Don’ts During and After Earthquake
During an Earthquake
If you are inside a Building Duck, Cover and Hold
» Find a safe place and “DUCK”
» “COVER” your head and your neck
» “HOLD” on to something stable
» Take deep breaths and stay calm
» Stay where you are until shaking stops
If you are trapped inside
» Remain quiet, breathe slowly and believe in your survival
» Panicking and shouting can exhaust you very quickly
» wait for signals & respond with a whistle
DO not
» Do not Panic and run
» Staircases are usually unsafe!
» Do not jump out from windows, balconies!
» If your are outside
» Get into nearest open space
» If you are in a city, seek shelter under doorways
» Do not try to walk through narrow streets
» Be Careful if you are driving (avoid Bridges, tall buildings, do not stop abruptly)
After an Earthquake
» Be Prepared for Aftershocks. Lead your family to a previously identified safe place outdoors.
» Check for Hazards in your house. Put out fires immediately. Turn off gas, electricity and water at main source. Clean up any spilled medicines, drugs, or other harmful materials such as bleach, kerosene. Leave the house if a fire cannot be put out or gas leak is detected.
» Beware of items falling off shelves when you open doors of cupboards.
» Check for Food and water supplies. Plan meals to use up food that will spoil quickly. Food in the freezer should be good for at least 2 days days, if the door is kept closed. If your water supply is cut off you can drink water from water heaters, melted ice cubes or canned vegetables. Use barbecues or camp stoves outdoors, and only for emergency cooking.
» Help injured or Trapped People. Administer first-aid (if you know how). DO NOT try to move seriously injured persons unless they are in further danger of injury. Get medical help for the seriously injured.
» Tie pets and domestic animals. Be wary of all animals.
» Wear shoes to avoid injury from broken glass and debris.
» DO NOT enter any building.
» DO NOT turn on the gas again if you have turned it off.
»DO NOT use matches, lighters, stoves, electrical appliances and equipment until you are sure there are no gas leaks. They m ay create a spark that could ignite leaking gas and cause an explosion and fire
» DO NOT use your telephone except for a medical or fire emergency. The telephone lines are needed for emergency services
» DO NOT leave any child alone. Talk and play with the children
» DO NOT drive. Walk or use a bicycle
» DO NOT criticize or pass judgment on rescue workers. They are doing it under severe constraints.
» DO NOT panic and shout for help, If you are trapped inside a collapse building. Breathe slowly and believe in your survival. Response when you hear signals from outside. The best way to response is to blow a whistle.
