"there is no safe place during an earthquake"
in short, its all dependent on our luck...
and preparation and to remain calm i guess.
during a high magnitude earthquake, RIGHT.
i guess living in Malaysia, we're considered very lucky. but what if we're holidaying or working in an earthquake prone country? (lets not even start about Tsunami, one step at a time please!)
stay INSIDE, if you're INSIDE, stay OUTSIDE, if you're OUTSIDE,
INSIDE
If you are inside a building when an earthquake hits, stay there. (its a pretty hard idea for me to conceive right now, but this advice is repeated over and over again.) SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER...DUCK, COVER, AND HOLD ON. (remember that Victoria Beckham video below???)
- Get under something that will protect you from falling debris (table or a desk) and hold on to it. Stay there until the shaking stops.
- A doorway (the old types, not the modern type) is a good refuge as well as it is built as a steady structure.
- Try to get at least 15 feet away (it means FAR!) from any windows so you are not cut by flying glass.
- Also, if there's only walls, stay within the interior walls not the walls near the exterior.
- Never run outside during a quake. Running outside just increases your chances of being injured by falling debris.
- If you are in a hallway or open area of a building, sit down against a wall and cover your head and neck with your hands. Remain there until the shaking stops.
- If you are in an elevator, go to the closest floor and get out. Sit down and cover your head and neck with your hands and remain there until the shaking stops.
- NEVER TAKE ELEVATORS AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE.
- If you are outside when an earthquake hits, stay outside! (but honestly my instinct is I feel like I want to run for cover inside a building...how???)
- Move away from buildings to an open area, if there is open area.
- Watch out for downed power lines falling.
- Put your emergency flashers on and slow to a stop. Watch for traffic approaching from the rear while doing this. Turn the ignition off and set the parking break.
- Remain inside the car until the shaking stops.
- Do not stop on overpasses, underpasses, or bridges (it may collapse on you)
- Be aware of overhead hazards such as power lines or falling building debris. If it falls onto your car, sadly you have to stay there until professional help comes, i guess we cant try to be smart?
- In the downtown area it is safer to remain inside the buildings after an earthquake.
- Unless the building has suffered structural damage or there is a fire, chemical spill, or a gas leak, it is much safer to remain inside.
- There are no open areas in downtown areas far enough from glass or other falling debris to be considered safe refuge sites. (think crowded places like.... Chinatown!)
- When windows in a high-rise building break, the glass does not always fall straight down; it can catch a wind current and sail great distances which will harm people who are outside.
- Outside is no place to be in the downtown area during or after an earthquake because of falling objects.
BEACH/SHORE
- Drop, cover and hold on until the shaking stops. Estimate how long the shaking lasts. If severe shaking lasts 20 seconds (not 20 minutes!!) or more, immediately evacuate to high ground as a tsunami might have been generated by the earthquake.
- Move inland 3 kilometers or to land that is at least 100 feet above sea level immediately.
- Don't wait for officials to issue a warning. Walk quickly, rather than drive.
AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE
- check for injury on yourself and family
- check for damages to your home if it is safe to remain inside
- seek professional help
- important phone numbers should be memorize
References:
North American Emergency Management
How to prepare for an earthquake?
What to do after earthquake strikes?
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