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DuringQuake

What to do During an Earthquake


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How can you protect yourself in an earthquake?


Ground vibrations during an earthquake are seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Most earthquake-related injuries and deaths result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects caused by the ground shaking. It is extremely important for a person to move as little as possible to reach the place of safety he or she has identified, because most injuries occur when people try to move more than a few feet during the shaking.

• If inside when the shaking starts, move no more than a few steps and drop, cover, and hold on.

• If outside, find a clear spot and drop.

If you are inside when the shaking starts, you should:

• Drop, cover, and hold on. Move only a few steps to a nearby safe place. Most people injured in earthquakes move more ten feet during the shaking.

• If you have problems with balance or mobility, remain where you are, bracing yourself in place.

• If you are in bed, stay there, hold on, and protect your head with a pillow. You are less likely to be injured if you stay in bed. Broken glass on the floor can injure you.

• Stay away from windows. Windows can shatter with such force that you can be injured by flying glass even if you are several feet away.

• Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you are sure it is safe to exit. In buildings in the United States, you are safer if you stay where you are until the shaking stops. If you go outside, move quickly away from the building to prevent injury from falling debris.

• Be aware that fire alarm and sprinkler systems frequently go off in buildings during an earthquake, even if there is no fire. Check for and extinguish small fires, and exit via the stairs.

• If you are in a coastal area, drop, cover, and hold on during an earthquake andthen move immediately to higher ground when the shaking stops. Tsunamis (large ocean waves) are often generated by earthquakes. (See “Tsunamis.”)

If you are outdoors when the shaking starts, you should:

• Find a clear spot away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and power lines.

• Drop to the ground and stay there until the shaking stops. Injuries can occur from falling trees, streetlights, power lines, and building debris.

• If you are in a vehicle, pull over to a clear location, stop, and stay there with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops. Trees, power lines, poles, street signs, overpasses, and other overhead items may fall during earthquakes. Stopping in a clear location will reduce your risk, and a hard-topped vehicle will help protect you from flying or falling objects. Once the shaking has stopped, proceed with caution. Avoid bridges or ramps that might have been damaged by the quake.

• If you are in a mountainous area or near unstable slopes or cliffs, be alert for falling rocks and other debris that could be loosened by the earthquake. Landslides are often triggered by earthquakes.

Adaptive Steps


During an earthquake:
If you are confined to a wheelchair, try to get under a doorway or into an inside corner, lock the wheels, and cover your head with your arms. Remove any items that are not securely attached to the wheelchair.

If you are able, seek shelter under a sturdy table or desk. Stay away from outer walls, windows, fireplaces, and hanging objects.

If unable to move from a bed or chair, protect yourself from falling objects by covering up with blankets and pillows.

If you are outside, go to an open area away from trees, telephone poles, and buildings, and stay there.


Life Threatening Situations:


Carbon Monoxide Poisoning? related to attempts to get electricity, warmth, or cooking: avoid by never running generators in doors, charcoal grills,

News on Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

Utility Disruptions: power-Heating , Water, Natural Gas, Heating Fuels, Communication

Infrastructure Disruption?: Roads, Bridges, Air, Rail

Fire

Location Specific:

Landslide or debris flow?

Tsunami or Seiche?

((Dam, Levy Failure))



Created by admin. Last Modification: Monday 14 di Gennaio, 2008 19:49:03 PST by admin.

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