-
Drop, cover, and hold on! Move only a few steps to a
nearby safe place. It is very dangerous to try to leave a building
during an earthquake because objects can fall on you. Many
fatalities occur when people run outside of buildings, only to be
killed by falling debris from collapsing walls. In U.S. buildings,
you are safer to stay where you are.
-
If you are in bed, hold on and stay there, protecting your
head with a pillow. You are less likely to be injured staying
where you are. Broken glass on the floor has caused injury to those
who have rolled to the floor or tried to get to doorways.
-
If you are outdoors, 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, street-lights and power lines, or 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 has
stopped. Trees, power lines, poles, street signs, and other
overhead items may fall during earthquakes. Stopping will help
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.
-
Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you're sure it's safe
to exit. More injuries happen when people move during the
shaking of an earthquake. After the shaking has stopped, if you go
outside, move quickly away from the building to prevent injury from
falling debris.
-
Stay away from windows. Windows can shatter with such
force that you can be injured several feet away.
-
In a high-rise building, expect the fire alarms and sprinklers
to go off during a quake. Earthquakes frequently cause fire
alarm and fire sprinkler systems to go off even if there is no fire.
Check for and extinguish small fires, and, if exiting, use the
stairs.
-
If you are in a coastal area, move to higher ground.
Tsunamis are often created by earthquakes. (See the "Tsunami"section
for more information).
-
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 commonly happen after
earthquakes. (See the "Landslide"
section for more information.)
-
Check yourself for injuries. Often people tend to others
without checking their own injuries. You will be better able to care
for others if you are not injured or if you have received first aid
for your injuries.
-
Protect yourself from further danger by putting on long pants,
a long-sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes, and work gloves. This will
protect your from further injury by broken objects.
-
After you have taken care of yourself, help injured or trapped
persons. If you have it in your area, call 9-1-1, then give
first aid when appropriate. Don't try to move seriously injured
people unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.
-
Look for and extinguish small fires. Eliminate fire hazards.
Putting out small fires quickly, using available resources, will
prevent them from spreading. Fire is the most common hazard
following earthquakes. Fires followed the San Francisco earthquake
of 1906 for three days, creating more damage than the earthquake.
-
Leave the gas on at the main valve, unless you smell gas or
think it's leaking. It may be weeks or months before
professionals can turn gas back on using the correct procedures.
Explosions have caused injury and death when homeowners have
improperly turned their gas back on by themselves.
-
Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline, or other
flammable liquids immediately and carefully. Avoid the hazard of
a chemical emergency.
-
Open closet and cabinet doors cautiously. Contents may
have shifted during the shaking of an earthquake and could fall,
creating further damage or injury.
-
Inspect your home for damage. Get everyone out if your home is
unsafe. Aftershocks following earthquakes can cause further
damage to unstable buildings. If your home has experienced damage,
get out before aftershocks happen.
-
Help neighbors who may require special assistance. Elderly
people and people with disabilities may require additional
assistance. People who care for them or who have large families may
need additional assistance in emergency situations.
-
Listen to a portable, battery-operated radio (or television)
for updated emergency information and instructions. If the
electricity is out, this may be your main source of information.
Local radio and local officials provide the most appropriate advice
for your particular situation.
-
Expect aftershocks. Each time you feel one, drop, cover,
and hold on! Aftershocks frequently occur minutes, days, weeks, and
even months following an earthquake.
-
Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines, and stay
out of damaged areas. Hazards caused by earthquakes are often
difficult to see, and you could be easily injured.
-
Stay out of damaged buildings. If you are away from home,
return only when authorities say it is safe. Damaged buildings may
be destroyed by aftershocks following the main quake.
-
Use battery-powered lanterns or flashlights to inspect your
home. Kerosene lanterns, torches, candles, and matches may tip
over or ignite flammables inside.
-
Inspect the entire length of chimneys carefully for damage.
Unnoticed damage could lead to fire or injury from falling debris
during an aftershock. Cracks in chimneys can be the cause of a fire
years later.
-
Take pictures of the damage, both to the house and its
contents, for insurance claims.
-
Avoid smoking inside buildings. Smoking in confined areas
can cause fires.
-
When entering buildings, use extreme caution. Building
damage may have occurred where you least expect it. Carefully watch
every step you take.
-
Examine walls, floor, doors, staircases, and windows to
make sure that the building is not in danger of collapsing.
-
Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear a
blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the
building. Turn off the gas, using the outside main valve if you
can, and call the gas company from a neighbor's home. If you
turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a
professional.
-
Look for electrical system damage. If you see sparks
or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell burning insulation,
turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit
breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or
circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice.
-
Check for sewage and water line damage. If you suspect
sewage lines are damaged, avoid using the toilets and call a
plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company
and avoid using water from the tap. You can obtain safe water
from undamaged water heaters or by melting ice cubes.
-
Watch for loose plaster, drywall, and ceilings that could
fall.
-
Use the telephone only to report life-threatening emergencies.
Telephone lines are frequently overwhelmed in disaster situations.
They need to be clear for emergency calls to get through.
-
Watch animals closely. Leash dogs and place them in a fenced
yard. The behavior of pets may change dramatically after an
earthquake. Normally quiet and friendly cats and dogs may become
aggressive or defensive.
