September 17,2018
EARTHQUAKE PREPAREDNESS GROUP 5
What is an Earthquake?
An earthquake is a sudden, rapid shaking of the earth's crust
caused by the shifting of rock beneath the earth’s surface. They strike
without warning, at any time of year, day or night. Some earthquakes
is always most followed by aftershocks.
Earthquakes strike suddenly, violently and without warning.
Identifying potential hazards ahead of time and advance planning can
reduce the dangers of serious injury or loss of life from an
earthquake. Repairing deep plaster cracks in ceilings and
foundations, anchoring overhead lighting fixtures to the ceiling, and
following local seismic building standards, will help reduce the
impact of earthquakes.
BEFORE
• Fasten shelves securely to walls.
• Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves.
• Store breakable items such as bottled foods and glass in low shelves,
close cabinets with latches.
• Don't hang heavy items such as pictures in picture frames and mirrors
away from beds, couches and anywhere people sits or sleeps.
• Brace overhead light fixtures.
• Repair defective electrical wirings and leaky gas connections. These
are potential fire risks.
• Secure a water heater by strapping it to the wall studs and bolting it
to the floor.
Protecting your Family
• Talk about earthquakes with your family so that everyone knows
what to do in case of an earthquake. Discussing ahead of time
helps reduce fear, particularly for younger children
• Check at your workplace and your children's schools and day
care centers to learn about their earthquake emergency plans.
• Pick safe places in each room of your home, workplace and/or
school. A safe place could be under a piece of furniture or
against an interior wall away from windows, bookcases or tall
furniture that could fall on you.
• Practice DROP, COVER and HOLD ON in each safe place.
• Keep a flashlight and any low-heeled shoes by each person’s
bed.
Protecting your home
• Bolt and brace water heaters and gas appliances to wall studs.
Have a professional install flexible fittings to avoid gas or water
leaks.
• Do not hang heavy items, such as pictures and mirrors, near
beds, couches and anywhere people sleep or sit.
• Install strong latches or bolts on cabinets. Large or heavy items
should be closest to the floor.
• Learn how to shut off the gas valves in your home and keep a
wrench handy for that purpose.
• Place large and heavy objects and breakable items (bottled
foods, glass or china) on lower shelves.
• Anchor overhead lighting fixtures to joists.
• Anchor top-heavy, tall and freestanding furniture such as
bookcases, china cabinets to wall studs to keep these from
toppling over.
• Ask about home repair and strengthening tips for exterior
features, such as porches, decks, sliding glass doors, canopies,
carports and garage doors.
• Learn about your area’s seismic building standards and land use
codes before you begin new construction.
• Have a professional make sure your home is securely anchored
to its foundation, as well as strengthening tips for exterior
features, such as porches, decks, sliding glass doors, canopies,
carports and garage doors.
During
Indoors
• DROP, COVER and HOLD ON!
• Move as little as possible - most injuries during earthquakes
occur because of people moving around, falling and suffering
sprains, fractures and head injuries.
• Try to protect your head and torso.
• If you are in bed, stay there, curl up and hold on, and cover your
head.
• Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you are sure it is safe to
exit.
• If you must leave a building after the shaking stops, use stairs
rather than an elevator in case of aftershocks, power outages or
other damage.
• Be aware that smoke alarms and sprinkler systems frequently go
off in buildings during an earthquake, even if there is no fire.
• If you smell gas, get out of the house and move as far away as
possible.
• Before you leave any building check to make sure that there is
no debris from the building that could fall on you.
Outdoors
• Find a clear spot and drop to the ground. Stay there until the
shaking stops.
• Try to get as far away from buildings, power lines, trees, and
streetlights as possible.
• If you're in a vehicle, pull over to a clear location and stop. Avoid
bridges, overpasses and power lines if possible.
• Stay inside with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops.
• After the shaking has stopped, drive on carefully, avoiding
bridges and ramps that may have been damaged.
• If a power line falls on your vehicle, do not get out. Wait for
assistance.
• If you are in a mountainous area or near unstable slopes or cliffs,
be alert for falling rocks and other debris as well as landslides.
After
• If away from home, return only when authorities say it is safe to do
so.
• Check yourself for injuries and get first aid, if necessary, before
helping injured or trapped persons.
• After an earthquake, the disaster may continue. Expect and prepare
for potential aftershocks, landslides or even a tsunami if you live on a
coast.
• Each time you feel an aftershock, DROP, COVER and HOLD ON.
Aftershocks frequently occur minutes, days, weeks and even months
following an earthquake.
• Look for and extinguish small fires. Fire is the most common hazard
after an earthquake.
• If you are at home, look quickly for damage in and around your
home and get everyone out if your home is unsafe.
• Listen to a portable, batteryoperated or handcrank radio for
updated emergency information and instructions.
• Pay attention to how you and your loved ones are experiencing
and handling stress. Promote emotional recovery by following
these tips.
• Watch animals closely and keep them under your direct control.
• Help people who require additional assistance—infants, elderly
people, those without transportation, large families who may
need additional help in an emergency situation, people with
disabilities, and the people who care for them.
• Be careful when driving after an earthquake and anticipate traffic
light outages.
Returning home safely
• Stay out of damaged buildings.
• Use extreme caution and examine walls, floors, doors, staircases and
windows to check for damage.
• Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines and report them to
the utility company immediately.
• If you smell natural or propane gas or hear a hissing noise, leave
immediately and call the fire department.
• Open closet and cabinet doors carefully as contents may have shifted.
• Follow these tips for inspecting your home’s structure and utilities &
systems after an earthquake.
• Take pictures of home damage, both of the buildings and its contents, for
insurance purposes.
Cleaning and repairing your home
• Wear protective clothing, including long pants, a long-sleeved
shirt and sturdy shoes, and be cautious.
• Clean up spilled medications, bleach, gasoline or other
flammable liquids immediately.
• Learn about your area’s seismic building standards and land use
codes before you begin any construction.
• Follow our tips on preparing your home for an earthquake.
• Learn more about how to clean up after an earthquake, including
the supplies you’ll need and how to handle fire hazards such as
gas, electricity and chemicals.
• Ask a professional to:
• Make sure your home is securely anchored to its foundation
• Strengthen exterior features, such as porches, decks, sliding
glass doors, canopies, carports and garage doors
