BEFORE the earthquake
At home/office/school:
- Fix shelves and bookcases firmly to the walls.
- Do not place refrigerators and tall furniture where they can be moved and block possible escape routes.
- Place large and heavy objects and those that can easily fall or break in low positions.
- Remove heavy objects from above beds and sofas.
- Fix lighting fixtures and ceiling fans securely.
- Point out now which are the safest places in your home, school, workplace or place of employment to take refuge in case of an earthquake:
- under sturdy tables, desks or desks
- away from glass surfaces and bookcases
- away from outside walls.
- Check that the mains electricity and gas supply is working properly.
- Tell your family members/office staff how to turn off the general power, water and gas switches.
- Supply yourself with a first aid kit.
- Place a fire extinguisher in an accessible location and practice using it.
AT THE TIME OF THE INSTALLATION
If you are inside the house:
- Keep your cool. Do not panic.
- Take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture (table, desk or desk).
- If there is no sturdy furniture, kneel in the middle of the room, reducing your height as much as possible and using your hands to protect your head and neck.
- Move away from large glass surfaces (windows, glass partitions) or furniture and objects that could injure you.
- Do not try to move away from the house.
- Do not go out onto the balcony.
If you are in a tall building:
- Move away from windows and outside walls.
- Do not use the elevator for escape. There is a risk of falling or becoming trapped in it due to a power failure or distortion in the guides.
- Do not stand on open windows, balconies or the edges of roofs. The vibration may cause you to fall into a vacuum.
If you are in an entertainment area, shopping mall or large store:
- Stay in the area until the vibration stops.
- Do not get carried away by the panicked crowd moving disorderly towards the exits, as you risk being trampled.
If you are in an open area:
- Avoid standing near buildings, rocks, electric poles or objects that could fall and injure you.
- If you carry a bag or briefcase, cover your head with it.
- Keep away from the coast. After a strong earthquake, waves of great speed and height may be generated and sweep the shore.
If you are in the car:
- Park as quickly and carefully as possible away from high-rise buildings, piles or rocks.
- Avoid driving through tunnels, bridges or overpasses.
AFTER THE SQUASH
- Immediately help children, and disabled, helpless, sick or elderly people to protect themselves.
- If a fire has broken out somewhere, put it out before it spreads.
- Do not touch live wires or objects touching wires. You risk electric shock.
- If you are trapped or trapped somewhere from which you cannot escape, make every effort to give signs of life so that rescue crews can locate you.
- Do not attempt to move a seriously injured person unless their life is in immediate danger.
- Do not enter damaged buildings until the competent authorities have assured you that they are safe.
- Do not use the telephone without good reason. The blocking of lines prevents the coordination of the actions of the services responsible for and charged with the task of dealing with the effects of the earthquake.
- Respond to calls for help, but do not move around unnecessarily so that rescue teams can move unhindered.
(B]PIO
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
