What to do after an Earthquake? Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Do not exit a building during the shaking. 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. Stay calm but alert. Help others if you are able. If you’re at school or work, follow the emergency plan or the instructions of the person in charge.
1. Be Prepared For Aftershocks
Check yourself and others for injuries. Provide first aid for anyone who needs it. Check water, gas, and electric lines for damage. If any are damaged, shut off the valves. Check for the smell of gas. If you smell it, open all the windows and doors, leave immediately, and report it to the authorities. Stay away from beaches. Tsunamis and seiches sometimes hit after the ground has stopped shaking.
2. Listen To Radio Or Television
Listen to information from authorities. Follow their instructions. Place telephone receivers back in their cradles; only make calls if requiring emergency services.
3. Wear Sturdy Shoes
Wear comfortable shoes to avoid injury from broken glass and debris. Expect aftershocks.
4. Check For Injuries
If a person is bleeding, put direct pressure on the wound, use clean gauze or cloth if available. If a person is not breathing administer CPR. DO NOT attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in further danger of injury. COVER injured persons with blankets to keep warm. SEEK medical help for serious injuries.
5. Check For Hazards
- Fire hazards – put out fires in your home or neighborhood immediately, call for help.
- Gas leaks – shut off the main gas valve ONLY if you suspect a leak because of broken pipes or odor.
- Damaged electrical wiring – shut off power at the control box if there is any danger to the house wiring. To ensure complete safety, get the wiring checked by a nearby electrician oakleigh (if that is where you live).
- Downed or damaged utility lines – do not touch downed power lines or any objects in contact with them.
- Spills – clean up any spilled medicines, drugs, or other harmful materials such as bleach, lye, gas.
- Downed or damaged chimneys – approach with caution – don’t use damaged chimneys (it could start a fire or let poisonous gases into your house). You can instead call in professional repair experts who would have the necessary experience and tools like a raising platform or scissor lift that can help them repair or dismantle the damaged chimney at a certain height.
- Falling items – beware of items tumbling off shelves when you open doors of closets and cupboards.
- Check food and water supplies – do not eat or drink anything from open containers near shattered glass.
- If power is off, plan meals to use up foods that will spoil quickly or frozen foods (food in the freezer should be good for at least a couple of days)
