Earthquake Preparedness

Posted on 08. Dec, 2011 by admin in Disaster Preparedness

Earthquake Preparedness Guide

Whenever an earthquake happens in a place, mostly that’s the only time that earthquake preparedness is taught to the residents of the community, the emphasis on earthquake preparedness should be routinely reinforced.
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This natural calamity will leave you shaken with its damaging effects on establishment, roads, buildings and homes.

What can you do to be ready in case of earthquakes? Awareness of earthquake preparedness will prompt you up and save you from panicking during any untoward events.

 What causes earthquakes?

Shaking of the ground is brought about by the breaking of the plates’ movements due to the accumulated pressure in the earth’s surface and the rock beneath. It has destructive effects on buildings and houses especially when the foundation is not stable enough and with extreme property damages.

It also elicits natural disasters like tsunami, landslides, avalanche, and fire and disrupts electricity and communication services. Earthquake preparedness will prime you up in taking safety measures that you can do before an earthquake like preparing an earthquake checklist of the things that you must put in an earthquake preparedness kit that’s very useful after the earthquake.

What’s in the earthquake preparedness checklist or plan?

This is part of the earthquake preparedness, you must prepare an earthquake disaster plan and share this with your family members and practice together so that you can all be alert in times of emergency. There are actions that you can do in keeping safe as stated below:

Before tremors or shaking, earthquake preparedness can be achieve by doing the following

• • At home or in schools, check the structural conditions, making sure that the building will withstand any shaking during an earthquake.
  • Cabinets, shelves or furniture should be properly bolted to the walls.
  • Chandeliers, hanging decorations and ceiling fans should be hanged in stability.
  • Be aware of exit routes, the first aid kit’s location, whre fire extinguishers are located, and be familiarized in using it so that your earthquake preparedness will be fully utilized.
  • Breakable items, flammable and dangerous chemicals should be stored in the lowest part of sealed cabinets. Earthquake preparedness can avoid fire which is most common after an earthquake.
  • If you live in an earthquake prone area, join training classes in first aid and handling fire extinguisher with your family since fire is due to damaged gas or electrical lines, this earthquake preparedness action controls panicking in times of real danger and is very useful in minimizing injuries or damages. There are also earthquake drills and trainings that some organizations conduct; grab these opportunities and take part in
    
    

    every earthquake preparedness activities that your community offers.

• During an earthquake, if you’re indoors, an automatic response is to duck and stay under a sturdy table or desk nearest you, this is a safe spot that can protect you from injuries.
  • Don’t stay near window glasses, cabinets and any tall furniture that might fall on you, this is a basic earthquake preparedness tip.
  • Wait until the shaking stops and check yourself if you’re injured or not, you can help others if you’re in good condition.
  • If you’re in a building, never use the elevator; instead, use the stairs to get out from the place.

• If you’re outdoors, stay away from trees, electric posts, buildings as these may collapse, go to an open area and bend down and cover your head.
  • If you live near the beach or at the seashore, at the moment a strong earthquake is happening, run to a higher ground as a tsunami may follow.
  • Landslides also come next with an earthquake; so as an earthquake preparedness tip, stay away from steep slopes or hills.
  • If you’re driving or in a vehicle during an earthquake, stop and get out of the car and never dare to cross flyovers or bridges.

• After the earthquake, expect an aftershock and head out immediately.
  • If you need to evacuate, bring your earthquake preparedness kit and leave a note to where you’re heading so that other family members or rescuers may locate you easily.

Another important point in earthquake preparedness is to have a stand by earthquake preparedness kit. This must contain all the necessary earthquake preparedness supplies including food, water and first aid kit that are beneficial in occurrence of calamities and you can carry when there’s a need for evacuation.

• What particular items are included in an earthquake preparedness kit?

• • First aid kit including bandages, medicated solutions or creams, to complete your earthquake preparedness, a manual comes handy in giving first aid when someone is injured.
  • Storage of water and food is part of earthquake preparedness. Bottles of drinking water to avoid dehydration. Canned goods like meat, fish and beans or any freeze-dried food like fruits and vegetables are included. Check expiration dates and consume first those nearing its expiration. Chocolate and granola bars also give quick energy, crackers is also a good choice of nonperishable foods and would last for months.
  • A small radio that’s battery operated and flashlight with extra batteries. As you will definitely need light in the dark if you’re still waiting for a rescue. If the batteries run out, a match or signal flare placed in waterproof container should also be in the earthquake preparedness kit.
  • Medicine for minor complaints like antipyretics or analgesics, vitamins and prescribed drugs are part of earthquake preparedness. These medications ensure emergency supply especially for persons with illness.
  • Clothes of every family member should also be placed and with footwear if possible. You will never know where the disaster may take you, earthquake preparedness can be very helpful.
  • Toiletries and hygiene items like tissue, soaps, shampoo, comb, alcohol, feminine supplies, toothpaste, etc can ease the discomfort. Earthquake preparedness can aid in planning items to bring in maintaining personal hygiene even though you’ve encountered a tragedy.

Awareness and earthquake preparedness leads you to have a good plan whenever a disaster has taken its course. This is the key in minimizing injuries of victims if not totally save you from the harmful effects brought by an earthquake. Earthquake preparedness helps you to calm down since you know what to do thus preventing panic attacks during emergencies.
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