Earthquakes Safety Tips.

Earthquake

Earthquakes may strike along fault lines without warning, causing deaths and

major damage. Often quakes last for only seconds, but in that time, they can

destroy buildings and roads, and crush people. Fires resulting from broken

gas pipes can rage for days afterward, and aftershocks are a further danger.

If you live in an earthquake area, prepare your home as best you can.

PREPARING FOR AN EARTHQUAKE

Identify potential hazards

• Check structural elements in your home to ensure that they are sound and see that heavy furniture is secure.

• Place large, heavy objects on lower shelves and rehang heavy mirrors or pictures that are currently positioned over seating or beds

Identify safe places

• In every room, identify safe spots where you could take shelter. Ideal places are under sturdy desks,tables or strong internal doorway wells away from windows, or places where glass could shatter.

• Identify at least one safe outdoor location that you could escape to if necessary. Try to find a spot that is out in the open, well away from buildings, trees, power lines, and elevated roads and bridges, all of which are dangerous because they could fall or collapse.

• Make sure that every member of your family knows what to do in the event of an earthquake.

3Be ready

• Be alert for small tremors, known as foreshocks. These indicate that a larger earthquake is on its way.

If you do feel a foreshock, warn family members and head for a safe location at once.

• Be prepared to experience a ripple of aftershocks following the main earthquake. These aftershocks

can also be severe and may cause additional damage.

DURING AN EARTHQUAKE

1Take cover

• If you feel the ground shake, drop under a heavy desk or table, press your face against your arm to protect your eyes, and hold on.

• If you cannot reach a table, take shelter in an internal doorway.

If you cannot move quickly to a safe place, stay where you are but keep well away from windows.

• If you are in bed, stay there and protect your head with a pillow.

• Stay exactly where you are until the shaking stops.