EARTHQUAKE SAFETY AND SURVIVAL TIPS

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Before we go to the earthquake safety and survival tips it is important to know what causes an earthquake. An earthquake is caused by the breaking and shifting of rock beneath the Earth’s surface. Ground shaking from earthquakes can result in collapse buildings, towers and bridges. It can disrupt and cut gas, electric and phone services.  It can also cause and trigger landslides, flash floods, fires, avalanches and large destructive ocean waves or otherwise known as tsunamis. Earthquakes can cause serious damage to land, property and life. It is important to be prepared if and when an earthquake strikes your place.  In this regard, we have researched the best websites about earthquake safety and survival tips and here’s the summary of our research:

Earthquake safety tips

THINGS TO DO BEFORE AN EARTHQUAKE STRIKES:

Prepare a Disaster & Supplies Kit for your home and car which includes the following:

–       First aid kit and important medications.

–        Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.

–        Have at least three gallons of water per person.

–        Protective clothing, rain wear, and sleeping bags or bedding.

–        Canned foods and can opener

–        Make sure you keep essentials such as a flashlight and sturdy shoes by your bedside.

–        Prepare special items for infant, elderly, or disabled family members.

–        Prepare written instructions for how to turn off gas, electricity, and water if authorities advise you to do so. Remember, you’ll need a professional to turn natural gas service back on.

Source: American Red Cross   (http://www.oc-redcross.org)

THINGS TO DO DURING AN EARTHQUAKE:

–       First things first, DO NOT PANIC. It is important to remember the earthquake safety tips and use them to the best of your ability. If you panic, you will not be able to help yourself and your loved ones.

–      According to Doug Copp. A Rescue Chief and Disaster Manager of the American Rescue Team International (ARTI), the world’s most experienced rescue team and a United Nations expert in Disaster Mitigation: ” What people should do is to have a greater chance of survival is to lie down next to their desks in the aisles.

Simply stated, when buildings collapse, the weight of the ceilings falling upon the objects or furniture inside crushes these objects, leaving a space or void next to them. This space is called the “ triangle of life “. The larger the object, the stronger, the less it will compact. The less the object compacts, the larger the void, the greater the probability that the person who is using this void for safety will not be injured.

Cats, dogs and babies often naturally curl up in the fetal position. You should too in an earthquake. It is a natural safety/survival instinct.  You can survive in a smaller void.

–      Never go to the stairs. The stairs are a likely part of the building to be damaged. Even if the stairs are not collapsed by the earthquake, they may collapse later when overloaded by fleeing people.

–      When you are in your car, get out of your car and sit or lie next to it. You can easily survive by doing this simple thing.

–      If you’re outside, go into the open. Stay clear of buildings and power lines or anything else for that matter that could fall on you.

Source:  The Triangle of Life by Doug Copp (http://www.rense.com/general82/erth.htm)

–  The Red Cross strongly advises not try to move (that is, escape) during the shaking of an earthquake. The more and the longer distance that someone tries to move, the more likely they are to become injured by falling or flying debris, or by tripping, falling, or getting cut by damaged floors, walls, and items in the path of escape. Identifying potential “void areas” and planning on using them for earthquake protection is more difficult to teach, and hard to remember for people who are not educated in earthquake engineering principles. The Red Cross is not saying that identifying potential voids is wrong or inappropriate. What we are saying is that “Drop, Cover, and Hold On!” is NOT wrong — in the United States. The American Red Cross, being a U.S.-based organization, does not extend its recommendations to apply in other countries. What works in the US may not work elsewhere, so there is no dispute that the “void identification method” or the “Triangle of Life” may indeed be the best thing to teach in other countries where the risk of building collapse, even in moderate earthquakes, is great.

Source:  (http://www2.bpaonline.org/Emergencyprep/arc-on-doug-copp.html )

Disclaimer:  The information provided here is for you to make an informed decision on what to do when an earthquake happens.  It is up to you to weigh and consider the points provided here and decide which is the best for you, keeping in mind your location or country.

– A prayer or two can also save your life.

THINGS TO DO AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE:

–       Check yourself for injuries and if there are any apply first aid. Check others for injuries and give first aid for serious injuries.

–       If the phone is working, use it only in case of emergency. You can use your cellphone and call your loved ones.  Avoid driving if possible to keep the streets clear for emergency vehicles.

–       Expect aftershocks. Sometimes large enough to cause damage in their own right, generally follow large earthquakes. Listen to the radio for important information and instructions.

You can also read  “The Comprehensive Resource of earthquake Safety Tips”, check it out: http://complianceandsafety.com/safety-tips/earthquake-safety-tips.php

It is important to educate yourself and your loved ones about the earthquake safety and survival tips. Who knows when an earthquake would strike but if you know these earthquake safety and survival tips, you would have a greater chance of surviving and you can also help save other people’s lives.

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