An earthquake is a terrible natural disaster that causes extensive damage and destruction to lives and property. Most injuries and death caused during an earthquake are because of collapsed buildings or falling of heavy objects on the victims. Such fatal impact can be controlled to some extent with the help of suitable earthquake precautions. Those living in an earthquake prone zone may have experienced earthquakes quite frequently. In such situation, earthquake safety precautions are a must.
Earthquake Precautionary Measures
Basically, earthquake is an unexpected event which cannot be predicted in advance. Hence, the only way to save yourself and your near and dear ones, is with adequate preventive measures. Here is an earthquake safety checklist that will help you in your preparation work in this regard:
By Bidisha Mukherjee
Discusses what tsunamis are, what causes them, and how warning systems can help save lives
Earthquake Precautionary Measures
Basically, earthquake is an unexpected event which cannot be predicted in advance. Hence, the only way to save yourself and your near and dear ones, is with adequate preventive measures. Here is an earthquake safety checklist that will help you in your preparation work in this regard:
- The first step of earthquake safety precautions is to be sure that the building in which you are living, meets the earthquake construction requirements. Also ensure that the roof and chimney are in good condition.
- Arrange all the cupboards of your house in such an order that the heavy items are stored in the lower racks. Thus you can ensure that those heavy items will not be thrown off like projectiles at the time of an earthquake.
- Secure the cupboard doors with latches, so that they do not open during an earthquake and prevent things kept inside them from falling off.
- Bulky objects in your house like refrigerator, bookcases, air conditioners should be fastened to the wall properly, so that they can withstand maximum tremors. Keep hanging objects like lamps, mirrors, picture frames, hanging plants away from beds. Also make sure they are anchored properly, to prevent their fall.
- Fire may erupt inside the house after an earthquake. Hence, the fire extinguishers on each floor of the building should be strategically located, so that one can easily access them as and when they are required. Find more articles on fire safety.
- Always keep an earthquake survival kit ready with you. It should include first aid medicines, copies of useful documents like insurance papers, birth certificates of all family members, doctors prescription, non-perishable foods, sealed water bottle, flashlights, etc. It should be kept at one such location of your house which can be easily accessed.
- At least one member of the family should have good knowledge of first aid measures which will help if someone gets a bad injury. This is important because the medical emergency services often gets overloaded after this kind of natural disaster. Even many of the medical equipment may not be in working condition after the incident.
- One of the the most vital aspect is earthquake safety for kids. For this, you have to train them about the do's and don'ts during an earthquake. Talk to them about how it feels when earthquake happens so that they can recognize it early. Teach them how they can seek protection by going under a desk or a table. Conduct mock earthquake drills in your home regularly, and involve each member of your family in it.
By Bidisha Mukherjee
Discusses what tsunamis are, what causes them, and how warning systems can help save lives
