Earthquake - Do's and Don'ts

Amidst any disaster, having knowledge of what to do and what not to do is a key trait a person must possess to be able to act calmly or prepare for when the situation calls for it.

Before an Earthquake

• Prepare and remember evacuation plans for all the places you usually stay and go such as your home, office, school, etc.

• Contact your municipality to gather information about the earthquake risk of your house and local plans like evacuation sites when an earthquake happens.

• If available, sign up for any local earthquake alerts in your area.

• Check and identify "safe" places in each room of your home, workplace, and/or school.

• Practice and remember to Duck, Cover and Hold in each safe place you considered.

• Create and prepare a personalized preparedness emergency kit that could last at least three days that is easily accessible.

• Keep an accessible flashlight and whistle with you.

• Check and make sure the foundation of your home is appropriately anchored.

• Check or put bolts or braces on large items in your households such as cabinets, bookcases, shelves, mirrors, pictures, etc.

• Place or hang heavy items away from beds, couches, or anyplace where you usually sit or sleep.

• Join any local earthquake drills in your area.

During an Earthquake

Inside a building:

• Stay calm inside the building and do the DROP, COVER, AND HOLD!

1. DROP to the floor. Don't wait for the earthquake to make you fall.

2. Take COVER under a table or a desk or any sturdy object near you to protect your head from falling objects.

3. HOLD on to that object that you are under.

• If you can't find something sturdy to cover, just flatten yourself on the floor or crouch against an interior wall of the building.

• Look and move and face away from the windows and heavy objects that might fall.

• If you are in a wheelchair, turn on the lock its wheels and protect or cover the back of your head and neck.

• Do not use elevators! Use the stairs instead to go out of the building.

Outside a building:

• Don't go inside any building, and find and move an open area that is away from tall objects that might fall down such as trees, buildings, electric posts, and streetlights.

• Go drop to the ground, and wait and stay there until the earthquake stops.

If you are in your car or vehicle:

• Pullover and stop your car in a clear and open area.

• Avoid going to any infrastructures that might collapse like buildings, posts, bridges, overpasses, underpasses, etc.

• Put on your seatbelt and stay inside your car or the vehicle.

• If a power line falls on your car, do not attempt to exit it. Stay and wait for assistance.

• If you are stuck or in need of assistance inside your car or a vehicle. Try to write or create a "HELP" sign in your window.

Additional information:

• If you are traveling or staying in a mountainous area or near slopes or cliffs, be alert or beware of landslides, falling rocks, and other debris.

• If you are staying near a beach or a coastline, be aware of possible tsunami warnings – if the earthquake lasts for more than 20 seconds, a tsunami may occur, if it happens go or move to an area with higher ground.

After an Earthquake

• Be aware and prepare for possible aftershocks, landslides, or even a tsunami if you are near the coastline.

• If you feel an aftershock, don't panic and do the Drop, Cover, and, Hold. It may happen suddenly even after days, weeks, or even months after an earthquake occurred.

• Check yourself first for injuries and get first aid before helping the other injured or trapped persons if necessary.

• Be extremely cautious. Observe and look quickly for any damages in and around your home. If it seems unsafe, immediately evacuate everyone.

• Watch or listen to the radio or news or follow your local emergency officials on social media for up-to-date information. Keep a portable, battery-operated radio if you have one.

• Inspect your phones or telephones in your home or workplace to check for a dial tone, to be able to report life-threatening emergencies if necessary.

• Fire accidents are the most common hazard after an earthquake occurs. If you see small fires, try to extinguish them immediately.

• If you see any spilled flammable chemicals on the floor, clean them up immediately to avoid fire hazards.

• When opening a closet and cabinet doors, make sure to do it carefully as objects may have shifted and might fall.

• Help other people who need special assistance such as infants, children, pregnant women, and the elderly or disabled.

• Avoid going to damaged areas especially if there are fallen power lines or broken gas lines.

• Keep your pets or animals calm and under your control.

• Do not go near damaged buildings and infrastructures!

• If you were away from home when the earthquake happens, don't immediately return. If necessary, until the local authorities consider it is safe to do so.

• Once you are able to return to your home, review and remember your family emergency plan and restock your personalized emergency kit if necessary.

• When driving your car after an earthquake, beware of broken traffic lights or electric outages.

• Do not attempt to light matches, turn on lights or any appliances until you make sure there are broken gas lines or flammable liquids spilled that can cause a fire incident.

• Place a "HELP" signage in your window if you need special assistance.

• If the tap water is still available immediately after an earthquake, fill and stock safe containers in case a water supply cut happen

References:

https://www.redcross.ca/how-we-help/emergencies-and-disasters-in-canada/types-of-emergencies/earthquakes