WHAT TO DO?
Here is a great guide on what to do BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER an earthquake! Pin this up on your refrigerator so you don't forget. But don't forget to do all the items in the "BEFORE" list!
NOTE: Every disaster is different; every family's situation is different. Use the tasks below as a guideline only. Use your judgment to protect life safety --- your number one goal. Your priorities are yourself, your family, your neighbors and your community ... in that order.
| WHAT TO DO BEFORE THE EARTHQUAKE |
| Join your local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Check with your local fire dept./district to find your local CERT group. |
| Learn CPR and First Aid |
| Learn if you are in a Tsunami evacuation zone |
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Create a Family Communication Plan
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| Prepare a Go-Kit |
| Prepare your home for an earthquake (mitigation) |
| Keep fire extinguishers in your home, even if you do not have gas appliances. Broken wiring can start a fire |
| Get with your neighbors to create a neighborhood emergency plan |
| Make sure you have emergency water and a sanitation plan |
| Learn how to shut off utilities - gas, water and electricity in case the lines are damaged. (Safety note: Do not attempt to relight a gas pilot). |
| Know the safe spots in each room: under sturdy tables, desks, or against inside walls. |
| Prepare supplies in case the earthquake occures while you are in bed |
| WHAT TO DO DURING THE EARTHQUAKE |
| Stay calm! If you're indoors, stay inside. If you're outside, stay outside. |
| During the earthquake, 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 isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building |
| Do not stand in a doorway. Many inside doorways are lightly constructed and do not offer protection |
| 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 object that could fall |
| Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Do not exit a building during the shaking. 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. |
| Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall |
| If outdoors, move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires; remember that most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects |
| If in a moving vehicle, stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires |
| WHAT TO DO AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE |
| EVACUATE IF NECESSARY |
| If in a tsunami inundation zone evacuate immediately. You may only have 15 to 20 minutes to get to high ground. If you feel you have time, find your personal go-bag head to a high place. Be prepared to stay there for 12 hours or more |
| IMMEDIATE |
| If trapped under debris: do not light a match, do not move about or kick up dust, cover mouth with a handkerchief or clothing, tap on a wall or pipe so that rescuers can locate you |
| Protect yourself: put on long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes, dust mask and work gloves. If in bed, use items from your bedbag to protect yourself. |
| Size up your situation to make sure that it is safe to move around. |
| Expect aftershocks and plan what to do if they occur |
| Stay away from the beach |
| Look for and extinguish small fires. Fire is the most common hazard after an earthquake (after tsunamis). Do not attempt to fight a large fire unless trained to do so. |
| CHECK FOR INJURIES |
| Help injured or trapped people. Assist family first, then neighbors if you can. Remember to help special needs neighbors. Give first aid where appropriate. Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury |
| CHECK UTILITIES |
| If you smell gas or hear a hissing sound near a gas appliance evacuate your family immediately. If safe to do so, shut off the gas supply at the meter. |
| Even though power is most likely out, turn off power at your home's main circuit breaker. Unplug broken lights and appliances. Stay away from downed power lines. |
| Shut off the water at your water meter as soon as possible to keep contaminants from entering your hot water tank AND to keep your tank from draining if you live uphill. |
| Do NOT flush toilet. Turn off water valve, drain toilet bowl, and line with plastic bag. Do not run faucets to keep contaminants from entering your home's water supply. |
| CHECK FOR DAMAGE |
| If safe, walk around your home to assess damage. The home is uninhabitable if it is off its foundation or if it is noticeably leaning or tilted, or if you feel unsafe for any reason. Chimneys are special hazards; unnoticed damage can lead to fires. Buildings that are damaged by the main shock could receive additional damage from aftershocks. |
| If any part of your home appears to be unsafe, evacuate and proceed with family to a designated public shelter. |
| Clean up broken glass, spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately. Open windows to provide ventilation. Leave the area if you smell gas or fumes from other chemicals |
| Open closets and cabinets cautiously. Beware of objects that can fall off shelves |
| Assist neighbors where possible in evaluating their home's safety |
| EVALUATE EMERGENCY SUPPLIES |
| Check your personal emergency supplies including water, food, warmth/shelter items, radio, flashlights, batteries, etc. |
| Evaluate water supplies. Use water in refrigerator (including icecubes) first. Your stored water is next. Then extract water from your hot water tank. |
| Use food in refrigerator/freezer and cabinets first. Only eat safely stored/cooked food. Use emergency food supplies last. |
| COMMUNICATE |
| Listen to a battery-operated radio for the latest emergency information. Monitor NOAA all-hazards weather station. |
| VOLUNTEER |
| If you can, volunteer to help your neighbors and/or your community only after you know that your family's situation is safe and stabilized, and that they have sufficient supplies (food, water, shelter, warmth) while you may be gone. |
Please direct questions or feedback to bigone@geocouple.com