Earthquake safety tips

Namita Tongbram *

An earthquake with magnitude 6.8 occurred at Imphal, Manipur on January 4 2016 :: Pix - Deepak Oinam

Earthquakes usually give no warning at all.

What to Do Before an Earthquake

* Repair deep plaster cracks in ceilings and foundations. Get expert advice if there are signs of structural defects. Consider retrofitting your house with earthquake-safety measures. Reinforcing the foundation and frame could make your house quake resistant. You may consult a reputable contractor and follow building codes.
* Kutchcha buildings can also be retrofitted and strengthened.
* Anchor overhead lighting fixtures to the ceiling.
* Follow BIS codes relevant to your area for building standards
* Fasten shelves securely to walls.
* Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves.
* Store breakable items such as bottled foods, glass, and china in low, closed cabinets with latches.
* Hang heavy items such as pictures and mirrors away from beds, Sofas/settees, and anywhere that people sit.
* Brace overhead light and fan fixtures.
* Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections. These are potential fire risks.
* Secure water heaters, LPG cylinders etc., by strapping them to the walls or bolting to the floor.
* Store weed killers, pesticides, and flammable products securely in closed cabinets with latches and on bottom shelves.
* Identify safe places indoors and outdoors.
* Under strong dining table, bed
* Against an inside wall
* Away from where glass could shatter around windows, mirrors, pictures, or where heavy bookcases or other heavy furniture could fall over
* In the open, away from buildings, trees, telephone and electrical lines, flyovers and bridges
* Know emergency telephone numbers (such as those of doctors, hospitals, the police, etc.)
* Educate yourself and family members about earthquake do's & don'ts and also about how to turn off electricity and gas. Have a disaster emergency kit ready
* Battery operated torch with extra batteries
* Battery operated radio
* First aid kit and manual
* Emergency food (non-perishable dry items like chiwda, gur etc.) and water (packed and sealed)
* Candles and matches in a waterproof container
* Knife
* Chlorine tablets or powdered water purifiers
* Can opener.
* Essential medicines
* Cash and credit cards
* Thick ropes and cords
* Sturdy shoes Develop an emergency communication plan
* In case family members are separated from one another during an earthquake (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), develop a plan for reuniting after the disaster.
* Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the 'family contact' after the disaster; it is often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person. Help your community get ready
* Publish a special section in your local newspaper with emergency information on earthquakes. Localize the information by printing the phone numbers of local emergency services offices and hospitals.
* Conduct week-long series on locating hazards in the home.
* Work with local emergency services and officials to prepare special reports for people with mobility impairment on what to do during an earthquake.
* Provide tips on conducting earthquake drills in the home.
* Interview representatives of the gas, electric, and water companies about shutting off utilities.
* Work together in your community to apply your knowledge to building codes, retrofitting programmes, hazard hunts, and neighbourhood and family emergency plans.

What to Do During an Earthquake

Earthquakes give no warning at all. Sometimes, a loud rumbling sound might signal its arrival a few seconds ahead of time. Those few seconds could give you a chance to move to a safer location. Here are some tips for keeping safe during a quake.Stay as safe as possible during an earthquake.

Be aware that some earthquakes are actually foreshocks and a larger earthquake might occur. Minimize your movements to a few steps that reach a nearby safe place and stay indoors until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.

If indoors
* DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON to the furniture legs for balance until the shaking stops. Be prepared to move if your cover moves. If there is no a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
* Protect yourself by staying under the lintel of an inner door, in the corner of a room, under a table or even under a bed.
* Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, (such as lighting fixtures or furniture like book cases, large almirahs, mirrors and other heavy unsecured objects).
* Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
* Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, load bearing doorway.
* Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.
* Never use lift. Use stairs instead.
* Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.
* If you are living in a kutcha house, the best thing to do is to move to an open area where there are no trees, electric or telephone wires.

If outdoors
* Do not move from where you are. However, move away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and utility wires.
* If you are in open space, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings; at exits; and alongside exterior walls. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

If in a moving vehicle
* Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
* Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.

If trapped under debris
* Do not light a match.
* Do not move about or kick up dust.
* Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
* Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

What to Do After an Earthquake

* If the building you live in is in a good shape after the earthquake, stay inside, keep calm and listen for radio/TV advisesand obey any instructions you hear on it. If you are not certain about the damage to your building, evacuate carefully. Do not touch downed power line.
* Wear shoes/chappals to protect your feet from debris
* Keep away from beaches and low banks of rivers. Huge waves may sweep in.
* Be prepared to expect aftershocks.Though less intense, aftershocks cause additional damages and may bring down weakened structures. Aftershocks can occur in the first hours, days, weeks, or even months after the quake.
* Turn off the water, gas and electricity.
* Do not smoke and do not light matches or use a cigarette lighter. Do not turn on switches. There may be gas leaks or short-circuits. Use a torch.
* If there is a fire, try to put it out. If you cannot, call the fire brigade.
* Help injured or trapped persons. Give first aid where appropriate. Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. In such cases, call for help.
* Immediately clean up any inflammable products that may have spilled (alcohol, paint, etc.).
* Remember to help your neighbours who may require special assistance-infants, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
* If you know that people have been buried, tell the rescue teams. Do not rush and do not worsen the situation of injured persons or your own situation.
* Avoid places where there are loose electric wires and do not touch any metal object in contact with them.
* Do not drink water from open containers without having examined it and filtered it through a sieve, a filter or an ordinary clean cloth.
* If your home is badly damaged, you will have to leave it. Collect water containers, food, and ordinary and special medicines (for persons with heart complaints, diabetes, etc.).
* Do not re-enter badly damaged buildings and do not go near damaged structures.
* Return home only when authorities say it is safe. Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches or gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately. Leave the area if you smell gas or fumes from other chemicals. Open closet and cupboard doors cautiously.
* If you smell gas or hear hissing noise, open windows and quickly leave the building. Turn off the switch on the top of the gas cylinder.
* Look for electrical system damages – if you see sparks, broken wires, or if you smell burning of amber, turn off electricity at the main fuse box. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box, call an electrician first for advice.
* Check for sewage and water lines damage. If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using the toilets. If water pipes are damaged, avoid using water from the tap.
* Use the telephone only for emergency calls.

(adapted from NDMA Website http://www.ndma.gov.in/en/emergency-kit.html)